Umrah: A step-by-step guide

Virtues of Umrah:

Performing Umrah is Sunnah of the Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) and it is also known as ‘Minor Hajj’. 

“And complete the Hajj and Umrah for Allah only.”

(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:196)

“Umrah is an expiration for the sins committed between it and the previous Umrah.”

(Sahih Bukhari: 1773)

“Performance of Umrah during Ramadan is equal to Hajj (in reward).” 

[Sahih Muslim: 1255 (b)] 

“The pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah are a delegation to Allah. If they call upon Him, He will answer them; and if they ask for His forgiveness, He will forgive them” 

(Ibn Majah: 2892)

NOTE: Umrah can be performed anytime during the year except for the five days of Hajj (from 9th to 13th Dhul Hijjah). 

Essential (Fraidh) of Umrah: 

1- Ihraam (includes intention for Umrah, special dressing and Talbiyah).

2- Tawaf-e-Kaaba (Circumambulation of the Kaaba).

3- Say’ee between Safa & Marwa.

Obligations (Wajibaat) of Umrah:

1- Entering state of Ihraam from Meeqat.

2- Shaving the head or cutting the hair.

NOTE: Remember that Umrah becomes invalid if any essential parts (Faraidh) is omitted, whereas if an obligatory act (Wajibbat) is omitted, Umrah is still valid, but the one who omits it must offer a compensatory sacrifice of a sheep/goat called “Dam” for each omission of obligatory act.

Ihraam & Talbiyah:

Please CLICK HERE to know about "How to Wear Ihram"

Tawaf-e-Kaaba:

Now you have reached Masjid Al-Haram to perform the rest of Umrah’s rituals. 

1- Enter the Masjid Al-Haram with right foot first and recite the following Dua:

‏بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَالسَّلاَمُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذُنُوبِي وَافْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ ‏

(Bismillah, was-salamu 'ala Rasulillah, Allahummagh-firli dhunubi waftah li abwaba rahmatika)

Translation: In the name of Allah, and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, forgive me my sins and open the gates of Your mercy for me.

Upon sighting the Kaaba for the first time, raise your hands and pour your heart out in Duas as it is a place and an occasion of acceptance of Duas.

2- Before starting Tawaf, stop reciting Talbiyah. Tawaf-e-Kaaba is performed by walking anti-clockwise so that the Kaaba stays at your left.

3- After intending to perform Tawaf, you should place the Ihraam in Idhtiba (uncover the right shoulder by placing the middle of your upper Ihraam garment under your right arm and the end of it over your left shoulder). This does not apply to women. (Abu Dawud: 1884)

4-  After entering Idhtiba, perform Istilam in front of The Black Stone (Hajar-e-Aswad) by kissing it, if possible and if not, gesture towards it with you palm of your right hand (or both hands). Also recite the dua.

اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَر

(Allahu Akbar)

Translation: Allah is the Most Great

5-  After Istilam, begin the Tawaf performing Ramal (walking quickly) in the first three circuits and walking normally in the last four. When going past 'Rukn Yemani' (3rd corner of Kaaba) if possible touch it, if not possible then walk past it, as gesturing towards it is not proven. Perform Istalim before starting each circle. Upon reaching Ruk Yemani, recite the following dua (till you reach The Black Stone):

رَبَّنآ ءَاتِنَا فِى اْلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَ فى الاخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَ قِنَا عَذَابَ اْلنَّارَ

(Rabbana aatina fid dunniyya hasanatan wa fil akhirati hasanatan wa qina ‘adhaban nar.)

Translation: Our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the Fire.

(Abu Dawud: 1892)

6-  After completing 7 circles of Kaaba, perform Istilam of The Black Stone (Hajar-e-Aswad) for the eighth time. Idhtiba is also finished after 7 circles. Now you can cover both shoulders with the upper portion of Ihraam sheet. This does not apply to women.

[Sahih Muslim: 1218 (a)]

7-  Offer two Rakats Nafil of Tawaf behind the Maqam-e-Ibrahim or wherever in Masjid Al-Haram. (ibn Majah: 2956)

8-  After completing two Rakats, now benefit from the blessed water of Zamzam. (Not Mandatory).

9-  Perform Istilam of The Black Stone (Hajar-e-Aswad) for the ninth time then proceed to Safa for Sa’yee. [Sahih Muslim: 1218 (a)]

Sa'yee of Safa and Marwah:

Safa and Marwa are two small hills now located in Masjid Al-Haram. Pilgrims travel back and forth between them seven times which is obligatory ritual of both Hajj and Umrah.

1-  After completing Tawaf, go towards Safa mount and when reaching near it, recite the following dua (only once): 

‏ إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ‏

(Inna alssafa waalmarwata min shaAAairi Allah)

Translation: “Indeed, as-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah”

2-  After reaching Safa (starting point of Sa’yee), make dua, glorify Allah by facing the Kaaba and recite the following dua:

لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كَلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَهَزَمَ الأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ
(Laa ilaaha ill-allaahu waḥdahu laa shareeka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamdu wa huwa ‛alaa kulli shay’in qadeer, laa ilaaha ill-allaahu waḥdahu, anjaza wa‛dahu, wa naṣara ‛abdahu, wa hazam-al-’aḥzaaba waḥdah)
Translation: “None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone, without partner. To Him belongs all sovereignty and praise and He is over all things omnipotent. None has the right to be worshipped except Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, aided His Servant and single-handedly defeated the allies.”

3-  After supplications, start walk from Safa to Marwah seven times; whilst running between the two green pillars / lights. Running between green lights is for men only. Women pilgrims will walk normally between the green lights/pillars. Remember Safa to Marwa is one round, and Marwa to Safa is the second, in this way the seven rounds of Sa'yee will end at Marwa. Repeat dua mention above when climbing both Safa and Marwa mountain. (preferably three times)

4-  There is no specific dua or dhikr during Sa’yee. You can engage yourself in any duas/supplications or dhikr during Sa'yee.

5-  After completing Sa’yee, drink plenty of Zam-Zam water.

Shave the Head or Trim the hair:

Lastly, upon the completion of the seven circuits of Sa’yee, you are  required to shave your head or cut your hair. The men are required to shave their heads or cut their hair on their entire head equally. The women are required to cut their hair equal to the length of a fingertip.  (Sahih Bukhari: 1728 & 1731)

With this last act, you have officially complete your Umrah. 

Now thank Allah on completion of this blessed worship and remember all Muslim Ummah in your duas.

May Allah (SWT) accept your Umrah and all duas during this blessed journey. Ameen!