“The people who come to perform Hajj or Umrah are the guests of Allah because they visit His House on His Call; therefore, Allah grants them what they ask for”

Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Maccah, Hijaz, in Saudi Arabia, that is performed voluntarily by Muslims from all over the world to show their devotion towards almighty Allah. In Arabic the word Umrah means ‘to visit’ and practically entails paying a visit to Ka’bah, performing Tawaaf (circumambulation) around it, and walking between Safaa and Marwah (small hills in the Great Mosque of Maccah) seven times.

Hadith of Umrah and it’s commentary:

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “(performing) `Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous `Umrah; and the reward of Hajj Mabrur (i.e. one accepted) is nothing but Jannah.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Commentary: Performing Umrah is an expiation for all types of sins, whether major or minor, because the wording of the Hadith isn’t specifying either of them. However, Mu’tamars should keep in their minds the following two main conditions for the acceptance Umrah:

• • 1. To have complete sincerity (Ikhlas) by performing Umrah rituals solely for the sake of Allah the Almighty.
    2. To perform Umrah the same way it is mentioned in the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) May Allah the Almighty accept your Umrah, Ameen.

History of Umrah :

In the early days of Islam, tensions were constantly on the rise in Maccah between the Muslims and the kuffar (pagans), who prevented the former from performing Hajj in the city. In 628 AD (6 Hijri), the Muslims travelled from Madinah to Maccah, after the Prophet (peace be upon him) had a vision of the Muslims performing the rituals of Umrah.

They were, however, refused entry by the Quraysh tribe, and the Prophet did not wish to enter the holy site by force out of respect for Ka’aba. Diplomatic negotiations occurred between the two parties, concluding with the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah that promised a period of 10 years free of hostilities, and access to the Ka’aba for three days annually.

In the subsequent Hijri year, the Prophet (peace be upon him) made his way to Maccah together with 2000 Muslims, men, women and children, where they performed the rituals of what would become the first Umrah in Islam.

Importance of Umrah :

Umrah is considered by many to be the “minor pilgrimage”, while Hajj is considered to be the “major pilgrimage”. It is a sunnah, not an obligatory act, and Muslims are advised to strive to perform it not once, but for as many times as they are able during their lifetime, as evidenced the hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), wherein the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) says: “The performance of `Umrah is expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous ones. And the reward for Hajj Mabrur (pilgrimage accepted by Allah) is nothing but Paradise.” (Al-Bukhari)

Performed with the truest of intentions, Umrah can be a way to purify the mind and soul tarnished by sin and blemished by negativity, for it has been reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Alternate between Hajj and Umrah, because both rid one of poverty and sins just as the blacksmith’s bellows remove all impurities from metals like iron, gold and silver.” (At-Tirmidhi)

One should seek forgiveness from Allah Almighty at all times and places, but Umrah has tremendous rewards, as it requires the Muslim to leave their home and the comforts of life behind and devote their entire time to the worship of Allah. In Surat Al-Baqarah (2:186), the Almighty says, “And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me – indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.” And how greater are His blessings when seek Him and call upon Him in His Sacred House?

Furthermore, any Muslim who journeys for Umrah is considered a pilgrim until they return home. In a hadith narrated by Ibn Umar, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The performers of Hajj and Umrah are deputations of Allah Almighty. If they call Him, He answers them and if they seek His forgiveness, He forgives them