Umrah consists of four essential practices. Firstly, you get changed into the Ihram garments before the Miqat, perform two Rakahs of Salah and make your Niyyah as the Miqat approaches, thereafter, reciting the Talbiyah frequently. Secondly, you perform Tawaf al-Umrah of the Kaaba followed by two Rakahs of Salah, preferably near Maqam Ibrahim. Thirdly, you do Sa’i of Safa and Marwah. Lastly, you shave (Halq) or shorten (Taqsir) your hair allowing you to leave the state of Ihram and complete your Umrah.
Then they change into the men’s ihram, which consists of two pieces of clean, usually white, seamless cloth. A sheet that is wrapped around the waist to cover the lower body is called Isar and a sheet that covers the body like a shawl is called Lida. Sandals should not cover the heel and ankle. The Hanafi school requires that the top of the leg be exposed.
Be sure to wear Ihram clothes before crossing the designated miqat. Since you will probably be traveling to Saudi Arabia by air, it is recommended that you change your Ihram at the airport before departure or during a layover. First, check your clothes in the prayer room or the bathroom and change clothes. Alternatively, you can wear Ihram on the plane, but plane bathrooms are usually very limited in space, so when the Mikat approaches, you can be inundated with people trying to do the same. Note that if you want to change into Ihram clothing on the ship, please do so at least one hour before crossing the Miqat.
You can delay your gesture until the time is near. Immediately before crossing, remove any clothing that violates Ihram, such as socks, hats, and underwear.
Women do not have to follow a specific dress code. The clothes should be neat and mild Islamic in any color that covers the head. You can wear socks but leave your hands and face exposed.
It is Sunnah to perform two rakats of prayer before Ihram. This can be done after changing at the airport or on the plane and before passing through the miqat if there are facilities for prayer on the plane. Intend two rakats of Nafl for Ihram and perform your prayers.
It is possible to pray with your head covered, because you have not reached Ihram yet. It is recommended to recite Surah Kafurun (Surah 109) in the first rak’ah and Surah Iqrat (Surah 112) in the second rak’ah, but other surahs can be recited. Do not forget to pray after this prayer.
Niyyah Umrah must be in Miqat or near Miqat. It is better to delay the intention until the last moment so that it is not hindered more than necessary.
Below are three examples of intentions that may be expressed in Arabic.
O Allah, here I am to perform Umrah.
O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah.
O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah, so accept it from me and make it easy for me.
After making an intention, you should read talbiyah to confirm your intention and enter the state of Ihram. According to Hanafi and Maliki, speech of talibiyah is obligatory. Shafi’i and Hanbali schools consider it as Sunnah.
The tradition of reciting Talbiyah is to pause at the four points marked with dashes. This is the prayer:
Labbayka llāhumma labbayk(a), labbayka lā sharīka laka labbayk(a), inna l-ḥamda wa n-ni’mata, laka wa l-mulk(a), lā sharīka lak.
At Your service, Allah, at Your service. At Your service, you have no partner, at Your service. Truly all praise, favour and sovereignty are Yours. You have no partner.
After saying Talbiyah, you enter the state of Ihram and become known as Muharram. Pay attention to the prohibitions of Ihram and do not violate its rules. If you violate Ihram, you need a band or hundreds of expiations.
It is recommended to send Salawat, it is recommended to send salawat to yourself and others. Continue reciting talbiyah until the end of the path until you reach one of the doors of Masjid al-Haram before Tawaf.
The Haram of Mecca is a sacred area that stretches for kilometers in all directions around the Grand Mosque. The following are prohibited in this area:
As you reach the limits of the Haram, constantly recite the Talbiyah, do Dhikr and send Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ. Recital of the following Dua is recommended upon entering the Haram:
Allāhumma hādhā ḥaramuka wa amnuka fa ḥarrimnī ‘ala-n-Nār, wa amminnī min ‘adhābika yawma tab’athu ‘ibādak, wa j‘alnī min awliyā’ika wa ahli ṭā’atik.
Allah, this is Your sanctuary and security, so make me unlawful to Hellfire, make me safe from Your punishment on the day You resurrect Your servants; and make me one of Your friends and one of the people who obey You.
After arriving at the accommodation in Makkah, refresh and rest before going to Al-Haram Mosque to perform Tawaf Umrah. If you take a shower, don’t use Ihram. scented soap or shampoo; We recommend that you introduce yourself to Masjid al-Haram as soon as possible.
When you are ready, decide what items to bring, keep in mind that thieves work in the mosque.
It is Sunnah to enter Masjid al-Haram through Bab al-Salam (Gate of Peace). If you can’t do this, you can continue through other doors. Start with the right foot and recite the prayer for entering the mosque. Either or both of these petitions can be filed.
Bismi-llāh, Allāhumma ṣalli alā Muhammad. Allāhumma-ghfir lī wa-ftaḥ lī abwāba raḥmatik.
In the name of Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad ﷺ. O Allah, open for me the doors of Your Bounty.
A‘ūdhu bi-llāhi-l-Aẓīm, wa bi-wajhihi-l-karīm, wa sulṭānihi-l-qadīm, mina-sh-Shayṭāni-r-rajīm.
I seek protection in Allah the Tremendous, His Noble Countenance, and His pre-eternal Sovereign Might from Shaytan the rejected.
Note:
If you intend to perform Tahiyyah al-Masjid (prayer to greet the mosque), do not do it. Your tawaf in salam on Masjid al-Haram is sufficient.
If you don’t intend to perform Tawaf right away, you can do Tahiya al-Masjid.
In Masjid al-Haram, anyone is allowed to pass by someone who is praying. However, kneeling areas should be avoided.
After entering the mosque, look down to reach the Mataf area, the square where Tawaf is performed. When you are ready, with humility, reverence and respect, raise your gaze towards the blissful sight of the Kaaba.
When you see the Kaaba for the first time, raise your hands and pray with utmost concentration and sincerity. This is one of the places where prayers are answered. Remember to send blessings on the Prophet ﷺ when praying. Umar ibn al-Khattab I narrated:
Dua is suspended between heaven and earth and none of it is taken up until you send blessings upon your Prophet ﷺ.
[Narrated in Sunan al-Tirmidhi]
Recite the following three times:
Allāhu akbar. Allāhu akbar. Lā ilāha illa-llāh.
Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest. There is no God except Allah.
It’s a Sunnah to recite the following Duas:
Allāhumma zid hādhā-l-Bayta tashrīfan wa ta’ẓīman wa takrīman wa mahābah, wa zid man sharrafahu wa karramahu mimman ḥajjahu awi-’tamarahu tashrīfan wa takrīman wa ta’ẓīman wa birrā.
Allah, increase this House in honour, esteem, respect and reverence. And increase those who honour and respect it—of those who perform Hajj or ‘Umrah—in honour, respect, esteem and piety.
Allāhumma Anta-s-Salāmu wa minka-s-salām, ḥayyinā Rabbanā bi-s-salām.
O Allah, you are Peace and from You is peace. Make us live, Lord, in peace.
Do Dhikr, make Dua and send Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ in abundance here. Make the most of this opportunity before you begin your Tawaf, especially if it’s the first time you’ve set eyes on the Kaaba.
For the Tawaf to be considered valid, the following is necessary:
Make sure you are in a state of ablution, and for men, the Ihram robe passes over the right armpit, exposing the right shoulder so that the garment falls over the left shoulder (Idtiba).
Align along the corner of the Kaaba where the Black Stone is located. This corner is the corner facing one minaret (the other three corners are facing two minarets). The wall of the mosque in front of the Kaaba has green lights that show where the Tawaf starts. This is the starting point for each shot (orbit). Just before this starting point, stand facing the Kaaba and make sure that Hajar al-Asud is on your right.
As with any other act of worship, make the Niyyah to perform Tawaf solely for Allah. You may also ask for acceptance and ease of your Tawaf. The following words may be said:
O Allah, I intend to perform the Tawaf of Umrah of the Kaaba for your sake and your sake alone. Please accept it from me and make it easy for me.
You may make the following intention, which is in Arabic:
O Allah, I intend to perform Tawaf of the Sacred Mosque, so accept it from me and make it easy for me.
The Niyyah doesn’t have to be verbal.
The following supplication, a Dua of Ali I, may be recited when coming parallel to the Hajar al-Aswad in each circuit:
Bismi llāhi wa llāhu akbar, Allāhumma īmānan bika wa taṣdīqan bi kitābika wa wafā’an bi ahdika wattibā’an li sunnati nabiyyika Muḥammadin ﷺ.
In the name of Allah, Allah is the greatest. O Allah, out of faith in You, conviction in Your book, in fulfilment of Your covenant and in emulation of Your Prophet’s Sunnah ﷺ.
Other forms of Dhikr such as Tahlil (lā ilāha illā Allāh) and Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ may also be uttered at this point.
Turn right to start the first round of Tawaf, making sure the Kaaba is on your left. Move counterclockwise and avoid crossing Hajar Ismail. If you pass it, the circuit does not count, and you have to repeat it.
In the first three circuits men have to perform Raml. This is an exercise that lifts your legs with power and pushes your chest out. But in crowded times, such as when you are near the Kaaba, perform this tradition only if you are sure that you will not harm or disturb others.
You can recite your favorite prayers and petitions during Tawaf. Dua is accepted in Tawaf, so make the most of this opportunity and remember God with sincerity and sincerity. Imam Ibn Hibban V said:
Specifying a Dua would take the moment away, because with specific Duas, one will merely be repeating words, whereas this occasion is for any Dua and for remembering one’s Lord with humility and sincerity.
So, you should pray in any language and in any way you like. If you want to recite the Qur’an and prophetic prayers during Tawaf, try to memorize and learn their concepts. It is also recommended to recite the Qur’an during circumambulation and salutations on the Prophet ﷺ, peace and blessings of God be upon him.
When you reach Rukn al-Yamani (corner of al-Yaman), the corner opposite Hajar al-Aswad, touch it with your right hand or both hands and when you are close enough, say “Allāhu akbar (اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ)”. If it’s crowded, as it often is, don’t exclaim or point and just move on.
It is a Sunnah to recite the following Dua between the Rukn al-Yamani and the Hajar al-Aswad:
Rabbanā ātinā fi d-dunyā ḥasanatan wafi l-ākhirati ḥasanatan wa qinā ‘adhāba n-nār.
O our Lord, grant us the good of this world, the good of the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the fire.
[Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:201]
Imam Shafi’i V recommended this Dua to be recited throughout the Tawaf.
Returning to the Black Stone completes a circuit. The second one begins with taking a bath of the black stone as described above and mentioning “Allah Al-Abar.” Allahu Akbar should be said in all the following circles. Tawaf runs steel 8 times in total. One before the start of tawaf and one at the end of each of the seven circuits.
Tawaf must be performed consecutively without a break between circuits. But if the congregational prayer is to begin, the congregation must be present to continue the Tawaf from the place where it stopped. No need to repeat the circuit. These rules are also applied when ablution must be repeated.
Continue in the same manner until you complete 7 circuits. Asking at the beginning and end of Tawaf is one of the most emphasized traditions, and it is better to ask at the other six times.
If you are in the state of Idtiba,, cover your shoulders with Ihram.
After completing Tawaf, pray two rakats, preferably in a place where Ibrahim’s position is between you and the Kaaba. However, since Makam Ibrahim is inside Mataho, please be aware that it will be crowded. If it is not possible to perform the prayer there due to the crowd, it can be prayed anywhere in the Masjid al-Haram.
While moving to the place where you intend to perform the two Rakahs, it is recommended to audibly recite the following:
Wattakhidhu min maqāmi Ibrāhīma muṣalla.
And take the Maqam Ibrahim as a place of Salah.
[Surah al-Baqarah, 2:125]
It is Sunnah to recite Surah al-Kafirun (Qul Yā Ayyuha-l-Kāfirūn) in the first Rakah and Surah al-Ikhlas (Qul Huwa-llāhu Ahad) in the second, after Surah al-Fatiha. Make sure you make plenty of Dua after completing the prayer.
When you have finished your prayer and made your supplication, drink a glass of Zamzam water, which is available from the various fountains and beers around the Tawaf and in Masjid al-Haram. The entrance to the old Zamzam well is covered to provide more space for tawaf.
The Holy Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: “Zamzam water is whatever it is to drink.” etc. When you drink the water, stand up, face the Kaaba, say Bismillah, inhale and hold your breath three times, and after finishing the work. Say, Al-Hamdali Mustahab is called Ra. You can also apply it on your face and body.
You may recite the following Dua after drinking the water:
Allahumma innī as’aluka ‘ilman nāfi’an, wa rizqan wāsi’an, wa ‘amalan mutaqabbalan, wa shifā’an min kulli dā’.
O Allah, I ask You for knowledge that is beneficial, provision that is abundant and a cure from every illness.
You may also make any other supplication of your choosing as it’s another station where Duas are accepted.
After drinking Zamzam water, you can move towards Murtazm, the area between the Black Stone and the Kaaba doors.
Mortezam is rarely visited during pilgrimage season due to crowding. However, it is accessible at other times.
If you can reach Mortezam, raise your hands above your head and cling to the wall, pressing your chest and cheeks to the wall. Dua should be prolonged here because it is the Sunnah of the Prophet and another place where dua is answered.
If you can’t reach the Multazam due to the crowds, you may face it and supplicate from a distance.
The tradition is to do Sai immediately after Tawaf, but you can rest if you want. If you feel dizzy and tired or your legs hurt, you can rest in the pavilion until you are ready. Before you start, make sure you have enough energy to do the ritual, as you will be traveling more than 3 kilometers between rhinos.
For the Sa’i to be considered valid, the following is necessary:
Before the Sai, it is the tradition to perform the Black Stone Stiram for the last time. This is the 9th time that I am performing Tawaf after 8 stilms.
If you forget to do this Stiram or if it is difficult to return to Hajar al-Aswad line due to crowding or fatigue, it may be removed. However, astilam can be performed elsewhere in Masjid al-Haram, provided it faces the Black Stone.
Proceed to the hill of Safa, which is located in line with the Hajar al-Aswad. There is a white sign which indicates where it is. As you’re approaching Safa, it is Sunnah to recite the following:
Inna ṣ-ṣafā wa l-marwata min sha’ā’iri llāh(i).
Indeed, Safa and Marwa are from the Signs of Allah.
[Surah al-Baqarah, 2:158]
Then say:
Abda’u bimā bad’allahu bihi.
I begin with that which Allah has begun with.
These should only be recited once before Sa’i and not at the start of each lap.
As soon as you reach the hill of Safa, raise your hands towards the Kaaba as a sign of supplication. Your view of the Kaaba will be blurred, so guess about its location and face in that direction. Do not raise your hands towards the lobe of the ear and do not point towards the Kaaba, as in Tawaf. You may say Takbir (Allāhu akbar), Tahlil (lā ilāha illā Allāh) and send Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ.
It is Sunnah to recite the following Dua:
Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, wa lillāhi l-ḥamd.
Allah is the greatest; Allah is the greatest; Allah is the greatest, and to Allah belongs all praise.
Lā ilāha illallāh waḥdahu lā sharīka lah(u), lahu l-mulku wa lahu l-ḥamdu yuḥyī wa yumīt(u), wa huwa ‘alā kulli shay’in qadīr.
There is no deity except Allah, alone without a partner. To Him belongs the Dominion, and to Him belongs all praise. He gives life and death and He has power over everything.
Lā ilāha illallāhu waḥdah(u), anjaza wa’dahu wa naṣara ‘abdahu wa hazama l-aḥzāba waḥdah.
There is no deity except Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, supported His slave and defeated the confederates alone.
After reciting this Dua, you may recite your own supplications. Read the Dua a total of three times, making your own supplications in between each time, as was the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
From Safa to Marwah. Between Safa and Marwa, you will come across two green, fluorescent lights 50 meters apart. This shows how far Hagar ran to reach the plateau. These two markers are known as Milen Al-Khadrain (two green miles). Between these two lights, the tradition is for men to run at medium speed, but women should run at medium speed.
There is no fixed Dhikr or Dua that has been prescribed to be read during Sa’i, so you may recite any prayers or supplications of your choice and send Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ.
Upon reaching the hill of Marwa, face the direction of the Kaaba, raise your hands in supplication and repeat the same supplications you recited at Safa.
This completes one lap of Sa’i. Returning back to Safa is considered a second lap.
Repeat this procedure until you have completed seven laps, at which point you should be at the hill of Marwa.
It is recommended to make a final Dua here and also to perform two Rakahs of Nafl Salah in Masjid al-Haram following Sa’i.
As you leave Masjid al-Haram, step out with your left foot and recite the following Dua, as was the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ when leaving the mosque:
Bismi llāhi, wa ṣ-ṣalātu wa s-salāmu ‘ala rasūli llāh. Allāhumma innī as’aluka min faḍlik.
In the name of Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, I ask of you from Your bounty.
After Sai, the hair should be shaved (halq) or cut at least one inch (taqseer) to remove the state of Ihram and complete Umrah. A clean-shaven head is more noble for a man.
Make sure you use a licensed barber shop and not an unlicensed street barber shop. Makkah has a number of licensed barber shops that are open 24 hours a day, usually only during prayer times. There are many hair salons in Zamzam Towers, Hilton Shopping Complex and Al Sahawa Towers. Also, after finishing Sai, there are many hairdressers outside Marwa’s door. It is on the left if you are on the first floor or on the right if you exit from the middle floor.
Or you can shave or cut your hair to get out of Ihram.
Now you are freed from the restrictions of Ihram, and you can change your normal clothes. If you intend to perform another Umrah, you must move to the border of the Haram for Ihram again. Most of the pilgrims choose Ihram at the Aisha Mosque, the closest and most convenient place to the Haram Mosque. Commuting there is near the mosque.
