How to Perform Umrah

A clear, step-by-step guide to the rites of Umrah, with the Quranic verses and duas recited at each stage.

Verification note: This guide summarises the well-known rites of Umrah from standard fiqh. Please have it reviewed by Mufti Akmal or a qualified scholar before publishing, and follow the guidance of your group's scholar while travelling. Duas marked recommended are not obligatory.

Umrah consists of four essential rites: Ihram (entering the sacred state), Tawaf (circling the Ka'bah), Sa'i (walking between Safa and Marwah), and Halq or Taqsir (cutting the hair). The steps below follow that order.

1Ihram & intention at the Miqat

Before crossing the Miqat (the boundary), perform ghusl or wudu, wear the clothing of Ihram (two unstitched white sheets for men; modest dress for women), and make the intention for Umrah in the heart. Men should avoid covering the head and wearing stitched clothing; women cover the head as usual.

2Reciting the Talbiyah

After entering Ihram, recite the Talbiyah repeatedly until you begin Tawaf.

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ

Labbayka Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk, inna al-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."

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 1549; Sahih Muslim 1184

3Tawaf — seven circuits of the Ka'bah

Begin at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad), saying Bismillah, Allahu Akbar, and circle the Ka'bah seven times anticlockwise, keeping the Ka'bah on your left. Between the Yemeni corner and the Black Stone, it is recommended to recite the following Quranic dua.

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina 'adhab an-nar.

"Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire."

Source: Surah Al-Baqarah 2:201

Recommended: between the corners you may recite any dhikr or dua. There is no fixed obligation to recite a specific text on every circuit.

4Two rak'ah after Tawaf & Zamzam

After completing Tawaf, pray two rak'ah (recommended behind Maqam Ibrahim if possible, otherwise anywhere in the Masjid al-Haram). It is recommended to recite Surah Al-Kafirun in the first rak'ah and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second. Then drink Zamzam water.

5Sa'i — Safa to Marwah

Proceed to Safa. Facing the Ka'bah, it is recommended to recite the verse about Safa and Marwah, then walk seven times between Safa and Marwah (Safa to Marwah counts as one; Marwah to Safa as the second, and so on), completing at Marwah.

إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ

Inna as-Safa wal-Marwata min sha'a'irillah.

"Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah."

Source: Surah Al-Baqarah 2:158

During Sa'i you may recite dhikr and make dua freely, remembering the struggle of Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her).

6Halq or Taqsir — cutting the hair

Men shave the head (Halq) or trim the hair all over (Taqsir); shaving is more rewarded. Women trim roughly a fingertip's length of hair. This completes your Umrah.

Before you travel: Rules can differ slightly for women, the sick, and those with medical needs. Confirm the details for your situation with a qualified scholar or your pilgrimage group's Mufti.