Umrah Guide Step by Step
Umrah Guide Step by Step -- Complete Guide to Performing Umrah
Umrah is a powerful act of worship that brings a believer closer to Allah and strengthens faith. It is considered a sacred journey for all Muslims. It is a sunnah of Hazrat Prophet Muhammad (saw) that provides a unique opportunity to refresh one’s faith, clear the soul, and draw closer to Allah. Through Umrah, Muslims learn sacrifice, patience, humility, and complete reliance upon Allah.
Umrah consists of four basic and important practices. Wearing Ihram, Niyyah of Umrah, Tawaf al-Umrah, and in the end, you should either Halaq (shave) or Qasar (shorten) your hair. Here, you can read the full Umrah guide step by step article to understand the rituals of the Umrah steps.
Checklist of Umrah Guide Step by Step
You can print this checklist of umrah step by step or write it in your diary to keep it handy during the umrah trip to follow the umrah guide.
- Niyyah for umrah.
- Before crossing the Miqat, change into Ihram.
- Recite the Talbiyyah.
- Praying two rakat salah
- Proceed to Makkah hotels.
- Proceed to Masjid al-Haram.
- Start Tawaf al-Umrah.
- Complete 7 rounds.
- Pray two rakats at Maqam Ibrahim.
- Sa’i between Safa and Marwah.
- Halaq or Qasar
Following a clear Umrah guide step by step helps pilgrims complete each ritual correctly and efficiently without confusion.
Umrah Guide Step by Step
The rituals of Umrah steps are given below:
- Before leaving the Miqat, perform the Niyyah of Umrah.
- Before crossing the Miqat, change to Ihram.
- Crossing the Miqat (from where it becomes necessary for pilgrims to enter the state of Ihram).
- Recite the Talbiyyah.
- Entering Masjid al Haram Kaba and performing Tawaf (circumambulation around the Ka’aba).
- Performing two Rak’ah at the Maqam Ibrahim and drinking Zamzam water.
- Performing Sa’i (walking/running between the hills of Safa and Marwa).
- Finally, either shaving the head (Halaq) or trimming the hair (Qasar).
See below for a more in-depth breakdown of each of the Umrah steps to understand the Umrah guide step-by-step completely.
Assuming the Ihram Attire and Making Niyyah
Before assuming Ihram, it’s a highly recommended Sunnah to perform Ghusl and also clip your nails and remove excess body hair. As you’ll be travelling on an international flight, this should be performed before leaving your home. Men may also wish to apply fragrance or perfume to their heads or beards, ensuring that none gets on the Ihram garments.
Now assume your Ihram; presently you will get changed into Ihram before crossing out from Miqat. Pilgrims traveling by air should change into Ihram at the airport before crossing the Miqat.
Miqat. Pilgrims traveling by air should change into Ihram at the airport before crossing the Miqat.
Men should wear two white shawls/sheets. One sheet wraps the waist, and the other covers the top half.
Women should wear their normal dresses but should not wear gloves or cover their faces.
The Niyyah for Umrah should be made at the Miqat or before crossing the Miqat. You should make the Niyyah before crossing the Miqat, but you can do it at the last Umrah ritual by reciting:
لَبَّيْكَ اَللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً ❁
Labbayka Llāhumma ʿUmrah.
O Allah, here I am to perform Umrah.
اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الْعُمْرَةَ ❁
Allāhumma innī urīdu l-.
O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah.
Note:
Those flying from the UK or abroad should pass the Miqaat 20-30 minutes before landing. This spot is the point at which one must make the intention for Umrah.
Recite the Talbiyyah from This Point
Now that you have crossed the Miqat, men should recite the Talbiyyah in a loud voice from now on, but be careful not to disturb other passengers, while women should recite it silently.
Talbiyyah is:
لَبَّيْكَ اللهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ – لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ – إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ – لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ
Transliteration: Labbayka llāhumma labbayk(a), labbayka lā sharīka laka labbayk(a), inna l-ḥamda wa n-ni’mata, laka wa l-mulk(a), lā sharīka lak.
Translation:
“I am at Your service, O Allah; I am at Your service. I am at your service. You have no partner; I am at your service. Truly, all praise, favors, and sovereignty are yours. You have no partner.”
Note: you need to recite the Talbiyyah at least once. If a pilgrim does not recite the Talbiyyah, the result will be an invalid Umrah! Reciting the Talbiyyah is essential, as it marks your official entry into the state of Ihram, according to the complete Umrah guide provided by both the Islamic faith and Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Arrival in Makkah
When pilgrims depart from the airport, buses or transports from Fastgateway are waiting to welcome them and drop them off in Makkah.
When you arrive in Makkah:
- Once in Makkah, proceed to your hotel room, which you either booked or received from your visa agency.
- Perform wudu and prepare yourself mentally and spiritually for the rituals of Umrah.
- Make sure you follow the Umrah steps, like ensuring you are in a state of Ihram until Umrah is complete.
Note:
If you don’t know the umrah guide, then read this article to understand the umrah guide step by step.
Masjid al-Haram
It is recommended (sunnah) to enter Masjid al-Haram via Bab al-Salam (it means the door of peace). But if it is not possible to enter via Bab al-Salam due to authorities, then proceed to one of the other doors of Masjid al-Haram.
It is sunnah to place the right foot as the first step and recite the dua of entering the mosque.
Note:
- Don’t perform Tahiyyat al-Masjid. Your Tawaf serves as a sufficient greeting.
- But if you are not ready to perform Tawaf immediately, you may perform Tahiyyat al-Masjid.
- In Masjid al-Haram, it is permitted to walk across the area where people are performing salaah.
Tawaf al-Umrah
Seeing the Kaaba for the first time is a deeply spiritual moment for every pilgrim. Your heart races, your eyes tear up, and you feel connected to every Muslim who ever walked the same path.
Preparation for Tawaf:
- Make sure you are in a state of wudu.
- Males, uncover your right shoulder by passing the top sheet of the Ihram under the right arm.
- Men performing Raml can do so during the first three rounds of Tawaf.
Tawaf starts at Hajar al-Aswad (Black Stone):
- Face the Kaaba, raise your right hand, and say, “Bismillah, Allahu Akbar.”
- If possible, kiss the Black Stone; otherwise, point from where you are standing.
7 rounds anti-clockwise:
- Complete 7 rounds in an anticlockwise direction.
- Keep the Kaaba on your left.
- Make dua and recite Talbiyyah.
After completing 7 rounds:
After completing the Tawaf al-Umrah, which is 7 rounds in an anticlockwise direction from the Kaaba, then it’s time to pray two rakats of salah.
Two Rakat Salah at Maqam Ibrahim:
- Reach out to Maqam Ibrahim (if possible) and perform two rakats of Salah.
- If crowds are huge, then pray anywhere at Masjid al-Haram.
Zamzam water:
After praying two rak’ahs, go to the Zamzam water point.
- Drink Zamzam with the intention that Allah forgives us and grants us a fresh start in life.
- Zamzam is easily available inside the Masjid al-Haram and especially near the Tawaf area.
- Make dua while drinking Zamzam water.
Zamzam water is a memory of Hazarat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Hajra (RZ). While drinking Zamzam, remember them in dua.
Sa’i (Walking Between Safa and Marwah)
Proceed to the hill of Safa for Sa’i. This is a remembrance of Hazrat Hajra (Rz). Her trust in Allah and sacrifice were rewarded with the Zamzam water and SA’I.
Men will walk briskly (called Raml) between the green lights.
- Men will walk briskly (called Raml) between the green lights.
- Women will walk normally.
- Repeat until 7 rounds are completed (Safa to Marwah = 1 round).
- At the end of Sa’i, make dua on Marwah.
Halaq or Qasar (Shaving or Cutting Hair)
After Sa’i, pilgrims need to shave their hair or cut at least one niche (Qasar) to complete their Umrah.
- Men: shaving is better; trimming is allowed.
- Women: cut 1 to 2 inches from the end of their hair.
- After this ritual, you are free from the restriction of Ihram.
Conclusion
Umrah is more than just a religious trip. It is an opportunity to refresh your soul, make duas, ask for forgiveness, and start a fresh life. Allah welcomes every sincere person.
Pilgrims need to stay updated on Nusuk to know new rules/regulations and stay tuned!
May Allah accept your Umrah. Congratulations!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Umrah usually takes between 3 and 6 hours to complete, depending on crowd levels and the time of year.
Umrah has four rituals: Ihram, Tawaf, two rakats at Maqam Ibrahim, Sa’i between Safa and Marwah, and Halaq or Qasar. Follow the complete Umrah guide step by step to perform Umrah correctly.