How to Perform Umrah Step by Step Complete Guide for Every Muslim
How to Perform Umrah
A complete, easy-to-follow step-by-step guide for every Muslim — with Makkah Ziyarat services, duas, and practical tips.
Table of Contents
Performing Umrah is one of the most beautiful acts of worship in Islam. Whether it is your first time or you have visited before, having a clear step-by-step guide makes the whole journey smoother and more spiritually meaningful. This guide is written in simple, easy-to-understand language so every Muslim — young or old — can follow along with confidence.
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Umrah is a voluntary Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Unlike Hajj, which has specific dates in the Islamic calendar, Umrah can be performed at any time of the year. It is sometimes called the "minor pilgrimage," but its spiritual reward is immense.
The word Umrah comes from Arabic meaning "to visit a populated place." Performing Umrah is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and brings tremendous blessings to the believer. It consists of four main acts: putting on Ihram, performing Tawaf, performing Sa'i, and cutting the hair.
You can perform Umrah throughout the entire year. However, there are some preferred and restricted times to be aware of:
| Time / Season | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Ramadan | Most rewarding — equal in merit to performing Hajj with the Prophet ﷺ | ⭐ Best Time |
| Any Month (Outside Hajj) | Completely valid, accepted, and often less crowded | ✓ Valid |
| 8–13 Dhul Hijjah | Hajj season — Makruh (disliked) to perform Umrah during these specific days | ⚠ Avoid |
Before you leave for Makkah, there are a few important things to prepare so your journey is smooth and spiritually focused:
Get a Valid Umrah Visa
Apply through your country's authorized Hajj & Umrah Ministry or a licensed travel agent. Saudi Arabia also offers e-visas for many nationalities.
Book Travel & Hotel
Choose accommodation close to Masjid Al-Haram. Our Makkah Ziyarat taxi and taxi Service helps with all airport transfers.
Learn the Duas & Steps
Spend time learning the key prayers before you go. This guide covers everything. Bring a small pocket dua booklet for reference during your journey.
Pack Your Ihram Clothes
Men need two white unstitched sheets. Women wear their normal modest Islamic clothing — no specific color required.
Physical Preparation
Umrah involves a great deal of walking on hard marble floors. Make sure you are reasonably fit and wear comfortable footwear. Stay hydrated — carry a bottle of water at all times.
Pro Tip from UmrahZiyaratService.com
Book your Jeddah airport to Makkah taxi or Makkah taxi service in advance for hassle-free transport. We offer affordable fares with experienced, licensed drivers.
The 9 Steps of Umrah
Entering the State of Ihram
The sacred state of intention and purity
Ihram is the sacred state a Muslim must enter before beginning Umrah. It is both a physical and spiritual preparation — you dress simply and make a firm commitment to Allah. Once you are in Ihram, certain actions become forbidden until Umrah is complete.
👨 For Men
Wear two white unstitched pieces of cloth — the izar (waist wrap) and the rida (upper body drape). Do NOT wear sewn clothing, underwear, shoes covering the ankles, or headgear.
👩 For Women
Wear normal modest Islamic clothing (abaya or any loose-fitting dress). Women should NOT cover their face (niqab) or wear gloves while in Ihram, according to the most authentic scholarly opinion.
Before wearing Ihram, it is Sunnah to:
- ✅ Take a full bath (Ghusl)
- ✅ Trim nails and remove unwanted hair
- ✅ Apply perfume to your body — NOT to the Ihram cloth itself
- ✅ Perform 2 rakats of nafl prayer if possible
Miqat: These are the designated boundary points where pilgrims must put on Ihram before entering Makkah. If you are flying into Jeddah, put on your Ihram at the airport or on the plane before crossing the Miqat.
Making the Intention (Niyyah)
Declaring your intention to Allah
After putting on the Ihram, make the intention (niyyah) in your heart to perform Umrah for the sake of Allah alone. You can say it verbally in Arabic or your own language. The sincerity of your heart is what truly matters.
Intention Dua (Arabic)
"Allahumma inni ureedul Umrata fayassirhaa lee wa taqabbalhaa minnee"
"O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah, so make it easy for me and accept it from me."
Reciting the Talbiyah
The beautiful call of the pilgrim
As soon as you make the intention, you begin reciting the Talbiyah. This is the beautiful declaration that marks your entry into Ihram. Recite it loudly (men) or softly (women), again and again, from the moment of Ihram until you begin your Tawaf.
The Talbiyah
"Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk.
Labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk.
Innal hamda wan ni'mata laka wal mulk.
Laa shareeka lak."
"Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise, grace and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner."
Entering Makkah & Masjid Al-Haram
Your first sight of the Kaaba
When you arrive in Makkah, enter with your right foot first and recite the dua for entering the masjid. The first sight of the Kaaba is one of the most emotional moments in a Muslim's life. Take a moment, raise your hands, and make sincere dua — this is a time when du'as are accepted.
🚪 Recommended Entry
Enter through Bab As-Salam (the Gate of Peace) if possible. Stop and raise your hands in dua the moment you see the Kaaba for the first time.
Service Tip: Our Makkah Ziyarat taxi service and shuttle service in Makkah can drop you directly at the nearest entrance to Masjid Al-Haram. We know all the best entry points to save you time and energy.
Performing Tawaf
Circling the Holy Kaaba 7 times
Tawaf means circling the Kaaba 7 times in an anti-clockwise direction. This is one of the main acts of Umrah and symbolizes the unity of all Muslims in their worship of Allah alone.
Start at the Black Stone (Hajar Al-Aswad)
Face the Black Stone and say "Bismillah, Allahu Akbar." Kiss it if you can, touch it with your hand, or simply point to it. This marks the start of each circuit.
Circle the Kaaba 7 Times
Always keep the Kaaba on your LEFT side. Each circuit starts and ends at the Black Stone. Recite any dhikr, Quran, or make personal dua throughout.
Raml — First 3 Circuits (Men Only)
Men are encouraged to walk briskly (Raml) in the first 3 rounds, then walk normally for the remaining 4 rounds.
Idtiba (Men Only)
During Tawaf, men should have the upper Ihram sheet under their right armpit, leaving the right shoulder bare. This is called Idtiba.
Important: You must be in a state of Wudu (ablution) throughout the entire Tawaf. If your Wudu breaks, renew it and restart that circuit from the beginning.
Praying 2 Rakats After Tawaf
At Maqam Ibrahim
After completing 7 rounds of Tawaf, proceed to the Maqam Ibrahim (Station of Ibrahim) — a glass enclosure near the Kaaba — and pray 2 rakats of nafl salah behind it. Read Surah Al-Kafirun in the first rakat and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second rakat.
📌 If the area near Maqam Ibrahim is too crowded, you may pray anywhere inside Masjid Al-Haram. The prayer is still valid and accepted.
Drinking Zamzam Water
The blessed water of 4,000+ years
After praying, head to the Zamzam water stations inside and around Masjid Al-Haram. Zamzam is the blessed water that has been flowing for over 4,000 years and holds immense spiritual significance in Islam.
💧 How to Drink Zamzam (Sunnah Way):
- ✓ Face the Qibla (direction of Kaaba)
- ✓ Drink in 3 sips
- ✓ Make dua while drinking
- ✓ Drink your fill — it is Sunnah to drink abundantly
Dua While Drinking Zamzam
"Allahumma inni as'aluka 'ilman naafi'an wa rizqan waasi'an wa shifaa'an min kulli daa'"
"O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, abundant provision, and a cure from every disease."
Performing Sa'i
Walking between Safa and Marwah 7 times
Sa'i is the act of walking 7 times between the hills of Safa and Marwah — commemorating the actions of Hajar (RA), who ran between these hills searching for water for her son Ismail (AS). This is a powerful act of faith and trust in Allah.
Start at Safa
Walk to the hill of Safa, climb it partially, face the Kaaba, and raise your hands. Say "Allahu Akbar" three times and make dua before beginning to walk.
Walk to Marwah (1st Lap)
Walk at a normal pace. In the green-lit section, men are encouraged to jog lightly (women walk normally). Reaching Marwah completes 1 lap.
Complete 7 Laps — End at Marwah
Safa → Marwah = Lap 1. Marwah → Safa = Lap 2. You start at Safa and end at Marwah after 7 total laps.
There is no fixed dua for Sa'i — recite Quran, make dhikr, or ask Allah for anything your heart desires. This is a deeply personal time of connection with your Creator.
Halq or Taqsir — Cutting the Hair
The final act that completes Umrah
After completing Sa'i, the final act of Umrah is to cut or shave the hair. This symbolizes humility and marks the completion of your Umrah. After this, the restrictions of Ihram are lifted.
| Who | What to Do | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Men | Halq (shave entire head) or Taqsir (trim min. 1 inch) | Halq is better & more rewarding |
| Women | Taqsir only — trim a finger-tip length from hair | Women NEVER shave their heads |
Congratulations — Umrah Complete!
After cutting your hair, you have officially completed your Umrah. The restrictions of Ihram are now lifted. Spend the rest of your time in Makkah in worship, making dua, reading Quran, and visiting the holy sites.
After completing Umrah, make the most of your time with our guided Ziyarah tours in Makkah. There are many historically and spiritually significant sites near Masjid Al-Haram that every pilgrim should visit.
Jabal Al-Nour (Cave of Hira)
The cave where the Prophet ﷺ received the first revelation. A meaningful climb with breathtaking views of Makkah.
Jabal Thawr
The cave where the Prophet ﷺ sought refuge during the migration (Hijrah) to Madinah.
Masjid Al-Jinn
Built at the spot where a group of jinn accepted Islam by listening to the Prophet ﷺ recite the Quran.
Mina & Muzdalifah
Key sites of the Hajj journey, carrying deep spiritual significance and beautiful Islamic history.
Jannat Al-Mu'alla Cemetery
The cemetery where family and companions of the Prophet ﷺ are buried, including Khadijah (RA).
Masjid Al-Khayf (Mina)
An ancient mosque in Mina where the Prophet ﷺ and many prophets before him prayed.
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Visiting Madinah is not a part of Umrah, but most pilgrims choose to visit this blessed city to send salawat upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ at his mosque, Masjid An-Nabawi.
Masjid An-Nabawi
The Prophet's Mosque — praying here carries 1,000 times the reward. Visit Rawdah Al-Sharif, described by the Prophet ﷺ as a garden from Paradise.
Jannat Al-Baqi
The sacred cemetery of Madinah where thousands of companions of the Prophet ﷺ are buried.
Masjid Quba
The first mosque built in Islam. Praying 2 rakats here equals the reward of one Umrah, according to the hadith.
Mount Uhud
The site of the Battle of Uhud. Visit the grave of Hamza ibn Abdul-Muttalib (RA), the uncle of the Prophet ﷺ.
We offer Madinah Ziyarat booking services including guided tours, transportation, and hotel arrangements. Book your tour at Madinah Ziyarat Taxi.
How long does Umrah take?
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What is the difference between Umrah and Ziyarat?
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