Umrah in Islam: A Guide To The Spiritual Journey
Tariq held his son’s hand tightly as they walked toward the airport gate. Twelve-year-old Bilal looked up at his father, his eyes filled with excitement and curiosity.
“Baba, what is Umrah in Islam?” Bilal asked.
Tariq smiled. “Umrah is a special journey to Makkah, a way to seek Allah’s mercy and purify our hearts. It’s not like Hajj, which is mandatory once in a lifetime, but it’s highly recommended. And do you know the best part?”
Bilal shook his head.
“The Prophet (PBUH) said that performing one Umrah after another erases sins in between,” Tariq explained.
Bilal’s eyes widened. “So it’s like a fresh start?”
“Exactly,” Tariq nodded. “Now, let’s begin with the first step.”
Step 1: Niyyah and Ihram
Before their flight, Tariq and Bilal performed ghusl (ritual purification), trimmed their nails, and put on their white ihram garments.
Tariq helped Bilal wrap the two pieces of cloth correctly.
While performing Umrah in Islam men wear two unstitched white cloths, one for the upper body (Rida) and one for the lower body (Izar). They cannot cover their heads and must wear open sandals. Women wear loose, modest clothing that covers the body but not the face or hands. They can wear a headscarf and regular shoes.
“Now, before we cross the Miqat (boundary for Umrah), we make our niyyah,” Tariq said. He placed his right hand over his heart and softly recited: “Labbayka Allahumma Umratan.” (“O Allah, here I am to perform Umrah.”)
Bilal repeated after him, feeling a sense of purpose. As they boarded the plane, they recited the Talbiyah together:
“Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk, innal hamda wan-ni’mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak.” (“Here I am, O Allah, here I am. You have no partner, here I am. Truly, all praise, blessings, and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.”)
“Keep reciting this, son. It reminds us that we are answering Allah’s call,” Tariq said.
Step 2: Entering Makkah and Tawaf
When they reached Masjid al-Haram, Bilal froze in awe. The Kaaba stood before him, grand and peaceful.
“It’s beautiful, Baba,” he whispered.
“Yes, and now we begin Tawaf—circling it seven times,” Tariq said.
He pointed to the Hajar al-Aswad (Black Stone). “If we can’t touch it, we just raise our hand and say:” “Bismillah, Allahu Akbar.“ (“In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest.”)
As they walked, Tariq explained, “While making Tawaf, we pray for whatever we need.
Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone, we recite: “Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah wa fil-akhirati hasanah wa qina ‘adhaban-nar.” (“Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”)
Bilal whispered the dua eagerly, thinking about his family, studies, and everything in his heart.
Step 3: Drinking Zamzam Water
After completing Tawaf, Tariq led Bilal to the Zamzam taps.
“This is the blessed water Allah provided to Hajar and baby Ismail,” Tariq said. “The Prophet (PBUH) said it’s a cure for all ailments. Drink it while making dua.”
Bilal held the cup, closed his eyes, and prayed silently before drinking.
Step 4: Sa’i – Walking Between Safa and Marwah
At Safa, Tariq pointed to the hills.
“This is where an important event in Islamic history took place. Hajar, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and the mother of Prophet Ismail (AS) ran between these hills searching for water when her infant son was thirsty. She had complete faith in Allah, and He rewarded her by bringing forth the Zamzam well.”
Bilal listened carefully as they began walking. At the green markers, Tariq said, “Here, we run just as Prophet Ismail’s mother did in her desperation.”
Each time they reached Safa or Marwah, they paused and prayed. After the seventh round, Bilal wiped his forehead. “That was tiring!”
Tariq chuckled. “Yes, but it reminds us that patience and trust in Allah always bring blessings.”
Step 5: Tahallul – Completing Umrah in Islam
The final step was Tahallul—cutting the hair. Tariq explained, “Shaving the head shows humility before Allah. You can shave or trim your hair.”
To complete Umrah in Islam, men can shave completely or trim their hair while women must trim a small portion of the hair.
Bilal watched as the barber shaved his father’s head. He chose to trim his hair.
“Now, we are done, son. Our sins are wiped clean, and we start fresh.”
Bilal smiled, feeling lighter. “Baba, can we do Umrah again?”
Tariq placed a hand on his son’s shoulder. “InshaAllah, many times. Remember, each Umrah draws us closer to Allah.”
As they left the mosque, Bilal whispered a prayer: “Allahumma inni as’aluka min fadlik.” (“O Allah, I ask You for Your bounty.”)
His heart felt full. His journey was complete, but his faith had only grown stronger.
Benefits of Umrah in Islam
As they walked back to their hotel, Bilal asked, “Baba, what are the benefits of Umrah in Islam?”
Tariq smiled. “There are many benefits of Umrah in Islam, son. Let me tell you some of them.”
- Sins Are Forgiven – “The Prophet (PBUH) said ‘Perform Hajj and Umrah consecutively; for they remove poverty and sin as the bellows removes impurity from iron.‘ Imagine how clean your heart becomes!”
- It Increases Faith – “When you see the Kaaba, perform Tawaf, and make duas, your connection with Allah grows stronger.”
- Spiritual and Emotional Healing – “Umrah brings peace to the heart. Whatever worries you had before, they seem smaller now, don’t they?”
- Physical and Mental Strength – “Walking, praying, and following the steps of Umrah teaches patience and endurance. It’s a journey that strengthens both body and mind.”
- A Reward Like Jihad for Some – “For women, children, and the elderly who cannot fight in battle, the Prophet (PBUH) said that Umrah is their form of Jihad.”
- A Way to Make Dua Directly in Makkah – “Duas in the Haram are powerful. Allah grants them with mercy and love.”
- A Blessing for Wealth – “Spending money on Umrah never reduces wealth. Instead, Allah blesses you with more.”
Bilal’s face lit up. “So Umrah in Islam is not just a journey, but a chance to get closer to Allah in every way?”
“Exactly, my son,” Tariq said, squeezing Bilal’s hand. “That’s why we should come as often as we can.”
As they walked under the bright lights of Makkah, Bilal felt something deep inside him—an eagerness to return, again and again.
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