Umrah is also known as lessor or minor pilgrimage with greater significance. This pilgrimage is not obligatory in Islam, but still holds greater virtues and is also considered as one of the pillars of Islam. The Umrah comprises of three rituals, i.e., Tawaf, Sa’i, and Taqsir. Let’s discuss these rituals in detail.

How to Perform Tawaf in Umrah

Tawaf is one of the foremost and principal rite of Umrah and Hajj pilgrimage, and it refers to circumambulating in an anticlockwise direction around the holy Kaaba. Kaaba is a sacred site located at the core of Al-Masjid Al-Haram, Mecca. Pilgrims will have to complete seven circuits around this sacred site in order to complete their Tawaf. The Prophet Muhammad has himself narrates the virtues of Tawaf. They are:

• Mercy descends upon the house of Allah when someone performs Tawaf.
• Circling seven times around the Kaaba while reciting two Rak’ahs will be rewarded as if he has freed a slave.
• Pilgrim performing 50 Tawaf will be freed from all his sins conducted in his lifetime.

Although the pilgrims are required to be in the state of wudhu (ritual cleansing of the body with pure water before the act of worship) for freeing themselves from physical impurity. The women are prohibited from performing Tawaf during menstruation or post-natal bleeding even after wudhu. Performing Umrah during minor impurity necessitates slaughter of a small animal, whereas the major impurity necessitates slaughter of a big animal. Also, any intimate contact between a male and a non-Mahram women is prohibited.

The Tawaf starts with the Hajar-Al-Aswad (a black stone set in the corner of Kaaba). There are three ways of completing the Tawaf. If you are close enough to the Hajar-Al-Aswad then touch it with both your hands and place your face in between your hands and recite the prayer. Thereafter kiss the stone without making sound. If it is crowded and only your palms are capable of touching the stone, then you can touch the stone with your hands and later kiss your hands. Now, if you are too far from the Aswad, then face the Aswad and raise your hands up to your earlobe and recite the prayer. You can later kiss your palms if you wish so.

How to Perform Sa’i in Umrah

Sa’i is another integral ritual of Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage, and it refers to moving back and forth between two adjacent hills, Safa and Marwah in Mecca. Pilgrims will have to walk seven times between these in order to complete their Sai. The pilgrims are not required to perform wudhu before Sa’i and it will be considered valid if performed in the state of minor or major impurity. The women can also perform Sa’i during menstruation or post-natal bleeding.

The pilgrims will have to kiss, touch or at least salute the Hajar-Al-Aswad before performing Sa’i. After reaching on the hill of Safa, face the direction of the Kaaba and raise your hands in supplication and recite the dua three times. After making your dua proceed towards the Marwah. Once you reach the hill of Marwah repeat the same procedure performed at Safa. Repeat this procedure seven times in order to complete your seven laps.

How to Perform Taqsir in Umrah

Taqsir is the final ritual of Umrah pilgrimage, and it refers to the act of trimming the hairs on head. Men are required to shave their head completely, whereas, women are required to cut at least an inch of their hair. Taqsir is an obligatory ritual, which should be performed in order to leave the state of Ihram.   

How to make your Umrah pilgrimage pleasing?

In order to make your Umrah pilgrimage memorable and satisfying, you will require a package inclusive of all the facilities. A package will offer you all the required facilities without much hassle and so you can pay full attention on your prayers and Allah.