Umrah, known as the lesser pilgrimage began in the year 629 A.D. Holy Prophet (PBUH) along with 2000 companions was allowed to enter Makkah after signing the treaty with the infidels, Arab pagans who took over the control of the Holy Land, Makkah. In the treaty, it was stated that no person would be kept hostile and the Muslims would be allowed to enter Makkah only for 3 days per year. The treaty was signed to maintain peace between the two lands. It was a 10-year treaty but it lasted only for 2 years as Muslims were attacked by allies of non-believers, and few Muslims were killed. Holy Prophet (PBUH) on this attack announced the suspension of the peace treaty. Up till this time Muslims have strengthened themselves and they increased in numbers Since the attack, Prophet Muhammad SAWW approached Makkah with an army of 10,000 Muslims. As expected, the leaders of Makkah surrendered. After regaining control of Makkah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) forgave them. Umrah has always been a journey of great importance, as the Muslims gained their Holy Land through great struggle and sacrifice. Millions of Muslims perform Umrah throughout the year. Muslims across the globe, especially those living in non-Muslim countries, prefer to travel with Umrah tour groups. Tour groups in London offer different Umrah Packages from London. One can choose according to their budget and convenience.

Every Muslim performs the four noble rituals to complete their Umrah

• IHRAM

Ihram is essentially the formal 'intent' to perform Umrah. Each individual must change his clothes and perform ghusl to remove any impurity from his body before entering the fold of the Ihram. The men are dressed in two types of cloth, the rida and the izaar, while the women are allowed to wear any type of garment that completely covers the body and the head. Once the person has completed the Ghusl and cleansed himself, he should perform the obligatory prayer or two rakahs of the Sunnah facing the direction of the Holy Kaaba and then the person officially enters the Ihram. The person must be in Ihram before the departure for Meeqat in Makkah. Any perfume or similar product is prohibited once he enters Ihram.

• TAWAAF

You must start your Tawaaf from the Hajar Al-Aswad and it should be on your right side facing the Kaaba, making the intention and reciting the Umrah prayer. On reaching Hajar Al-Aswad, touch it lightly and kiss it by placing your face between your hands. There is quite a possibility that you might not get a chance to touch or kiss Hajar Al-Aswad due to a huge crowd of pilgrims, so just raise your hands with your palm facing it, assuming your hands and face touch Hajar Al-Aswad, say 'Bismillahi Wallahu Akbar', kiss your palm. The pilgrims are required to perform seven rounds of Tawaaf (around the Kaabah), the Kaabah being on their left side, and while performing Tawaaf the right shoulder should be left uncovered. The first three rounds of Tawaaf must be performed at a quicker pace and with shorter steps.

After the Tawaf, the pilgrim should offer two rakah of prayer behind the Muqaam e Ibrahim. The pilgrim may perform the prayer anywhere in the mosque if it is hard to perform the prayer in this space.

• SA’AI

The pilgrims should then go to the hills of Safa and climb the hill to a height where one can have a view of the Kaaba. Facing the Kaaba, pilgrims raise their hands asking Allah Almighty for their needs, wishes or any dua. Walking or running between the Saffa and Marwah hills, reciting dua’s and saying dhikr, seven rounds must be completed.

• GETTING HAIRCUT

On completion of seven rounds, everyone must have their hair cut. Men must have a completely shaved head or hair cut evenly on all sides of the head. Women's hair should be cut to the length of their fingers.

The pilgrim officially completes his Umrah by getting a haircut. This is done after entering the Ihram, performing Tawaaf and Sa'ai.