Step-by-step Umrah Guide (English)

1. Before you travel

• Learn the rites of Umrah before you leave.
• Make a sincere intention, repent, and settle any debts or rights owed to others.
• Pack your Ihram, unscented toiletries and all travel documents.

2. Ihram at the Miqat

• Take a bath (ghusl), trim your nails and clean yourself.
• Men wear two white unstitched sheets (izar and rida). Women wear their normal modest clothing; in Ihram they do not wear a niqab or gloves.
• Pray two rak'ahs of nafl (or enter Ihram after an obligatory prayer).
• Before crossing the Miqat, make the intention for Umrah: "Labbayk Allahumma 'Umrah", then recite the Talbiyah often.
• When flying, the Miqat is crossed on the plane: make the intention before, or as soon as, the crew announces it.

3. What to avoid in Ihram

• Cutting hair or nails and using perfume.
• Men: stitched clothing and covering the head. Women: niqab and gloves.
• Hunting, marital relations, arguing and idle talk.

4. Entering Masjid al-Haram

• Enter with your right foot and recite the dua for entering the masjid.
• Stop reciting the Talbiyah when you begin Tawaf.

5. Tawaf

• Walk seven circuits around the Ka'bah, starting and ending at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad), keeping the Ka'bah on your left.
• Men keep the right shoulder uncovered (idtiba') during the whole Tawaf and walk briskly (raml) in the first three circuits.
• At the start of each circuit, point towards the Black Stone and say "Bismillahi wallahu akbar".
• Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone recite "Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah...".
• You must be in a state of wudu for Tawaf.

6. Two rak'ahs and Zamzam

• Pray two rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim (or anywhere in the masjid if it is crowded).
• Then drink Zamzam water and make dua.

7. Sa'i

• Walk seven laps between Safa and Marwah, starting at Safa and ending at Marwah.
• On reaching Safa the first time, recite "Innas-Safa wal-Marwata min sha'a'irillah", face the Ka'bah, remember Allah and make dua.
• Men jog lightly between the green lights.

8. Halq or Taqsir

• Men shave the head (preferred) or shorten the hair of the whole head.
• Women cut a fingertip's length from the ends of their hair.
• Your Umrah is now complete and the restrictions of Ihram end. Alhamdulillah!