The Pillars, Obligations and Supererogatory Acts of Umrah

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Pillars of ‘Umrah

1- Ihram:

Due to the Prophet’s statement ﷺ: “Deeds are according to intentions and every person will be rewarded according to his intention. Therefore, whosoever has emigrated for the sake of Allah and His Messenger, then his emigration was for Allah and His Messenger. And whosoever emigrated for the sake of a worldly gain, or a woman “whom he desires” to marry, then his emigration is for the sake of that which “moved him” to emigrate.” [ Source: Bukhari.]

2- The Sa’y between as-Safa and al-Marwa:

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Perform Sa’y (between them); indeed Allah has decreed that you perform Sa’y (between them).” [ Source: Ahmad.]

3- Tawaaf:

as Allah, the Most High, said, “…and circumambulate the Ancient House.”

Obligations during ‘Umrah

1- Assuming Ihram from the Meeqat:

The Prophet ﷺ, after mentioning the Mawaqeet, said: ”Those Mawaqeet are for their residents and non residents who pass through them with the intention of making Hajj or ‘Umrah.” [ Source: Bukhari.]

2- Shaving or trimming the hair:

Allah says: “Certainly, you shall enter al-Masjidul-Haram, if Allah wills, secure, (some) having their heads shaved, and (some) having their hairs cut short.” (al-Fath: 27)

The Supererogatory Acts of ‘Umrah

Any other act, apart from the pillars and obligatory acts, is a supererogatory act (sunnah), for example:

- Bathing and perfuming before assuming Ihram.

- Wearing a wrapper (garment) and cover cloth which are white.

- Saying the Talbiyah until one sees the House and reaches the Black Stone.

- Observing al-Idh’tiba’ during the Tawaaf, and this is done by passing the cover cloth under the right armpit and placing the ends of the cloth on one’s left shoulder.

Cautions!!!..

1- Whosoever omits a pillar of ‘Umrah has not completed his religious duty until he performs the omitted act.

2- Whosoever omits an obligation of ‘Umrah must offer blood (i.e. slaughter a sheep, one-seventh of a cow, or one-seventh of a camel.)

3- Whosoever omits a supererogatory act of ‘Umrah is free of any obligation and his ‘Umrah is still valid.