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Everything You Need to Know About Umrah

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Millions of Muslims worldwide annually plan and undertake the spiritual journey to Mecca to perform Umrah. After Hajj, Umrah pilgrimage holds great significance in the lives of Muslims. This Umrah pilgrimage is a profound act of acknowledging that worshipping Allah with pure intentions brings peace of heart and purifies the soul, heart, mind, and body from past sins.

Umrah is an Arabic word meaning ‘a visit’ to the Holy Kaaba. Umrah is not a time-bound pilgrimage. Unlike Hajj, it can be performed at any time of the year. Although Umrah is a non-mandatory act of worship, still it holds great significance in Islam. Performing Umrah is a Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and a highly recommended act of worship.

Umrah, being the most soul-lifting Sunnah, brings great rewards, peace and blessings if performed with pure intentions.

  1.   Planning and Preparation for Umrah

Before embarking on the Umrah journey, research and choose Umrah packages 2024 that suit your budget and requirements. Choosing a reputable Umrah travel agency is vital for a successful pilgrimage. Think about the facilities you want to be in Umrah packages. Search for Umrah packages offering flight tickets, preferred accommodations, ground transportation and other required services and facilities.

Also, before booking Umrah packages, ensure that your Umrah tour operator holds a valid license and is authorized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Saudi Arabia. Besides, it is also recommended to research about the Umrah rituals and its rules. The more you plan your pilgrimage, the better it will be. Before embarking on a spiritual journey, prepare yourself physically, mentally and spiritually. If you are travelling with Umrah packages provider, ensure they will assist you in preparing all necessary documents to avoid any travel disturbances and last-minute hassle. All Muslim pilgrims need to be well prepared ahead of this Umrah trip.

There’s a need for one to be well-prepared ahead of this trip. Umrah pilgrimage is not all about packing essential items alone; the basic Umrah steps start with pure Umrah intention, knowing that you are visiting the house of your Lord to seek His forgiveness and blessings. Let pleasing Allah be your primary focus. It’s highly recommended that you consult your doctor for a complete medical checkup and be sure you’re physically fit for this strenuous journey. Umrah is a rigorous act of worship that requires good mental and physical health.

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  1.   Understanding the Ihram State

After booking Umrah packages for your journey to Mecca, you must know how to perform Umrah, Umrah rituals, and requirements. The initial step in performing Umrah after making Umrah’s intention is wearing the Ihram and entering the state of Ihram. Ihram is an attire consisting of two sheets of white clothes. Wearing this attire is compulsory for male pilgrims, and women can wear their regular but modest attire. Male pilgrims are required to perform Umrah bareheaded. Covering the head in Ihram is not allowed for male pilgrims.

After entering the state of Ihram, everything contrary to Islamic principles is deemed haram. This includes avoiding certain actions typically permitted in ordinary circumstances but considered unacceptable during this sacred state.

  1.   Performing Umrah Rituals

After entering into the state of Ihram, the second most important ritual is performing Tawaf. Tawaf is another obligatory act in Al Masjid Al Haram. Umrah pilgrims must stop reciting Talbiyah and start taking rounds around the Holy Ka’aba seven times. During these rounds, Tawaf or circumambulating, men must uncover their right shoulder throughout Tawaf.

Umrah pilgrims must circumambulate or take seven rounds in the Masjid Al Haram around Khana e Ka’ba by starting from the Black Stone (Hajr – e- Aswad), reciting specified du’aa or supplications and completing it after completing seven anticlockwise circumambulations.

Istilam is an act of kissing or touching a black stone during Tawaf or circumambulations. Muslim male pilgrims are required to walk (Ramal) faster during their first three rounds around Ka’aba and then walk at a normal pace to complete the next four rounds between Rukn al Yamani (Yamani corner) and the Black Stone (Hajr – e – Aswad)

The seventh and last circumambulation ends exactly at Black Stone, where the first round began. At the end of the seventh round of Tawaf, the act of Tawaf ends. At the end of Tawaf, men must cover their right shoulder with an Ihram sheet.

After completing Tawaf or circumambulation, pilgrims perform two rakaas Tawaf -e- Salat behind Maqam e Ibrahim, drink ZamZam and then proceed to a space between Black Stone and Ka’aba door called Multazam to make dua.

After completing Tawaf, the next act of worship, Sa’I, begins. Sai is an act of worship performed by walking seven times between two points of Safa and Marwa. To complete this act of worship, male pilgrims must trim their hair or shave their heads, while women need to cut a small hair equal to a fingertip to complete the Umrah pilgrimage.

After Sa’I and cutting hair, all the restrictions imposed during Ihram state are lifted, and pilgrims can now change clothes.

How to Prepare for Umrah

Umrah is an opportunity for Muslims to cleanse their body and souls of past sins. Before booking Umrah packages, preparing for Umrah physically, mentally, and spiritually is recommended. Here are some tips to prepare yourself for Umrah after setting up the best Umrah packages:

Take Long Walks: Undertaking the Umrah pilgrimage entails significant walking. Pilgrims walk during the Tawaf ritual and the journey between Safa and Marwa. The extent of walking involved during Tawaf varies depending on how close one is to the Ka’aba. The trip between Safa and Marwa involves seven rounds, covering a distance of approximately 3.6 km. Therefore, ensuring that you are physically fit before embarking on the Umrah journey is crucial.

Pack Clothes Accordingly: Summer temperatures are extremely hot, while the winter season is comfortable and cooler. After choosing the right Umrah packages, go shopping and choose the kind of Ihram that best suits the weather conditions in Makkah. Also, be sure to buy a pair of comfortable shoes and wear them before undertaking the Umrah journey to get your feet used to it.

Make Spiritual Preparations: Prepare yourself spiritually before undertaking Umrah journey and after booking Umrah packages. Ask your Umrah packages provider to suggest spiritual classes or sessions to get answers to the questions that linger in your head. By learning about the history behind Umrah rituals, you can better understand why things happened the way they did.

Visit Sacred Places In Makkah and Madinah

Besides Al-Haram in Makkah and Masjid e Nabwi in Madinah, there are other Ziyarats, pilgrims should visit these Ziyarats after completing Umrah. The famous historical places are the Hira cave, the Saur, Jabl-e-Rehmat, Ayesha mosque, masjid-e-jin, and the house of Abu Jahal. All these Ziayarats are at different distances from Haram. Ask your cheap Umrah packages provider to add Ziarats to your Umrah packages so that pilgrims can visit them once they are in Saudi Arabia for Umrah.

Half of your travel problems related to Umrah will be solved if you contact a reputable Umrah agency and buy the best Umrah packages. It is easy to find reputable Umrah travel agencies in Pakistan offering diverse Umrah packages catering to the needs of the pilgrims. Prepare a budget for Umrah and think about the facilities you want in your Umrah packages.

After preparing your Umrah pilgrimage list, search different Umrah tour operators, compare their prices and choose the reputable travel agent with the best Umrah packages. Check whether your Umrah tour operator holds a valid licence and is authorized by the Ministry of Umrah and Hajj, Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Arabia Ministry has prepared a list of authorized Umrah travel agents. Check whether your chosen travel agent is enlisted there.

Book Your Umrah Package Today

For the past many years, Umrah Companions has taken pride in designing the best Umrah packages tailored to the unique needs of pilgrims. The Umrah packages offered by Umrah Companions are best known for their affordability and quality of services. You can check the Umrah packages offered by Umrah Companions at our website; you will find a wide range of Umrah packages, each catering to the needs of the pilgrims.

 

 

 

 

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