Umrah (Lesser Pilgrimage)
Suggest editDefinition and Legal Status
Umrah (عمرة) is the lesser pilgrimage to Makkah — a visit to the Masjid al-Haram, the Ka'bah, and the sacred precincts for the purpose of performing specific rites of worship. Unlike Hajj, which is restricted to the months of Dhul Hijjah and has fixed dates, Umrah may be performed at any time of the year. It is one of the most beloved acts of worship in Islam, combining physical journey, financial sacrifice, and intense devotion.
The legal ruling on Umrah differs among the four schools. The Shafi'i and Hanbali schools hold that it is obligatory (fard) once in a lifetime for every capable Muslim, based on the verse: 'And complete the Hajj and Umrah for Allah' (Quran 2:196). The Hanafi and Maliki schools hold that it is a confirmed sunnah (sunnah mu'akkadah) of the highest order — essentially obligatory in practice though technically voluntary — based on their reading of the same evidence and several hadiths.
Virtues of Umrah
The Prophet said: 'An Umrah to the next Umrah is an expiation for what comes between them, and Hajj Mabrur has no reward other than Paradise' (Sahih al-Bukhari 1773). He also said: 'Perform Hajj and Umrah consecutively, for they remove poverty and sins just as the bellows removes impurities from iron, gold, and silver' (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 810). Performing Umrah in Ramadan carries a special reward; the Prophet said it is equivalent to performing Hajj with him (Sahih al-Bukhari 1782).
The Miqat — Boundaries of Ihram
Before performing Umrah, the pilgrim must enter the state of ihram at or before one of the designated miqat boundaries. The five main miqat points are:
- Dhul Hulayfah (near Madinah) — for those coming from the direction of Madinah
- Al-Juhfah (near Rabigh) — for those coming from the direction of the Levant, Egypt, and Morocco
- Qarn al-Manazil — for those coming from Najd and the Gulf
- Yalamlam — for those coming from Yemen and the south
- Dhat Irq — for those coming from Iraq and the east
A person who passes a miqat without entering ihram must return to it or pay a penalty (dam — sacrifice of an animal).
The Rites of Umrah
Umrah consists of four essential rites:
- Ihram: Entering the sacred state by making the intention and reciting the talbiyah: Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk, innal hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak. Men wear two unsewn white cloths; women wear modest normal clothing covering all but the face and hands.
- Tawaf: Circumambulating the Ka'bah seven times in a counterclockwise direction, beginning and ending at the Black Stone (al-Hajar al-Aswad). The first three rounds are performed at a brisk pace (raml) for men. The Ka'bah is kept on the left shoulder throughout. Tawaf is performed in a state of wudu.
- Sa'i: Walking back and forth seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, beginning at Safa and ending at Marwah. This commemorates Hajar's search for water for her son Ismail, an act that Allah was so pleased with that He made it a permanent rite of worship (Sahih al-Bukhari 3364).
- Halq or Taqsir: Shaving the entire head (halq — preferred for men) or trimming a portion of hair equal to a fingertip's length from all around the head (taqsir). For women, taqsir only. This act symbolizes the end of ihram and the return to normal life.
Restrictions During Ihram
While in ihram, the pilgrim must avoid: cutting or removing hair or nails, applying perfume, engaging in marital relations or anything leading to them, wearing sewn garments or covering the head (for men), hunting, or conducting a marriage contract. Violating these restrictions intentionally requires a specific expiation (fidyah): either fasting three days, feeding six poor persons, or sacrificing a sheep in Makkah, depending on the violation.