How to perform Umrah? Step-by-Step Complete Guide

Umrah is a journey that Muslims worldwide want to do at least once in their lives. Therefore, they can journey to Saudi Arabia anywhere at any time of the year. However, before embarking on your Umrah pilgrimage, you must first understand how to do it.

Umrah is primarily comprised of four essential rituals. First and foremost, you must change into Ihram clothing before proceeding to the Miqat stage. Then, when Miqat arrives, do 2 Rakats of Salah and express your Niyyah (intention) while saying Talbiyah repeatedly.

Then you will conduct Tawaf-al-Umrah in the Kaaba, followed by two Rakahs of Salah. These two Rakats should be performed near Maqam-e-Ibrahim. Finally, you shall do Sa’i for Safa and Marwah. Finally, you conclude your Umrah by shaving (Halq for men) or cutting (Taqsir for women) your hair, which permits you to leave the condition of Ihram.

There are 4 phases of Umrah:

• Ihram
• Tawaf-ul-Umrah
• Sa’i
• Halq or Taqsir

While you are prepared to perform Umrah, first ensure that you are pure and clean while putting on Ihram clothing. Go Ghusl after cutting your nails and removing the hair from behind your armpit and below your navel.

It is a strongly recommended Sunnah for individuals who plan to enter Ihram as the first step before taking Umrah.

If you are unable to do Ghusl, Wudhu will suffice. Men could use Attar/Perfume, but not on religious Ihram clothing. This physical cleansing procedure should be carried out at your home before traveling to Makkah.

Stage 1: The State of Ihram

After you have become physically clean, you will put on Ihram clothes. Ihram is a neat, smooth bit of cloth that is usually white. This clothing is made up of two sections (for males), the first of which wraps around the body and covers the body and is known as Izar.

However, the other sheet is known as Rida and is used for wrapping the top body like a shawl. You wrap it around your body by sliding it below your right arm or your left shoulder.

You must wear comfortable sandals that do not hide your heel or foot. According to Hanafi Mode of Thought, the soles of your feet should also be revealed.

Before crossing the authorized Miqat, ensure you are dressed in Ihram. You will most likely be flying to Saudi Arabia; be willing to dress in Ihram clothing at the airport before leaving. However, if you have additional stops on the route to your objective, you can modify it (Makkah).

If there are no stops, it is best to change at the airport. After checking in, you can be changed into a prayer room or the bathroom.

However, bear in mind that airplane toilets are relatively small, making it challenging to change your clothes properly, and there may be a swarm of others doing the same. As a result, it is preferable to replace it at the airport, where you may locate a pleasant location.

Before Miqat arrives, you should change into Ihram clothing and meet all other Ihram criteria. Even underwear, headwear, and shoes should not be worn so as not to break the Ihram regulations.

Step 1: Dress Code for Women

On the other hand, women do not have a defined clothing code. Their dress should have modest Islamic garb covering their entire body, including their head. Hands and faces, however, should be visible, and they may wear socks.

If you want to go to Madinah before Makkah, the Ihram status does not apply. However, when you leave Madinah for Makkah, you shall wear Ihram clothing.

Step 2: Salah Al-Ihram

Furthermore, it is Sunnah to recite 2 Rakats of Salah while entering the condition of Ihram. Salah is done doing 2 Nafal for Ihram. And you’re not, though; in Ihram, you could do this Salah having your head covered.

Surah Al-Kafirun (Surah 109) should be recited during the first Rakat with Salah and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the next (Surah 112). Then, you could read another Surah. After Salah is completed, you make Dua.

Step 4: Talbiyah

To confirm your purpose before reaching the stage of Ihram, you must recite Talbiyah after completing Niyyah. It is Wajib to say Talbiyah, as per the Hanafi and Maliki schools of thought. Reciting Talbiyah is considered a sunnah by the Shafi’i and Hanbali schools.

Talbiyah Prayer reads like this:

It should be recited using the Sunnah way, with brief breaks at four points, as stated by the dashes below.

Having said the Talbiyah mentioned above, you will reach a Muhrim stage of Ihram. You must, in particular, be aware of the standards in the region of Ihram and not violate any of its restrictions. If you break a regulation, you must pay Damm or Sadaqah as compensation.

It is recommended to send Salawat to the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) after reciting Talbiyah (P.B.U.H.). After that, recite Dua about yourself and others; continue saying Talbiyah until you enter one of the Masjid Al-Haram gates.

Step 5: Haram of Makkah

Step in Masjid Al-Haram with the right foot first while reciting Talbiyah; the preferred path is through Bab as-Salam. The Haram of Makkah is a sacred area that reaches for miles in all directions. The following acts are forbidden in this holy place:

• Trimming any vegetation like grass or trees
• Carrying weapons with you
• Killing any wild animal (even you can’t scare them)
• Any misbehaving act

You must follow the rules to respect the sanctity of Makkah.

Step 6: Conditions for an Additional Umrah

If you plan to perform another Umrah after this one, you must go outside the Haram boundary to wear Ihram. You can reach Masjid Aisha by taking advantage of the transportation service available near Masjid Al-Haram.

Step 7: Entering Makkah

You should recite the following while entering Makkah:

Step 8: Entering Masjid Al-Haram

Pray to Allah by making your way to the Kaaba. The following supplication, which is usually recited before entering a mosque, may be recited:

The following rules must be followed in Masjid Al-Haram:

• Tahiyatul Masjid (praying two Rakahs to greet the mosque) is unnecessary because your Tawaf will be enough.
• If you are not going to perform Tawaf right away, you may perform Tahiyatul Masjid.
• You can walk across people performing Salah in Masjid al-Haram but try to avoid walking near their place of prostration.

Step 9: First Sight of Kaaba

You should enter the mosque by looking down until you reach the Mataf area, which is an open area where you perform Tawaf. Then, with humility and reverence, raise your gaze. When you first see the Kaaba, raise your hands and make Dua with pure intentions and sincerity.

It is one of those places that accepts prayers. While praying, you should also recite Salawat upon Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Umar Ibn al-Khattab tells the narrators:

“Dua is suspended between heaven and earth, and none of it is taken up until you send blessings upon your Prophet (PBUH).”

[Narrated in Sunan al-Tirmidhi]

Recite the following words three times:

Reciting the following Duas is Sunnah:

Stage 2: Tawaf Al-Umrah

The following rules must be followed to perform a valid Tawaf:

1. Performing Tawaf yourself
2. Making Niyyah (intention)
3. Performing Tawaf at Masjid Al-Haram
4. You must do ablution (Wudhu) before entering the mosque
5. Women should be free of menstruation and be in a state of Wudhu
6. To conceal the awrah
7. Start Tawaf from Hajar Al-Aswad
8. Perform Tawaf in an anti-clockwise direction
9. You should avoid the Hatim (the semi-circle area outside of Kaabah)
10. People who can should perform Tawaf by foot
11. You should perform seven circles
12. You should perform two Rakats of Salah after Tawaf

Step 10: Starting Point

It is important to start your Tawaf at the Hajar Al-Aswad, which is located at the corner of the Kaaba. This location is easily recognized since it faces a single minaret. Furthermore, a single light on the mosque wall opposite Kaabah indicates where to start the Tawaf.

You should start at this place, facing Kaabah and with Hajar Al-Aswad on your right. Shawt is the starting point of each circuit.

Step 11: Intention

Your intention should be to do Tawaf only for the sake of Allah. You can use the following Dua:

Step 12: Kissing, Touching / Saluting Hajar Al-Aswad (Istilam)

When you arrive close to Hajar Al-Aswad, place your hands on it and lightly kiss it by placing your face between your hands, saying ‘Bismillahi Wallahu Akbar’. Some scholars believe that if you get the chance, you should kiss it three times.

If you can’t touch or kiss it (which is likely), touch it with your hand/hands and kiss it with your hand/hands. If it is not possible, turn your face towards Hajar Al-Aswad and raise your hands to your earlobes.

If your face and hands are on Hajar Al-Aswad, you should make sure your palms are facing it as well. Then say ‘Bismillahi Wallahu Akbar,’ and then kiss your palm.

In each circuit of Tawaf, as you come parallel to Hajar Al-Aswad, say the following Hazrat Ali Dua:

Step 13: Starting Tawaf

Proceed to your right to begin the first circuit of Tawaf, keeping Kaabah to your left. This should be done in an anti-clockwise direction. Avoid walking past Hijar Ismail throughout your circuit since it will void the circuit if you do. If this happens, the circuit must be repeated.

Step 14: Raml

Raml is a man performance in which they walk briskly, lift their legs forcefully, and stick out their chest during the first three rounds of Tawaf.

When there is no congestion, this activity should be executed without causing harm to others. You should only do this Sunnah if there is enough space and you are not causing any trouble to others.

Step 15: Dhikr and Dua

You should remember Allah with all your inner sincerity and devotion by repeating prayers and supplications during the Tawaf cycles.

Allah accepts and answers your prayers on this good day. It is recommended that you say prayers of your choice, making sure you understand their significance.

If you don’t understand the meanings of the Dua, you should avoid reading them from a Dua book.

“Specifying a Dua would take the moments away because, with specific Duas, one will merely be repeating words, whereas this occasion is for any Dua and for remembering one’s Lord with humility and sincerity.”

Try to supplicate in your native language, the one with which you are most familiar. It is best to remember and study the meanings of Quranic and Prophetic Duas if you prefer to supplicate them. Furthermore, in addition to reading the Quran, it is strongly advised that you send Salawat upon Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during Tawaf.

Step 16: Rukn Al-Yamini

Rukn Al-Yamni is the corner before Hajar Al-Aswad; once there, touch Hajar Al-Aswad with your right or both hands while saying ‘Allahu Akbar’. However, if there is congestion, as is likely, go without reciting and gesturing towards it.

Sunnah involves reciting the following Dua between Rukn Al-Yamani and Hajar Al-Aswad:

Step 17: End of Circuit at Hajr Al-Aswad

For all future rounds, chant ‘Allahu Akbar’ while doing Istilam (as indicated above). During Tawaf, you will do the act of Istilam eight times, once before the Tawaf and once at the end of each circuit, for a total of eight times.

Step 18: During Tawaf

You should complete the Tawaf rounds without stopping; however, you must join them if an obligatory prayer is about to begin. After praying, you should restart your Tawaf and complete the circuit. The same rule applies in the event of repeating Wudhu.

Step 19: Completion of Tawaf and Salah

Following Tawaf, you should conduct two Rakah Salah. Try to do it in a location where Muqam Ibrahim is present. If this is not possible due to crowding, you can do it anywhere in Masjid Al-Haram.

When approaching the location where Salah will be conducted, it is recommended to recite the following words aloud:

Recite Surah Al-Kafirun and Surah Ikhlas in two Rakats of Salah. After completing the prayer, you should beg Allah fervently to give you many Duas.

Step 20: Zamzam Water

Drink Zamzam water after finishing your prayer, which is provided near Masjid Al-Haram.

Prophet Muhammad said:

“The water of Zamzam is for whatever purpose it is drunk for.”

You can supplicate of your choosing because this is yet another place where Duas are accepted.

It is Mustahab to stand and face Kaabah when drinking this Holy Water. Start drinking Zamzam by saying ‘Bismillah,’ pausing after each sip (3 sips), and then saying Alhamdulillah.

Step 21: Multazam

Multazam is the region between Hajar Al-Aswad and the Kaaba’s door. Raise your hands above your head, hold to the wall, and push your chest and cheeks against it if you reach Multazam.

It is the Prophet’s (PBUH) Sunnah and yet another location where Duas is acceptable. If there is a large audience, you should face it and pray from a distance.

Stage 3: Sa’i

You should do Sa’i after finishing the Tawaf process, or you can take a rest to regain your energy because the Sa’i place is 3.5 km away. Furthermore, you must perform Sa’i after finishing Tawaf and remain in Ihram till Sa’i is completed.

If you are not impaired by the walk, you must complete seven laps on your feet, starting in Safa and finishing in Marwa.

Step 22: Istilam of the Hajar Al-Aswad

It is Sunnah to do Istilam before Sa’i; this will be the ninth time in total (8 times during Tawaf). However, if there is traffic or you are tired, you can perform it from a distance as long as you are facing Hajar Al-Aswad.

Step 23: Proceed Towards Safa

It is Sunnah to repeat the following Arabic words only once when you approach Safa before starting Sa’i:

Step 24: Making Dua at Safa

You may say the following: Takbir, Tahlil, and send Salawat upon the Prophet (PBUH) as you reach the hill of Safa, raising your hands in prayer and facing the direction of the Kaaba.

Step 25: Proceeding Toward Marwa

There is a 50-meter distance between Safa and Marwa indicated by two sets of green fluorescent lights. This 50-meter gap is known as Milayn Al-Akhdarayn (the two green mileposts). This practice is performed in remembrance of Hazrat Hajra (RA). It is Sunnah for men to run at a medium pace, but women should walk normally.

Step 26: Dhikr and Dua

You can recite any prayer and send Salawat to the Prophet (PBUH).

Step 27: Making Dua at Marwa

When you reach Marwa, it completes one lap. When you arrive, repeat the Dua you said at Safa by raising your hands and facing the direction of the Kaaba.

Step 28: End of Sa’i

Rep until you’ve completed seven laps between Safa and Marwa. It is also recommended that you perform a final supplication and two Rakah Salah at Masjid Al-Haram at the end of Sa’i.

Step 29: Leaving Haram

Sunnah is here to step out with your left foot and recite the following supplicate:

Stage 4: Halq or Taqsir

To leave the state of Ihram, you must shave (Halq) your head or trim (Taqsir) an inch from a barber or your own. Your Umrah is finished. Congratulations!

Conclusion

When you complete Umrah, you will be clean since you are a newborn baby. So, give it your all and remember your loved ones in your prayers.