Often referred to as the minor Hajj because it’s not required, Umrah is highly valued and pleasing to Allah. Though similar to Hajj, Umrah can be done at any time of the year. Many believers choose to perform it during Ramadan to make the most of their pilgrimages. We’ve put together this easy-to-follow Umrah guide to help you understand how to perform Umrah.
Unlike Hajj, the rituals of Umrah are shorter and simpler.
It is a cherished practice that helps renew faith and purify the soul. During Umrah, pilgrims ask for forgiveness, pray sincerely, and seek to get closer to Allah. To get the most out of your Umrah and earn the highest rewards, it’s important to learn it.
What is Umrah?
The term “Umrah” originates from the Arabic word “i’timar,” which means “to visit.” In Islamic practice, Umrah specifically refers to the pilgrimage to the Holy Kaaba in Mecca, performed as a lesser pilgrimage. It is an act of devotion prescribed by the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Unlike Hajj, which is the major pilgrimage and occurs on specific dates in Dhul Hijjah, Umrah can be undertaken at any time throughout the year.
Now that you have a basic understanding of Umrah, let’s explore the steps involved in performing it:
The Umrah ritual consists of four main components: Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’ee, and Halq. Here’s a simple guide to the main steps of Umrah:
Enter the state of Ihram (a sacred state of purity and devotion).
Pass the Miqat (the boundary where pilgrims must enter Ihram).
Enter the Masjid al-Haram and perform Tawaf (walk around the Ka’aba).
Pray two Rak’ah at the Maqam Ibrahim and drink Zamzam water.
Perform Sa’i (walk or run between the hills of Safa and Marwa).
Finally, shave the head (Halq) or trim the hair (Taqsir).
For more details on each step of Umrah, keep reading.
Step by Step Guide to Perform Umrah
1. Prepare for Ihram:
Before entering the state of Ihram, it’s a good idea to take a shower (Ghusl), trim your nails, and remove excess body hair. Since you’ll be on an international flight, do this before leaving home. Men may also apply perfume on their head and beard but avoid getting any on the Ihram clothing.
2. Wear Ihram Clothes:
Men should wear two white sheets: one wrapped around the waist and the other over the upper body. Sandals that don’t cover the ankles are allowed, but no hats or turbans. Women can wear their usual modest clothing but should not cover their face or hands.
Change into Ihram before crossing the Miqat (the boundary marking where Ihram must be assumed). You can do this at the airport or during a stopover.
3. Pray Salah al-Ihram:
It’s a Sunnah (recommended) to pray two Rakahs of Salah before officially entering the state of Ihram. If you’re on a plane with prayer facilities, this can be done in-flight before passing the Miqat. Perform prayers with the intention of performing two Rakahs Nafl for Ihram.
The first Rakah can include Surah al-Kafirun (109), and the second can have Surah al-Ikhlas (112), though other Surahs are also fine.
4. Make the Intention (Niyyah) for Umrah:
As you approach the Miqat (usually 20-30 minutes before landing if flying), make your intention for Umrah by saying:
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً
Transliteration: Labbayk Allahumma bi-Umrah.
Translation: O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah.
5. Recite the Talbiyyah:
After making your intention, start reciting the Talbiyyah. Men should say this aloud, while women can say it softly.
لَبَّيْكَ اللهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ – لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ – إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ – لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ
Transliteration: Labbayka llāhumma labbayk(a), labbayka lā sharīka laka labbayk(a), inna l-ḥamda wa n-ni’mata, laka wa l-mulk(a), lā sharīka lak.
Translation: At Your service, O Allah, at Your service. You have no partner. All praise, blessings, and sovereignty are Yours. You have no partner.
Entering the Masjid al-Haram and Performing Tawaf
6. Entering the Masjid al-Haram:
It’s recommended to enter through the Baab Bani Shaibah (also known as Baab Salam) with your right foot first. As you step in, recite the following supplication:
اَللَّهُمَّ هَذَا حَرَمُكَ وَأَمْنُكَ فَحَرِّمْنِي عَلَى النَّارِ، وَأَمِنِّي مِنْ عَذَابِكَ يَوْمَ تَبْعَثُ عِبَادَكَ، وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنْ أَوْلِيَائِكَ وَأَهْلِ طَاعَتِكَ.
Transliteration: Allāhumma hādhā ḥaramuka wa amnuka fa ḥarrimnī ‘ala-n-Nār, wa amminnī min ‘adhābika yawma tab’athu ‘ibādak, wa j‘alnī min awliyā’ika wa ahli ṭā’atik.
Translation: Allah, this is Your sanctuary and security, so make me unlawful to Hell-Fire, make me safe from Your punishment on the day You resurrect Your servants, and make me one of Your friends and one of the people who obey You.
7. Seeing the Ka’aba:
When you first lay eyes on the Ka’aba, raise your hands in supplication. This is a special moment where prayers are often accepted. You can recite any personal dua or the following:
اَللَّهُمَّ زِدْ أَهْلَ هَذَا الْبَيْتَ تَشْرِيفاً وَتَعْظِيماً وَتَكْرِيماً وَمَهَابَةً، وَزِدْ مَنْ شَرَّفَهُ وَكَرَّمَهُ مِمَّنْ حَجَّهُ أَوْ اعْتَمَرَهُ تَشْرِيفاً وَتَكْرِيماً وَتَعْظِيماً وَبِرّاً.
Transliteration: Allāhumma zid hādhā-l-Bayta tashrīfan wa ta’ẓīman wa takrīman wa mahābah, wa zid man sharrafahu wa karramahu mimman ḥajjahu awi-’tamarahu tashrīfan wa takrīman wa ta’ẓīman wa birrā.
Translation: Allah, increase this House in honour, esteem, respect and reverence. And increase those who honour and respect it—of those who perform Hajj or ‘Umrah—in honour, respect, esteem and piety.
اَللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلاَمُ وَمِنْكَ السَّلَامُ، حَيِّنَا رَبَّنَا بِالسَّلاَمِ
Transliteration: Allāhumma Anta-s-Salāmu wa minka-s-salām, ḥayyinā Rabbanā bi-s-salām.
Translation: O Allah, You are Peace and from You is peace. Make us live, Lord, in peace.
Continue making more Dhikr, prayers, and sending blessings upon the Prophet (PBUH) as you approach the Ka’aba.
Performing Tawaf:
8. State of Wudu:
Make sure you’re in a state of Wudu before starting your Tawaf.
9. Intention:
Set the intention for Tawaf, whether aloud or silently, for the sake of Allah.
10. Istilam:
Begin your Tawaf by attempting to touch and kiss the Hajar al-Aswad (Black Stone), saying “Allahu Akbar”. While reciting, put your forehead upon it (Istilam). Repeat it at each circuit of Tawaf.
11. Symbolic Istilam:
If you can’t reach it, raise your hands to your ears, and say “Allahu Akbar” as a symbolic Istilam. Ensure your face and palms are also facing Hajar al-Aswad as if you are near to it.
12. Circling the Ka’aba:
Circle the Ka’aba seven times with the Ka’aba to your left. Each circuit starts and ends at the Black Stone.
13. For Men:
During the first three circuits, men are required to perform Raml, walking briskly with a proud posture, but only if it doesn’t disturb others.
14. Touching the Yemeni Corner:
When passing the Yemeni corner (the corner before the Hajar al-Aswad), try to touch it if possible. If not, simply continue.
15. Supplication Between Corners:
Recite the following dua between the Yemeni corner and the Black Stone:
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Rabbanā ātinā fi d-dunyā ḥasanatan wafi l-ākhirati ḥasanatan wa qinā ‘adhāba n-nār.
(O Lord, grant us the good of this world and the good of the Hereafter and save us from the punishment of the fire.)
16. Continuous Circuits:
Complete all seven circuits continuously, unless interrupted by prayer. If a prayer begins, pause your Tawaf, join the congregation, and resume from where you left off.
17. Dua and Reflection:
Throughout Tawaf, keep making dua, especially near the area between the Black Stone and the Ka’aba’s door. It is a moment for deep sincerity and personal prayers.
After Tawaf
18. Go to Maqam Ibrahim:
After completing Tawaf, head towards Maqam Ibrahim (the Station of Ibrahim). Recite this verse as you approach:
وَاتَّخِذُوا مِنْ مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى
Wattakhidhu min maqāmi Ibrāhīma muṣalla
(And take the Maqam Ibrahim as a place of prayer)
Men should now cover both shoulders with their Ihram.
19. Pray Two Rak’ahs:
Perform two Rak’ahs of Salah near Maqam Ibrahim, with the Ka’aba in view. In the first Rak’ah, it is Sunnah to recite Surah Kafirun, and in the second, Surah Ikhlas.
20. Drink Zamzam Water:
After Salah, drink Zamzam water from the fountains nearby. When drinking, make an intention, such as for healing, guidance, or any personal request.
21. Visit the Multazam:
If you choose and the crowd allows, go to the Multazam, the area between the Black Stone and the Ka’aba’s door. Raise your hands in supplication, press your chest and cheeks to the wall, and make heartfelt duas, as this is another place where prayers are accepted.
22. If You Can’t Reach the Multazam:
If the area is too crowded, you can still face the Multazam from a distance and make your dua.
23. Return to the Black Stone:
It’s Sunnah to return to the Hajar al-Aswad (Black Stone) and perform Istilam (touching or gesturing towards the stone) again if you can, before continuing to Sa’i.
Sa’i
24. Walking to Safa:
After Tawaf, the next step of performing Umrah is to proceed to the hill of Safa inside the Masjid al-Haram, in line with the Hajar al-Aswad. As you begin, recite the following verse:
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ
Inna ṣ-ṣafā wa l-marwata min sha’ā’iri llāh
(Indeed, Safa and Marwa are from the signs of Allah)
Then recite:
أَبْدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللهُ بِهِ
Abda’u bimā bad’allahu bihi
(I begin with what Allah has started with)
25. Atop Safa:
When you reach the top of Safa, face the direction of the Ka’aba, even if you can’t see it, and raise your hands in supplication. Recite “Allahu Akbar” (Takbir), “La ilaha illallah” (Tahlil), and send blessings upon the Prophet (PBUH).
It is also Sunnah to say the following:
اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلّٰهِ الْحَمْدُ
Transliteration: Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, wa lillāhi l-ḥamd.
Translation: Allah is the greatest; Allah is the greatest; Allah is the greatest, and to Allah belongs all praise.
لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Transliteration: Lā ilāha illallāh waḥdahu lā sharīka lah(u), lahu l-mulku wa lahu l-ḥamdu yuḥyī wa yumīt(u), wa huwa ‘alā kulli shay’in qadīr.
Translation: There is no deity except Allah, alone without a partner. To Him belongs the Dominion, and to Him belongs all praise. He gives life and death and He has power over everything.
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اَللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ، اَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَهَزَمَ اَلْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ
Transliteration: Lā ilāha illallāhu waḥdah(u), anjaza wa’dahu wa naṣara ‘abdahu wa hazama l-aḥzāba waḥdah.
Translation: There is no deity except Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, supported His slave and defeated the confederates alone.
Repeat this dua three times, making your own personal prayers in between each recitation.
26. Walking to Marwa:
After supplication on Safa, begin walking towards Marwa. Men should jog between the two green lights, marking the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH). When you reach Marwa, climb upon it and repeat the same supplication and actions as on Safa. It will count as one circuit.
27. Repeat Step 25
Then you need to return back to Safa and repeat step 25 to complete two circuits.
28. Completing Seven Circuits:
Continue going back and forth between Safa and Marwa, repeating the same steps at each hill. Completing a trip from Safa to Marwa counts as one circuit. Complete a total of seven circuits, ending on Marwa.
29. Halq or Taqsir- Cutting Hair:
To complete the Sa’i, men should shave their heads, while women trim a small portion of their hair (about the length of a fingertip). This act symbolizes leaving the state of Ihram.
30. Umrah Complete:
With this final step, your Umrah is now complete. Mubarak!
Final Words on, How To Perform Umrah
Performing Umrah is a deeply rewarding spiritual journey that brings believers closer to Allah, providing an opportunity for forgiveness, purification, and renewal of faith. By understanding and following the steps outlined in this guide, you can perform Umrah with the confidence and knowledge needed to fulfill its sacred rituals correctly.
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