Dua to Recite When Returning Home from Umrah
It is narrated from Abdullah ibn Umar (RA) that he said: When Rasulullah (peace be upon him) returned from a journey of jihad, Hajj, or Umrah, he would say “Allahu Akbar” three times at every elevated place. Then he would say:
لا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ آئِبُوْنَ تَائِبُوْنَ عَابِدُوْنَ سَاجِدُونَ لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُونَ، صَدَقَ اللهُ وَعْدَهُ وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَهَزَمَ الْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ
(Sahih Bukhari, 1797)
Returning from Umrah
When returning from the journey, it is important to implement the lessons of Umrah in every aspect of life. Only then will the purpose of this blessed journey be fulfilled, and it will serve as a guiding light for the rest of your life.
Remember, this return is not from an ordinary trip, but rather from visiting Allah’s house. With this honor comes a great responsibility and duty upon the pilgrim.
What to Bring Back from Umrah
To fully understand the lessons of Hajj and Umrah and what should be brought back from them, one must delve into the Qur’an, Hadith, and the biographies of the Salaf (early generations). Specifically, one should study the details of Rasulullah’s (peace be upon him) Hajj. However, since it may not be easy for everyone to engage in lengthy studies, this article will discuss some essential lessons from Hajj and Umrah.
Complete Tawheed and Firm Faith (Iman-Yaqeen)
The completeness of Tawheed (monotheism) and the strengthening of one’s faith are present in every act of Hajj and Umrah. From the phrase “Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk” to the farewell Tawaf, each act conveys the message that a believer’s Tawheed should not be limited to mere belief but must extend to their actions, behavior, and character.
Obedience and Surrender
Every act from start to finish emphasizes a complete surrender to Allah’s will. Furthermore, if one can remember the example of the obedience of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ismail (AS) in constructing the Ka’bah, the lesson of obedience and submission will naturally be absorbed from the journey.
Patience, Resilience, and Sacrifice
The unparalleled patience, resilience, and sacrifice displayed by Hazrat Hajar (RA) and Hazrat Ismail (AS) serve as a great example for today’s pilgrims. Even after the trip, one should keep that spirit of patience and sacrifice alive in their hearts.
Trust and Satisfaction with Allah’s Decrees
An important aspect of Tawheed is to sincerely trust and be content with Allah’s decisions. If a pilgrim recalls the pivotal events of the lives of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), Hazrat Ismail (AS), and the final Prophet (peace be upon him) in Makkah and Madinah, their heart will remain steadfast in accepting Allah’s will, especially knowing that their Lord loves them.
Receiving Blessings and Guidance from the House of Allah
The sacred Ka’bah is the center of Tawheed and unity. Its greatest blessings include peace and the protection of trust. During Umrah, when Muslims forget differences of race, language, land, and sect and unite in one voice saying, “Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk,” this profound unity and Tawheed should deeply penetrate the heart of every pilgrim.
Reverence for Islamic Symbols
“Shia’ar” refers to all words, actions, places, and times that Allah has designated as signs or symbols for Islam and Muslims. They represent Allah’s power and mercy and are symbols of Islam.
There are four major symbols of Islam: 1. The Holy Qur’an; 2. The Ka’bah and related matters 3. The Prophet (peace be upon him) 4. All acts of worship prescribed by Allah, especially the Shahada, prayer, Zakat, fasting, Hajj, etc.
Any slight disrespect for these symbols is considered disbelief (kufr). Therefore, a pilgrim who has been blessed by Allah to visit the Ka’bah and the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) tomb should have even greater reverence and respect for these symbols than others. Their faith should be strong enough that they cannot tolerate the slightest disrespect towards honored individuals in Islam.
Purity and Cleanliness
External cleanliness and internal purity are fundamental teachings in Islam and closely linked to Hajj and Umrah. Allah commanded Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ismail (AS) to purify the Ka’bah for those who perform Tawaf, I’tikaf, and prostrate before Allah. (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:125)
Therefore, it is the responsibility of every pilgrim to ensure cleanliness during their pilgrimage and beyond. The masjid or public facilities in their locality should also be maintained to a high standard, especially if they themselves have performed Hajj or Umrah.
Moreover, the internal purity taught by the Ka’bah should reflect in the pilgrim’s heart, character, and language, ensuring that their conduct is always respectful, dignified, and pure.
Halal Livelihood
After faith, the most significant form of purity is earning a halal (lawful) livelihood. Income must be kept free from haram (forbidden) sources, such as interest, bribery, and other illicit earnings. This principle was upheld even in the time of the pre-Islamic Arabs, who contributed to building the Ka’bah before Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) prophethood.
Just as impurity in income cannot be purified by ablution or other rituals, the only way to cleanse it is through sincere repentance and abandoning forbidden earnings. A Muslim’s prayer and supplication will not be accepted until their livelihood is halal.
Obedience to Parents and Spouse
The example of Hazrat Ismail (AS) teaches children to be firm in their obedience to their parents. Similarly, every wife should follow the example of Hazrat Hajar (RA), as instructed by the Prophet (peace be upon him): “Consider where you stand, for it is your heaven or hell.”
Husbands must strive to be the best for their wives, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The best of you are those who are best to their wives.”
Faithful Upbringing of Children
Parents must learn from the lives of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Hajar (RA), focusing on the spiritual development of their children. The real future of their children is in the hereafter. It is essential to ensure that their children’s faith is nurtured properly, for neglecting this responsibility will bring accountability on the Day of Judgment.
Make the following resolutions:
- I will not misuse the eyes that Allah has blessed me with to view the Ka’bah.
- Since Allah has blessed me with the opportunity to visit His House and the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) tomb, I will ensure that my deeds do not soil my soul with sin.
Things to Avoid Bringing Back
Do not bring anything that has entered the Hejaz (the region including Makkah and Madinah) through the enemies of Islam or Muslims. These items do not belong to the Hejaz or Haramayn (the two sanctuaries). Here are some key points to remember:
- Do not bring back any cultural practices or customs of Jews, Christians, or polytheists. If you see flaws in your own society, do not justify them based on what you observe there. Always reject immodesty, obscenity, and Western fashion, for these are not part of the teachings of Haramayn.
- Do not carry negative views about Arabs based on their weaknesses. Keep in mind that the righteous scholars of Arabia are not to be criticized.
- There are a few minor differences in the method of prayer observed in the two sanctuaries, but these are all based on the Sunnah. Just because you observe a different practice does not mean the scholars of your home country have misled you. Both practices are in accordance with authentic hadiths.
Two Related Points
- Upon returning from Umrah or Hajj, it is inappropriate to describe the hardships of the journey in a way that makes others fear it. Despite any challenges, they should be embraced with a smile, for this is no ordinary journey. It is a journey of love, devotion, and the meeting with the Beloved. Even the thorns on the road are to be accepted with joy.
- It is also unbecoming for a believer to return from Hajj or Umrah and talk about modern buildings or skyscrapers in the country. Instead, they should speak with love and admiration for the sacred places they visited. Discussing the architectural wonders of the country instead of the sanctity of the Ka’bah or the Prophet’s tomb is inappropriate.
May Allah protect the Haramayn and purify us through the sanctity of these holy places. Amen.
