What do you know About Umrah?
Umrah is a sacred pilgrimage performed by the Muslims from around the world. This pilgrim is esteemed as one of the holiest for Muslims. Many packages for Umrah are available to Muslims from around the world. Umrah packages of Birmingham were selected, keeping in mind the difficulties of a journey. Hence it aims at providing the best experience possible to the Muslims of overseas.
What is Umrah?
Muslims perform Umrah to seek forgiveness and pray for their needs, also it is an opportunity for Muslims to refresh their faith. A pilgrim cleanses his/her sins by performing the Umrah. Moreover, a shorter version of the annual Hajj gathering, Umrah is the name given to a pilgrimage to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia. The term ‘Umrah’ Arabic: عُمْرَة, lit. The meaning is “visiting a populated place” in Arabic.
A state of purification achieved by completing cleansing rituals, wearing the prescribed attire, and abstaining from certain actions, in accordance with the Shariah (Law of Islam), for both pilgrimages, a Muslim must first assume Ihram. A principal boundary point in Mecca, like Dhu ‘l-Hulaifah, Juhfah, Qarnu ‘l-Manāzil, Yalamlam, Zāt-i-‘Irq, Ibrahīm Mursīyah, or a place in Al-Hill, must be attained when reaching a Miqat. Once entering a specific perimeter in the city, different conditions exist for air travellers, who must observe Ihram.
Tawaf and Sa’i are the two key rituals which Muslims are required to perform in Umrah.
Tawaf
Circling around the Kaaba by pilgrimages is known as Tawaf.
Sa’i
Tawaf is followed by Safa and Marwah. It is a walk to commemorate Hagar’s quest for water for her son and God’s mercy in fulfilling prayers, in the Great Mosque of Mecca. Then, a partial or complete shortening of the hair, pilgrims conclude the pilgrimage with Halq.
How many days does it take to Perform Umrah?
It is observed that usually it takes almost minimum of 3-4 hours performing Umrah for Muslims.
Tawaf, Sa’ee and Qasar/Halaq are the four obligations which are of great importance while performing Umrah. Moreover, it would take much time to check out at the airport, then in travel from Jeddah to your hotel, then you will need food and rest because of long travels, in case your flight lands at Jeddah Airport, Saudi Arabia. Now, from the very next day you could initiate your Umrah. After wearing Ihram on the next day, you will go to Haram. It only takes a lesser time, and you will begin to perform Tawaf around the Kabah.
Now, 7 times during Umrah you circle around Kaaba which is called Tawaf. If there is no big crowd then, it would be 2 hours of time duration in Umrah for Tawaf. On the other hand, it would take 3-4 hours of time if there is a large crowd during Tawaf.
Third phase/obligation of Umrah is i.e. Sa’ee which is walking between Safa and Marwah which also doesn’t take that much longer time period. In case there is no larger crowd then, it would hardly take 2 hours.
Qasar/Haalaq is the last and final stage of Umrah. Only a few minutes would be required for this stage of the Umrah. Now practically it requires only 4 hours to perform Umrah with all its necessary obligations.
Commonly, Muslims visit Medina and perform some of the Nafil prayers there, after the completion of the Umrah.
Several Elements Impacts Umrah Time Period
If you want to check, how much longer than the estimated time Umrah takes. Then there are several factors which mainly affect the Umrah timings for Muslims.
Time of the Day
In which time period of the day you are performing Umrah matters a lot. Either it is a day and a larger crow, then definitely a larger time would be consumed. If you are performing when there are not many pilgrims performing Umrah/Hajj then it would consume less time.
Family Members
If you are performing Umrah with 3-4 of your family members, then it would take a great time rather than you performing Umrah alone. To save your time, try to perform Umrah alone and lesser time duration would be required.
Before or After Hajj
Before Hajj a massive crowd would be there and hence more time would be required while , after Hajj there would be a lesser number of people. You could easily perform Umrah in less time.
Preparation & Knowledge
How much time you need to complete your Umrah is directly proportional to the knowledge and preparation about Islam and Umrah rituals. If you don’t have accurate knowledge and you are asking directions and various supplications from the people, then it would take a larger portion of your time. How pilgrimages have to maintain its teachings even after the completion of beautiful
Take away
Hopefully, you will be able to save your time duration while keeping the detailed and significant points as mentioned above.
