How to Perform Umrah?

The Arabic word “Umrah” signifies the activity of visiting an inhabited area. Muslims can experience deep spiritual growth during this ‘lesser’ or ‘minor’ pilgrimage by visiting Makkah. The Islamic practice of Umrah exists as a recommended spiritual journey rather than an obligatory religious duty.

Each year millions of Muslims journey to Makkah to perform Umrah which allows them to draw closer to Allah and obtain spiritual rejuvenation.

Have you made up your mind to perform Umrah? Are you performing your first Umrah? This guide contains crucial steps that will help you perform your journey with sincere devotion.

1. Ihram and Niyyah

Before undertaking Umrah, one should prepare both physically and spiritually.

Dress in Ihram:

Men wear two white garments: one wrapped around the waist and the other draped over the shoulders. Head coverings are not permitted. Women wear the Ihram but should not cover their faces or hands. The Ihram must be donned before reaching Miqat.

Make Niyyah:

You should express your Umrah niyyah at the Miqat or as you approach it.

Examples of niyyah that may be uttered in Arabic include: Allāhumma innī urīdu l-ʿUmrata fa yassirhā lī wa taqabbalhā minnī.

Recite Talbiyyah:

The Talbiyyah must be recited after performing your niyyah to confirm your intention and enter the state of Ihram.

Labbayka llāhumma labbayk(a), labbayka lā sharīka laka labbayk(a), inna l-ḥamda wa n-ni’mata, laka wa l-mulk(a), lā sharīka lak.

Women perform the recitation in soft tones, while men deliver it in a strong voice. Allow your emotions to respond to Allah’s calls!

2. Tawaf

Entering Masjid al-Haram:

You enter the Masjid al-Haram from Bab al-Salam (the Gate of Peace). You enter the mosque with your right foot forward and offer the following dua:
Allāhumma, hādhā ḥaramuka wa amnuka fa ḥarrimnī ʿala n-nār, wa aminnī min ʿadhābika yawma tabʿathu ʿibādak, wa jʿalnī min awliyā’ika wa ahli ṭāʿatik.

Performing Tawaf:

You should be in Wudu to perform Tawaf. You should begin the first round of your Tawaf by facing right while keeping the Kaaba on your left side and walking in a counterclockwise direction.

Ramal:

During the first three circuits, men should walk quickly, lift their legs with force, and stick out their chests, a technique known as Ramal.

Rukn al-Yamani:

When you approach the Rukn al-Yamani (the Yemeni Corner) before Hajar al-Aswad, you should attempt to reach out with your right hand or both hands to touch it while declaring “Allāhu akbar (اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ).”

Recite this Dua between Rukn al-Yamani and the Hajar al-Aswad:

Rabbanā ātinā fi d-dunyā ḥasanatan wa fi l-ākhirati ḥasanatan wa qinā ʿadhāba n-nār.

It is important to complete the Tawaf continuously, without breaks in between cycles.

After Tawaf:

After performing Tawaf, recite the following verse (men should cover both of their shoulders at this point) at Maqam Ibrahim:

Wattakhidhū min maqāmi Ibrāhīma muṣalla.

Perform two ra’kahs between the Maqam Ibrahim and the Ka’aba if possible. And drink Zamzam water available around the Tawaf area.

3. Sai’

To Safa:

Sa’i should be performed right after Tawaf, according to the Sunnah. Continue toward the Safa hill, which lies inside Masjid al-Haram and parallel to the Hajar al-Aswad. Reciting the following is sunnah as you get closer to Safa:

Innaṣ-Ṣafā wa l-Marwata min shaʿā’iri Llāh.

When you get to the hill of Safa, turn toward the Kaaba and raise your hands in supplication.

To Marwa:

You should head for Marwa from Safa. You should run between the green light markers. When you get to Marwa, you should climb up on it to perform the same ritual you did when you ascended Safa. This completes one circuit.

Now you return to Safa. Complete all seven cycles between Safa and Marwa, finishing the last one on Marwa.

4. Halq (Shaving) or Taqsir (Trimming the Hair)

The final act of Umrah requires people to cut their hair:

Men: Men need to perform either complete shaving (Halq) or partial hair trimming (Taqsir).

Women: Women need to trim their hair ends by cutting off approximately 1-2 centimeters.