Umrah Guide: How to Perform Umrah, Steps, Duas, and Rituals Explained
Umrah — the lesser pilgrimage to Makkah — is one of the most beloved acts of worship in Islam. Unlike Hajj, it can be performed at any time of the year and is open to every Muslim who is physically and financially able. Consisting of four essential steps — Ihram, Tawaf, Sa'ee, and Halq or Taqsir — Umrah is a journey of the heart as much as the body, tracing the footsteps of the Prophets and answering the timeless call of Allah. This guide covers each step of Umrah in detail, including the essential duas and dhikr for each ritual, with Arabic, transliteration, and translation.
When Is It?
Umrah can be performed at any time of year, unlike Hajj. It is especially recommended during Ramadan, as the Prophet ﷺ said Umrah in Ramadan equals the reward of Hajj.
The Lesser Pilgrimage
Umrah is the voluntary (or in some opinions, obligatory) lesser pilgrimage to Makkah. It consists of four main steps: Ihram, Tawaf, Sa'ee, and shaving or trimming hair.
For All Muslims
Umrah is open to every Muslim who is physically and financially able. It can be performed multiple times in one's life, unlike Hajj which is obligatory only once.
What Is Umrah?
Umrah is the Islamic lesser pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia. It can be performed at any time of the year — unlike Hajj, which is restricted to specific days in the month of Dhul Hijjah. The word "Umrah" comes from the Arabic root meaning "to visit a populated place."
While Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and obligatory once in a lifetime, Umrah is considered by the majority of scholars to be a Sunnah Mu'akkadah (confirmed prophetic practice) — strongly recommended and immensely rewarding.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "From one Umrah to the next is an expiation for whatever (sins) come between them, and an accepted Hajj brings no reward but Jannah." (Bukhari & Muslim)
Umrah at a Glance
Umrah consists of four essential steps performed in order. Each step carries deep spiritual significance rooted in the lives of the Prophets. Below is a quick overview before the detailed step-by-step guide.
1. Ihram
Enter the sacred state before the Miqat: purify yourself, wear the Ihram garments, make niyyah, and recite the Talbiyah.
2. Tawaf
Circumambulate the Ka'bah seven times, beginning at al-Hajarul-Aswad, making du'a throughout.
3. Sa'ee
Walk seven circuits between as-Safa and al-Marwah, following the example of Hajar (AS).
4. Halq / Taqsir
Men shave or trim the head; women cut a small amount of hair. Ihram restrictions are now lifted and Umrah is complete.
Step-by-Step Umrah Rituals
Follow these steps in order to perform a valid and complete Umrah. The duas and dhikr for each step are provided in Arabic, transliteration, and English translation.
Ihram — Before Reaching the Miqat
- Remove unwanted hair, trim nails, and make ghusl (full bath) and wudhu (ablution) — or at minimum, perform wudhu.
- Men: wear 2 white un-sewn pieces of cloth. Women: wear regular modest clothing covering the entire body. Women must not cover their faces during Ihram; men must not cover their heads.
- Make the niyyah (intention) to enter Ihram — in any language, sincerely in the heart.
- Recite the Talbiyah and continue reciting it frequently until beginning Tawaf.
The Talbiyah:
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيْكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ لاَشَرِيْكَ لَكَ
Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayk la sharika laka Labbayk, Innal hamda wanni'mata laka walmulk La sharika lak
"Here I am O Allah, (in response to Your call), here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Indeed all the Praise, Grace and Sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner."
Tawaf — Circling the Ka'bah 7 Times
- Enter al-Masjid al-Haram with the right foot.
- Men only: before proceeding to al-Hajarul-Aswad (the Black Stone), uncover the right shoulder by placing the Ihram underneath the right armpit (this is known as Idhtiba).
- At al-Hajarul-Aswad, make a sign with your right hand and recite 'Allahu Akbar' to begin each of the 7 circuits.
- Men: walk briskly (Raml) during the first 3 circuits; complete the remaining 4 at a normal pace.
- No specific supplication is required during Tawaf; you may make personal du'a throughout.
- Between Ar-Ruknul-Yamani (Yemeni Corner) and al-Hajarul-Aswad, it is Sunnah to recite the following dua.
- Once all 7 circuits are complete, cover the right shoulder and offer 2 rakaats behind Maqam Ibrahim — or anywhere in the Haram. Recite Surah al-Kafirun in the 1st raka'ah and Surah al-Ikhlas in the 2nd.
- Drink Zamzam water and make du'a.
Dua upon entering al-Masjid al-Haram:
اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ
Allahumma aftah lee abwaaba rahmatika
"O Allah, open the doors of Your Mercy for me."
Dua between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone:
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Rabbanaa aatinaa fid-dunyaa hasanatan wa feel aakhirati hasanatan wa qinaa 'adhaaban naar
"Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!"
Sa'ee — Walking Between as-Safa and al-Marwah
- Proceed to as-Safa to begin Sa'ee.
- Upon first approaching as-Safa, recite the opening verse (see below).
- Walk from as-Safa to al-Marwah (one circuit), then from al-Marwah back to as-Safa (second circuit). Continue for 7 circuits total, finishing at al-Marwah.
- Men only: upon encountering the green lights, run from one green light to the other. Women walk the entire distance.
- Each time you reach as-Safa or al-Marwah (completing a round), recite the following dhikr and make personal du'a.
Recite upon first approaching as-Safa:
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللهِ
innaṣ-ṣafaa wal-marwata min sha‛aa'ir-illaah
"Indeed Al-Safa and Al-Marwah are from the places of worship of Allah."
Dhikr recited at as-Safa and al-Marwah (each round):
اللهُ أَكْبَرُ ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ ، أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ ، وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ ، وَهَزَمَ الأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ
allaahu akbar, allaahu akbar, allaahu akbar. laa ilaaha ill-allaahu waḥdahu laa shareeka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamdu wa huwa ‛alaa kulli shay'in qadeer, laa ilaaha ill-allaahu waḥdahu, anjaza wa‛dahu, wa naṣara ‛abdahu, wa hazam-al-'aḥzaaba waḥdah.
"Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest. None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone, without partner. To Him belongs all sovereignty and praise and He is over all things omnipotent. None has the right to be worshipped except Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, aided His slave and single-handedly defeated the allies."
Halq / Taqsir — Shaving or Trimming Hair
- After completing Sa'ee, proceed to shave or trim the hair.
- Men: shaving the entire head (Halq) is preferred. Alternatively, cut hair equally from all over the head (Taqsir).
- Women: cut approximately one-third of a finger's length from the hair. Shaving is not permitted for women.
- Upon leaving al-Masjid al-Haram, exit with the left foot and recite the leaving dua.
- Remove the Ihram — all restrictions are now lifted. Umrah is complete.
Dua upon leaving al-Masjid al-Haram:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ
Allahumma innee 'as'aluka min fadhlika
"O Allah, verily I ask You from Your Favor."
All Ihram restrictions are now lifted. Umrah is complete. Congratulations — may Allah accept your Umrah.
Key Locations of Umrah
Understanding the sacred sites of Umrah deepens your spiritual connection to each ritual. Each location holds profound significance in Islamic history and worship.
Miqat
The designated boundary outside Makkah where pilgrims must enter Ihram before proceeding. Different Miqat points exist for pilgrims arriving from different directions.
al-Masjid al-Haram
The Grand Mosque in Makkah, home to the Ka'bah. Pilgrims enter with the right foot and perform Tawaf around the Ka'bah within the mosque.
al-Hajarul-Aswad
The Black Stone embedded in the eastern corner of the Ka'bah. Tawaf begins and ends here. Pilgrims gesture toward it or touch it if possible.
as-Safa & al-Marwah
The two small hills inside al-Masjid al-Haram between which Sa'ee is performed, commemorating Hajar's search for water for her son Ismail (AS).
Spiritual Meaning of Umrah
Umrah is far more than a set of physical rituals — it is an intimate conversation between the servant and their Creator. The moment you recite the Talbiyah and answer Allah's call, a spiritual transformation begins that carries you through each step of the journey.
The Tawaf — circling the Ka'bah — is a reminder that Allah is the center of all existence and that our lives revolve around His worship. The Sa'ee — retracing Hajar's steps — is a lesson in trust, perseverance, and absolute reliance on Allah. And the cutting of hair marks a renewal: the pilgrim emerges purified, as if reborn.
Answer to Allah's Call
The Talbiyah — 'Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk' — is the pilgrim's answer to Allah's eternal invitation. Every step of Umrah is a response to that divine call.
Following the Prophets
Umrah traces the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), Hajar, and Ismail (AS), and was perfected by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself.
Expiation of Sins
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'From one Umrah to the next is an expiation for whatever (sins) come between them.' Each Umrah is an opportunity for renewal and forgiveness.
Umrah in Ramadan
The Prophet ﷺ said that performing Umrah in Ramadan carries the reward equivalent to Hajj. It is among the most spiritually elevated acts one can perform.
May Allah Accept Your Umrah
Umrah is among the most beautiful acts of worship a Muslim can perform. From the first recitation of the Talbiyah at the Miqat to the final cut of hair at the end of Sa'ee, every step is a chance to draw closer to Allah, seek His forgiveness, and renew your faith. The lessons of humility, gratitude, perseverance, and complete surrender to Allah carried home from Umrah are gifts meant to last a lifetime. Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum — may Allah accept from us and from you.
Note: The duas and supplications included in this guide are widely accepted across Islamic schools of thought. However, the exact wording, sequence, and inclusion of additional supplications may vary among different madhabs. For specific practices or variations, you may seek guidance from your local scholar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Umrah and is it obligatory?
Umrah is the lesser pilgrimage to Makkah that can be performed at any time of the year. Unlike Hajj, the majority of scholars consider Umrah to be highly recommended (Sunnah Mu'akkadah) rather than obligatory, though some scholars hold it is obligatory at least once in a lifetime for those who are able.
What is Ihram and how do you enter it for Umrah?
Ihram is the sacred state entered before performing Umrah or Hajj. Before reaching the Miqat (designated boundary), the pilgrim removes unwanted hair, trims nails, performs ghusl (full bath) and wudhu (ablution), wears the Ihram garments (two white unstitched sheets for men; modest clothing for women), makes the niyyah (intention), and recites the Talbiyah.
How many circuits are performed in Tawaf?
Tawaf consists of 7 circuits (rounds) around the Ka'bah, beginning and ending at al-Hajarul-Aswad (the Black Stone). Men perform the first 3 circuits at a brisk pace (Raml) and the remaining 4 at a normal pace. Men also uncover their right shoulder (Idhtiba) throughout the Tawaf.
What is Sa'ee and how many rounds does it involve?
Sa'ee is the ritual walk between the hills of as-Safa and al-Marwah, commemorating Hajar's search for water for her son Ismail (AS). It consists of 7 circuits, starting at as-Safa and ending at al-Marwah. Men run between the green lights; women walk the entire distance.
What dua is recited between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone during Tawaf?
Between Ar-Ruknul-Yamani (Yemeni Corner) and al-Hajarul-Aswad (Black Stone), it is Sunnah to recite: 'Rabbanaa aatinaa fid-dunyaa hasanatan wa feel aakhirati hasanatan wa qinaa adhaaban naar' — Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.
What prayer is offered after completing Tawaf?
After completing the 7 circuits of Tawaf, the pilgrim covers the right shoulder and offers 2 rakaats of prayer behind the Station of Ibrahim (Maqam Ibrahim), or anywhere in the Haram. It is recommended to recite Surah al-Kafirun in the first raka'ah and Surah al-Ikhlas in the second.
What happens after Sa'ee — is Umrah complete?
After completing Sa'ee, men shave their entire head (preferred) or cut hair equally from all over. Women cut approximately one-third of a finger's length of hair. Once hair is cut or shaved, the pilgrim exits Ihram, all restrictions are lifted, and Umrah is complete.
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