How to Perform Umrah: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

Umrah, sometimes called the “minor pilgrimage,” represents an Islamic practice that directs Muslims to a sacred journey to Mecca. While Hajj is compulsory and performed on specific days of Dhul-Hijjah, Umrah can be performed throughout the entire year. This intense form of worship has been mentioned as an opportunity to get forgiveness, clean one’s heart and soul, and expand one’s connection with Allah. Learning how to perform Umrah, step simple by step with the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), will make sure that each ritual is done correctly and in a way that complies with the teachings of Islam, thus opening the door for immense rewards

What is ‘Umrah?

There are four primary components of Umrah:

• Ihram: Getting into a state of sacred purity.
• Tawaf — which is to circumambulate the Kaaba seven times.
• Sa’i: Moving between the hills of Safa and Marwah.
• Taqsir or Halq: Shaving or trimming the hair

Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) indicated this great reward of doing ‘Umrah:

The Prophet ﷺ said: “An accepted ‘Umrah is an expiation for the sins between it and the next, and an accepted Hajj has no reward except Paradise.” (Bukhari & Muslim)

Types of ‘Umrah

Virtues and Rewards of ‘Umrah

• Forgiveness of Sins:

It is narrated from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ): “Take one Hajj and one Umrah after another, for they take away poverty and sins just as a smith blows impurities off the iron.” (Tirmidhi)

• Connection to Paradise:

The Hajis and Umrah performers are Allah’s guests. When they call unto Him, He answers, and when they ask forgiveness from Him, he forgives them.” (Ibn Majah)

• Equal Reward to Men and Women:

The sincere efforts of both men and women will gain their share of the spiritual edge.

Preparing for ‘Umrah

• Intention (Niyyah): Purify intention to do ‘Umrah only for the sake of Allah.
• Ask for and offer forgiveness to others.
• Know the rites, the duas to be recited, and what not to do.
• Make sure to drink plenty of water, keep healthy
• Items to Pack: Ihram dress, prayer mat, unscented toiletries, and slippers.
• Let the bookings begin: make reservations for flights, accommodation, and transportation.
• To get the best services when traveling, ensure your passport and documents are all in order, whether you have a visa residency or not.
• Understand the map of Masjid al-Haram

Umrah Procedure: A Full Guide of How To Perform Umrah

1. Entering Ihram

Wearing Ihram is a clean and pure condition for both body and soul that signifies the commencement of ‘Umrah.

Steps to Enter Ihram:

• Take a Ghusl (اَغتَسَل ) and trim nails or hair if required.
• Men wear two unstitched white garments (Izar and Rida), while women must wear clothes that cover everything except the face and hands.
• Have Niyyah (Declare the intention):
• لَبَّيْكَ عُمْرَةً (Labbayka ‘Umratan)
• Recite the Talbiyah: لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
  (Labbayka Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayka La Shareeka Laka Labbayk. Innal Hamda Wanni‘mata Laka Wal-Mulk, La Shareeka Laka)

Take ghusl and cut nails or hair if necessary. A pilgrim must wear pure clothing, and the Ghusl (full-body purification) Condition should be reached at Miqat [the designated boundary for Ihram11. Assistant Women performing ‘Umrah should also purify themselves and (become) in a state of cleanliness, even if they are menstruating or experiencing postpartum bleeding. In such a case, women can tie themselves properly so there is no bleeding and stay clean. They can only do Tawaf or Salah after they are entirely Tahir.

Men are dressed in two unstitched white Garments (Izar and Rida). Women dress modestly. Only the face and hands remain visible. Tailored or sewn clothing, such as shirts, trousers, or stitched garments tailored to the fit of the body (e.g., jackets or robes), must not be worn by men. All of them should be in the two pieces of Ihram — the piece covering the lower body and the second overwrapping the upper body & head also open. Ihram has to be pure and white.

Umrah Niyyah: Say the Talbiyah: لَبَّيْكَ عُمْرَةً (Labbayka’ Umratan) or اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ عُمْرَةً (Allahumma Labbayka’ Umratan ) “O Allah! Here I am to perform Umrah.”

Now, if you have previously done your Umrah, then say (اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ عُمْرَةً عَنِ (اسم (name of the person) O Allah! Say, I have come to perform the Umrah of [Name]. This is recited when performing Umrah on behalf of another individual, either deceased or incapable.

• However, if a Muhrim fears that they will not be able to complete the Umrah due to sickness or due some fear of enemy — then here it is permissible for him to say — when entering Ihram —فَإِنْ حَبَسَنِي حَابِسٌ فَمَحِلِّي حَيْثُ حَبَسْتَنِي ) If I am prevented by any obstacle my release from Ihram will be at the place where You stop me.

• A woman Sahabi (companion of the Prophet) named Duba’a bint Zubair (RA) said: “O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), I want to perform Hajj. But she was afraid that she’d get sick along the way. So the Messenger of Allah ( ﷺ ) said to her – حُجِّي وَاشْتَرِطِي أَنْ مَحِلِّي حَيْثُ حَبَسْتَنِي “perform Hajj and stipulate that my exit from Ihram will be where You stop me” “

After that, the Talbiyah of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam (ﷺ) shall be read:”

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ

(Labbayka Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayka La Shareeka Laka Labbayk. Innal Hamda Wanni‘mata Laka Wal-Mulk, La Shareeka Laka)

(Here I am at your service, O Allah. Here I am. You have no partner; here I am. Indeed, all Praise and Bounty is Yours, and the SovereigntySovereignty is yours; you have no partner.)

• Men should recite the supplications aloud, and women should recite them softly. Then, keep reciting Talbiyah abundantly, ask Allah by making dua and do dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and Istighfar (seeking forgiveness).”

Take a ghusl (ritual purification bath) after arriving at the Holy Makka. Then, while you enter using your right foot into the Holy Mosque (Masjid Al-Haram), recite this dua:

بِسْمِ اللهِ وَالصَّلاَةُ وَالسَّلاَمُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ، أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ الْعَظِيمِ وَبِوَجْهِهِ الْكَرِيمِ وَسُلْطَانِهِ الْقَدِيمِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ، اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ

“Bismillah, was-salatu was-salamu ‘ala Rasoolillah.A’oodhu billahil-‘Azeem, wa biwajhihil-Kareem, wa bi-Sultaanihil-Qadeem min ash-Shaytaanir-Rajeem.Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem, Allahumma Iftah li Abwaaba Rahmatika.”

In the name of Allah, blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah, I seek refuge in Allah, with His Greatest Name, His Holy Face, and His Ancient Power from the accursed devil. And in the name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful: Oh God, open unto me doors to Your Mercy.

Prohibitions in Ihram:

• No cutting hair or nails.
• Do not use any scented products or any marital relations.
• Do not argue, and then don’t do anything to animals.

2. Tawaaf (Circumambulation of the House/Kaaba)

Tawaf consists of seven counterclockwise circuits around the Kaaba from the Black Stone.

Steps for Tawaf:

• Starting at the Black Stone (Hajr al-Aswad).
• Pronounciate: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ Say ( Bismillah, Allahu Akbar) if you can touch or kiss the stone.
• Cycle around in the anti-clockwise direction with Kaaba to your left.
• Recite in between the Yamani Corner and Black Stone.

Stop reciting Talbiyah when you come near the Kaaba. Raise your hands and ask Allah with all your heart. Then, without lifting your sight, proceed towards the Black Stone (Hajr-e-Aswad) and say,

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

(In the name of Allah); (Allahu akbar)

Or say اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

If it is too much trouble to kiss the Hajr-e-Aswad (Black Stone), then after you touch it with your hand or a stick, kiss that item (hand or stick) that you used to touch it.

And if people are busy at the Black Stone and you cannot touch it, stand with your face toward the Black Stone, raise your hands, and point to the Black Stone and say: اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

But do not kiss the hand or object you used to exclaim in this case.

Remember that the absolute Condition for Tawaf to be valid is that all Major and Minor impurities should be removed from anyone. Tawaf is similar to prayer, with the exception that it is allowed to speak during Tawaf.

• Touch left the Kaaba to perform Tawaf and rotate around the Kaaba 7 times. If you get a chance at the Rukn Yamani, touch it with your right hand, but do not kiss the Rukn Yamani. And if you can’t feel the Rukn Yamani, go ahead and do Tawaf. Do not take actions innovated in this worship, and do not raise your voice unnecessarily because no one has narrated such action from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). But every Time you are near the Black Stone, touch it, kiss it, and recite Takbir (since it was mentioned earlier). If Touch is impossible, he should Point toward it and Say Takbir. It is Sunnah to wear a shawl while doing Iztiba. Still, if you are only in Ihram and Tawaf, men should cover the right shoulder (the middle part of the upper garment under the right armpit so that both ends are draped over) as Iztiba accompanies Tawaf. Men should also perform Ramal (walking steadily with short and quick steps) in the first three rounds of Tawaf, which is Sunnah.

Tawaf does not have a specific supplication or dhikr associated with it. For every circuit of Tawaf, one also recites any Sharia-compliant dhikr or supplication as one wishes. However, it is recommended to recite this supplication between Rukn Yamani and Black Stone at every circuit of Tawaf:

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Our Lord, just as you have given us some goodness in this world, bless us with goodness that is abundant and great in the afterlife; protect us from the punishment of the Fire (Quran: 2/201-202)

If you can, perform the final circuit (7th Khwaar) by performing Ta’qib (Hajr-e-Aswad), meaning Touch and kiss the Black Stone. But, if that is not possible, just at least direct to it and say Takbir, as mentioned earlier.

Once you have completed the Tawaf, displace your upper garment properly to cover your shoulders and chest, leaving the state of Iztiba. If he can, he should pray two rakats behind Maqam Ibrahim, even if there is a distance between him and the maqam. But if there is no way, pray wherever you want in the mosque. Read Fātiḥa, then Qul yā ayyuhā al-kāfirūn (قل يا أيها الكافرون) in the first rakʿah and Fātiḥa then Qul huwwa Allāh aḥad (قل هو الله أحد) in the second.

It is better to read these two Surahs; reading other Surahs is also no harm. After that, you will kiss the Black stone again if you can.

3. The walk between Safa and Marwah (Sa’i)

Go to Mount Safa and either scale it or stand at its foot. It is better to go up just a bit onto the mountain if possible. During the first circuit, recite this Quranic verse:

إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ

‘Indeed, Safa and Marwa are among the symbols of Allah.’
(Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 158)”

Steps for Sa’i:

• Begin at Safa, reciting: إِنَّ ٱلصَّفَا وَٱلْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ ٱللَّهِ
• While at Safa, praise Allahu Akbar are repeated three times : اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
• لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌأَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَهَزَمَ الْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ
• If you are a male, jog between the green markers while walking to Marwah.
• Marwah (complete seven circuits) She has to stroll, which means no fast walking for women.

Afterward, turn towards the Kaaba and raise your hands like a supplicant. AllahuAkbar, AllahuAkbar, AllahuAkbar. Sunnah – to make supplication three times. The next step is to say the following dua 3 times:

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِير لا إِلهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَه وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَهَزَمَ الْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَه

“La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer. La ilaha illallahu wahdahu, anjaza wa’dahu, wa nasara ‘abdahu, wa hazamal ahzaba wahdahu.”

There is no god but Allah alone, without a partner. For him is the dominion and for his praise, and he has power over all things. There is no god except God Alone; he accomplished His promise, helped his servant, and defeated the Confederates alone.

While walking between Mount Safā and Marwah, one may engage in various forms of worship such as dhikr, du’ā, or the recitation of the Quran. It is also permissible to carry a pamphlet or guide with dhikr and du’ā (download here) for ease in recitation during the acts of Tawāf and Sa’ee. This helps ensure focus and connection throughout the rituals.

Then, come down the step of Safa and walk to Marwa. Men are to walk quickly during Sa’i between the two green markers (the area marked by green bulbs). Walk at an average pace in the areas before and after this zone. Women shouldn’t hurry at any stage because it is required to hold some modesty. The haste is against the principles of modest behavior for women.

Climb Marwa or stand at the bottom after arriving there. Worship Allah as in al-Safa. That, not after you receding Marwa to the Kaaba, lift your hands like muezzin and say Takbir three times (Allahu Akbar) to glorify Allah. Then say the following dua three times:

لا إِلَهَ إِلا اللَّهَ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِير لا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَه وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَهَزَمَ الْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَه

“La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer. La ilaha illallahu wahdahu, anjaza wa’dahu, wa nasara ‘abdahu, wa hazamal ahzaba wahdahu.”

There is no deity except Allah alone; there is no partner to Him; He is the dominion, and He is the praise, and He has power over all things. “This is what gives the meaning to “There is no god but Allah; He has kept His promise, helped his servant, and has defeated the confederates alone.”

• But do not mention the ayah of the Quran here; according to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), it should be recited only when you are climbing Mount Safa.

Then descend from Marwa and walk as you would typically walk where it is normal and hasten where it is prescribed to hasten. You continue in this pattern until you come back to Mount Safa. Do it this way for seven circuits (Sa’i). The distance from Safa to Marwa counts as one lap, and the return trip from Marwa to Safa is another lap. It is permissible (for someone who rides or has something to use for assistance) to do Sa’i, and there is no need (for him to get off / walk), especially if he has an excuse in the way that they mentioned.)

Sa’i also has no compulsory prescribed dhikr, as for Tawaf. Instead, use any dhikr, dua, or quranic verse – whatever you find easy to do ahead. But what is better is for one to authentically stick with the supplications and dhikr reported from him (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam). Also, it is advisable to be in a state of purity while doing the Sa’i. However, if a person is in a state of impurity during this period and does their Sa’i, their Sa’i is correct without any intoxication.

4. Halq Or Taqsir (Shaving/Shortening The Hair)

It represents submission to Allah, this last act.

• Men: Halq or Taqsir (shave the head or wear hair short and even). Shaving is preferable.
• For women: Cut a small part of hair at fingertip length.

Since men should shave (half) their hair or trim it after completing Sa’i, shaving is preferred over trimming it. It is preferable to cut after Umrah and shave after Hajj if Hajj is near. It requires cutting hair from the entire head and not just a section.

Women must tie all over their hair and cut it fingertip length from the front. The Umrah concludes, and the Ihram’s restrictions are broken.

Post-‘Umrah Activities

• Perform voluntary Salah and express your gratitude to Allah.
• Take a sip of Zamzam water to make salawat.
• Performing Tawaf and reciting Al-Quran in Mecca ۠ 2nd level of worship

Additional Considerations for Women

Menstruating Women:

• لَـبَّـيْكَ ٱللّـهُـمَّ بِعُمْرَة (Labbaik Allahumma Bi-‘Umrah) when entering into Ihram.
• They should not be Tawaf nor Sa’i until they are purified. It is in the interest of Time only; otherwise, ask a scholar and take that path.

Let’s See Historical Places to Visit in Mecca

• Jabal al-Nour (Hill of Light): Home to Cave Hira
• Masjid al-Taneem (Masjid Ayesha): Place to renew the state of Ihram
• Jannat al-Mu’alla Cemetery — Final resting place of Prophet (ﷺ) family members

FAQs About ‘Umrah

1. Question: What are the key steps in how to perform Umrah?hram?

The key steps in how to perform Umrah include entering Ihram with a pure intention and wearing proper attire, performing Tawaf around the Kaaba, completing Sa’i between Safa and Marwah, and ending with Halq or Taqsir to symbolize submission to Allah. These steps must be done in the correct order to fulfill the requirements of Umrah.

1. Question: Is it famous that girls can do ‘Umrah without a Mahram?

2. Question: What if I need to recall a step in the rituals?

Answer: Do ask local scholars or authorities.

3.Question: Dress code for Women in Ihram:

Answer: Wear modest clothes but without a face veil (niqab) or gloves.

Learning how to perform Umrah is not just about following a set of rituals but embarking on a spiritual journey that purifies the soul and strengthens the connection with Allah. By adhering to the steps of Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i, and Halq or Taqsir, as taught by the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), you can ensure your Umrah is meaningful and rewarding. Remember, preparation, sincerity, and devotion are key to maximizing the blessings of this sacred pilgrimage. May your journey to the holy land be filled with spiritual fulfillment and acceptance.