Preparations for Ihram

Ihram Sheets

Men must wear white cloth around their waist and cover their upper body with the other sheet. Women's simple clothes are their Ihram. Both men and women should wear the flip-flops (hawai chappal), such that the middle bones of the upper part of the feet are uncovered.

Nafl Salah

After you have donned the Ihram garments, it is Sunnah to perform two Rakats of Salah al-Ihram before making the intention to enter into the state of Ihram. This should be performed before the Miqat has been crossed. Provided it isn’t one of the prohibited times for prayer, observe the Salah with the intention of performing two Rakats Nafl for Ihram.

If any other prayer is performed after changing into the Ihram attire and before pronouncing the intention, whether it is obligatory or Sunnah (such as the two Rakats Salah for the greeting of the mosque), it will account for this prayer, even if there is no intention to do so.

Since you’re not in the spiritual state of Ihram yet, you may perform the Salah with your head covered. It is a Sunnah to recite Surah al-Kafirun (Surah 109) in the first Rakat and Surah al-Ikhlas (Surah 112) in the second Rakat after Surah al-Fatiha, although any other Surah may be recited. Once you’ve finished, remove any headwear or anything else that may violate the rules of Ihram and get ready to make your intention.

Women in a state of menstruation should not perform the Salah, rather they should make their intention for Hajj or Umrah and recite the Talbiyah.

Advice

If you are going to Jeddah by air, it is suitable to get into the status of Ihram inside the airplane. The procedure is given as follows. You must do everything at home or at the airport except Niyyah (intention) and “Labbayka Allaahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk, Inna al-hamd wa’l-ni’mata laka wa’l-mulk, laa shareeka lak (لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ، وَالنِّعْمَةَ، لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ) (Here I am, O Allaah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sov.
First take shower, then pay two rakahs of nafl. Next, you have to undertake intention, (النية) and “Labbayka Allaahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk, Inna al-hamd wa’l-ni’mata laka wa’l-mulk, laa shareeka lak (لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ، وَالنِّعْمَةَ، لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ) (Here I am, O Allaah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sov.

This is performed at or before the boundary line called Miqat. Go to the plane and sit down with white clothes on. In the Hajj flight when you are approaching Miqat, the pilot will recite that the border line has come to make your intention and to say “Labbayka Allaahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk, Inna al-hamd wa’l-ni’mata laka wa’l-mulk, laa shareeka lak (لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ، وَالنِّعْمَةَ، لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ) (Here I am, O Allaah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sov. If you have not changed your clothes before, you should do so now although it is not recommended inside the plane.

Please note

It is always suggested to ask at the time of boarding, whether the pilot will announce the arrival of Miqat. If the reply is no, then create your intention and say “Labbayka Allaahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk, Inna al-hamd wa’l-ni’mata laka wa’l-mulk, laa shareeka lak (لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ، وَالنِّعْمَةَ، لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ) (Here I am, O Allaah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sov. By yourself one hour before you reach Jeddah.

Tawaf

Shaving and Hair Cutting

If you are going with a group, then please follow the instructions of the leader of the group.

Intention and “Labbayka Allaahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk, Inna al-hamd wa’l-ni’mata laka wa’l-mulk, laa shareeka lak (لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ، وَالنِّعْمَةَ، لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ) (Here I am, O Allaah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sov – Keep your head open and declare your intention. It is understood that you are performing Hajj al-Tammat'u (حج التمتع) in which Umrah is done first as mentioned in the "Kinds of Hajj"."O Allah! I wish to perform Umrah. Please make it uncomplicated for me and accept it from me. Amen."Immediately after that speak the words of “Labbayka Allaahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk, Inna al-hamd wa’l-ni’mata laka wa’l-mulk, laa shareeka lak (لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ، وَالنِّعْمَةَ، لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ) (Here I am, O Allaah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are yours, and all sov 3 times and afterwards as possible. If you can't remember it, you can recite its translation in English, or other language except Talbiah. The translation is uttered in a loud voice by men and in a low voice by women.

Du'a - After this, you must recite Darud Sharif and implore to Allah Almighty any du'a in Arabic or in your own native language.

Prohibitions of Ihram - Thereafter intention and “Labbayka Allaahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk, Inna al-hamd wa’l-ni’mata laka wa’l-mulk, laa shareeka lak (لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ، وَالنِّعْمَةَ، لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ) (Here I am, O Allaah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sov, you belong to the status of Ihram and from this moment, you should not perform any acts that are prohibited in Ihram.

A muhrim must note the following things:-

Men should cover their head and women should not cover their face.
Both men and women must cover the middle bone of the upper part of our feet.
You must cut your hair and shave accordingly.

• Your nails must not be cut.
• You must apply perfume over your body.
• Men are supposed to wear stitched clothing and women can wear simple clothes.
• Devotees cannot kill and do hunting.
• Abstaining from physical relations.

Journey towards Makkah

During the commencement of this sacred journey towards Makkah al-Mukarrama , recite “Labbayka Allaahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk, Inna al-hamd wa’l-ni’mata laka wa’l-mulk, laa shareeka lak (لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ، وَالنِّعْمَةَ، لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ) (Here I am, O Allaah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sov frequently during the journey. Then you must enter the holy city very meekly and with great affection still reciting “Labbayka Allaahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk, Inna al-hamd wa’l-ni’mata laka wa’l-mulk, laa shareeka lak (لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ، وَالنِّعْمَةَ، لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ) (Here I am, O Allaah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sov. Once you have arranged your stay, go to the Haram Sharif to perform Umrah.

How To Perform Umrah

The Rites of Umrah : The only Rites of Umrah are :

• Entering the state of Ihram
• Tawaf of Ka'bah
• Sa'yee between the hills of Safa and Marwah
• Shaving or clipping of the hair

Ihram for Umrah and Entering Masjid Al-Haram
Ihram - You must be in Ihram for Umrah before entering Mecca .

Entering Masjid al-Haram - While reciting the holy verse “Labbayka Allaahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk, Inna al-hamd wa’l-ni’mata laka wa’l-mulk, laa shareeka lak (لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ، وَالنِّعْمَةَ، لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ) (Here I am, O Allaah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sov, enter Masjid al-Haram from Bab as-Salam with right foot first. Bow to Allah and proceed towards Ka'bah. You may speak the following prayer which is usually used before you enter a mosque: Allah huma aftah li abwabe rahmate ka (الهم افتح لي ابواب رحمتك)

First Sight – Seeing the Ka’bah, your eyes must be focussed at Baitullah and standing at one side, it is recommended that you exclaim Allahu Akbar three times and La Ilaha Illallah three times
You must announce Darud on our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) and very meekly and with tears in your eyes submit to Allah for whatever you wish. This time is significant for the acceptance of prayers.
The crux is to exalt and glorify your Creator before enchanting Darud and supplications. Therefore, in lieu of Allahu Akbar and La Ilaha Illallah, you may speak some other similar holy verses if you so desire.

After this, while saying “Labbayka Allaahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk, Inna al-hamd wa’l-ni’mata laka wa’l-mulk, laa shareeka lak (لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ، وَالنِّعْمَةَ، لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ) (Here I am, O Allaah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sov, move ahead to perform Tawaf of Ka'bah.

Tawaf of Umrah

Tawaf means going around something in a circle. Here it is defined as moving around Ka'bah seven times with full love and respect.

• Preparation – You should pass the upper sheet of Ihram from below the right arm and put it on your left shoulder. This act makes your right shoulder bare and is known as Iztaba. Purifications (vudu) is essential for tawaf. Chanting of “Labbayka Allaahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk, Inna al-hamd wa’l-ni’mata laka wa’l-mulk, laa shareeka lak (لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ، وَالنِّعْمَةَ، لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ) (Here I am, O Allaah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sov is stopped once you arrive at Hajar-e-Aswad, the beginning point of tawaf.
• Niyyah (Intention) –You must stand in front of Ka'bah facing Hajar-e-Aswad (the Black Stone) in such a way that the Hajre-e-Aswad must come your right side. To achieve this objective, you will be assisted from the black stripe on the floor. This stripe should be on the right side. Then make your Niyyah (intention) for Umrah without raising your hands: " O Allah, I perform Tawaf of Umrah to please you. Make it easy for me and accept it from me."
• Istilam – Next you must move towards right, and come in front of Hajar-e-Aswad. Kiss the Hajar-e-Aswad if possible, or touch it with a stick. Try to kiss the stick; if that also is not possible, put your hands to your ears. Your open palms of your hand should be towards Hajre-e-Aswad and say:" Bismillahi Allahu Akbar Wa Lilla Hil Hamd" (بسم الله، الله الكبر ولله الحمد) And drop your hands down. Now you must point the palms of your hands again towards Hajar-e- Aswad and kiss them. This step of kissing Hajar-e-Aswad or pointing to it is called Istilam.
• Tawaf Starts - After Istilam, you must turn right and start tawaf counter clockwise. This is warning.
  The Haj authorities often apply perfume to Hajar-e-Aswad, Rukn Yamani and Multazam. If so, then you should not touch them while in the state of Ihram, otherwise you have to pay a dum as a penalty.
• During Tawaf- it is not allowed to face the Ka'bah or turn your back to it, except when you are kissing the Hajar-e-Aswad or pointing towards it.
• Ramal – During the first three rounds of Tawaf of Umrah and Tawaf of Arrival, men are allowed to move their shoulders and walk with quick short steps. This step is called Ramal and is Sunnah. They walk in a normal fashion during the remaining four rounds.
• Supplications of Tawaf - There are no fixed rules for tawaf but there are many suggested verses listed in the books of Umrah out of which the following verse is easy to memorize : "Subhan-Allah wal-hamdu-lillahi wa la ilaha ill-Allah wa-Allahu Akbar wa la haula wa la quwwata illa-billah (سبحان الله والحمد لله ولا إله إلا الله والله اكبر ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله) .
  " If you don't remember these words, you may glorify Allah by repeatedly uttering:
  سبحان الله،       Subhan Allah,
  Al-Hamdu lilla,       الحمد لله،
  Allahu Akbar,       الله أكبر،