This step by step guide is a great Umrah – companion that would enable you to perform your Umrah in the most correct and authentic way.

As you begin your Umrah journey, you must not forget that Umrah is an important act of worship in Islam and like every act of worship, Umrah must be done:

1. For the right cause – for the sake of Allaah alone and not to show off, to enhance one’s reputation or for any other worldly gain.

2. In the right manner – according to the teachings of the Glorious Qur’an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

Moreover, we do understand that for many, travelling to Al Haramain (Makkah and Madeenah) would be their first major trip, which means that there would be a lot of uncertainties. Hence, a key aim of this guide is to ease the anxiety and fear that some of the pilgrims might have about the difficulties involved in performing Umrah.

Lastly, although this step by step guide is intended to be a handy reference, it does not absolve you from studying about Umrah and its virtues and preparing yourself for this great act of worship. So please do your due diligence prior to embarking upon this noble journey.

Meeqaat are the stations at which pilgrims are required to put on the Ihraam before entering Makkah

• Dhul Hulaifah (Abyar Ali) – 450 Km from Makkah.
  
  
• Al Juhfah (As Juhfah is desolate village the nearest place is Rabigh) – 204 Km from Makkah.
  
  
• Qarn-ul-Manazil (As-Sail) – 95 Km from Makkah.
  
  
• Yalamlam – 45 Km from Makkah.
  
  
• Dhat Irq – 95 Km from Makkah.
  
  

* If you pass Meeqaat without Ihraam you have to go back to the nearest Meeqaat to put on Ihraam or you have to make a sacrifice.

* Usually you would be in the airplane when you would be flying over the Meeqaat and you would have already worn the Ihraam garment, the only thing you need to do is make the Niyyah.

• Perform Ghusl for Ihraam. This is a Sunnah for Women as well.
  
  
• Put perfume on your body (& beard). This is a Sunnah for Men Only.
  
  
• Put on Ihraam garments.
  
  

NOTE: Up to this point, all what you did is the preparation for Ihraam, not the Ihraam itself.

لَبَّيْك اللَّهُمَّ بِعُمْرَة

“Labbayk Allaahumma bi Umrah“

“Here I am, O Allaah, for Umrah”

• wear stitched clothes (for men only)
• cover the head with cloth, cap or turban (for men only)
• wear socks or shoes reaching upto the ankles (for men only)
• apply perfume on the body or on Ihraam garment (for both, men and women)
• cut hair, shave head or clip nails (for both men and women)
• hunt animal
• have sexual relations
• cover the face with Niqaab (for women)

،لَبَّيْك اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْك، لَبَّيْك لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْك إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ والنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالمُلْكَ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ

“Labbayk Allaahumma Labbayk. Labbayka Laa Shareeka Laka Labbayk. Innal Hamda Wanni’mata Laka Wal Mulk. Laa Shareekalak.“

“Here I am, O Allaah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sovereignty, You have no partner.”

بِسْمِ اللهِ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَّامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ الْعَظِيمِ، وَبِوَجْهِهِ الْكَرِيمِ، وَسُلْطَانِهِ الْقَدِيمِ، مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ

“Bismillaahi Was Salaatu Was Salaamu Ala Rasoolillaah. A’udhu Billaahi Azeem Wa Biwajhi hil Kareem Wa Sultaanihil Qadeem Minash Shaytaanir Rajeem. Allaahumm-aftah li Abwaaba Rahmatika.“

“In the name of Allaah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allaah. I seek refuge with Allaah the Almighty and in His noble Countenance and His eternal power from the accursed Satan. O Allaah, open to me the gates of Your mercy.”

• Before you begin your Tawaaf stop reciting the Talbiyah.
• Do Idhtiba, i.e. expose the shoulder of right arm. [Idhtiba is only for this Tawaaf and should be observed by men only]
• Before beginning Tawaaf, face the Hajr-al-Aswad (Black Stone). Then do Istilam, i.e. Kissing the Hajr al Aswad.If this is not possible, then touch it with your right hand & kiss the hand instead. If even this cannot be achieved, then make a gesture to the al Hajr al Aswad with your right hand, but do not kiss the hand. While doing Istilam, say,

بِسْمِ اللهِ، واللَّهُ أَكْبَر

“Bismillaah wa Allaahu Akbar.“

“In the name of Allaah, and Allaah is most Great.”

• Istilam is to be done for each round of the Tawaaf by saying Allaahu Akbar.
• Ensure that the Ka’bah is on your left as you begin with your Tawaaf.
• Tawaaf consists of seven rounds around the Ka’bah.
• Each round of Tawaaf starts & ends at the al Hajr al Aswad.
• Do Ramal, i.e. walk at a brisk pace in the first three rounds of the Tawaaf. From the fourth round onwards walk at normal pace. [Ramal is not for women]
• There is no specific Du’a for Tawaaf. Any Supplication can be recited.
• During your Tawaaf you should touch only the Rukn Yemeni (Yemeni Corner), if possible. [After touching you should not kiss your hand]. If you are unable to do this (touching), then just pass along side it without making any gestures towards it nor saying Bismillaah, Allaahu Akbar.
• During the Tawaaf, between the Rukn Yemeni & al Hajr al Aswad you should recite,

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

“Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil ‘akhirati hasanatan waqina ‘adhaban-nar.“

“Our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the fire.”

• Now complete your remaining rounds in the same manner.
• Once this Tawaaf is done, you should cover your right shoulder.

• After completing the Tawaaf proceed towards the Maqaam Ibraheem and recite,

وَاتَّخِذُوا مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى

“Wa Attakhidhu Min Maqaami ‘Ibraaheema Musallan.“

“And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Ibraheem a place of prayer.”

• Then offer 2 Rakaat prayer near it. It is Sunnah to recite Surah al Kaafiroon in the first rak’aah & Surah Ikhlaas in the second rak’aah.
• If you find the place near Maqaam Ibraheem to be over crowded, then you can perform the prayer anywhere else in the mosque.
• Upon completing the prayer drink Zam Zam and pour some water on the head.
• Then return to the Hajr Al Aswad and kiss it if possible, saying “Allaahu Akbar”. If it is not possible proceed to the Sa’ee area without gesturing or saying “Allaahu Akbar”.
• Move towards Mount Safa for performing Sa’ee.

• When you get close to Mount Safa it is Sunnah to recite,

إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ

“‘Inna As-Safa Wa Al-Marwata Min Sha’aa’iri Allaahi Faman Hajja Al-Bayta ‘Aw A’tamara Falaa Junaaha `Alayhi ‘An Yattawwafa Bihimaa Wa Man Tatawwa’a Khayran Fa’inna Allaaha Shaakirun `Aleem.“

“Indeed, as-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allaah. So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs ‘Umrah – there is no blame upon him for walking between them. And whoever volunteers good – then indeed, Allaah is appreciative and Knowing.”

نَبْدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللهُ بِهِ

“Nabda’u Bima Bada’Allaahu Bihi“

“I begin with what Allaah (has commanded me) to begin.”

• Ascend on top of Mount Safa & stand facing the Ka’bah.
• While standing on Safa and facing the Ka’bah you should say “Allaahu Akbar” [3 times] & then recite the supplication raising your hand [3 times]

لَا إِلهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَ اللهُ أَكْـبَر لَا إِلهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ المُلْكُ وَلَهُ الحَمْدُ وهُوَ عَلى كُلِّ شَيءٍ قَديرٌ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ، وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَهَزَمَ الأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ

“La Ilaha Illallaahu, Wallaahu Akbar. La Ilaha Illallaahu Wahdahu La Shareeka Lahu, Lahul Mulk Wa Lahul Hamd, Wa Huwa Ala Qulli Shay’in Qadeer. La Ilaha Illallaahu Wahdahu AnJaza Wa’dahu Wa Nasara Abdahu Wa Hazamal Ahzaaba Wahdahu“

“There is no god but Allaah, One, there is no partner with Him. His is the Sovereignty. to Him praise is due. and He is Powerful over everything. There is no god but Allaah alone, Who fulfilled His promise, helped His servant and routed the confederates alone.”

• Then, descend from Safa and go towards Marwah. Repeat the same supplication on ascending Marwah as you did on Mount Safa.
• On the way to Marwah, only Men should run as quickly as he can without disturbing anyone, between the green lights.
• While doing Sa’ee one should remember Allaah and pray as much as possible.
• One can recite,

رَبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَم اِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْأَعَزُّ الْأَكْرَمُ

“Rabbighfir warham Innaka Antal Azzal Akram“

“Oh Allaah forgive me and have mercy upon me, for You are the most Mighty and Honourable.”

• The walk from Safa to Marwah is counted as one round, likewise, seven rounds have to be done. The Sa’ee ends at Mount Marwah.

• After completing Sa’ee one should shave off their hair or trim it. It is better to shave, however if one shortens his hair, this is permissible.
  
  
• As for the Women, they should cut the length of a fingertip from their hair
  
  

* Messenger of Allaah ﷺ shaved his entire head, and he prayed three times for those who shaved their heads, and only once for those who cut their hair.

Your Umrah is complete and you are out of the state and restrictions of Ihraam.

You can now adopt your normal clothes again.

Remember – Try your best to offer all your Salaah in al Masjid al Haraam till you are in Makkah because one prayer in al Masjid al Haraam is better than 100000 prayers elsewhere.

* Visiting the city of Madeenah is not a rite of Umrah or Hajj and has nothing to do with Umrah or Hajj.

However it is highly commendable to visit the Masjid-an-Nabawi.

One prayer in Masjid an Nabawi is better than 1000 prayers elsewhere, except al Masjid al Haraam, where one prayer is better than 100000 prayers elsewhere.

LEARN MORE ABOUT VISITING MADEENAH