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How to perform Umrah

A practical walkthrough

How to perform Umrah

Follow the rites in order, from entering Ihram at the Miqat to the final cutting of the hair. Each step below is what you actually do, with the du'as and references.

  1. 1

    Ihram — the sacred state

    At or before the Miqat (the boundary stations), the pilgrim performs ghusl or wudu. Men wear two unstitched white cloths (the izar and the rida); women wear ordinary modest dress. You then make the intention (niyyah) for Umrah and recite the Talbiyah.

    From this moment the restrictions of Ihram begin: no cutting hair or nails, no perfume, no sewn garments for men, no covering the head for men, no marital relations, and no hunting.

    Du'a

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

    Labbayka-llāhumma labbayk, labbayka lā sharīka laka labbayk, inna l-ḥamda wa n-niʿmata laka wa l-mulk, lā sharīka 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 are Yours. You have no partner.”

    Reference: The Talbiyah; restrictions per the Sunnah

  2. 2

    Tawaf — circling the Kaaba

    Make seven circuits counter-clockwise around the Kaaba, beginning and ending at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) — kiss it, touch it, or simply point toward it saying “Bismillāh, Allāhu akbar.” Men keep the right shoulder uncovered (idtibāʿ) and walk briskly (raml) in the first three circuits.

    Du'a is made throughout; between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone the Prophet ﷺ recited “Rabbanā ātinā fi'd-dunyā ḥasanah…” (Qur'an 2:201). After Tawaf, pray two rak'ah behind the Maqam Ibrahim if possible, then drink Zamzam.

    Du'a

    ⟶ paste Qur'an 2:201 Arabic from quran.com

    Rabbana atina fi'd-dunya hasanah wa fi'l-akhirati hasanah wa qina 'adhab an-nar

    Reference: Qur'an 2:201

    Reference: Qur'an 2:125, 2:127, 22:29

  3. 3

    Sa'i — between Safa and Marwah

    Walk seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah (Safa to Marwah is the first; the seventh ends at Marwah). Men jog between the green markers. At Safa, recite “Inna ṣ-Ṣafā wa l-Marwata min shaʿāʾiri-llāh…” (Qur'an 2:158), face the Kaaba, make takbir and du'a.

    Du'a

    ⟶ paste Qur'an 2:158 Arabic from quran.com

    Inna s-Safa wa l-Marwata min sha'a'iri-llah

    Reference: Qur'an 2:158

    Reference: Qur'an 2:158

  4. 4

    Halq or Taqsir — cutting the hair

    Men either shave the head completely (halq, which is more rewarded) or trim it (taqsir); women trim a fingertip's length from the ends. This exits the state of Ihram and completes the Umrah.

    Reference: Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ

Want the deeper meaning?

Read why each rite is performed — the story of Ibrahim عليه السلام and Hajrah رضي الله عنها behind the steps — in the four rites of Umrah.

The meaning of the four rites