Learn Arabic before go for Umrah or Hajj (Makkah or Madina [Saudi Arabia])

Arabic is one of the most spoken languages in the world with over 200 million speakers. It is spoken in 24 countries and is the official language of all the countries of northern Africa, the Arabian peninsula, and in much of the Middle East, including Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. As the religious language of Islam, it is also the second language of millions of Muslims around the world. It is one of the six official languages of the United Nations.

The Arabic language can be divided into three main categories:

Quranic (Classical Arabic):

This is the Arabic of Islam's holy book, the Quran (or Koran). It is archaic, which means that it is very old, dating from the late 600's when the Quran was written down. It is used in the Quran and in the holy books of Islam. No one speaks Classical Arabic as a native, nor is it used for conversation. It is learned primarily for reciting and reading the Quran.

Formal or Modern Standard Arabic:

This is an updated version of Classical Arabic which is taught in the schools of Arab countries. It is the language of the news, modern literature and education. No one speaks it as a native language but it is used as a common language for people who speak very different varieties of Arabic or by second-language speakers.

Spoken or Colloquial Arabic:

There are many local varieties of Arabic, many languages in their own right. The most widely spoken and understood of these is Egyptian Arabic. Other distinct varieties are Iraqi, Levantine (Lebanese/Syrian/Jordanian/Palestinian) and Moroccan Arabic.

Some common Arabic phrases are presented here for your information

May Allah Accept our/your Hajj & Umrah (Congratulations on Hajj & Umrah) Mubarak ho!

May Allah Accept our/your Hajj & Umrah (Congratulations on Hajj & Umrah) Mubarak ho!

May Allah Accept our/your Hajj & Umrah (Congratulations on Hajj & Umrah) Mubarak ho!

May Allah Accept our/your Hajj & Umrah (Congratulations on Hajj & Umrah) Mubarak ho!

Umrah Mubarak



Umrah Mubarak



Umrah Mubarak

Umrah Mubarak

Umrah-e-Mufrada, Umrah-e-Tamatto

The first part of Hajj, "Umra-e-Tamatto" is different from the Umra performed during the rest of the year which is called Umra-e-Mufrada. However during the Hajj journey Umra-e-Mufrada can also be performed (sometimes Hajj journey begins with Umra-e-Mufrada with the actual Hajj coming later on).

Umra-e-Mufrada/Tamatto at a glance:

It consists of the following waajibaat:

1. Wearing ehram at miqaat.

2. Tawaf i.e. to go around the kaa'ba

3. To recite two rakaat salaat-e-Tawaf behind Maqame Ibrahim.

4. Saee i.e. walking between Safa and Marwah

5. Halaqa (shaving the head)/ taqseer (to cut of little hair)

For Umra e Mufrada only:

6. To perform Tawaf-e-Nisa

7. Two rakaat salaat of Tawaf-e-Nisa

Method of Umra-e-Tamatto in short:

First Umra-e-Tamatto should be performed which includes 5 wajibaat:

1.To wear the ehram

2.Tawaf of kaa'ba

3.Two rakaat salaat of Tawaf

4.Saee between Safa and Marwah

5.Taqseer (Umra-e-Tamatto finishes with taqseer but if you are performing Umra-e-Mufrada you must perform Tawaf-e-nisa and salaat of Tawaf-e-Nisa.)

Restrictions of Ehram (Ahram) for Men and Women

Certain things are prohibited in the state of ehram some of these are prohibited even in daily normal life but because of ehram there is a stronger emphasis on these.

Restrictions which apply to both men and women:

1.Hunting animals on land.

2.Carrying weapons

3.Having sexual relations.

4.Kissing women.

5.Touching women with intention of pleasure.

6.Looking at a non-mehram woman with lust.

7.Masturbation

8.Marrying (Nikkah)

9.Using perfume

10.Applying kajal in eyes.

11.Removing hair from the body

12.Cutting nails

13.Using something with the intention of beautification, even if it is a watch or a ring.

14.Killing worms or lice found on the body.

15.Lying, boasting, abusing, etc.

16.Tooth extraction

Things which are prohibited for men in the state of ehram but allowed for women:

1.Covering of head

2.To wear something that covers the top part of the foot completely example: socks, shoes, etc

3.To wear sewn clothes.

The above mentioned four things are not only allowed for women but if there is a na-mehram onlooker then it will be wajib for her to cover her feet completely even in the state of ehram.

Things are prohibited for women only:

1.To cover the face with cloth, etc.

2.To wear gloves.

All the above mentioned things are haraam in ehram. Performing some of these is a sin and attracts Kaffarah, while performing some others does not attract any penalty however one must do istighfar (repent) for the sin. When Kaffarah becomes wajib it must be paid in Makkah.

Not bypass Miqaat (Meeqat) without ehram (Ahram)

Shariat has clearly defined certain places for wearing ehram, these are called miqaat. One may not bypass these designated areas and proceed to Makkah without ehram.

Ordinarily people proceed to Makkah in one of these three ways:

1.First go to Madinah then proceed to Makkah for Hajj:

When these people leave Madinah they will come across Masjid-e-Shajarah at a distance of 6 miles from Madinah. This is a miqaat from where the Hajj ehram should be worn.

2.First go to Makkah for Hajj then proceed to Madinah:

When such persons reach Jeddah they should proceed to Johfah which is a miqaat and wear the ehram of Hajj from there. However they can, before reaching Jeddah (in their hometown or in the plane) wear ehram.

3.First go to Makkah then go to Madinah then return to Makkah for Hajj:

Such people when they enter Makkah for the first time should wear ehram of Umra-e-Mufrada, then they go to Madinah and when they return to Makkah they should wear the ehram of Hajj at Masjid-e-Shajarah. These people are initially required to wear ehram of Umra-e-Mufrada, because once you have entered Makkah wearing the ehram of Umra e Tamatto you cannot leave Makkah till Hajj is complete, while these people would like to go to Madinah before Hajj.

Hajj & Umrah Pilgirms Guide Map

Hajj & Umrah Pilgirms Guide Map



Hajj & Umrah Pilgirms Guide Map



Umrah Pictorial Guide (Ihraam, Tawaaf, Saee, Shaving)



Umrah-Guide-Map



Umrah-Guide-Ihraam



Umrah-Guide-Tawaaf



Umrah-Guide-Saee



Umrah-Guide-Shaving



Top 10 (Ten) Umrah Countries 2009

Umrah is one of the important rituals in Islam and has been performed from its inception. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Accumulated sins are expiated with each Umrah".

Top Umrah Countries 2009 with number of pilgrims from each country:

1. Iran = 866,147
2. Egypt = 563,000
3. Pakistan = 272,000
4. Jordan = 268,000
5. Syria = 241,000
6. Turkey = 211,000
7. Iraq = 173,000
8. Algeria = 137,000
9. UAE = 120,000
10. Indonesia = 108,000

Rituals of Umrah

IHRAM: When performing Umrah, before entering the Holy City of Makkah, you should be in Ihram.
Enter the Holy Sanctuary (al Masjid al Haram), preferably right foot first through the Bab as-Salam gate, reciting the Talbiyah:

'Here I am O Allah, (in response to Your call), here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise, grace and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.'

You may then say: "In the name of Allah, may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, forgive me my sins and open to me the doors of Your mercy. I seek refuge in Allah the Almighty and in His Eminent Face and in His Eternal Dominion over the accursed Satan."

When you first see the Holy Kaaba, keep your eyes fixed on this the holiest of all structures in Islam. Standing to one side, proclaim:

"Allahu Akbar" three times
"La ilaha illa'Llah" three times

Then proclaim a blessing (Salawat) on the beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) and, in all humility, make your prayers to Allah. This is an especially propitious time to offer prayers to the Almighty.

You may recite some other similar holy verses if you so desire.

After this, while uttering Talbiyah once more and repeatedly, move forward to prepare for the circumambulation of the Kaaba (Tawaf).

To prepare for the Tawaf, the pilgrim must ensure ablutions have been performed. The pilgrim should pass the upper garment of the Ihram (the rida') under the right arm and over the left shoulder, thus leaving the right shoulder bare. This procedure is called iddtibaa'.

When you reach the Black Stone (al-Hajar al-Aswad), you have arrived at the starting point for the circumambulation (Tawaf), and you may cease reciting the Talbiyah.

NIYYAH: You are now ready to perform Niyyah (i.e. express your intention to perform Umrah):

"O Allah, I perform Tawaf of Umrah to please You. Make it easy for me and accept it from me."

ISTILAM: Now, moving right, if space permits, stand before the Black Stone and kiss it. If you are unable to move close enough to kiss the Black Stone, you may touch it with by hand. If you are unable to kiss or touch the Black Stone, place your hands at your ears, palms facing outwards, and say:
"Bismi'Llah Allahu akbar wa li'Lah al-hamad"

This alternative is perfectly acceptable so there is no need for pushing or shoving which may harm yourself or others if you are not able to reach the Black Stone.

This act, whether you kiss the Black Stone, touch it by hand or utter a prayer while pointing by the palm of your hands towards the Black Stone is called Istilam.

TAWAF: You may now begin your seven circumambulations, moving to the right so that you keep the Kaaba to your left, counter-clockwise, around the Kaaba.

When performing the first three circumambulations, men may uncover their right arm and move with quick, short steps. (This procedure is called Ramal.) The remaining four circumambulations should be performed at a normal walking pace.

PRAYERS DURING TAWAF: While performing Tawaf, there are no prescribed prayers but there are a number of supplications which are recommended. You may also use the prayers that form part of your daily prayer sessions and pray to Allah in your own way in your own language.

HATEEM: Hateem is a semi-circular section which originally formed part of the Kaaba but was not incorporated into the Kaaba when the Kaaba was rebuilt. You should include the Hateem in your circumambulations.

When you reach the fourth corner of the Kaaba (Rukn Yamani), touch it with your right hand or both hands and, as you walk between Rukn Yamani and the Black Stone, you may pray:

"Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina azabin-nar".

When you reach the Black Stone, perform Istilam again, to mark the start of your second circumambulation.
Continue in the same way, until you have completed the seven circumambulations, including Istilam at the end of each circuit.

Preparation for Umrah

Umrah may be performed at any time of the year.

Umrah performed during Ramadan is considered equal to performing Hajj and offers the same rewards. Nevertheless, performing Umrah during Ramadan is not a substitute for Hajj, the performance of which is mandatory (fard) for all Muslims at least once in a lifetime, if they are physically and financially able.
To perform Umrah, you should be in a state of Ihram. Ihram is a state of purity and holiness. A man in Ihram is called muhrim; a woman is called muhrima.

The word Ihram is also used to denote the garment worn by pilgrims when in the state of Ihram. Men garb themselves in a white, seamless, two-piece garment. The top garment covers the torso but, during Umrah and Hajj, not necessarily the right shoulder. The lower garment covers from waist to knee. Women wear long white robes which cover them from head to toe. All wear sandals, rather than shoes.

To enter Ihram, pilgrims must wash themselves. A man may trim his hair and cut his nails. During Ihram, sexual activity, shaving, and cutting one's nails or skin all are forbidden. There are also prohibitions against killing animals, except those that can harm people, fighting or quarreling, using perfumes, washing hair with shampoo, wearing gloves or socks, or uprooting oats or trees. Those who do these knowingly or unknowingly or by forgetting have to pay a penalty by sacrificing an animal or giving alms.

Umrah Travel Agents

Umrah Travel Agents


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