Umrah is a highly spiritual pilgrimage offered in the Holy Kaaba to fulfill the Sunnah of the Prophet PBUH. Its sole purpose is Spiritual renewal and soul cleansing to establish a deep relationship with Allah SWT. The historical background of this pilgrimage matches with the completion of Sunnah of beloved prophet who performed Umrah four times in his life. The Historical treaty on performing Umrah was signed in 628 CE known as Treaty of Hudaiybiyyah. According to that agreement, holy prophet and his companions visited next year and performed Umrah in 629 CE. Nowadays Muslims perform Umrah to retrace the Sunnah of holy prophet, as their hearts are filled with love and affection of beloved Prophet. The believes, fulfilling Prophets Sunnah can establish close relationship with Hazrat Muhammad, cleanse their hearts, seek forgiveness for old sins, fosters connection with Allah and renewal their faith.
The roots of Umrah pilgrimage are firmly established after actions of Prophet PBUH. So, Islamic Travel is also assisting pilgrims to perform Umrah according to the Sunnah of prophet PBUH. They are offering a variety of Umrah packages with complete guidance to offer all rituals as our beloved Prophet has performed to gain maximum rewards and requitals.
Historical background and spiritual significance of Umrah
Six years after Hijra from Mecca to Medina, it was a dream of the Prophet (PBUH) to enter the Holy Mecca for performing Umrah in the holy Kaaba. He set off for journey to Umrah towards Holy Mecca with his companions. He wanted to enter peacefully without any quarrel. But the non-believer chiefs of Mecca refused to enter Mecca without signing the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. Thus Holy Prophet signed the treaty upon command of Allah and decided to perform Umrah next year with all his companions. They removed the Ihram and went back to their homes. Next year they visit the Holy Mecca to perform Umrah. At the time of Hudaiybiyyah, it was revealed in the Holy Quran that:
“Indeed, Allah has fulfilled the vision of his messenger in truth, you will surely enter Al-Haram, if Allah wills, in safety.”
(Surah Al-Fath 48:27)
Performing Umrah according to Islamic Historical tradition
Muslim pilgrims can hadith of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to learn about all rituals of Umrah. The books of hadith are full of learning to perform Umrah in right manner as per actions of our beloved Prophet (PBUH). So they can perform the most sacred worship in the holiest place of mecca and earn blessings and rewards from Allah. The Sunnah of the Prophet is guide for pilgrims in all fields of life. Thus it also guides about the importance of patience and perseverance at each step of Umrah pilgrimage. Each step and its historical background with reference to the Prophets is present in the Hadith books including Sahih Al Bukhari and Sahih Al Muslim.
Muslim pilgrims from the UK can get complete teachings of Umrah performing from the most reliable and trustworthy Umrah agency, Islamic Travel. It is offering Ramadan Umrah packages, so pilgrims can perform Umrah as per Sunnah of prophet who announced Umrah performing in Ramadan equivalent to Hajj (Major Pilgrimage). The Holy Prophet stated:
Indeed, performing Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to Hajj.
(Sahih Bukhari 1782)
All Umrah rituals and its Islamic historical background
Muslim pilgrims perform each Umrah rituals according to reference found in the Holy Quran and Hadith books. They followed the footsteps of their ancestors to offer the sacred rituals of Umrah in most holy mosque. Muslim pilgrims perform Umrah rituals and they can seek guidance from experts of Islamic Travel. It offers December Umrah packages in upcoming winters so pilgrims can perform Umrah in appropriate weather and it also offer expert advice of scholars of Islamic Travel. They are well educated and aware about historical Islamic background of each Umrah pilgrimage.
- Ihram and pure Intention: The Sunnah of prophet (PBUH) teaches pilgrims to start Umrah by making pure intention and wear Ihram as symbolic representation of cleanliness and purity.
- Talbiyah: Talbiyah is a verbal declaration of submission to Allah. Muslim pilgrims recite Tabliyah during performing Umrah as Holy Prophet PBUH offered Umrah rituals by saying these holy words.
- Circumambulating around Kaaba: Tawaf around the holy Kaaba holds strong Islamic historical roots back to time of Hazrat Ibrahim A.S. As he laid the foundation of this sacred house of Allah and offered worships around it as a first man. Allah says in the Quran:
“And when we made the House a place of return for the people and place of security. And take the standing place of Abraham (Maqam Ibrahim) as a place of prayer. And we charged Ibrahim and Ismail saying, Purify My House for those people who perform Tawaf and those who seclude themselves for worship and those who bow and prostrate in prayer.’
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:125)
- Halq and Taqsir: Halq after completion of Umrah is the Sunnah of prophet PBUH. It is the final step of Umrah. Ibn Umar states the saying of Prophet PBUH about Halq:
“O Allah, have mercy on those who shave their heads”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 1720)
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