How to Perform Umrah — Step-by-Step Guide

Your simple beginner-friendly guide to a spiritually peaceful Umrah.

By Hidayyah Team • December, 2024 • 15 min read

15 min read

Complete Umrah Guide

Updated December 2024

Bismillah, Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem.

Umrah is a beautiful journey that brings your heart closer to Allah. This guide walks you through everything — simple, clear, and step-by-step. May Allah make your Umrah accepted, peaceful, and full of light. 🤍

What You'll Learn

✈️

Practical Tips

Before You Travel

🕌 Spiritual Prep

✓ Pray 2 rak'ah before leaving

✓ Ask family for forgiveness

✓ Make dua for acceptance and ease

✓ Download Quran and dua apps

🎒 Packing Checklist

👨 For Men

✓ 2 white Ihram cloths

✓ Ihram belt/waist pouch

✓ Sandals/slippers

✓ Unscented toiletries

👩 For Women

✓ Loose modest clothing

✓ Comfortable walking shoes

✓ Hijabs and abayas

✓ Unscented toiletries

📱 Tech & Useful Apps

✓ Quran app with audio

✓ Dua apps and digital tasbeeh

✓ Phone charger & power bank

✓ Travel and medicine essentials

Miqat + Ihram

This is where your Umrah officially begins. Miqat is the designated boundary where pilgrims must enter the state of Ihram.

📍 At Miqat — What to Do

Step 1: Shower (Ghusl)

Take a full body shower with soap before putting on Ihram. This is highly recommended.

Step 2: Trim Nails/Hair

Cut nails and trim any excess hair. After entering Ihram, these will be prohibited.

Step 3: Wear Ihram

Put on your Ihram clothing and make the intention for Umrah.

🤲 Niyyah (Intention) for Umrah

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَة

"Labbayk Allahumma Umrah"

"Here I am O Allah, for Umrah"

👨👩 Men vs Women Rules

Men:

• Two white unstitched cloths
• Head and shoulders uncovered
• Wear sandals, not closed shoes

Women:

• Regular modest clothing
• Face and hands uncovered
• No special dress requirements

🎤 Start the Talbiyah

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْك
لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْك
إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْك، لَا شَرِيكَ لَك

"Labbayk Allahumma labbayk. Labbayka la sharika laka labbayk.
Innal hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak."

"Here I am, 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."

Men: Say loudly but gently, repeat often

Women: Say quietly to yourself

Continue reciting until you reach the Haram.

Entering Masjid Al-Haram

You're about to enter the holiest mosque in Islam. This is a moment of immense spiritual significance.

🤲 Dua for Entering the Mosque

اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِك

"Allahumma-ftah li abwaba rahmatik"

"O Allah, open for me the doors of Your mercy"

✨ First Sight of the Kaaba

When you see the Kaaba for the first time, pause and let your heart absorb this sacred moment. You will feel something indescribable.

Say "Allahu Akbar" and make dua — these precious moments are accepted inshaAllah.

This is a moment that will stay with you forever. Take your time and connect with Allah.

Tawaf — Circling the Kaaba

Tawaf is the heart of Umrah - walking around the Kaaba seven times in worship of Allah.

1. How to Start

Men: Uncover your right shoulder (Idtiba) during Tawaf only

Starting Point: Face the Black Stone and say "Bismillah Allahu Akbar"

If crowded: Simply point toward the Black Stone from a distance

2. How to Walk

Direction & Rounds

• Walk counter-clockwise
• Complete 7 full rounds
• Keep Kaaba on your left

Walking Pace

• Men: Brisk walk (Raml) - first 3 rounds
• Men: Normal pace - rounds 4-7
• Women: Normal pace throughout

3. Duas During Tawaf

There are no fixed duas per round. You may recite Quran, dhikr, or personal supplications in any language.

📍 Recommended: Between Yemeni Corner & Black Stone

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّار

"Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah wa fil-akhirati hasanah wa qina 'adhab an-nar"

"Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the next world, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire."

4. Finishing Tawaf

Progress: 7 Rounds

1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → 7

Start and end at the Black Stone

After completing 7 rounds: Men should cover their right shoulder again.

Prayer & Zamzam

🕌 Pray 2 Rak'ah

✓ Preferred: Behind Maqam Ibrahim

✓ Alternative: Anywhere in the Haram

✓ Recite any surahs you know

💧 Zamzam Etiquette

✓ Face the Kaaba if possible

✓ Say "Bismillah" before drinking

✓ Drink in 3 sips (Sunnah)

✓ Make dua while drinking

Sa'i — Between Safa & Marwa

Sa'i commemorates Hajar's search for water, walking between Safa and Marwa seven times.

7-Round Progress

1 Safa→Marwa → 2 Marwa→Safa → 3 Safa→Marwa → 4 Marwa→Safa

5 Safa→Marwa → 6 Marwa→Safa → 7 End at Marwa ✅

🏃‍♂️ Green Stripe Section: Men should walk briskly between the green lights. Women maintain normal pace throughout.

🤲 At Safa: Start with Quran

إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ

"Inna as-Safa wal-Marwata min sha'a'irillah"

"Indeed, as-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah" (Quran 2:158)

Hair Cutting — Final Step

👨

Men

Preferred: Shave entire head

Alternative: Trim all around

Cut at least fingertip length

👩

Women

Trim fingertip length only

Cut from hair tips, not roots

Shaving head not allowed

🎉 Umrah Complete!

Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Alameen! Your Umrah is now complete. 🤍

🤲 Final Dua

رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيم

"Rabbana taqabbal minna innaka anta as-Samee'u al-'Aleem"

"Our Lord, accept this from us. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing."

🌙 Spiritual tips after Umrah:

• Continue making dua and dhikr

• Maintain the spiritual connection you've gained

• You are now out of Ihram and may resume normal activities

Things to Avoid During Ihram

✂️

Hair & Nails

No cutting anywhere on body

🌹

Perfume

No scented products or soaps

💑

Intimacy

No sexual relations or flirting

😡

Arguing

No fighting, swearing, anger

🦌

Hunting

No harming animals or hunting

👔

Clothing

Men: No stitched clothes or head covering

Note: If any restrictions are broken unintentionally, seek guidance from Islamic authorities for possible compensation (fidyah).

Quick Summary & FAQ

✅ Umrah in 8 Simple Steps

1. Ihram + Intention

2. Talbiyah

3. Enter Haram

4. Tawaf (7 rounds)

5. Prayer (2 rak'ah)

6. Zamzam

7. Sa'i (7 rounds)

8. Hair Cut ✅

❓ How long does Umrah take?

3-6 hours depending on crowds. Take your time and rest as needed.

❓ Can I do Umrah multiple times?

Yes, as many times as you wish during your stay in Makkah.

❓ What if I get lost?

Stay calm and go to any information desk. Keep emergency contacts and hotel info with you.

❓ Do I need to speak Arabic?

No, you can make duas in any language. Learning basic phrases enhances the experience.