উমরাহ is a হজ্জ to মক্কা মুকাররমা that can be performed at any time of year. Unlike হজ্জ, it is not ওয়াজিব but highly মুস্তাহাব. The four pillars are: entering ইহরাম at the miqat, performing 7 circuits of তাওয়াফ around the কাবা শরীফ, walking 7 laps of sa'i between Safa and Marwa, and shaving or trimming the hair. The entire process takes 2-4 hours and requires no specific season.
উমরাহ is often called the 'lesser হজ্জ' — a visit to the Sacred House of Allah (the কাবা শরীফ) in মক্কা মুকাররমা, involving ইহরাম, তাওয়াফ, sa'i, and cutting the hair. Unlike হজ্জ, উমরাহ can be performed at any time of the year and is not restricted to specific days. The word 'উমরাহ' comes from the Arabic root meaning 'to visit' or 'to populate,' signifying visiting and enlivening the House of Allah. নবী করীম (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম) said: 'An উমরাহ to the next is an expiation for what is between them, and an accepted হজ্জ has no reward but Paradise' (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1773; Sahih Muslim, 1349). The majority of scholars (Shafi'i, Hanbali) consider উমরাহ to be ওয়াজিব once in a lifetime, while the Hanafi and Maliki schools consider it a strong sunnah (sunnah mu'akkadah). Regardless of the scholarly difference, উমরাহ is one of the greatest acts of worship a Muslim can perform — it cleanses sins, draws one closer to Allah, and is an opportunity to stand before the কাবা শরীফ in humility and devotion.
The conditions for উমরাহ are similar to হজ্জ: (1) Islam — উমরাহ is an act of worship for Muslims only. (2) Sanity — the insane are not accountable. (3) Puberty — for those who consider উমরাহ ওয়াজিব. A child may perform উমরাহ but it does not count as the ওয়াজিব one. (4) Physical ability — the হাজী must be able to travel and perform the rites. (5) Financial ability — having sufficient funds for travel and expenses while maintaining the support of dependents. (6) For women — a mahram (male guardian) for travel, based on the hadith: 'A woman must not travel except with a mahram' (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1862). Some contemporary scholars permit women to travel in safe groups, but the majority maintain the mahram requirement. Practical requirements: a valid passport with at least 6 months validity, an উমরাহ visa (for non-Saudi residents; Saudi residents and GCC nationals do not need a separate visa), and vaccination certificates as required by Saudi regulations.
These are the most frequent errors pilgrims make during this stage of Umrah.
Scholarly references supporting this guidance from established Islamic sources.
For a first-time হাজী, planning is essential: (1) Choose a reputable উমরাহ operator — they handle visas, flights, accommodation, and ground transport. Read reviews and ask your community for recommendations. (2) Select your travel dates — উমরাহ is possible year-round. Ramadan has the greatest reward but also the greatest crowds. Sha'ban and Rajab are popular and busy. Rabi' al-Awwal and Jumada are generally less crowded. (3) Accommodation — hotels near the Haram range from budget to luxury. Distance to the Haram is the most important factor — closer means less walking, which matters during worship. (4) Duration — a minimum of 5-7 days is মুস্তাহাব: travel day, at least 2-3 days for উমরাহ and worship in মক্কা মুকাররমা, and optionally 2-3 days visiting মদীনা মুনাওয়ারা. (5) Budget — plan for flights, accommodation, meals, transportation, spending money, and the cost of a barber (for halq). (6) Health — get a medical check-up, update vaccinations, and bring personal medications. (7) Learning — study the rites of উমরাহ thoroughly before departure. Watch video guides by reliable scholars.
Here is a concise overview of the entire উমরাহ process for first-timers: STEP 1 — At the miqat (or before reaching it): perform গোসল, put on ইহরাম garments (men), make the intention: 'Labbayk Allahumma Umratan,' begin the তালবিয়াহ. STEP 2 — তালবিয়াহ: continue reciting from the miqat until you begin তাওয়াফ. Men recite loudly, women softly. STEP 3 — Enter মসজিদুল হারাম with right foot, recite the dua for entering the মসজিদ. STEP 4 — TAWAF: Begin at the হাজরে আসওয়াদ, keep কাবা শরীফ on your left, complete 7 counterclockwise circuits. Men: do Idtiba' (expose right shoulder) throughout, and Raml (brisk walk) in first 3 circuits. Between the Yemeni Corner and হাজরে আসওয়াদ, recite 'Rabbana atina...' STEP 5 — Pray 2 rak'at behind Maqam Ibrahim. Drink Zamzam. STEP 6 — SA'I: Start at Safa, recite the verse, make dua. Walk to Marwa (lap 1). Men jog between green markers. Complete 7 laps ending at Marwa. STEP 7 — HALQ/TAQSIR: Men shave or trim. Women trim a fingertip's length. You are now out of ইহরাম. উমরাহ complete. Total time: typically 2-4 hours depending on crowds.
Essential practical advice: (1) Footwear — Invest in comfortable, broken-in sandals. You will walk 5-10 km during the উমরাহ. Blisters can ruin the experience. (2) Hydration — মক্কা মুকাররমা is hot year-round. Carry water at all times. Zamzam water stations are available in the Haram. (3) Crowd management — The Haram can be extremely crowded, especially during Jumu'ah, Ramadan, and school holidays. Consider performing উমরাহ during off-peak hours (late night or early morning). তাওয়াফ and sa'i are easier at 2-4 AM. (4) ইহরাম practice — Men should practice wearing and securing ইহরাম garments before the trip. An unsecured izar falling during তাওয়াফ is embarrassing and distracting. Use a belt. (5) Emergency information — Save the numbers: 911 (Saudi general জরুরি), 997 (ambulance), your hotel address, and group leader's contact. (6) Language — Most signs in the Haram are in Arabic and English. Basic Arabic phrases help. Many staff speak Urdu, Indonesian, and Turkish. (7) Wheelchair assistance — Available at the Haram for elderly or disabled হাজীগণ. The upper floors have a তাওয়াফ path for wheelchairs. (8) Patience — Expect delays, crowds, and discomfort. নবী করীম (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম) said: 'Whoever performs হজ্জ and does not commit obscenity or sin will return like the day his mother gave birth to him' (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1521) — and the same spirit applies to উমরাহ.
Frequently asked questions: (1) 'Can I perform উমরাহ for a deceased relative?' — Yes, performing উমরাহ on behalf of a deceased person is permissible. নবী করীম permitted this based on the hadith where a woman asked about performing হজ্জ for her deceased mother (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1852). (2) 'What if my অযু breaks during তাওয়াফ?' — Renew your অযু and resume from where you stopped (majority opinion). Some scholars say restart the circuit. (3) 'Can I talk during তাওয়াফ and sa'i?' — Yes, but it is better to focus on dua and dhikr. Idle conversation reduces the spiritual benefit. (4) 'What if I menstruate before completing তাওয়াফ?' — Wait until you are pure, then perform তাওয়াফ. If you have completed তাওয়াফ and sa'i but menstruate before halq/taqsir, you may still cut your hair as halq/taqsir does not require ritual purity. (5) 'Is there a specific dua for each তাওয়াফ circuit?' — No. There are NO authentic specific duas for individual circuits. Make any dua you wish. (6) 'Can I use a wheelchair for তাওয়াফ?' — Yes, and the তাওয়াফ counts. The person pushing does not need to intend তাওয়াফ for themselves. (7) 'Should I visit মদীনা মুনাওয়ারা before or after উমরাহ?' — Either is fine. Visiting মদীনা মুনাওয়ারা is not part of উমরাহ. Many হাজীগণ visit before উমরাহ so they can enter ইহরাম from Dhul Hulayfah (the miqat near মদীনা মুনাওয়ারা).