Performing umrah requires the following four acts; First, you put on some garments or clothes known as Ihram as you approach a location referred to as Miqat. Then you perform two raka’t of salah and recite your intention (niyyah) of having made the journey to perform Umrah for which you recite the Talbiyah frequently. Second, if not performing the Tawaf al-Ziyarah, you circumambulate the Kaaba seven times (Tawaf al-Umrah) and, if possible, offer two units of salah at the puported site of the station of Abraham Mashhad al-Mu‘temed (Maqam Ibrahim). Third, you walk between Safa and Marwa, the two hills, seven times (Sa’i). Last but not least, you have two options: shave your head (Halq) or trim less than one-fourth of it (Taqsir). This is washed off and then marks the termination of your Ihram and the successful compilation of your Umrah.
✔ Ihram
Ihram is a sacred state that Muslims enter for the purpose of performing Hajj or Umrah, two significant pilgrimages in Islam. It involves specific clothing and a set of practices that symbolize purity, humility, and a dedication to the spiritual journey.
✔ Physical Purity
As a reminder: wash your body before putting on Ihram clothes, trim your nails and remove hair under the armpit and below the navel. You should then do ghusl, which is a very highly recommended sunnah of those individuals who wish to engage in a state of Ihram. If you cannot do Ghusl, then at least washing the private part of the body along with the face and hands will do. Ol.Touch not the Kaabsa with any water, perfume, or any smell which reacheth unto them, but only on the head or beard. Everything indicated above should be done at your residence, prior to travel.
✔ Ihram Garments
Next, change into your Ihram garments. For men, this means wearing two clean, white, seamless pieces of cloth. The lower piece, called the izar, wraps around your waist and covers your lower body. The upper piece, called the rida, is draped over your shoulders like a shawl. Your sandals should not cover your heels or ankles, and according to the Hanafi school of thought, the top part of your feet should also be exposed.
Make sure to put on your Ihram clothes before crossing the designated Miqat. The place where you change into these garments depends on where you start your journey and where you are going.
If you are flying to Makkah via Jeddah, it is best to change into your Ihram at home, at the airport before your flight, or during a stopover if you have one. At the airport, you can check in first and then change in the prayer room or bathroom. You can also change into your Ihram on the plane, but keep in mind that airplane bathrooms are small and many people might try to change at the same time as you near the Miqat. If you choose to change on the plane, do so at least an hour before reaching the Miqat. Changing mid-flight is the least recommended option.
✔ Miqat.
If you are going to Madinah before Makkah, you don’t need to enter the state of Ihram and can wear your regular clothes while you are there. Before you leave for Makkah, put on your Ihram at your hotel in Madinah or at the designated Miqat for Madinah, which is Masjid Dhul Hulayfah. If you're traveling by taxi or coach, they will stop at the mosque so you can enter into Ihram there if needed. If you're taking the train to Makkah, put on your Ihram at the hotel or at the train station before you leave.
You can wait to make your intention for Ihram until you get close to the Miqat. Just before crossing it, remove any clothing that doesn't meet Ihram requirements, such as socks, headwear, and underwear. On planes, trains, and coaches, there will be an announcement when you are approaching the Miqat.
Women do not have to follow a specific dress code for Ihram. They should wear their normal, modest Islamic dress with a head covering of any color. Their hands and faces must remain uncovered, but they can wear socks.
✔ Salah al-Ihram
It is sunnah to perform two rakahs of salah before entering the state of Ihram. You can do this at home, after changing at the airport, or in-flight before crossing the Miqat, if there are prayer facilities available. If you are in Madinah, you can perform the prayer at your hotel, in Masjid Nabawi, at the Miqat point, or on the train. Make the intention to perform two rak’ahs of nafl for Ihram.
Since you are not yet in Ihram, you can perform the prayer with your head covered. It is recommended to recite Surah al-Kafirun (Surah 109) in the first rak’ah and Surah al-Ikhlas (Surah 112) in the second, although you can recite other surahs if you prefer. Don't forget to make du’a after this salah.
✔ Intention (Niyyah):
Therefore, intention, or in Arabic Niyyah is an essential constituent of any Islamic worship, including performing Umrah. This is a state of the heart in which one’s intention, which comprises an honest and clear declaration, is to undertake the pilgrimage solely for the honor of Allah. (لَبَّيْكَ اَللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً ❁)
It is also important when you intend to undertake Umrah to have this intention in respect of it. ❁ اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الْعُمْرَةَ ❁
(O Allah, indeed I seek worship at the Kabbah, therefore make for me the performing of this (Pilgrimage) easy and accept it from me). You can say, “O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah, so make it easy for me and accept it from me.”
This must be said in full zeal and with prosperous intentions, and with clear desire of performing this particular act of worship. Intention divides actions by labels into good ones belong to Allah and bad ones done for other motives. It is one of the core principles of Islamic practices of worship and focuses on purity of intentions in all endeavors.
Thus, being spiritually ready for Umrah involves commitment of having an intention to be in a state of taharrat, and every movement during the journey aims to seek Allah’s satisfaction.
✔ Entering Makkah
As you approach the boundaries of the Haram, keep reciting the Talbiyah, doing dhikr, and sending Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ. It is also recommended to recite the following du’a when entering the Haram:
(اَللَّهُمَّ هَذَا حَرَمُكَ وَأَمْنُكَ فَحَرِّمْنِي عَلَى النَّارِ ❁ وَأَمِنِّي مِنْ عَذَابِكَ يَوْمَ تَبْعَثُ عِبَادَكَ ❁ وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنْ أَوْلِيَائِكَ وَأَهْلِ طَاعَتِكَ ❁)
After arriving at your accommodation in Makkah, you might want to freshen up or rest before going to Masjid al-Haram to perform Tawaf al-Umrah. If you take a shower, make sure not to use any scented products like soap or shampoo, as these are prohibited in the state of Ihram. It is recommended to go to Masjid al-Haram as soon as possible.
✔ Entering Masjid al-Haram
When planning his visit to the Ka’bah it is advised to use Bab al-Salam; that is the Gate of Peace. However, depending on the fact that there are special gates for those who come for Umrah, you may require to take a gate that you are not familiar with.
Enter and begin by coming into the room with the right foot first and then recite an entrance prayer that is said when entering a mosque. You can recite either or both of these supplications:You can recite either or both of these supplications:
(بِسْمِ اللهِ ❁ اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ ❁ اللّٰهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَافْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ ❁)
✔ First Sight of the Kaaba
Whenever one is in the mosque, they are forbidden to gawk around and look at the beautiful architecture until one gets to the mataf area which is the open area people perform Tawaf. Finally when you are prepared raise your eyes with respect to entering the holy land and perhaps for the first time behold the sight of Holy Kaaba.
Come on you people and raise your hands to make du’a (prayer) and make sure that you do it with complete attention and devotion as this is one of the areas where Allah answers prayers. You must recite Salawat to the prophet upon when making the du’aa. Umar ibn al-Khattab narrated: (اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ ❁ اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ ❁ لَآ اِلَهَ اِلَّا اللّٰهُ ❁)
It’s a sunnah to recite the following du’as:
اَللَّهُمَّ زِدْ هَذَا الْبَيْتَ تَشْرِيفاً وَتَعْظِيماً وَتَكْرِيماً وَمَهَابَةً ❁ وَزِدْ مَنْ شَرَّفَهُ وَكَرَّمَهُ مِمَّنْ حَجَّهُ أَوْ اعْتَمَرَهُ تَشْرِيفاً وَتَكْرِيماً وَتَعْظِيماً وَبِرّاً ❁
Allāhumma zid hādha l-bayta tashrīfan wa taʿẓīman wa takrīman wa mahābah, wa zid man sharrafahu wa karramahu mimman ḥajjahu aw iʿtamarahu tashrīfan wa takrīman wa taʿẓīman wa birrā.
Allah, increase this House in honour, esteem, respect and reverence. And increase those who honour and respect it—of those who perform Hajj or Umrah—in honour, respect, esteem and piety.
اَللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلاَمُ ❁ وَمِنْكَ السَّلَامُ ❁ حَيِّنَا رَبَّنَا بِالسَّلاَمِ ❁
Allāhumma anta s-salām, wa minka s-salām, ḥayyinā rabbanā bi s-salām.
O Allah, You are Peace and from You is peace. Make us live, Lord, in peace.
✔ Tawaf al-Umrah
The Umrah is a form of worship that is performed in the Grand Mosque in Mecca. It entails circumrotation or moving round the Kaaba in an anti-clockwise fashion for seven cycles. Originally and mainly, you also deliver and receive the Black Stone in a circle. As they are circumventing the Kaaba, pilgrims and visitors pray and recite prayers and invocations, seeking Allah’s blessings and forgiveness. A very important one of these is the Dua for Umrah where one seeks God’s pardon, His guidance and then, the acceptance of the Umrah. This act also makes them unite as one body of the Muslims thus showing how much they care about Allah. Once this is done pilgrims pay their respects to Maqam Ibrahim and say two rakaats of prayers thus ending this specific act of Tawaf.
✔ Starting Point
Position yourself in line with the corner of the Kaaba where the Hajar al-Aswad (Black Stone) is located. This corner faces a single minaret, while the other three corners face two minarets each. You'll see a green light on the wall of the Masjid opposite the Kaaba, marking the starting point for Tawaf. This is where each circuit begins. Stand just before this starting point, facing the Kaaba.
As with any act of worship, make the intention (niyyah) to perform Tawaf solely for Allah. You can also ask for your Tawaf to be accepted and made easy. You can say the following words:
O Allah, I intend to perform the Tawaf of Umrah of the Kaaba for your sake and your sake alone. Please accept it from me and make it easy for me.
You may make the following intention, which is in Arabic:
اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ طَوَافَ بَيْتِكَ الْحَرَامِ فَيَسِّرْهُ لِي وَتَقَبَّلْهُ مِنِّي ❁
Allāhumma innī urīdu l-ṭawwafa baytika l-ḥarāmi fa yassirhu lī wa taqabbalhu minnī.
O Allah, I intend to perform Tawaf of your Sacred House, so make it easy for me and accept it from me.
Kissing, Touching or Saluting the Hajar al-Aswad (Istilam)
Immersing one’s lips on the Hajar al-Aswad (Black Stone) by kissing or even extending hand to click on it through patting is fundamental in Tawaf known as Istilam.
You have the ‘right to right’ to kiss or, at least, touch it if you will manage to reach it. If it’s too crowded, pointers towards it should do the trick. It also shows respect and abide by tradition as implementated by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. During Istilam, one could recite the Dua for Umrah and ask for Allah’s forgiveness and the best of boons.
You can recite the following supplication, a du’a from Ali I, each time you come parallel to the Hajar al-Aswad during Tawaf:
(بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ وَاللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ ❁ اَللَّهُمَّ إِيمَاناً بِكَ وَتَصْدِيقاً بِكِتَابِكَ ❁ وَوَفَاءً بِعَهْدِكَ ❁ وَاتِّبَاعاً لِسُنَّةِ نَبِيِّكَ مُحَمَّدْ ❁)
In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest. O Allah, out of faith in You, conviction in Your book, in fulfilment of Your covenant and in emulation of Your Prophet’s sunnah ﷺ.
✔ Start the Tawaf
Turn to your right and begin your first round of Tawaf, making sure the Kaaba is on your left side. Walk in a counterclockwise direction and avoid passing through the Hijr Ismail area. If you do walk through it, the round won’t count, and you will need to repeat it.
✔ Raml
Raml is walking rapidly with small steps with an assigned smooth rhythmic cadence for three rounds of Tawaf by male individuals. This tradition had reached us through the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and provides strength and energy. Whereas, in doing RAML, one can perform an invocation known as the dua for Umrah in a bid to seek Allah’s blessings and assistance. It further enhances the meaning of the spiritual journey of Tawaf that reminds you of the historical background of the holy pilgrimage.
✔ Dhikr & Du’a
Dhikr and Du’a are two practices that are significant during the performing of Umrah pilgrimage. Praised and defined, Dhikr is to mention and glorify Allah using words like “Subhanallah,” “Astaghfirullah,” and “Allahu Akbar,” while Du’a is a personal supplication directed to Allah asking for help, direction, and forgiveness. While performing tawaf, a performer especially reads the dua for umrah due to asking Allah to be merciful to them. This is because doing Dhikr and Du’a is a way of enhancing your Umrah making it to be more fulfilling and getting closer to Allah’s presence. These acts of worship also help you to be mindful of Allah’s presence and that indeed makes your pilgrimage unique.
✔ Rukn al-Yamani
When you reach the Rukn al-Yamani (the Yemeni Corner), which is the corner before the Hajar al-Aswad, try to touch it with your right hand or both hands and say “Allāhu akbar (اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ)”. If it's too crowded and you can't get close, just keep walking without saying Takbir or making any gestures. It is a sunnah to recite the following du’a between the Rukn al-Yamani and the Hajar al-Aswad:
(رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ ❁) O our Lord, grant us the good of this world, the good of the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the fire. [Surah al-Baqarah, 2:201]
✔ End of Circuit at the Hajar al-Aswad
To return to the Hajar al-Aswad means successfully completing one round. Go to another round and perform Istilam of the Hajar al-Aswad in the manner mentioned above saying ‘Allāhu akbar (اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ)’. For one circuit, perform this Istilam and proclaim “Allāhu akbar” at the beginning of the circuit. In total, you will do Istilam eight times during Tawaf: Once as the ‘initial’ set up and once at the ‘final’ circuits of each of the seven trials.
✔ During Tawaf
This way tawaf is performed and it is done as follows : a person makes circles around the Kaaba seven times in a counterclockwise as well as a clock wise direction. Proper etiquette and focus on details of events requires humble behavior at all circumstances.
Recite the quran, pray in a special way to seek solutions to other matters and pray for oneself on other matters. In my previous talk I have discussed about prayers and I should like to add Dua for Umrah in to the prayers that one should say Dua for forgiveness, Dua for Guidance, Dua for getting successful Umrah pilgrimage.
Others may also be chanted other prayers or other verses from the Al-Quran. Tawaf may also add with the feeling of being fulfill, loyalty, and obedience to Allah the Almighty.The space may be sharer with others pilgrim and it is guarantee that you should be good to them.
✔ Complete the Tawaf
To compete the Tawaf, make all the rounds seven times around the Kaaba. When returning from the trip to reach the Hajar al-Aswad, every time you touch or point at it, blow and say “Allāhu akbar. ” When performing the seventh circuit, one should ideally perform two units of prayer (rakat) at the Maqam Ibrahim.
While performing these prayers you can include the Dua for Umrah saying ‘oh Allah grant me forgiveness, Give me guidance and accept this pilgrimage of mine’. After that offered your prayers, you should take the water of Zamzam and proceed with the rest of the acts of Umrah. Saying Tawaf is a very important experience, it helps you to complete a certain portion of your pilgrimage.
✔ Salah
After finishing Tawaf, perform two rak’ahs of salah. It's best to pray with Maqam Ibrahim between you and the Kaaba. However, Maqam Ibrahim is in a crowded area, and it can be very busy with other pilgrims. If you can’t pray there due to the crowd, you can perform the prayer anywhere in Masjid al-Haram.
While moving to the place where you will pray the two rak’ahs, it is recommended to recite the following out loud
(وَاتَّخِذُوا مِنْ مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى ❁) And take the Maqam Ibrahim as a place of salah.
Some of the sunnah from the first rak’ah are, in the second rak’ah, reciting Surah al- Kafirun (Surah 109) and in the third rak’ah reciting Surah al-Ikhlas (Surah 112) after Surah al-Fatiha. Many times, people give less importance to saying du’a after they finish the prayer so make sure you say much du’a.
✔ Zamzam
Zamzam is well, which is being situated in the Holy Kaba house known as Masjid al-Haram in mecca in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is mainly for offering water that is considered holy in the Islamic Community through out the world.
People travelling for pilgrimage also take with them the water to drink and as an added spiritual benefit. It is said that the water has been provided by Allah in in the wake of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and Prophet Isma’il (Ishmael).
As a ritual observed before drinking the Zamzam water, Ibada of Dua for Umrah is chanted for guidance and thanksgiving for such providence. This water not only quenches thirst but also stands for a sacred well for believers to make use of and worship.
(اللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا ❁ وَرِزْقًا وَاسِعًا ❁ وَعَمَلًا مُتَقَبَّلًا ❁ وَشِفَاءً مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ ❁) O Allah, I ask You for knowledge that is beneficial, provision that is abundant, accepted deeds, and a cure for every illness.
✔ Multazam
Multazam is another significant spot which is situated close to the Kaaba in the holy Masjid al-Haram, in Mecca. It is to locate it in between the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) and the door of the Kaaba.
Thus, people come in order to wish, and to become closer to Allah in sharia. The word “Multazam” in Arabic, actually derives from “ta’lazam” which means “clinging” and it depicts how people stick to Allah’s blessing.
At Multazam, people may perform the two rakat Tawaf and recite their Dua for Umrah, to seek forgiveness, guidance and blessings. It is a place where people revealed their deepest ambitions and expectations pinned on the divine intervention during the journey.
✔ Sa’i: Walking Between Safa and Marwah
Sai – the movement involves walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, depicts the struggles of Hajar in the search of water for her son Ismael. Here are some dua’s for this stage:
Starting at Safa: Safa is the initial phase where people start Sa’i, which is when Umrah pilgrims walk back and forth from Safa to Marwah, seven times in total. This act portrays the struggle of Hagar in looking for water for her son named Ishmael and this is an important rite in the pilgrimage.
Safa and Marwah have provides a facility of two minarets; before climbing the first minaret, when you arrives at Safa you should turn your back towards Kaaba and make a niyyah to perform Sa’i. You can then recite the following dua: Instead, Safa and Marwah are among the things that belong to Allah Almighty.
’ This verse from Al-Baqarah (the second surah of the Quran in the Medina period of the Islamic prophet Muhammad) simply recognizes the importance of those two hills. After this one can read a personal Dua for Umrah in which one can seek the blessings of Allah to make the journey easy for him, grant him the right direction he needs for the Pilgrimage, as well as being responsive to his prayer about the pilgrimage. A common supplication is: “O Allah, this Sa’i is for You, and as an act ofworship towards You, help me make it easy and accept such from me”.
✔ Dua at Safa and Marwah:
Safa and marwah are two small hills that are essential to perform Sa’i; it is among the Umrah rites whereby the pilgrims walk between the two hills seven times reciting dua. Pilgrims also perform this ritual to depict the struggle of Hagar looking for water for her son Ishmael and it is religious act of the haj.
When you reach Safa, face the Kaaba and make your intention to perform Sa’i. You can start by reciting the verse from the Quran: (إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَآئِرِ اللّٰهِ ، أَبْدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللّٰهُ بِهِ)"Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah" (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:158). This verse acknowledges the importance of these hills in Islamic tradition.
After this, you can say a personal Dua for Umrah, such as: ”O Allah, I perform this Sa’i for Your sake and seeking Your pleasure.
✔ Dua’s During Sa’i:
While performing Sa’i – the movement of moving seven times between Safa’ and Marwah hills, the pilgrims utter certain invocations in order to intensify the religious feelings. These dua’s for Umrah are important as they guide the pilgrim in remembering that at the core of the rituals, the main focus is the attainment of Divine connection.
During the initial stage of performing ’Arafah at Safa, Sayyidatina Aisha, upon her, used to point her face towards the Ka aba and intend to perform Sa’i. Begin by reciting the Quranic verse: Safa and Marwah sites are thus among the signs of Allah Almighty as the Quran suggests in a verse (Al-Baqarah – the cow – 2: 158). This shows respect towards these places in terms of the religion’s history of Islam.
Between Safa and Marwah, one may perform the verses of sentence, invoked of various prayers and supplications. One common dua is:(رَبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْأَعَزُّ الْأَكْرَمُ) “Oh Allah forgive and have mercy and You are the Most Honorable and the Most Generous.” This prayer is a request from Allah to forgive and to have mercy upon him as Allah is honorable and is generous.
Another powerful supplication is: ‘Oh our Lord, grant us the good things of this life and the Hereafter, and save us from the suffering of the Fire.’ This seems to summarizes just about every supplication a person can make as a believer.
Through these dua for Umrah, the pilgrims are able to sustain focus on Allah in their devotion , while carrying out the ritual of Sa’i. This makes the experience more enjoyable and rewarding empowering every activity performed to be done with passion and real intent that’s unpretentious and sincere.
✔ End of Sa’i
Repeat this procedure until you have completed seven laps, at which point you should be at the hill of Marwa.
✔ Leave the Haram
As you leave Masjid al-Haram, step out with your left foot and recite the following du’a, as was the sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ when leaving the mosque:As you leave Masjid al-Haram, step out with your left foot and recite the following du’a, as was the sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ when leaving the mosque: (بِسْمِ اللهِ وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَّامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ❁ اللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ ❁) In the name of Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, I ask of you from Your bounty.
🌟🌟 Congratulations on your Umrah! ✨✨
Now, you're no longer bound by the rules of Ihram, so you can change back into your regular clothes. If you want to do another Umrah, you need to go to the boundary of the Haram to enter Ihram again. Many people choose to do this at Masjid Aisha, which is close to Masjid al-Haram and easy to get to. You can find taxis near the mosque to take you there.