Performing Umrah is a deeply spiritual journey for Muslims, and part of the rituals involves specific supplications (duas) at various stages. This guide provides a comprehensive step-by-step approach to the duas for Umrah, including the Arabic text, English translations, and their significance.
How to Perform Umrah
Performing Umrah involves a series of important steps. First, pilgrims enter a state of purity called Ihram by washing and wearing special clothes, then they say the Dua for Umrah to express their intention. Upon reaching the holy mosque, they walk around the Kaaba seven times in a ritual called Tawaf, saying prayers as they go. Next, they perform Sa’i by walking back and forth between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times, also while praying. The final step is for men to shave or cut their hair, and for women to cut a small portion of their hair, completing their Umrah. Each part of this journey is filled with spiritual meaning and devotion.
Preparing for Ihram
Preparing for Ihram is an important first step in the Umrah pilgrimage, symbolizing a state of purity and devotion. Pilgrims start by taking a full-body wash called ghusl to cleanse themselves. Men wear two white, unstitched clothes, while women wear modest, simple clothing. Before wearing the Ihram, pilgrims make the intention for Umrah by reciting the Dua for Umrah, which means, “O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah, so make it easy for me and accept it from me.” This prayer helps set the right mindset for the sacred journey ahead.
Before starting the journey, one must enter the state of Ihram, which involves wearing the prescribed clothing and making the intention (niyyah).
1. Dua for Niyyah (Intention)
Arabic:
اللّهُمَّ إني أُرِيدُ العُمْرَةَ فَيَسِّرْهَا لِي وَتَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّي
Transliteration:
Allahumma inni ureedul ‘Umrata fa-yassirha li wa-taqabbalha minni
English:
“O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah, so make it easy for me and accept it from me.”
2. Talbiyah
Upon entering Ihram, pilgrims recite the Talbiyah to express their readiness to perform Umrah.
Arabic:
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيْكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لاَ شَرِيْكَ لَكَ
Transliteration:
Labbaik Allahumma labbaik. Labbaik la sharika laka labbaik. Innal hamda wan-ni’mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak.
English:
“Here I am, O Allah, 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.”
3. Entering Masjid al-Haram
When entering the sacred mosque, Masjid al-Haram, it is recommended to recite:
Arabic:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَالصَّلاَةُ وَالسَّلاَمُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ. اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذُنُوبِي وَافْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ
Transliteration:
Bismillah, wassalatu wassalamu ‘ala Rasulillah. Allahumma aghfir li dhunubi waftah li abwaba rahmatika.
English:
“In the name of Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, forgive my sins and open the doors of Your mercy for me.”
4. Tawaf (Circumambulation)
During Tawaf, pilgrims make seven circuits around the Kaaba, starting each from the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad).
Starting Tawaf
When starting Tawaf, it is sunnah to recite:
Arabic:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Transliteration:
Bismillah, Allahu Akbar.
English:
“In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest.”
Dua Between Rukn Yamani and Hajar al-Aswad
Between the Yemeni Corner (Rukn Yamani) and the Black Stone, recite:
Arabic:
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Transliteration:
Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan waqina ‘adhaban-nar.
English:
“Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”
General Duas for Tawaf
During Tawaf, you can recite any supplication, glorify Allah, and ask for His blessings. Some recommended duas include:
Arabic:
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Transliteration:
Subhanallah walhamdulillah wala ilaha illallah wallahu akbar.
English:
“Glory be to Allah, all praise is to Allah, there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest.”
5. Sa’i (Walking Between Safa and Marwah)
After completing Tawaf, pilgrims perform Sa’i, walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah.
Starting Sa’i at Safa
When reaching Safa, recite:
Arabic:
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ
Transliteration:
Innas-safa wal-marwata min sha’a’irillah.
English:
“Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah.”
Dua on Safa and Marwah
Standing on Safa and Marwah, face the Kaaba and recite:
Arabic:
لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ. لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ، أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَهَزَمَ الأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ
Transliteration:
La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku walahul-hamdu wahuwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadir. La ilaha illallahu wahdahu, anjaza wa’dahu wa nasara ‘abdahu wahazamal-ahzaba wahdahu.
English:
“There is no god but Allah alone, without partner. His is the sovereignty, and His is the praise, and He is over all things powerful. There is no god but Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, aided His servant, and defeated the confederates alone.”
General Duas for Sa’i
During Sa’i, you can recite any supplication, praise Allah, and ask for His mercy and blessings.
6. Ending Umrah: Cutting or Shaving Hair (Taqsir or Halq)
After completing Sa’i, men shave their heads (halq) or cut a portion of their hair (taqsir). Women cut a small portion of their hair. Before doing so, it is recommended to recite:
Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا
Transliteration:
Allahumma taqabbal minna.
English:
“O Allah, accept it from us.”
Conclusion
Performing Umrah is a sacred duty that brings immense spiritual rewards. The duas for Umrah guide the pilgrim through this journey, ensuring that every step is filled with remembrance of Allah and supplication for His mercy and blessings. By following this step-by-step guide, pilgrims can fulfill the rituals of Umrah with devotion and accuracy, making their pilgrimage a profound and spiritually enriching experience.