As you embark on the greatest journey of your life, pause and reflect on your intentions.
Why are you performing ʿumrah? Is it because it is socially expected of you? Is it just an item in your life to-do list to tick off ?
The pious of the past would perform one deed with multiple intentions to multiply their reward. Follow their example by reflecting deeply and setting sincere intentions before you begin your journey. Throughout your ʿumrah, constantly renew and purify these intentions to draw closer to Allah and gain the most from every moment. Your intentions can include the following:
- To draw close to Allah
- To seek His mercy and protection from Hellfire
- To seek Allah’s pleasure Alone
- To sincerely repent and be forgiven
- To strive for Paradise
- To remember the Hereafter
- To express Allah’s Oneness and attain ikhlāṣ and taqwā
- To respond to the call of Ibrāhīm (ʿalayhis-salām)
- To follow the example of the Prophet ﷺ
- To earn the reward of 100,000 prayers in al-Masjid al-Ḥarām and 1,000 in al-Masjid al-Nabawī
- To honour sacred places and let their history move your heart toward good
There is no act of obedience except that it can carry many intentions. What settles in the heart of the believing servant depends on the level of his eagerness for good, his striving for it, and his reflection upon it. Through this, deeds become purified and rewards are multiplied.– Imām al-Ghazālī (raḥimahullāh)
3. The Goals of ʿUmrah
