Umrah Guide: How to Perform Umrah Step by Step

Umrah, often called the “minor pilgrimage,” is one of the most rewarding acts of worship in Islam. Unlike Hajj, which is performed during specific days of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah, Umrah can be performed at any time throughout the year. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

“An Umrah followed by Hajj (Hajj Tamattu’) is an expiation for the sins between them.” (Sahih Bukhari)

This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of performing Umrah, from the moment you enter ihram to completing the final tawaf at the sacred Kaaba.

What is Umrah?

Umrah is a pilgrimage to the House of Allah (the Kaaba) in Makkah. While it is not one of the five pillars of Islam (making it not obligatory), it is highly recommended and brings immense spiritual rewards. Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

“And complete the Hajj and Umrah for Allah…” (Quran 2:196)

The Umrah consists of four essential rituals:

1. Entering the state of ihram
2. Performing tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba)
3. Performing sa’i (walking between Safa and Marwa)
4. Shaving or trimming the hair (halaq or taqsir)

Pre-Umrah Preparation

Physical and Spiritual Readiness

Before embarking on your Umrah journey, prepare yourself both physically and spiritually:

• Health Check: Ensure you are in good health and physically capable of the journey
• Financial Planning: Save adequately and avoid debt
• Knowledge: Learn the rituals thoroughly
• Spiritual Preparation: Increase your prayers, Quran recitation, and remembrance of Allah
• Family Matters: Settle any outstanding issues with family members
• Valid Documents: Ensure your passport and visa are current

Getting Your Visa

Most countries require a visa to enter Saudi Arabia. Check the Saudi embassy website for your country’s specific requirements. Pilgrims often use hajj and umrah visa programs offered by travel agencies.

Step-by-Step Guide to Performing Umrah

Step 1: Entering Ihram (The Sacred State)

Ihram is the first and most crucial step of Umrah. It marks your intentional entry into a sacred state of worship.

Location to Enter Ihram

You must enter ihram before crossing the miqat (boundary) of Haram. The miqats for different regions are:

• From the West (via Jeddah): Rabigh or the coast (approximately 250 km northwest of Makkah)
• From the North: Al-Juhfah or Yalamlam (approximately 300 km north of Makkah)
• From the East: Dhat Irq or Qarn (approximately 80-100 km east of Makkah)
• From the South: Yalamlam (approximately 80 km south of Makkah)

If you are already in Makkah or within the haram boundary, you can enter ihram from your current location, but it is recommended to go beyond the miqat first.

How to Enter Ihram

1. Perform Ghusl or Wudu: Perform ritual purification. Ghusl (full bath) is preferred, though wudu (ablution) is acceptable
2. Change Clothes:
   • Men: Wear two white, seamless garments: the ridaa’ (upper garment) and izar (lower garment). You can also wear simple sandals
   • Women: Wear modest clothing (not necessarily white). Do not wear niqab (face veil) or gloves
3. Apply Perfume: Men may apply perfume before entering ihram, though not to the ihram garments themselves
4. Make Your Intention (Niyyah): In your heart, make the sincere intention to perform Umrah for the sake of Allah

The Talbiyah

Once you have entered ihram, begin reciting the Talbiyah:

“Labbayka Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la shareeka laka labbayk. Innal-hamda wa’n-ni’mata laka wa’l-mulk, la shareeka lak.”

Translation: “Here I am, O Allah, here I am. There is no partner with You, here I am. Indeed, all praise, grace, and dominion belong to You. There is no partner with You.”

Continue reciting the Talbiyah frequently throughout your Umrah journey.

Restrictions of Ihram

Once in ihram, you must avoid:

• Cutting hair or nails: Do not trim any hair or nails until after completing your Umrah
• Using perfume: Do not apply perfume after entering ihram
• Hunting: Do not hunt or kill any game
• Sexual relations: Avoid intimate relations with your spouse
• Wearing tailored clothing (for men): Do not wear stitched clothes designed specifically for the body
• Wearing head covering (for men): Men should not cover their heads
• Quarreling or arguments: Maintain a state of peace and devotion

Step 2: Traveling to Makkah

Make dua during your journey to Makkah. The Prophet (ﷺ) used to make dua while traveling. Some recommended duas include:

“Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min sharai safari, wa ka’ibat al-manzil, wa su’ al-hal fi al-maal wa al-ahl.” (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the difficulties of travel, from seeing troubling sights, and from bad circumstances regarding wealth and family.)

Step 3: Tawaf (Circumambulation of the Kaaba)

Tawaf is the circumambulation of the Kaaba seven times in a counterclockwise direction. This is the heart of your Umrah.

Entering the Haram

When you approach the Sacred Mosque (Masjid al-Haram), enter with your right foot first and recite:

“Bismillah wa-s-salaatu wa-s-salaam ‘ala Rasul Allah. Allahumma ighfir li dhunubi wa aftah li abwab rahmatik.” (In the name of Allah, and prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, forgive my sins and open for me the doors of Your mercy.)

How to Perform Tawaf

1. Approach the Kaaba: Stand before the Black Stone (al-Hajar al-Aswad)
2. Make Niyyah: Make the intention to perform tawaf
3. Begin Circumambulation: Start circling the Kaaba counterclockwise with the Kaaba on your left
4. Seven Complete Circuits: Walk around the Kaaba seven times
5. Istilam: If possible, touch or kiss the Black Stone at the beginning and end of each circuit. If you cannot reach it due to crowds, point toward it with your right hand or staff

Key Points During Tawaf

• Ramal (Hastening): For the first three circuits, men may walk with a measured pace, lifting their shoulders slightly. This commemorates the Sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ)
• Idtiba’: For men, it is recommended to place the upper portion of the right shoulder bare during tawaf
• Supplicate: Make sincere dua during tawaf. The Quran encourages this:

“And when Abraham was raising the foundations of the House and [with him] Ishmael, [saying], ‘Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing.’” (Quran 2:127)

• Between the Yamani Corner and Black Stone: This interval (called al-Multazam) is especially blessed. Make supplication here
• Maintain Purity: Ensure you remain in a state of wudu throughout tawaf

After Tawaf

After completing seven circuits:

1. Pray two rak’at behind the Maqam Ibrahim (Station of Abraham) if possible
2. If you cannot pray behind Maqam Ibrahim due to crowds, pray elsewhere in the Haram

Step 4: Drinking Zamzam Water

After tawaf, drink from the well of Zamzam if available. This water is blessed and carries great spiritual significance. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“The best water on the face of the earth is Zamzam water.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)

Step 5: Sa’i (Walking Between Safa and Marwa)

Sa’i is the ritual of walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa. This commemorates Hajjar’s search for water when she was alone with baby Ismail in the desert.

How to Perform Sa’i

1. Return to Safa: Go back toward the hill of Safa
2. Make Niyyah: Intend to perform sa’i
3. First Circuit: Walk from Safa toward Marwa (count as 1)
4. At Safa and Marwa: At each hill, recite:

“Inna al-Safa wa al-Marwah min sha’a’ir Allah.” (Indeed, Safa and Marwa are among the symbols of Allah.) - Quran 2:158

5. Make Dua: Supplicate to Allah for your needs
6. Jog if Able: Between the two green markers, you may jog if physically able (though it is not obligatory)
7. Complete Seven Circuits: Continue until you have walked seven times (starting at Safa counts as one, each return counts as one more)

Important Note: Men should jog lightly between the two green markers, while women may walk at a normal pace throughout.

Step 6: Halaq or Taqsir (Shaving or Trimming Hair)

This is the final ritual of Umrah. You must have your head shaved or hair trimmed to exit the state of ihram.

For Men

• Halaq (Shaving): Shave the entire head. This is the most recommended option
• Taqsir (Trimming): Trim at least one-quarter of the hair on the head

For Women

• Taqsir Only: Women do not shave their heads. Instead, trim approximately one inch from the ends of their hair

After Halaq/Taqsir

You are now out of ihram and have completed your Umrah! You may now:

• Wear perfume
• Resume normal grooming
• Wear your regular clothes
• Engage in all activities that were restricted during ihram

Duas for Each Stage of Umrah

Upon Entering Ihram

“Allahumma inni ureed al-Umrah fayyassirhaa li wa taqabbalhaa minni.” (O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah, so make it easy for me and accept it from me.)

During Tawaf

“Allahumma inni as’aluka al-afwa wa al-‘aafiyah fi al-dunya wa al-akhirah.” (O Allah, I ask You for pardon and well-being in this world and the next.)

At the Black Stone

“Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahi al-hamd.” (Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest, and all praise belongs to Allah.)

Between Safa and Marwa

“Rabbana aatina fi al-dunya hasanatan wa fi al-akhirati hasanatan wa qina adhab an-nar.” (Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the Fire.)

Upon Completion

“Allahumma taqabbal minni wa layak al-hamd.” (O Allah, accept from me, and to You belongs all praise.)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Entering Ihram After the Miqat: Always enter ihram before crossing the miqat boundary
2. Breaking Wudu During Tawaf: Maintain your ablution throughout tawaf
3. Incomplete Sa’i: Ensure you complete all seven circuits
4. Rushing Through Rituals: Take your time and perform each ritual with mindfulness
5. Wearing Ihram Incorrectly (for men): Ensure your ihram garments are worn properly without stitching
6. Quarreling or Arguments: Maintain peace and devotion throughout your Umrah
7. Neglecting Dua: Take time to make sincere supplication at each stage
8. Not Trimming Hair: Some pilgrims forget to trim their hair, which is essential to exit ihram

Different Types of Umrah

Umrah Tamattu’ (Umrah with Hajj)

If you plan to perform Hajj in the same month, you perform Umrah first, exit ihram, and then re-enter ihram for Hajj. This is called Hajj Tamattu’.

Umrah Mufradah (Standalone Umrah)

This is a standalone Umrah performed at any time outside the Hajj season.

Umrah During Hajj Season

You can perform Umrah during the Hajj season (month of Dhul-Hijjah) as part of your Hajj journey.

Post-Umrah Recommendations

After completing your Umrah:

1. Spend Time in the Haram: Pray additional prayers and make dua
2. Visit Medina: If possible, visit Medina to pray in the Prophet’s Mosque and visit his grave (ﷺ)
3. Increase Worship: Continue increasing your good deeds and remembrance of Allah
4. Gratitude: Thank Allah for enabling you to complete this blessed journey

Keep Reading

• Hajj Guide: Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Performing Hajj
• Laylatul Qadr Signs: How to Recognize the Night of Power
• Zakat Calculator: How to Calculate Zakat on Savings, Gold, and Investments

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