How to Perform Umrah in an Acceptable Way

THE RITES OF UMRAH: 

-  Entering the state of Ihram

-  Tawaf of Ka’bah

-  Sa’yee between the hills of Safa and Marwah

-  Shaving or clipping of the hair

IHRAM FOR UMRAH AND ENTERING MASJID AL-HARAM

Ihram: 

You should be already in Ihram for Umrah before entering Mecca.

Entering Masjid al-Haram: 

While reciting Talbiyah, enter Masjid al-Haram preferably through Bab-Ul-Salam with right foot first. Supplicate to Allah and proceed towards Ka’bah. You may recite the following supplication which is usually used before entering a mosque:

Allah huma aftah li abwabe rahmate ka

First Sight: At the first sight of Ka’bah, keep your eyes fixed at Baitullah and standing at one side, it is suggested that you do the following:

Say Allahu Akbar three times

Say La Ilaha Illallah three times

Proclaim Darud on our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) and very humbly and with tears in your eyes supplicate to Allah for whatever you wish. This is a special time for the acceptance of prayers.

The idea is to praise and glorify your Creator before proclaiming Darud and supplications. Therefore, in lieu of Allahu Akbar and La Ilaha Illallah, you may recite some other similar holy verses if you so desire.After this, while uttering Talbiyah, move forward to perform Tawaf of Ka’bah.

TAWAF OF UMRAH

Tawaf means circling around something . Here it means moving around Ka’bah seven times with extreme love and devotion.

Preparation: Pass the upper sheet of Ihram from underneath the right arm and put it on the left shoulder. This act bares the right shoulder and is known as Iztaba. Ablutions (vudu) is essential for tawaf. Reciting of Talbiyah is stopped when you reach Hajar-e- Aswad, the starting point of tawaf.

Niyyah (Intention): Stand in front of Ka’bah facing Hajar-e-Aswad (the Black Stone) in such a way that the whole Hajre-e-Aswad is on your right side. To achieve this end, you may get help from the black stripe on the floor. This stripe should be on your right side. Then without raising your hands make Niyyah (intention) for Umrah:

" O Allah, I perform Tawaf of Umrah to please You. Make it easy for me and accept it from me."

Istilam: Now moving towards right, come in front of Hajar-e-Aswad and kiss it if possible, or touch it with a stick and kiss the stick; if that also is not possible, raise your hands to your ears keeping your open palms towards Hajre-e-Aswad and say:

" Bismillahi Allahu Akbar Wa Lilla Hil Hamd"

and drop your hands down. Now point the palms of your hands again towards Hajar-e- Aswad and kiss them. This act of kissing Hajar-e-Aswad or pointing towards it is called Istilam.

Tawaf Starts: After Istilam, turn right and start tawaf counter clockwise.

WARNING

The authorities often apply perfume to Hajar-e-Aswad, Rukn Yamani and Multazam. If so, do not touch them while in the state of Ihram, otherwise a dum will be required as a penalty.

During tawaf, it is not permissible to face or turn your back towards Ka’bah except when you are kissing or pointing towards Hajar-e-Aswad.

Ramal: 

For the first three circuits of Tawaf of Umrah and Tawaf of Arrival, men are required to move their shoulders and walk with quick short steps. This act is called Ramal and is Sunnah. They walk normally during the remaining four circuits.

Supplications of Tawaf: 

There are no fixed supplications for tawaf but there are several recommended supplications listed in the books of Hajj and Umrah out of which the following supplication is easy to memorize:

"Subhan-Allah wal-hamdu-lillahi wa la ilaha ill-Allah wa-Allahu Akbar wa la haula wa la quwwata illa-billah."If you don’t remember these words, you may glorify Allah by repeatedly uttering:

Subhan Allah,

Al-Hamdu lilla,

Allahu Akbar,

La Ilaha Illallah, etc.

The Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) has said that there are two kalimahs that are light on tongue and (on the day of judgment) they weigh heavy on the scale (Mizan) and are liked by Allah. These kalimahs are:

Subhan Allah Wabe Hamde hi Subhan Allah Hil Azeem (Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmizi)

You may also use supplications used in the daily Salah or you may seek forgiveness of Allah and ask Him whatever you wish in your own language.

Hatim: 

Hatim is a semi-circular half-built portion which was originally a part of the Ka’bah but which could not be included in the main structure when the Ka’bah was rebuilt. It is obligatory to go around Hatim also while performing tawaf.

Rukn Yamani and its Supplications: 

After passing the three corners of the Ka’bah you reach the fourth corner known as Rukn Yamani. Touch it with both hands or with right hand. There is a beautiful supplication to be used while walking between Rukn Yamani and Hajar-e-Aswad:

"Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina azabin-nar."Our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) has repeatedly recited this supplication. The first circuit is complete when you reach Hajar-e-Aswad.

Seven Circuits: 

At Hajar-e-Aswad, start the second circuit by kissing it or pointing towards it as you started the first circuit, i.e., come in front of Hajar-e-Aswad, raise both hands to your ears with open palms towards it and say:

" Bismillahi Allahu Akbar Wa Lillah Hil Hamd " Now kiss both palms and drop your hands. After this go around Ka’bah as you did before and similarly complete the seven circuits.

The End of Tawaf: 

At the end of seven circuits, do Istilam of Hajar-e- Aswad or point towards it eighth time which is Sunnat Mu’akidah. Also say:

"Bismillahi Allahu Akbar Wa Lillah Hill Hamd"

Iztaba Finished : 

Now Iztaba is finished, therefore, you cover your both shoulders with upper portion of the Ihram sheet. This does not apply to women.

Multazam: 

Now, come to Multazam which is a place five or six feet in length between Hajar-e-Aswad and the door of Ka’bah. This is a highly sacred place where prayers are accepted. Among a large crowd of people, if it is possible to reach Multazam, cling to it pressing your chest and cheeks, and while trembling and crying with devotion and with all humility seek Allah’s mercy, His blessings and ask Him whatever you wish. If you are unable to come close to Multazam, just face towards it and supplicate from a distance.

Maqam Ibrahim: 

Next offer two rakahs of nafls behind and close to Maqam Ibrahim without covering your head. If it is zawal time when sajdah is not allowed, you have to wait till this undesirable time is passed and then offer prayers.

In the niyyah (intention), say that you are offering 2 rakahs of nafls wajib al- tawaf. Recite Qul ya ayya hal kafroon in the first rakah and Qulhu wallah in the second rakah. After this, supplicate to Allah in Arabic or in your own language. Ask Him whatever you wish and invoke His blessings.

If it is not possible to offer this obligatory prayer near Maqam Ibrahim, it can be offered anywhere in Mataf, or in Hatim or anywhere in Masjid al-Haram or even at any place in Haram of Makkah.

Zamzam: 

Now go to Zamzam well situated in the basement of the Haram about 200 feet from the Ka’bah’s door. There are separate portions for men and women. Zamzam is the best available water in the world. Drink this water to fill while in standing position saying Bismillah. Then supplicate to Allah:

"Allahummah inni as’aluka ilm-an naafi’an wa rizqan waasi’an wa shifa’am min kulli daa’in."

(O Allah! I implore Thee for beneficial knowledge, for vast provisions, and for cure from every disease.)

SA’EY

The literal meaning of Sa’ey is to run or to make effort, but as a Hajj and Umrah term, Sa’ey denotes

walking back and forth seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah which are situated to the south and north of the Ka’bah respectively. Now there are only signs of these hills and the whole route between them is enclosed in a long gallery.

Sa’ey has a historical background. Prophet Abraham left his wife Hazrat Hajra and infant son Hazrat Ismael in the wilderness of Makkah at the command of Allah. The mother and son lived for five days on the food and water they had when the water was completely finished. The mother ran frantically seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah in

search of water for her son. Suddenly the fountain of Zamzam oozed miraculously near the feet of Hazrat Ismael. Sa’ey is included in the rites of Hajj and Umrah to commemorate this event of search and struggle.

HOW TO PERFORM SA’EY

Istilam of Hajar-e-Aswad. 

Before starting Sa’ey, do Istilam of Hajar-e-Aswad again the ninth time or point towards it, saying:

"Bismillahi Allahu Akbar Wa Lillah Hil Hamad."Now Proceed towards Safa. It is a Sunnah to be in the state of ablutions during Sa’ey.

Start of Sa’ey at Safa. Climb the hill of Safa and make intention (niyyah) for Sa’ey:

" O Allah! I perform Sa’ey between Safa and Marwah to please You. Make it easy for me

and accept it from me." Now recite:

"Inn-as-Safa wal-Marwah min Sha’a’irillah."

(Al-Qur’an 2 : 158)

(Indeed Safa and Marwah are among the Signs of Allah.)After this climb Safa to the point from where you can see the Ka’bah, then facing the Ka’bah raise your hands in supplication, say Allahu Akbar three times and recite the following supplication or ask Allah whatever you wish:

"La ilaha ill-Allahu wahdahu la Sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa ‘ala kulli shai’in Qadeer."  If you don’t remember this, you may use the supplication recited earlier during Tawaf:

"Bismillahi Allahu Akbar Wa Lillah Hill Hamd"

Proceed towards Marwah. Come down from Safa and move towards Marwah while reciting this supplication:

"Subhan-Allah wal-hamdu-lillahi wa la ilaha ill-Allah wa-Allahu Akbar wa la haula wa la quwwata illa-billa."

If you don’t remember this supplication also, recite Subhan Allah, Alhamdu Lillah, Allahu Akbar repeatedly and keep moving. You may also praise Allah and ask for His mercy in your language or use supplications taken from the daily Salah. When you reach two green pillars between which men have to run but the women walk with their normal pace.

At Marwah. When on top of marwah, praise Allah facing the Ka’bah and repeat the same supplications that were recited at Safa. One trip is over, second trip will be on Safa and third trip will be on Marwah.

End of Sa’ey. In the same way, the seventh trip will end at Marwah. In all trips the men will run between the green pillars but the women will walk in a normal way.

Two raka’at Nafl. 

If it is not an undesirable (Makrooh) time, offer two raka’ats of nafl in the al-Haram.

Shaving or clipping of hair. 

After Sa’ey, men should get their heads completely shaved or get their hair clipped to the length of the upper third of their finger or a little more. Both shaving and clipping are permissible for men, though shaving is preferable. Women are, however, allowed to have a lock of their hair clipped. They are forbidden to shave their heads.

Umrah is complete. 

After cutting the hair, umrah is complete. The restrictions of Ihram are finished. Now wear your everyday clothes and lead a normal life. Be thankful to Allah that He provided the opportunity for performing Umrah and lead rest of your life according to the commands of your Creator.

How to Perform Hajj

What is Hajj?

What is Hajj? Hajj also spelled as Haj is one of the pillars of Islam that is performed at particular place at particular time of the year. It is a set of rituals that spreads over five days and are performed at Makkah, Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah. Every Muslim having enough strength and wealth is expected to perform Hajj at least once in his lifetime.

Islam is based on five deeds, Kalima, Prayer, Fasting, Zakath and Haj. Kalima is the belief in Allah and his Prophet.sal that Allah is the only one God and Prophet Muhammad is his messenger. Prayer is offering Salaat five times a day at particular time period. Fasting is observing fasting for 30 days in the month of Ramzan. Zakath is giving alms to the poor in which a particular percentage of the possessions of money, gold, silver and cattle wealth should be given to the poor every year. Finally comes Hajj which is to be performed at least once in the lifetime.

When all the four deeds could be done at any place, Hajj could be performed only at the place meant for that deed. Hajj starts with entering into Ihram, wearing special dress. When a person is in Ihram he is forbidden from doing certain things like killing animals, having sex, removing hair, etc. Hajj ends with Tawaf Ziyarah.

Every pious Muslim wants to perform hajj but it is a must only for those who are capable of doing it since it demands more money, more energy and more mental power. So, it is better to perform Hajj at one’s young age.

There are basically three types of Hajj namely Hajj-e-Tammatu, Hajj-e-Kiraan and Hajj-e-Ifrad. The difference does not lies in the ways of doing Haj but in the ways of wearing Ihram. Wearing separate Ihram for Haj and Umrah is called Hajj-e-Tammatu, wearing the same Ihram for Haj and Umrah is called Hajj-e-Kiraan and wearing Ihram only for Haj is called Hajj-e-Ifrad. Though the first type of Hajj is popular among people, the third type is considered to be the best rewarding. However Hajj E Qiraan requires great mental power as one needs to be in the state of Ihram for a long period of time. But in Hajj-e-Tammatu, one should be in Ihram hardly for four days.

When the days of Hajj starts, people have to wear Ihram, the seamless white dress for men and the normal dress for ladies. Covering the face at that time is prohibited both for men and women and covering head for men is also forbidden. That is why the pictures of Hajj show men in white dress with open heads.

Those who perform Hajj are called Haji or Haaji. Hajis start their Hajj by going to Mina. They stay in Mina for a day and then should go to Arafat the next morning after Fazr prayer. Then the time of Hajj starts at noon. Asking Dua or praying god to give all goodness is the main deed at Arafat. After Mahrib prayer time, Hajis should leave the place to Muzdalifah without praying Mahrib. Muzdalifah is located

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approximately 8 km from Arafat and buses ply between these regions. After reaching Muzdalifah, they should pray both Mahrib and Isha prayers.

After spending the night at Muzdalifah, they should leave to Mina to throw stones at Satan. This should be done before noon. Stoning of Satan continues for three days. In the meantime, the Hajjis should head over to Makkah and finish their Tawaf Ziyara. Once it is completed they are out of Ihram and could lead normal life.

In real sense during the days of Hajj, the Hajjis relive the life of Prophet Ibrahim and his son Prophet Ismail. Allah was happy of their sacrifice and so he has destined all Hajis to relive certain moments of their life in order to show his love for his Prophet.

After completing Haj, people stay in Mecca for few days and then go to Madina. Madina is the place where Prophet Mohamed.sal lived in his later part of life and where he died and was buried. Though visiting his burial ground is not a part of Hajj, people go there to offer their salam to Prophet.sal before they return home.

How to Perform Hajj

There are three types of Hajj:

1- Hajj At-Tamattu’

2- Hajj al Qiran

3- Hajj al Ifrad.

Here, we shall talk about Hajj at-Tamattu’ as it is the most recommended one.

In this type of Hajj, one is to perform ‘Umrah during the Hajj months (i.e.Shawwal, Dhul-Qa’dah and the first nine nights of Dhul-Hijjah) and to perform the Hajj in the same year with a sacrifice slaughtered in Mina on the day of Eid Al-Adha (The 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah) or during the days of at-Tashreeq (i.e. the 11th, 12th and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah).

The pilgrimage may remove his Ihram garments and continue his normal activities between ‘Umrah and Hajj. It is necessary to make the Tawaf and the Sa’y twice, the first time for ‘Umrah and the second time for Hajj.

The different steps of the Hajj Journey are described below:

Ihram:

Ihram is the intention of the person willing to perform all rites of ‘Umra, Hajj or both when he arrives at the Miqat. Each direction coming into Makkah has its own Miqat. It is recommended that the one who intends to perform Hajj makes Ghusl (a shower with the intention to purify one’s self and to be ready for Hajj), perfumes his body, but not his garments, and puts on a two-piece garment with no headgear. The garments should be of seamless cloth. One piece to cover the upper part of the body, and the second to cover the lower part. For a woman the Ihram is the same except that she can wear any kind of wide garments, and should not use perfumes at all and her dress should cover the whole body decently, leaving the hands and the face uncovered. The pilgrim should say the intention according to the type of Hajj. For Hajj At-Tamattu’ one should say:

“Labbayka Allahumma ‘Umrah,” which means, “O Allah I answered your call to perform “Umrah”. It is recommended to repeat the well-known supplication of Hajj, called Talbeyah, as frequently as possible from the time of Ihram till the time of the first stoning of Jamrat Al-Aqabah in Mina on the tenth day of Dhul Hijjah.

Men are recommended to utter the talbeyah aloud while women are to say it quietly. This Talbeya is the following:

“Labbayka Allahumma labbayk. Labbayka la shareeka laka labbayk. Inna al-hamda wan-ni’mata laka wa al-mulk. La shareeka lak”.

“Here I am at your service. O my Lord, Here I am. No partner you have. Here I am. Truly, the praise and the provisions are yours, and so is the dominion. No partner you have.”

Tawaf:

When a Muslim arrives in Makkah, he should make Tawaf around the Ka’bah, as a gesture of greeting Al-Masjid Al Haraam. This is done by circling the Ka’bah seven times in the counterclockwise direction, starting from the black stone with Takbeer and ending each circle at the black stone with Takbeer, keeping the Ka’bah to one’s left.

Then the pilgrim goes to Maqam Ibrahim (Ibrahim’s station), and performs two Rak’ah behind it, (close to it if possible), but away from the path of the people making Tawaf. In all cases one should be facing the Ka’bah when praying behind Maqam Ibrahim.

Sa’y:

The next rite is to make Sa’y between Safa and Marwah. The pilgrim starts Sa’y by ascending the Safa. While facing the direction of the Ka’ba he praises Allah, raises his hands and says Takbeer “Allah-u-Akbar” three times, then makes supplication to Allah. Then the pilgrim descends from the Safa and heads towards the Marwah.

One should increase the pace between the clearly marked green posts, but should walk at a normal pace before and after them. When the pilgrim reaches the Marwah, he should ascend it, praise Allah and do as he did at the Safa. This is considered one round and so is the other way from the Marwah to the Safa. A total of seven rounds are required to perform the sa’i.

Shaving the Head or Trimming the Hair:

After Sa’y, the Muslim ends his ‘Umra rites by shaving his head or trimming his hair (women should cut a finger tip’s length from their hair). At this stage, the prohibitions pertaining to the state of Ihram are lifted and one can resume his normal life.

There are no required supplications for Tawaf or for Sa’y. It is up to the worshipper to praise Allah or to supplicate Him with any acceptable supplication or to recite verses of the Qur’an.

There are no many specific supplications that the Prophet used to recite during the rites.

A Pilgrim performing Hajj Al Tamatt’u should intend Ihram, from the place where he is staying, on the eighth of Dhul-Hijjah, which is the Tarwiah Day, and it is better to leave for Mina in the morning. In Mina, the pilgrims pray Dhuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib and ‘Isha of the 8th day of Dhul-Hijjah and Fajr of the 9th day of Dhul-Hijja (‘Arafah Day). Dhuhr, ‘Asr and ‘Isha are each shortened to two Rak’ah only, but are not combined.

The pilgrims remain in Mina until sunrise of the 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah and then leave for ‘Arafat.

Departure to ‘Arafat:

On the 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah, the Day of ‘Arafah, the pilgrims stay in Arafat until sunset. It is preferable to pray Dhuhr and ‘Asr at ‘Arafat, shortened and combined during the time of Dhuhr to save the rest of the day for glorifying Allah and for supplication asking forgiveness. A pilgrim should make sure that he is within the boundaries of Arafat, not necessarily standing on the mountain of ‘Arafa, he should also be sure that he has spent any part of the night –even a few minutes-within ‘Arafat. The Prophet said: “I stood here on this rocky hill and all ‘Arafat is a standing place” [Muslim]. One should keep reciting Talbeyah, glorifying Allah the Greatest and repeating supplication.

It is also reported that the Prophet used to say the following supplication: “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, the one without a partner. The dominion and the praise are His and He is powerful over everything”. Anas Ibn Malik was asked once how he and his friends used to spend their time while walking from Mina to ‘Arafat in the company of the Prophet . Anas said: “Some of us used to cry out Talbeyah, others used to glorify Allah the Greatest and the rest used to repeat supplications. Each one of us was free to worship Allah in the way he likes without prejudice or renunciation of his right”. [Al-Bukhari]

In the vast plain of Arafat, tears are shed, sins are washed and faults are redressed for those who ask Allah for forgiveness and offer sincere repentance for their wrong doings in the past. Happy is the person who receives the Mercy and Pleasure of Allah on that particular day.

Soon after sunset on the day of ‘Arafah, the pilgrims leave for Muzdalifah quietly and reverently in compliance with the advice of the Prophet who said when he noticed people walking without calmness: “O people! Be quiet, hastening is not a sign of righteousness”. [Al-Bukhari]

To follow the example of the Prophet keep reciting the Talbeyah, glorifying Allah the Greatest and mentioning the name of Allah until the time of stoning Jamrat Al-Aqabah, Al-Jamrat-al-Kubra (a stone pillar in Mina). In Muzdalifah, the pilgrim performs Maghrib and Isha prayers combined, shortening the ‘Isha prayer to two Rak’ah. Pilgrims stay overnight in Muzdalifah to perform the Fajr prayer and wait until the brightness of the morning is widespread before they leave for Mina passing through the sacred Mash’ar Al Haram valley. Women and weak individuals are allowed to proceed to Mina at any time after Midnight to avoid the crowd.

Back to Mina:

Stoning Jamrat Al-Aqabah:

When the pilgrims arrive in Mina, they go to Jamrat Al-‘Aqabah where they stone it with seven pebbles glorifying Allah “Allah-u-Akbar” at each throw and calling on him to accept their Hajj.

The time of stoning Jamrat Al-‘Aqabah is after sunrise. The Prophet threw the pebbles late in the morning and permitted the weak people to stone after leaving Muzdalifah after Midnight. The size of the pebbles should not be more than that of a pea as described by the Prophet who warned against exaggeration. The pebbles can be picked up either in Muzdalifah or in Mina.

Slaughter of Sacrifice:

After stoning Jamrat Al-‘Aqabah, the pilgrim goes to slaughter his sacrifice either personally or through the appointment of somebody else to do it on his behalf. A pilgrim should slaughter either a sheep, or share a cow or a camel with six others.

Shaving the Head or Trimming the Hair:

The final rite on the tenth day after offering one’s sacrifice is to shave his head or to cut some of the hair. Shaving the head is, however preferable for it was reported that the Prophet prayed three times for those who shaved their heads, when he said in the meaning of : “May Allah’s Mercy be upon those who shaved their heads”. [Al-Bukhari, Muslim] For women, the length of hair to be cut is that of a fingertip. The stoning of Jamrat Al-Aqabah and the shaving of head or the trimming of hair symbolizes the end of the first phase of the state of Ihram and the lifting of its restrictions except for sexual intercourse with one’s spouse. Stoning Jamrat Al-Aqabah, slaughtering the sacrifice and shaving the head or cutting part of the hair are preferred to be in this order, as it is the order that the Prophet did them. However, if they are done in any order, there is no harm in that.

Tawaf Al-Ifadhah:

Tawaf Al-Ifadha is a fundamental rite of Hajj. The pilgrim makes Tawaf Al-Ifadhah by visiting Al-Masjid Al-Haraam and circling the Ka’bah seven times and praying two Rak’ah behind Maqam Ibrahim if possible and without causing any harm to Muslims. Then the pilgrim should make Sa’i between the Safa and the Marwa. After Tawaf Al-Ifadhah the state of Ihram is completely ended and all restrictions are lifted including sexual intercourse with one’s spouse. Tawaf Al-Ifadhah can be delayed until the days spent in Mina are over.

The pilgrim should return to Mina and spend there the days of Tashreeq (i.e. the 11th 12th and 13th days of Dhul-Hijjah).

During each day, and after Dhuhr prayer until the midnight, the pilgrim stones the three stone pillars called “Jamrat”: The smaller, the medium and Jamrat Al-‘Aqabah, glorifying Allah “Allah-u-Akbar “with each throw of the seven pebbles stoned at each pillar.

These pebbles are picked up in Mina. A pilgrim may leave Mina to Makkah on the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah or on the 12th if he wishes, there is no blame on him if he chooses the latter, but he has to leave before sunset if not he must stay in Mina till he throws the pebbles the next day (13th).

Farewell Tawaf:

Farewell Tawaf is the final rite of Hajj. It is to make another Tawaf around the Ka’bah. Ibn Abbas said: “The people were ordered to perform the Tawaf around the Ka’bah as the last thing before leaving Makkah, except the menstruating women who were excused.” [Bukhari]

VISITING MEDINAH

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VISITING MEDINAH

To visit Madinah is not a Hajj or Umrah rite, but the unique merits of the Prophet’s city, his Mosque and his sacred tomb attract every pilgrim to visit it. There is no Ihram nor talbiyah for the visit to Madinah or the Prophet’s Mosque.

Unique Merit of the Prophet’s Mosque. The Prophet (peace be upon him) himself participated in the construction of this mosque, called it "My Mosque" and led prayers in it for years. He has also said that a salah performed in the Prophet’s Mosque is better than a thousand salats in any other place except Masjid al-Haram in Makkah.

According to Hazrat Anas, the Prophet (peace be upon him) has also said:

"The person who offers 40 prayers consecutively in my Mosque, without missing a prayer in between, will secure immunity from the fire of Hell and other torments and also from hypocrisy." (Musnad Ahmad)

Visiting the Holy Tomb. It is a great privilege for the pilgrims to visit our beloved Prophet’s tomb. The Prophet (peace be upon him) once said:

"The person who comes solely for the purpose of paying a visit to my grave, has a right on me that I should intercede for him." (‘Ilm al-Fiqh, Vol. V)And he has also said:

"The person who performs Hajj and then visits my Tomb, will be regarded as though he had seen me in my worldly life." (Baihaqi)

PROCEDURE TO VISIT MADINAH

Travel to Madinah and Niyyah. When you start travel to Madinah, Make niyyah (intention) as such:

" O Allah! I start journey to visit the holy tomb of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Please accept it from me."During this journey, recite Darud Sharif frequently. When the city of Madinah is in sight, show your extreme fondness and excitement and humbly enter the city while reciting Darud and Salam.

Masjid-e-Nabvi. After putting your luggage at your residence, take a bath or perform ablutions (vudu), wear nice dress, apply perfume and proceed towards the Prophet’s Mosque while uttering Darud.

Bab-e-Jibril. Enter the mosque through Bab-e-Jibril or Bab-us-Salaam or if this is not possible, enter through any other door.

Right Foot. Place your right foot first in the entrance, praise Allah (such as say Allhu Akbar, Subhan Allah, Alhamdu Lillah, etc.), recite Darud and say:

"Allah humma aftah li abwabe rahamte ka"

Two Raka’t Nafl. If it is not undesirable (Makrooh) time, offer two rakahs of nafl tahiyyat al-masjid (greeting of the masjid) preferably in Riaz al-Jannah near the tomb of the Prophet or otherwise anywhere else in the mosque.

In front of the Holy Tomb.

1. The Holy Prophet 2. Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddique 3. Hadrat Umar Farooq

In front of the sacred tomb of The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), there are three sections of brass screens and all three have holes in them. Look at the picture carefully. If you stand in front of the middle section between the pillars, you'll see a big round hole on your left. This is in front of the face of the Holy Prophet. Adjacent to it is a door that stays closed. Right after it on the right side is a round hole which is in front of the face of Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddique. On the right of it, there is another round hole which is in front of the face of Hadrat Umar Farooq.

Here is an enlarged view of the screen in front of the sacred face of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him). Standing in front of it and facing it, say in a respectful and hushed voice:

"Assalamu alaika, ayyuhan-nabiyya wa rahmatul-lahi wa barakatuhu"

(Peace be on you, O Prophet, and the mercy and blessings of Allah.)After this say:

"Assalatu was-salamu alaika ya Rasul-Allah"

"Assalatu was-salamu alaika ya Nabi-yallah"

"Assalatu was-salamu alaika ya Habib-Allah"

Then supplicate to Allah for good things in this life and the life after death. You may use the same supplication recited earlier during the Tawaf :

"Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina azabin nar."

Offer Salam of others. Now offer salam of relatives or friends in your own language or say:

"Asslamu alaika ya Rasul Allah min----."After the word "min", add the name of your friend or relative.

Salam on Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique. Then move a little to the right and stand before the grave of Hazrat Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him). Greet him and supplicate to bestow His mercy and forgiveness on him.

Salam on Hazrat Umar Farooq. Again move a little to the right before the grave of Hazrat Umar ( may Allah be pleased with him), and greet him and make supplication for him.

Forty Prayers. Men should offer forty prayers (Salat) in the Prophet's Mosque, but it is not a requirement of any kind. It is only Mustahab, i.e., rewarding if done, but if not done there is no sin.

Other places to visit. Some of the other important places to visit are: Masjid Quba, Jannat al-Baqee, graves of Hazrat Hamzah and other

martyrs of Uhud (may Allah be pleased with them) and Masjid Qiblatain, etc.

Among them Masjid Quba is the most important. It is the first mosque in the history of Islam whose foundation stone was laid down by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself on his migration to Madinah. To offer 2 raka'ats of nafl in it is equal to one Umrah. After visiting the Prophet’s Mosque and his tomb every pilgrim should try his best to visit it and pray in this mosque as well.

Departure from Madinah. When you have to leave Madinah, offer your Salam again to the Prophet (peace be upon him), cry at this separation, supplicate to Allah and leave with the earnest desire to come back.