How Is Umrah Performed in Islam?
As a follower of Islam, you may already be aware of the importance of Umrah. This is one of the most important forms of pilgrimage you can take outside of Hajj and is one that more than 4 million Muslims from every corner of the globe partake in it every single year. If you are new to Umrah, you might be wondering how is Umrah performed. If so, you have come to the right place. Read on to find out exactly how to perform an Umrah pilgrimage.
1. What is Umrah?
First, it is worth briefly breaking down what Umrah is all about. Much like Hajj, Umrah is a sacred pilgrimage to Mecca that all Muslims should undertake at least once in their life. However, it differs from Hajj in that it can be undertaken at any time throughout the calendar year, rather than during specific dates in the lunar calendar.
Like Hajj, it is a very ritualistic undertaking, involving both Tawaf and Sa’i. However, Umrah can usually be completed in full in under a few hours, in contrast to Hajj which will usually take several days at a minimum.
Umrah is not compulsory in the same way that Hajj is, which is why some Muslims describe it as “the lesser pilgrimage“. However, it is highly recommended under Sharia that all Muslims undertake this beautiful spiritual journey at least once.
2. Beginning Your Pilgrimage
Before you can begin your Umrah, you need to get the travel logistics sorted. Every part of Umrah takes place in the sacred Kaaba in Mecca, a place where only Muslims are permitted to enter. This means you will need to organize your travel and stay in Saudi Arabia and ensure that you are granted legal authorization to enter the Kingdom. For this, your best option is to apply for an Umrah visa.
As this expert guide on how to get an umrah visa explains, you can apply for an Umrah visa any time outside of Hajj. The visa is usually valid for 30 days and typically must be used within 30 days of being issued. As long as you are a practicing Muslim with a genuine intention to perform Umrah, then you should not have an issue with getting your visa granted.
3. How is Umrah Performed?
Now that you have your Umrah visa and have booked your stay in Mecca, it is time to learn the essentials of Umrah. This ritual takes place in four stages, which are:
- Ihram: This is the state of purification you must enter before beginning Umrah. It involves cleaning yourself, donning Ihram garments, and removing offending articles of clothing such as socks and underwear in order to attain purity.
- Tawaf al-Umrah: This is the process of circling the Kaaba in Mecca in a counterclockwise direction seven times.
- Sa’i: Sa’i is the process of going between nearby Safa and Marwah to commemorate Hagar’s search for water.
- Taqsir: Finally, Taqsir or Halq is the process in which you cut or shave hair on your head. For women, an inch of hair is usually cut, while for men a full shave is usually undertaken.
This whole process can be completed in just a couple of hours, making it less challenging than Hajj by a considerable stretch.
Your Travel Questions, Answered
Now that you know how is Umrah performed, we are here to answer any other travel questions you might have ahead of your next spiritual journey. To find out about the latest travel hacks and tips, make sure to consult our extensive Travel Resources for all of the insider information you need.
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