Hajj & Umrah
How to Perform Umrah — Step-by-Step Guide
A complete guide to performing Umrah — the lesser pilgrimage. Covers Ihram, Tawaf, Sa'i, and Halq/Taqsir.
Total Time
Half a day to one day
Total Steps
8 steps
Read Time
7 min read
Umrah (Arabic: العُمرة) is the "lesser pilgrimage" to the Sacred Mosque in Makkah. Unlike Hajj, it is not tied to specific days and can be performed at any time of the year. It consists of entering Ihram, performing Tawaf around the Kaaba, walking Sa'i between Safa and Marwa, and shaving or shortening the hair.
Allah says: "And complete the Hajj and Umrah for Allah." (Quran 2:196). The Prophet ﷺ said: "Follow up the Hajj and Umrah, for they remove poverty and sins as the bellows removes impurities from iron" (Jami at-Tirmidhi 810), and that "Umrah in Ramadan equals a Hajj" in reward (Sahih al-Bukhari 1782).
Scholars differ on whether Umrah is obligatory once in a lifetime (the Shafi'i and Hanbali view) or a strongly recommended Sunnah (the Hanafi and Maliki view). All agree on its great virtue: "From one Umrah to the next is an expiation for what is between them" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1773).
Umrah has four essential components, performed in order: (1) Ihram — entering the sacred state with the intention, from the designated station (miqat); (2) Tawaf — seven circuits around the Kaaba; (3) Sa'i — walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa; and (4) Halq or Taqsir — shaving (men) or trimming the hair to exit Ihram. The full step-by-step method is below.
While in Ihram, the pilgrim avoids: cutting hair or nails, using scented products, hunting, and marital relations or its preliminaries. Men additionally do not wear sewn/fitted garments or cover the head; women keep their normal modest dress but do not cover the face with a fitted veil or wear gloves. Violating these may require a penalty (fidyah).
Passing the miqat without Ihram — one must enter Ihram at or before the miqat; passing it without intention requires returning or offering a penalty.
Miscounting Tawaf or Sa'i circuits — both are seven; losing count invalidates the count, so concentrate.
Believing Sa'i is seven round-trips — it is seven single trips (Safa→Marwa = 1, Marwa→Safa = 2), ending at Marwa.
Crowding and harming others at the Black Stone — kissing it is Sunnah, but harming fellow pilgrims to reach it is forbidden; pointing to it from afar is sufficient.
Yes — Umrah may be performed for a deceased person or one who is permanently unable, provided you have already performed your own.
A woman may enter Ihram and perform all the rites except Tawaf around the Kaaba, which requires purity; she waits until her period ends to complete the Tawaf.
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Introduction to the Quran
Allah says: "And complete the Hajj and Umrah for Allah." (Quran 2:196). The Prophet ﷺ said: "Follow up the Hajj and Umrah, for they remove poverty and sins as the bellows removes impurities from iron" (Jami at-Tirmidhi 810), and that "Umrah in Ramadan equals a Hajj" in reward (Sahih al-Bukhari 1782).
Its Ruling and Reward
Scholars differ on whether Umrah is obligatory once in a lifetime (the Shafi'i and Hanbali view) or a strongly recommended Sunnah (the Hanafi and Maliki view). All agree on its great virtue: "From one Umrah to the next is an expiation for what is between them" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1773).
The Four Pillars of Umrah
Umrah has four essential components, performed in order: (1) Ihram — entering the sacred state with the intention, from the designated station (miqat); (2) Tawaf — seven circuits around the Kaaba; (3) Sa'i — walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa; and (4) Halq or Taqsir — shaving (men) or trimming the hair to exit Ihram. The full step-by-step method is below.
The Restrictions of Ihram
While in Ihram, the pilgrim avoids: cutting hair or nails, using scented products, hunting, and marital relations or its preliminaries. Men additionally do not wear sewn/fitted garments or cover the head; women keep their normal modest dress but do not cover the face with a fitted veil or wear gloves. Violating these may require a penalty (fidyah).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I perform Umrah on behalf of someone else?
Yes — Umrah may be performed for a deceased person or one who is permanently unable, provided you have already performed your own.
What if I am in my menstrual period?
A woman may enter Ihram and perform all the rites except Tawaf around the Kaaba, which requires purity; she waits until her period ends to complete the Tawaf.
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Step-by-Step Instructions
1
Enter the State of Ihram Before the Miqat
At or before the miqat (designated station), perform ghusl, wear ihram garments (men: two white unsewn cloths; women: regular modest clothing), and make the niyyah for Umrah. Say: "Labbayk Allahumma 'Umratan" (Here I am, O Allah, for Umrah).
2
Recite the Talbiyah
Say continuously: "Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayk la sharika laka labbayk. Innal hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak." Men say it loudly; women quietly.
3
Enter Masjid al-Haram and Make Du'a
Enter the Masjid al-Haram with the right foot. When you see the Kaaba for the first time, make du'a — this moment is one of the times du'a is accepted.
4
Perform Tawaf (7 Circuits)
Perform 7 anti-clockwise circuits around the Kaaba starting and ending at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad). Touch or kiss the Black Stone if possible; otherwise point to it saying "Allahu Akbar." Make du'a throughout. Speed-walk (raml) slightly in the first 3 circuits (men only). End at the Black Stone to complete each circuit.
5
Pray 2 Rak'at at Maqam Ibrahim
After tawaf, pray 2 rak'at behind or near Maqam Ibrahim (Station of Ibrahim). Recite Al-Kafirun in the first rak'ah and Al-Ikhlas in the second.
6
Drink Zamzam Water
Drink Zamzam water while standing, facing the qiblah, in 3 sips, making du'a.
7
Perform Sa'i (Walking 7 Times Between Safa and Marwa)
Go to Safa hill, face the Kaaba, and make du'a. Walk 7 times between Safa and Marwa (Safa to Marwa = 1, Marwa to Safa = 2, etc.). Men jog lightly between the two green markers. Make du'a throughout.
8
Halq or Taqsir — Exit Ihram
After completing Sa'i, men shave the head entirely (halq) or shorten all hair (taqsir). Women cut a fingertip's length from their hair. This completes Umrah and you exit the state of Ihram.
Authentic Guidance
This guide is prepared based on authentic Islamic sources. We ensure that all steps are consistent with established scholarly consensus.