Umrah and Hajj is a blissful journey that gives you an enlightening experience. A journey that purifies the mind and the soul! It is a journey that every Muslim should take at least once in their lifetime.
Umrah is a pilgrimage to the Kaaba in Mecca that has no set time limit for fulfillment. It is possible at any time of the year. It is believed to wash the sins of the one who does it.
While Hajj, is one of the pillars of Islam and therefore its importance is indisputable. The difference between the two is that hajj can only be done at a specific time according to the Islamic lunar calendar. It is compulsory for those who are able-bodied and have the financial means to perform it.
For us to be able to take full benefit of the pilgrimage and the sins to wash away, make sure you don’t commit any other sin unknowingly. Here is a guide on what not to do during umrah (and hajj) and the rituals you need to follow to have an ecstatic journey.
Get more information by visiting our Hajj, Umrah, and Eid Al-Adha dedicated information page and read more related articles here!
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Before we go on to the mistakes, let’s first have a look at how Umrah should be performed.
There are basically 4 practices you need to follow in order to get it right. They are Ihram, Tawaf al-Umrah, Sa’i between Safa and Marwah, and Taqsir. In short, Ihram is declaring your formal "intention" to perform the Umrah and Taqsir is a sign that you’ve wholly performed Umrah.
There are similarities on how to do Hajj compared to Umrah, but with some additional steps. Read more about each detailed step on A Guide To Performing Hajj For First Timers.
Now that you know how to perform Umrah and Hajj, let’s make sure you do it the right way to not commit any more sins on your blissful path!
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Here are some mistakes that you should avoid during Umrah, that may also apply for Hajj:
As said earlier, touching and kissing the Black Stone is a part of Tawaf and one needs to do it. However, if you find it difficult to touch the Black Stone, don't just throw your kiss in the air. Just stop, face the direction of the Black Stone and say "Allah Akbar".
Someone may not be able to perform Tawaf, but that doesn't mean they can do it through someone else. It was never mentioned that the Prophet Muhammed did it for anyone else. So, doing Tawaf for someone else is not valid. The blessings you seek might not be attained.
It is only permissible for someone to perform Hajj or Umrah on behalf of those who are both alive or deceased as a whole cycle, not only the Tawaf.
Shouting in a sacred place is a big sin in itself, because it may disturb others focused on their own Du’as. Making your Du’as heard aloud may not grant your wishes, it will only spoil the sacred and blissful environment around.
Hence, make sure to follow the rituals peacefully without shouting in groups. This may let you and others focus on what you seek from Allah.
Once you finish Umrah in one place, you feel more energized by the spiritual powers of completing the Umrah. Don’t get carried away by the excitement and perform multiple Umrahs. This is not according to the Sunnah and is not what the Sahabah did. Putting on a new Ihram and performing Umrah, again and again, is certainly not suggested.
Instead of many Umrahs, use the energy and enthusiasm left to perform as many Tawafs as you can as Tawaf is something that can be done in Mecca alone. If you couldn’t touch the Black Stone, you can go back, touch, and kiss it. If you wanted to perform multiple Umrah, we suggest you to still know your own limits and maximize each of your Umrahs, remember, quality over quantity.
It is prohibited to apply any perfumes or scents on your journey during Umrah, Hajj, and during the state of Ihram. The pilgrims are not allowed to wear any garments that are perfumed as well. If found using any perfume or scents from flowers also, they shall be asked to pay a Dam.
Additionally, if there is an unpleasant smell, pilgrims are not permitted to cover their noses. However, they have the ability to leave that area swiftly.
Some people feel that touching the holy Kaaba will make you blessed. However, it is not mentioned anywhere that touching it will give you any blessings. It will only make the area more crowded and dangerous. If you wanted to touch and see the Kaaba up close, make sure to take turns and assess if it is possible to do so or not.
Be clear on what your intentions are to perform Umrah. Stay focused on your Du’as and keep praying for them along with the prayers you need to recite along the way. You get the reward that you intend for and are not allowed to change your intentions once you start Ihram.
During the process of hajj or umrah, there are several clothing items that is prohibited for males to wear during the ihram state. The Prophet SAW stated that this is due to the intention of ihram, which is "anything that covers the body or any part of it or any of its members is prohibited for a person who is in ihram (muhrim)." Therefore, men are prohibited from wearing clothing items with stitches, or things that cover certain body parts, which include:
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The above said mistakes should be avoided both by men and women. However, there are some additional rules for women that you need to take note of.
Also, it is prohibited for women to undertake Umrah and Hajj while they are on their period, therefore, asking for Allah's forgiveness and blessings for the Hajj and Umrah that you've done is a must if your period came during the pilgrimage.
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If it’s your first journey of Umrah, and are excited yet confused about how to get the best out of it, here are some tips for your preparation.
Before you start your journey, ensure that you’ve learned about the dos and don’ts in the Umrah or Hajj journey. You should also gain insights about the steps of performing Umrah and Hajj to get it all right. After all, what you seek is spiritual enlightenment.
Umrah and Hajj is not a small process that is done in a few hours. It takes days to complete the beautiful journey. Hence, practice walking and get used to it as the journey may make you all wearied out. Have faith and hope in Allah and get along in the spiritual journey.
Make sure to pack all your essentials first. If you have medical prescriptions, do not forget to carry your medicines as well as the prescriptions that can help you if you run out of your medicine. Pack all the daily required stuff and ensure you do not over-pack. Packing light can be helpful in carrying it with all essentials in place.
The season you plan your Umrah trip matters a lot in your packing. Hajj also took a long time to do from start to finish. Therefore, make sure to pack accordingly and dress appropriately. Mostly it is hot in Mecca and wearing light clothes will help you have a relaxed journey and will be lighter on the bags too.
Read more about "Hajj & Umrah: The Ultimate Packing Checklist For Your Hajj Preparation" here.
These are some general tips to make your journey a beautiful and memorable one to cherish. The spiritual energy you gain on your whole journey is truly magical.
May Allah shower His blessings upon you and all your loved ones. Amin.
