Umrah in the Quran and Sunnah
“And complete the Hajj and Umrah for Allah” (Quran 2:196). The Prophet ﷺ said: “Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous one” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1773), and “Umrah in Ramadan is equal to Hajj (in reward)” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1782).
Step 1: Ihram at the miqat
- The miqat is the boundary where you enter ihram. The Prophet ﷺ set Dhul-Hulayfah for the people of Madinah, Al-Juhfah for Sham, Qarn al-Manazil for Najd and Yalamlam for Yemen, and these are also for anyone passing through them (Sahih al-Bukhari 1524). If you fly, enter ihram before the plane passes over your miqat; airlines usually announce it.
- Prepare: take a bath, then men wear two plain white sheets (izar and rida) and sandals. Men do not wear shirts, turbans, trousers, hooded cloaks or socks (Sahih al-Bukhari 1542). Women wear their normal modest clothes.
- Intention: intend Umrah in your heart and say Labbayk Allahumma ‘umrah.
- Start the talbiyah and repeat it often until you reach the Kaaba:
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
Labbayk Allāhumma labbayk, labbayka lā sharīka laka labbayk, innal-ḥamda wan-ni’mata 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, blessings and sovereignty are Yours. You have no partner” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1549).
While in ihram, avoid perfume, cutting hair or nails, marital relations, and (for men) covering the head. Scholars detail what to do if something is done by mistake; ask before you travel.
Step 2: Tawaf, seven rounds around the Kaaba
- Start at the Black Stone corner, with the Kaaba on your left. Kiss or touch it if you can, or point to it from a distance and say Allahu Akbar. Umar said: “Had I not seen the Messenger of Allah ﷺ kissing you, I would not have kissed you” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1597).
- Walk seven rounds. Men walk briskly (ramal) in the first three rounds and walk normally in the last four (Sahih al-Bukhari 1603).
- Make dua and dhikr in your own words. Between the Yemeni corner and the Black Stone, the Prophet ﷺ said Rabbana atina: “O Allah, give us good in this world and good in the next and guard us from the punishment of the Fire” (Sunan Abi Dawud 1892, graded hasan).
Step 3: Two rak’ahs at Maqam Ibrahim
Allah says: “And take from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer” (Quran 2:125). After tawaf, the Prophet ﷺ went to the Station of Ibrahim, with it between him and the Kaaba, and prayed two rak’ahs reciting Qul huwa-llahu ahad and Qul ya ayyuhal-kafirun (Sahih Muslim 1218). If it is crowded, pray anywhere in the mosque. Then drink Zamzam water.
Step 4: Sa’i between Safa and Marwah
“Indeed, as-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah” (Quran 2:158). The Prophet ﷺ recited this verse as he approached Safa and said, “I begin with what Allah began with” (Sahih Muslim 1218).
- Climb Safa, face the Kaaba, praise Allah and make dua.
- Walk to Marwah. Men jog lightly between the green lights, where the Prophet ﷺ ran in the valley (Sahih Muslim 1218).
- At Marwah, do as you did at Safa. Safa to Marwah is one lap, and back is the second: seven laps in total, ending at Marwah.
Step 5: Shave or trim your hair
“You will surely enter al-Masjid al-Haram… with your heads shaved and [hair] shortened” (Quran 48:27). Men shave the head or trim it all over; shaving is better: the Prophet ﷺ prayed three times for mercy for those who shave, then for those who trim (Sahih al-Bukhari 1727). Women trim a fingertip’s length from the end of their hair.
Your Umrah is complete, and the restrictions of ihram are lifted.
Before you go
- Learn the prayer and ghusl steps, and check prayer times in Makkah.
- Test yourself with our Hajj & Umrah quiz.
- Details differ slightly between schools (for example, where exactly to enter ihram when flying, or what to do after a mistake). Your group leader or a scholar you trust is the best guide on the day.