Planning to perform Umrah but not sure where to start? Whether it's your first Umrah or you seek a smoother journey, this guide simplifies every step. With practical tips and authentic references, it's your complete companion for a peaceful pilgrimage. Ready to begin your spiritual journey? Let’s walk through it together.
Before you begin your Umrah journey, focus on preparing your heart and mind. You must take this step with full awareness. Let’s go through how you can get ready spiritually.
Before you leave for Umrah, it’s important to get everything ready on time. Good planning helps you avoid stress later. From your documents to your packing, every step is important. These are mostly applicable for someone going from outside of Saudi Arabia for Umrah. However, you can get an idea about the preparations you need if you are a local. Here’s a simple guide to help you prepare:
Umrah has four main steps: Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i, and Halq or Taqsir. Every step must follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH). The following guide will walk you through every step with correct actions, du'as, and rulings. Follow carefully to complete your Umrah properly.
Before Umrah, you must enter the state of Ihram.
Step 1: Prepare Yourself
Trim your nails and remove hair from your armpits and below the navel before entering Ihram. But it is optional. However, remember, once you're in the state of Ihram, cutting your hair or nails is not allowed.
After that, take a full shower (ghusl). If you're not able to, do wudhu instead.
Men can apply perfume to their hair or beard, but not on the Ihram clothes.
Step 2: Wear Ihram Before Miqat
Men wear two unstitched white clothes, izar for the lower body and rida for the upper.
Women should wear regular modest clothing that meets Islamic guidelines. However, do not wear gloves or cover your face while in the state of ihram.
Use sandals that leave the ankles and the top of the feet exposed.
You must put on your ihram clothing before crossing the Miqat—a specific boundary or last point where pilgrims must enter the state of ihram (a sacred state required for Umrah or Hajj). This is an essential step, and it must be done before entering the holy area of Makkah.
If you're flying to Saudi Arabia, it's best to change into your ihram at the airport before boarding your flight or during a layover, depending on when you’ll pass the Miqat.
Step 3: Pray Two Rak'ahs
It is Sunnah to pray two Rakahs before entering the state of Ihram. You can do this after changing clothes at the airport or on the plane before passing the Miqat, if there is a place to pray. If you are a local you can pray at Masjid near the Miqat.
Make the intention to pray two Nafl Rakahs for Ihram. It is recommended to recite Surah Al-Kafirun (109) in the first Rakah and Surah Al-Ikhlas (112) in the second, but you can recite other Surahs if you prefer.
Step 5: Make Intention
Make your intention (niyyah) for Umrah when you reach the Miqat or just before it. Then say:
لَبَّيْكَ اَللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً
Labbayka Allahumma Umrah
"O Allah, I am here to perform Umrah."
Step 6: Say the Talbiyah
Right after the intention, say the Talbiyah. Men should say it out loud without bothering others, and women should say it quietly:
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْك، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْك، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْك، لَا شَرِيكَ لَك
Labbayka Allahumma labbayk, labbayka laa sharika laka labbayk, inna al-hamda wan-ni‘mata laka wal-mulk, laa sharika lak.
"Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Surely all praise, blessings, and authority belong to You. You have no partner."
Saying this confirms you are in Ihram. Keep repeating it until you reach Masjid al-Haram.
You can take rest before entering Masjid-Al-Haram to perform Tawaf after arriving in Makkah. It is recommended to enter Masjid al-Haram through Baab Bani Shaibah, also called Baab Salam. When entering, step in with your right foot first. You should also say this du'a:
اللَّهُمَّ هَذَا حَرَمُكَ وَأَمْنُكَ فَحَرِّمْنِي عَلَى النَّارِ، وَأَمِنِّي مِنْ عَذَابِكَ يَوْمَ تَبْعَثُ عِبَادَكَ، وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنْ أَوْلِيَائِكَ وَأَهْلِ طَاعَتِكَ.
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.
“O Allah, this is Your sacred place and safety. Please protect me from the Fire, keep me safe from Your punishment on the Day You raise Your servants, and make me one of Your close friends and obedient servants.”
After entering it, Tawaf starts. Follow the steps below.
1. Begin with Intention and Istilam
Before starting Tawaf, you must be in a state of Wudu (ablution). Make your intention to do Tawaf for the sake of Allah (SWT), either in your heart or by saying it out loud. Stand facing the Kaaba and line up with the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad). Then make this intention:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ طَوَافَ بَيْتِكَ الْحَرَامِ فَيَسِّرْهُ لِي وَتَقَبَّلْهُ مِنِّي
Allāhumma innī urīdu l-ṭawwafa baytika l-ḥarāmi fa yassirhu lī wa taqabbalhu minnī.
"O Allah, I intend to perform Tawaf of the Sacred Mosque, so accept it from me and make it easy for me."
Next, perform Istilam. If possible, touch the Hajar al-Aswad (Black Stone) with your right hand, kiss it, and gently place your forehead on it while saying:
بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ وَاللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ
Bismi Llāhi wallāhu akbar
"In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest."
If you cannot reach the Black Stone due to the crowd, you may perform Istilam from a distance. Face the Hajar al-Aswad directly, raise both hands up to your earlobes as you would when starting Salah, with your palms facing the Black Stone. Then say "Bismi Llāhi wallāhu akbar". This act is Sunnah.
2. Commence the First Circuit and Complete 7 Circuits
Turn right, keeping the Kaaba on your left, and begin the first of seven rounds. Men should perform Raml (brisk walking) in the first three circuits, which is a Sunnah.
For each circuit, upon reaching the Hajar al-Aswad, perform Istilam as described above. Between the Rukn al-Yamani and the Hajar al-Aswad, recite:
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 our Lord, grant us the good of this world, the good of the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the fire."
This supplication is recommended throughout the Tawaf.
3. After Completing the Seven Circuits
After completing Tawaf, proceed to Maqam Ibrahim (the Station of Ibrahim) and recite the verse (men should cover both shoulders at this point):
وَاتَّخِذُوا مِنْ مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى
Wattakhidhu min maqāmi Ibrāhīma muṣalla
"And take the Maqam Ibrahim as a place of Salah."
Then, perform two Rak’ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim, facing the Kaaba. It is Sunnah to recite Surah Al-Kafirun in the first Rak’ah and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second.
After praying, drink Zamzam water (optional), which is available near the Tawaf area. While drinking, make a personal niyyah, such as asking Allah for healing or a specific need.
If possible, visit the Multazam, the area between the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) and the door of the Kaaba. Raise your hands above your head, press your chest and cheeks to the wall, and make sincere supplications, as this is a blessed place where prayers are accepted. If you cannot reach the Multazam due to crowds, face it from a distance and pray.
Finally, if you are able, return to the Hajar al-Aswad and perform Istilam again by touching or gesturing toward it. These steps are part of the recommended Sunnah practices during Umrah, helping to deepen your spiritual connection.
Sa’i reminds us of Hajar (AS). She ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa, looking for water for her baby, Isma’il (AS), who was crying. She had strong faith in Allah (SWT). She ran seven times. Then Angel Jibril (AS) came and caused water to flow from the ground. This became the Zamzam spring. Her story teaches us about faith and effort. Allah honored her actions by making them a part of pilgrimage.
Start After Tawaf
Start Sa’i after Tawaf. Walk towards the hill of Safa, which is located inside Masjid al-Haram, in line with the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad). When you reach Safa, you should recite this verse:
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ
Inna as-Safa wal-Marwata min sha’a’irillah
"Indeed, Safa and Marwa are among the symbols of Allah."
Then say:
أَبْدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللهُ بِهِ
Abda’u bimā bada’a Allahu bihi
"I begin with what Allah began with."
Make Du’a at Safa
When you reach the hill of Safa, turn to face the direction of the Kaaba and raise your hands in du'a (supplication). You might not be able to see the Kaaba, so try your best to face its direction. Then you can say Takbir, Tahlil and send Salawat upon the Prophet (PBUH). These are given below.
Takbir
اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allāhu akbar
"Allah is the Greatest"
Tahlil
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ
Lā ilāha illā Allāh
"There is no god but Allah"
It is Sunnah to recite the following:
اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلّٰهِ الْحَمْدُ
Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, wa lillāhi al-ḥamd.
"Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and all praise is for Allah."
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Lā ilāha illā-Allāh waḥdahu lā sharīka lah, lahu al-mulku wa lahu al-ḥamdu, yuḥyī wa yumīt, wa huwa ‘alā kulli shay’in qadīr.
"There is no God but Allah, alone without any partner. His is the Kingdom, and His is all praise. He gives life and causes death, and He has power over all things."
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ، أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ، وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ، وَهَزَمَ الْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ
Lā ilāha illā-Allāh waḥdah, anjaza wa’dah, wa naṣara ‘abdah, wa hazama al-aḥzāba waḥdah.
"There is no God but Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, helped His servant, and defeated the enemy groups by Himself."
After saying these, you may make your own du'as. It is Sunnah to repeat the full supplication three times and making your personal supplications in between.
Walk to Marwa – First Lap
Walk from Safa towards Marwa. Men should run (or briskly jog) between the fluorescent green lights, while women should walk at a normal pace. During this, say any du’a or dhikr you wish, and you may also send Salawat on the Prophet (PBUH). Upon reaching Marwa, climb onto it (step up onto the marked area) and face the Kaaba. Raise your hands and repeat the same du’as you said at Safa.
Complete All Seven Laps
Return back to Safa and repeat the process. This is the second lap. Continue walking between Safa and Marwa, starting from where you stopped and saying your own du’as. Repeat until you complete seven circuits in total, finishing the seventh lap at Marwa.
End of Sa’i
After completing the seventh lap at Marwa, your Sa’i ends. There is no specific du’a prescribed to conclude. Sit, reflect, and thank Allah (SWT) for His blessings. It is recommended to make a final du’a and pray two rak’ahs of nafl salah in Masjid al-Haram.
Step 1: Leave Masjid al-Haram
Once you finish Sa’i, leave Masjid al-Haram calmly. Step out with your left foot first. It is Sunnah to say this du'a as you leave the mosque:
بِسْمِ اللّهِ وَالصَّلاَةُ وَالسَّلاَمُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللّهِ، اَللَّهُـمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْـلِكَ، اَللَّهُـمَّ اعْصِمْنِـي مِنَ الشَّيْـطَانِ الرَّجِـيمِ.
Bismil-lah wassalatu wassalamu AAala rasoolil-lah, allahumma innee as-aluka min fadlik, allahumma iAAsimnee minash-shaytanir-rajeem.
"In the name of Allah, and prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, I ask You from Your favour. O Allah, guard me from the accursed devil."
Step 2: Do Halq or Taqsir
Now, you need to either shave or trim your hair. This step marks the end of your Umrah.
Rules for Men
Men have two options: Halq or Taqsir. Halq means shaving the entire head to leave the state of Ihram and complete Umrah. Taqsir means cutting at least one inch of hair from the whole head. Shaving is preferred for men if they can do it.
Women do not shave their heads for Umrah. They only need to trim a small part of their hair, about an inch or equal to the length of their fingertip, from the end of each braid or hair lock. This completes the requirement and brings them out of the state of Ihram.
There are shops for getting your hair cut. These are open all day and only close during prayer times. Many are located near Marwa, in Zamzam Towers, Hilton, and Al-Safwa Towers. You can also do it yourself, it’s allowed. Once you're finished, your Umrah is complete.
Do you have to go fully bald for Umrah?
No, you do not need to shave your head. It is enough to shorten your hair. Many men choose to trim instead. Women must cut a small part of their hair. Both ways are valid and accepted.
Before you begin Umrah, you should know the key Sunnahs and etiquettes. These help you stay focused and make your Umrah better.
If you want to make your Umrah more meaningful, there are some extra things you can do. These tips help you grow spiritually and connect deeply with your purpose. Each one has value, and together they can truly uplift your journey.
May your Umrah be accepted, your prayers answered, and your heart filled with peace. Every step you take is a chance to grow closer to Allah (SWT) and reflect deeply on your purpose. Carry the blessings of this journey into your daily life. Now, it’s your turn to walk forward with faith, humility, and gratitude.
