Complete Umrah Method
How to Perform Umrah
A clear, authentic step-by-step guide to performing Umrah — from entering Ihram at the Miqat to Tawaf, Sa'i and trimming the hair.
Umrah in Four Steps
The Complete Umrah Method
Umrah has four essential parts performed in order: entering Ihram at the Miqat, Tawaf around the Ka'bah, Sa'i between Safa and Marwah, and Halq or Taqsir (shaving or trimming). Everything else is preparation or Sunnah around these four.
1. Ihram
Enter the state of Ihram at or before the Miqat with the intention for Umrah and begin the Talbiyah.
2. Tawaf
Perform seven circuits of the Ka'bah beginning at the Black Stone, then pray two rak'ah near Maqam Ibrahim.
3. Sa'i
Walk seven times between Safa and Marwah, beginning at Safa and ending at Marwah.
4. Halq / Taqsir
Men shave or trim the whole head; women trim a fingertip length. This ends Ihram and completes Umrah.
Before You Begin
Preparing for Ihram
Umrah is a Sunnah act of worship that can be performed at any time of year. Before reaching the Miqat, perform ghusl (a full ritual bath), trim the nails, and remove unwanted body hair. Men then wear two clean, unstitched white sheets — the izar (lower garment) and rida (upper garment) — while women wear ordinary modest clothing; there is no fixed colour for women.
Apply fragrance to the body (not the garments) before entering Ihram. Once in Ihram, perfume, cutting hair or nails, marital relations and arguing are all avoided until Umrah is complete.
The Four Steps in Detail
Ihram → Tawaf → Sa'i → Halq
1. Ihram & Talbiyah. At the Miqat make the intention: Labbayka Allahumma Umrah (“O Allah, here I am for Umrah”), then recite the Talbiyah frequently: Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayk laa shareeka laka labbayk, innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, laa shareeka lak.
2. Tawaf. Enter Masjid al-Haram with the right foot. On seeing the Ka'bah, raise your hands and make du'a. Stop the Talbiyah, then begin Tawaf at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad), keeping the Ka'bah on your left. Complete seven circuits. Men uncover the right shoulder (idtiba') and walk briskly (raml) in the first three circuits of this Tawaf. Afterwards, pray two rak'ah behind Maqam Ibrahim if you can, and drink Zamzam.
3. Sa'i. Head to Safa, recite Inna-s-Safa wal-Marwata min sha'a'irillah, then complete seven trips between Safa and Marwah, starting at Safa and ending at Marwah. Men jog between the two green markers.
4. Halq or Taqsir. Men shave the head (halq, more rewarded) or trim it evenly (taqsir); women trim a fingertip length (about 2–3 cm) from the ends of their hair. With this, Ihram ends and Umrah is complete.
Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Umrah is straightforward once you know the four steps — Ihram, Tawaf, Sa'i and Halq/Taqsir. Most pilgrims complete the rites in a few hours. Our ground team and group leaders guide you through each stage in person.
The core rites usually take three to five hours depending on crowds. Many pilgrims stay several days or weeks to pray in the Haram and visit Madinah.
Yes. Many pilgrims perform additional Umrah for family members by returning to a Miqat point such as Masjid Aisha (Tan'eem) to re-enter Ihram.
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Related Umrah planning: For better planning, also review Umrah packing list, first-time Umrah guide and Umrah packages from Pakistan.
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