How to Perform Umrah – Step by Step Guide
Are you wondering how to perform Umrah properly? Umrah is a beautiful spiritual journey that purifies your soul and brings you closer to Allah SWT. Unlike Hajj, Umrah can be performed anytime during the year. In this guide, I will share simple steps, personal reflections, and important reminders especially for sisters, so your Umrah becomes accepted and full of barakah, inshaAllah.
1. How to Perform Umrah – Preparation Before You Travel
- Make niyyah (intention) with sincerity to perform Umrah.
- Ensure all debts are cleared or managed before Umrah.
- Seek forgiveness from people you may have hurt.
- Pack lightly but include essentials:
- Ihram
- Slippers
- Miswak
- Pocket Quran / dua book
- Hijab pins, abaya clips, comfortable abaya/jilbab for women
2. Entering Ihram – First Step to Perform Umrah
For males: Wear two white unstitched sheets – one as lower garment (izar) and one as upper garment (rida).
For females: Wear any modest dress covering entire body. Face, hands, and feet must remain uncovered. However, if you wish to cover your face, you can drape a scarf or niqab in a way that it does not touch your face directly.
My reflection: When I went for Umrah, I saw many sisters performing Umrah without covering their faces. It made me sad because Umrah is sunnah but hijab is fardh. We should never leave what is obligatory for what is voluntary. If we can maintain hijab within the rules of Ihram (keeping cloth away from face), we protect our dignity and fulfil Allah’s command.
3. Meeqat – Where to Wear Ihram for Umrah
Meeqat for people coming from outside Saudi Arabia:
- Dhul Hulayfah (Abyar Ali) for Madinah pilgrims
- Yalamlam for people coming from Yemen
- Qarn al-Manazil for Najd (Riyadh etc.)
- Juhfah for people from Egypt, Syria
- Dhat Irq for people from Iraq
For people within Makkah (residents or after Hajj): They go to Masjid Aisha (Masjid Taneem) or Masjid Jaranah to enter Ihram for Umrah.
4. Niyyah for Umrah – How to Intend
When reaching Meeqat or Masjid Aisha:
Dua for Niyyah of Umrah:
اللهم لبيك عمرة
Transliteration: Allahumma labbayka ‘umrah
Meaning: O Allah, here I am to perform Umrah.
5. Reciting Talbiyah – Essential for Performing Umrah
لَبَّيْكَ اللّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ
لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ
إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْك
لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ
Transliteration: Labbayka Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk, innal hamda wan ni’mata laka wal mulk, la sharika lak.
Meaning: Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Surely all praise, blessings and dominion are Yours, and You have no partner.
6. Tawaf – How to Perform Tawaf During Umrah
Enter Masjid al-Haram with right foot, reciting: “Allahumma iftah li abwaba rahmatik.” (O Allah, open for me the doors of Your mercy.)
Go to the Hajar al-Aswad (Black Stone) and kiss it if possible, touch it, or simply raise your hand towards it.
Begin Tawaf: make 7 circuits counter-clockwise, keeping Kaaba to your left. There is no fixed dua for Tawaf – recite whatever comes from your heart: dhikr, Quran verses, forgiveness duas.
After 7 rounds, pray 2 raka’ah nafl prayer behind Maqam Ibrahim if possible.
7. Sa’i – Walking Between Safa and Marwah
Proceed to Safa hill, face Kaaba, raise hands, make dua.
Walk towards Marwah. Between the green lights, men should jog (raml) while women continue walking normally.
At Marwah, face Kaaba again, make dua. Repeat this 7 times, ending at Marwah.
8. Halq or Taqsir – Final Step of Performing Umrah
Men: Shave head (Halq) or trim hair all around (Taqsir). Shaving is preferred.
Women: Trim tip of hair equal to a fingertip length from all ends.
9. What Invalidates Ihram During Umrah
- Cutting nails
- Applying perfume
- Removing hair
- Engaging in marital intimacy
- Hunting animals
10. Dam (Penalty) if Umrah Rules are Broken
If a forbidden act is done intentionally or any essential part of Umrah is missed, Dam (penalty) becomes due:
- Slaughtering a sheep/goat in Haram area
- Feeding 6 poor people
- Fasting for 3 days
Always ask scholars or local Mufti in Makkah for details if unsure. For more, read IslamQA Dam rulings.
11. Final Reflection – Importance of Hijab During Umrah
Umrah is a gift – a chance to cleanse your heart, sins, and life. But remember, never leave a fardh (hijab) for a sunnah (umrah face uncovering). You can drape a scarf or niqab in a way that doesn’t touch your face directly and still protect your modesty, because Fardh is always above Sunnah.
12. Conclusion – How to Perform Umrah with Sincerity
Now you know how to perform Umrah step by step. Perform it with sincerity, humility, and love for Allah SWT. May your Umrah be accepted, your sins forgiven, and your life filled with barakah. Ameen.