How to Perform Umrah — Complete Step-by-Step Guide

The Four Pillars of Umrah

Umrah consists of four essential acts (Arkan): Ihram, Tawaf, Sa'i, and shaving or trimming of hair. All four must be performed for the Umrah to be valid.

Step 1 — Ihram (Intention & Sacred State)

Ihram is the state of ritual purity and sacred intention for Umrah. For men, this means wearing two white seamless cloths. For women, normal modest Islamic clothing (no specific garment required).

• Perform Ghusl (full ritual bath) before entering Ihram
• Men wear two white unstitched cloths — one around the waist, one over the shoulder
• Make intention (Niyyah) for Umrah at the Miqat (designated stations)
• Recite Talbiyah: "Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk..."
• Avoid Ihram prohibitions: cutting hair/nails, perfume, marriage contracts, etc.

Step 2 — Tawaf (Circumambulation of the Kaaba)

Tawaf involves walking around the Kaaba seven times in a counter-clockwise direction. Each circuit begins and ends at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad).

• Begin at the Black Stone — touch or point to it and say "Bismillah, Allahu Akbar"
• Complete 7 circuits of the Kaaba in a counter-clockwise direction
• Men: Perform Idtiba (right shoulder exposed) and Raml (brisk walk) in first 3 rounds
• After Tawaf: perform 2 Raka'at prayer at Maqam Ibrahim (or anywhere in Haram)
• Drink Zamzam water

Step 3 — Sa'i (Walking between Safa and Marwa)

Sa'i commemorates Hajar (Hagar's) search for water for her son Ismail (AS). It involves walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa.

• Begin at Safa hill, facing the Kaaba, make dua
• Walk to Marwa — that is one lap
• Return to Safa — second lap, and so on
• Complete 7 laps total (start and end: Safa = 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th; Marwa = 2nd, 4th, 6th)
• Men jog between the green lights (marking where Hajar ran)

Step 4 — Halq or Taqsir (Hair Removal)

After Sa'i, men shave the head (Halq — preferred) or trim the hair (Taqsir). Women cut a fingertip's length of hair only (not the full head).

• Men: shaving the full head (Halq) is preferred and more meritorious
• Men may also trim the full head if shaving is not preferred (Taqsir)
• Women: trim approximately a fingertip's length from the end of hair
• After Halq/Taqsir, the state of Ihram ends and Umrah is complete