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umrah packages from usa 2024

What is Ihram in Islam and What Purpose Does it Serve ?

Ihram

Ihram is the clothing worn during the holy pilgrimage of Umrah and Hajj. Literally, Ihram means to enter into a state of purity and prohibition or to make something haram on ourselves for our good. Ihram for Umrah and Hajj is the first necessity of the pilgrimage. It is a state in which many things are forbidden. To enter into this state, certain rituals are to be performed by pilgrims

Ihram For Men

The Hajj and Umrah Ihram for ladies is very different as compared to men. Women can wear any ordinary dress for Umrah. They must cover their head but are forbidden to cover their faces. They are not allowed to wear burkha or niqab (an item of clothing used by Muslim women to cover their bodies) while in Ihram. A hijab (a cloth used by women in Islam to cover their hair) is mandatory. Their head dress must not cover their forehead. While in Ihram, women must not cut or trim nails or hair. Application of any type of fragrance or makeup is forbidden while being in Ihram.

Niyyah for Umrah

This Niyyah is to be made if you’re performing Umrah during any time of the year, or Umrah as part of Hajj al-Tamattu. If you’re performing Hajj al-Tamattu, an intention for the Hajj will be made at a later stage.

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً
Labbayka llāhumma ‘umratan.

O Allah, here I am to perform Umrah.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ الْعُمْرَةَ
Allāhumma innī urīdu l-‘umrata.

O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ الْعُمْرَةَ فَيَسِّرْهَا لِيْ وَتَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّيْ
Allāhumma innī urīdu l-‘umrata fa yassirhā lī wa taqabbalhā minnī.

O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah, so make it easy for me and accept it from me.

Niyyah for Hajj

This Niyyah is to be made if you’re performing Hajj al-Qiran (Umrah and Hajj combined).

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً وَ حَجًّا
Labbayka llāhumma ‘umratan wa ḥajjan.

O Allah, here I am to perform Umrah and Hajj.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ الْعُمْرَةَ وَ الْحَجَّ
Allāhumma innī urīdu l-’umrata wa l-ḥajja.

O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah and Hajj.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ الْعُمْرَةَ وَ الْحَجَّ فَيَسِّرْهُمَا لِيْ وَتَقَبَّلْهُمَا مِنِّيْ
Allāhumma innī urīdu l-’umrata wa l-ḥajja fayassirhumā lī wa taqabbalhumā minnī.

O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah and Hajj, so make them easy for me and accept them from me.

Niyyah with a Stipulation (Ishtirat)

If you feel that something may potentially hinder the performance of your Hajj or Umrah, such as illness, you can add the following stipulation to your Niyyah:

اللَّهُمَّ مَحِلِّي حَيْثُ حَبَسْتَنِي
Allāhumma maḥilli ḥaithu ḥabastani.

O Allah, I will exit Ihram from the point You have prevented me.

Zamzam Water

History of Zamzam Water

As narrated by Ibn ‘Abbaas, Prophet Ibrahim was ordered by Allah to take away his wife, Hagar and his son, Ismail to Makkah. During this time, Makkah was a barren land. Following the commands of Allah, the Prophet left his wife and son with some dates and water and returned home. After spending some time on this barren land, the dates and water ran out. As young Ismail started crying with thirst, Hagar started looking for water. She went running up and down seven times the hills of Safa and Marwa (that is why circumambulating the Kaaba seven times is an important ritual of Umrah and Hajj both). In this fretful state, young Ismail began kicking the ground. Suddenly, Hagar noticed water flowing out from the spot that Ismail was kicking. She carefully collected some water for herself and started feeding it to Ismail. The water that gushed out came to be known as the blessed water of Zamzam.