Pilgrimage Guidance
How to Perform Umrah
A complete, step-by-step guide to performing Umrah correctly — covering Ihram, Tawaf, Sa'i, and Halq, with the Du'as for every stage of your blessed journey.
Watch: Complete Umrah Walkthrough
Our scholarly guide walks you through every step of the Umrah ritual — from entering Ihram at the Miqat all the way to completing Halq. Ideal for first-time pilgrims.
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Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these six steps in order. Each step includes the correct Du'as in Arabic with transliteration and English translation.
Entering the State of Ihram
الإحرام
Ihram is the sacred state you must enter before performing Umrah. For men, this means wearing two unstitched white cloths (the Izar and the Rida). Women wear their normal modest clothing covering all except the face and hands.
Instructions
Perform Ghusl (full body ritual wash) and apply non-perfumed Itr (if male)
Men wear two pieces of white unstitched cloth — one wrapped around the lower body (Izar), one draped over the upper body (Rida)
Women wear their normal modest clothing — no Niqab or gloves while in Ihram
Perform two Rak'ahs of Salah with the intention of Ihram
Make the Niyyah (intention) at or before the Miqat — the designated boundary points
Recite the Talbiyah: لَبَّيْكَ اللّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ — 'Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk'
☪Du'a for this Step
لَبَّيْكَ اللّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَك
Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayk la sharika laka Labbayk, Innal hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak
Meaning: Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am — You have no partner — here I am. Verily, all praise, grace, and sovereignty belongs to You. You have no partner.
Entering Masjid al-Haram
دخول المسجد الحرام
Upon entering Makkah, continue reciting the Talbiyah. Upon first sight of the Ka'bah, it is Sunnah to make Du'a as this is one of the most blessed moments — a time when Du'as are accepted.
Instructions
Enter Masjid al-Haram with your right foot first
Recite the Du'a for entering the mosque
Upon first seeing the Ka'bah, raise your hands and make sincere Du'a — this is a moment of great acceptance
Stop the Talbiyah before beginning Tawaf
☪Du'a for this Step
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلَامُ وَمِنْكَ السَّلَامُ، تَبَارَكْتَ يَا ذَا الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ
Allahumma anta as-Salamu wa minka as-Salamu, tabarakta ya Dhal-Jalali wal-Ikram
Meaning: O Allah, You are Peace and from You comes peace. Blessed are You, O Possessor of Glory and Honour.
Performing Tawaf
الطواف
Tawaf means circling the Ka'bah seven times in an anticlockwise direction. Each circuit begins and ends at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad). Tawaf is performed with the Ka'bah on your left side throughout.
Instructions
Begin at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) — touch it, kiss it, or point towards it if crowded, saying 'Bismillah, Allahu Akbar'
Circle the Ka'bah anticlockwise 7 times — keeping the Ka'bah on your left
Men should perform Idtiba (exposing the right shoulder) and Ramal (brisk walking) for the first 3 circuits
After each circuit, when passing the Black Stone, say 'Allahu Akbar' and point or touch
During Tawaf, make your own Du'as or recite Quran — there is no fixed Du'a
At the Yemeni Corner (Rukn al-Yamani), touch it with your right hand if possible — say: Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan...
After 7 circuits, cover both shoulders and pray 2 Rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim if possible
☪Du'a for this Step
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan, wa fil-akhirati hasanatan, wa qina 'adhaban-Nar
Meaning: Our Lord! Grant us good in this world, and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the Fire.
Drinking ZamZam Water
شرب ماء زمزم
After completing Tawaf and your 2 Rak'ahs, proceed to drink ZamZam water. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'The water of ZamZam is for whatever purpose it is drunk for.' Drink it standing, facing the Ka'bah, in 3 sips.
Instructions
Proceed to the ZamZam water coolers (available throughout the mosque)
Face the Ka'bah before drinking
Make your intention (Du'a) for why you are drinking ZamZam
Drink in 3 sips, breathing between each
Pour some on your head if you wish — it is Sunnah
☪Du'a for this Step
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا وَرِزْقًا وَاسِعًا وَشِفَاءً مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ
Allahumma inni as'aluka 'ilman nafi'an, wa rizqan wasi'an, wa shifa'an min kulli da'
Meaning: O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, abundant provision, and cure from every illness.
Performing Sa'i
السعي
Sa'i is the act of walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa, in remembrance of Hajar (Hagar), the wife of Prophet Ibrahim, who ran between these two hills searching for water for her son Ismail.
Instructions
Proceed to the hill of Safa — climb it and face the Ka'bah
Raise your hands and make Du'a at Safa — recite 'Innas-Safa wal-Marwata min sha'a'irillah' (Quran 2:158)
Walk from Safa to Marwa — this counts as 1 circuit
Men should jog/run briskly between the green lights — this section is marked
At Marwa, face the Ka'bah and make Du'a
Return from Marwa to Safa — this is 2 circuits
Complete 7 circuits — you will end at Marwa on the 7th
☪Du'a for this Step
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ
Innas-Safa wal-Marwata min sha'a'irillah
Meaning: Indeed, Safa and Marwa are among the symbols of Allah. (Quran 2:158)
Halq or Taqsir — Exiting Ihram
الحلق أو التقصير
Halq (shaving the head completely) or Taqsir (shortening the hair) marks the completion of your Umrah and your exit from the state of Ihram. Halq is more virtuous. Women only cut a small amount of hair (fingertip length) from the ends.
Instructions
Men: Shave the head completely (Halq) or cut an equal amount of hair from all over (Taqsir)
Halq is more rewarding — the Prophet ﷺ made Du'a three times for those who shave
Women: Cut only a small amount (about 1-2cm) from the ends of their hair — do not shave
After Halq/Taqsir, your Umrah is complete and you have exited the state of Ihram
All Ihram restrictions are now lifted — you may resume normal clothing and activities
☪Du'a for this Step
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلْمُحَلِّقِينَ، اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلْمُحَلِّقِينَ، اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلْمُحَلِّقِينَ وَالْمُقَصِّرِينَ
Allahummaghfir lil-muhalliqeen, Allahummaghfir lil-muhalliqeen, Allahummaghfir lil-muhalliqeena wal-muqassirin
Meaning: O Allah, forgive those who shave. O Allah, forgive those who shave. O Allah, forgive those who shave and those who shorten their hair.
Alhamdulillah — Umrah Complete!
After completing Halq or Taqsir, your Umrah is complete. You have exited the state of Ihram. May Allah accept your Umrah and grant you a complete, blessed journey. Ameen.
تَقَبَّلَ اللَّهُ مِنَّا وَمِنْكُمْ
Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum — May Allah accept from us and from you
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
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