Why Muslim's should perform Umrah?
Umrah, a lesser pilgrimage to Mecca, offers a profound spiritual journey for Muslims. It involves a series of rituals, such as circumambulating the Kaaba, walking between the hills of Safa and Marwa, and praying at designated locations. Performing Umrah provides numerous benefits, including spiritual renewal, forgiveness, strengthened faith, physical and spiritual rejuvenation, following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and a unique and rewarding life-changing experience.
Umrah: A Pathway to Divine Guest-ship
Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage to Mecca, is a profound spiritual journey that transcends mere religious observance. It elevates the pilgrim to the esteemed status of a guest of Allah, a sacred invitation to commune with the Divine.
Embarking on Umrah is akin to accepting an invitation from the Divine Host. It is an opportunity to shed worldly concerns, immerse oneself in spiritual contemplation, and seek closeness to the Creator. The rituals of Tawaf, Sa'yee, and standing in prayer before the Kaaba are not merely physical acts, but expressions of surrender, humility, and profound gratitude.
As a guest of Allah, the pilgrim experiences a sense of tranquility and peace that surpasses worldly understanding. The journey becomes a transformative experience, shaping one's character, purifying the heart, and strengthening the bond with the Divine. It is a testament to the profound impact of Umrah, elevating the pilgrim to a state of grace and divine favor.
Let us see the significance that Umrah holds in Islam:
- The performer gets a chance to be the Guest of Allah – Anybody who takes up Umrah wins himself or herself a chance to be the visitor of the Almighty Allah or the Supreme Creator.
As quoted in the Book of The Rites of Hajj, Hadith No. 2626, Sunan An-Nasa’i, Vol. 3: “The guests of Allah 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)”. - The pilgrim gets a chance to do away with his or her sins – It is natural that humans commit sins and it is important to cleanse oneself off the sins committed. Umrah helps the pilgrim to be free of the committed sins.
As per the Holy Prophet PBUH: “From one Umrah to another is expiation for what comes in between, and ‘Hajj Al-Mabrur’ brings no reward less than Heaven”. - Umrah strengthens the Eman – The modern times shake our faith. The busy schedules take us away from The Superior. Through Umrah, we come closer to Him and our faith in Islam strengthens. A pilgrim who performs this pilgrimage wholeheartedly will definitely have a stronger Eman than others.
- It provides physical strength – From the very moment one starts with the holy pilgrimage, he or she becomes much calmer. The soul becomes pure and feels light and the mind is cleansed of any bad thoughts. With so many changes that the body undergoes, the person gains physical strength and is cured of any disease that he or she may be suffering from.
- Umrah helps in the eradication of poverty – The beauty of this Sunnah lies in the possibility of the removal of poverty. It is necessary for everyone who has wealth to perform at least one of the two Umrahs in their lifetime. Also, the person undertaking Umrah is blessed with a strong body, a pure soul, and a powerful mind. What better wealth than these three!
- Pilgrims of Umrah are rewarded in ways equivalent to Jihad – Jihad requires immense devotion and love for the faith. A person who participates in Jihad is rewarded heavily. Participating in Umrah also requires the pilgrim to be devoted throughout the journey and hence is rewarded in the same way as one would have while engaging in Jihad.
Keeping aside everything, every person who follows Islam should take part in one of any two Umrahs so as to gain wisdom, stability, and most importantly the invitation to be the Guest of Allah.
