What do you know about Umrah The Spiritual Journey and what are the rituals of Umrah?
Umrah The Spiritual Journey is a non-mandatory Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca. That can be performed at any time of the year. It is a shorter version of the Hajj. Which is mandatory for all able-bodied Muslims to perform at least once in their lifetime. But the rituals of Umrah consist of several steps that are meant to purify. The soul and demonstrate submission to God.
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1-Ihram
The first step in performing Umrah The Spiritual Journey is niyyah.Which is to enter a state of ihram or consecration.This is done by wearing the ihram garments. Which consist of two white. Seamless sheets for men and a simple. Modest dress for women.So the ihram garments symbolize humility and equality before God .
2-Tawaf
The next step is to perform the tawaf. Which is the circumambulation of the Kaaba.The Kaaba is a cube-shaped building at the center of the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca.It is the most sacred site in Islam and is believed to the prophet Ibrahim and his son Isma’il built it As a house of worship for God. The tawaf is performed seven times. With the Kaaba at the center and the Kaaba’s corner known as the Black Stone kissed or pointed towards during each round.
3-Sa’i
After the tawaf, the pilgrim performs the sa’i.Which is the running or walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah.This is a symbolic reenactment of the search for water as Hagar.The wife of Ibrahim, and her son Isma’il when they were left in the desert by Ibrahim.The sa’i is performed seven times.With the pilgrim starting at Safa and running or walking to Marwah before returning to Safa.
4-The hair-cutting or shaving for men
The final step in performing Umrah is the hair-cutting or shaving for men and cutting a small portion of hair for women. This is known as halq or taqsir and symbolizes the end of the state of ihram and the completion of the pilgrimage.
What are the prohibitions of Umrah The Spiritual Journey?
The prohibitions of Umrah are similar to those of Hajj, and include the following:
- Engaging in sexual activity.
- Using profanity or engaging in arguments or fights.
- Cutting or damaging plants.
- Hunting or killing animals within the sacred areas of Mecca and Medina.
- Carrying weapons.
- Carrying or using any kind of intoxicants.
- Engaging in any kind of business transactions.
- Engaging in any kind of political activities.
- Men should not cover their heads during Tawaf, and women should not cover their face.
- Women should not perform Umrah during menstruation.
- Women should be in the company of a Mahram (close male relative).
- Wearing formal clothes or showing off wealth is discouraged.
Throughout the rituals of Umrah the pilgrim is expected to maintain a state of humility and devotion and to abstain from certain behaviors such as smoking, arguing, and engaging in sexual activity. So the Umrah is considered a time for spiritual reflection and growth and it is customary for pilgrims to return home with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to their faith.
What about the spiritual aspect of the Umrah The Spiritual Journey?
In addition to the physical rituals. It is also important to remember the spiritual aspect of the Umrah The Spiritual Journey.The act of making the pilgrimage is an opportunity to purify the soul, ask for forgiveness, and make a renewed commitment to God.The umrah is a time for spiritual reflection, humility and devotion.It is a time for the pilgrim to reflect on their relationship with God and to seek guidance and forgiveness for past mistakes.
In conclusion, the rituals of Umrah are a powerful and meaningful way for Muslims to demonstrate their devotion to God and to purify their souls.The physical rituals, such as the tawaf and sa’i, are symbolic reenactments of important events in Islamic history.And serve as powerful reminders of the connection between the individual and the divine.The spiritual aspect of the Umrah, including the humility, devotion, and reflection that it fosters, is also an important aspect of the pilgrimage. Overall the Umrah is a journey of the soul, an opportunity to purify oneself, come closer to God and to return home with renewed commitment to one’s faith.We recommend you learn it from experts and qualified Quran Teachers like you can enroll in online Quran classes for Kids or Rules of Reading Quran courses.