The Four Rites
1. Ihram: Entering the state of sacred consecration at the miqat — the designated boundary stations surrounding Mecca. The pilgrim dons two white cloths (men) or modest covering (women), makes the intention, and declares the talbiya: “Labbayka Allahumma labbayk…” In ihram, one avoids: cutting hair, trimming nails, using perfume, sexual relations, hunting.
2. Tawaf: Seven counter-clockwise circumambulations of the Ka’ba, beginning and ending at the Black Stone (al-hajar al-aswad). The tawaf is performed while reciting prayers and supplications; the first three circuits are done at a slightly faster pace (raml) for men.
3. Sa’i: Seven circuits between the hills of Safa and Marwa — re-enacting Hajar’s search for water for infant Ismail in the valley of Mecca. It begins at Safa and ends at Marwa.
4. Tahallul: After sa’i, the pilgrim exits ihram by cutting or shaving hair. Men typically shave (halq) or trim (taqsir); women cut a small portion. With this, all ihram restrictions are lifted.
Differences from Hajj
Umra differs from Hajj primarily in:
- No wuquf at Arafat: the standing at Arafat is the pillar of Hajj not present in Umra
- No rami al-jamarat: no stoning of pillars
- No qurbani: no sacrifice (except optionally during Hajj al-Tamattu’ which combines both)
- Timing: Umra may be performed any day of the year
The Prophet’s Four Umras
The Prophet performed Umra four times:
- Umrat al-Hudaybiyya (628 CE) — blocked by the Quraysh; resulted in the Treaty of Hudaybiyya
- Umrat al-Qada’ (629 CE) — the makeup Umra after Hudaybiyya
- Umrat al-Ji’rana (630 CE) — after returning from Hunayn
- Umra during the Farewell Hajj (632 CE)
See also: Fiqh Al Hajj, Seerah Ibrahim Khalil, Sayyida Hajar, Seerah Ismail, Hajj Philosophy, Understanding Namaz