Counted amongst the highly regarded acts of worship in Islam, Umrah is a visit to the holy Kaaba – the house of God to seek the blessings of Allah. According to Hanafi, which is one of the four major traditional Sunni schools of Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh in Arabic), performing Umrah is not Fardh (obligatory) but it is considered a Sunnah Mu’akkadah (emphasised Sunnah).
The Fiqh of Umrah Hanafi specifies four key rituals that must be performed to complete the pilgrimage. This blog lays out these rules and guidelines of rituals in detail.
How to perform Umrah Hanafi?
The first step is Ihram, which requires pilgrims to change into appropriate Ihram clothes along with necessary prayers. The second step is to carry out Tawaf al-Umrah of the Kaaba before performing two Rakats of Salah, usually near Maqam Ibrahim. Then, Sa’i of Safa and Marwa is performed. And finally, those performing Umrah Hanafi guidelines cut their hair and leave the state of Ihram to complete their Umrah.
As per Fiqh of Umrah Hanafi, each of the four rituals holds immense religious significance. Here are the details of the steps that are a part of these rituals
- Wudhu: At the miqat (important boundaries for pilgrimage), before wearing Ihram garments, one is required to remove the hair below the navel and under the armpits as well as clip their nails. This should be followed by Ghusl, also known as Wudhu.
- Wearing Ihram: After physical cleansing, it is time to change into the Ihram clothes.
- Salah al-Ihram: It is Sunnah to do two rakahs of Salah prior to entering the state of Ihram. One must make dua after the Salah is performed.
- Niyyah: The next step is declaring the intention or Niyyah for Umrah at or near the Miqat. One must declare Niyyah verbally and then reiterate it internally.
- Talbiyah: Once the Niyyah is made, the Talbiyah must be recited for validating the intention and entering the state of Ihram. Once Talbiyah has been said, one enters the state of Ihram and is called a Muhrim. After this point, if any prohibitions of Ihram are violated, Sadaqah or Damm (animal sacrifice as compensation) is required as expiation.
- Entering Makkah: While reaching the Haram of Makkah, one is required to constantly utter the Talbiyah, perform Dhikr (remembering Allah) and send Salawat (salutation) upon the Prophet. Once there, arrive at Masjid al-Haram and perform Tawaf al-Umrah.
- Entering Masjid al-Haram: It is Sunnah to enter Masjid al-Haram through Bab al-Salam, also known as the Gate of Peace. It is important to step through the gate with your right foot first and recite the supplication for entering Masjid al-Haram.
- The first sight of the Kaaba: On entering the mosque, remember to keep the gaze lowered until reaching the Mataf (white area around the holy Kaaba). Once ready, it is fine to lift the gaze and set sight on the Holy Kaaba. When setting sight on the Kaaba, make dua while reciting salawat upon the Prophet.
- Tawaf al-Umrah: Begin the Tawaf and make seven circuits from the Kaaba to Hajar al-Aswad in the anti-clockwise direction. Perform Istilam (gesturing towards the Black Stone) at the start and the end of each circumambulation.
- Salah: After finishing tawaf, one must perform two rakahs of salah.
- Drinking Zamzam water: On making dua and completing salah, one must drink the holy Zamzam water.
- Iltizam: Then proceed for Iltizam, which is the act of touching the Kabbah wall with your one cheek, chest and hands.
- Sa’i: It is Sunnah to do Sa’i as soon as the Tawaf ends. To complete Sa’i, perform seven laps between Safa and Marwa.
- Final Dua: When Sa’i is completed, make the final dua and do two rakahs of nafl salah (a voluntary prayer) in Masjid al-Haram.
- Halq or Taqsir: To complete Umrah Hanafi, cutting hair is the last step. It is essential to shave the hair (halq) or trim it at least 1 inch (taqsir) to exit the state of Ihram.
Performing Umrah is believed to offer tremendous blessings and benefits. Although there is no specific time for it, Umrah during Ramadan is considered very virtuous.
Umrah Hanafi FAQs
What is Umrah?
Umrah is a visit to the holy Kaaba, the house of God, to seek the blessings of Allah.
What is to be done in Miqat?
Wudhu is performed in Miqat (which is the important boundary for pilgrimage) before wearing Ihram garments, one is required to remove the hair below the navel and under the armpits as well as clip their nails.
What is Talbiyah?
Talbiyah must be recited for validating the intention and entering the state of Ihram. Once Talbiyah has been said, one enters the state of Ihram and is called a Muhrim.
What should be done after making dua?
On making dua and completing salah, one must drink the holy Zamzam water.
What is Iltizam?
Iltizam is the act of touching the Kabbah wall with cheek, chest and hands.
