What is Umrah?

Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage that involves visiting the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia and performing a set of religious rituals. It is also known as the "lesser pilgrimage" or the "minor pilgrimage," as it is not obligatory like Hajj, which is the "greater pilgrimage."

Umrah can be performed at any time of the year, unlike Hajj, which has a specific time period. It is a voluntary act of worship that Muslims can perform to seek the blessings and forgiveness of Allah, as well as to gain spiritual purification.

The rituals of Umrah include:

• Ihram: Before starting the Umrah, the pilgrim must enter the state of Ihram, which involves making the intention to perform Umrah and wearing specific clothing, consisting of two pieces of white cloth for men and regular modest clothing for women. The Ihram represents the purity and humility of the pilgrim before Allah.
• Tawaf: The pilgrim then performs Tawaf, which involves circling the Kaaba seven times in an anti-clockwise direction, while reciting supplications and verses from the Quran.
• Sa'i: After completing Tawaf, the pilgrim performs Sa'i, which involves walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa, in commemoration of the story of Hagar (Hajra) and her son Ishmael (Ismail) in search of water in the desert.
• Halq or Taqsir: The final step of Umrah is either Halq or Taqsir. Halq involves shaving the head completely, while Taqsir involves trimming a small amount of hair from the head. This act symbolizes the end of the state of Ihram.

Umrah can be performed individually or in a group, and it is recommended for Muslims to perform it at least once in their lifetime if they are financially and physically able. It is also important to note that Umrah does not fulfill the obligation of Hajj, and a separate pilgrimage to Hajj is required for Muslims who are financially and physically able.