What is the Purpose of Umrah?
Umrah is a kind of worship that Muslims perform in two rituals. Tawaf and Sa’yi did around and from place to place respectively said to cleanse the sins of the repenting Muslims. The rules and regulations of Umrah are simpler and easier than the Hajj, which is related to the lunar calendar and done only once per year.
The rituals of Umrah not only cleanse the soul but also renews the weakened faith and bring the Muslim closer to his/her Almighty. Umrah can only be done in the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is important to worship around the Kaaba, as it is the home of Allah SWT. Muslims from all over the world pay Makkah a visit from wherever they live, just to please their Almighty.
The travel agents in the UK assist their Muslim brothers and sisters in finding a superb December Umrah Package in the season of coming winters beforehand and setting visas as well.
The Significant Rituals of Umrah
The following rules of Umrah are more convenient and easy than those of Hajj. Focus on each regulation and apply it accordingly because, without them, a Muslim cannot fulfill the requirements of Umrah. As it is easier and simpler than Hajj, said before, but you cannot neglect the important steps and proper method of performing this worship. It is one of the sacred worship performed only for Allah SWT. It is a proper obligation of a Muslim to come to all the expectations that are expected of him as a part of the Islamic Society.
Cleanse the Body
Clean your body from all impurities as when you enter Masjid e Haram, you come in purified.
Wear Ihram, a set of two cloths that is a visual representation of being simple and weaker in front of the Almighty. Properly wash your body and wear these garments before entering any Holy territory or perimeters. This helps to prepare yourself for the worship.
Recitation
Recite tasbih and set a will of performing Umrah in your mind and from your heart. The recitation of Talbiyah will help you set your path straight as you keep reciting it. It will make your path easier to Mecca and your soul purifies as you do so. The recitation helps in focusing on your goal, keeping your mind and heart involved, and penetrating in the worship. It keeps reinvigorating the faith and boosting the will to get closer to one’s Lord. This step assists in preparing your mind for worship.
The Seven Rounds
Once you enter Mecca and set foot in the Masjid e Haram, you are to go straight for the Ka’ba and perform a circular walk, clockwise around the Kaaba joining other people. This is important to perform seven times as it promotes the unity of the Believers and forms an aura of harmony as they worship One Almighty. The crowd together circles around the Kaaba reciting the verses and calling upon the beautiful names of Allah SWT and his greatness.
Sa’i
Afterward, there are two destinations, which you have to walk in between seven times, known as the hills of Safa and Marwa which are adjacent in direction of the Kaaba. It is important to do so, as it comes in one of the historical values of Umrah. This is the second last step of Umrah and then you can exit the state of Ihram and be successful in completing Umrah.
The Haircut to End Ihram
To complete or fulfill the worship, you need to cut off a short measurement of your hair. Women cut their hair at the length of their one finger and men nearly go bald to fulfill the regulation. This will end the state of Ihram and is the last step of Umrah.
Why Do Muslims Perform Umrah?
Umrah is one of the important worship of Muslims. Where Salah, Fasts, and Zakat are physical worships, Umrah is one of the spiritual worships that increases the status of a Muslim in good deeds and rewards. There is a massive reward for performing Umrah while fulfilling all its regulations and opening the heart to cleanse it from sins, negative thoughts, and desires of the world. It helps a Muslim reinvigorate in deeds, faith, and patience. Many Muslims find themselves in tranquility and equilibrium after performing both Umrah and Hajj.
Muslims worldwide seek forgiveness and repent over their deeds. Whatever sins they have performed, are ashamed of, can get clean off the slate of deeds by Allah’s will. They beg and ask their Allah SWT to forgive them, have mercy on them, and fulfill their desires in this life, as He is the only One who can ease their lives and deaths. Umrah is of great significance when it comes to rebuilding the pillars of faith.
Many people after performing the rituals of Umrah and Hajj become better Muslims as they come to a step closer to their Allah when they connect and reconnect bonds with their Lord. Muslims believe worshiping from their hearts can boost their faith and help them gain patience to survive the hardships of this life. Umrah is the ultimate worship of the soul, mind, and body to help gain the long-lost peace back.
The Advantages of Performing Umrah for Muslims
Umrah cleanses the thoughts of the mind, eases the heart from negative energy, and calms the soul. It leads Muslims to a clearer path to get closer to their Lord. One of the best benefits of Umrah is that Muslims deprive themselves of violence and human desires.
There is just One Allah and the crowd of Muslims walking around the Kaaba at the end of the day. Muslims who find solutions to all their problems in prayers and worship know how Umrah and Hajj affect the mind to ease and put the soul in satisfaction. Muslims, who put their hearts in worship such as Umrah, never find life hard or suffocating, instead, they start to change perception on how they see life. Umrah affects a Muslim quite deeply. This was all about Umrah and its importance.
