The total number of people who performed Umrah in the first three months (Q1) of 2025 was 15,222,497.

About 60.5% were men, and 39.5% were women. Saudis made up 24% of all Umrah performers during this time (Official government website of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) . This shows a large number of people, both men and women, from Saudi Arabia and other countries are taking part in Umrah pilgrimage.

And we are glad that you are the next therefore , but the main thing is to perform it the right way . Therefore, we have compiled this guide on how to perform Umrah so that you can perform your Umrah as it should be performed.

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Umrah consists of four main steps:

1. Ihram: Wearing the special clothes and entering a state of purity.
2. Tawaf: Going around the Kaaba seven times.
3. Sa’i: Walking between the hills of Safa and Marwa seven times.
4. Tahalul: Cutting or trimming your hair to finish the Umrah.

Let’s get deeper into the steps to follow while performing Umrah

How to Perform Umrah? 4 Main Steps

To perform your Umrah, you have to follow these main steps.

Step 1: Entering Ihram (Your Spiritual State)

Ihram isn’t just about the clothing; it’s a sacred state of mind and body. You must enter this state before crossing designated boundary points called Miqat.

A. Preparation (Before You Change)

1. Physical Preparation and Purity
   • Before donning Ihram, take care of personal hygiene: clip nails, remove hair under armpits and beneath the navel.
   • Perform ghusl or if that is not possible, perform wudhu (ablution).
   • Men may apply perfume to hair or beard, but avoid getting any on Ihram garments.
2. Ihram Garments
   • Men wear two white, simple clothes: the Izar (lower body wrap) and the Rida (upper body shawl).
   • Wear sandals that don’t cover the heel, and according to Hanafi school, the top part of the foot should remain exposed.
   • Women wear modest Islamic dress and a head covering, with face and hands exposed.
3. Where to Change into Ihram
   • It’s best to wear Ihram before you cross the Miqat, which is the boundary where pilgrims must be in Ihram
   • For travel via Jeddah, change at home, the airport, or during stopovers; changing on the plane is least recommended.
   • If you are coming from Madinah, you should wear Ihram either at your hotel or at the Miqat (Masjid Dhul Hulayfah)
4. Salah al-Ihram
   •  It is Sunnah to pray two rak’ahs of nafl (voluntary prayer) before entering Ihram..
   • You can recite any Surah, and make du’a after prayer.

If you’re flying, the easiest option is to put on your Ihram at home or at the airport before your flight takes off.

Things to Avoid in Ihram

Once in Ihram, you must avoid:

❌Perfume or scented products
❌Cutting hair or nails
❌Wearing stitched clothes (for men)
❌Covering the head (men) or face (women)
❌Wearing gloves (women)
❌Smoking, fighting, swearing, or backbiting
❌Hunting or killing animals/insects
❌Sexual relations or marriage contracts
❌Cutting trees or plants

B. The Niyyah (Your Intention)

As you approach the Miqat, make your intention in your heart to perform Umrah. You can also say it softly

Here are the three Umrah duas that you can make:

لَبَّيْكَ اَللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً ❁

Labbayka Llāhumma ʿUmrah.

O Allah, here I am to perform Umrah.

اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الْعُمْرَةَ ❁

Allāhumma innī urīdu l-ʿUmrah.

O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah.

اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الْعُمْرَةَ فَيَسِّرْهَا لِي وَتَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّي ❁

Allāhumma innī urīdu l-ʿUmrata fa yassirhā lī wa taqabbalhā minnī.

O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah, so make it easy for me and accept it from me.

“O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah. Please make it easy for me and accept it from me.”

C. The Talbiyah

Immediately after your intention, recite the Talbiyah. This is your announcement of answering Allah’s call. Keep saying it again and again during your journey until you begin Tawaf.

Labbayka Allāhumma labbayk, labbayka lā sharīka laka labbayk, inna l-ḥamda wa n-ni’mata, laka wa l-mulk, lā sharīka lak.
(Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sovereignty. You have no partner.)

Once you recite this, you are officially in the state of Ihram. Be mindful of its rules (like not arguing, using perfume, or cutting hair).

Step 2: Tawaf (Circling the Kaaba)

When you arrive at the Masjid al-Haram, proceed directly to the Kaaba to begin Tawaf. Follow these essential rules to ensure your Tawaf is valid.

How to Perform Tawaf

1. Start at the Black Stone: Face the Black Stone to begin. If you can, touch or kiss it.If you can’t reach the Black Stone due to crowd, simply face it, raise your hands to your ears, and say, ‘Bismillah, Allahu Akbar’ (In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest)
2. Circle the Kaaba: Walk steadily in a counter-clockwise direction. Use this time for personal supplication (du’a), dhikr, or reading the Quran.
3. Complete the Seventh Circuit: Finish your seventh circle back at the Black Stone.

The Essentials (What Makes Tawaf Valid):

To perform a valid Tawaf, you must:

• Make a sincere intention (Niyyah) in your heart.
• Ensure you have Wudhu (ablution) and have performed ghusl if required.
• Cover your awrah with modest clothing.
• Perform the entire Tawaf within the boundaries of Masjid al-Haram.
• Start each circuit at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad).
• Circle the Kaaba in a counter-clockwise direction, always keeping it on your left side.
• Avoid walking through the semi-circular area next to the Kaaba (Hijr Ismail).
• Complete all seven rounds by walking, if you are physically able.

After You Finish Tawaf:

• Pray two rak’ahs of voluntary prayer. Try to pray near Maqam Ibrahim (the Station of Ibrahim), but find any available space in the mosque if it is crowded.
• Drink from the blessed Zamzam water. Face the Kaaba, say Bismillah, and make a du’a as you drink.

Step 3: Sa‘i (Walking Between Safa and Marwa)

This step remembers the struggle of Bibi Hajra, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), when she searched for water for her son.

• Location: The hills of Safa and Marwa are now located inside a long, air-conditioned gallery within the mosque.
• Start: Begin at the hill of Safa. Face the Kaaba, make du’a, and then start walking towards Marwa. This is one trip.
• Green Lights: You will see green lights on the path. Men should jog lightly between these two points (women walk normally).
• How Many? Walking from Safa to Marwa is one lap. Walking back from Marwa to Safa is the second. You must complete a total of seven laps, ending at Marwa.
• Prayers: Again, you can make any personal supplications or dhikr during your walk.

Step 4: Tahalul (Cutting Your Hair)

This final act marks the completion of your Umrah and allows you to leave the state of Ihram.

• For Men: It is highly recommended to shave your head completely (halq). If you cannot, you must shorten your hair (taqsir) by trimming at least an inch from all over your head.
• For Women: Do not shave your head. You should only trim the length of a fingertip from the end of a strand of your hair.

Congratulations! You have completed your Umrah. Now all the Ihram rules no longer apply, and you can change back into your normal clothes.

How to Perform Umrah for Beginners or First Time

If you are going for Umrah for the very first time, the steps are the same as for someone who has performed Umrah before. The rituals do not change.

However, since it’s your first time, you may feel confused about how to prepare, what to pack, and what to expect.

To make things easier, you can keep a simple Umrah checklist for packing, travel documents, and daily essentials. You should also learn about the rules of Umrah before your journey and how to book your Umrah package.

How to perform Umrah for ladies

The rituals of Umrah are the same for men and women, but there are a few small differences:

The rituals of Umrah are the same for men and women, but there are a few small differences:

• Talbiyah: Men recite it loudly, while women should say it softly.
  
• Tawaf: Men walk quickly (Raml) in the first three rounds, but women walk normally.
  
• Sa’i (between Safa and Marwa): Men run between the two green lights, women walk.
  
• Ihram clothing: Men wear two white sheets, while women can wear any modest clothing that covers everything except the face, hands, and feet.
  
• Ending Ihram: Men shave their heads or cut their hair short, while women only trim a fingertip’s length of hair.
  
• Purity: Women cannot perform Umrah if they are menstruating. Planning the dates is important.
  
• Restrictions: Women should not wear perfume, make-up, gloves, henna, or tight clothing in Ihram.
  
• Travel rules: Traditionally, women are required to travel with a mahram (close male relative). However, Saudi visas now allow women to travel with other women or even alone if the journey is safe. Still, many scholars recommend going with a mahram, so you should consult your school of thought (Madhhab) before deciding.
• Iddah: A woman in her waiting period after divorce or widowhood cannot perform Umrah.

On average, Umrah can be completed in 3 to 6 hours. The exact time depends on how crowded it is, your health, and your stamina.

• For first-timers, it usually takes a little longer.
• Although the rituals can be done in one day, most Umrah packages last 7 to 30 days. This gives families time to stay in Makkah and Madinah, pray in the holy mosques, and visit historical Islamic sites.
  Conditions for Performing Umrah

To be eligible for Umrah, you must:

✅Be Muslim.
✅Be mature (baligh):  Umrah before puberty is allowed but only becomes obligatory after maturity.
✅Be of sound mind. You should be in good health with sound mental condition.
✅Be financially able:  Enough money to cover travel, stay, and family expenses.
✅Be physically able:  Strong enough to perform the rituals or with help (wheelchair if needed).
✅Have safe transportation to Makkah.
✅Meet visa requirements (valid passport, visa approval, etc.).

Performing Umrah on Behalf of Relatives

You can perform Umrah for someone else if they are:

• Deceased
• Chronically ill
• Too weak to travel

When entering Ihram, simply make the niyyah (intention) on their behalf. Example: “Labbayka Umrah’an [relative’s name].”

Important points:

• You can only do Umrah for one person at a time.
• To perform Umrah for multiple relatives, you must repeat Umrah.

Important Islamic Sites to Visit During Umrah

Near Makkah

• Jabal al-Nour (Cave of Hira): where the first revelation came to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
  Mount Arafat:  a holy site where Hajj pilgrims gather.
  Maktaba Makkah al-Mukarramah:  the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
  Jannat al-Baqi:  a historic graveyard with companions and relatives of the Prophet (PBUH).
  Masjid Aisha: a mosque where pilgrims can enter into Ihram.
  Near Madinah
• Masjid Quba:  the first mosque in Islam.
  Mount Uhud:  site of the Battle of Uhud and graves of martyrs.
  Masjid Qiblatayn:  where the Qibla direction changed from Jerusalem to Makkah.
  Dar al-Madinah Museum:  showcases Islamic history.
  Visiting Madinah During Umrah

Although not part of Umrah rituals, visiting Madinah al-Monawara is highly recommended.

• It is the city where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) migrated during Hijrah.
• Home to Masjid an-Nabawi, where the Prophet (PBUH) is buried in Rawdah Sharif.
• Many Madani verses of the Qur’an were revealed here.
• A place of great blessings, if visited with respect and proper manners.

The Etiquette of Madinah

Visiting Madinah is a gift from Allah. It’s not like visiting any other city , it’s the beloved city of our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. That’s why it’s important to go with the right intention and behave with respect.

1. Go with the right intention

Don’t go to Madinah just as a tourist. Go with love for the Prophet ﷺ and to worship Allah and do good deeds.

2. Fill your time with worship

Spend your time reciting Qur’an, making dua, doing zikr, sending durood on the Prophet ﷺ, giving charity, learning about Islam, and helping others.

3. Avoid sins and useless activities

Stay away from arguments, gossip, wasting time, or anything sinful. Remember, sins in Madinah are more serious.

4. Stay clean and presentable

Try to remain in wudhu, wear neat and modest clothes, and keep yourself smelling nice.

5. Send lots of durood

Keep your tongue busy by sending blessings on the Prophet ﷺ as much as you can.

6. Stay humble and grateful

Always remember that being in Madinah is a big blessing. Be thankful and keep a humble heart before Allah.

7. Show the best manners

Be kind, gentle, and polite with everyone. Inside Masjid an-Nabawi, keep your voice low.

8. Don’t waste food or water

Use water carefully, even for wudhu and bathing. Don’t throw away food.

9. Respect the holy city

Never litter or make the city dirty. Any bad act here carries extra weight.

10. Be careful in the mosque

Don’t push people or step over them to get a place. Also, don’t block walkways by praying there.

What is Umrah?

Umrah is known as the “lesser pilgrimage” and is a special act of worship performed in Makkah, the city where the Ka’aba, the center of Islamic faith, is located. Unlike Hajj, Umrah is not compulsory, but it is a highly recommended Sunnah.

It is a journey of the heart and soul where Muslims seek forgiveness, make heartfelt duas, and aim to strengthen their connection with Allah.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ encouraged Muslims to perform Umrah, and he himself performed it four times during his blessed life.

A Brief History of Umrah

The first Umrah took place in the 6th year after Hijrah (6 AH). Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, along with about 2,000 companions, set out from Madinah to Makkah after the Prophet had seen a dream of performing Umrah.

When the Quraysh (the people of Makkah) heard about this, they feared an attack and prevented the Muslims from entering the city. Instead, the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was agreed upon, which allowed Muslims to come back the following year to perform Umrah peacefully.

Out of respect for the Ka’aba, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ chose peace over conflict and accepted the terms of the treaty.

The next year, he and his companions were finally able to perform Umrah . establishing it as a practice for all Muslims.

The Significance of Umrah

Umrah is a Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and carries great spiritual value. It is a way to:

• Purify the heart and soul
• Seek forgiveness for sins
• Strengthen one’s faith
• Disconnect from worldly distractions
• Reflect on life’s true purpose

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that those who perform Hajj and Umrah are like guests of Allah – their duas are answered and their sins forgiven.

Rewards of Performing Umrah

The blessings of Umrah are immense. Some of its rewards include:

• Forgiveness of past sins
  A chance for duas to be accepted
  Rewards equal to striving in the path of Allah (jihad) for those unable to fight, such as women, children, and the elderly
  Following the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and gaining closeness to Allah
  Performing Umrah is not just a ritual ,  it’s an opportunity to return home spiritually renewed, with a clean heart and a deeper connection with Allah.

4 Major Difference Between Hajj and Umrah

Here are the major differences between Hajj & Umrah

1. Obligation

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is compulsory once in a lifetime for every able Muslim.

Umrah is not compulsory but highly recommended (a Sunnah).

2. Timing

Hajj can only be performed during specific Islamic dates (8th to 13th Dhul Hijjah).

Umrah can be performed any time of the year.

3. Duration & Rituals

Hajj takes several days (usually 5–6) and includes major rituals like standing at Arafat, stoning at Mina, and animal sacrifice.

Umrah is shorter (3–6 hours) with four steps: Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i, and Tahalul (cutting hair).

4. Rewards

Both carry huge spiritual rewards. Hajj wipes away all past sins, while Umrah brings forgiveness and renewal of faith.

In short:

Hajj is the major pilgrimage that Muslims perform once in their lifetime at a fixed time, while Muslims can perform Umrah, the minor pilgrimage, anytime to gain extra blessings.

Hajj is the major pilgrimage that Muslims perform once in their lifetime at a set time, while Muslims can perform Umrah anytime to gain extra blessings.

10 Essential Things to Pack for Umrah

1. Ihram clothes (two white sheets for men; modest dresses and scarves for women)
2. Comfortable slippers or sandals (easy to slip on/off)
3. Travel-size toiletries (unscented soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, wipes)
4. Small bag to carry shoes
5. Pocket Quran or dua book
6. Lightweight prayer mat
7. Medicines and basic first-aid kit
8. Reusable water bottle for Zamzam water
9. Mobile phone with charger and power bank
10. Light snacks like dates or biscuits

FAQs

How do you perform Umrah step by step?

Umrah has four steps: enter Ihram with intention and Talbiyah, perform Tawaf (7 rounds around the Kaaba), perform Sa’i between Safa and Marwa (7 times), and end with shaving or trimming the hair.

 What do we recite during the 7 rounds of Tawaf?

There is no fixed dua. You can recite Qur’an, make personal duas, or say dhikr. However, between the Black Stone and Yemeni Corner, it is Sunnah to recite: “Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah wa fil-akhirati hasanah wa qina ‘adhaban-nar.”

What are the rules of performing Umrah?

You must be in Ihram, avoid forbidden acts (like cutting nails, wearing stitched clothes for men, perfume, or marital relations), perform the rituals in order, and complete all steps with sincerity.

Wrapping Up

This guide on how to perform Umrah made it simple for you to understand the steps. The real beauty lies in the peace and closeness to Allah that this journey brings. Every Umrah is a chance to wash away sins, renew your faith, and return home with a clean heart.  Go with sincerity, patience, and gratitude, and Insha’Allah, Allah will accept your Umrah and bless your life with His mercy and guidance.

Reference

https://www.arabnews.com/hudaibiyah-turning-point-history-islam

https://www.hiffzequranonline.com/surahs-and-verses-to-recite-during-umrah/

https://www.stats.gov.sa/documents/20117/2435281/Umrah+Statistics++Q1+2025-EN.pdf/