Umrah Guide

A step-by-step guide to performing the Umrah pilgrimage.

1. Ihram

Enter the state of Ihram at the Meeqat or before reaching it.

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً

Labbayk Allahumma Umrah

Here I am, O Allah, for Umrah.

— Muslim

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

Labbayka Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk, innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak

Ever at Your service, O Allah, every at Your service. Ever at Your service, You have no partner, ever at Your service. Verily all praise, blessings, and dominion are Yours. You have no partner.

— Bukhari & Muslim

Key Steps & Notes

Perform Ghusl and put on Ihram garments.
Offer two Rak'ahs of Sunnah (optional).
Make the intention (Niyyah) for Umrah.

2. Tawaf

Circling the Kaaba seven times in a counter-clockwise direction.

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

Bismillahi Wallahu Akbar

In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest.

— Bukhari

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina 'adhaban-nar

Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.

— Surah Al-Baqarah 2:201

Key Steps & Notes

Start at the Hajar al-Aswad (Black Stone).
Keep the Kaaba on your left.
For men, Raml (brisk walking) in the first three circuits is Sunnah.
After Tawaf, pray two Rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim or anywhere in the Masjid.

3. Sa'i

Walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa.

إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ

Innas-Safa wal-Marwata min sha'a'irillah

Indeed, Safa and Marwa are among the symbols of Allah.

— Surah Al-Baqarah 2:158

Key Steps & Notes

Start at Safa and end at Marwa.
One way is counted as one lap (total seven laps).
Drink Zamzam water before starting Sa'i.

4. Halq or Taqsir

Shaving or cutting the hair to exit the state of Ihram.

Key Steps & Notes

Men are encouraged to shave (Halq) but can also trim (Taqsir).
Women should trim their hair by the length of a fingertip.
After this, all restrictions of Ihram are lifted.