Umrah has only four essential parts: ihram, tawaf, sa’i, and cutting or shaving the hair. Most of it is done in a few hours. This guide walks you through each step in plain words. Practices differ slightly between schools of thought, so for specific rulings ask a scholar you trust.
In this guide
The four parts of Umrah
- 1
Ihram: enter the sacred state at or before the miqat, with the intention for Umrah.
- 2
Tawaf: seven rounds around the Kaaba, anticlockwise, starting at the Black Stone.
- 3
Sa’i: seven laps between the hills of Safa and Marwah, starting at Safa.
- 4
Halq or taqsir: men shave or trim their hair; women trim a fingertip’s length.
Step 1: Ihram and intention
- 1Prepare
Bathe (ghusl), trim nails and remove unwanted hair before ihram. Men may use perfume on the body before ihram, not on the ihram cloth.
- 2Wear ihram
Men wear two plain, unstitched white sheets and footwear that leaves the top of the foot open. Women wear their normal modest clothes in any colour; most scholars say no niqab or gloves while in ihram.
- 3Pray and make the intention
If it is not a disliked time, pray two rakat. Then make the intention (niyyah) for Umrah in your heart, for example: “O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah.”
- 4Recite the talbiyah
“Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-ni‘mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak.” Men say it aloud, women quietly. Keep repeating it until you begin tawaf.
What is not allowed in ihram
- Perfume or scented soap, and cutting hair or nails.
- For men: stitched clothes and covering the head. For women: niqab and gloves, according to most scholars.
- Marital relations, hunting, and quarrelling or bad language.
Step 2: Tawaf
Enter Masjid al-Haram at your Umrah permit time (see our Nusuk guide). Make sure you have wudu, and stop the talbiyah as you begin.
- Start at the Black Stone corner, marked by a green light on the wall. Face it, raise your right hand towards it and say “Bismillahi Allahu akbar”. Kissing or touching it is not required; pointing is enough in the crowds.
- Go round seven times anticlockwise, keeping the Kaaba on your left. Each round starts and ends at the Black Stone line.
- Men keep the right shoulder uncovered during the tawaf and walk briskly in the first three rounds, if the crowd allows.
- Make any dua in your own language. Between the Yemeni corner and the Black Stone it is sunnah to say: “Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah, wa fil-akhirati hasanah, wa qina ‘adhaban-nar.”
- Lost count? Go with the lower number you are sure of. A tasbih counter or ring helps.
Step 3: Two rakat and Zamzam
After the seventh round, men cover the right shoulder again. Pray two rakat behind Maqam Ibrahim if there is space, or anywhere in the mosque when it is crowded. Then drink Zamzam water, which is available all over the mosque.
Step 4: Sa’i between Safa and Marwah
- Go to Safa, face the Kaaba, raise your hands and make dua.
- Walk to Marwah: that is lap one. Marwah back to Safa is lap two. You finish at Marwah after the seventh lap.
- Men walk quickly between the two green lights; women walk normally.
- Wudu is recommended but not required for sa’i. Wheelchairs and electric carts are available; carts can be booked in the Tanaqul app.
Step 5: Halq or taqsir
Men either shave the head (halq, which is better) or trim hair from all over the head (taqsir). Women gather their hair and cut about a fingertip’s length (about 2.5 cm) from the ends. Your Umrah is now complete and the ihram restrictions end.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Crossing the miqat without ihram. If it happens, ask a scholar what you must do.
- Starting the tawaf away from the Black Stone line, or counting rounds wrongly.
- Pushing to reach the Black Stone, or taking selfies during the rituals.
- Men trimming only a few hairs; the trim should cover the head.
- Arriving late for your Nusuk Umrah permit time.
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Questions people ask
How long does Umrah take?
The rituals in Makkah usually take 3 to 6 hours: tawaf takes around 1 to 2 hours and sa’i a similar time, depending on the crowd and floor you use.
What are the farz of Umrah?
Scholars list ihram, tawaf, sa’i and halq or taqsir as its essential parts. Schools of thought differ on which are farz and which are wajib, so ask a scholar you follow.
Where do pilgrims from Pakistan put on ihram?
Flights from Pakistan cross the miqat before Jeddah, so put on ihram before boarding or on the plane before the miqat announcement.
Can I do Umrah for someone else?
Many scholars allow Umrah on behalf of a person who has died or cannot travel, once you have done your own. Ask a scholar for the details.
Can I do more than one Umrah?
Saudi rules set no limit and no fee for repeating Umrah, but you need a new Nusuk permit each time and can hold only one active permit.
travelEZ does not arrange Umrah visas or packages at the moment. This guide is free information, checked against official sources in October 2026; Saudi rules change often, so confirm the details with your Umrah company before you pay.
