Umrah is a sacred journey. It is a beloved Sunnah that purifies a person’s soul and helps them become a better person. Through Umrah, one can attain closeness to Allah and draw nearer to Him. If Umrah is accepted, all the sins of the person are forgiven.
There are 7 important steps for performing Umrah. These steps are described below.
Entering into the state of Ihram (a state of purity) Crossing the Miqat (the boundary beyond which it is obligatory for pilgrims to enter into Ihram) Reciting the Talbiyah Entering the Masjid al Haram Performing Tawaf around the Kaaba (circumambulation) Performing Sa’i (walking/running between the Safa and Marwah hills) Finally, shaving the head (Halq) or trimming the hair (Taqseer)
Ihram
The first step of performing Umrah is entering into the state of Ihram. To enter into Ihram, physical purity and wearing the specific attire for Ihram are required.
Physical Purity: Before wearing the Ihram clothing, one must achieve physical purity. Unwanted body hair should be removed, and the nails of the hands and feet should be cut. After that, one must perform Ghusl (a full-body wash). If performing Ghusl is not possible, then Wudu (ablution) should be done. Men can apply perfume to their heads or beards, but it should not be used on the Ihram clothes.
Ihram Clothing: You must wear the Ihram clothing. For men, it consists of two pieces of clean, unstitched white cloth. The lower part, which covers the waist, is called the Izar, and the upper part is called the Rida. Men should not wear any undergarments. Sandals should be worn in such a way that the toes and ankles are exposed. According to the Hanafi school of thought, the upper part of the foot should remain uncovered. For women, a loose, single-colored, non-stylized dress (such as a plain abaya) should be worn.
If you are traveling to Mecca for the first time, it is better to wear Ihram either before starting your journey or during any stop along the way. However, you can also wear Ihram once you board the plane, in which case you must do so in the plane’s bathroom. But be mindful that airplane bathrooms are usually cramped, and you may have to rush when putting on Ihram before crossing the Miqat.
If you are entering Saudi Arabia via Medina, there is no need to wear Ihram in Medina. Before traveling from Medina to Mecca, you can wear Ihram at the designated Miqat mosque in Dhul-Hulayfah, near Medina.
You should be aware of the prohibitions of Ihram and make sure you are not violating any of its rules. If any rules of Ihram are violated, you will have to offer a sacrifice (dam) or give charity (sadaqah).
Crossing the Miqat
Salah in Ihram: Before entering the state of Ihram, it is Sunnah to perform two rakats of Salah. You can do this at home, at the airport, or on the plane if there is a place to pray. In the first rak’ah, recite Surah Al-Kafirun, and in the second rak’ah, recite Surah Al-Ikhlas.
Ihram Binding: Before crossing the Miqat, you must bind Ihram. It is obligatory to enter Ihram before crossing the Miqat. If you cross the Miqat without wearing Ihram, you must offer an animal sacrifice.
Intention (Niyyah): Before crossing the Miqat, make the intention (niyyah) for Umrah. You should make the intention to perform Umrah and affirm that you will do so correctly.
The following suggestions can be recited:
لَبَّيْكَ اَللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً ❁
Labbayka Llāhumma ʿUmrah. O Allah, I am here for Umrah.
اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الْعُمْرَةَ ❁
Allāhumma innī urīdu l-ʿUmrah. O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah.
اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الْعُمْرَةَ فَيَسِّرْهَا لِي وَتَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّي❁
Allāhumma innī urīdu l-ʿUmrata fa yassirhā lī wa taqabbalhā minnī. O Allah, I want to perform Umrah, so make it easy for me and accept it from me.
Talbiyah
After making the intention for Umrah, you must recite the Talbiyah at least once. If you do not recite the Talbiyah at least once, your Umrah will not be complete. According to the Hanafi and Maliki schools, reciting the Talbiyah is obligatory, while according to the Shafi’i and Hanbali schools, it is recommended.
The Talbiyah is:
لَبَّيْكَ اَللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ – لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ – إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ – لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ – ❁
LabbaykaLlāhumma labbayk, labbayka lā sharīka laka labbayk, inna l-ḥamda wa n-niʿmata, laka wal-mulk, lā sharīka lak. Here I am at Your service, O Allah, here I am at Your service. You have no partner; here I am at Your service. All praise, grace, and dominion belong to You. You have no partner.
After reciting the Talbiyah, you will enter into the state of Ihram and will be referred to as a Muhrim. After reciting the Talbiyah, it is Sunnah to send blessings upon the Prophet (peace be upon him) and make supplications for yourself and others.
Continue reciting the Talbiyah until you reach the door of the Masjid al-Haram and are ready to perform Tawaf al-Umrah.
Entering the Masjid al Haram
It is recommended to enter the mosque through the Bab al-Salam (Gate of Peace), and it is Sunnah to enter with the right foot and recite the following supplication:
اَللَّهُمَّ هَذَا حَرَمُكَ وَأَمْنُكَ فَحَرِّمْنِي عَلَى النَّارِ، وَأَمِنِّي مِنْ عَذَابِكَ يَوْمَ مِنْ عَذَابِكَ يَوْمَ تَبْعَثُ عِبَادَيْنْكَ وَأَمْنُكَ أَوْلِيَائِكَ وَأَهْلِ طَاعَتِكَ.
Allahumma hādhā ḥaramuka wa amnuka faḥarrimnī ʿalā n-nār, wa aminnī min ʿadhābika yawma yub’athu ʿibādaka, wa aminnī min ʿadhābika yawma tab’athu ʿibādaka wa aminnī min ʿadhābika yawma tub’athu ʿibādaka wa aminnī min ʿadhābika yawma tub’athu ʿibādaka wa aminnī min ʿadhābika yawma tub’athu.
O Allah, this is Your sacred house and safe place. So, protect me from the fire, and grant me security from Your punishment on the day when You will resurrect Your servants and protect Your loyal ones and the family of Your obedience.
Sacred Area of Mecca
The Sacred Area of Mecca, also known as Haram, is a holy region that extends a few miles around the Masjid al-Haram. In the Haram, certain actions are prohibited. These actions include:
- Cutting or damaging grass, trees, or any plant life.
- Harming or killing wild animals, including scaring or chasing pigeons or other birds.
- Carrying weapons or engaging in any activity that would disrupt the sanctity of the area.
If you later wish to perform an additional Umrah, you must re-enter Ihram from outside the Haram boundary, then return to the Masjid al-Haram to perform Umrah again. Many people wear Ihram from Masjid Ayesha, which is the closest and most convenient place to the Masjid al-Haram.
First Glimpse of the Kaaba
When you arrive at the Mataf (the area where Tawaf is performed), lower your gaze. When you are ready, gaze upon the Kaaba with humility, awe, and respect.
Upon your first sighting of the Kaaba, raise your hands and make supplications with sincerity and devotion. This is a place where supplications are accepted. While making supplication, do not forget to send blessings upon the Prophet. Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) said,
Supplications are suspended between the heavens and the earth and will not be accepted until you send blessings upon your Prophet. (Sunan al-Tirmidhi)
Imam Abu Hanifa (R.) used to pray to Allah during this opportunity, asking that he be included among those whose supplications are always accepted.
Recite these three supplications three times:
اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ ❁ اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ ❁ لَآ اِلَهَ اِلَّا اللّٰهُ
Allāhu akbar. Allāhu akbar. Lā ilāha illa Llāh. Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest. There is no deity but Allah.
Also, it is Sunnah to recite the following supplication:
اَللَّهُمَّ زِدْ هَذَا الْبَيْتَ تَشْرِيفاً وَتَعْظِيماً وَتَكْرِيماً وَمَهَابَةً ❁ وَزِدْ مَنْ شَرَّفَهُ وَكَرَّمَهُ مِمَّنْ حَجَّهُ أَوْ اعْتَمَرَهُ تَشْرِيفاً وَتَكْرِيمًا وَتَعْظِيمًا وَبِر
Allāhumma zid hādha l-bayta tashrīfan wa taʿẓīman wa takrīman wa mahābah, wa zid man sharrafahu wa karramahu mimman ḥajjahu aw iʿtamarahu tashrīfan wa takrīman wa taʿẓīman wa birrā. O Allah, increase the honor, greatness, respect, and reverence of this House. And increase the honor and respect of those who honor it, and those who perform Hajj or Umrah to it with honor, respect, greatness, and righteousness.
اَللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلاَمُ ❁ وَمِنْكَ السَّلَامُ ❁ حَيِّنَا رَبَّنَا بِالسَّلاَمِ ❁
Allāhumma anta s-salām, wa minka s-salām, ḥayyinā rabbanā bi s-salām. O Allah,
You are peace, and peace comes from you. Keep us in peace, our Lord, with peace.
Recite Dhikr here, make supplications, and send abundant blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ. Especially if this is your first sighting of the Ka’bah, take full advantage of this opportunity.
Tawaf
There are certain actions you must do before performing Tawaf. These are described below:
- Before performing Tawaf, you must perform Wudu (ablution).
Mentally or silently make the intention for Tawaf, seeking Allah’s pleasure. You can recite the following supplication:
You can also make the following intention in Arabic:
اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ طَوَافَ بَيْتِكَ الْحَرَامِ فَيَسِّرْهُ لِي وَتَقَبَّلْهُ مِنِّي ❁
Allāhumma innī urīdu l-ṭawwafa baytika l-ḥarāmi fa yassirhu lī wa taqabbalhu minnī.
O Allah, I intend to perform Tawaf of Your Sacred House, so make it easy for me and accept it from me.
There is no obligation to verbally make this intention.
Alternatively, you may say:
O Allah, I intend to perform Tawaf of the Ka’bah for You, and only for You. Accept it from me and make it easy for me.
- If possible, try to kiss the Black Stone (Hajr al-Aswad) when you say “Allahu Akbar.” Place your forehead on it (Istilam). However, do not push or crowd. If you are unable to kiss the Black Stone, perform a symbolic Istilam by facing the Black Stone, raising your hands up to your earlobes (as when beginning Salah), and ensuring your palms are facing the stone. Then say “Allahu Akbar.”
- Start your Tawaf from the Black Stone, and circle the Ka’bah with it on your left. Complete seven rounds in total.
- Perform Tawaf by yourself, ensuring your ‘awrah (private parts) are covered.
- If possible, perform Tawaf on foot.
After Tawaf
- After Tawaf, proceed towards Maqam Ibrahim and recite the following verse (at this time, men should cover both of their shoulders):
وَاتَّخِذُوا مِنْ مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى
Wa-ttakhidū min maqām Ibrāhīm muṣallā.
And take the standing place of Ibrahim as a place of prayer.
- Perform two Rak’ahs of Salah between Maqam Ibrahim and the Ka’bah. It is Sunnah to recite Surah Al-Kafirun in the first rak’ah and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second rak’ah.
- Drink the Zamzam water, which is available in the Tawaf area. You may make any intention before drinking Zamzam water, such as seeking healing from an illness.
- After drinking Zamzam water, if you wish (or after completing the Umrah rituals), you can go to the Multazam, the area between the Black Stone and the door of the Ka’bah. If you reach this place, raise your hands above your head, hold onto the wall, and place your chest and cheek against it. This is another place where supplications are accepted.
However, if you are unable to reach the Multazam due to the crowd, you can face it and make supplications from a distance.
- It is Sunnah to return from Maqam Ibrahim to the Black Stone and, if possible, perform Istilam again.
Sa’i
It is Sunnah to perform Sa’i immediately after Tawaf; however, if rest is needed, it is permissible. If you feel tired or have pain in your feet after Tawaf, you can take rest until you feel completely ready. Keep in mind that Sa’i requires you to walk more than three kilometers, so begin the Sa’i with full energy.
In order for Sa’i to be valid, the following conditions must be fulfilled:
- Sa’i must be performed by oneself.
- Ihram must be worn before performing Sa’i.
- You must remain in Ihram until the Sa’i is completed.
- Sa’i must be performed at the correct time.
- Sa’i should start from Safa and end at Marwah.
- Sa’i should be done after performing Tawaf.
- Sa’i must be performed on foot, but if there is a valid excuse, it can be done in another way.
- Seven rounds must be completed.
- The entire path between Safa and Marwah must be traversed.
The next phase of Umrah includes walking towards Safa, which is located inside the Masjid al-Haram, in line with Hajar al-Aswad, while reciting the following verse:
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ
Inna as-Safa wal-Marwah min sha’a’iri Allah.
Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah.
Follow this by saying:
أَبْدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللهُ بِهِ
Abda’u bima bada’Allah bihi.
I begin with what Allah began.
Upon reaching the mountain of Safa, face the Ka’bah and raise both hands in prayer. You may say Takbeer (Allahu Akbar), Tahleel (La ilaha illallah), and send salutations upon the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam).
It is Sunnah to recite the following supplication:
اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلّٰهِ الْحَمْدُ
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa Lillahi al-Hamd.
Allah is the Greatest; Allah is the Greatest; Allah is the Greatest, and all praise is due to Allah.
لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلَيْ شَرٌ
La ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahu al-mulk wa lahu al-hamd, yuhyi wa yumitu, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadir.
There is no deity except Allah, alone, with no partner. To Him belongs the kingdom, and to Him belongs all praise. He gives life and causes death, and He has power over everything.
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اَللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ، اَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَهَزَمَ اَلْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ
La ilaha illallah wahdahu, anjaza wahdahu wa nasara ‘abdahu wa hazamal-Ahzaaba wahdahu. Translation: There is no deity but Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, supported His servant, and defeated the confederates alone.
After reciting this prayer, you may make your own personal prayer. Recite this supplication three times, making your personal du’a in between, as was the practice of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam).
Halq or Taqsir
After completing Sa’i, you must shave your head (Halq) or at least cut a portion of your hair (Taqseer) so that you may complete your Umrah by exiting Ihram. It is more blessed for men to shave their entire head, while women should cut their hair up to the length of one finger.
Now, your Umrah is successfully completed. Mubarak!
