History of Umrah

A Brief History of Umrah The meaning of Umrah is to visit Baitullah at any time to perform certain rites subject to certain conditions. In the 6th year of Hijrah, Prophet Muhammad SAW and 1,400 of his followers made their way to Makkah to perform Umrah. They were refused entry by the Quraysh tribe at Hudaybiyyah and following negotiations, the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was agreed upon by both parties. Under the terms of the treaty, there would be a ten-year period of no hostilities and Muslims were allowed access to the Ka’aba for three days every year. The following year, in the 7th year of Hijrah, the first Umrah was performed by the Prophet SAW and 2,000 of his followers.

Introduction to Umrah

Also known as the “lesser pilgrimage”, Umrah can be performed throughout the year except during the period of Hajj. According to opinions in Mazhab Syafie, Umrah is Fard, or Wajib, for those who are capable. Furthermore, Umrah offers great blessings as mentioned in the Hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah in Sahih al-Bukhari (1773) and Muslim (1449). الْعُمْرَةُ إِلَى الْعُمْرَةِ كَفَّارَةٌ لِمَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَالْحَجُّ الْمَبْرُورُ لَيْسَ لَهُ جَزَاءٌ إِلاَّ الْجَنَّةُ‌ The Prophet SAW said, "(The performance of) Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed (between it and the previous one). And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise."

The pillars of Umrah The pillars of Umrah consists of five obligatory acts that must be performed during Umrah. Umrah is deemed invalid if these acts and their requirements are not carried out appropriately.

Ihram Tawaf Saie Shave or trim the hair Adherence to the appropriate order of the pillars of Umrah

‌Compulsory requirements of Umrah The compulsory requirements, or Wajib, of Umrah are acts that must be performed during Umrah. Failure to abide by these compulsory requirements will not result in the Umrah being void but Damm must be given as compensation. Damm is compensation that must be given by pilgrims that have violated the prohibitions of Ihram and or the compulsory requirements of Umrah.

Reciting the Niyyah for Ihram at the Miqat. Observance of the prohibitions of Ihram.

Miqat Miqat is the boundary of place (Miqat Makani) and the boundary of time (Miqat Zamani) where it becomes necessary for the pilgrims to enter the state of Ihram to perform Hajj or Umrah. Miqat Makani consists of five locations namely Bir Ali, Zartun Iraqi, Qarnul Manazil, Yalamam and Al-Juhfah. Miqat Makani for pilgrims from Malaysia via air travel is Qarnul Manazil while Miqat Makani for pilgrims from Madinah is Bir Ali. Miqat Zamani for Umrah is anytime throughout the year.

Prerequisites to perform Umrah Along with the pillars of Umrah and the compulsory requirements of Umrah, there are five prerequisites that need to be met in order to perform Umrah.

The person is a Muslim. The person has reached puberty. The person is mentally sound. The person is free from servitude. The person is capable or Istito'ah. For females, there are two additional conditions: She has obtained the consent of her father or guardian if she is single; or her husband if she is married. She is accompanied by a reliable woman if she is single; or her husband or Mahram if she is married.

There's more to discover

Explore now