Step-by-Step Guide

Your Complete Umrah Guide

A practical guide to performing Umrah, from entering the state of Ihram to completing your sacred rites. Follow along on the page or download the PDF for your journey.
Preparation · 1 of 10 PDF
01

Preparation

Ihram

Entering the Sacred State

Recommended sunan before Ihram

  • Before wearing Ihram, perform ghusl or wudu. Men may apply fragrance on the body only (not on the Ihram clothes).
  • If possible, pray 2 rakʿahs before entering Ihram (this can be performed during a flight)
  • Enter the state of Ihram before crossing the Miqat* (just before it, on a flight, is permissible)

For men

Two unstitched cloths only and minimal footwear, without covering head/face, ankle or instep.

For women

Modest clothing covering the body, with no face-covering or gloves while in Ihram.

To make the intention for Umrah (to enter the state of Ihram), recite the following at the Miqat*:

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ بِعُمْرَةٍ

Labbaikallāhumma bi-ʿUmrah.

[Here I am, O Allāh, making Umrah]

If fearing obstacles, recite the following:

اللَّهُمَّ مَحِلِّي حَيْثُ حَبَسْتَنِي

Allāhumma mahillee haithu habastani

[O Allāh, my place is wherever You prevent me]

Miqat*: A boundary where Muslims must enter a state of Ihram before performing Hajj or Umrah.

02

Preparation

Talbiyah

The Sacred Chant

Prohibitions in the state of Ihram (for men and women)

  • Cutting nails or removing hair (including beard)
  • Using perfume on the body or clothes
  • Marriage, engagement, proposal, or divorce
  • Hunting or killing any animals (including insects)
  • Marital intimacy, kissing, or touching with desire
  • Engaging in obscene speech or committing sinful acts

After Niyyah, recite the following Talbiyah aloud (men only) repeatedly until reaching the Ka'bah. [Women should recite quietly.]

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

Labbaikallāhumma labbaik, labbaika lā shareeka laka labbaik, innal-ḥamda wan-niʿmata laka wal-mulk, lā shareeka lak

[Here I am, O Allāh, here I am. You have no partner. Here I am. Verily, all praise, blessings, and dominion are Yours. You have no partner.]

03

Preparation

Entering the Masjid

Prepare Your Heart

Enter the Masjid with your right foot and recite:

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ

Bismillāhi, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Allāhummaftaḥ lee abwāba raḥmatik.

[In the name of Allāh. May peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allāh. O Allāh, open for me the doors of Your mercy.]

Reminders

  • Remain in a state of Wudu, prepared for both Tawaf and Salah
  • Avoid pushing, disturbing, or distracting others at all times
  • Enter with humility and proceed towards the Ka'bah
  • Tawaf will begin at the Black Stone (Hajr al-Aswad), located opposite the green lights

Did you know?

A single prayer offered in Masjid al-Ḥaram carries the reward of 100,000 prayers, while Masjid al-Nabawi and Masjid al-Aqsa carry the reward of 1000 and 500 respectfully

04

Tawaf

Tawaf

Circling the Kaaba

Tawaf information before beginning

  • Tawaf consists of seven circuits, beginning/ending at the Black Stone.
  • Move anticlockwise, keeping your left shoulder facing the Kaaʿbah.
  • Do not enter Hijr Isma'il (Hateem), the semi-circular area, as it is part of the Ka'bah.

Begin Tawaf at the Black Stone. Men should uncover the right shoulder (Idtiba). The Sunnah is to touch or kiss the Stone, but if this is not possible, raise your right hand towards it and say:

For the first round:

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

Bismillāh, Wallāhu Akbar

[In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest]

For subsequent rounds say:

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

Allāhu Akbar

[Allah is the Greatest]

For men

First 3 rounds: brisk walk (raml), to imitate the Sunnah. Last 4 rounds: walk at a normal pace.

For women

Women should walk at a normal pace for all 7 rounds.

05

Tawaf

Tawaf Continued

Circling the Kaaba

There are no specific du'ās prescribed during Tawaf. However, it is Sunnah to recite the following du'ā between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone:

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Rabbanā ātinā fid-dunyā ḥasanah wa fil-ākhirati ḥasanah wa qinā ʿadhāban-nār

[Our Lord, give us good in this world, good in the Hereafter, and save us from the Fire]

Reminders

  • Complete 7 full rounds — missing one invalidates Tawaf. If unsure of your count, go with the lower number you are certain of, then complete the remaining rounds.
  • If Salah begins, stop Tawaf and join the prayer. Men should cover their right shoulder during Salah. After prayer, uncover it and resume Tawaf from where you stopped.
  • During Tawaf, you may recite Qur'an, make duʿā, or engage in dhikr in any language.
  • At the end of the 7th circuit, do not raise your hand or repeat the takbīr
  • Ṭawāf may be performed at any hour, day or night — even at the times when voluntary prayer is otherwise paused.
06

Tawaf

At Maqam Ibrahim

Station of Ibrahim

After completing the 7 rounds of Tawaf, men should cover their right shoulder.

Proceed to Maqam Ibrahim (the Station of Ibrahim) and stand so that it is between you and the Ka'bah, then recite:

وَاتَّخِذُوا مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى

Wattakhidhū mim-maqāmi Ibrāhīma muṣallā.

[And take the standing place of Ibrahim as a place of prayer]

— Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:125

Now perform two Rak'ahs of Tawaf Salah near Maqam Ibrahim. If it is crowded, you may pray anywhere in the Masjid. It is Sunnah to recite:

  • First Rak'ah: Surah Al-Fatiha followed by Surah Al-Kāfirūn
  • Second Rak'ah: Surah Al-Fatiha followed by Surah Al-Ikhlāṣ

Together these two surahs declare pure tawḥīd — rejecting all false worship and affirming Allah's oneness.

Did you know?

The Maqam is the very stone Prophet Ibrāhīm (ʿalayhis-salām) stood on while building the Ka'bah. His footprints remain, preserved in the glass and gold case you pass during Ṭawāf.

07

Sa'yee

Say'ee

Between Safa and Marwa

Sa'yee begins at Safa. At the foot of Safa, recite the following verse (only the first time):

إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ ۖ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا ۚ وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ

Innas safa walmarwata ming sha'aa-irillah. Faman hajjalbaita awi'tamara fala junaaha 'alayhi aiyattwawwafa bihima. Wamang ta-twawwa'a khayrang fa'innallaaha shaakirun 'alim.

[Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever performs Hajj to the House or 'Umrah – there is no blame upon him for walking between them. And whoever does good voluntarily – then indeed, Allah is Appreciative and Knowing.]

— Surah Al-Baqarah 2:158

08

Sa'yee

Say'ee Continued

Between Safa and Marwa

When on Safa, face the Ka'bah and recite the Dua below (once or three times), raising your hands. Make plentiful supplications after each recital.

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ. لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ، لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ، وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ، وَهَزَمَ الْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ

Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar. Laa ilaha illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wahuwa 'alaa kulli shayin qadeer, La ilaha illallahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, anjaza wa'dahu wa nasara 'abdahu wa hazamal-ahzaba wahdah.

[Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is none worthy of worship except Allah alone, without partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and all praise. He gives life and death, and He is Powerful over all things. There is no god but Allah, alone without partner. He fulfilled His promise, supported His servant, and defeated the Confederates by Himself.]

09

Sa'yee

Say'ee Continued

Between Safa and Marwa

Actions during Say'ee

  • Then walk from Safa to Marwah. At Marwah, face the Ka'abah and recite the du'ā above again, making plentiful supplications after each recital. This completes one circuit
  • Then return to Safa and repeat. Continue until you complete 7 circuits, ending at Marwah.
  • While walking between the two hills, make abundant du'ā, recite Qur'an, and send ṣalawāt (Durūd) upon the Prophet ﷺ.

Green markers

For men

Begin walking normally. Along the way, you will pass two green markers. Between these markers, men should jog or run, emulating the action of Hājar ('alayhas-salām). Outside of these markers, continue walking at a normal pace. Repeat this pattern for each lap between Safa and Marwah.

For women

Women should walk at a normal pace. Jogging is not required.

After completing the 7th round at Marwah, your Sa'yee is complete.

Following the completion of Sa'yee, proceed to exit the Masjid and complete the final steps of 'Umrah.

10

Completion

Completing Umrah

Prepare Your Heart

After completing Sa'yee, you may now exit Masjid al-Haram. As per the Sunnah, step out with your left foot while reciting:

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ

Bismillah, was-salatu was-salamu 'ala Rasulillah, Allahumma inni as-aluka min fadlik.

[In the name of Allah, and peace and blessing be upon the messenger of Allah. O Allah, I ask you from Your bounty.]

To complete Umrah, shave or trim your hair

For men

Either shave (ḥalq) or trim (taqṣīr) your hair. Shaving is the more virtuous option according to the Sunnah. However, trimming at least one inch of hair is also permissible.

For women

Women must cut a small portion of their hair (about the length of a fingertip) from the ends. Shaving is not permissible for women.

After this, your 'Umrah is complete. No further restrictions apply, except avoiding what is sinful.

Taqabbalallahu Minnaa Waminkum

May Allah accept it from us and from you.

Before You Go

Preparation Tips

Packing Essentials

Comfortable walking shoes, Ihram garments, prayer mat, unscented toiletries, prescription medications, portable charger, and a small dua book or app.

Spiritual Preparation

Learn the duas and rituals before you travel. Make a list of people to make dua for. Settle any debts and seek forgiveness from others before departing.

Health & Fitness

Build up your walking stamina — you'll cover significant distances. Stay hydrated, bring blister plasters, and ensure vaccinations are up to date.

Documents

Passport (valid 6+ months), Umrah visa, flight tickets, hotel confirmations, travel insurance, and emergency contact details. Keep digital copies of everything.

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