How to Perform Umrah

How to Perform Umrah Step by Step

Performing Umrah is one of the most beautiful spiritual journeys a Muslim can experience. It is a blessed act of worship that includes entering the state of Ihram, making Niyyah, performing Tawaf around the Kaaba, walking between Safa and Marwah and completing the journey by shaving or trimming the hair.

For many first-time pilgrims, the process may feel overwhelming at the beginning. This simple step-by-step Umrah guide will help you understand how to perform Umrah with clarity, confidence and peace of mind. Whether you are traveling from Pakistan with your family, going for the first time or preparing for Ramadan Umrah, this guide explains the main steps in an easy and practical way.

Masjid al-Haram during Umrah
Kaaba and pilgrims in Masjid al-Haram

Quick Answer: How to Perform Umrah Step by Step

Here are the main steps of Umrah:

  1. Enter the state of Ihram before crossing Miqat
  2. Make Niyyah for Umrah
  3. Recite Talbiyah
  4. Perform Tawaf around the Kaaba
  5. Pray two rakats and drink Zamzam
  6. Perform Sa'i between Safa and Marwah
  7. Shave or trim the hair to complete Umrah

Once the hair is shaved or trimmed, the state of Ihram ends and your Umrah is complete.

What Is Umrah and How Is It Done?

Umrah is a sacred pilgrimage to Makkah that can be performed at most times of the year. Unlike Hajj, Umrah is not limited to specific dates. It is often called the lesser pilgrimage, but it is still a valuable and deeply meaningful act for Muslims around the world.

The main actions of Umrah are simple, but each step should be performed with sincerity, patience and respect for the sanctity of the Haram. The journey begins with Ihram and Niyyah, continues with Tawaf and Sa'i, and ends with Halq or Taqsir, which means shaving or trimming the hair.

Kaaba close view
Pilgrims preparing for Umrah near the Kaaba

Before You Begin: Preparation for Pakistani Pilgrims

Before travelling from Pakistan for Umrah, make sure your documents, travel plan and personal essentials are ready. A little preparation before departure can make your journey much smoother.

Keep these things ready before your trip:

  • Valid passport
  • Umrah visa or relevant Saudi visa
  • Confirmed flight booking
  • Hotel booking in Makkah and Madinah
  • Vaccination or health requirements, if applicable
  • Ihram clothes for men
  • Comfortable footwear
  • Basic medicines
  • Prayer mat, tasbeeh and travel-size essentials
  • Digital and printed copies of important documents

If you are flying directly to Jeddah and going to Makkah first, you should be ready to enter Ihram before crossing Miqat. Many pilgrims prefer wearing Ihram before departure or during a stopover to avoid rushing during the flight. If you are going to Madinah first, you normally enter Ihram later when travelling from Madinah to Makkah.

Steps for Performing Umrah

Understand every stage of the pilgrimage with easy-to-follow instructions.

1Enter Ihram and Make Niyyah

Ihram is both a physical and spiritual state. For men, Ihram clothing consists of two clean unstitched white sheets. One sheet covers the lower body and the other covers the upper body. For women, there is no specific two-piece Ihram dress. Women should wear modest Islamic clothing that covers the body properly, while keeping the face and hands uncovered according to the rules of Ihram.

Before entering Ihram, it is recommended to take ghusl, trim nails and prepare yourself with cleanliness. Men may apply perfume before entering the state of Ihram, but perfume should not be applied after entering Ihram.

The Niyyah is the intention to perform Umrah. You can make this intention in your heart, and it may also be said verbally.

Niyyah for Umrah
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً

Labbayka Allahumma Umrah

O Allah, I am here to perform Umrah.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الْعُمْرَةَ فَيَسِّرْهَا لِي وَتَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّي

Allahumma inni ureedul umrata fa yassirha li wa taqabbalha minni

O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah, so make it easy for me and accept it from me.

2Recite Talbiyah

After making Niyyah, recite the Talbiyah. This marks your entry into the state of Ihram. Continue reciting it throughout your journey until you reach Masjid al-Haram and begin Tawaf.

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ

Labbayka Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la shareeka laka labbayk...

While in Ihram, avoid applying perfume, cutting hair, trimming nails, hunting, arguing, using bad language or marital relations.

3Enter Masjid al-Haram

When you reach Makkah, proceed with calmness and humility. Enter with your right foot and make dua. Seeing the Kaaba for the first time is a powerful moment, so use this time for sincere supplication.

اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ

Allahummaftah li abwaba rahmatik

O Allah, open the doors of Your mercy for me.

Avoid rushing or pushing through crowds. Focus on worship, patience and submission.

4Perform Tawaf Around the Kaaba

Tawaf means walking around the Kaaba seven times in an anti-clockwise direction starting from Hajar al-Aswad.

You may say: Bismillahi Allahu Akbar when pointing towards the Black Stone.

There is no fixed dua for each round. You may recite Quran, dhikr and make personal duas.

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina azaban-nar

5Pray Two Rak’ahs and Drink Zamzam

After Tawaf, pray two rak’ahs near Maqam Ibrahim if possible. Then drink Zamzam water and make dua with sincerity.

6Perform Sa’i Between Safa and Marwah

Sa’i means walking between Safa and Marwah seven times starting from Safa and ending at Marwah.

إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ

Innas-Safa wal-Marwata min sha’a’irillah

Men may jog between green markers if able. Women should walk normally.

7Shave or Trim the Hair

Men shave or trim hair. Shaving is preferred. Women trim a small portion (about fingertip length).

After this, Umrah is complete and Ihram ends.

How to Perform Umrah in Urdu

For Pakistani pilgrims searching for how to perform Umrah in Urdu, yeh guide simple explanation provide karti hai.

Umrah ka tareeqa yeh hai ke pehle Ihram bandha jata hai, phir Umrah ki Niyyah ki jati hai, Talbiyah parhi jati hai, Makkah pohanch kar Masjid al-Haram mein Kaaba ka Tawaf kiya jata hai, Zamzam piya jata hai, Safa aur Marwah ke darmiyan Sa'i ki jati hai aur phir mard sar mundwate ya baal trim karwate hain, aur khawateen thora sa baal trim karti hain. Iske baad Umrah mukammal ho jata hai.

Women and families during pilgrimage

How to Perform Umrah for Ladies

The main steps of Umrah are the same for men and women, but there are some differences in Ihram and certain practical actions.

Women should wear modest Islamic clothing and cover their hair, but they should not cover the face with a niqab or wear gloves while in Ihram. They should recite Talbiyah softly, walk normally during Tawaf and Sa'i, and trim a small portion of hair at the end of Umrah.

Women should keep their menstrual cycle in mind because Tawaf requires a state of ritual purity. For personal religious questions, especially related to menstruation, women should ask a specific fiqh reference. It is best to travel with required clothes according to your school of thought.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Umrah

Many first-time pilgrims make small mistakes because they are nervous or unaware of the process. Keep these points in mind:

  • Do not cross Miqat without entering Ihram if you are going directly for Umrah.
  • Do not apply perfume after entering Ihram.
  • Do not wear stitched clothes for men after Ihram.
  • Do not rush through Tawaf or Sa'i without understanding the steps.
  • Do not cut hair or nails while in Ihram.
  • Do not argue, fight or behave harshly in the Haram.
  • Do not knowingly leave a wajib act or violate Ihram rules.
  • Do not begin Sa'i without completing Tawaf.
  • Do not forget that Umrah is more than movement and ritual.

Umrah is not only about completing physical steps. It is about humility, patience, forgiveness and closeness to Allah.

Can You Perform Umrah Without a Travel Agent?

Yes, many people plan Umrah independently, but first-time pilgrims often prefer guided support because it helps with flights, hotel selection, visa process, ground transport and understanding the journey. If you are travelling with family, elderly parents or children, a planned Umrah package can make the journey easier and more organized. Bookme helps pilgrims explore Umrah packages, flights and travel support in one place, so they can focus more on worship and less on travel stress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find quick answers about Umrah packages, visa requirements, documents, travel support and booking with Bookme.

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