উমরাহ — গাইড — সম্পূর্ণ

## What is উমরাহ and Why Should You Go?

উমরাহ, often called the 'lesser হজ্জ,' is one of the most spiritually rewarding acts a Muslim can undertake. While not ওয়াজিব like হজ্জ, নবী করীম Muhammad (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম) said, 'The performers of হজ্জ and উমরাহ are deputations of Allah. If they call Him, He answers them, and if they seek His forgiveness, He forgives them' (Ibn Majah). Unlike হজ্জ, which occurs during specific days of Dhul Hijjah, উমরাহ can be performed at any time of year, making it more accessible for হাজীগণ worldwide. For many Muslims, উমরাহ serves as a beautiful introduction to the holy sites before undertaking the more demanding হজ্জ হজ্জ.

## Preparing Before You Leave Home

Preparation for উমরাহ begins well before you board your flight. Ensure your passport has at least six months of validity, obtain the required visa through Saudi Arabia'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 মসজিদ. Memorize the key duas, particularly the তালবিয়াহ ('Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk'), as you will recite it repeatedly. Pack light but smart: unscented soap and toiletries (for ইহরাম), comfortable walking shoes, a small সালাত mat, and your ইহরাম garments if you are male.

## Entering the State of ইহরাম

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

## Performing তাওয়াফ: Circling the House of Allah

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

## Praying Behind Maqam Ibrahim and Drinking Zamzam

After completing তাওয়াফ, pray two rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim (the Station of Abraham). In the first rak'ah, 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 মসজিদ — the obligation is to pray two rak'ahs after তাওয়াফ, not necessarily at that exact spot. After your সালাত, drink Zamzam water. নবী করীম (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম) said, 'The water of Zamzam is for whatever purpose it is drunk for' (Ibn Majah). Make dua while drinking, as this is a moment of special acceptance.

## Completing সাঈ Between Safa and Marwah

Proceed to the hill of Safa to begin সাঈ. Upon reaching Safa, face the কাবা শরীফ, raise your hands, and make dua. Then walk toward Marwah — 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 Marwah, face the Qiblah again and make dua. Walking from Safa to Marwah is one lap; walking back is another. Complete seven laps, ending at Marwah. Throughout সাঈ, make abundant dua 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 Zamzam to gush forth.

## Completing Your উমরাহ

After finishing সাঈ at Marwah, men should shave their heads (Halq) or trim their hair (Taqsir), with shaving being preferred as নবী করীম (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম) made dua 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 উমরাহ is complete, and all ইহরাম 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 উমরাহ during off-peak hours — after Isha সালাত 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 সাঈ. 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, heat, and physical exhaustion, but every step you take is counted as worship. নবী করীম (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম) said about উমরাহ, 'An উমরাহ is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the next উমরাহ' (Bukhari and Muslim).