How to Perform Umrah
Umrah is the blessed lesser pilgrimage to the Sacred House of Allah in Makkah. Unlike Hajj, which falls on fixed days, Umrah can be performed at almost any time of the year, and its reward is immense. Learning how to perform Umrah step by step lets you set out with a calm heart, knowing each rite and the words that go with it.
This guide walks you through the whole journey, from entering the state of ihram at the miqat to the Talbiyah, the tawaf around the Kaaba, the sa’i between Safa and Marwa, and the final trimming of the hair, with the key supplications shown in Arabic, transliteration and English.
The Meaning and Importance of Umrah
To perform Umrah is to answer a call that stretches back to Prophet Ibrahim (AS), who raised the foundations of the Kaaba, and to walk where the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) walked. It is a journey of renewal in which sins are washed away and hearts are drawn close to their Creator. You can explore its virtues in this overview of Umrah, learn about the house at its centre in our guide to the Kaaba, and reflect on the dua of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) who built it.
One Umrah to the next is an expiation for what lies between them
Umrah is not obligatory in the way Hajj is, yet Allah calls the believers to fulfil both pilgrimages sincerely for His sake, as He commands in Quran 2:196.
وَأَتِمُّوا الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ لِلَّهِ
Wa atimmu l-hajja wal-‘umrata lillah
“And complete the Hajj and Umrah for Allah.”
How to Perform Umrah: What You Need First
Umrah has a small number of conditions and a fixed order of rites. Before you begin working out how to perform Umrah, make sure these four essentials are in place, and prepare your ihram in advance, whether that is the plain white cloths or a practical Hajj and Umrah belt for your documents.
- Purify yourself. Perform ghusl, a complete wash, before entering ihram where possible, and be in a state of wudu.
- Enter ihram at the miqat. Put on the ihram before crossing the miqat boundary. Men wear two white unstitched cloths and women wear ordinary modest clothing.
- Make a sincere intention. Intend Umrah for the sake of Allah alone, seeking His pleasure and forgiveness.
- Know the rites in order. Umrah is ihram, then tawaf, then sa’i, and finally shaving or trimming the hair.
It is also wise to prepare for the travel itself. Set out with the dua before travelling and the dua for a safe journey. Women should note that, alongside modest dress, many scholars require a mahram to accompany them.
Follow up Hajj and Umrah, for they wipe away poverty and sins
How to Perform Umrah Step by Step
Here is how to perform Umrah in seven simple steps. Move through them calmly and without rushing, keeping your heart present with Allah at every stage.
At or before the miqat, perform ghusl, put on the ihram, and make your intention for Umrah in the heart. Men wear two plain white cloths with no stitched clothing, while women keep to modest everyday dress. From this moment certain things become forbidden, such as cutting hair or nails, using perfume, and marital relations. You can prepare with the dua before entering ihram, and our guide to the ihram explains the garments in more detail.
Once in ihram, begin reciting the Talbiyah and repeat it often on your way to Makkah, raising your voice if you are a man. Learn it in full in this guide to the Talbiyah, and when your eyes first fall upon the Sacred House, greet it with the dua upon seeing the Kaaba.
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
Labbayka Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk, inna l-hamda wa n-ni’mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak.
“Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Truly all praise, favour and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.”
Circle the Kaaba seven times in an anticlockwise direction, beginning and ending at the Black Stone. Men uncover the right shoulder and walk briskly in the first three circuits. There is no fixed script, so pour out your heart, and follow the words in the dua during tawaf. Between the Yemeni corner and the Black Stone, the Prophet (pbuh) would say the beloved dua between the Yemeni corner and Black Stone.
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Rabbana atina fi d-dunya hasanatan wa fi l-akhirati hasanatan wa qina ‘adhaba n-nar.
“Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”
When your tawaf is complete, move towards the Station of Ibrahim, Maqam Ibrahim, and pray two short rak’ahs behind it if you can, or anywhere in the mosque if it is crowded. Reciting Surah Al-Kafirun in the first unit and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second is a sunnah. Turn to Allah warmly with the dua at Maqam Ibrahim.
Before or after your prayer, drink your fill of the blessed Zamzam water, which flows by the mercy of Allah from the very spot where Hajar sought water for her son. It is a sunnah to drink facing the Kaaba, in three breaths, and to ask Allah for good while you do, as in the dua for Zamzam water.
Make your way to Mount Safa to begin the sa’i, recalling that Allah named these two hills among His sacred symbols. Walk between Safa and Marwa seven times, starting at Safa and ending at Marwa, with men jogging lightly between the green markers. At each hill, face the Kaaba, raise your hands and make dua, as gathered in the dua at Safa and Marwah.
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ
Inna s-safa wal-marwata min sha’a’irillah
“Indeed, Safa and Marwa are among the symbols of Allah.”
Finally, men either shave the head completely (halq) or trim the hair all over (taqsir), with shaving carrying greater reward, while women trim a fingertip’s length from the ends of their hair. With this, your Umrah is complete, the restrictions of ihram are lifted, and you return to your normal state, forgiven and renewed by the grace of Allah.
After Your Umrah
Once your Umrah is done, hold on to the calm and closeness you have found. Thank Allah for allowing you to answer His call, and ask Him to accept it, as in the dua after completing Umrah. When the time comes to leave Makkah, bid farewell to the Sacred House with a final tawaf and the farewell tawaf dua.
Many pilgrims extend the journey to Madinah to send their greetings upon the Prophet (pbuh) at his mosque. Although this is not part of Umrah, it is deeply loved, and you can read about its virtue in what the Prophet (pbuh) said about Madinah and in our guide to the Prophet’s Mosque. For those whom Allah enables, Umrah is also a beautiful first step towards the greater pilgrimage of Hajj. May Allah accept every Umrah and return you home with a lighter heart.
Frequently Asked Questions About Umrah
Umrah is not obligatory in the same way as Hajj. Most scholars regard it as a strongly recommended sunnah, while some hold it is obligatory once in a lifetime for those who are able. Either way, its reward is great and it should not be taken lightly.
Yes. Umrah has no fixed dates and may be performed throughout the year. Performing it during the days of Hajj carries its own rulings, and Umrah in Ramadan is especially beloved, as the Prophet (pbuh) said it equals the reward of Hajj in that month.
The miqat is the appointed boundary around Makkah at which pilgrims must enter ihram. You should not cross it on your way to Makkah intending Umrah without first being in ihram. If you are flying, the crew usually announce when the miqat is near.
Women wear ordinary modest clothing that covers the body, in any colour, and there are no special ihram cloths for them. While in ihram they leave the face uncovered by a niqab and do not wear gloves, though they may cover their face from unrelated men when needed.
Hajj is the obligatory pilgrimage performed on fixed days of Dhul Hijjah, with additional rites such as standing at Arafah, staying at Muzdalifah and stoning the pillars. Umrah is shorter, can be done at any time, and consists of ihram, tawaf, sa’i and trimming the hair.
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