العمرة — دليل — شامل

## What is العمرة and Why Should You Go?

العمرة, often called the 'lesser الحج,' is one of the most spiritually rewarding acts a Muslim can undertake. While not واجب like الحج, النبي Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, 'The performers of الحج and العمرة are deputations of Allah. If they call Him, He answers them, and if they seek His forgiveness, He forgives them' (Ibn Majah). Unlike الحج, which occurs during specific days of ذو الحجة, العمرة can be performed at any time of year, making it more accessible for الحجاج worldwide. For many Muslims, العمرة serves as a beautiful introduction to the holy sites before undertaking the more demanding الحج الحج.

## Preparing Before You Leave Home

Preparation for العمرة begins well before you board your flight. Ensure your passport has at least six months of validity, obtain the required visa through المملكة العربية السعودية's official channels or your travel agent, and complete any mandatory vaccinations. Study the rituals thoroughly — watch instructional videos, read scholarly guides, and if possible, attend a local workshop at your مسجد. Memorize the key الأدعية, particularly the التلبية ('Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk'), as you will recite it repeatedly. Pack light but smart: unscented soap and toiletries (for الإحرام), comfortable walking shoes, a small الصلاة mat, and your الإحرام garments if you are male.

## Entering the State of الإحرام

الإحرام is both a physical and spiritual state of consecration. Before reaching the Miqat (the designated boundary point), perform الغسل (full ablution), apply any desired fragrance to your body (not to the الإحرام garments), and put on your الإحرام clothing. For men, this means two white unstitched sheets; women wear their normal modest clothing. At the Miqat, make your niyyah (intention) for العمرة and begin reciting the التلبية. From this moment, certain actions become prohibited: cutting hair or nails, wearing sewn clothing (men), using perfume, hunting, and engaging in marital relations. Many الحجاج flying into Jeddah enter الإحرام on the plane as it approaches the Miqat, so be prepared.

## Performing الطواف: Circling the House of Allah

Upon reaching المسجد الحرام, enter with your right foot and recite the دعاء for entering the مسجد. Make your way to the Mataf area surrounding the الكعبة. Begin your الطواف from the الحجر الأسود (Hajar al-Aswad), keeping the الكعبة on your left side. Complete seven full circuits — this is one الطواف. During the first three circuits, men perform الرَّمَل (walking briskly with short steps), and throughout all circuits, men expose their right shoulder (Idtiba). There are no specific required الأدعية for each circuit except at the Yemeni corner to the الحجر الأسود, where you recite: 'Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina adhaban-nar.' Spend the rest of each circuit making personal دعاء in any language — this is your private conversation with Allah.

## Praying Behind مقام إبراهيم and Drinking زمزم

After completing الطواف, pray two ركعةs behind مقام إبراهيم (the Station of Abraham). In the first ركعة, recite Surah Al-Kafirun after Al-Fatihah, and in the second, recite Surah Al-Ikhlas. If the area directly behind the Maqam is too crowded, you may pray anywhere in the مسجد — the obligation is to pray two ركعةs after الطواف, not necessarily at that exact spot. After your الصلاة, drink زمزم water. النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, 'The water of زمزم is for whatever purpose it is drunk for' (Ibn Majah). Make دعاء while drinking, as this is a moment of special acceptance.

## Completing السعي Between الصفا and المروةh

Proceed to the hill of الصفا to begin السعي. Upon reaching الصفا, face the الكعبة, raise your hands, and make دعاء. Then walk toward المروةh — this is your first lap. Between the two green markers (fluorescent lights), men should jog lightly while women walk at their normal pace. Upon reaching المروةh, face the القبلةh again and make دعاء. Walking from الصفا to المروةh is one lap; walking back is another. Complete seven laps, ending at المروةh. Throughout السعي, make abundant دعاء and dhikr. This ritual commemorates Hajar's desperate search for water for her infant son Ismail, running between these two hills until Allah caused the spring of زمزم to gush forth.

## Completing Your العمرة

After finishing السعي at المروةh, men should shave their heads (Halq) or trim their hair (Taqsir), with shaving being preferred as النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) made دعاء three times for those who shave and once for those who trim. Women cut a small portion from the ends of their hair, approximately a fingertip's length. With this, your العمرة is complete, and all الإحرام restrictions are lifted. You may now change into your regular clothing and resume normal activities.

## Practical Tips for a Smooth Experience

Timing matters enormously. If possible, perform your العمرة during off-peak hours — after Isha الصلاة or in the early morning hours before Fajr. The crowds are significantly smaller, and you can perform your rituals with greater focus and tranquility. Stay hydrated by drinking water frequently, especially during السعي. Wear comfortable footwear that is easy to remove, as you will take your shoes off and on multiple times. Keep your valuables secure in a small body pouch. Most importantly, maintain patience throughout — you will encounter crowds, الحرارة, and physical exhaustion, but every step you take is counted as worship. النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said about العمرة, 'An العمرة is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the next العمرة' (Bukhari and Muslim).