Intention

The physical and spiritual activities that form the process of Umrah can be classified into four broad activities viz.

• Niyyah - Intention
• Tawaf â?? Circum-ambulating the Kaâ??ba
• Saâ??ee â?? To and fro movement between the hills of Safa and Marwah
• Halq or Qasr â?? Shaving/Trimming the head.

Letâ??s now understand each of the above in sufficient detail.

Intention/Niyyah

• Perform Ablution (Wudhu) or take bath (Ghusl).
• Put on the two white sheets of the Ihram garments. For women, there is no specific garment or colour; ordinary cloak/abaya etc. is sufficient.
• Perform two Rakats of Ihram (Sunnah). Recite Surah â??Kaafirunâ?? (Qul Yaa Ayyuhal Kaafiroon) in the first Rakat and Surah â??Ikhlasâ?? (Qul Huwallaahu Ahad) in the second Rakat.
• Then remove the Prayer cap (Men should not cover their head in the state of Ihram).
• Make Intention (Niyyah) of Umrah
• Letâ??s now understand each of the above in sufficient detail. 

Transliteration: Allahumma Inni Ureedul Umrata Fayassariha li Wataqabbala ha Minni

(O Allah! I intend to perform Umrah. Make it easy for me and accept it from me.)

• Intention/Niyyah, which is an obligation, can be made at home or during the journey, but care must be taken to make the intention before crossing the boundaries of Miqat. (The details of the Miqat area have been discussed in the preceding section, 5).
• Since the boundaries of Miqat are widespread, if you are taking a flight bound to Jeddah, you will cross the boundaries of Miqat whilst in the flight itself. Thus, if you are not careful to make intention in the flight before entering the Miqat, you will end up having to travel to the nearest Miqat point on landing in Jeddah and make the intention and start for Umrah from there. Thus, be very careful about making the intention before crossing the boundaries of Miqat, wherever you are making the journey from.
• If you plan to land in Madina, then make the intention at Zul Hulaifah while going to Makkah Al-Mukarramah.
• People making the intention from their homes do not have the concern of being vigilant of the Miqat points.
• If you are already in Makkah Al-Mukarramah and intend to do Umrah, then go to the closest Miqat Point i.e. Tanâ??eem (Masjid Aisha) and adorn/assume Ihram.
• Pilgrims coming from other directions should adorn/assume Ihram on their respective Miqat points.
• Recite the complete Talbiyah as following, once audibly. Women should recite in a low voice.

Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayka La Shareekalaka Labbayk, Innal Hamda Wanneâ??mata Lakawal Mulk, Laa Shareekalak

(Here I am O Allah! Here I am, Here I am No partner do you have Here I am, Truly the praise and the favour is Yours and the dominion; No partner do You have)

Keep reciting Talbiyah until you see Holy Kaâ??ba.

Entering the Masjid Al-Haram

• While entering the Masjid Al-Haram put your right foot in the Masjid and recite the following duâ??a:

Bismillahi wasSalahuwassalamu Ala Rasulillahi Allahummaftahli Abwaba rahmatika

(In the name of Allah and Salahand Salam upon the messenger of Allah (PBUH), O Allah! Open to me the gates of Your Mercy)

• While entering into Masjid Al-Haram, it is Mustahabb to make Niyyah:
• "O Allah! I make Niyyah for Itiqaf or the period I am in Masjid Al-Haramâ?
• And on seeing the Holy Kaâ??ba recite the following:

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La Ilaha Illallahu WaAllahu Akbar Allahu Akbar walillaahil hamd

Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, there is none worthy of worship except Allah and Allah is the greatest and to Allah is all praise.

• And then recite the following duâ??a as well

• "O Allah! You alone are the Giver of Peace, and Peace comes only from You. O our Rabb! Keep us in peace.â?

 

• "O Allah! Increase the exaltation, the veneration and the awe of this House and he, who pays due regard and respect to this House, among the people who perform its Hajj and Umrah, also increase his nobility, greatness, honor, and goodness.â?
• This is the place and time when Duâ??a is accepted. It is in the hadith that when a Muslim casts his/her first glance at Baitullah, his Duâ??a is accepted. He should earnestly request Allah s.w.t. that he may die a Muslim, that he may be granted Firdaus (the highest stage of Paradise) â?? without reckoning, and that he may follow Shariah in every respect. Besides, he can ask for anything he likes. A Duâ??a mentioned in Hadith is reproduced below:

  

"I seek the protection of the Rabb (The Sustainer) of the House, from kufr, poverty, the narrowness of chest and chastisement of the grave�.

On seeing the Baitullah first, a person should raise hands for Duâ??a. It is Mustahabb to make Duâ??a while standing.