Umrah Ka Tareeqa
How to Perform Umrah
Umrah consists of four essential acts: Ihram (entering the sacred state), Tawaf (circling the Kaaba), Sa’i (walking between Safa and Marwa), and Halq or Taqsir (shaving or cutting the hair).
Unlike Hajj, Umrah can be performed at any time of the year. It is not obligatory but is a deeply rewarding act of worship — sometimes referred to as the ‘lesser pilgrimage’. This step-by-step guide will walk you through every ritual with clarity and confidence.
Ihram
Sacred state of purity
Tawaf
7 circuits of Kaaba
Sa'i
Safa to Marwa x7
Halq/Taqsir
Shave or cut hair
01
Ihram — Entering the Sacred State
الإحرام
Before performing Umrah, you must enter the state of Ihram — a spiritual and physical state of purity and intention.
- Perform Ghusl (full body wash) — a highly emphasised Sunnah
- Trim nails and remove unwanted hair before wearing Ihram
- Men wear two white unstitched sheets (Rida and Izar). Women wear their normal modest Islamic dress
- Offer two Rakat of Salah with the intention of Ihram
- Make your Niyyah (intention) at or near the Miqat point: Labbayka Allāhumma ʿUmrah
- Begin reciting the Talbiyah aloud (men) or quietly (women): Labbayk Allāhumma labbayk, labbayk lā sharīka laka labbayk, inna l-ḥamda wa n-niʿmata laka wa l-mulk, lā sharīka lak
- Continue reciting Talbiyah until you begin Tawaf
02
Tawaf — Circling the Kaaba
الطواف
Upon entering Masjid al-Haram, you will perform Tawaf — seven anti-clockwise circuits around the Holy Kaaba.
- Men uncover their right shoulder (Idtiba) — a Sunnah for Tawaf only
- Begin at the Hajar al-Aswad (Black Stone) — face it, say ‘Bismillāhi Allāhu Akbar’ and if possible kiss it or point towards it
- Complete seven circuits anti-clockwise keeping the Kaaba to your left
- Men jog lightly (Raml) during the first three circuits — a Sunnah
- Recite any dua, dhikr, or Quran during Tawaf — there is no fixed recitation required
- Stop Talbiyah when Tawaf begins
- After completing seven circuits, cover your right shoulder again
03
Salah at Maqam Ibrahim
صلاة عند مقام إبراهيم
After completing Tawaf, offer two Rakat of prayer near Maqam Ibrahim — the stone bearing the footprints of Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
- After Tawaf, proceed to Maqam Ibrahim
- Offer two Rakat of Salah — recite Surah al-Kafirun in the first Rakat and Surah al-Ikhlas in the second (recommended)
- If Maqam Ibrahim is very crowded, you may pray anywhere within Masjid al-Haram
- After prayer, proceed to the Zamzam well to drink
- Drink Zamzam water and make dua — the Prophet ﷺ said Zamzam water is for whatever it is drunk for
04
Sa'i — Walking Between Safa and Marwa
السعي بين الصفا والمروة
Sa’i commemorates the actions of Hazrat Hajar (AS), the wife of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), who ran between the two hills searching for water for her infant son Ismail (AS).
- Proceed to Mount Safa — recite: Inna s-safā wa l-marwata min shaʿāʾiri llāh
- Face the Kaaba at Safa, raise your hands and make dua
- Walk towards Marwa — men jog between the two green lights (a Sunnah)
- Upon reaching Marwa, face the Kaaba and make dua again
- This completes one round — walk back to Safa (that is round two)
- Complete seven rounds in total — starting at Safa and ending at Marwa
- You may recite any dua, dhikr, or Quran during Sa’i
05
Halq or Taqsir — Shaving or Cutting Hair
الحلق أو التقصير
The final act of Umrah is shaving or cutting the hair — after which you exit the state of Ihram and all its restrictions are lifted.
- Men shave their entire head (Halq) — this is more virtuous, or they may shorten all hair equally (Taqsir)
- Women cut approximately a fingertip length from their hair (Taqsir only — women do not shave)
- After Halq or Taqsir, you leave the state of Ihram
- All Ihram restrictions are now lifted
- Congratulations — your Umrah is complete! 🤍