Umrah — A Step-by-Step Guide
A closer look at the rites of Umrah, what each step involves, and common points to be careful of. General overview — follow a qualified teacher or accredited guide for your own journey.
What Is Umrah?
Umrah is sometimes called the “lesser pilgrimage” — a set of rites performed at the Ka’bah in Makkah that, unlike Hajj, can be performed at any time of the year and is not tied to a fixed set of days. It is not obligatory in the same way Hajj is for those who are able, but it is a highly encouraged act of worship, and many pilgrims perform it alongside Hajj or as a separate journey of its own.
Before You Go
Practical and spiritual preparation, in general terms.
Before travelling, it helps to learn the sequence of the rites in advance so you are not learning them for the first time under the stress of a crowded environment, to settle any outstanding debts and obligations, to seek forgiveness from anyone you may have wronged, and to make sincere intention that the journey is for the sake of Allah. On the practical side, visa, health and travel requirements change from year to year and are set by the Saudi authorities and your own government — see the note on current official requirements further down this page rather than relying on this section for that.
The Steps of Umrah
A general overview of the sequence, in more depth than the summary on the main Hajj & Umrah page. Scholars differ on some details of practice — this describes the widely followed sequence, not the only view.
Ihram
Ihram is both a physical state (specific dress, for men two unstitched white cloths; for women, modest ordinary dress covering the body) and an inward state — the intention (niyyah) to begin Umrah. It is usually entered after a ritual bath (ghusl) or wudu, at or before reaching the miqat, the boundary points set for pilgrims.
Once in ihram, certain things become temporarily prohibited — among them cutting hair or nails, using perfume, hunting, and marital relations. Men additionally may not wear stitched clothing or cover the head; women may not cover the face with a niqab that touches the face, though covering with a loose cloth is permitted.
Miqat
The miqat points are fixed boundary locations around Makkah, established for pilgrims arriving from different directions. A pilgrim intending Umrah or Hajj must enter ihram at or before reaching their miqat — travellers by air today typically enter ihram before or during the flight, once informed they are approaching the relevant point.
Talbiyah
After entering ihram, it is Sunnah to recite the talbiyah — the pilgrim’s traditional response, repeated frequently on the way to Makkah and until beginning tawaf. HikmahBridge has not yet published the exact wording here — see the Duas for the Journey section on the main Hajj & Umrah page, which is honestly marked as still being sourced and checked rather than presented without verification.
Entering Makkah and Masjid al-Haram
On arrival, pilgrims proceed to Masjid al-Haram to begin the rites. It is customary to enter with the right foot and a supplication for entering a mosque, then proceed toward the Ka’bah to begin tawaf.
Tawaf
Tawaf is circling the Ka’bah seven times, counter-clockwise, starting and ending at the corner marked by the Black Stone (al-Hajar al-Aswad). Men perform the first three circuits at a brisk pace (raml) where crowd conditions allow, followed by four at a normal pace; women walk at a normal pace throughout. Touching or kissing the Black Stone is Sunnah where possible, but is not required — a gesture toward it from a distance is sufficient when the area is too crowded to approach safely.
Prayer After Tawaf
After completing the seven circuits, it is Sunnah to pray two rak’ahs, traditionally behind or near Maqam Ibrahim where space allows, or anywhere else in the mosque if that area is too crowded.
Sa’i
Sa’i is walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, now enclosed within an extension of the mosque. A single trip from Safa to Marwah counts as one; the return trip counts as the second, and so on, ending at Marwah on the seventh.
Halq or Qasr
Umrah is completed by shaving the head (halq) or trimming the hair (qasr). Shaving the whole head is considered the more complete option for men, though trimming is also valid; women trim a small amount of hair rather than shaving. Once this is done, the restrictions of ihram are lifted and Umrah is complete.
Common Mistakes
- Losing count during tawaf or sa’i — in a crowded mosque it is easy to lose track. Some pilgrims use a tasbih counter or count on their fingers to stay accurate.
- Assuming ihram restrictions end after tawaf — the restrictions of ihram remain in place until hair is cut at the very end of Umrah, not after tawaf or sa’i.
- Pushing forward to touch the Black Stone — this is Sunnah where it can be done safely and calmly, not an obligation worth risking injuring yourself or others over in a crowd.
- Not knowing the miqat for your route — travellers should confirm in advance where their miqat is, particularly if flying, so ihram is not missed or entered too late.
Guidance for Specific Situations
Common Questions
Can Umrah be performed more than once?
Yes. Unlike Hajj, Umrah has no fixed season and can be performed as often as a person is able to, including more than once during the same trip by some accounts, though views differ on the recommended frequency within a single visit.
Do I need a guide or can I perform Umrah alone?
Umrah can be performed independently, but especially for a first pilgrimage, going with an experienced group or guide — and learning the sequence beforehand — makes it considerably easier to perform correctly and calmly.
What if I make a genuine mistake in the sequence?
This page cannot issue rulings for individual situations. If you are unsure whether a mistake affects the validity of your Umrah, ask a qualified scholar or your group’s guide at the time, rather than guessing.