Conditions are the most important thing in the performance of an act of worship. If a person does not meet the conditions, for example he is an infidel or a Muslim who has committed acts that meet the characteristics of an apostate, then his umrah is not only not obligatory, but also invalid if performed. Here are the conditions for performing umrah:

    (i)   Sound mind – Not obligatory on people who are not rational (crazy) and not valid if done.
    (ii)  Puberty – Not mandatory for children. Valid if done but does not abrogate the obligation to perform umrah after adulthood.
    (III)  Capability – Capable to perform the worship yourself or capable to do it with the help of others (Badal umrah).
    (iv)   Islam – Not obligatory and not valid for infidels and apostates.
    (vi)   Independent – Not obligatory for slaves, but the worship is valid and rewarding if it can be done.

Definition of Capable
Ability to perform oneself – A person is considered to have the ability to perform umrah if he has the following things:
   (i)  supplies for those who go and for families who stay.
   (ii)  transportation.
   (iii)  safe travel.
   (iv)  healthy body and mind; and
   (v)  have the opportunity (to have enough time) to perform umrah.
   (vi)  Capability for women – For women, they need to have three more conditions namely:
   (vii)  Obtain the permission of the husband or guardian.
   (viii)  Not being in iddah (even if the husband has given permission or testament to allow going); and

Accompanied by:
   (i)  Husband or guardian (or if not).
  (ii)  Mahram i.e., a man who is unlawful to marry her (or if not).
   (iii)  Thiqat women (two women who can be trusted, can help in physical matters and the performance of worship.

However, the services of thiqat women can only be used for mandatory umrah only but not for supererogatory umrah.

There are five things in the Pillars of Umrah that must be performed by the congregation. The implementation of Pillars of Umrah cannot be done by delegating it to others. If one of the Pillars of Umrah is omitted intentionally or unintentionally, the umrah is invalid. The five Pillars of Umrah are:
   (i)    Niat / Ihram
   (ii)   Tawaf
   (iii)  Sai’e
   (iv)  Tahallul
   (v)  Orderly

First Pillar: Niat / Ihraam
Every act of worship must begin with intention. If a person does not intend either intentionally or forgetfully his umrah becomes invalid. Intending umrah can be done at any time. The pilgrim should observe the Sunnahs of ihraam, namely doing ghusl, applying perfume, and praying. Then he should enter ihraam after he finishes the prayer or after boarding his means of transportation. The following is the wording of the intention of umrah:
نَوَيْتُ الْعُمْرَةَ وَأَحْرَمْتُ بِهَا للهِ تَعَالَى
Meaning: “I intend to perform umrah and ihram because of Allah the Almighty.”

Second Pillar: Tawaf (circumambulations around the holy Kaaba)
Tawaf signifies seven circumambulations around the holy Kaaba in an anti-clockwise direction. It is one of the principal rites performed by the pilgrims in Umrah. Tawaf is one of the most important pillars in umrah. If it is not implemented according to its conditions, it becomes invalid and hence Sai’e, i.e., the next pillar will also become invalid.

نَوَيْتُ أَنْ أَطُوفَ بِهَذَا الْبَيْتِ طَوَافَ الْعُمْرَةِ سَبْعَةَ أَشْوَاطٍ للهِ تَعَالَى
Meaning: “I intend to circumambulate the Baitullah seven rounds of umrah because of Allah Almighty.”

Legal conditions of circumambulation (tawaf):
   (i)  Intending to go around the Kaaba solely to perform tawaf because Allah S.W.T. The intention of Tawaf Umrah:
Meaning: “I intend to perform Umrah in the Kaaba for seven rounds because of Allah Almighty.”
   (ii)  Tawaf should be done outside the Kaaba but inside the Grand Mosque. Tawaf can be done at the top of the Grand Mosque, but it must be ensured that the shoulders always accompany the Kaaba.
   (iii)  Must not touch any part of the Kaaba including Syazarwan (frame of the Kaaba) during tawaf.
   (iv)  It is not permissible to use the path under the golden fountain between Hijr Ismail and the Kaaba (because Hijr Ismail is also considered part of the Kaaba).
   (v)  The tawaf route must be clean of faeces.
   (vi)  Tawaf should start from behind the line of Hijr al-aswad and end by stepping on the same line.
   (vii)  Tawaf must be performed seven times in a perfect and confident manner.
   (viii)  Kaabah must be on your left during the circumambulation. Pay special attention when arriving at the corners of the Kaaba.
   (ix)   Must be pure from minor hadath (eliminated by taking wudhu – ablution).
   (x)   Must be pure from great hadath (eliminated only by ghusl – full ablution).
   (xi)  The body and clothes must be pure from faeces. (Supporting an uncircumcised son is considered to carry faeces which makes the circumambulation invalid).
   (xii)  Must cover the aurah.

Third Pillar: Sai’e (ritualistic walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah)

Sa’i is a ritualistic walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times. Sai’e is also an important pillar and needs to be implemented perfectly. However, the validity of Sai’e depends on the validity of the circumambulation. If for some reason, the tawaf is invalid then the Sai’e which is even made perfectly will also be invalid. Legal terms of Sai’e:
   (i)  Must be done after circumambulation (tawaf).
   (ii) The purpose should be solely for Sai’e.
   (iii) Sai’e should start from Bukit Safa and end at Bukit Marwah.
   (iv) Sai’e is performed evenly and perfectly numbered seven times. The return journey from Marwah to Safa is counted as once.
   (v)  The travel distance of Safa to Marwah is calculated from the foot of the hill to the foot of the hill. But at least that is the distance specified for those who use strollers.

   (vi) The journey from Safa to Marwah and vice versa is not interrupted, i.e., one does not deviate out through one door and re -enter through another door

Fourth Pillar: Tahallul (shave their head, or cut a small portion of one’s hairs)

Tahallul is an Arabic word meaning “discontinuation of the ceremonial state of Hajj/ Umrah.” Upon the completion of Umrah, men must shave their head, and women must cut a small portion of their hairs. Upon the shaving, the pilgrims will be exempted from all the prohibitions of Umrah, and their Umrah will be accepted. For umrah, a person can perform tahallul after performing perfectly all the other pillars of umrah, namely intention, tawaf and Sai’e.

Terms of Tahallul
Use at least three strands of hair (not pubic hairs) by scissors or by other means. But it is highly recommended (afdhal) for a man to shave his head. For a person whose head is not hairy, it is sufficient to pass a knife over his head.

Matters relating to the women’s congregation:
   (i)  A woman with long hair can cut any part of her hair for tahallul if it is not less than three strands.

   (ii) The husband can cut his wife’s hair before cutting his own hair after both have completed Sai’e umrah. But it is best for the husband to cut his hair first.

   (iii) Menstruating women can be tahallul, and the cut hair is kept in a container.

Fifth Pillar: Orderly Manner
Pilgrims must perform in order, all the Pillars of Umrah.

Obligatory Acts of Umrah
Obligatory Acts of Umrah are things that must be performed by the umrah pilgrim, if left out, the umrah is still valid but is subject to the payment of Dam. Deliberately neglecting the obligatory matters of Umrah is sinful and is subject to Dam. If left unintentionally, the law is not sinful but is still subject to Dam. Here are the things that are obligatory for Umrah:

  (1)  Intend to perform umrah at the prescribed Miqat (border) or earlier.

  (2) Avoiding the prohibition during ihram.

(1) Intend to perform umrah at the prescribed Miqat (border)
 Miqat Makani (place boundary) is the place set for a person who wants to perform umrah to express his intention. Intention can be pronounced at any place before reaching this Miqat. But if it has gone beyond this Miqat, the intention of umrah can still be uttered but the Dam in the form of a goat is imposed.
Miqat for umrah pilgrims from Southeast Asia (by plane):
–  Qarnul Manaazil – About 94km from Makkah or about half an hour flight before the plane lands in Jeddah. This miqat is for the pilgrims who proceed to Makkah after landing in Jeddah.
–  Bir Ali – (also referred to as Zulhulaifah) – Approximately 10km from Medina or approximately 450 km from Makkah. This miqat is for pilgrims travels from Medina, and from there intend ihram before continuing journey to Mecca. It also became a Miqat for the inhabitants of the city of Madinah itself.
Other miqats (by plane) are:
– Al -Juhfah – About 187km from Makkah. It becomes a miqat for the people of Sham (Syria), Egypt and other countries travelling from the same direction.
– Zaatu ‘irqin – About 94 km from Makkah. Miqat for the people from Iraq.

(2) Avoiding the prohibition during ihram

Prohibition during Ihram:
From the moment of pronouncing the intention until the completion of all the Pillars of Umrah, the congregation must be careful not to violate the prohibition of ihram:

Prohibited Matters during Ihram
  (i)  Losing hair or pubic hair (either by cutting, shaving, rubbing, plucking, wiping, mopping, wiping, etc.)

  (ii) Apply hair oil on the head (and beard, for men)
  (iii) Using scents on the body, clothes, food, or drink.
  (iv) Wear gloves
  (v) Clipping nails
  (vi) Hunting or killing halal animals is eaten either in the Haram or in the Halal Land.

  (vii) Felling, cutting, uprooting, or damaging trees or plants in the Haram (only).

  (viii) Engaging in marriage, ijab or qabul for oneself or acting on behalf of others.

  (ix) Foreplay (leading to sexual intercourse)
  (x) Having sexual intercourse.

Specific Prohibition on Male Congregation
  (i)  wearing sheathed clothing (whether sewn or not) that is sheathed to the body including underwear, underwear, socks, head gear etc.
  (ii) covering the face covering the head or part of it
  (iii) wear shoes that cover the heels and toes.

Specific Ihram Prohibition on Female Congregation
  (i)  covering of face

Ihram for Children
  (i)  A child who has reached puberty who performs umrah is responsible for paying his own Dam if he violates the prohibition of ihram.
  (ii) For children who have not reached puberty but are already mumayyiz (able to distinguish between clean and dirty) it is the responsibility of the parents or guardians to pay the Dam for violating the prohibition of ihram.
  (iii) Children who have not been mumayyiz are not subject to any Dam for the offense of violating the prohibition of ihram.

Correcting the purpose simply because God S.W.T.

A job is only an act of worship and gets a reward from Allah S.W.T. when:

(i)  intended solely to obey the commands of God S.W.T.
(ii) acts of worship comply with the prescribed rules.
(iii) no irregularities occurred; and
(iv) obligatory worship such as prayer, fasting, zakat and others are not omitted.

Therefore, refrain from performing Hajj and Umrah for social, economic, political reasons or other purposes.

Gaining enough knowledge
Every act of worship, including umrah, performed without knowledge is useless. This is because the work of worship cannot be done by mere following alone. The ins and outs of performing umrah need to be learned and understood so that it can be done perfectly while in the Holy Land without depending on others.

Using halal sources of money
Umrah is one of the offerings to Allah S.W.T. Whether it is accepted or not, it depends on how perfectly the worship is performed and how clean the money is used.
Make sure that the money used to perform umrah (transportation, food and drink, accommodation, etc.), and even what is used for daily life is from a halal source and clean from any malpractice or oppression. Illegal livelihoods, other than sin, can lead to the loss of blessings in life.

Take care of physical and spiritual health
The performance of umrah requires physical and mental health and emotional stability. Prospective pilgrims must maintain their health through a good and balanced diet as well as increasing leisure activities. In addition, the congregation should train themselves to be positive and wise in controlling their emotions.

Completing all the other pillars of Islam
Hajj is the fifth and last pillar after reciting the two words of Shahadah, performing the five daily prayers, fasting in the month of Ramadan, and paying zakat.

Prospective umrah pilgrims must first have a perfect understanding of the demands of Shahadah, prayer, fasting and zakat and implement them.

Increasing the practice of almsgiving
Something that can ease the burden of others (including husbands, wives, parents, relatives, friends, the poor, orphans, etc.) whether in the form of money, energy or even a smile or a cheerful character is charity. The practice of almsgiving helps to increase reward, reduce sin, and help human relationships.
Prospective pilgrims are encouraged to increase alms while in the country and in the Holy Land later. It makes the receiver happy and makes the giver happy. While in the Holy Land, the congregation should make the best use of the opportunity to serve those in need.

Perform congregational prayers
The goal of performing umrah to the Holy Land of Makkah, among others, is to make the most of the time available to worship, especially in the Grand Mosque. The opportunity to be in the Holy Land of Makkah should be used to worship as best as possible such as performing congregational prayers.

Avoid shirk practices
Blasphemy is one of the great sins. It is not appropriate for a person who wants to be a guest of Allah to commit shirk such as doing good deeds with witchcraft, relying on amulets and so on.

Prospective pilgrims should avoid the pursuit of materialism and the pleasures of life to underestimate the question of halal and haram, sin, and reward as well as heaven and hell.

Improving morals and avoiding the attributes of mazmumah (reprehensible). The Holy Land of Makkah is a place where people show their true personalities. The person who wants to be the guest of God S.W.T. must have good manners whether in terms of deeds, speech and even intention in the heart.

Bad traits such as jealousy, arrogance, arrogance, hot temper, like exposing the aurah like to brag and others should be avoided. According to the meaning of the hadith, jealousy destroys one’s good deeds just as fire burns wood. The Holy Land of Makkah is a meeting place for Muslims from all over the world. Pure qualities such as patience, sincerity, gratitude, helpfulness, friendliness and so on will be able to facilitate interaction among the congregation.

Purify yourself from sin
Before leaving for the Holy Land prospective pilgrims must repent by:
(i) abandoning immediately the act which has given rise to sin.
(ii) determining wholeheartedly not to repeat the act again.
(iii) feeling very, very sorry for the act of sin; and
(iv) if the sin has anything to do with human beings, it is necessary to obtain forgiveness and a halal statement for the wrong done, and the rights taken from the human being.

Pray and trust Allah
God’s Plan S.W.T. overcoming all the plans of His creatures. All the preparations that have been made cannot guarantee that umrah can be performed perfectly. Thus, the congregation should pray a lot to Allah S.W.T., asking for His forgiveness and help.

Congregants should also increase the number of Tahajjud (night prayers), Tasbih, Taubat (Repentance) and Hajat prayers before departure and during their stay in the Holy Land.

Tawaf Wada’ is a ‘goodbye’ tawaf that must be performed – not only by everyone who performs Hajj and Umrah but also by people who want to leave the City of Makkah to travel as far as two marhalah (85-90km or 56 miles) or more out of respect and glorification of the House. Sinful for anyone who leaves it and is subject to the Dam.

Conditions of Tawaf Wada’
Same as umrah and ifadhah circumambulation. But before starting Tawaf Wada ‘one needs to intend. Exception (innocent and not subject to Dam)
(i) Women who are menstruating or postpartum.
(ii) Women who have istihadhah blood (disease blood), usually menstruate.
(iii) Wounded people who bleed a lot.
(iv) People who do not get water or soil to lift great hadath.
(v) People who are afraid of endangering their lives, self -esteem or property.
(vi) People who are afraid of being left behind by friends.
(vii) People with salisalbaul disease (frequent urination) or the like.
(viii) People who are forced to leave the circumambulation.
(ix) A person who is afraid of a debt beggar in a situation where he is unable to pay his debt.
(x) Elderly people who had to be led or carried due to illness

Note:
(i) Tawaf Wada ‘is performed only after everything is ready to leave Makkah.

(ii) After performing Tawaf Wada ‘, a person is no longer allowed to return to the hotel / accommodation, except for the purpose of obligatory prayers, urination, or defecation, taking goods, eating or drinking provided the time taken is not too long.

(iii) The pilgrim who had to leave Makkah immediately when he had not yet performed Tawaf Ifadhah and Tawaf Wada ‘, it was sufficient for him to perform Tawaf Ifadhah only.

(iv)  Women who are menstruating are not allowed to perform tawaf wada ‘. Instead, you can stand in front of the door of the Grand Mosque and pray
o People who do not perform Tawaf Wada ’due to ignorance or forgetfulness are not exempted from paying the Dam. The dams imposed are the Dam of Destiny and Order.

The noble intention of the congregation to perform umrah can be fulfilled if the congregation takes the following steps:
1. Select an umrah organizer approved by the Umrah Regulatory Council (MKSU) as listed.
2. Make a comparison study of the prices of the packages offered.3. Researching the agency’s background; licenses and permits for valid ‘outbound’, experience of the agency in organizing umrah and visa matters handled by the agency. Either the agency manages itself or uses the services of an intermediary.
4. Consider what airline company, the type of travel either directly to Jeddah or to Madinah or the pilgrims need to transit and spend the night in another country.
5. Be aware of hotel accommodation provided by the agency.
6. How is payment made. Either to the company account or to the personal account of the agency manager or to the accounts of agents appointed by the agency. Make sure the congregation keeps receipts of payments and documents issued by the agency.
7. Are there any additional charges?
8. Does the agency impose other additional conditions that are subject to change from time to time?
9. Does the agency hold umrah coaching classes?
10. Only after being satisfied with the above information can the pilgrims select the umrah organizing agency.

TERMS AND DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR THE PROCESSING OF UMRAH VISA (SUBJECT TO AMENDMENTS AND RULES (FROM TIME TO TIME) OF THE EMBASSY OF SAUDI ARABIA)

1. A valid international passport is not less than 6 months from the date of flight with four (4) blank pages.
2. Four (4) pieces of colour pictures measuring 6 cm x 4 cm (zoom 80%) on a white background. For women it is obligatory to wear a headscarf (black or dark), while men are not encouraged to wear a songkok or one that covers the head.
3. ACYW13 injection card or letter of confirmation from a government or private doctor.

FOR WOMEN UNDER 45 YEARS/ MEN UNDER 18 YEARS:

A) Travelling with Mahram

1. A copy of the marriage certificate for a married woman. (Confirmation stamp of the Islamic Religious Department and Wisma Putra).
2. For a woman who has her father as mahram – Copy of birth certificate (Confirmation Stamp of the National Registration Department & Wisma Putra).
3. For women who has a brother as mahram -A copy of the identity card of the brothers and a copy of the birth certificate of both. (Confirmation Stamp of the National Registration Department & Wisma Putra).
4. For women who has a son as mahram – Copy of the son’s birth certificate. (Confirmation Stamp of the National Registration Department & Wisma Putra).

B) Stepfather as Mahram (Not Married)

1. Letter of Consent from biological father/biological brother. (Confirmation Stamp of the Commissioner of Oaths & Wisma Putra)
2. Copy of identity card of biological father/siblings. (Confirmation Stamp of the National Registration Department & Wisma Putra)
3. Copy of stepchild birth certificate. (Confirmation Stamp of the National Registration Department & Wisma Putra)
4. Copy of child custody letter from the Shariah Court. (Wisma Putra Confirmation Stamp)
5. Copy of Death Certificate if the biological father is absent/deceased, (Confirmation Stamp of the National Registration Department & Wisma Putra)

C) Stepfather as Mahram (Married)

1. Letter of Consent from husband. (Confirmation Stamp of the Commissioner of Oaths & Wisma Putra)
2. Copy of marriage certificate. (Confirmation Stamp of Islamic Religious Department & Wisma Putra)
3. Copy of husband’s identity card. (Confirmation Stamp of the National Registration Department & Wisma Putra)
4. Copy of stepchild birth certificate. (Confirmation Stamp of the National Registration Department & Wisma Putra)
5. Letter of custody from a Shariah court. (Wisma Putra Confirmation Stamp)
6. Copy of Death Certificate if the husband is absent/deceased. (Confirmation Stamp of the National Registration Department & Wisma Putra)

D) Uncle as Mahram (Father’s side)

1. Letter of Consent from biological father/biological brother. (Confirmation Stamp of the Commissioner of Oaths & Wisma Putra)
2. Copy of birth certificate of the child, biological father, and uncle/brother of the biological brother. (Confirmation Stamp of the National Registration Department & Wisma Putra)
3. Copy of the identity card of the biological father/brother of the biological brother. (Confirmation Stamp of the National Registration Department & Wisma Putra)
4. Copy of Death Certificate if the biological father is absent/deceased. (Confirmation Stamp of the National Registration Department & Wisma Putra)

E) Adopted Father as Mahram
i) Mahram with the Adopted Father (bin with the name of the adoptive father)
1. Copy of adoption letter. (Wisma Putra Confirmation Stamp)
2. Copy of the adopted child’s birth certificate. (Confirmation Stamp of the National Registration Department & Wisma Putra)

ii) Mahram with the Adopted Father (bin with someone else’s name)
1. Copy of adoption letter. (Confirmation Stamp of National Registration Department & Wisma Putra)
2. Copy of adopted child’s birth certificate. (Confirmation Stamp of National Registration Department & Wisma Putra)
3. Copy of court order. (Confirmation Stamp of National Registration Department & Wisma Putra)

F) Grandfather as Mahram (Father’s side)

1. Copy of grandchild’s birth certificate. (Confirmation Stamp of National Registration Department & Wisma Putra)
2. Copy of birth certificate of the biological father. (Confirmation Stamp of the National Registration Department & Wisma Putra)
3. Letter of Consent from biological father/biological brother. (Confirmation Stamp of Commissioner of Oaths & Wisma Putra)
4. Copy of Death Certificate if the biological father is absent/died. (Confirmation Stamp of the National Registration Department & Wisma Putra

G) Converts travelling with their husband/biological siblings

1. Copy of card/letter as proof of embracing Islam. (Confirmation Stamp of Islamic Religious Department & Wisma Putra)
2. Copies of marriage and birth certificate. (Confirmation Stamp of Islamic Religious Department/National Registration Department & Wisma Putra)

H) Foreign Nationals
1. Permanent Residence – original identity card and copy of identity card. (Confirmation Stamp of National Registration Department & Wisma Putra)

2. Employment Visa/Employment Pass – employer’s confirmation letter. (Notary Public & Wisma Putra Confirmation Stamp)
3. Student Visa – confirmation letter from college/university/school. (Wisma Putra Confirmation Stamp)
4. Family/Social Visa – copy of marriage certificate/birth certificate. (Wisma Putra Confirmation Stamp)
5. The employer’s maid must participate. Visa must be valid for 6 months or more