Umrah Step-by-Step Guide
A comprehensive walkthrough of all the rituals and practices for performing Umrah correctly.
ENTERING THE SACRED STATE
Ihram
Ihram is the sacred state a Muslim must enter before performing Umrah. It involves specific clothing (two white seamless cloths for men) and making the intention (niyyah) at the Miqat.
- Perform ghusl (ritual bath) before wearing Ihram
- Men wear two unstitched cloths, women wear modest clothing
- Make the intention for Umrah at the Miqat
- Recite the Talbiyah: Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk…
CIRCUMAMBULATION OF THE KAABA
Tawaf
Tawaf involves walking around the Kaaba seven times in a counterclockwise direction. Begin at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) and complete seven full circuits.
- Start at the Black Stone, pointing or touching it if possible
- Keep the Kaaba on your left side
- Complete seven circuits around the Kaaba
- Pray two rak’ahs at Maqam Ibrahim after Tawaf
WALKING BETWEEN SAFA AND MARWA
Sa’i
Sa’i commemorates Hajar’s search for water for her son Ismail. Walk seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa, starting from Safa
- Start at Mount Safa facing the Kaaba
- Walk to Mount Marwa (one lap)
- Complete seven laps (ending at Marwa)
- Men should jog in the green-lit section
SHAVING OR TRIMMING HAIR
Halq / Taqsir
The final ritual of Umrah is to shave the head (Halq) or trim the hair (Taqsir). Men are recommended to shave completely, while women should trim a fingertip’s length.
- Men: Shave the head (Halq) – recommended
- Men: Or trim hair equally (Taqsir)
- Women: Trim about a fingertip’s length
- Exit the state of Ihram after completion
ESSENTIAL SUPPLICATIONS
Duas for Umrah
Talbiyah
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ
Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayk La Shareeka Laka Labbayk.
Here I am O Allah,Here I am.Here I am,You have no partner,Here I am
Dua at the Black Stone
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Bismillah, Allahu Akbar
In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest.
Dua Between Yemeni Corner and Black Stone
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah wa fil-akhirati hasanah wa qina ‘adhaban-nar.
Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the Fire.