What is Umrah?

Umrah is a pilgrimage to Makkah that can be performed at any time of the year.

“And complete the Hajj and Umrah in the service of Allah.”  — QUR’AN 2:196

Understanding Umrah

01

Ihram

Enter the sacred state at the Miqat with intention.

02

Tawaf

Circle the Kaaba 7 times and then pray 2 rak’ahs.

03

Sa’i

Walk between Safa and Marwah.

04

Halq / Taqsir

Shave or shorten the hair.

Why perform Umrah?

  1. Spiritual cleansing – it removes sins
  2. Renewal of faith & purification of the heart

  3. Following the Sunnah

  4. Become the guest of Allah (swt)

UMRAH MADE SIMPLE

“Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) encouraged us to perform Umrah at least once in our lifetime. He himself (PBUH) performed it four times in his lifetime.”

Clear guidance. Confidence at every step.

We guide you before and during your journey, so you understand every step and perform Umrah with confidence.

How to Perform Umrah

Follow the rites in order. Select any numbered step to open its detailed guide.

01

Ihram

BEFORE MIQAT

Prepare, purify, dress and make niyah. Enter Ihram before crossing Miqat.

02

Tawaf

AT THE KAABA

Begin at Hajar al-Aswad. Complete 7 anticlockwise circuits, then pray 2 rak’ahs.

03

SAFA → MARWAH

Walk between Safa and Marwah.

Walk 7 one-way lengths from Safa to Marwah; finish length seven at Marwah.

04

AFTER SA’I

Shave or shorten the hair.

Men shave or shorten evenly; women trim a small amount. Ihram restrictions then end.

Ihram

Ihram is a sacred state of purity, intention, modesty, and discipline entered for Hajj or Umrah.

1

Enter Ihram before crossing Miqat

What to wear

Men: Two unstitched white cloths: one at the waist and one over the upper body.

Women: Modest clothing covering the body; the face and hands remain uncovered.

Simple dress removes outward status. For children, a guardian manages intention and restrictions.

Protect the state

  1. Do not cut hair or nails, or use fragrance and scented products.
  2. Bathe with unscented products; wash gently to avoid causing hair to fall.

  3. Change garments when needed; do not use the cloth for wiping or cleaning.

  4. Maintain modesty and avoid cosmetics and make-up.

Enter Ihram

Prepare: Complete grooming and hygiene; secure garments and gather essentials.
Purify: Complete grooming and hygiene; secure garments and gather essentials
Intend: Make Niyah and pray two Rakahs.
Cross: Be in Ihram before passing Miqat.

Tawaf.

Tawaf is seven anticlockwise circuits around the Kaaba, with dhikr and dua, starting and ending at Hajar al-Aswad. It is an essential rite of Umrah and Hajj.

7

Circle the Kaaba seven times

Why it matters

Worship: Pilgrims circle the Kaaba in obedience to Allah (swt) and they worship Allah, not the Kaaba.

Unity: One movement gathers believers from every nation in unity, harmony, trust, and dua.

Tawaf is ibadah: seven circuits around the Sacred House, performed according to the Sunnah.

Before you begin

  1. Enter calmly, follow the designated route, and hold the intention for Tawaf.
  2. Prepare as for prayer and ensure you are in a state of wudu.
  3. Men uncover the right shoulder for this Tawaf where appropriate.
  4. Align with Hajar al-Aswad or its green light; keep the Kaaba on your left.

The core action

Begin: At Hajar al-Aswad, say “Allahu Akbar” and gesture towards it if touching is unsafe.
Circle: Walk counterclockwise outside the Hijr; make dhikr, recite Qur’an, and personal dua.
Count: Each return to Hajar al-Aswad completes one circuit. Continue until seven.
Finish: After seven, pray two rak’ahs where safe, drink Zamzam, then proceed to Safa.

SA’I.

Sa’i is seven one-way lengths between Safa and Marwah, starting at Safa and ending at Marwah. It is an essential rite of Umrah and Hajj.

7

Start at Safa – finish at Marwah

Why it matters

Trust: Sa’i remembers Hajar’s faithful search for water and her complete trust in Allah.

Worship: The walk combines effort, remembrance, and dua between two symbols of Allah.

Sa’i teaches active reliance: strive with purpose, then place the outcome with Allah.

Before you begin

  1. Complete Tawaf, pray two rak’ahs, drink Zamzam, then proceed to Safa.
  2. Remain in Ihram; wudu is recommended, not required.
  3. At Safa, face the Qiblah where practical; praise Allah and make dua.
  4. Count each one-way journey; keep moving safely with the crowd.

The core action

Begin: Start at Safa with takbir, dhikr, and personal dua.
Count: Safa → Marwah is one; Marwah → Safa is two. Continue alternating till seven.
Green Area: Men walk briskly when safe; women maintain a normal pace.
Finish: End length seven at Marwah, then cut or trim the hair to complete Umrah.

Halq & Taqsir

Halq means shaving the head; Taqsir means shortening it. Performed only after Sa’i, this final rite completes Umrah and releases the pilgrim from Ihram.

2

Men: Halq or Taqsir – Women: Taqsir Only

Why it matters

Meaning: Cutting the hair marks humility, renewal, and the completion of the pilgrim’s rites.

Mercy: The Prophet (PBUH) prayed for those who shave and those who shorten—with greater emphasis on Halq.

One deliberate act closes the rites of Umrah and opens the return to ordinary life.

Before you begin

  1. Finish all seven lengths of Sa’i at Marwah before cutting any hair.
  2. Remain in Ihram until the required cutting is fully complete.
  3. Use clean scissors or clippers in a safe place or licensed barber.
  4. Follow your group scholar where the required amount or method differs.

The core action

Men – Halq: Shave the full head evenly; avoid patchy or partial shaving.
Men – Taqsir: Shorten evenly across the head—not only one small lock.
Women: Taqsir only: gather the hair and trim a small amount from the ends—never shave.
Exit Ihram: Once cutting is complete, Ihram restrictions end and Umrah is finished.

How Umrah flows.

Four phases carry you from intention to completion—each with a clear action, recitation, and moment for dua.

01

Prepare & enter Ihram

Purify · dress · pray · make Niyah

What to read
Labbayk Allahumma Umrah

02

Enter the Haram

Right foot · entrance dua · approach Mataf

What to read
Allahu Akbar · La ilaha illallah

03

Tawaf & Sa’i

7 rounds around the Kaaba · 7 lengths Safa–Marwah

What to read
Dhikr · Qur’an · personal dua

04

Cut hair & complete

Halq or Qasar · restrictions end

What to read
Ask Allah to accept your Umrah

Prepare. Intend. Respond.

Before Miqat, move through five deliberate actions—then the state of Ihram begins with intention and Talbiyah.

Purify

Complete personal grooming first, make Wudu and bathe with the intention of Ihram.

Dress

Men: two unstitched white cloths. Women: loose, modest clothing with face and hands uncovered.

Pray

Offer two Rakahs where appropriate; the supplied guide suggests Al-Kafirun then Al-Ikhlas.

Intend

Face the Qiblah and make the intention for Umrah before crossing Miqat.

Recite

Say the Talbiyah audibly; continue it often until Tawaf begins.

Labbayk Allahumma Umrah.

“O Allah, here I am to perform Umrah.”

Talbiyah
Labbayk Allahumma labbayk. Labbayka la sharika laka labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-ni‘mata laka wal-mulk. La sharika lak.

“Here I am at Your service, O Allah… You have no partner. All praise, favour, and sovereignty belong to You.”

Enter with humility. Circle with focus.

Begin at the Haram calmly, then complete seven rounds of Tawaf from the Black Stone—without pushing or obstructing others.

Entering Masjid al-Haram

Right foot

Enter calmly and move toward Mataf.

Entrance dua

Ask Allah to forgive you and open the doors of mercy.

First sight

Say Allahu Akbar ×3 and La ilaha illallah ×3; send blessings and make personal dua.

7

ROUNDS OF TAWAF
Start and finish at Hajr al-Aswad. Signal Istilam when touching or approaching is unsafe.

DURING TAWAF

Read Qur’an you know, make dhikr, send blessings, and make personal dua in any language.

RUKN YAMANI → HAJR AL-ASWAD

Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah, wa fil-akhirati hasanah, wa qina ‘adhaban-nar. “Our Lord, grant us good in this world and the Hereafter, and protect us from the Fire.”

Walk the final path. Leave renewed.

After Tawaf, pray, drink Zamzam, complete seven lengths of Sa’i, then cut the hair to finish Umrah.

01

Two Rakahs

Pray behind Maqam Ibrahim if safely possible—or elsewhere in the mosque.

02

Zamzam

Drink, face the Qiblah where practical, and make sincere dua.

03

Sa’i

Walk seven lengths from Safa to Marwah, ending at Marwah.

04

Hair

Men: Halq or Taqsir. Women: trim a small amount from the ends.

AT SAFA & MARWAH

Allahu Akbar ×3 · La ilaha illallah · send blessings · make personal dua.

GREEN-LIGHT AREA

Rabbighfir warham, anta al-a‘azz al-akram. “My Lord, forgive me and have mercy on me.”

Two sacred cities. One guided journey.

Visit the defining sites of Makkah and Madinah with context, purpose, and guidance at every stop.

Makkah Ziyarat

  1. Jabal al-Noor (Hira Cave)
  2. Jabal Thawr
  3. Mina
  4. Arafat
  5. Muzdalifah
  6. Masjid Aisha (Taneem)
  7. Birthplace of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Historical Site)

Madinah Ziyarat

  1. Masjid an-Nabawi
  2. Jannat al-Baqi
  3. Quba Mosque
  4. Uhud Mountain
  5. Masjid Qiblatain
  6. Seven Mosques (Sab’a Masajid)

EVERY VISIT, EXPLAINED

Historical context, significance, and guidance from your group tour leader.

Let us understand the journey you have in mind.