Umrah
A comprehensive guide to performing the minor pilgrimage (Umrah) in accordance with the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
Ihram & Niyyah (The Intention)
STEP 01Assume the state of Ihram before crossing the designated boundary (Miqat). Perform ghusl, wear the Ihram garments, and make the sincere intention.
💡 Proclaim this intention aloud. Once in Ihram, refrain from scented products, clipping nails, cutting hair, or conjugal behavior.
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً
Labbayk Allahumma Umrah
"Here I am, O Allah, for Umrah"
Talbiyah (The Pilgrim's Call)
STEP 02Recite the Talbiyah frequently from the Miqat until you reach the outer gates of Masjid al-Haram in Makkah.
💡 Men should recite this loudly; women recite it quietly.
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayka la sharika laka Labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak.
"Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Indeed all praise, grace, and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner."
Entering Masjid al-Haram
STEP 03Enter the sacred sanctuary with your right foot first, reciting the authentic gate-entry supplication.
💡 Keep your gaze lowered in humility until you face the magnificent Kaaba.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ. اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ
Bismillah, was-salatu was-salamu 'ala Rasulillah. Allahummaftah li abwaba rahmatik.
"In the name of Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, open for me the gates of Your mercy."
Tawaf (Circumambulating the Kaaba)
STEP 04Walk around the Kaaba 7 times counter-clockwise, starting from the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad). Men should uncover their right shoulder (Idtiba') and jog lightly during the first 3 rounds (Raml) if space permits.
💡 Face the Black Stone and point your right hand towards it saying 'Allahu Akbar' to begin each round. Recite any personal dua during the circumambulation. Between the Yemeni Corner (Rukn al-Yamani) and the Black Stone, recite the specific Quranic verse below:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Bismillahi wa Allahu Akbar
"In the name of Allah, and Allah is the Greatest"
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatah wa fil-akhirati hasanatah wa qina 'adhaban-nar.
"Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:201)"
Maqam Ibrahim (Two Rakah Prayer)
STEP 05After completing Tawaf, cover your right shoulder and head to the Station of Abraham, reciting the Quranic command, and perform a 2-Rakah Sunnah prayer.
💡 Pray two short Rakahs behind Maqam Ibrahim (or anywhere in the Haram). Recite Surah Al-Kafirun in the first Rakah and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second. Drink Zamzam water copiously afterward.
وَاتَّخِذُوا مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى
Wattakhidhu min maqami Ibrahima musalla
"And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:125)"
Sa'i (Walking Safa & Marwah)
STEP 06Perform Sa'i by walking 7 times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, beginning at Safa and ending at Marwah. Approach Safa and recite the Quranic verse.
💡 Stand on Safa, face the Kaaba, raise your hands, and praise Allah by repeating the following authentic supplication 3 times, making personal dua in between:
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ... أَبْدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللَّهُ بِهِ
Innas-Safa wal-Marwata min sha'airillah... Abda'u bima bada'allahu bih.
"Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah... I begin with that which Allah began with. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:158)"
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ. لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ، أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ، وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ، وَهَزَمَ الْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ
La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa 'ala kulli shay'in qadir. La ilaha illallahu wahdahu, anjaza wa'dahu, wa nasara 'abdahu, wa hazamal-ahzaba wahdah.
"There is no god but Allah alone, without partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and to Him belongs praise, and He is over all things omnipotent. There is no god but Allah alone, He fulfilled His promise, helped His servant, and defeated the factions alone."
Halq or Taqsir (Exit Ihram)
STEP 07Conclude your Umrah by shaving the head (Halq) or trimming the hair equally (Taqsir).
💡 Shaving the head (Halq) is highly recommended for men; they may also choose to trim the hair equally all over. Women exit Ihram by gathering their hair and cutting a small portion equal to a fingertip. Your Umrah is now complete and all Ihram prohibitions are lifted.
Umrah Complete
May Allah accept your Umrah pilgrimage, wash away your sins, and grant you a safe return to your home. Ameen.