Umrah Guide — Complete Step-by-Step Guide to the Lesser Pilgrimage
Umrah is the lesser pilgrimage to Makkah that a Muslim can perform at any time of year. It consists of four rituals: entering Ihram, Tawaf around the Kaaba, Sa'i between Safa and Marwah, and shaving or trimming the hair. Allah commands in the Quran: “Complete the Hajj and Umrah for Allah” (2:196).
What does the Quran and Sunnah say about Umrah?
Umrah holds a high rank in Islam. The Quran commands its completion, and multiple authentic hadith describe its virtues — particularly its power to expiate sins and its magnified reward during Ramadan.
وَأَتِمُّوا الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ لِلَّهِ
“Complete the Hajj and Umrah for Allah.”
Quran 2:196
“An Umrah to the next Umrah is an expiation of sins committed between them.”
Sahih Bukhari 1773, Sahih Muslim 1349
“Perform Hajj and Umrah successively, for they remove poverty and sins as a furnace removes impurities from iron.”
Sunan An-Nasa'i 2631
“Umrah in Ramadan equals Hajj [in reward].”
Sahih Bukhari 1863
Is Umrah obligatory or sunnah?
Scholars differ on whether Umrah is obligatory (fard) or a confirmed sunnah. The ruling depends on which school of thought you follow, but all four schools agree that Umrah is highly meritorious and greatly rewarded.
Obligatory (Fard)
Shafi'i & Hanbali
Umrah is obligatory once in a lifetime, based on the command in Quran 2:196: “Complete the Hajj and Umrah for Allah.”
Confirmed Sunnah
Hanafi & Maliki
Umrah is a strongly recommended sunnah (sunnah mu'akkadah), not an obligation. These schools interpret Quran 2:196 as referring to completing an Umrah once you have started it, not as a command to perform it.
When can Umrah be performed?
Unlike Hajj, which can only be performed during specific days of Dhul Hijjah, Umrah can be performed at any time of the year. The best time is during Ramadan, when the reward is multiplied.
Best time: Ramadan
The Prophet said: “Umrah in Ramadan equals Hajj [in reward]” (Sahih Bukhari 1863). If you can only go once, Ramadan is the strongest choice.
Avoid: 9th–13th Dhul Hijjah
These are the days of Hajj. Unless you are performing Umrah as part of Tamattu' Hajj (doing Umrah before Hajj in the same trip), avoid these days for a standalone Umrah.
What are the pillars (arkan) of Umrah?
Umrah has four essential components. If any pillar is missed, the Umrah is incomplete. The Hanafi school classifies halq/taqsir (shaving or trimming) as wajib (obligatory) rather than a rukn (pillar), but the practical requirement is the same.
Ihram with intention
Entering the sacred state at or before the Miqat
Tawaf around the Kaaba
Seven counter-clockwise circuits
Sa'i between Safa and Marwah
Seven lengths between the two hills
Halq or Taqsir
Shaving the head or trimming the hair
How to perform Umrah: step by step
Follow these four steps in order. Each one is explained with practical details and authentic sources so you can perform your Umrah with confidence.
Ihram — Entering the Sacred State
Ihram is both a physical preparation and a spiritual intention. You enter a state of consecration before reaching the Miqat boundary, wear the prescribed clothing, and begin the Talbiyah.
Perform ghusl (full body wash) before reaching the Miqat.
Men: wear two white unstitched cloths — the izar (lower garment) and rida (upper garment). Women: wear regular modest clothing with the face uncovered (per the majority; the Hanafi school has a different position).
At or before the Miqat, make your intention: "Labbayk Allahumma Umratan" (Here I am, O Allah, for Umrah).
Begin reciting the Talbiyah continuously until you reach the Kaaba for Tawaf.
Source: Sahih Bukhari 1549
The Talbiyah
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak.
“Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. All praise, grace, and dominion belong to You. You have no partner.”
Sahih Bukhari 1549
Ihram prohibitions
Once you enter ihram, the following are forbidden until you complete your Umrah:
- Cutting hair or nails
- Applying perfume
- Men: covering the head or wearing stitched clothing
- Sexual relations
- Hunting
Miqat locations
You must enter ihram at or before the designated Miqat for your direction of travel:
Tawaf — Circumambulating the Kaaba
Tawaf is walking around the Kaaba seven times in a counter-clockwise direction. You begin and end each circuit at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad), making dua throughout.
Enter Masjid al-Haram with your right foot, saying: "Bismillah, was-salatu was-salamu ala Rasulillah. Allahumma-ftah li abwaba rahmatik."
Begin at the Black Stone corner. If possible, touch or kiss it. If crowded, point towards it and say "Bismillahi Allahu Akbar" (Sahih Muslim 1263).
Complete 7 circuits counter-clockwise around the Kaaba.
Men perform Raml (brisk walking) in the first 3 circuits, and Idtiba' (exposing the right shoulder) throughout Tawaf (Sahih Bukhari 1602).
Make any dua you wish — there is no prescribed dua for each circuit. The "circuit-specific duas" in some booklets are not from the Prophet.
Between Rukn al-Yamani and the Black Stone, recite: "Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina 'adhaban-nar" (Quran 2:201) — Sunan Abu Dawud 1892.
After Tawaf: pray 2 rakats behind Maqam Ibrahim, or anywhere in the mosque if crowded (Quran 2:125, Sahih Bukhari 395).
Drink Zamzam water (Sahih Muslim 2473).
Source: Sahih Muslim 1263, Sahih Bukhari 1602
Dua between Rukn al-Yamani and the Black Stone
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.”
Quran 2:201 — Sunan Abu Dawud 1892
Sa'i — Walking Between Safa and Marwah
Sa'i retraces the steps of Hajar (peace be upon her), who ran between Safa and Marwah searching for water for her son Isma'il. You walk seven lengths between the two hills.
Go to Mount Safa. Face the Kaaba and make dua.
Recite: "Inna as-Safa wal-Marwata min sha'a'irillah" (Quran 2:158) — recited only at the start.
Walk from Safa to Marwah (1st length). Return from Marwah to Safa (2nd length). Continue until you complete 7 lengths, ending at Marwah.
Men: jog between the green markers (Sahih Bukhari 1644). Women: walk normally throughout.
Make dua freely throughout the entire Sa'i.
Source: Sahih Bukhari 1643
Recited at Safa before starting Sa'i
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ
Inna as-Safa wal-Marwata min sha'a'irillah
“Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah.”
Quran 2:158
Halq or Taqsir — Shaving or Trimming Hair
The final ritual of Umrah. Men shave their heads completely (halq) or trim their hair (taqsir). Women trim a fingertip's length from the ends. After this, all ihram restrictions are lifted.
Men: shaving the entire head (halq) is preferred, but trimming (taqsir) is permissible. The Prophet made dua three times for those who shaved and once for those who trimmed (Sahih Muslim 1301).
Women: trim a fingertip's length from the ends of the hair. Women do not shave their heads.
After this step, you exit the state of ihram. All ihram prohibitions are now lifted.
Your Umrah is complete. Alhamdulillah.
Source: Sahih Muslim 1301
What should I do after completing Umrah?
Your Umrah rituals are done, but your time in the Haramain is precious. Make the most of every moment in Makkah and, if possible, visit Madinah.
Pray at Masjid al-Haram
One prayer in Masjid al-Haram equals 100,000 prayers elsewhere (Sunan Ibn Majah 1406). Pray as many salawat as you can, make dua, and recite Quran.
Visit the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah
Visiting Madinah is not part of Umrah, but it is highly recommended if your schedule allows. The Prophet said: “A prayer in my mosque is worth 1,000 prayers elsewhere” (Sahih Bukhari 1190).
Make abundant dua and dhikr
You are in the most sacred places on earth. Use this time for sincere supplication, repentance, and remembrance of Allah. Ask for yourself, your family, and the entire ummah.
Common mistakes to avoid during Umrah
These are the errors people make most often. Knowing them beforehand can save you from invalidating your Umrah or needing to pay a fidyah.
Passing the Miqat without entering ihram
If this happens, you must return to the Miqat or offer a fidyah (sacrifice). The Miqat boundaries are strict — do not cross them without being in ihram if you intend Umrah.
Shoving others to touch the Black Stone
Pointing towards the Black Stone from a distance and saying "Bismillahi Allahu Akbar" is perfectly valid and is what the Prophet instructed during crowded times (Sahih Muslim 1263). Harming others to reach it defeats the purpose.
Reciting specific duas for each Tawaf circuit
There are no authentic circuit-specific duas from the Prophet. The booklets sold near the Haram containing "Dua for Round 1, Round 2..." are not based on Sunnah. Make any dua you wish in your own words or in Arabic.
Men not jogging between the green markers during Sa'i
Men should walk briskly or jog between the two green markers (Sahih Bukhari 1644). Outside the green markers, walk at a normal pace. Women walk normally throughout.
Women covering their faces during ihram
The majority of scholars hold that a woman's face should be uncovered during ihram. However, there is scholarly difference on this — the Hanafi school has a different position regarding covering in the presence of non-mahram men.
Cutting only a few strands of hair instead of trimming properly
Taqsir means trimming the hair evenly from all over the head (for men) or cutting a fingertip's length from the ends (for women). Snipping two or three strands does not fulfill the requirement.
Frequently asked questions about Umrah
How long does Umrah take?
The rituals themselves — Tawaf, Sa'i, and shaving or trimming — take 3 to 5 hours depending on crowd levels. Most people stay in Makkah for 5 to 10 days to worship at Masjid al-Haram, visit Madinah, and make additional prayers.
Can I perform Umrah during Ramadan?
Yes, and it is highly recommended. The Prophet said: "Umrah in Ramadan equals Hajj [in reward]." (Sahih Bukhari 1863). Expect larger crowds and higher prices during Ramadan, especially in the last ten nights.
Do I need a visa for Umrah?
Yes, most nationalities need an Umrah visa or a Saudi tourist visa that permits Umrah. Saudi Arabia now offers e-visas through the official Nusuk platform. Requirements change — always check the Saudi Ministry of Hajj website for current rules before booking.
Can women perform Umrah without a mahram?
The Hanafi and Hanbali schools require a mahram (male relative) for women traveling for Umrah. The Shafi'i and Maliki schools permit it in safe company or a trusted group. Saudi regulations now allow women of any age to perform Umrah independently or with an organized group.
What is the difference between Umrah and Hajj?
Umrah can be performed any time of year, takes a few hours, and involves Ihram, Tawaf, Sa'i, and shaving or trimming. Hajj is performed only during 8th–13th Dhul Hijjah, includes additional rituals at Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina, and is one of the five pillars of Islam. See our full Hajj guide for details.
Can I perform multiple Umrahs in one trip?
Yes. Go to Masjid Aisha (Tan'eem) in Makkah, enter ihram again, and repeat the Umrah rituals. This was the practice of Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, during the Farewell Pilgrimage (Sahih Bukhari 1785).
How much does Umrah cost?
Costs vary widely by country of origin, season, and package quality. Budget trips from the US or UK typically range from $1,500 to $3,000. Ramadan, school holidays, and the last ten nights of Ramadan are peak season with the highest prices. Book early for better rates.
What if my period starts during Umrah?
Enter ihram and make your intention normally. You can do everything except Tawaf. Wait until your period ends, perform ghusl, then complete Tawaf and Sa'i. This is exactly the instruction the Prophet gave to Aisha when she got her period during Hajj (Sahih Bukhari 1556).
For a full breakdown of Hajj rituals, see our complete Hajj guide.
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