Posts tagged: makkah

“Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!”

200. So when you have accomplished your Manasik, remember Allah as you remember your forefathers or with far more remembrance. But of mankind there are some who say: “Our Lord! Give us (Your bounties) in this world!” and for such there will be no portion in the Hereafter.) (201. And of them there are some who say: “Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!”) (202. For them there will be alloted a share for what they have earned. And Allah is swift at reckoning.)

Allah encourages calling Him in supplication after remembering Him, because this will make it more likely that the supplication will be accepted. Allah also criticizes those who only supplicate to Him about the affairs of this life, while ignoring the affairs of the Hereafter. Allah said:

(But of mankind there are some who say: “Our Lord! Give us (Your bounties) in this world!” and for such there will be no portion in the Hereafter.) qmeaning, they have no share in the Hereafter. This criticism serves to discourage other people from imitating those mentioned.

Sa`id bin Jubayr said that Ibn `Abbas said, “Some bedouins used to come to the standing area (`Arafat) and supplicate saying, `O Allah! Make it a rainy year, a fertile year and a year of good child bearing.’ They would not mention any of the affairs of the Hereafter. Thus, Allah revealed about them:

(But of mankind there are some who say: “Our Lord! Give us (Your bounties) in this world!” and for such there will be no portion in the Hereafter.)

The believers who came after them used to say:
(Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!”)

Next, Allah revealed:
(For them there will be alloted a share for what they have earned. And Allah is swift at reckoning.)

Hence, Allah praised those who ask for the affairs of both this life and the Hereafter. He said:
(And of them there are some who say: “Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!”)

Umrah is similar to Hajj but can be performed at any time.

Unlike Hajj, Umrah rituals are shorter and simpler.

These are the essential steps of Umrah:

• Enter into Ihram (state of purity and devotion) by washing your body and donning Ihram garments.
• Travel to Makkah.
• Enter Al Masjid Al Haram (Holy Mosque) and perform Tawaf – circling the Kaaba seven times in a counterclockwise direction.
• Perform Sa’ay – walking 7 times between the hills of Safa and Marwah beside the Kaaba.
• At the end of Umrah, men exit from Ihram by shaving their head (taqseer). Completing Umrah for women requires cutting off a short lock of hair.

In Islam, Umrah is an act of worship of Allah SWT. It is a Sunnah deed and can be performed at any time throughout the year. Also called the “Minor Pilgrimage,” Umrah brings great rewards for the followers of Islam.

Every year, millions of Muslims gather in front of the Holy Kaaba to perform the sacred ritual that brings them closer to the Almighty, purifies their souls, and refreshes their sense of purpose.

The blessings of Umrah are endless, and those who perform it with the core of their heart will understand the value of the minor pilgrimage. Though not an obligation (not necessary), Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has advised Muslims to perform Umrah at least once in their lifetime.

From helping one seek the blessings of Allah SWT to purifying one’s heart, the minor pilgrimage has countless life-changing rewards. Some Umrah benefits are mentioned below:

Just the thought of being a guest in the House of Allah SWT makes one feel blessed. The Islamic ritual of Umrah is one of the most sacred obligations and gives one a chance to become a guest of the Almighty, the Eternal Absolute, the Supreme Creator of the whole universe, Allah SWT. It is believed that when a person with pure intentions spends their wealth and time to oblige Allah SWT, He Himself welcomes and hosts pilgrims in His House (Holy Kaaba).

As reported by Abu Hurairah (RA), Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “The guests of Allah SWT are three: The Ghazi (the warrior who fights in Jihad just for the sake of Allah), the Hajji (the pilgrim who performs Hajj) and the Mu’tamir (the pilgrim who performs Umrah).” (Hadith No. 2626, Book of The Rites of Hajj, Sunan An-Nasa’)

Umrah is one of the most beautiful Sunnahs of Allah SWT’s beloved Messenger (PBUH). When asked about Umrah’s benefits, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Perform Hajj and Umrah consecutively, for they remove poverty and sin as hollers remove impurity from iron.

Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “From one Umrah to another is expiation for what comes in between, and ‘Hajj Al-Mabrur’ brings no reward less than Heaven.”

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “The warrior in the foundation of Allah, the pilgrim and the one who is performing Umrah are all the allocation of Allah. He called them and they answer back and they will ask of His conferrals and He will give it to them.”

In another event, Ibn-e-Maajah (RA) stated that the beloved Messenger (PBUH) of Allah SWT said, “The performers of Hajj and Umrah are deputations of Allah SWT Almighty. If they call Him, He answers them, and if they seek His forgiveness, He forgives them.”

Therefore, every Muslim should try to perform Umrah (make a trip to the Holy Kaaba) at least once in their life in order to seek forgiveness for their sins and blessings from the Almighty.