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Umrah - Background and General terms

Umrah - Background and General terms

June 01, 2017 Abu Muneer Ismail Davids
Tags: umrah background and general terms

Umrah according to Qur'an and Sunnah

Any form of worship (Ibadah) in Islam must be performed according to the Qur'an and Sunnah for it to be acceptable to Allah. One's true intention (niyah) must be for Allah alone and a desire for the Hereafter. It cannot be done with the intention of being seen among men for worldly gain. Strict care should be taken to perform all actions with ikhlas (to perform any act solely for Allah) and itiba'a (adherence to the Sunnah). This means performing Umrah as performed by the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) without adding to or deleting from the rituals. Also, the money required for Umrah MUST be earned by lawful (Halal) means. One should start on this journey with the exclusive intention of carrying out the commands of Allah and to seek Allah's guidance and pleasure.

There is only one way of performing Umrah, that is, according to the Qur'an and Sunnah!

"It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter  that they should have an option in their decision. And  whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger he has indeed strayed in a plain error."   {Surah Al-Ahzab (33), ayah 36

Before we address the actual performance of Umrah, we would like to explain some general terms about tawaaf and sa'ee.

About Tawaaf:

General Points:

Types of Tawaaf: 

  • Umrah Tawaaf (1)
  • Welcome Tawaaf (Tawaaf-al-Qudoom) (2)
  • Tawaaf for Hajj (Tawaaf-al-Ifadah also known as Tawaaf-as-Ziyarah or Tawaaf-al-Hajj) (3)
  • Farewell Tawaaf (Tawaaf-al-Wadaa) (4)
  • Nafl Tawaaf (5)
  • For Umrah, only (1), (4) & (5) 
  • (1) & (2) You should be in Ihraam.
  • (1) & (2) Ramal (to walk briskly in the first three rounds) and Idtiba (to have your right shoulder open) are required for these tawaafs.

Narrated Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him): “When Allah’s Messenger (Peace Be Upon Him) and his companions came to Makkah, the pagans circulated the news that a group of people were coming to them and they had been weakened by the fever of Yathrib (Al-Madinah). So the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) ordered his companions to do Ramal in the first three rounds of Tawaaf of the Ka’bah and to walk between the two corners (The Yemenite corner and the Black stone). The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) did not order them to do Ramal in all the rounds of Tawaaf out of pity for them.” (Bukhari)

  • (4) This is the last act to be performed before leaving Makkah.
  • (5) This tawaaf can be performed at any time and as many times as possible.
  • (3), (4) & (5) No Ihraam, no Ramal and no Idtiba for these tawaafs.
  • There is no niyah to be uttered audibly. The niyah is in the heart.
  • Tawaaf begins at Hajr-al-Aswad (Black Stone) only and proceeds in an anti-clockwise direction.
  • The tawaaf also finishes at the Hajr-al-Aswad.
  • One should encircle (walk around the outside) the area called Hijr (The open area, under the roof’s waterspout, surrounded by a low wall).
  • The number of circuits to perform is always seven, regardless of the type of tawaaf (i.e., Umrah, Hajj or Nafl).
  • When you are in doubt about the number of rounds you have made, rely on the lesser number you remember.
  • Dua in your own language, dhikr, and reciting Qur'an are all acceptable forms of Ibadah while performing tawaaf.
  • Tawaaf MUST be interrupted for fardh salah and recommended for janazah salah. Resume from where you have stopped. If you stopped half way through one circuit, ensure that you continue at the right place. This is important if you stopped for salah and moved positions several times before the actual salah. So it is important to remember exactly where you have stopped, otherwise start again. If you are not sure about the number, choose the lesser number or start again.
  • It is permissible to talk while performing tawaaf. Most scholars agree that one should only discuss necessary/required things and not merely engage in idle chat.
  • Avoid performing tawaaf in groups or following and reciting behind a 'leader'. The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was the best of teachers and he did not lead anybody, or any group, in tawaaf, nor did he instruct his companions (may Allah be pleased with them) to do so.
  • Avoid raising your voice while performing tawaaf:

Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) started ascending a high place or hill. A man (amongst his companions) ascended it and shouted in a loud voice:  La ilaha illal-lahu wallahu Akbar.  (At that time) Allah's messenger was riding his mule. Allah's messenger said: "You are not calling upon a deaf or an absent One."  (Bukhari)

                                                                 

Why are we kissing the Black Stone?

Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) kissed the stone and said: "I am kissing you, whereas I know you are a stone, but I saw Allah's Messenger (Peace Be Upon Him) kissing you (that is why I kiss you)" (Muslim)                                                                                         

  • Avoid walking against the flow of people rather walk right around to the starting place.
  • There is no need to actually stop on the brown starting line. This is not a place to stop or make salah on. It is a mere indication of where to start. Many people stop on this line and make all sorts of gestures towards the black stone, causing a great deal of congestion and confusion.
  • It is important to note that if one is unable to reach the Black Stone, one's Umrah or tawaaf is NOT decreased in merit in any way, but if one pushes and shoves his Muslim brethren in order to do so, he risks incurring Allah the Almighty's displeasure.

 

 

Some Hints for Tawaaf:

  • During the very busy periods the tawaaf area around the Ka’bah is extremely crowded with people performing tawaaf. It is like being in a can of sardines and one can get severely squashed and bruised.
  • If you cannot stand being ‘pushed and squashed’ we suggest you perform your tawaaf on the roof level. It is much easier than the middle floor level as the middle floor has lots of people and pillars to negotiate. The roof can also get very crowded but from experience it is much more comfortable. It may take a while longer due to the bigger area you need to cover. Walking normally, with a fair crowd, one circuit can take about 15 to 20 minutes to complete.
  • Apart from the pushing, it is not recommended for women to be in such crowds, if it can be avo
  • The bottom level around the Ka’bah is the quickest, but it is also for the bravest.
  • If you start your tawaaf on the ground level, and find it too ‘difficult’ to continue, it is acceptable to go to the other floors to complete the seven circuits. It is best to try and complete a circuit prior to going upstairs. If you go halfway through a circuit, then you should redo that circuit. (The distance covered to get upstairs does not count as part of the tawaaf).
  • It is also acceptable to go outside the mosque to use the escalators (which is sometimes easier) to get upstairs
  • When the tawaaf area is very crowded adopt the following approach:
  • Start your tawaaf as far out as possible Proceed to walk slowly inwards, closer to the Ka’bah.
  • Try to maintain this position and complete the 1st round followed by rounds 2 to 6.
  • On the 7th round start moving slowly towards the outer side again.
  • At the end of the 7th round, walk quickly diagonally along the starting line, in front of the people. Because everybody ‘stops’ on this line, if you walk quickly, you will find a clear path all the way.
  • The above method may not work all the time, but it’s worth a try.
  • If you have women with you, we suggest you remain on the outside for all seven circuits.
  • About getting to kiss the black stone. Sometimes the people actually form a queue. You may wait very long in this queue as there are thousands of others that push in at the front. There is no easy way other than waiting your turn. Do not even consider taking the females to try and kiss the stone. This is looking for trouble. Rather go at a less busy time if possible.
  • Touching of the Rukn-al-Yamani corner is also virtually impossible.
  • You need to complete your two rak’at salah in another part of the mosque.

 

About Sa’ee:

General Points:    

  • Sa’ee is only performed:
  • After Tawaaf for Umrah (1)
  • After Tawaaf-ul-Qudoom (Sa’ee for Hajj) (2)
  • After Tawaaf-al-Ifadah for those performing the Tamattu method and for the other methods if they did not do it after Tawaaf-ul-Qudoom
  • (1) & (2) You should be in Ihraam.
  • For Umrah, only (1) applies.
  • There is no nafl sa'ee.
  • There is no sa’ee after a nafl tawaaf or after Tawaaf-al-Wadaa.
  • The sa’ee comprises of seven laps.
  • Starting at Safaa one proceeds to Marwah. This is one lap.

 

  • From Marwah you return to Safaa (this is lap two) and so on, finishing lap seven at Marwah.
  • When you are in doubt about the number of rounds you have made, rely on the lesser number you remember. Keep in mind that you should finish at Marwah.
  • Dua in your own language, dhikr, tasbih, are all acceptable forms of Ibadah while performing sa’ee.
  • Between the green lights (indicated on the side of the walls nearer to Safaa), the males walk briskly (run). Sometimes due to crowds it is impossible to do so. Also if you are taking care of elderly or females in your company, you can refrain from running between the green lit areas. Some males run all the way from Safaa to Marwah. Maybe they are in a hurry, but this is contrary to the Sunnah.
  • Sa’ee MUST be interrupted for fardh salah and recommended for janazah salah. Resume from where you have stopped. If you stopped half way through one round, ensure that you continue at the right place. This is important if you stopped for salah and moved positions several times before the actual salah. So it is important to remember exactly where you have stopped, otherwise start again. If you are not sure about the number, choose the lesser number or start again. Sa’ee finishes at Marwah, hence you should take care of the numbers. If you were going towards Marwah, then the count can either be 1, 3, 5 or 7, and if you were going towards Safaa, then it is either, 2, 4 or 6.
  • It is permissible to talk while performing sa’ee. Most scholars agree that one should only discuss necessary/required things and not merely engage in idle chat.
  • As with tawaaf avoid performing sa’ee in groups or following and reciting behind a 'leader'. The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was the best of teachers and he did not lead anybody, or any group, in sa’ee, nor did he instruct his companions (may Allah be pleased with them) to do so.
  • Avoid raising your voice while performing sa’ee.
  • It is preferable but not a requirement to have Wudhu while performing sa’ee.

Where is the Sa'ee area?

With your back facing the Maqaam Ibraheem, Safaa is located towards your right. There is a big White sign indicating the direction. Also if you proceed straight towards the back of the Haram from the green light or brown starting line, you will be going in the right direction.

  • Sa’ee can also be performed on the middle and roof areas.
  • Once again we suggest the roof area to be the best. However the middle floor may be better if you are performing sa’ee during the day and it is hot.
  • Sometimes the stairs to the upper floors of the sa’ee area are just as crowded as the sa’ee itself.
  • At Marwah, and if you are performing sa’ee on the second floor or on the roof, you will not be able to see the Ka’bah, so you need to ensure that you face the correct direction while supplicating.
  • Many people make the mistake of counting from Safaa to Safaa as one round. This means you will end up performing 14 laps.

 

About Cutting your Hair:

  • There is more reward in shaving your head (men), instead of just cutting it short.
  • Shaving is referred to as Halq and cutting as Qasr (or Taqseer).
  • It is not enough to cut a small piece of hair from one side only. You should cut from all over your head. In other words, have a haircut.
  • Women should cut no more than one fingertip length (about one inch) from their hair (one place only).
  • The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) supplicated to Allah three times to forgive those who had their heads shaved and once for those who had their hair cut short.

Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said: “May Allah have mercy upon those who had their heads shaved” They said: “Messenger of Allah, what about those who had their hair clipped?” He said: “May Allah have mercy upon those who had their heads shaved” They said: “Messenger of Allah, (what about those who had their hair clipped?)” He said: “May Allah have mercy upon those who had their heads shaved” They said: “Messenger of Allah, (what about) those who had their hair clipped?” He said: “(Oh Allah, have mercy upon) those who had their hair clipped” (Muslim)

Do not shave only parts of it. Sometimes people plan to perform more than one Umrah, so they shave only part of the head at a time:

Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has forbidden shaving only a part of the head and leaving unshaved another part. (Bukhari & Muslim)

Start cutting or shaving from the right side:

Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) came to Mina; he went to the Jamrah and threw the pebbles at it, after which he went to his lodging in Mina, and sacrificed the animal. He then called for a barber and, turning his right side to him, let him shave it; after which he turned his left side. He then gave (his hair) to the people.   (Muslim)

You may find people with scissors at Marwah, offering (for a small fee) to cut your hair. Many women opt for this, and by doing so, often expose their hair. It is better that they wait until they return to their rooms, and do it in privacy.