Why is Umrah special? Have you ever wondered about this? Why do Muslims perform Umrah, and why is it so significant in Islam? All of these questions will be discussed in this blog post. Ensure to keep connected with the post till the end.
Umrah is a particular act of Islam, and Muslims frequently perform it, once confirming the Umrah packages with Ziyarats in 2024. It’s the only act done in Makkah, the holy city. But what’s its speciality? Let’s discuss its unique qualities and spiritual significance!
Let’s Introduce Umrah
I don’t think that, as a Muslim, you are not aware of Umrah. Everyone, from children to older people, is mindful of this. But for your easiness, this holy act can only be done in Makkah, Masjid al-Haram. You must travel from your home destination to Saudi Arabia to conduct this ritual. This is a spiritual journey which gives a chance to Muslims to close themselves to Allah SWT and seek forgiveness for their bad sins. Renewal of faith is another advantage of this holy journey.
The Speciality of Umrah
We will discuss the section with the following supported points:
Spiritual significance:
Umrah, Islam’s lesser pilgrimage, is unique due to its spiritual significance. It’s not just a physical journey but a spiritual one. During this spiritual journey, you can cleanse your soul, purify your heart, seek forgiveness, and connect a deep bond with Allah SWT. In addition, you can experience an unparalleled sense of humility and devotion during Umrah. Overall, you will have a transformative spiritual experience.
Historical Significance:
Every good deed of Islam has its own history, just as Umrah has its deep and spiritual history. According to some narrations, its history matches that of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S). Even Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) performed Umrah four times in his lifetime. Hence, it’s the major speciality of Umrah for Muslims to perform as it becomes a Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Rituals of Umrah:
Umrah’s speciality is all about its rituals. Do you know how many rituals Umrah has? It has only four!
- Wearing Ihram attire
- Performing Tawaf around the Holy Kaaba
- Sa’ee between Safa and Marwah hills
- Qasr – hair cutting/shaving
These are the core rituals of lesser pilgrimage that a pilgrim must perform when conducting Umrah inside Masjid Al-Haram. Each ritual has its own symbolic meaning and presents the pilgrim’s submission to Allah SWT.
Personal Experiences:
Everyone gets a unique and personal experience from Umrah. One of the specialities of Umrah is the personal experience fulfilled with a sense of peace and transformation. For instance, a pilgrim might describe the overwhelming sense of peace felt before the Kaaba or the tears of joy shed during Tawaf. These personal experiences highlight Umrah’s unique and deeply personal nature, illustrating how it can change one’s perspective on life and faith.
Another speciality of Umrah is its comparison with Hajj. As you know, Hajj is the major pilgrimage of Islam, and it can only be conducted on specific dates of the Islamic year. Compared to this, Umrah is a minor pilgrimage and is somehow related to Hajj rituals, such as Tawaf and Sa’ee. But remember, Hajj has its own rituals, more than Tawaf and Sa’ee.
