Umrah is a sacred journey in islam. It is an act of devotion to Allah, symbolizing submission,
humility and a longing for spiritual renewal. Umrah is a voluntary pilgrimage that is done in
Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Unlike Hajj, which is performed once a year, Umrah can be performed
throughout the whole year to show devotion to Allah Subhant’Allah. To ensure a smooth
experience, it is important to understand the essential steps and rituals involved to complete a
fullfilling Umrah. 

In this blog post, we will outline the key elements to help you prepare both physically and
spiritually for your next umrah. Umrah is an act of worship undertaken by Muslims travelling to
the blessed city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The word ‘Umrah’ in Arabic means ‘to visit a
populated place’, specifically referring to visiting Masjid al-Haram in Makkah.

How Long Does Umrah Take? 
It can take around three to five hours to perform the Umrah in Masjid Al Haram. The duration
depends on level of crowd and your physical pace.

Pre-Umrah Preparations
Preparing for Umrah involves several important steps: Begin with a sincere intention and
repentance, ensure halal  earnings, and plan to fulfill any missed religious obligations. Seek
forgiveness from those you may have wronged. Prepare to disconnect from worldly concerns.
Learn about Umrah rituals, embrace the spiritual mindset, and get physically fit. Start learning
necessary Duas and Zikr and manage any debts. Ensure your vaccinations are up to date,
check passport validity, photocopy essential documents, get medications sealed with
prescriptions, and carry sufficient Saudi Riyals and credit cards. These preparations will help
you embark on your umrah with a clear mind and a prepared heart.

Important Steps of Umrah
Step 1: Intention of Umrah (Niyyah)
Begin your Umrah with a sincere intention. This intention should be made from the heart, and it
is recommended to verbalize it to strengthen your resolve. Recite:

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً

Translation: “Here I am, O Allah, for Umrah”

Step 2: Entering the state of Ihram before Meeqat
While performing Umrah, it is crucial to stay in the sacred state of Ihram. This involves taking
Ghusl, wearing the Ihram sheets, and offering two Rakaats of Nafl before leaving for Meeqat.
Meeqat is the designated boundary where pilgrims must enter the state of Ihram.

Recite the following Dua:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ العُمْرَةَ فَيَسِّرْهَا لِي وَتَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّي

Translation: ”O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah, so make it easy for me and accept it from me.”

This supplication helps to affirm your intention and seek Allah’s assistance in performing the
rituals of Umrah with ease and acceptance.

Step 3: Reciting Talbiyah
After entering the state of Ihram, continue to recite the Talbiyah frequently until you begin Tawaf.
The Talbiyah is a declaration of your presence and readiness to perform Umrah.

Recite:

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ

Translation: ”Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily, all praise, grace, and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.”

Step 4: Performing Seven Rounds of Tawaf
Tawaf involves circumambulating the Holy Kaaba seven times in an anticlockwise direction,
keeping the Kaaba on your left. Stop reciting the Talbiyah upon reaching the Kaaba. Ensure you
are in a state of Wudu (ablution). Stand facing the Black Stone ( Hajr-e-Aswad), raise your right
hand, and recite

 بِسْمِ اللهِ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ 

Translation: “In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest”

Start moving in a counterclockwise direction around the Kaaba. Complete seven rounds,
starting and ending at the Black Stone.

Recite the following Dua between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone. Recite:

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Translations: “Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from
the punishment of the Fire”.

Step 5: Praying 2 Rakat Nafal behind Maqam-e-Ibrahim
After completing Tawaf, proceed to Maqam-e-Ibrahim and pray 2 Rakat Nafal. It is a Sunnah to
perform two Rakats of prayer behind Maqam-e-Ibrahim because the Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him) did so. Performing these two Rakats after Tawaf allows pilgrims to reflect
on their spiritual journey, express gratitude, and seek closeness to Allah. It is a moment to thank
Allah for the opportunity to perform Tawaf and to seek His blessings and forgiveness

Step 6: Drinking Zamzam water before starting Sa’ee
Before starting Sa’ee, it is recommended to drink Zamzam water. Face the Kaaba, say
Bismillah, and drink in three sips. While drinking, make a supplication.

A common dua is:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا، وَرِزْقًا وَاسِعًا، وَشِفَاءً مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ

Translation: ”O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, abundant provision, and healing from
every disease.”

Step 7: Performing Sa’ee between Safa and Marwa
Sa’ee involves walking or running between the hills of Safa and Marwa seven times, commemorating the struggle of Hajra (AS), the wife of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). Face the Kaaba and raise your hands to make Duas that your heart desires. At Safa, recite the dua below and then repeat the same dua at Marwa:

إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ

Translations: “Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah.”
To perform Sa’ee, start at Safa and walk towards Marwa, completing seven rounds in total.
Walking from Safa to Marwa counts as one round, and returning from Marwa to Safa counts as
another. During each round, men should run between the green lights, which mark the area
where Hagar ran in her search for water for her son Ismail. Women, however, should walk at a normal pace in this section to maintain modesty. Continue this process until you have completed all seven rounds, ending at Marwa
During Saee, the ritual of walking between Safa and Marwa, it is recommended to recite various supplications.

One commonly recited dua is:

رَبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ وَتَجَاوَزْ عَمَّا تَعْلَمُ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْأَعَزُّ الْأَكْرَمُ

Translation: ”O Lord, forgive and have mercy, and pardon what You know. Verily, you are the
Most Mighty, the Most Generous.”

Step 8: Performing Halq and Taqsir for Men and Women
Halq refers to the act of shaving the entire head, which is a sunnah for men after completing
Umrah. This act symbolizes humility and the shedding of worldly attachments. Taqsir, on the other hand, involves trimming the hair by at least an inch and is obligatory step for both men and women. Women typically cut a small portion of their hair, about the length of a fingertip.
Performing Halq or Taqsir is essential to exit the state of Ihram and complete the pilgrimage
rituals.

Step 9: Removing of Ihram and Successful Completion of Umrah

With the completion of all the prescribed steps of performing umrah, your Umrah journey has
now come to a successful conclusion. You may now remove your Ihram, signifying the end of
your Umrah – a testament to your faith, devotion, and commitment to fulfilling one of the significant acts of worship in Islam.

Nabi (saw) has stated in a hadith: ‘The performance of Hajj and Umrah increase a person’s life span and eradicates poverty and sins just as rust is removed from the iron when placed in the
furnace.’ (Targhib)