How to Perform Umrah: Step by Step

How to perform Umrah, in short: (1) enter ihram before the miqat and make the intention, (2) recite the talbiyah until you reach the Kaaba, (3) perform Tawaf — seven circuits of the Kaaba, (4) pray two rak’ah near Maqam Ibrahim and drink Zamzam, (5) perform Sa’i — seven laps between Safa and Marwah, (6) shave or trim the hair. Umrah is then complete.

Umrah can be performed at any time of year. Unlike Hajj it is not obligatory, but it is a deeply rewarding act of worship. The whole sequence usually takes three to five hours depending on crowds. If you are travelling from abroad, an Umrah package covers the visa, hotels and transfers.

Step 1 — Prepare and enter ihram

Before reaching the miqat (the boundary at which ihram becomes obligatory), perform ghusl (a full bath), and for men apply unscented deodorant if needed. Men wear two plain white unstitched cloths — one around the waist, one over the shoulder — with sandals that leave the ankle bones visible. Women wear ordinary modest clothing; there is no special dress, and the face and hands are left uncovered in ihram. Pray two rak’ah if it is not a disliked time.

Step 2 — Make the intention and recite talbiyah

Make the intention for Umrah in the heart and say: “Labbayk Allahumma ‘Umrah.” Then begin the talbiyah, repeating it often until you reach the Kaaba:

Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-ni’mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak.

While in ihram, avoid: cutting hair or nails, using scented products, hunting, intimacy and marriage contracts. Men do not cover the head; women do not wear the niqab or gloves.

Step 3 — Perform Tawaf

On entering Masjid al-Haram, step in with the right foot and make du’a. Go to the Black Stone corner, face it, and begin. Circle the Kaaba seven times anticlockwise, keeping it on your left. Point to the Black Stone and say “Bismillah, Allahu akbar” at the start of each circuit; kissing or touching it is only if it can be done without harming others. Men do idtiba’ (right shoulder uncovered) and raml (brisk pace) in the first three circuits. Make any du’a you wish throughout.

Step 4 — Pray at Maqam Ibrahim and drink Zamzam

After the seventh circuit, pray two rak’ah near the Station of Ibrahim if possible — anywhere in the mosque is fine if it is crowded. Recite Surah al-Kafirun in the first unit and Surah al-Ikhlas in the second. Then drink Zamzam water freely and make du’a.

Step 5 — Perform Sa’i between Safa and Marwah

Head to Safa, recite the verse “Innas-Safa wal-Marwata min sha’a’irillah…”, face the Kaaba, raise your hands and make du’a. Walk to Marwah — that is one lap. Men jog between the green markers. Repeat until you have completed seven laps, ending at Marwah. Du’a throughout is encouraged; there is no fixed supplication.

Step 6 — Shave or trim the hair

Men either shave the head completely (halq) — more rewarded — or trim from all of it (taqsir). Women gather their hair and cut about a fingertip’s length from the ends. With this, ihram ends and all its restrictions are lifted. Your Umrah is complete.

After Umrah

Many pilgrims then travel to Madinah to pray in Masjid an-Nabawi and visit the historic sites — see our ziyarat guide. You may also perform additional Umrahs on behalf of deceased relatives by re-entering ihram from the Tan’im or Ji’ranah boundary.

Related: Hajj vs Umrah differences · Hajj 2027 guide · Packing checklist · Ziyarat guide

This is a simplified overview, not a religious ruling. Minor differences exist between the schools of fiqh — follow the guidance of your group scholar.