Umrah should begin long before arriving at Makkah. Pilgrims should only have the intention to do the journey purely to please Allah. When arriving at the Miqat point, the pilgrim enters the first stage, the sacred state of Ihram. The male pilgrims will wear two piece white cloths while the females wear regular clothes, ensuring to keep a modest appearance and free of excess decorations. The pilgrims then recite the umrah during the last 10 days of Ramadan, and spiritually prepare themselves to be humble and disciplined. One of the most important teachings of Ihram are the restrictions it has, like no grooming or perfume, as it helps to prepare the pilgrim’s mentality for the rituals to come that are of sacred worth.
Tawaf Around the Kaaba
Tawaf is the first big ceremony, and the pilgrim has to walk around the Kaaba seven times, and while doing so, they must do it in the counterclockwise direction. While doing Tawaf, peaceful prayer, and inner thoughts must happen for Allah, and during the circling of the Kaaba, the participants have and feel unity of the religion to Allah. Tawaf is the first ceremony in the pilgrimage, and doing it is very meaningful and spiritually calming to the pilgrimage.
Drink Zamzam and Pray
Drinking Zamzam and praying come after Tawaf, and the pilgrim has to do two rounds of prayer which is done next to the Ibrahim monument, or can do it in the mosque if too many people are in the prayer area. Being able to do prayer after Tawaf and in peace is a really good thing to have. People spiritually and historically remember a lot when they drink Zamzam and it is also for refreshing and cooling down. Zamzam water reminds people of Allah’s mercy to Hajar and Ismail.
Then, pilgrims also do the Sa’i, the ritual walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah for the trod of Hajar during her search for water. Hajar’s search for water, and the walks’s patience, determination, and trust in Allah’s plan. For each of her laps, the pilgrims walk back and forth for a colossal that goes for seven laps, in her remembrance. It encourages the pilgrims to reflect upon Hajar’s steadfast courage, and unshakeable determination. It strengthens the trod for each pilgrim and appreciation.