How to Perform Umrah Step-by-Step

Performing Umrah is a profoundly spiritual experience, but the rituals can seem overwhelming for first-timers. Unlike Hajj, which takes several days and involves multiple locations, Umrah can be completed in a few hours.

Here is a simplified, step-by-step guide on how to perform Umrah.

The Four Pillars of Umrah

Umrah consists of four essential rituals. If any of these are missed, the Umrah is incomplete:

1. Ihram: The state of spiritual purity and the specific intention.
2. Tawaf: Circumambulating the Kaaba seven times.
3. Sa'i: Walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times.
4. Halq/Taqsir: Shaving or cutting the hair to exit the state of Ihram.

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Step 1: Entering the State of Ihram

Before passing the Miqat (the boundary lines surrounding Makkah), you must enter the state of Ihram.

• Preparation: Cut your nails, remove unwanted body hair, take a purifying bath (Ghusl), and apply perfume (men only, before wearing the garments).
• The Garments: Men must wear two unsown white cloths. Women wear modest, loose-fitting clothes that cover the whole body except the face and hands.
• The Intention: Formulate the intention: "Labbayk Allahumma Umrah" (O Allah, here I am to perform Umrah).
• The Talbiyah: Begin reciting the Talbiyah continuously: "Labbayk Allahumma labbayk..." until you see the Kaaba.

Step 2: Performing Tawaf

Once you enter Al-Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah, you proceed to the Kaaba for Tawaf.

• The Starting Point: Begin at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad), which is marked by a green light on the mosque wall. Raise your hand towards it and say "Bismillahi Allahu Akbar".
• The Circuits: Walk around the Kaaba counter-clockwise seven times. Men should uncover their right shoulder (Idtiba) and walk briskly for the first three rounds (Raml).
• Between the Yemeni Corner and Black Stone: Recite the dua: "Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil 'akhirati hasanatan waqina 'adhaban-nar."
• Two Rak'ahs: After completing seven rounds, pray two short units of prayer behind the Station of Ibrahim (Maqam Ibrahim), if possible, or anywhere in the mosque.
• Drink Zamzam: Proceed to drink Zamzam water and pour a little over your head.

Step 3: Performing Sa'i

Sa'i honors the desperate search for water by Hajar (the wife of Prophet Ibrahim).

• Proceed to the hill of Safa. Recite verses from the Quran acknowledging Safa and Marwah as signs of Allah.
• Walk down from Safa and head toward the hill of Marwah. (Men should lightly jog between the green lights).
• Reaching Marwah completes one lap. Returning to Safa completes the second lap.
• Continue until you complete seven laps, ending your final lap at Marwah.

Step 4: Halq or Taqsir (Cutting the Hair)

To officially exit the state of Ihram, you must cut your hair.

• For Men: It is highly recommended to shave the head completely (Halq), though trimming the hair evenly all over (Taqsir) is also acceptable.
• For Women: Gather your hair and cut off a small portion, approximately the length of a fingertip.

Once the hair is cut, your Umrah is officially complete! You can now remove your Ihram garments and resume normal daily activities.