Whether you are a first-time pilgrim or returning for a deeper connection, knowing the rituals step by step makes all the difference. Start by securing your Umrah Visa through the official Nusuk platform, then read on for the complete ritual guide.
What Is Umrah and Who Can Perform It?
Umrah is a pilgrimage to the Holy City of Makkah, often referred to as the “lesser pilgrimage” to distinguish it from the obligatory Hajj. The Hanafi and Maliki schools of thought consider Umrah a highly recommended Sunnah, while the Shafi’i and Hanbali schools regard it as obligatory (fard). Unlike Hajj, which has fixed dates during Dhul Hijjah, Umrah can be performed any time of year — though performing Umrah during Ramadan carries special spiritual reward.
Eligibility and Requirements
- You must be a Muslim to enter Makkah and perform Umrah.
- All pilgrims need a valid Umrah visa or a Saudi tourist visa that permits Umrah. Indian and Pakistani nationals typically apply through licensed agents.
- A mandatory MenACWY (meningitis) vaccination is required for every pilgrim aged one and above, as confirmed by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
- Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry to Saudi Arabia with two blank pages.
Women can now perform Umrah without a mahram. As of 2025, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah allows women of all ages to apply for an Umrah visa and travel independently or in a group, with registration on the Nusuk platform.
Step 1: Entering Ihram at the Miqat
Ihram is the sacred state you enter before crossing the designated boundary points called Miqat. This is where your Umrah officially begins — you cannot pass the Miqat without entering Ihram, or you must return and do so.
How to Prepare
Before reaching the Miqat, perform ghusl (a full ritual bath), trim your nails, and remove excess body hair. Men change into two plain, white, unstitched sheets — the izar (lower garment) and the rida (upper garment) — with open-toed sandals. Women wear modest, loose-fitting clothing (typically an abaya and hijab) with no specific color requirement.
The Five Miqat Locations
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj designates five Miqat points based on your direction of travel:
- Dhul Hulayfah (Abyar Ali) — for those coming from Madinah
- Al-Juhfah (Rabigh) — for travelers from Egypt, Syria, North Africa, Turkey, and Europe
- Qarn al-Manazil (al-Sayl al-Kabir) — for travelers from Riyadh, UAE, Pakistan, and Southeast Asia
- Yalamlam — for travelers from Yemen and the south
- Dhat Irq — for travelers from Iraq, Iran, and the northeast
Making Your Intention and Reciting the Talbiyah
At the Miqat, make your niyyah (intention) for Umrah in your heart, then say aloud: “Allāhumma labbayka ʿumrah” (O Allah, I respond to Your call to perform Umrah).
Immediately begin reciting the Talbiyah and continue repeating it until you reach Masjid al-Haram and are about to begin Tawaf:
“Labbayka Allāhumma labbayk. Labbayka lā sharīka laka labbayk. Innal-ḥamda wan-niʿmata laka wal-mulk, lā sharīka lak.”
(Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. All praise, grace, and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.)
Step 2: Tawaf — Circling the Kaaba
Tawaf is the act of circling the Holy Kaaba seven times in a counterclockwise direction. Each circuit begins and ends at the Hajar al-Aswad (Black Stone). You must be in a state of wudu (ablution) before starting.
How to Perform Tawaf
Enter Masjid al-Haram with your right foot. Face the Black Stone, raise your right hand toward it, and say “Bismillāhi Allāhu Akbar.” If possible, kiss or touch the stone — if the crowd is too dense, simply gesture toward it from a distance.
During the first three circuits, men perform Raml — walking briskly with short steps while moving the shoulders. Men also practice Idtiba (exposing the right shoulder by tucking the rida under the right arm) throughout all seven circuits.
Key Dua During Tawaf
There is no fixed dua prescribed for each round — you are free to make personal supplications in any language. However, between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone, the Prophet ﷺ recommended this dua:
“Rabbanā ātinā fid-dunyā ḥasanatan wa fil-ākhirati ḥasanatan wa qinā ʿadhāban-nār.”
(Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.)
After completing all seven circuits, pray two rak’ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim (or anywhere in the mosque if the area is crowded), then drink Zamzam water.
Step 3: Sa’i — Walking Between Safa and Marwah
Sa’i commemorates Hajar (wife of Prophet Ibrahim), who ran seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah searching for water for her infant son Ismail. Both hills are now enclosed within Masjid al-Haram.
How to Perform Sa’i
Begin at Safa. As you approach the hill, recite: “Innaṣ-Ṣafā wal-Marwata min shaʿāʾirillāh” (Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah), then say: “Abdaʾu bimā badaʾa Allāhu bihi” (I begin with that which Allah began with). Face the Kaaba, raise your hands, and make dua.
Walk from Safa to Marwah — this counts as one lap. Walk back from Marwah to Safa — that is the second lap. Complete seven laps, ending at Marwah. Men should jog lightly between the green fluorescent markers; women walk at their normal pace throughout.
You are free to make any personal dua during Sa’i. Many pilgrims use this time to pray for their families, their health, and their forgiveness.
Step 4: Halq or Taqsir — Completing Your Umrah
The final ritual releases you from the state of Ihram. Men either shave the entire head (Halq) or trim the hair evenly (Taqsir). Shaving is considered more virtuous — the Prophet ﷺ made dua three times for those who shave and once for those who trim.
Women trim approximately a fingertip’s length (about one inch) from the ends of their hair. Women do not shave.
Once this step is complete, your Umrah is finished. All Ihram restrictions are lifted — you may change into regular clothes, use fragrance, and resume normal activities.
Practical Tips for First-Time Pilgrims
Before You Travel
- Book your flights to Jeddah or flights to Madinah early, especially during peak Umrah season and Ramadan.
- Download the Nusuk app — you will need it for your Umrah permit, Makkah entry permit, and Rawdah reservation in Madinah.
- Check the latest Umrah 2026 rules and updates before departure, including any Hajj-season blackout dates when Umrah permits are paused.
On the Ground
- Stay hydrated. Makkah temperatures can exceed 40°C, and you will be walking extensively.
- Wear comfortable, non-slip sandals — you will remove and carry them repeatedly inside the mosque.
- Visit during off-peak hours (after Isha prayer or early morning) for a less crowded Tawaf and Sa’i experience.
- If you are staying in Makkah hotels near the Haram, you can perform multiple Umrahs by re-entering Ihram at Masjid Aisha (Taneem), the nearest Miqat for those already in Makkah.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I perform Umrah more than once on the same trip?
Yes. After completing your first Umrah, go to Masjid Aisha (Taneem) to re-enter Ihram and perform another Umrah. Each one requires a fresh Ihram from outside the Haram boundary.
How long does Umrah take to complete?
The rituals themselves take three to six hours depending on crowd levels. During Ramadan or Hajj season, expect longer wait times.
Can I perform Umrah on behalf of someone else?
Yes, you may perform Umrah on behalf of a deceased person or a living person who is physically unable to travel. Make the niyyah in their name at the Miqat.
Is visiting Madinah part of Umrah?
No, visiting Madinah and Masjid an-Nabawi is not a requirement of Umrah. However, most pilgrims include it in their trip. You can book hotels in Madinah and flights separately.
Sources
- Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Time for Umrah
- Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Miqaat Locations
- Nusuk — Official Umrah Platform
- Islamic Relief UK — How to Perform Umrah
- Hajj Umrah Planner — Umrah Guide
- IslamicFinder — Umrah Guide
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
