Umrah is a sacred pilgrimage to the House of Allah in Makkah that can generally be performed throughout the year, subject to official Saudi entry, permit and operational requirements.
The principal stages are entering Ihram with intention, seven rounds of Tawaf around the Kaaba, seven lengths of Sa’i between Safa and Marwah, and shaving or trimming the hair.
Last reviewed: 18 August 2026 · General educational overview by the Umrah Ziyarat Service content team
| Stage | What you do |
|---|---|
| 1. Ihram | Prepare, enter the state of Ihram before crossing Miqat, make the intention and recite Talbiyah. |
| 2. Tawaf | Circle the Kaaba seven times, starting in line with the Black Stone. |
| 3. Sa’i | Complete seven one-way lengths between Safa and Marwah, beginning at Safa and ending at Marwah. |
| 4. Halq or Taqsir | Men shave or shorten their hair; women trim a small amount according to applicable guidance. |
Umrah is a pilgrimage to the Sacred House in Makkah. Unlike Hajj, which is performed during specified days of Dhul Hijjah, Umrah can generally be performed at other times of the year, subject to current Saudi regulations and access arrangements.
Umrah is distinct from Hajj. It does not include standing at Arafat, spending the night at Muzdalifah, staying in Mina or the other rites specific to Hajj. Pilgrims should approach it with sincere intention, patience, humility and respect for others. Crowding, heat and unfamiliar surroundings can make the journey physically demanding, so spiritual and practical preparation both matter.
Check changing official requirements, prepare documents and build enough physical and practical readiness for the journey.
Store secure digital copies separately from the originals.
Use official sources rather than old articles or social-media posts for current entry, permit and operational rules.
Saudi Ministry of Hajj and UmrahOfficial Nusuk Umrah JourneyThis overview explains the sequence. Use the specialist guides and qualified scholarly advice for detailed rulings.
Ihram is the sacred state entered with intention before crossing the applicable Miqat. The word also commonly describes the two garments worn by men, but the state itself involves intention and observance of its rules.
Men wear the izar and rida while keeping the awrah covered. Women wear normal loose, modest clothing; there is no prescribed Ihram colour or special two-piece garment for women. Make the intention before Miqat and begin Talbiyah. Air travellers must prepare early because the aircraft may cross Miqat before landing in Jeddah.
Proceed calmly inside Masjid al-Haram and follow official directions. Tawaf consists of seven complete counterclockwise circuits with the Kaaba on your left, beginning and ending in line with the Black Stone.
Make dhikr, recite Quran and make personal dua. A different memorised dua is not required for every circuit. Men should learn when idtiba and ramal apply; women do not perform these practices.
Sa’i consists of seven one-way lengths. Safa to Marwah is the first, Marwah to Safa the second, and the seventh ends at Marwah.
Men who are able may increase their pace between the designated green markers; women continue normally. Pilgrims may walk at a manageable speed, rest, drink water and use permitted mobility services.
After finishing Sa’i at Marwah, complete Umrah by cutting the hair.
Halq means shaving the head and Taqsir means shortening the hair. Shaving is generally considered more virtuous in suitable circumstances, but obtain reliable guidance if another Umrah or Hajj follows soon. When shortening, do so properly rather than taking only a token amount from one isolated point.
Women do not shave their heads. They trim a small amount from the ends according to reliable guidance. Once the required hair cutting is complete, the pilgrim exits Ihram and its restrictions end.
The main sequence is shared, but several clothing, Tawaf and hair-cutting details differ.
There is no requirement to memorise one separate dua for every Tawaf circuit. Pilgrims may make sincere personal supplication, recite Quran and remember Allah. Useful resources cover Talbiyah, entering the mosque, Tawaf, Safa and Marwah, Zamzam, travel duas and personal prompts.
Read the Complete Umrah Dua Collection with Arabic, transliteration and English meaning. Arabic text and transliteration should be checked carefully with a qualified teacher before relying on it.
Weather, crowds, hotel access, transport and communication can materially affect a family’s experience.
Consider temperature, school holidays, Ramadan, flight prices, walking distance, crowd intensity, lift access, medical support and rest days.
Confirm airport, terminal, flight, driver contact, meeting point, hotel, passengers, bags, mobility needs, fare and flight-delay waiting policy. Agree one primary and one backup meeting point.
Compare hotel locations, walking distances, prayer-time movement, Haram access and intercity travel for families and elderly pilgrims.
Arrange airport pickup, hotel transfer, Miqat stop or a suitable private vehicle for family luggage. Keep transport as practical support for worship.
Plan around the pilgrim’s individual abilities. Consider airport wheelchair assistance, accessible hotel entrances, distance from lifts, mobility-suitable vehicles, medicine schedules, hydration, caregiver support, quieter periods, rest before and after intercity travel, and emergency contact cards.
Do not assume wheelchair availability. Reserve official assistance early where possible and confirm current arrangements.
Use these focused resources for more detail without overloading this overview with situation-specific rulings.
Men’s Ihram, Tawaf practices, Sa’i and hair cutting.
Read guide →Women’s clothing, Tawaf, Sa’i, hair trimming and practical questions.
Read guide →Arabic, transliteration, meanings and personal dua prompts.
Read guide →Documents, clothing, medicines, toiletries and hand luggage.
Read guide →Compare weather, crowd pressure and seasonal planning.
Read guide →Health, medicine, hotels, caregivers and emergency planning.
Read guide →Airport assistance, Haram access and mobility planning.
Read guide →Immigration, baggage, meeting points and onward travel.
Read guide →Choose the correct Miqat and prepare before crossing it.
Read guide →Research-led context and respectful visiting guidance.
Read guide →Masjid an-Nabawi, Quba, Uhud and historical locations.
Read guide →Plan Makkah, Madinah, Taif and Badr after the rites.
Read guide →The four principal stages are entering Ihram with intention before Miqat, performing seven circuits of Tawaf, completing seven one-way lengths of Sa’i between Safa and Marwah, and completing Halq or Taqsir by shaving or trimming the hair.
The time varies significantly. The rites may take a few hours in quieter conditions but considerably longer when the Haram is crowded or when a pilgrim needs rest or mobility assistance.
Umrah can generally be performed throughout the year outside restrictions connected with Hajj operations. Entry, permit and access arrangements can change, so check Nusuk and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah before travelling.
A pilgrim intending Umrah must enter Ihram before crossing the applicable Miqat. The correct Miqat depends on the direction and route of travel. Air passengers should prepare before the aircraft crosses it.
Tawaf consists of seven complete circuits around the Kaaba, moving counterclockwise and keeping the Kaaba on the left.
Sa’i consists of seven one-way lengths. Safa to Marwah counts as the first, and the seventh ends at Marwah.
It is not necessary to assign one different fixed dua to each round. Pilgrims may make personal dua, perform dhikr and recite Quran.
Pilgrims who are tired, elderly, unwell or assisting dependants may rest as needed. Seek reliable guidance after a lengthy interruption or if uncertain about completing the rites.
Pilgrims may use permitted wheelchair and mobility services when needed. Plan assistance early and follow current Haram access and operational directions.
Halq means shaving the head, while Taqsir means shortening the hair. These actions complete Umrah and allow the pilgrim to exit Ihram. Women trim their hair and do not shave their heads.
A menstruating woman may enter Ihram and perform appropriate acts such as Talbiyah and dua, but Tawaf has specific requirements. She should obtain qualified religious guidance for her circumstances and travel schedule.
No. Visiting Madinah is not one of the rites required to complete Umrah, although pilgrims value the opportunity to visit and pray in the Prophet’s Mosque.
Permit and access requirements can change. Check the current position through Nusuk and the official Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah before travel.
Important items include travel documents, appropriate clothing, medicines, comfortable footwear, toiletries, a phone charger and securely packed Ihram garments. Use a complete checklist based on your health and travel needs.
Use the packing, Miqat, men’s, women’s, accessibility and airport guides to build your plan. For changing legal requirements, always return to official Saudi sources.