How to Perform Umrah – A Gentle Step-by-Step Guide

Umrah is a non-obligatory pilgrimage to Makkah that can be performed at any time of the year. Though not mandatory like Hajj, it holds great reward. It has five steps which are mandatory to follow.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“The performance of ‘Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous ‘Umrah.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 1773, Sahih Muslim 1349)

Step 1: Make the Intention (Niyyah)

Before you leave your home, quietly make a special promise in your heart that you’re going to perform Umrah just for Allah. This is called niyyah.

 “O Allah, I am doing this Umrah for You alone.”

Step 2: Wear Ihram and Get Ready at Miqat

When you reach a place called Miqat (a special point near Makkah), it’s time to:

• Take a bath (ghusl) to clean yourself

• Wear your Ihram clothes:

  • Boys and men: Two clean white sheets

  • Girls and women: Simple and modest clothes (no fancy dress or perfume)

Then, say the Talbiyah:

“Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-ni’mata laka wal-mulk, laa shareeka lak.

Step 3: Enter Makkah and Do Tawaf

Now you’ve arrived at the beautiful city of Makkah!

• Go to the Kaaba in Masjid al-Haram

• Walk around it 7 times, starting from the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad)

 Walk slowly, respectfully, and keep praying or making du’a in your heart. You are in the most blessed place on Earth!

Step 4: Do Sa’i Between Safa and Marwah

After Tawaf, it’s time for a special walk called Sa’i. This is when you walk back and forth between two small hills inside the Masjid al-Haram, called Safa and Marwah.

Why do we do this? Long ago, Hazrat Hajar (the wife of Prophet Ibrahim) ran between these hills looking for water for her baby, Prophet Ismail (A.S). Allah loved her faith and struggle so much that He made this walk a part of Hajj and Umrah forever!

You start at Safa hill. Stand and look toward the Kaaba, raise your hands, and make a du’a. Then, you walk to Marwah hill, saying good words, du’as, or remembering Allah along the way. When you reach Marwah, you do the same—face the Kaaba and make another du’a.

You go back and forth like this seven times, ending at Marwah. If you get tired, it’s okay to slow down or rest for a bit. Allah sees your effort and loves it.

After Sa’i, your heart will feel stronger because you followed in the footsteps of a brave and faithful woman who trusted Allah with all her heart.

Step 5: Cut or Shave Your Hair (Halq or Taqsir)

When Sa’i is done:

• Boys and men: Shave the head or trim all over (this is called Halq or Taqsir)

• Girls and women: Cut a little bit from the ends of the hair

This shows you’re clean, fresh, and full of new blessings from Allah!

Congratulations! Your Umrah is Complete!

Now you can take off your Ihram and wear your normal clothes again. You’ve done something very beautiful and very special — all for Allah.

 “Ya Allah, please accept my Umrah and bring me back again”

If you’ve already performed Umrah, what advice would you give to someone going for the first time?