Intention to make Umrah

[Gharib]

salam brothers and sisters.

i have decided to make Umrah this year in April and i was speaking to one of the brothers who is making the bookings to tell me a little about Makkah and Madinah since i am going there for the first time. he told me that it is very rare to find someone other than hotel staff and foreign muslims who speaks english. so i decided to go with the group instead of by myself since i don't speak arabic.

i have been trying to find information on what to do during Umrah and in Imam Bukharis Book of Umrah it doesn't mention anything specific like what Dua's the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam made etc. does anyone know any such websites.

i also remember from about 2 years ago that brother Shia Islam made Hajj, may Allah accept his Hajj, has anyone else made Hajj or gone for Umrah in the past, what advice or general information can you give me. i want to go there and get the most out of it so if you have any advice or information you think someone who goes there for the first time should know i would be glad to hear it. everyone's experience is different, mine will sure be, i don't speak arabic for one.

and please make Dua for me and ask Allah to accept my intention and Umrah.
Jazak Allah khair for your time.

 

[elmarna]

It would be in your best intrest to speak some Arabic!
While I have never been to Madena or Mecca - I have made several trips to the middle east. Not only will you feel more at ease by knowing thank you -shakran. I think you will make the best of the trip with more understanding. I would not want you to miss any oppertuniies to enjoy your trip!

 

[Peace]

Taqabbala Lah (May Allah accept from you brother). I envy you brother because going for Hajj or Umrah is one of the best trips ever. I went for Omrah with my parents in March/April of 2010 and it was Umrah al Mawlid. It's the best happiest trip that I made ever compared to other trips I made to other countries. I felt peace of mind and heart that you couldn't feel it anywhere. Makkah & Madinah are the best cities in the whole world because they are sacred.
Don't worry brother concerning du' a, you can make du'a in in your own language. Do you know the rituals of the Omrah? If not may be this will help http://www.hajinformation.com/main/e20.htm

We arrived to Makkah at midnight, so we put our lugguage at the hotel and did the ablution and went immediately to the Mosque, al Haram, to do al umrah. The mosque was crowded though it was midnight but we managed to kiss the black stone alhamdulillah and it took us about 5 hours to finish all the rituals of the Umrah. We finished towards al fajr.
It was really a great experience, alhamdulillah.
Concerning the language you can find people speaking English. You can also find people speaking Urdu... I am not sure about your origins and your first native language but I believe you won't find difficulties.
May Allah accept from you brother and please don't forget me from your du'aa while performing your Umrah. Baraka Lahu fik & Jazaka Khayran!!

 

[Gharib]

It would be in your best intrest to speak some Arabic!
While I have never been to Madena or Mecca - I have made several trips to the middle east. Not only will you feel more at ease by knowing thank you -shakran. I think you will make the best of the trip with more understanding. I would not want you to miss any oppertuniies to enjoy your trip!

unfortunately i can't learn much for 6 weeks, but i will be among at least one brother who speaks arabic and has been there quite a few times. so long as i am close to Masjid Al Haram and Masjid An Nabawi i will be happy.

 

[Gharib]

Taqabbala Lah (May Allah accept from you brother). I envy you brother because going for Hajj or Umrah is one of the best trips ever. I went for Omrah with my parents in March/April of 2010 and it was Umrah al Mawlid. It's the best happiest trip that I made ever compared to other trips I made to other countries. I felt peace of mind and heart that you couldn't feel it anywhere. Makkah & Madinah are the best cities in the whole world because they are sacred.
Don't worry brother concerning du' a, you can make du'a in in your own language. Do you know the rituals of the Omrah? If not may be this will help http://www.hajinformation.com/main/e20.htm

We arrived to Makkah at midnight, so we put our lugguage at the hotel and did the ablution and went immediately to the Mosque, al Haram, to do al umrah. The mosque was crowded though it was midnight but we managed to kiss the black stone alhamdulillah and it took us about 5 hours to finish all the rituals of the Umrah. We finished towards al fajr.
It was really a great experience, alhamdulillah.
Concerning the language you can find people speaking English. You can also find people speaking Urdu... I am not sure about your origins and your first native language but I believe you won't find difficulties.
May Allah accept from you brother and please don't forget me from your du'aa while performing your Umrah. Baraka Lahu fik & Jazaka Khayran!!

Ma'sha Allah i am happy that your Umrah was a pleasant experience, may Allah accept it from you and your parents. Jazak Allah khair for the link to that website it is very helpful i will memorize the information in it insha Allah before i go.

as for my native language, i highly doubt to find anyone who speaks it but i will stick to the brothers who do speak arabic just in case something comes up. i love to meet people of knowledge, my Shayk has told me that in Masjid An Nabawi there will be many scholars so that's where i'm going to need someone to translate for me. i love to hear others recite the Qur'an and what better place to ask someone and hear the recitation than in the Masjid of Rasulallah salallahu alayhi wa salam.

and i have to agree going for Umrah and Hajj is by far better than any trip a muslim can make their entire life, there is so much Barakah in the 2 holy cities. i haven't been there yet, but i have never felt this way before about travelling.

thank you once again for the information sister.

 

[Shia Islam]

Congratulation Brother for your decision to visit the house of Allah and the Shrine of the prophet SAAW…

Allah have blessed me with performing one Umrah and to perform Hajj twice…Alhamdulillah, and may Allah Accept our deeds..

I noticed that when it comes to Hajj and Umrah, there are almost no differences between how Shiites and Sunnis do them…

Indeed I have considered earlier to record a video about a practical guide for performing the Hajj…

Here are my lessons learnt…

1. Before performing Hajj and Umrah, you need to learn everything there about them..Watch videos, read books etc…I have even used Google earth to see the places before performing Hajj…

2. You need to prepare yourself spiritually in advance…It Is a spiritual journey to Allah…Allah has called you and you are accepting his call…There is a narration saying something like that: before humans were created, Allah have asked them to hajj…whoever at that time said "Labaik" [I am ready to obey]one time, will be succeeded in performing the Hajj once, and whoever said it twice, will be succeeded to perform hajj twice and So on…

3. Rather than carrying with you heavy books of instructions and Dua'as, make photocopy of the important parts of the books to read them there…Also You need to prepare a Dua'a for every place…A Dua'a for As-Safa (a small hill), A dua'a for A Marwa ( a small Hill), A dua'a to be read when visiting the mosque of the prophet..etc..

4. Be aware that not all people who may join you, or those who you will meet there are taking this journey as seriously as it should be…Don't be affected by them…It's a real chance... It's a life changing journey…

As of Arabic, you will find there how universal Islam is, in Makkah and Madina you will find people from all over the world…and English is widely spoken in makkah and Madina…

May Allah support you in your jouney… Please make Dua'a for me there…

 

[Gharib]

Congratulation Brother for your decision to visit the house of Allah and the Shrine of the prophet SAAW…

Allah have blessed me with performing one Umrah and to perform Hajj twice…Alhamdulillah, and may Allah Accept our deeds..

I noticed that when it comes to Hajj and Umrah, there are almost no differences between how Shiites and Sunnis do them…

Indeed I have considered earlier to record a video about a practical guide for performing the Hajj…

Here are my lessons learnt…

1. Before performing Hajj and Umrah, you need to learn everything there about them..Watch videos, read books etc…I have even used Google earth to see the places before performing Hajj…

2. You need to prepare yourself spiritually in advance…It Is a spiritual journey to Allah…Allah has called you and you are accepting his call…There is a narration saying something like that: before humans were created, Allah have asked them to hajj…whoever at that time said "Labaik" [I am ready to obey]one time, will be succeeded in performing the Hajj once, and whoever said it twice, will be succeeded to perform hajj twice and So on…

3. Rather than carrying with you heavy books of instructions and Dua'as, make photocopy of the important parts of the books to read them there…Also You need to prepare a Dua'a for every place…A Dua'a for As-Safa (a small hill), A dua'a for A Marwa ( a small Hill), A dua'a to be read when visiting the mosque of the prophet..etc..

4. Be aware that not all people who may join you, or those who you will meet there are taking this journey as seriously as it should be…Don't be affected by them…It's a real chance... It's a life changing journey…

As of Arabic, you will find there how universal Islam is, in Makkah and Madina you will find people from all over the world…and English is widely spoken in makkah and Madina…

May Allah support you in your jouney… Please make Dua'a for me there…

jazak Allah khair brother, that is very good advice i can see myself very busy in the next few weeks trying to learn as much as i can. Ma'sha Allah you have made Hajj twice.

i have to agree with you on your point number 4, i have had many similar cases where people intend to do something but then they take it too lightly and i have been affected in the past. i will keep that in mind.

 

[beenie]

I'm so happy you have made this intention, eselam.

May Allah reward you greatly, and may you experience all Umrah has to offer to the fullest extent. I think you have gotten some great advice from others who have been there.

 

[Gharib]

I'm so happy you have made this intention, eselam.

May Allah reward you greatly, and may you experience all Umrah has to offer to the fullest extent. I think you have gotten some great advice from others who have been there.

thank you sister. i have gotten very good advice Alhamdulilah. jazak Allah for your well wishes.

 

[Cordoba]

Umrah is an excellent introduction to Hajj

Don't worry about not speaking Arabic, with English you will get along fine In-Shaa-Allah

The Umrah itself is very easy, as it only takes around 2 hours. The rest of the time in Makkah is for praying, reading Qur'an and doing other good deeds. If you get a chance to take a car to Arafat & Minah it would be a useful orientation for you in preparation for Hajj to get to know the places without crowds. I don't know if the metro from Makkah would be available but you could always ask.

In Madinah you will find a number of places to visit, including the Quba' Majsid, the Qiblatain Masjid, the places where the Martyrs of Uhud are buried, and a number of other things to do, like at the Madinah Masjid there is a big library where you could do some reading, ... etc.

Most of all, try to enjoy the peace and serenity of Madinah and Makkah, and give yourself time to slow-down and feel the peace and clamness of these two cities, and also get to know fellow Muslims from other countries

Wishing you an accepted and easy Umrah In-Shaa-Allah

 

[Gharib]

Umrah is an excellent introduction to Hajj

Don't worry about not speaking Arabic, with English you will get along fine In-Shaa-Allah

The Umrah itself is very easy, as it only takes around 2 hours. The rest of the time in Makkah is for praying, reading Qur'an and doing other good deeds. If you get a chance to take a car to Arafat & Minah it would be a useful orientation for you in preparation for Hajj to get to know the places without crowds. I don't know if the metro from Makkah would be available but you could always ask.

In Madinah you will find a number of places to visit, including the Quba' Majsid, the Qiblatain Masjid, the places where the Martyrs of Uhud are buried, and a number of other things to do, like at the Madinah Masjid there is a big library where you could do some reading, ... etc.

Most of all, try to enjoy the peace and serenity of Madinah and Makkah, and give yourself time to slow-down and feel the peace and clamness of these two cities, and also get to know fellow Muslims from other countries

Wishing you an accepted and easy Umrah In-Shaa-Allah

i have wanted to make Hajj many years ago, however, i always feared that it would be a waste if i go there for the first time without having done Umrah and not know anything. so by making Umrah i will familiarize myself with the environment and the rituals and to prepare my self for the bigger event, which is how things are usually done, a few little steps first then one big step.

we will have transport and all organised and booked before we go for many of the places, i have to ask though if we are going to Arafat and Minah, the brother didn't mention that when i made the booking. i do know that while in Madinah we will go to Quba Masjib, Mount Badr and Uhud and we will stop at the 2 wells in which the Muslim army drank water on the way to both battles.

and as you have mentioned about slowing down i do agree, when it comes to something islamic it's when i get uncomfortable with the environment in which i am that i decide to take big steps like this. i have done many things in the past where i had to change my environment. i got this sudden urge to leave this place and go make Umrah, i don't like the effects of this environment, it is not as islamic as i desire, so what better to do than go to the Holy cities. and while i'm on this point, the group i will go with will also go to Jordan for 2 days and to Al Aqsa for 2 days. i will visit the 3 holy Mosques in one trip Alhamdulilah.

i will also go to the University of Al Madinah, i hope to meet some Ulama there. they are the inheritors of the Prophet.

jazak Allah khair for your good words, information and advice brother.

 

[Sahar]

Masha' Allah eselam, may Allah accept your Umrah

 

[UmmSqueakster]

Assalamu alaikum,

I've been listening to these hajj/umrah lectures by Sh. Hussain Abdul Sattar recently and found them very helpful in wrapping my mind around the mechanics and spiritual aspects of umrah.

Sacred Learning - Traditional Islamic Learning

You can download the lectures and put them on an ipod too.

 

[Gharib]

Masha' Allah eselam, may Allah accept your Umrah

jazak Allah khair for your nice words and good wishes sister

 

[Gharib]

Assalamu alaikum,

I've been listening to these hajj/umrah lectures by Sh. Hussain Abdul Sattar recently and found them very helpful in wrapping my mind around the mechanics and spiritual aspects of umrah.

Sacred Learning - Traditional Islamic Learning

You can download the lectures and put them on an ipod too.

alaykum salam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh

may Allah reward you sister for posting that link and for helping me, jazak Allah khair.

 

[Badran]

I have no advice (no experience with Hajj or Umrah) but i want to wish you an enlightening experience and an accepted Umrah, god willing.

Best of luck!

 

[Gharib]

I have no advice (no experience with Hajj or Umrah) but i want to wish you an enlightening experience and an accepted Umrah, god willing.

Best of luck!

thank you very much brother, may Allah make it happen for you too one day insha Allah. jazak Allah khair.

 

[Pastek]

Salam
I went in 2011

Here some advices :

- Take a book of Du'a with you. Try to learn a little bit before to go.
You can also just read it when you are in place (but it's always better to know some du'a before of course)

Personnaly i repeated after people. I went with a "group", and we had the chance to have an Imam with us.
So we repeated after the Imam. And when he wasn't with us, i repeated what i heard from people around me.
You will found some people saying du'a sometimes for themselves or for their group, just repeat after them !
Some people took a book of du'a when they do tawaf (turning around the Kaaba). Personnaly i can't walk and read in the same time, but if you can why not ?

- Like it was said before : there are du'a when you enter to the Masjed el Haram, for Safa and for Marwa.
I did Hajj, so i don't know if for Omra you must say "talbiya" (Labak Allahouma Labay).

-[ MIQAT] On the plane the Imam told us to repeat after him (i don't remember exactly cause i don't speak arabic fluently) something like "i will do o'mra", well you have to say it
We said it on the plane (i went from France to Turkey, then to Jeddah- we said it on the plane FROM Turkey, NOT from France. VERY IMPORTANT : You have to know from were you did it.
It depend from where you are coming. Of course it's also valable for when you are in state of IHRAM. Meaning, you have to change (your clothes) BEFORE you arrive in Jeddah/Madina (cause there is no airport in Makka)
There is specific place to change your clothes (as your a man) and say (make the intention ) that you will do Omra.
Imam also said that we can make ONE other o'mra for someone else (sick person or dead person)
But it was for HAJJ, i don't know if it's possible if you just do o'mra. You have to ask, because it's a good opportunity
If you can do it (for an other person) , you have to go in a place which is MASJED AICHA, not far from Masjed el Haram but you have to take the taxi. Then you make TWO RAK'A , say again that you will do Omra for "..." and you go back to Masjed el haram .

- DON'T FORGET TO TAKE THE WATER ZAMZAM
You can pay people for that. It's more simple (you can ask about that in the hotel, that what we did!)

-IF YOU GO IN MADINA : Don't forgot to go in the First Mosque of Prophet Muhammad
Which is not MASJED EL NABAWI as everybody think ! It's an other one, not far. I think if you take the taxi it will take 10 mn something like that.
IF YOU GO, and you pray 2 Rak'at it's like MAKING A 'OMRA

I'm not saying that from myself. I had the great opportunity to go with an Imam (from my city).
Thanks God he was with us.
We also went to see where was the battle of Uhud, and the place of the martyrs is just between the hill and the mountain. It was really touching. If you can, go there.
Don't worry people speak english almost everywhere. You can always communicate with people as in every place.

If you want more explanations you can send me an MP
Because there is too much to say about it ; the house of prophet Muhammad saw (in Mekka i didn't saw it ;( ) , the poors in Makka (don't forget them when you're there) ...

You go alone or with a group ?

I'm happy for you. Inshallah you go and everything will be ok.

PS : Maaaaaaaaaany people were ill because of the air conditionner (including me )
Don't forget to see a doctor before, it's better (at last for the hajj because there's so many people and you can catch flu or things like that, yes flu in a hot country )

 

[Gharib]

Salam
I went in 2011

Here some advices :

- Take a book of Du'a with you. Try to learn a little bit before to go.
You can also just read it when you are in place (but it's always better to know some du'a before of course)

Personnaly i repeated after people. I went with a "group", and we had the chance to have an Imam with us.
So we repeated after the Imam. And when he wasn't with us, i repeated what i heard from people around me.
You will found some people saying du'a sometimes for themselves or for their group, just repeat after them !
Some people took a book of du'a when they do tawaf (turning around the Kaaba). Personnaly i can't walk and read in the same time, but if you can why not ?

- Like it was said before : there are du'a when you enter to the Masjed el Haram, for Safa and for Marwa.
I did Hajj, so i don't know if for Omra you must say "talbiya" (Labak Allahouma Labay).

-[ MIQAT] On the plane the Imam told us to repeat after him (i don't remember exactly cause i don't speak arabic fluently) something like "i will do o'mra", well you have to say it
We said it on the plane (i went from France to Turkey, then to Jeddah- we said it on the plane FROM Turkey, NOT from France. VERY IMPORTANT : You have to know from were you did it.
It depend from where you are coming. Of course it's also valable for when you are in state of IHRAM. Meaning, you have to change (your clothes) BEFORE you arrive in Jeddah/Madina (cause there is no airport in Makka)
There is specific place to change your clothes (as your a man) and say (make the intention ) that you will do Omra.
Imam also said that we can make ONE other o'mra for someone else (sick person or dead person)
But it was for HAJJ, i don't know if it's possible if you just do o'mra. You have to ask, because it's a good opportunity
If you can do it (for an other person) , you have to go in a place which is MASJED AICHA, not far from Masjed el Haram but you have to take the taxi. Then you make TWO RAK'A , say again that you will do Omra for "..." and you go back to Masjed el haram .

- DON'T FORGET TO TAKE THE WATER ZAMZAM
You can pay people for that. It's more simple (you can ask about that in the hotel, that what we did!)

-IF YOU GO IN MADINA : Don't forgot to go in the First Mosque of Prophet Muhammad
Which is not MASJED EL NABAWI as everybody think ! It's an other one, not far. I think if you take the taxi it will take 10 mn something like that.
IF YOU GO, and you pray 2 Rak'at it's like MAKING A 'OMRA

I'm not saying that from myself. I had the great opportunity to go with an Imam (from my city).
Thanks God he was with us.
We also went to see where was the battle of Uhud, and the place of the martyrs is just between the hill and the mountain. It was really touching. If you can, go there.
Don't worry people speak english almost everywhere. You can always communicate with people as in every place.

If you want more explanations you can send me an MP
Because there is too much to say about it ; the house of prophet Muhammad saw (in Mekka i didn't saw it ;( ) , the poors in Makka (don't forget them when you're there) ...

You go alone or with a group ?

I'm happy for you. Inshallah you go and everything will be ok.

PS : Maaaaaaaaaany people were ill because of the air conditionner (including me )
Don't forget to see a doctor before, it's better (at last for the hajj because there's so many people and you can catch flu or things like that, yes flu in a hot country )

Alaykum Salam
i am going with a group too since it is my first time. some of the people in the group have been before so if i do think of any questions or what dua to make they should be able to help me insha Allah. with the flu, i have had a vaccine against the flu, they wouldn't give me a visa without the vaccine.

the mosque which Rasulallah salallahu alayhi wa salam built with the sahaba was the Quba Masjid, it is in the south-east of Masjid An Nabawi, i think you are right it is about 10 minutes away.

we are also going to Mount Badr and Uhud where the battles took place, my heart pounds just thinking about it, i can't wait to go there. we will also be given about 10L of zamzam water. it's amazing how millions of people drink from it every year and it doesn't run out, a miracle from Allah subhanehu wa teala.

if i think of any questions before i go, i will ask you sister. jazak Allah khair for this post.

 

[Pastek]

Alaykum Salam
i am going with a group too since it is my first time. some of the people in the group have been before so if i do think of any questions or what dua to make they should be able to help me insha Allah.

if i think of any questions before i go, i will ask you sister. jazak Allah khair for this post.

That's great, it's better with a group.
Allah ikhalik, wa salam