How to Perform Umrah: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Umrah – often called the “lesser pilgrimage” – can be performed at any time of the year and takes only a few hours to complete. Yet for a first-time pilgrim, the sequence of rituals can feel overwhelming. This guide explains every step in the order you will perform it, with the duas to recite and practical tips from our team, who have guided pilgrims from Gorakhpur and across Uttar Pradesh since 2014.

Step 1: Prepare for Ihram

Before reaching the Miqat (the boundary where Ihram must be worn), prepare yourself physically and spiritually:

• Clip your nails, trim body hair and take a full bath (ghusl). This is Sunnah.
• Men may apply unscented oil or perfume to the body (not the Ihram cloth) before making the intention.
• Men wear two white unstitched sheets – the izar (around the waist) and rida (over the shoulders) – with sandals that leave the ankle bones uncovered.
• Women wear their normal modest, loose clothing in any colour, without covering the face with a niqab or wearing gloves.
• If it is not a disliked time for prayer, offer two rak‘ah of Sunnah prayer.

Step 2: Make the Niyyah and Recite the Talbiyah

At the Miqat, make the intention for Umrah in your heart and say:

From this moment you are in the state of Ihram and its restrictions apply (no perfume, cutting hair or nails, marital relations, and for men, no stitched clothing or head covering). Now begin reciting the Talbiyah frequently – men aloud, women softly – until you begin Tawaf:

Read our detailed article on Ihram rules and prohibitions to avoid common mistakes.

Step 3: Enter Masjid al-Haram

After checking into your hotel and resting briefly, proceed to the Haram in a state of wudu. Enter with your right foot and recite:

When you first see the Kaaba, pause, raise your hands and make sincere dua – this is a precious moment many pilgrims remember for the rest of their lives.

Step 4: Perform Tawaf (7 Circuits)

1. Start at the Black Stone line

   Stop reciting the Talbiyah. Men uncover the right shoulder (Idtiba). Face the Black Stone (marked by a green light on the wall opposite), raise your right hand towards it and say “Bismillahi Allahu Akbar”.

2. Walk anti-clockwise

   Keep the Kaaba on your left. Men are encouraged to walk briskly (Raml) in the first three rounds if the crowd allows; women walk normally.

3. Recite freely

   There is no fixed dua for each round. Make dua, recite Qur’an or do dhikr in any language. Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone, recite:

   رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

   Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina ‘adhaban-nar.

   Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire. (Qur’an 2:201)

4. Complete seven rounds

   Each round ends back at the Black Stone line, where you raise your hand and say “Allahu Akbar”. After the seventh round, men cover the right shoulder again.

Step 5: Pray Two Rak‘ah and Drink Zamzam

Offer two rak‘ah behind Maqam Ibrahim if space allows – otherwise anywhere in the Masjid. It is Sunnah to recite Surah al-Kafirun in the first rak‘ah and Surah al-Ikhlas in the second. Then drink Zamzam water, face the Qiblah and make dua.

Step 6: Perform Sa‘i Between Safa and Marwah

Go to Mount Safa. Facing the Kaaba, recite the verse “Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah” (Qur’an 2:158), raise your hands and make dua. Then walk towards Marwah.

• Safa → Marwah is one lap; Marwah → Safa is the second. You will finish at Marwah after seven laps.
• Men jog lightly between the two green-lit markers; women walk normally.
• Wudu is recommended but not required for Sa‘i. Wheelchair lanes are available on the ground floor and upper levels.

Step 7: Halq or Taqsir – Completing Umrah

Men either shave the head (Halq – more rewarded) or trim hair evenly from the whole head (Taqsir). Women gather their hair and cut about a fingertip’s length (roughly 2–3 cm) from the ends. Barbershops are available around the Haram, especially near Marwah.

Alhamdulillah – your Umrah is complete. All Ihram restrictions are now lifted and you may change into regular clothes.

How Long Does Umrah Take?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Crossing the Miqat without Ihram when flying from India.
• Starting Tawaf from a point other than the Black Stone line.
• Keeping the right shoulder uncovered outside Tawaf (including during prayer).
• Pushing or hurting others to touch the Black Stone – pointing towards it is enough.
• Trimming only a few strands of hair instead of from the whole head (men).