Complete Pilgrim Guide

How to Perform Umrah Step-by-Step

A comprehensive, Sunnah-grounded guide to the four essential rituals of Umrah, transatlantic flight Miqat instructions, and authentic supplications.

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The 4 Essential Pillars of Umrah

Unlike Hajj which takes place over 5 to 6 specific days in Dhul Hijjah, Umrah is the "minor pilgrimage" and can be completed in approximately 2 to 4 hours. It consists of four primary rites performed in order:

1 Ihram & Niyyah
2 Tawaf (7 Circuits)
3 Sa'i (Safa & Marwah)
4 Halq or Taqseer
1
First Pillar

Ihram & The Niyyah (Intention)

Ihram is the sacred spiritual and physical state entered before crossing the geographic boundary known as the Miqat.

1. Preparation in Body & Mind:

  • Perform Ghusl (ritual full bath) and clip nails, trim moustache, and remove unwanted hair prior to donning Ihram.
  • For Men: Wear two clean, unstitched white sheets — the lower garment (Izar) secured around the waist, and the upper garment (Rida) draped over both shoulders. Undergarments are not permitted. Footwear must leave the ankles and upper foot uncovered.
  • For Women: Wear any regular, modest Islamic clothing (abayas, loose dresses) with hijab. No face veil (Niqab) or gloves while in Ihram.

Crucial Guidance for USA Departures (IAD Dulles)

If your flight lands first in Jeddah (e.g. Saudia, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Emirates), the aircraft crosses the designated Miqat boundary (Rabigh or Yalamlam) approximately 45 to 60 minutes before touchdown. You must have your Ihram sheets on and make your verbal Niyyah before passing this point. If your flight arrives first in Madinah, you will enter Ihram later at Dhul Hulayfah (Abyar Ali) before taking the bullet train to Makkah.

2. Verbal Intention (Niyyah):

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً
Labbayk Allahumma 'Umrah
"Here I am, O Allah, answering Your call for Umrah."

3. The Talbiyah (Recite Constantly Until Tawaf Begins):

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ
Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la shareeka laka labbayk, innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, la shareeka lak.
"Here I am at Your service, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise, grace, and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner."

Prohibitions While in Ihram:

Do not cut hair or nails; do not apply scented perfumes, deodorants, or scented soaps; men must not cover their head with hats or wear stitched clothing; do not engage in marital intimacy, arguing, or hunting.

2
Second Pillar

Tawaf al-Umrah (Circumambulating the Kaaba)

Enter Masjid al-Haram with your right foot, supplicating: "Bismillahi was-salatu was-salamu 'ala Rasulillah, Allahummaftah li abwaba rahmatik" (O Allah, open the gates of Your mercy for me).

Key Preparations for Tawaf:

  • Wudu is mandatory: Tawaf requires ritual purity (Wudu). If you lose Wudu during Tawaf, pause, perform ablution at the courtyard washrooms, and resume your count.
  • Idtiba' (Men only): Uncover your right shoulder by passing the upper Ihram cloth under your right armpit and over your left shoulder.
  • Cease Talbiyah: The moment you begin Tawaf at the Black Stone, stop reciting the Talbiyah.

The 7 Circuits:

Position yourself aligned with the corner of the Hajar al-Aswad (Black Stone), indicated by the green laser beacon on the mosque wall. Raise your right hand toward the stone and say: "Bismillahi Allahu Akbar". Circumambulate the Kaaba counter-clockwise with the Kaaba to your left.

Raml (Men only): In the first three circuits, men are encouraged to walk briskly with small, proud steps if space permits. In the remaining four circuits, walk at a normal pace.

Supplication Between Rukn al-Yamani and the Black Stone:

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina 'adhaban-nar.
"Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:201)

After Completing 7 Circuits:

  • Cover both shoulders (end of Idtiba').
  • Proceed towards Maqam Ibrahim (or anywhere in the Haram if crowded) and pray 2 Sunnah Rak'ahs. In the 1st Rak'ah recite Surah Al-Kafirun, and in the 2nd recite Surah Al-Ikhlas.
  • Walk to the Zamzam dispensers and drink generously while standing, making heartfelt personal Duas.
3
Third Pillar

Sa'i Between Safa and Marwah

Sa'i commemorates the resolute faith of Lady Hajar (peace be upon her), who ran between the two hills in search of sustenance for her infant son, Prophet Isma'il.

Ascending Mount Safa:

As you approach Mount Safa, recite the Qur'anic verse:

إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ ۖ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا ۚ وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ
Inna as-Safa wal-Marwata min sha'a'irillah, faman hajja al-bayta awi'tamara fala junaha 'alayhi an yattawwafa bihima, wa man tatawwa'a khayran fa-innAllaha Shakirun 'Aleem.
"Indeed, as-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah..." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:158) Followed by: "Nabda'u bima bada'Allahu bih" (We begin with what Allah began with).

The 7 Laps:

  • Face the Kaaba from Mount Safa, raise your hands, proclaim Allahu Akbar three times, and make personal supplications.
  • Walk towards Mount Marwah. From Safa to Marwah is Lap 1.
  • The Green Marker Lights: Between the two sets of green fluorescent overhead lights in the valley, men are encouraged to jog/trot briskly. Women maintain normal walking pace.
  • Upon reaching Marwah, face the Kaaba and repeat the Takbeer and supplications. From Marwah back to Safa is Lap 2.
  • Continue until you complete Lap 7 ending at Mount Marwah. Total distance is approximately 2.76 km (1.7 miles).
4
Fourth Pillar

Halq or Taqseer (Exiting Ihram)

The final ritual that completes your Umrah and releases you from all Ihram restrictions (Tahallul).

Instructions for Men

Men have the option of Halq (completely shaving the head with a razor) or Taqseer (trimming hair evenly from all sections of the head by at least an inch). Shaving is three times more blessed according to the Hadith: the Prophet ﷺ prayed for forgiveness three times for those who shave and once for those who trim.

Instructions for Women

Women do not shave their heads under any circumstances. Instead, gather the ends of your hair and cut approximately one fingertip's length (about 1 inch / 2.5 cm) from the bottom. This is done discreetly inside your hotel room or private ladies' styling area.

Umrah Maqbool!

Alhamdulillah! Once your hair is trimmed or shaved, your Umrah is complete. All prohibitions of Ihram are lifted, and you may shower, apply scent, and dress in your normal clothes.

Essential Questions

Umrah Rituals FAQs

What if I have an injury or can't walk long distances?

Masjid al-Haram provides dedicated electric golf cart lanes on the roof level and designated mezzanine wheelchair paths for both Tawaf and Sa'i. Hateem Travels can pre-arrange certified attendants and electric mobility carts for elderly pilgrims or family members with mobility challenges.

Can I perform multiple Umrahs on a single trip?

Yes. While one comprehensive Umrah is the primary Sunnah, pilgrims desiring to perform a secondary Umrah on behalf of deceased parents or relatives may travel to Masjid Aisha (at Taneem) — located 15 minutes north of Makkah — to enter Ihram, make the intention, and return to the Haram to complete the rites.

Do I need a separate Nusuk permit to perform Umrah?

Yes. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah requests all international visitors to book their Umrah time slot and Rawdah Ash-Sharifah permit via the official Nusuk App. Hateem Travels coordinates these appointments for all cohort travelers to ensure smooth entry.

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