Every year soon after Hajj till the end of Ramadan month, thousands of Muslims wrapped in two pieces of white clothes from all over the world throng to Holy Kaaba in Makkah and circle it seven times. The ritual is the personal worship of believers in One God and performed exactly the way Prophet Muhammad did in his life.
Performing Umrah is an exclusive form of worship Prophet Muhammad did in his life and all that he did in his life is followed by Muslims as guidance. Many Muslims and non-Muslims wrongly equate Umrah with Hajj. While Hajj is mandatory for every Muslim who can afford it, Umrah is voluntary prayer. But Umrah is so important form of prayer that it was later added to Hajj rituals in Qiran method by Prophet Muhammad.
If we study how and why Prophet performed Umrah we would know that he left Umrah ritual as the best form of direct worship to God. A man enters in a state of consecration, i.e. Ihram as he intends for Umrah. The Ihram puts a man under some restrictions but brings him closer to God. Prophet Muhammad first intended for performing Umrah in the Sixth Year of Hijra (February AD 628).
It was a dream he saw entering into Kaaba with his companions. And he set out for Umrah from Medina to Makkah with 1400 of his followers. All his close companions such as Hazrat Abu Baker, Omar, Ali, Othman accompanied him. Though they were prevented by enemy Quresh from performing Umrah and forced to return back from a place Al Hudaibiya, not far from Makkah.
While Muslims were forced to abandon Umrah Ihram and return to ordinary clothes as Prophet Muhammad signed a peace treaty with enemy Quresh of Makkah. Muslims were not happy that they discontinued Ihram without performing Umrah, but Prophet assured his companions that it was victory for them. And scholars believe it was the first victory for Muslims as powerful enemy Quresh opted for truce and recognized the State of Islam.
A year later, as per truce agreement Prophet Muhammad set out for Umrah again with 2000 followers, including women and children. The Prophet was on his she camel, Al Qasswaa as he entered the vicinity of Holy Kaaba. The enemy Quresh left the city of Makkah and went over the nearby mountains and watched Muslims perform first Umrah of Islam.
When Prophet came near Kaaba, he asked his companion Abdullah ibn Rawahah to repeat these phrases loudly that translate as, “There is no deity but Allah alone. He has fulfilled His promise given victory to His servant and dignity to His soldiers and He has alone defeated the confederates”.
After repeating these phrases he touched the Black stone by his stick and started the Tawaaf of Kaaba. First three circles were carried out jogging round the Kaaba. Rest of rounds were carried out walking around the Kaaba. After finishing his Tawaaf, the Prophet and his companions drank Zamzam water and went to do his Saie, which is seven walks between the hills of As Safa and Al Marwah. After performing Saie, they shaved or cut short their hairs and came out of the condition of Ihram. This was completion of the ritual of Umrah.
Scholars advise that you make as many prayers as you can while making seven rounds around the Kaaba. The Kaaba is considered as the House of God and believed to be exactly below the Throne of God. You do not need a Mufti or any special prayers to perform Umrah. Make your own prayers in your own language as you circle the holy Kaaba.
Try holding the threshold of Kaaba and asking for forgiveness and mercy of God. That is the best opportunity to speak to God. Remember if you can reach the threshold of Kaaba, you have an opportunity of life time to speak to God. So make as many prayers as you can.
Many Muslims also question if they should first go to Makkah and perform Umrah or go to Medinah first? The answer is in the practice of what Prophet Muhammad did, i.e Sunnah. He set out for his first Umrah from Medinah. So it is most appropriate that you follow the Sunnah of Prophet. But for those who want to do Umrah first, there is the example of Prophet’s second Umrah. Prophet did his second Umrah soon after he conquered Makkah and demolished the idols from the vicinity of Holy Kaaba. He asked his companion to start for a place Tamim for Ihram and returned in Ihram and performed Umrah.
Scholars consider Prophet first Umrah as the “compensatory Umrah” and second Umrah as the “Thanksgiving to God”. Perform Umrah with your family and children. Make it short and comfortable. Good travel agents offer Five star Hotels very close to Haram. When you enter holy Kaaba, remember what God says in Holy Koran, “Whosoever entereth it is safe!”
(L 97 Surah Al Imran). This is a promise by God and only He knows you are ‘safe’ from what?
A.Q. Siddiqui
Thank You For Your Vote!
Sorry You have Already Voted!
