Umrah

Umrah is a deeply spiritual journey undertaken by millions of Muslims around the world and is often referred to as the “lesser pilgrimage.” Unlike Hajj, which is performed once a year during specific Islamic months, Umrah can be performed at any time of the year, making it more accessible for believers seeking closeness to Allah. Rooted in the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Umrah includes sacred rituals such as Ihram, Tawaf around the Ka’aba, Sa’i between Safa and Marwa, and the symbolic act of shaving or trimming hair. This guide explores the history of Umrah, its spiritual significance, the ritual steps, and how events like the COVID-19 pandemic impacted its performance. Whether you’re planning to perform Umrah or simply seeking to understand its meaning in Islam, this comprehensive overview covers everything you need to know.

History of Umrah

The practice of Umrah, often referred to as the “minor pilgrimage” in Islam, has deep roots in the early history of the Islamic Ummah. While the Hajj is a more extensive and obligatory pilgrimage, Umrah holds significant religious importance and has evolved over time.

Early Precedents and Muhammad’s Dream:

Even before the formal establishment of Islamic rituals, the Ka’aba held a central position. However, during the early years of Islam, Mecca’s pagan inhabitants largely controlled access to the sacred site. Muslim traditional accounts detail that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had a significant dream indicating his return to Mecca and the performance of pilgrimage rites.  

The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and the First Umrah:

In the 6th year of Hijrah (Islamic calendar), corresponding to around 628 CE, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and a group of his followers set out for Mecca with the intention of performing Umrah. However, they were prevented from entering by the Meccan authorities. This led to the pivotal Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. Although the treaty initially seemed unfavorable to the Muslims, it paved the way for future peace and interaction.  

The following year, in the month of Dhu’l-Qi’dah, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his followers returned to Mecca to perform what is known as the First Umrah. In accordance with the treaty’s terms, they were allowed to stay for three days, during which they performed the rituals of circumambulating the Ka’aba and other rites. This event marked a significant milestone, demonstrating the growing strength and influence of the Muslim community.

Impact of Coronavirus on Umrah

The Coronavirus pandemic had a profound and unprecedented impact on the performance of Umrah. As the virus spread globally in early 2020, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia took stringent measures to protect the health and safety of its citizens and residents, as well as pilgrims. These measures included significant disruptions to Umrah pilgrimages.  

One of the earliest and most significant impacts was the temporary suspension of Umrah visas for international pilgrims starting in February 2020. This was an unprecedented step in modern history, as the holy sites in Mecca and Medina had generally remained open for pilgrimage. This suspension left countless Muslims worldwide who had planned their Umrah journeys in a state of uncertainty and disappointment.  

Subsequently, the access to the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina was severely restricted, even for local residents and citizens. This included temporary closures of the mosques and the suspension of prayers within their premises to limit the potential for transmission. The rituals of Umrah, such as Tawaf around the Ka’aba and Sa’i between Safa and Marwa, could not be performed during these periods. Public access to Zamzam water dispensaries within the mosques was also temporarily halted.  

As the pandemic evolved, Saudi authorities implemented a phased approach to the resumption of Umrah. This involved:  

• Limited numbers Initially, only a very restricted number of local citizens and residents were permitted to perform Umrah under strict health guidelines and a permit system.
• Age restrictions At various stages, age limits were imposed on those eligible to perform Umrah.
• Health protocols Stringent health protocols were enforced, including mandatory temperature checks, mask-wearing, social distancing, and the use of designated pathways within the holy sites. Pilgrims were often required to undergo COVID-19 testing before and after performing Umrah.  
• Vaccination requirements Eventually, vaccination against COVID-19 became a prerequisite for obtaining Umrah permits. The specific types of vaccines accepted and the number of doses required were subject to change based on the prevailing health situation.
• Permit systems The introduction and strict enforcement of online permit systems through dedicated apps like “Eatmarna” became crucial for managing the number of pilgrims and ensuring adherence to health regulations. These apps often required individuals to demonstrate their vaccination status and book specific time slots for performing Umrah.  
• Restrictions on touching the Ka’aba As a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the virus through physical contact, pilgrims were prohibited from touching the Ka’aba and the Black Stone (Hajar Aswad).

The impact of these restrictions was multi-faceted. Religiously, it caused significant distress for Muslims who were unable to fulfill their desire to perform Umrah. Economically, it severely affected travel agencies, airlines, hotels, and other businesses that rely on religious tourism. Socially, it limited the opportunity for Muslims from around the world to gather and connect in the holy cities.  

While the Kingdom has gradually eased restrictions as the pandemic situation improved globally, the experience highlighted the vulnerability of religious practices to global health crises and the importance of robust safety measures in facilitating such large-scale gatherings. The pandemic underscored the need for innovative solutions and adaptive strategies to ensure the eventual safe return of pilgrims to perform Umrah.

Rites and Rituals of Umrah

Umrah, though considered the “lesser pilgrimage,” involves a set of specific and significant rites and rituals that pilgrims undertake with devotion and reverence. These acts symbolize key aspects of Islamic faith and history, particularly the trials and triumphs of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), his wife Hajar, and their son Ismail (peace be upon them all). The core rituals of Umrah are:

1. Ihram (Intention and Sacred State):

• Intention (Niyyah) Before crossing the designated boundary lines (Miqat) surrounding Mecca, pilgrims must declare their intention (Niyyah) to perform Umrah. This is a mental and verbal declaration.
• Sacred State Upon making the Niyyah, pilgrims enter the state of Ihram. For men, this involves wearing two seamless, unstitched white cloths (one wrapped around the waist and the other draped over the shoulder). Women wear modest, loose-fitting clothing that covers their entire body except for their face and hands.  
• Prohibitions of Ihram While in the state of Ihram, pilgrims must adhere to certain prohibitions, which include:
  • Trimming or cutting hair or nails.
  • Wearing stitched clothing (for men).
  • Using perfumes or scented products.  
  • Hunting or harming animals.
  • Engaging in sexual relations.
  • Cutting down trees within the Haram (sacred boundary of Mecca).  

2.Tawaf (Circumambulation of the Ka’aba):

• Pilgrims proceed to the Masjid al-Haram (the Grand Mosque) and perform Tawaf, which is the ritual circumambulation of the Ka’aba.  
• This involves walking counter-clockwise around the Ka’aba seven times. Each complete circuit is called a Shawt.
• Pilgrims ideally start each Shawt by aligning themselves with the Black Stone (Hajar Aswad) or the corner indicating its position if they cannot reach it. They may kiss it, touch it, or point towards it while saying “Allahu Akbar” (God is the Greatest).
• During Tawaf, pilgrims can offer personal prayers (Dua) and supplications. There are no fixed recitations, allowing for individual connection with God.
• Upon completion of the seven Shawts, pilgrims offer two Rak’ahs (units) of prayer, preferably near the Station of Ibrahim (Maqam Ibrahim) if space permits.

3. Sa’i (Walking between Safa and Marwa):  

• After Tawaf, pilgrims perform Sa’i, which is the ritual walking or running between the two hills of Safa and Marwa, located within the Masjid al-Haram.  
• This ritual commemorates the frantic search for water by Hajar for her son Ismail.
• Pilgrims begin at Safa and walk towards Marwa, covering the distance seven times. One complete journey is counted from Safa to Marwa, and the return journey from Marwa to Safa is the second.
• There are designated areas with green markers where men are encouraged to jog or run (Ramal) between the two points, while women walk at a normal pace.
• During Sa’i, pilgrims can engage in personal prayers and remembrance of God.  

4. Halq or Taqsir (Shaving or Trimming of Hair):

• The final ritual of Umrah is Halq (shaving the head completely) for men, or Taqsir (trimming a lock of hair of at least an inch in length) for both men and women.
• For men, shaving the entire head is considered more virtuous, while trimming is also acceptable. Women are only required to trim a small portion of their hair.
• With the completion of Halq or Taqsir, the state of Ihram ends, and pilgrims are free from the prohibitions associated with it.

Sequence of Rituals:

The prescribed sequence for performing Umrah is as follows:

1. Enter the state of Ihram at the designated Miqat.
2. Perform Tawaf around the Ka’aba.  
3. Offer two Rak’ahs of prayer after Tawaf.
4. Perform Sa’i between Safa and Marwa.  
5. Perform Halq or Taqsir.

Following this sequence, the Umrah is considered complete. These rites and rituals are deeply rooted in Islamic tradition and provide pilgrims with a profound spiritual experience, connecting them to the history of their faith and allowing them to seek closeness to Allah (God).

Types of Umrah

While the core rituals of Umrah remain consistent, there are primarily two recognized types of Umrah, distinguished by their timing in relation to the Hajj pilgrimage:

1. Umrah al-Mufradah (The Single/Independent Umrah):

• This is the most common type of Umrah and can be performed at any time of the year outside of the Hajj season.
• Pilgrims undertaking Umrah al-Mufradah travel to Mecca specifically to perform the rituals of Umrah (Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i, and Halq or Taqsir) and then depart.
• It is a standalone pilgrimage and is not connected to the performance of Hajj in the same trip.
• Individuals can perform Umrah al-Mufradah multiple times throughout their lives if they are able.

Key Characteristics of Umrah al-Mufradah:

• Timing Flexibility: Can be performed at any time of the year except during the peak Hajj days.
• Independent Pilgrimage: Not linked to the rituals or timing of Hajj.
• Focus on Umrah Rituals: The sole purpose of the journey is to perform the specific rites of Umrah.
• No Additional Hajj Obligations: Pilgrims performing Umrah al-Mufradah are not obligated to perform the rituals of Hajj unless they undertake a separate Hajj pilgrimage during its designated time.

2. Umrah al-Tamattu’ (The Combined/Interrupted Umrah):

• This type of Umrah is specifically performed in conjunction with the Hajj pilgrimage during the Hajj season (the months of Shawwal, Dhu’l-Qi’dah, and the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah).
• Pilgrims performing Umrah al-Tamattu’ arrive in Mecca, enter the state of Ihram with the intention of performing Umrah, complete the rituals of Umrah (Tawaf, Sa’i, and Halq or Taqsir), and then exit the state of Ihram.
• Subsequently, during the designated days of Hajj (8th to 12th of Dhu’l-Hijjah), they re-enter the state of Ihram with the intention of performing Hajj and undertake the specific rituals of Hajj.
• This “interruption” of the state of Ihram between Umrah and Hajj is the defining characteristic of Tamattu’.

Key Characteristics of Umrah al-Tamattu’:

• Performed During Hajj Season: Specifically undertaken in the months leading up to and during the Hajj.
• Combined with Hajj: Part of a single pilgrimage journey that includes both Umrah and Hajj.
• Temporary Exit from Ihram: Pilgrims exit the state of Ihram after completing the Umrah rituals and re-enter it for Hajj.
• Obligation of Hadi (Sacrificial Animal): Those performing Umrah al-Tamattu’ are generally obligated to offer a sacrificial animal (Hadi) as a form of gratitude for the ease of performing both pilgrimages in one journey.

Distinction between Umrah al-Mufradah and Umrah al-Tamattu’:

The primary difference lies in the timing and intention. Umrah al-Mufradah is an independent pilgrimage performed outside the Hajj season, while Umrah al-Tamattu’ is performed during the Hajj season as part of a combined pilgrimage with Hajj, involving a temporary exit from the state of Ihram between the two.

It is important to note that there is another form of combining Umrah and Hajj called Qiran, where a pilgrim enters Ihram with the intention of performing both Umrah and Hajj simultaneously without exiting Ihram in between. However, Tamattu’ is the most common and recommended form of combining the two pilgrimages for those arriving from outside Mecca during the Hajj season.

Understanding these different types of Umrah helps pilgrims plan their journey according to their circumstances and the time of year they intend to visit the holy sites.