Performing Umrah

What is Umrah?

Linguistic and Islamic Meaning

The word Umrah comes from the Arabic root 'a-m-r, which linguistically means to visit or to inhabit a place. In Islamic terminology, Umrah refers to the pilgrimage to the Sacred House of Allah in Makkah, performed at any time of the year, consisting of Ihram, Tawaf around the Ka'bah, Sa'ee between Safa and Marwah, and shaving or trimming the hair. It is often called the "minor pilgrimage" (al-Hajj al-Asghar) to distinguish it from Hajj, the "greater pilgrimage."

Ruling on Umrah

The scholars of the four Sunni madhabs have differed on the ruling of Umrah:

Regardless of the difference, all four madhabs agree that performing Umrah is greatly rewarded and strongly encouraged.

Virtues of Umrah

What is Ihram?

Linguistic Meaning

The word Ihram comes from the Arabic root ha-ra-ma, meaning to make something haram (forbidden) upon oneself. When you enter the state of Ihram, you voluntarily forbid upon yourself certain otherwise permissible actions - such as wearing sewn clothing (for men), using perfume, trimming nails, and intimate relations.

Ihram is a Sacred State, Not Clothing

One of the most common misconceptions is that Ihram refers to the two white sheets that men wear. This is incorrect. Ihram is the sacred state that a Muslim enters through making an intention (niyyah) to perform Hajj or Umrah. The clothing is merely the physical manifestation and outward symbol of that inner state.

A person who wears the two white sheets but has not made the intention is not in Ihram. Conversely, the moment you make the intention with your heart and tongue, you become a Muhrim (one in the state of Ihram), and all the restrictions apply - regardless of what you happen to be wearing at that exact moment.

The Mawaqit - Designated Stations for Ihram

What Are the Mawaqit?

The Mawaqit (singular: Miqat) are the specific geographic boundaries designated by the Prophet (SAW) beyond which no person intending Hajj or Umrah may pass without being in the state of Ihram. These are sacred boundary lines, and crossing them without Ihram - if you intend to perform the pilgrimage - is a violation that requires a penalty.

The Five Miqat Points

Miqat Name	Modern Name	For the People Of	Distance from Makkah
Dhul Hulaifa	Abyar Ali (near Madinah)	Madinah	~450 km (furthest miqat)
Al-Juhfah	Near Rabigh	Sham (Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt, Europe, West Africa, the Americas)	~183 km
Qarn al-Manazil	As-Sayl al-Kabeer	Najd (central Arabia)	~75 km
Yalamlam	As-Sadiyah	Yemen, South/Southeast Asia (by southern route), East Africa	~100 km
Dhat Irq	Al-Dareebah	Iraq, Iran, the East, Central Asia, China	~90 km

What If You Are Flying?

When travelling by air, the plane passes over or near one of these Mawaqit. You must be in the state of Ihram before the plane crosses the miqat line. This means you should change into your Ihram garments and make your intention either:

• At your hotel or home before going to the airport (safest option)
• At the airport before boarding
• On the plane well before reaching the miqat (the captain or cabin crew often announce when the miqat is approaching)

What If You Already Live Inside the Miqat Boundaries?

If you already reside within the miqat boundaries (e.g., in Jeddah, Taif, or any town between the miqat and Makkah), you enter Ihram from wherever you are.

Residents of Makkah have special rules:

• For Hajj: They enter Ihram from their homes in Makkah.
• For Umrah: They must go outside the boundaries of the Haram to enter Ihram. The most common place is Masjid Aishah in Tan'eem, the nearest point outside the Haram boundary. This is what Aishah (RA) did when the Prophet (SAW) instructed her brother Abdur-Rahman to take her to Tan'eem for her Umrah (Bukhari 1784, Muslim 1211).

Preparing for Ihram - Etiquettes and Requirements

Physical Preparation (Cleanliness)

Before entering the state of Ihram, it is Sunnah to prepare yourself physically. These are the recommended preparations:

• Trim your nails - fingernails and toenails
• Remove armpit and pubic hair
• Perform ghusl (full bath) - this is a Sunnah before entering Ihram, reported from the Prophet (SAW)
• Men: Trim the moustache and comb the beard
• Women: The same grooming applies (nails, body hair removal, ghusl)

If ghusl is not possible (due to lack of water, illness, or travel constraints), then wudu is sufficient.

Applying Perfume

It is Sunnah to apply perfume or musk to the body before entering the state of Ihram. The perfume should be applied to the body (head, beard, skin), not to the Ihram garments after wearing them.

Ihram Clothing - Men

Men wear two white, unstitched sheets of cloth:

• Izar (lower garment): Wrapped around the waist, covering from the navel to below the knees
• Rida (upper garment): Draped over the shoulders

Additional rules for men's clothing in Ihram:

• No underwear of any kind
• No socks or any footwear that covers the ankles
• No head covering - the head must remain bare at all times (no hat, cap, turban, hoodie, or towel placed on the head)
• Sandals that expose both the ankles and the tops of the feet - this is the most cautious position across the four madhabs

→ Read the full footwear guide - what each of the four madhabs (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali) say about men's footwear in Ihram, women's footwear, and how to break in your sandals before Hajj.

Ihram Clothing - Women

The rules for women's Ihram clothing are quite different from men's:

• Women may wear any modest clothing in any colour - they are not restricted to white
• The head must be covered (hijab/headscarf)
• The face and hands should be uncovered
• Women may wear sewn clothing, socks, and shoes

Praying Two Rak'ahs

It is Sunnah to pray two rak'ahs before making the intention for Ihram. This is based on the general practice of the Prophet (SAW) and his Companions.

• First rak'ah: Recite Surah al-Kafirun (Chapter 109) after al-Fatihah
• Second rak'ah: Recite Surah al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112) after al-Fatihah

If you happen to be at the miqat at the time of an obligatory prayer, you may pray the fard prayer and it will suffice - you do not need an additional two rak'ahs.

Making the Intention (Niyyah)

This is the most critical step. The intention is what actually puts you in the state of Ihram - not the clothing, not the ghusl, not the prayer. Without the niyyah, you are not in Ihram.

The verbal utterance depends on the type of pilgrimage you are performing:

Type	What You Say	Meaning
Umrah only	Labbaika Allahumma Umratan	"Here I am, O Allah, for Umrah"
Hajj Tamattu' (Umrah first)	Labbaika Allahumma Umratan	Say Umrah intention now; Hajj intention on 8th Dhul Hijjah
Hajj Qiraan	Labbaika Allahumma Hajjan wa Umratan	"Here I am, O Allah, for Hajj and Umrah together"
Hajj Ifraad	Labbaika Allahumma Hajjan	"Here I am, O Allah, for Hajj"

Restrictions of Ihram - What is Forbidden

Once you enter the state of Ihram, certain actions become prohibited. These restrictions fall into three categories based on their severity.

Things That Can INVALIDATE Your Hajj or Umrah

Things That Require a Penalty (Fidyah)

The following violations require a fidyah (expiation). The general fidyah for these violations is described in Quran 2:196 as one of three options: fasting three days, feeding six poor persons, or sacrificing a sheep.

Violation	Details
Clipping nails	Cutting or clipping any fingernails or toenails
Shaving or cutting hair	Removing hair from any part of the body. Quran 2:196: "And do not shave your heads until the offering reaches the place of sacrifice. Whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head, then a ransom of fasting, charity, or sacrifice."
Using perfume or scent	Applying any fragrance to the body or clothing after entering Ihram, including scented soap, shampoo, or deodorant
Wearing sewn/stitched clothing (men)	Shirts, trousers, underwear, socks, gloves, or any tailored garment that is sewn to the shape of the body
Covering the head (men)	Any head covering that directly sits on the head: cap, turban, hat, hoodie, towel wrapped on head
Wearing niqab or gloves (women)	A face veil whose fabric touches the face, or gloves
Marriage contract	A Muhrim may not marry, arrange a marriage for others, or propose marriage
Hunting land game	Killing or hunting any land animal. Quran 5:95: "O you who believe! Do not kill game while you are in Ihram." The penalty is the equivalent value of the animal killed.

Things That Are Sinful but Do Not Require a Specific Penalty

These actions are sinful at all times but are especially emphasised during Ihram:

• Arguing and disputes
• Fighting, insulting, and backbiting
• All forms of disobedience and sin

Allowances During Ihram - What IS Permitted

The following are permissible while in the state of Ihram:

• Bathing and washing - including washing the head gently (without deliberately pulling out hair)
• Washing Ihram garments and changing to a fresh set
• Using unscented soap and unscented hygiene products
• Women may wear shoes and socks
• Carrying bags, backpacks, and purses
• Wearing a belt, watch, glasses, hearing aids, and medical devices
• Seeking shade under an umbrella, tent, car roof, or building
• Treating wounds, applying bandages, and taking medicine
• Wearing a money belt

The Talbiyah

The Talbiyah is the proclamation of tawheed - the declaration of Allah's Oneness - that the pilgrim recites continuously from the moment of entering Ihram. It is one of the most powerful and moving aspects of the pilgrimage.

When to Recite the Talbiyah

• Start: From the moment you make your intention (niyyah) at the miqat
• For Umrah: Continue until you reach the Ka'bah and begin Tawaf (stop when you touch or point at the Black Stone to begin your first circuit)
• For Hajj: Continue until you throw the stones at Jamarat al-Aqabah on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah
• Recite it frequently: when ascending a hill, descending a valley, after each prayer, when waking up, when boarding transport, and whenever you remember

How Loudly to Recite

Men should recite the Talbiyah loudly and with conviction.

Women should recite it audibly enough that they and those immediately around them can hear, but not loudly.

Virtues of the Talbiyah

Additional Words of Some Companions

Some Companions added to the Talbiyah, such as "Labbaika dha'l-ma'arij, Labbaika dha'l-fawaadil" (Here I am, O Lord of the ascending ways, here I am, O Lord of bounties). The Prophet (SAW) heard them and did not object. However, the words of the Prophet (SAW) are the best and most complete, and sticking to them is preferable.

The Umrah Step by Step - Overview

Umrah consists of the following steps, performed in order. Each step is explained in full detail in the sections that follow.

1. Enter the state of Ihram at the Miqat and make your intention: "Labbaika Allahumma Umratan"
2. Recite the Talbiyah continuously from the moment of intention until you reach the Ka'bah
3. Perform Tawaf - 7 complete circuits around the Ka'bah, starting and ending at the Black Stone
4. Pray 2 rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim
5. Drink Zamzam water and make dua
6. Perform Sa'ee - 7 laps between Safa and Marwah, starting at Safa and ending at Marwah
7. Shave (halq) or trim (taqseer) the hair
8. Umrah complete! You are now released from Ihram and all restrictions are lifted.

Entering Masjid al-Haram

As you approach the greatest mosque on earth, approach with humility, awe, and anticipation. Enter with your right foot first, as is the Sunnah for entering any mosque.

Dua for Entering the Mosque

- Based on Sahih Muslim 713, Abu Dawud 466

Your First Sight of the Ka'bah

When you first lay eyes on the Ka'bah, this is a moment when dua is accepted. Scholars including Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullah) have mentioned this, and it is reported from some of the Companions and Tabi'een. Though the specific narration has been discussed by hadith scholars, the principle of making dua at moments of spiritual impact is well-established.

The Ka'bah - The Sacred House of Allah

The Ka'bah stands at the centre of Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, the first House of worship established for mankind on earth.

The Four Corners of the Ka'bah

The Ka'bah has four corners, each named after the region it faces:

Corner	Arabic Name	Significance
The Black Stone Corner	Ar-Rukn al-Aswad (al-Hajar al-Aswad)	The eastern corner; where Tawaf begins and ends. Contains the Black Stone.
The Iraqi Corner	Ar-Rukn al-Iraqi	The northern corner, facing Iraq
The Levantine Corner	Ar-Rukn ash-Shami	The western corner, facing the Levant (Sham/Syria)
The Yemeni Corner	Ar-Rukn al-Yamani	The southern corner, facing Yemen. It is Sunnah to touch this corner during Tawaf.

Al-Hajar al-Aswad (The Black Stone)

The Black Stone is set into the eastern corner of the Ka'bah, approximately 1.5 metres above the ground. It is the starting and ending point of each circuit of Tawaf.

Umar's statement is a profound lesson in tawheed. We do not worship the stone. We do not believe it has divine power. We kiss it or point towards it as an act of obedience to Allah and His Messenger, nothing more.

Al-Hateem (Hijr Ismail)

The Hateem (also called Hijr Ismail) is the semi-circular walled area on the northern side of the Ka'bah. A portion of it is actually part of the Ka'bah - the original Ka'bah built by Ibrahim (AS) included this area, but when the Quraysh rebuilt the Ka'bah before Islam, they did not have enough lawful funds to include all of it.

The Multazam

The Multazam is the area of the Ka'bah wall between the Black Stone and the door of the Ka'bah. It is a place where dua is accepted. The Companions would press their chests, faces, forearms, and palms against this part of the wall and make dua.

Other Features of the Ka'bah

• The Door (Bab al-Ka'bah): The door is on the eastern wall, raised approximately 2.13 metres above the ground. It was originally at ground level but was raised during the Qurayshi reconstruction.
• The Mizab (Water Spout): Also called Mizab ar-Rahmah (the Spout of Mercy). It is the golden water spout on the roof of the Ka'bah on the Hijr Ismail side, from which rainwater flows. Standing where the water falls is considered a blessed spot for dua.
• The Kiswah: The black silk covering embroidered with gold Quranic verses. It is replaced annually during Hajj season.

Al-Bayt al-Ma'mur - The Frequented House in the Heavens

The Ka'bah has a heavenly counterpart. In the hadith of al-Isra (the Night Journey), the Prophet (SAW) described that upon ascending to the seventh heaven, he was shown Al-Bayt al-Ma'mur - the Frequented House - directly above the Ka'bah. Seventy thousand angels pray there daily and never return, replaced by another group the following day, for eternity.

Tawaf - The Complete Guide

Tawaf is the act of circumambulating (walking around) the Ka'bah seven times in an anti-clockwise direction, with the Ka'bah on your left. Each complete circuit starts and ends at the Black Stone.

Before Starting Tawaf

1. Be in a state of wudu (ablution). Since Tawaf is likened to prayer, ritual purity is required. Ensure your wudu is fresh before approaching the Ka'bah.
2. Men: Perform Idtiba'. This means exposing the right shoulder by placing the rida (upper garment) under the right arm and over the left shoulder, so the right shoulder is bare. Important: Idtiba' is only performed during the Tawaf of arrival (Tawaf al-Qudum) and the Tawaf of Umrah - NOT for every Tawaf you perform. Cover both shoulders again after Tawaf is complete, especially before praying the 2 rak'ahs.
3. Stop reciting the Talbiyah. The Talbiyah stops when you begin Tawaf for Umrah (at the moment you face the Black Stone to start your first circuit).
4. Face the Black Stone. Position yourself so that the entire Ka'bah is on your left side. You will walk in an anti-clockwise direction.

Starting Tawaf

At the Black Stone, perform one of the following (in order of preference):

1. Kiss the Black Stone - if you can reach it without pushing or harming anyone
2. Touch it with your hand and then kiss your hand - if you can reach it but cannot kiss it directly
3. Point towards it with your right hand from wherever you are and say "Allahu Akbar" - this is what the vast majority of pilgrims will do, and it is completely sufficient

Then say: "Bismillah, Allahu Akbar" and begin walking counter-clockwise.

During Each Circuit

During Tawaf, you may:

• Make any dua you wish - in Arabic or your own language
• Recite Quran
• Engage in dhikr (remembrance of Allah)
• Reflect silently in your heart
• Speak to a companion (briefly, and only good words)

Raml (Brisk Walking) - First Three Circuits

In the first three circuits only, men should perform Raml: walking briskly with short, quick steps, chest puffed out, shoulders moving. This is for men only, and only during Tawaf of arrival/Umrah - not in every Tawaf.

In circuits 4 through 7, walk at a normal, relaxed pace.

At the Yemeni Corner

When you reach the Yemeni Corner (the corner just before the Black Stone corner):

• Touch it with your right hand if you can reach it
• Do NOT kiss it and do NOT say "Allahu Akbar" - this is the distinction between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone
• If you cannot reach it, simply continue walking - do NOT point towards it from a distance (unlike the Black Stone, where pointing from a distance is prescribed)

Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone

This short stretch between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone is the one place in Tawaf where there is a specific Sunnah dua:

- Abu Dawud 1892

At the Black Stone Each Circuit

Each time you pass the Black Stone (completing one circuit), repeat the action: kiss it, touch it, or point towards it and say "Allahu Akbar."

Common Questions During Tawaf

Two Rak'ahs Behind Maqam Ibrahim

After completing all seven circuits of Tawaf, proceed to Maqam Ibrahim (the Station of Ibrahim) and pray two rak'ahs behind it. This is a command from the Quran itself.

How to Perform These Two Rak'ahs

• Position yourself directly behind the Maqam Ibrahim (the glass enclosure containing the stone with Ibrahim's footprints), so the Maqam is between you and the Ka'bah
• If the area directly behind Maqam Ibrahim is too crowded, you may pray these two rak'ahs anywhere in Masjid al-Haram - this is valid according to all scholars
• First rak'ah: Recite Surah al-Fatihah, then Surah al-Kafirun (Chapter 109)
• Second rak'ah: Recite Surah al-Fatihah, then Surah al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112)
• These should be short, light rak'ahs - do not prolong them, as many others are waiting to pray in the same space

Drink Zamzam Water

After completing the two rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim, it is Sunnah to drink Zamzam water. Zamzam is the miraculous water that sprang forth when the infant Ismail (AS) kicked the ground (or when the angel Jibreel struck it), saving him and his mother Hajra from dying of thirst in the barren desert of Makkah.

Etiquettes of Drinking Zamzam

• Face the Qiblah (the Ka'bah)
• Say "Bismillah" before drinking
• Drink in three breaths (three sips, removing the cup from your lips between each)
• Drink until you are full
• Make dua while drinking - this is a moment for special supplication
• Say "Alhamdulillah" after finishing

It is also narrated that the Prophet (SAW) drank Zamzam while standing (Bukhari 1637), though drinking while sitting is the general Sunnah for other beverages. Scholars have reconciled this by saying both are permissible for Zamzam.

Sa'ee Between Safa and Marwah

Sa'ee is the act of walking back and forth between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times, commemorating Hajra's (Hagar's) desperate search for water for her son Ismail (AS). The Sa'ee takes place in al-Mas'a, the enclosed, air-conditioned corridor between the two hills within Masjid al-Haram.

Approaching Safa

After drinking Zamzam, head towards Safa. When you are near Safa, recite the above verse (Quran 2:158) and then say:

Note: This verse and this statement are recited only once upon approaching Safa for the first time, not at the beginning of every circuit.

On Mount Safa

1. Climb Safa until you can see the Ka'bah (or as high as is practical in the modern structure)
2. Face the Ka'bah
3. Raise your hands in dua
4. Say "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar" (three times)
5. Then recite the following dhikr:

- Sahih Muslim 1218

Repeat this dhikr three times, making your own personal dua between each repetition. Supplicate for whatever is in your heart - this is a blessed station where dua is accepted.

Walking from Safa to Marwah (Circuit 1)

Begin walking from Safa towards Marwah. Safa to Marwah = 1 circuit.

• Make dua freely as you walk - there are no prescribed supplications for Sa'ee
• Recite Quran, make dhikr, or supplicate in any language

Running Between the Green Markers

Along the path, you will see two sets of green fluorescent lights/markers on the walls and pillars. Between these markers lies the valley where Hajra (AS) ran when she could no longer see her son from the valley floor.

• Men: Should run (jog briskly) between the green markers, then return to a normal walking pace
• Women: Walk at their normal pace throughout - they do not run

On Mount Marwah

When you reach Marwah, climb it, face the Ka'bah, raise your hands, and repeat the same dhikr and dua you made on Safa (La ilaha illAllahu wahdahu..., three times, with personal dua in between).

Completing the Seven Circuits

Circuit	From	To
1	Safa	Marwah
2	Marwah	Safa
3	Safa	Marwah
4	Marwah	Safa
5	Safa	Marwah
6	Marwah	Safa
7	Safa	Marwah (END)

If you lose count of your circuits, take the lower number you are certain of and continue from there.

Shaving or Cutting Hair

After completing the seven circuits of Sa'ee, the final act of Umrah is to shave or trim the hair. This is the act that releases you from the state of Ihram.

Halq (Shaving) vs. Taqseer (Trimming)

Both are valid, but shaving the entire head is superior for men. The Prophet (SAW) made dua for those who shaved three times, and for those who trimmed only once.

Rules for Men

• Halq (shaving) is more virtuous and earns three extra duas from the Prophet (SAW)
• Taqseer (trimming) is also valid - trim from the entire head, not just one small area
• If you are performing Hajj Tamattu' and plan to do Hajj soon after Umrah, some scholars recommend trimming for Umrah and shaving for Hajj, so you have enough hair left to shave during Hajj (which is the greater rite)

Rules for Women

• Women should cut approximately a fingertip's length (about 1-2 cm) from the ends of their hair
• This can be done from the tips of all the hair gathered together, or from individual sections
• Women should NEVER shave their heads - the Prophet (SAW) prohibited women from shaving their heads (Abu Dawud, Nasai)

When and Where to Cut

• You may cut your hair immediately after completing Sa'ee, right there near Marwah
• You may also return to your hotel and cut it there in comfort
• There are many experienced barbers near the Haram who are accustomed to performing Hajj/Umrah haircuts

Common Mistakes During Umrah

Be aware of these frequently made errors so you can avoid them: