How to perform umrah, step by step
Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage, can be performed at any time of the year. It has four parts: ihram, tawaf, sa'i and cutting the hair. Here they are in order.
An umrah to the next umrah is an expiation for what is between them, and an accepted Hajj has no reward but Paradise.
Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim
1. Ihram at the miqat
- Before the miqat, the boundary you may not cross without ihram, take a ghusl, use perfume on the body (not the clothes) and put on the ihram clothes: for men two unstitched white sheets, for women ordinary modest clothing.
- Make the intention: Labbayka Allahumma 'umrah (Here I am, O Allah, for umrah).
- Recite the talbiyah often until you reach the Kaaba:
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
Labbayka 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. All praise, blessings and sovereignty are Yours. You have no partner.
Source: al-Bukhari and Muslim. Those flying in pass the miqat in the air; airlines announce it, or you put on ihram before the flight.
Forbidden in ihram
Cutting hair or nails, perfume, sexual relations, hunting and getting married; for men stitched clothes and covering the head, for women the niqab and gloves (al-Bukhari).
2. Tawaf
- Enter the Masjid al-Haram with the right foot and the mosque dua.
- Start at the Black Stone: kiss it, touch it or point to it and say Bismillah, Allahu akbar.
- Walk seven circuits counter-clockwise, with the Kaaba on your left. Men uncover the right shoulder (idtiba') and walk briskly in the first three circuits (ramal).
- Between the Yemeni corner and the Black Stone say Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah, wa fil-akhirati hasanah, wa qina 'adhaban-nar (Abu Dawud). Otherwise make dua and dhikr freely.
- Pray two rak'ahs behind the Maqam Ibrahim if possible (Quran 2:125), and drink Zamzam.
3. Sa'i between Safa and Marwah
۞إِنَّ ٱلصَّفَا وَٱلۡمَرۡوَةَ مِن شَعَآئِرِ ٱللَّهِۖ فَمَنۡ حَجَّ ٱلۡبَيۡتَ أَوِ ٱعۡتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيۡهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَاۚ وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيۡرٗا فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿١٥٨﴾
Inna alssafa waalmarwata min shaʿairi Allahi faman hajja albayta awi iʿtamara fala junaha ʿalayhi an yattawwafa bihima waman tatawwaʿa khayran fainna Allaha shakirun ʿaleemun
Indeed, as-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs 'umrah - there is no blame upon him for walking between them. And whoever volunteers good - then indeed, Allah is appreciative and Knowing
Quran 2:158 · Surah Al-Baqara · Translation: Saheeh International · Transliteration: Tanzil.net
- Start at Safa, face the Kaaba, praise Allah and make dua.
- Walk to Marwah and back: seven laps in total, ending at Marwah. Men walk briskly between the green lights.
4. Cutting the hair
Men shave the head (best) or shorten the hair all over; women cut the length of a fingertip from their hair. With this the umrah is complete and the restrictions of ihram end.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does umrah take?
Usually two to four hours from tawaf to cutting the hair, depending on the crowds. In Ramadan and at weekends it takes longer.
Is umrah in Ramadan special?
Yes. The Prophet ﷺ said an umrah in Ramadan equals a Hajj, or a Hajj with him (al-Bukhari, Muslim). It does not replace the obligatory Hajj.
This article was written with the help of AI. Quran verses are inserted directly from the Quran text (translation: Saheeh International); it is general information, not a religious ruling (fatwa). For your own situation, ask a qualified scholar. Found a mistake? Write to support@hadaff.de.