All Muslims wish to go for this spiritual journey once in their lifetime. The main aim of the pilgrimage is to seek forgiveness from Allah and cleanse the mortal sins. There are a lot of preparations to make and things to do before Umrah, which first time pilgrims need to make themselves aware of. A little initiation can go a long way in making your journey to the house of Allah a memorable one.

How To Prepare For Umrah? – Getting Ready For The Holy Pilgrimage

In order to ensure that the journey bears fruitful gains, pilgrims can prepare by:

1. Understanding the rules of Ihram – a sacred state that pilgrims must enter before they can perform Umrah is the most important among various things to do before Umrah. There are various Ihram rites and rituals—a bit different for men and women—that pilgrims must be familiar with before heading for Umrah.

2. Understanding different Duas and Surahs along with their interpretations.

3. Performing Salat al-Tawbah – the prayer of repentance that asks for forgiveness from Allah with a clean heart.

4. Understanding how to offer Salatul Janaza – the funeral prayer.

5. Forgiving, and seeking forgiveness from those one has wronged.

6. Learning the history of Umrah and of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

7. Making a list of duas for loved ones. Making these duas in the most sacred place is the best chance of them being accepted. However, duas must be offered with pure intentions and a malicious-free heart.

Things To Do Before Umrah – Tips To Make It Memorable

Most first-timers undertaking the Umrah journey are not sure regarding what to do before Umrah. A few key things must be done before one to make the spiritual pilgrimage a memorable one.

8. Virtually exploring the sacred sites in Makkah. After finishing the Umrah, pilgrims can visit other revered sites in Madinah and Makkah. There are numerous ziyarats, or pilgrimage sites that are considered sacred and holy by Muslims. Some of them are:

• The cave of Saur, also known as Ghar-e-Saur, is actually the place where the Holy Prophet, along with Hazrat Abu Bakar, spent three days and three nights. It was during the time of traveling from Makkah to Madinah
• The cave of Hira, in the mountain Nour is of extreme importance as per Islamic tradition. This is where the Prophet received the message of Allah through angel Jibreel.
• The house of Abu Jahal, while it does not exist anymore, is still a spot that is visited by the pilgrims. Abu Jahal, originally named Amr ibn Hisham, was a staunch opposer of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He was labeled as the Pharaoh of the Ummah by the Prophet.
• Ayesha mosque acts as a Miqat, where one can wear the Ihram clothing to begin Umrah or Hajj. Also known as Taneem Mosque, this is the place where Aisha, Muhammad (PBUH)’s wife, entered Ihram to begin Umrah.
• Jabl-e-Rehmat, also known as Mount of Mercy or Mount Arafat, is actually a hill in the Arafat valley. It is located just outside Makkah and is the site where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) delivered his final sermon on the completion of Hajj.

9. Making early reservations is helpful in saving last minute chaos. The pilgrimage is done by millions of Muslims every year. Due to its immense religious significance, there are seasons when it gets really difficult to find rooms in Makkah hotels.

10. Focusing on physical fitness is important for pilgrims to successfully complete Umrah. In total, one has to undertake a journey of at least 4.2 km on foot. Thus, one of the most essential things to do before Umrah is to start taking long walks and concentrating on breathing technique. Walking such long distances in humid conditions requires a lot of stamina and determination.

Umrah preparation for ladies

Umrah preparation for ladies is slightly different than men. There are many guides on what to do before going to Umrah for women. Read them and speak to scholars to know about best practices. Some of the common but important points to keep in mind are

11. Be aware of the suitable clothes to carry. You will require two kinds of clothes – one to perform Umrah and others to wear on other days while still in Makkah.
12. Be aware of the activities that break Ihram.
13. Learn everything about the rules and rituals of Umrah for women.
14. Know about Masjid Ayesha as a miqat for menstruating women.
15. Know all about legal requirements and paperwork if you are traveling without a mahram.

Preparing for Umrah involves focussing on one’s physical, mental, emotional as well as spiritual well-being. All things to do before Umrah ready you for the life-changing experience that it will turn out to be.

The post 10 Things To Do Before Umrah To Make It A Gratifying Spiritual Journey appeared first on Zamzam Blogs.

The Black Stone probably belongs to the pre-Islamic religion of the Arabs. As of today, it is divided into three large pieces with some fragments and is surrounded by a stone ring while being held together with a silver band. According to a legend in Islam, it was given to Adam on his fall from paradise, and that it was originally white in colour but turned black by absorbing the misdeeds of the pilgrims kissing and touching it.

The Black Stone holds a lot of significance and is valued in Islam as a stone from heaven. There are various legends as to how it came into existence and was placed in the Holy wall of Kaaba. Let’s go through a few of them.

The Black Stone History

The Black Stone was given to Ibrahim from Jannah to be placed on the corner of the Holy Kaaba. Abd Allah Ibn Abbas – a cousin of Prophet Muhammad narrated that the Prophet said: “The Black Stone came down from Paradise and it was whiter than milk, but the sins of the sons of Adam turned it black.”

According to Islamic scholars, duas are accepted at the Hajar al-Aswad and on the Day of Judgement, it will be testifying in favour of all those who have kissed it. The Prophet said: “By Allah! On the Day of Qiyamah (judgement), Allah will present the Hajar al-Aswad in such a manner that it will have two eyes and a tongue to testify to the Imaan (faith) of all those who kissed it.”

The Black Stone carries greater importance, as according to an account, it is known that while Ibrahim AS was building the house of God, the Holy Kaaba, for spirituality and worship, it appeared that the stones to complete the wall were short. The Prophet Ibrahim sent his son Prophet Ismail AS to look for an appropriate stone to fit in the gap to finish the Holy wall of Kaaba. When he came back empty-handed, he noticed a shiny white colour stone already placed in the empty space. Ibrahim AS told him the unique stone was delivered to him by Jibreel.

Around 930 CE, the Hajar al-Awad was stolen by the Qarmatians, an extremist Muslim sect from the area of eastern Arabia. They looted Makkah, vandalizing the city with corpses and took away the sacred stone to their base in Ihsaa. According to a historian, the Hajar al-Awad was returned and re-established to its primary location around 952 CE.

Story of The Black Stone Resurrection in Kaaba

At the time of the reconstruction of Kaaba, a conflict arose among the masses when the building of Holy Kaaba reached the position of the Black Stone. People quarreled about who was worthy enough to restore the Black Stone to its primary place. It was decided by the Abu UmayyaIbn al-Mugheera (their elder) who asked the Quraysh (a mercantile Arab tribe that inhabited and controlled the city of Makkah and its Kaaba) to agree on the discernment of the first person to come through the Bani Shaybah Gate (the main northern gate to enter into the area of Kaaba). The Prophet was the one who walked through and put the Black Stone back to its primary place.

Suggested Read: Kiswa Of Kaaba – The Holy Cloth That Adorns The House Of Allah

At first, the stone was whole, but with time and various historical incidents, it is now broken into eight pieces of different sizes and attached to a large stone in a silver frame. The first frame was made by Abdullah bin Zubair, a prominent representative of the second generation of Muslim families in Makkah, and then replaced by different Khalifas (rulers) throughout the years.

Paying Respects at The Black Stone

Muslims from around the world come to Makkah to not only witness the stone but also take every possible chance to kiss it. This Black Stone is the only piece of rock from the original structure of Kaaba built by Ibraham and Ismail. It is the single stone that has lasted through all the events and upheavals that took place at Kaaba.

This centerpiece of the Kaaba is the most respected stone in the world. Muslims wish to kiss and touch it because the Prophet Mohammad did so. It is something to honour and take pride in and kissing it is not a duty but an act of love.

“I know that you are a stone, you do not cause harm or benefit; and if it were not that I had seen Allah’s Messenger kiss you, I would never have kissed you.” – Umar bin al-Khattab, the second Khalifa of the Muslims.

Hajr-e-Aswad, Kaaba FAQs

The post Story Of Hajr-e-Aswad Or The Black Stone In Kaaba, Makkah appeared first on Zamzam Blogs.

During Umrah pilgrimage, devotees have to perform three main ritual acts:

• Tawaf, which is circumambulating The Holy Kaaba in an anticlockwise direction;
• Sa’i, walking seven times forward and backward between Marwah and Safa Hills;
• Halq, wherein the male pilgrims shave or shorten their hair

After completing these three acts, a pilgrim leaves the state of Ihram: the sacred state a Muslim must assumed in order to perform the Hajj or Umrah, and completes the journey to Umrah.

Performing Umrah with complete rituals usually takes only a few hours. If you have more time to spend in the holy city of Mecca, you can visit really beautiful places of attraction. They are serene, sacred, and located in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.

Best Places to Visit During Umrah In Makkah

While in the city of Makkah, there are many places in Makkah and Madinah that are worthy of a visit. Out of the many here are the top 12 points of attraction that one must see.

1. Masjid-Al Haram

Well-known as the Great Mosque of Makkah, Masjid-Al Haram surrounds Makkah’s Kaaba. It is one of the must visit places during Umrah as at the epicenter of this mosque, Muslims offer their prayers to Allah facing the holy Kaaba. In fact, pilgrims start-off the holy journey of Umrah from here. A key rite performed at this pilgrimage is circumambulating the Kaaba, one of the most spiritual things to do during Umrah.

2. Jabal al-Nour

Also known as ‘Hill of Illumination’ or ‘Mountain of Light’, Jabal al-Nour is famous for a cave named Gar-e-Hira. As per the Islamic literature, this is the place where the holy words of Allah were first revealed to Prophet Muhammad through the angel Jibreel. This is why Hira Cave is one of the significant places to visit during the Umrah journey.

3. Mount Arafat

Quite renowned as Jabal ar-Rahmah or Jabal Arafat, Mount Arafat is visited by scores of Muslims during the Hajj pilgrimage. This is where pilgrims offer prayers to Allah and perform various rituals.

4. Jannat-al-Mu’alla

One of the most significant cemeteries for Muslims, Jannat-al-Mu’alla is where many ancestors and relatives of Prophet Muhammad are said to be resting in peace. It is located to the north of Al-Masjid Al-Haram; the distance is about a kilometer, which can be walked in 15 minutes. Most people visit this cemetery to pay their respects to the deceased souls.

5. Masjid-e-Ayesha

The second-largest mosque in Makkah, Masjid-e-Aisha (also called Masjid e Taneem) is one of the oldest establishments in the city, which makes it a must-visit place during Umrah pilgrimage. It is situated close to the holy Kaaba. Here, pilgrims can enter the sacred state of Ihram.

6. Maktaba Makkah-al-Mukarramah

The birthplace of Prophet Muhammad, Maktaba Makkah-al-Mukarramah is located in She’eb Banu Hashim in Makkah. Previously a mountain, this place has been converted into a national library. To know some interesting facts about the history of Maktaba Makkah-al-Mukarramah, watch the video below:

Video Credit – Yedikıta Dergisi

7. City of Mina

Also known as ‘City of Tents’, the City of Mina offers temporary accommodation to Hajj pilgrims in air-conditioned tents. It is situated in close proximity to Masjid-al-Haram, thus can be easily visited during the holy journey of Umrah.

Most Sacred Places to Visit During Umrah In Madinah

8. Masjid-e-Nabawi

Located in the holy city of Madinah, this stunning mosque of Al-Masjid an-Nabawi is one of the most sacred places to visit after Umrah pilgrimage. According to the Islamic culture, this place is the resting place of Prophet Muhammad.

It is one of the largest mosques around the world, and is visited by millions of pilgrims every year. Praying at this holy mosque is among the best things to do during Umrah.

9. Masjid-al-Quba

Situated on the outer area of Madinah, the Quba Mosque is known to be the first mosque in the history of Islam. Witnessing a huge footfall throughout the year, this mosque is one of the most sacred places to visit during Umrah. Also the second-largest mosque in the sacred city, this place witnesses large gatherings during the holy month of Ramadan.

10. Mount Uhud

One of the best things to do during Umrah pilgrimage is visiting the historic place of Mount Uhud in Madinah. It is the site of the Battle of Uhud, and is a place of high significance in the Islamic culture. Graveyards of fighters, who laid down their lives in this battle, can be found near this site.

11. Dar Al-Madinah Museum

The foremost museum in Madinah, Al Madinah Museum boasts of rare artefacts and archaeological collections, all of which capture the heritage of this holy city. The beautiful museum offers a glimpse into the rich culture of Islam.

12. Masjid al-Qiblatayn

A beautiful mosque situated in the holy city of Madinah, Masjid al-Qiblatayn is the place where Allah commanded Prophet Muhammad for changing the direction of the Qibla to Mecca from Jerusalem. The mosque was in the Islamic year 2 AH (623 CE) by Sawad ibn: meaning son of Ghanam ibn Ka’ab.

Incorporating these sacred places to visit during Umrah in the itinerary, gives a sense of completion to journey to the house of Allah.

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