There are several spiritual and material advantages to performing Umrah as a traveler. It is thought that doing the act of Umrah apologizes for one's sins and wins Allah's favor. According to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the reward for undertaking Umrah is equivalent to Jihad, or striving in Allah's way.

Steps to Perform Umrah

1. Niyyah (Intention)

  • Before leaving your home or when reaching the designated Miqat, make the sincere intention to perform Umrah solely for the sake of Allah.

  • Say the Talbiyah:
    Labbayk Allahumma Umrah
    (Here I am, O Allah, for Umrah.)

2. Ihram

  • Wear Ihram garments (for men: two white unstitched sheets; for women: modest dress covering the body).
  • Pray two rak’ahs (optional Sunnah) before entering Ihram.
  • Avoid forbidden acts during Ihram (cutting nails/hair, using perfume, marital relations, hunting, etc.).

3. Recite the Talbiyah

  • Keep reciting:


    Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayka Laa Shareeka Laka Labbayk. Innal-Hamda wan-Ni’mata Laka wal-Mulk, Laa Shareeka Lak.
    (Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am. You have no partner; here I am. Indeed, all praise and blessings are Yours, and sovereignty too. You have no partner.)


4. Perform Tawaf (Circumambulation)

  • Upon reaching Masjid al-Haram, enter with your right foot and say the dua for entering the mosque.
  • Begin Tawaf from the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad)—raise your hand towards it and say "Bismillah, Allahu Akbar."
  • Go around the Kaaba seven times.
  • Men should do Raml (brisk walking) in the first three rounds (if possible).
  • After Tawaf, pray two rak’ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim (if possible).

5. Perform Sa’i (Between Safa and Marwah)

  • Start at Safa—face the Kaaba, raise your hands, and make dua.
  • Walk towards Marwah, making dua and dhikr.
  • Run (for men) between the green lights (marked area) in each lap.
  • Complete seven trips (Safa → Marwah = 1 lap).

6. Taqsir

  • Men: Shave the head completely (preferred) or trim hair evenly.
  • Women: Trim a small portion (about an inch) from the end of their hair.

7. End of Umrah

Visit the holy city of Madinah and pray in the Prophet's Mosque (Masjid an-Nabawi). Pay your respects at the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) grave and ask for blessings from this holy location. During the last 10 days of Ramadan, perform iti’hkaf at the Grand Mosque in Makkah or other mosques.