How to Perform Umrah: Umrah is a journey of worship that allows Muslims to visit the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah and to worship at some of Islam’s holiest sites. If you’re planning your first Umrah, knowing how to perform Umrah correctly can make your journey easier, more organized, and spiritually rewarding. This complete guide explains the steps of Umrah in order, starting from entering Ihram and making intention to performing Tawaf and Sa’i and finishing the Umrah. Whether you’re traveling from the UK, this guide will help you prepare for your sacred journey.
What Is Umrah?
Umrah is a pilgrimage to Makkah that can be performed at almost any time of the year, unlike Hajj, which has specific dates. It comprises a number of important acts of worship, such as entering the state of Ihram, performing Tawaf around the Kaaba, performing Sa’i between Safa and Marwah, and completing the Umrah by cutting or shaving the hair. “If you are thinking about how to do Umrah step by step, then it will be much easier to perform all the stages when you know them before you travel.”
How To Perform Umrah Step by Step:
There are four main steps in the basic process of Umrah.
- Enter Ihram and intend Ihram.
- Walk around the Kaaba.
- Do Sa’i between Safa and Marwah.
- Umrah is complete by shaving or trimming the hair.
Let’s examine each step in detail.
1. Enter Ihram and intend Ihram:
Pilgrims should prepare themselves and enter Ihram in accordance with the requirements applicable to them before reaching the Miqat. Men wear two pieces of unstitched white cloth, while women wear modest clothes that satisfy Islamic requirements. Prepare yourself for Ihram and make your intention (niyyah) for Umrah, and then read the Talbiyah.
Talbiyah:
لَبَّيْكَ ٱللَّٰهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ ٱلْحَمْدَ وَٱلنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَٱلْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
Labbayka Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayka La Shareeka Laka Labbayk. Innal-Hamda Wan-Ni’mata Laka Wal-Mulk, La Shareeka Lak.
Keep on reciting Talbiyah until you reach Masjid al-Haram and start your Tawaf.
Major Ihram Restrictions:
Pilgrims should not do what is prohibited in ihram during ihram. These include the cutting of hair or nails and other restrictions applying to the pilgrim’s state. You must learn the specific rules of Ihram before you travel, especially if it is your first Umrah.
2. Walk around the Kaaba:
Tawaf is the act of walking around the Kaaba, first starting from the area facing the Black Stone, then completing seven rounds. In the course of Tawaf, the Kaaba should always be to your left. During Tawaf, you can do dua, dhikr, and recite the Quran. “There is no particular dua that must be recited in every circuit.”
Tips for First-Time Tawaf Pilgrims:
- Follow the stream of pilgrims and avoid pushing.
- Stay in a worship frame of mind.
- Make dua as per your needs.
- Do not block entrances while you pray.
- If you need to, stay hydrated.
- Follow the instructions of Saudi authorities and mosque staff.
Prayer at Maqam Ibrahim:
When you finish Tawaf, cover both shoulders (men). Visit Maqam Ibrahim (the glass-enclosed structure near the Kaaba). If it’s crowded, pray anywhere in the Masjid al-Haram. Pray 2 rakats: Surah Al-Kafirun (110) in the first rakat and Surah Al-Ikhlas (112) in the second rakat.
3. Do Sa’i between Safa and Marwah:
The Sa’i consists of a seven-time walk between the hills of Safa and Marwah. Start at Safa and end at Marwah. Safa and Marwah are dedicated to the search for water by Hajar (peace be upon her). Pilgrims are allowed to make duas and remember Allah during Sa’i.
How to Count Sa’i:
| Safa → Marwah | 1 |
| Marwah → Safa | 2 |
| Safa → Marwah | 3 |
| Marwah → Safa | 4 |
| Safa → Marwah | 5 |
| Marwah → Safa | 6 |
| Safa → Marwah | 7 |
Therefore, Sa’i starts at Safa and ends at Marwah. The tradition was for men to walk between the green markers faster if there is the possibility for them to do so, whereas women were to walk at their regular walking speed.
4. Shave or trim your hair:
Sa’i is performed in seven rounds, and the last round is the cutting and/or shaving of the hair. The completion of the Umrah for men is by cutting the hair, shaving the head, or by cutting the hair (halq or taqsir). From the well-known hadith, it is known that shaving is more virtuous.
Women cut a small part of their hair:
Once this step is completed, the restrictions associated with Ihram end, and your Umrah is complete.
Umrah steps in order:
| Steps | What You Do |
| Ihram | Make the intention to enter Ihram. |
| Talbiyah | Read the talbiyah. |
| Tawaf | Make 7 circles around the Ka’ba. |
| Prayer | 2 rak’ahs of prayer at Maqam Ibrahim |
| Sa’i | Walk 7 times between Safa and Marwah |
| Hair | have/Trim Hair |
| Completion | Umrah is complete |
So, What Are You Required to Take for the Umrah?
- Ihram clothing
- Comfortable walking footwear
- Travel documents
- Documents of your passport and necessary visa.
- Mobile phone and charger
- Necessary personal medicines
- Unscented toiletries for Ihram use
- A small bag for all the necessary supplies
- Water Bottle as necessary
- Resources for duas and the Quran.
It is important to keep up-to-date with the latest travel and entry conditions prior to travel, as conditions may change.
The list of common mistakes to avoid during Umrah:
- Failure to know the Ihram rules before traveling.
- Losing track of the location of the Miqat.
- Thinking that there is a specific dua for each Tawaf.
- Pushing or rushing through crowded areas.
- Forgetting the number during Tawaf and Sa’i.
- The hair that is cut before completion of Sa’i.
- Not following the instructions of the Haram authorities within the Haram areas.
Best Time to Perform Umrah:
In principle, one may perform Umrah at any time of the year, but this may differ due to the season, the weather, and the number of pilgrims. Additionally, Ramadan is very important due to the spiritual blessings of acts of worship in this month, and it can be much busier. For possibly quieter travel, try going to the venues outside of the busiest times and also make sure to look up the travel conditions before making a booking.
Umrah Packages from UK:
When you are making the journey from the UK, it may be possible to choose an Almaqam Travel Umrah package UK that is capable of making your Umrah plans as easy as they can be. Packages can include flights, hotel stays, transfers, and visa applications, depending on the provider.
When considering packages, compare:
- The distance from Masjid al-Haram to the hotels.
- Distance from Masjid an-Nabawi to the nearest hotel, mosque-to-hotel distance.
- Flight arrangements
- Transport between cities
- Number of nights
- Visa arrangements
- Package inclusions
- Total price
