How to Perform Umrah: Step-by-Step Guide

This step-by-step guide explains how to perform Umrah. Learn how to enter Ihram, perform Tawaf around the Ka'bah, complete Sa'i between Safa and Marwah, and finish Umrah by shaving or trimming the hair. This Umrah guide covers the essential steps, supplications, and important rules for men and women.

How to Perform Umrah: A Step-by-Step Guide

Umrah consists of entering Ihram, performing Tawaf around the Ka'bah, performing Sa'i between Safa and Marwah, and shaving or trimming the hair. Follow the steps below and avoid rushing or harming other pilgrims.

1. Prepare for Ihram

• Perform ghusl if possible, or make wudu. Trim your nails and remove unwanted body hair before entering Ihram, if needed.
• Men wear two Ihram sheets: an upper garment (Rida) and a lower garment (Izar). Their footwear must comply with the rules of Ihram.
• Women wear their normal modest Islamic clothing. They do not need special white clothing.
• Men should not cover their heads in Ihram. Women should observe the applicable rules for face covering without allowing the covering to touch the face.
• Perfume may be applied before entering Ihram, but not after entering it.
• Two rak'ahs may be prayed before entering Ihram if it is an appropriate prayer time; they are not a condition for Ihram.

2. Enter Ihram at the Miqat

Before crossing the Miqat, make the intention for Umrah and recite the Talbiyah. Do not pass the Miqat without entering Ihram if you intend to perform Umrah.

Talbiyah (Arabic):

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

Transliteration: Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk, innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak.

Meaning: Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am; You have no partner. Indeed, all praise, blessings and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.

Continue reciting the Talbiyah during the journey. Men recite it aloud without disturbing others; women recite it quietly.

Restrictions of Ihram

• Do not apply perfume or deliberately use fragranced products on the body.
• Do not cut or remove hair or nails.
• Men must not wear ordinary fitted clothing that is prohibited in Ihram or cover their heads.
• Do not engage in marital relations or sexual activity.
• Avoid hunting, quarrelling, abusive language and harming others.
• Observe the specific rules of Ihram for footwear and face covering.

Some accidental acts and individual circumstances have specific rulings. Ask a qualified scholar if a restriction is violated.

3. Perform Tawaf

Upon reaching Masjid al-Haram, enter respectfully and proceed to the area for Tawaf. Stop reciting the Talbiyah when you begin Tawaf.

• Ensure that you have wudu and that your body and clothing are clean.
• Begin at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad), keeping the Ka'bah on your left.
• Complete seven rounds, moving anticlockwise and walking outside Hijr Ismail.
• When aligned with the Black Stone, kiss it if safely possible without pushing others. Otherwise, gesture towards it and say Allahu Akbar.
• Do not push, crowd or harm anyone to reach the Black Stone.
• When passing the Yemeni Corner, touch it if easily possible without causing harm. Do not gesture towards it if you cannot reach it.
• Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone, recite the following dua.

Dua between the two corners:

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Transliteration: Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina adhaban-nar.

Meaning: Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.

You may make other duas, recite the Quran or remember Allah during Tawaf. There is no requirement to recite a particular dua for each round.

For men: Idtiba and Ramal

• Idtiba: During Tawaf, place the upper Ihram sheet under the right armpit and over the left shoulder, leaving the right shoulder uncovered.
• Ramal: Walk briskly with short steps during the first three rounds when appropriate. Walk normally during the remaining four rounds.
• These practices apply to men when performing the relevant Tawaf and should not lead to pushing or endangering others.
• Cover the right shoulder again after Tawaf, before praying.

4. Pray Two Rak'ahs After Tawaf

• After completing seven rounds, pray two rak'ahs of Salah al-Tawaf.
• Pray behind Maqam Ibrahim if possible without causing congestion. Otherwise, pray elsewhere in Masjid al-Haram.
• Avoid the prohibited prayer times. If the time is unsuitable, ask a qualified scholar about when to pray.
• Drink Zamzam water and make dua.

5. Perform Sa'i Between Safa and Marwah

Sa'i consists of seven trips between Safa and Marwah. Begin at Safa and finish at Marwah.

1. Approach Safa and face the Ka'bah if visible. Praise Allah, remember Him and make dua.
2. Walk from Safa towards Marwah.
3. Men walk briskly between the two green markers when safe and appropriate. Women walk normally.
4. Upon reaching Marwah, remember Allah and make dua.
5. Return from Marwah to Safa for the next trip.
6. Continue until seven trips are completed. The seventh trip ends at Marwah.

Make dua and remember Allah throughout Sa'i. There is no required fixed dua for every trip.

6. Shave or Trim the Hair

After completing Tawaf and Sa'i, a pilgrim must complete the hair-cutting requirement to leave Ihram.

For men

• Shaving the entire head is preferable.
• If trimming, the Hanafi ruling requires the prescribed amount to be cut from at least one-quarter of the head, with the required length of approximately one fingertip.
• Trimming the required amount from the entire head is preferable to trimming only one-quarter.
• If the hair is too short to trim the required length, the ruling may require shaving.

For women

• Women do not shave their heads.
• They trim the required length from their hair, taking care to meet the Hanafi requirements.
• If uncertain about the amount or method, ask a qualified scholar before leaving Ihram.

Once the requirements for leaving Ihram have been fulfilled, its restrictions end.

Important Reminders

• Perform the rites in order: Ihram, Tawaf, Sa'i and hair cutting.
• purity for Tawaf is wajib. Performing Tawaf without wudu does not have the same ruling as performing it with wudu, and a penalty may be due. Seek guidance if this occurs.
• Do not neglect the two rak'ahs after Tawaf.
• Sa'i and hair cutting have their own requirements. Do not assume that omitting a required act has no consequence.
• If you cross the Miqat without entering Ihram, or miss or incorrectly perform a rite, consult a qualified scholar about the ruling and any required compensation.
• Remain patient, protect other pilgrims from harm and keep the focus on worship.

Note: This guide is an educational summary. Individual circumstances, mistakes and penalties may require a specific ruling from a qualified scholar.