How to Perform Umrah: Step by Step Guide


Umrah is the journey of a lifetime for millions of Muslims: standing before the Kaaba, walking the same path Hajar walked between Safa and Marwah, and answering Allah’s call with the words “Labbayk Allahumma labbayk”. Unlike Hajj, Umrah can be performed at any time of the year, and it takes only a few hours once you reach Makkah. But to perform it correctly, you need to know its steps clearly. In this guide you will learn how to perform Umrah step by step, with the duas, the rules of ihram and practical tips for your journey.


The Virtues of Umrah


Allah commands: "وَأَتِمُّوا الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ لِلَّهِ" (Surah Al Baqarah 2:196), and complete the Hajj and

Umrah for Allah. The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ said:




الْعُمْرَةُ إِلَى الْعُمْرَةِ كَفَّارَةٌ لِمَا بَيْنَهُمَا، وَالْحَجُّ الْمَبْرُورُ لَيْسَ لَهُ جَزَاءٌ إِلَّا الْجَنَّةُ (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadith 1773; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1349)
One Umrah to the next is an expiation for what is between them, and an accepted Hajj has no reward except Paradise.

He also said that an Umrah in Ramadan is equal in reward to a Hajj (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadith 1782; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1256).


The Four Essential Acts of Umrah


Umrah is built on four acts:




  1. Ihram: entering the sacred state with intention and Talbiyah.
  2. Tawaf: walking seven times around the Kaaba.
  3. Sa’i: walking seven times between Safa and Marwah.
  4. Halq or Taqsir: shaving or trimming the hair.


Step 1: Prepare for Ihram


Before reaching the miqat (the boundary where ihram must be entered):




  • Trim your nails, remove unwanted hair and take a ghusl.
  • Men wear two plain, unstitched white sheets: one around the waist (izar) and one over the shoulders (rida), with sandals that leave the ankles uncovered.
  • Women wear their normal modest clothing, in any colour, but must not cover the face with a niqab or wear gloves (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadith 1838).
  • Men may apply perfume to the body before making the intention, but not to the ihram clothes.


Step 2: Enter Ihram at the Miqat


When you reach the miqat, make the intention for Umrah and say:




لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً

Meaning: Here I am, O Allah, for Umrah.

If you are flying, the plane will pass the miqat before landing in Jeddah, so put on ihram before or during the flight and make the intention when the crew announces the miqat.


Step 3: Recite the Talbiyah


After making the intention, recite the Talbiyah often until you begin tawaf. Men recite it aloud and women quietly:




لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadith 1549; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1184)

Meaning: Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Indeed, all praise, blessings and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.


The Rules of Ihram


Once in ihram, the following are not allowed until the Umrah is complete:




  • Applying perfume
  • Cutting hair or nails
  • Sexual relations or intimacy
  • Hunting
  • For men: wearing stitched clothes or covering the head
  • For women: covering the face with a niqab or wearing gloves


Step 4: Perform Tawaf


Enter Masjid al Haram with your right foot, reciting the dua for entering the mosque. Stop the Talbiyah when you begin tawaf.




  • Start at the Black Stone (Hajar al Aswad). Face it, raise your right hand towards it and say: “Bismillahi wallahu Akbar”. If you can reach it, touch or kiss it; if not, simply point towards it.
  • Walk seven circuits around the Kaaba, keeping it on your left.
  • Men uncover the right shoulder (idtiba) during this tawaf, and walk briskly in the first three circuits (raml), if possible.
  • Make any dua in your own words throughout tawaf. Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone, recite:
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith 1892)


Step 5: Pray Two Rakats at Maqam Ibrahim


After tawaf, cover your right shoulder and pray two rakats behind Maqam Ibrahim if possible, or anywhere in the mosque if it is crowded. Allah says: "وَاتَّخِذُوا مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى" (Surah Al Baqarah 2:125). The Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ recited Surah Al Kafirun and Surah Al Ikhlas in these two rakats (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1218). Then drink Zamzam water and make dua.


Step 6: Perform Sa’i Between Safa and Marwah


Go to Mount Safa. As you approach it, recite:




إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ (Surah Al Baqarah 2:158)

Face the Kaaba, raise your hands, praise Allah and make dua. Then walk to Marwah, which completes one lap. Walking back to Safa is the second lap. Complete seven laps, ending at Marwah. Men walk briskly between the green lights. You may make any dua in your own words throughout sa’i.


Step 7: Shave or Trim Your Hair




  • Men shave the head (halq) or trim the hair short from all over the head (taqsir). Shaving is better: the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ prayed three times for those who shave, and once for those who trim (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadith 1727).
  • Women gather their hair and cut about a fingertip’s length from the ends.

Your Umrah is now complete, and all the restrictions of ihram are lifted.


Guidance for Women


A woman who is menstruating can enter ihram and do everything except tawaf until she becomes pure. The Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ told Aishah: do everything the pilgrims do, except tawaf around the House, until you become pure (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadith 305). Once pure, she takes a ghusl and completes her Umrah.


Practical Tips




  • Check the latest rules: Saudi authorities update visa and permit requirements from time to time, such as permits through the official Nusuk app, so check current regulations before you travel.
  • Avoid peak times for tawaf if possible; late night and mid morning are often less crowded.
  • Stay hydrated and wear comfortable sandals.
  • Keep a small dua list for yourself, your family and the Ummah.


A Final Word


Umrah is a journey from the heart to the House of Allah. Every step, from the first Talbiyah to the last lap of sa’i, is a declaration of love, humility and obedience. Learn the steps before you go, so that when you stand before the Kaaba, your mind is free to focus on what truly matters: your Lord, your dua and your renewal.