How to Perform Umrah Step by Step (Complete Guide)

How to Perform Umrah Step by Step (Complete Guide)

If you are preparing for your first Umrah or want to refresh your knowledge, this guide explains how to perform Umrah step by step in a clear and simple way. Many pilgrims feel overwhelmed before their trip, unsure about the correct order, what to say, or how to avoid common errors. This complete Umrah guide walks you through everything — from putting on Ihram to cutting your hair — so you can focus on what truly matters: your worship and your connection with Allah.

What is Umrah?

Umrah is the lesser pilgrimage to Makkah. Unlike Hajj, it can be performed at any time of the year and is not compulsory, but it is a highly recommended act of worship. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "An Umrah to another Umrah is expiation for what is between them." (Bukhari and Muslim)

Umrah consists of four main rituals: entering Ihram, performing Tawaf around the Kaaba, praying two rak'ahs after Tawaf, and completing Sa'i between Safa and Marwa — followed by cutting or shaving the hair. Understanding each stage is essential before you travel.

For a broader overview of the pilgrimage, visit our Umrah guide.

Preparation Before Umrah

Good preparation makes your Umrah easier and more spiritually rewarding.

Learn the rituals in advance. Study each step before you arrive. Knowing what comes next keeps you calm and focused in the crowds.

Pack the essentials. Bring your Ihram garments, unscented soap, comfortable sandals, and a small dua booklet. Check our Umrah checklist for a complete packing list.

Learn the key duas. You do not need to memorize every dua. Focus on the most important ones for the Miqat, Tawaf, and Sa'i.

Prepare physically. Umrah involves several kilometres of walking. Exercise regularly in the weeks before your trip and wear in your footwear.

Set your intention. Umrah is an act of worship. Reflect on why you are going and what you want to ask Allah for. Arrive with a sincere and open heart.

Step-by-Step Umrah Guide

Here is a clear breakdown of how to perform Umrah step by step, from the Miqat to the final act of hair cutting.

Step 1: Enter Ihram at the Miqat

The Miqat is a designated boundary around Makkah. You must enter the state of Ihram before crossing it.

• Perform ghusl (a full ritual bath) and clean yourself thoroughly.
• Men wear two white, unsewn sheets of cloth. Women wear their normal modest clothing. Women do not wear niqab or gloves while in Ihram according to the majority view.
• Apply no perfume to your body or garments once you are in Ihram.
• Pray two rak'ahs of voluntary salah if the time is not a prohibited time for prayer.
• Make the intention (niyyah) for Umrah in your heart.
• Begin reciting the Talbiyah:

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

Transliteration: Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk, innal hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, laa shareeka lak.

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

Continue reciting the Talbiyah until you begin Tawaf.

Step 2: Enter Masjid al-Haram

Enter the Masjid al-Haram with your right foot and recite the dua for entering the masjid. When you first see the Kaaba, pause, raise your hands, and make dua. This moment is one of the most powerful in a pilgrim's journey — scholars say it is a time when duas are accepted, so take a moment and pour your heart out.

Step 3: Perform Tawaf (7 Circuits Around the Kaaba)

Tawaf is walking around the Kaaba seven times in a counterclockwise direction.

• Begin at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad). Face it, raise your right hand, and say "Bismillah, Allahu Akbar."
• If you can touch or kiss the Black Stone safely, do so. If the crowd is too heavy, simply point toward it and continue.
• Keep the Kaaba on your left side for all seven circuits.
• Men perform Idtibaa during Tawaf — the Ihram cloth is draped under the right arm and over the left shoulder, leaving the right shoulder bare.
• Men also perform Raml — a brisk, purposeful walk — during the first three circuits only.
• There is no single fixed dua for each circuit. Recite any dhikr, personal dua, or Quran you know. Keep your heart engaged.
• Complete the seventh circuit at the Black Stone.

You must be in a state of wudu throughout Tawaf.

Step 4: Pray Two Rak'ahs Behind Maqam Ibrahim

After completing Tawaf, proceed to Maqam Ibrahim (the station of Prophet Ibrahim) and pray two rak'ahs of voluntary salah. It is recommended to recite Surah al-Kafirun in the first rak'ah and Surah al-Ikhlas in the second.

If the area near Maqam Ibrahim is too crowded, you may pray these two rak'ahs anywhere inside Masjid al-Haram.

Step 5: Drink Zamzam Water

After prayer, go to the Zamzam water station. Drink facing the Kaaba, while standing, and make dua before you drink. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Zamzam water is for whatever purpose it is drunk for." (Ibn Majah)

Take a moment here. Make sincere duas for yourself, your family, your health, and your hereafter.

Step 6: Perform Sa'i Between Safa and Marwa

Sa'i is walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa. It commemorates the actions of Hajar (peace be upon her), who searched for water for her infant son Ismail (peace be upon him).

• One lap = walking from Safa to Marwa, or from Marwa back to Safa.
• You start at Safa and finish at Marwa after seven laps.
• Men jog between the green marker lights (a short section between the two hills). Women walk at a normal pace throughout.
• Make dua freely during Sa'i. There is no specific required dua — speak to Allah in your own words.

At the start of Sa'i, stand on Safa facing the direction of the Kaaba and recite:

Arabic: إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ

Transliteration: Inna as-safa wal-marwata min sha'aa'irillah.

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

Then say: "Abda'u bima bada'a Allahu bihi" (I begin with what Allah began with), then face the Kaaba and make dua, saying "Allahu Akbar" three times and making any personal supplication.

Step 7: Shave or Cut Your Hair (Halq or Taqsir)

This is the final step of Umrah. Once your hair is cut, you exit the state of Ihram and Umrah is complete.

• Men: Shave the entire head (Halq) — this is the more virtuous option — or trim the hair all around the head (Taqsir).
• Women: Cut a fingertip-length from the ends of their hair. Women never shave their heads.

After cutting the hair, you may change back into regular clothing, use perfume, and return to normal activities. Congratulations — your Umrah is complete.

Important Duas for Umrah

Dua at the Miqat (before Ihram)

Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الْعُمْرَةَ فَيَسِّرْهَا لِي وَتَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّي

Transliteration: Allahumma innee ureedul-'umrata fa yassirha lee wa taqabbalha minnee.

Meaning: O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah, so make it easy for me and accept it from me.

The Talbiyah

Arabic: لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ

Transliteration: Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk.

Meaning: Here I am, O Allah, here I am. You have no partner — here I am.

Dua at the Black Stone (beginning of each Tawaf circuit)

Arabic: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

Transliteration: Bismillah, Allahu Akbar.

Meaning: In the name of Allah. Allah is the Greatest.

Dua on Safa and Marwa

Arabic: اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ

Transliteration: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil-hamd.

Meaning: Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and all praise belongs to Allah.

Recite this three times on Safa and again on Marwa each lap, then make personal dua.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even well-prepared pilgrims make errors. Here are the most frequent ones:

Starting Tawaf at the wrong point. You must begin and end each circuit exactly at the Black Stone. Look for the green LED light on the wall of the Kaaba as a reference.

Losing count of circuits. Keep a small counter, use your fingers, or ask a companion to help track. Losing count and doing too many or too few circuits affects the validity of Tawaf.

Breaking wudu during Tawaf. If your wudu breaks, stop immediately, renew your wudu, and return. Many scholars say you should restart Tawaf from the beginning to be safe — consult a scholar for guidance.

Performing Raml at the wrong time. Raml (the brisk walk) is only for men, only during the first three circuits of Tawaf, and not at all during Sa'i.

Using perfumed products while in Ihram. A very common mistake. Scented soaps, body sprays, and even some wet wipes contain fragrance. Use only unscented products while in Ihram. This restriction applies until after the hair is cut.

Missing the opportunity for dua. The moment you first see the Kaaba, during Tawaf, during Sa'i, and at Zamzam are all times when duas are said to be answered. Do not let the physical busyness of the crowd cause you to forget to speak to Allah.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to perform Umrah?

Most pilgrims complete Umrah in two to four hours under normal conditions. During Ramadan or peak seasons, crowds can extend this to six hours or more. Arriving during off-peak hours — such as late night or early morning — can significantly reduce wait times.

Can a woman perform Umrah without a mahram?

Scholars differ on this question. Many traditional scholars require a mahram (a male guardian) for women travelling long distances. Some contemporary scholars permit women to travel in organized groups. Consult a trusted scholar based on your specific situation before making a decision.

Do I need to make wudu before Sa'i?

Most scholars do not consider wudu obligatory for Sa'i, unlike Tawaf. However, it is strongly recommended to remain in a state of purity throughout all acts of worship, including Sa'i.

Is there a specific dua for each circuit of Tawaf?

There is no authenticated dua specifically assigned to each individual circuit. Books that list separate duas for each round are not based on strong hadith. You may make any personal dua, recite dhikr, or read Quran during Tawaf — sincerity matters more than a specific formula.

Can I perform Umrah more than once on the same trip?

Yes. However, you must fully exit the Masjid al-Haram, travel to a new Miqat point (such as the mosque at Tan'im, which is the closest), re-enter Ihram, and begin again. Make sure your first Umrah is fully complete before starting a new one.

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Ready to begin your journey? Explore our complete Umrah guide to plan every detail, and use our Umrah checklist to make sure you have everything you need before you travel. May Allah accept your Umrah, grant you ease at every step, and bring you back again and again. Ameen.