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Umrah Guidance

Prepare for Your Umrah Journey with Confidence

Understand every important step of Umrah with clear, practical and faith-focused guidance. Learn about Ihram, Miqat, Tawaf, Sa'i, essential duas and the preparation needed for a peaceful and meaningful journey.

✓ Step-by-Step Umrah Guidance
✓ Essential Duas & Etiquette
✓ Practical Travel Preparation
Umrah guidance and pilgrimage preparation
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Meaningful Preparation Learn before your sacred journey
Al Amanah Project Umrah Companion
01 · Before Umrah

Before Umrah

Prepare the heart, understand Ihram, and learn the essential sequence before entering the sacred rites.

Learn • Prepare • Travel • Worship

01 · Before Umrah

The Pillars of Umrah

A concise map of the rite and the preparation that precedes it.

01

Ihram

Entering the sacred state with intention and Talbiyah.

02

Tawaf

Seven circuits around the Ka'bah.

03

Sa'i

Seven journeys between Safa and Marwah.

04

Halq / Taqsir

Shaving or shortening the hair to complete the rite.

Entering Ihram

Ihram is a sacred state entered for Umrah with the intention to perform the rite and the recitation of the Talbiyah. The intention is made in the heart at the Miqat.

01 · Before Umrah

Ihram: What to Prepare

Keep the preparation simple, practical and focused on worship.

Men

  • Perform ghusl before Ihram when possible.
  • Fragrance may be applied before entering Ihram, not as a continuing fragrance practice.
  • Wear the prescribed two unstitched garments.
  • Avoid prohibited acts once Ihram begins.

Women

  • Wear modest, ordinary clothing that meets Islamic requirements.
  • There is no special Ihram garment for women.
  • Avoid perfume after entering Ihram.
  • Observe the established Ihram restrictions.
Prayer Before Ihram

There is no separate obligatory prayer prescribed solely for entering Ihram. If an obligatory prayer is due, pray it; otherwise follow reliable guidance for your circumstances.

Before Umrah

Intention & Talbiyah

The intention for Umrah is made in the heart at the Miqat. The Talbiyah is then recited.

لَبَّيْكَ عُمْرَةً

Labbayka 'umrah — Here I am, O Allah, for Umrah.

Before Umrah

The Talbiyah

A central remembrance of the Umrah journey.

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا 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, blessing and dominion belong to You. You have no partner.

Remember

Repeat the Talbiyah throughout the journey after entering Ihram, while keeping your heart engaged with worship.

02 · Tawaf

Tawaf

Seven circuits around the Ka'bah, beginning at the Black Stone and keeping the Ka'bah to your left.

01

Enter

Masjid al-Haram

02

Align

Hajar al-Aswad

03

Begin

Say Allahu Akbar

04

Complete

7 circuits

05

Pray

2 Rak'ah

02 · Tawaf

Beginning Tawaf

Enter calmly, beginning with the Black Stone and proceed counterclockwise.

01

Enter Masjid Al-Haram

Enter with calmness and worship. Recite the supplication for entering the masjid if known.

02

Begin at Hajar Al-Aswad

When aligned with the Black Stone, say “Allahu Akbar” and begin the circuit.

03

Keep the Ka'bah to Your Left

Complete seven circuits in a counterclockwise direction.

04

For Men

During Tawaf of Umrah, Idtiba' is observed and Raml is performed during the first three circuits.

Hajar Al-Aswad

Kiss it when this can be done without harm or crowding. If reaching it is not possible, gesture toward it and say “Allahu Akbar.” Do not push or harm others.

02 · Tawaf

Seven Circuits

A simple visual reminder of the direction and key points.

Ka'bah
HAJAR AL-ASWAD
Hateem

Rukn al-Yamani

Touch it when this is easy without harm or crowding. It is not kissed. If you cannot reach it, continue without gesture.

Between Rukn al-Yamani and Hajar al-Aswad

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.

02 · Tawaf

After Tawaf

Complete the worship with prayer, Zamzam and continued remembrance.

Dhikr & Qur'an

There is no specific prescribed supplication for each individual circuit. Make authentic adhkar, recite Qur'an and make personal dua throughout Tawaf.

Maqam Ibrahim

After Tawaf, pray two rak'ahs where it is easy and appropriate. If possible, pray behind Maqam Ibrahim; otherwise pray elsewhere in the mosque.

Recitation

The Prophet ﷺ recited Surah Al-Kafirun in the first rak'ah and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second after Tawaf.

Zamzam

Drink Zamzam and make dua. Move with consideration for other worshippers.

03 · Sa'i

Sa'i

Seven journeys between Safa and Marwah. The first journey starts at Safa and the seventh ends at Marwah.

إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ

Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. — Qur'an 2:158

Safa → Marwa
1
Marwa → Safa
2
Safa → Marwa
3
Marwa → Safa
4
Safa → Marwa
5
Marwa → Safa
6
Safa → Marwa
7
03 · Sa'i

From Safa to Marwah

Keep the sequence clear: seven journeys, beginning at Safa and ending at Marwah.

SAFA
MARWA
01

At Safa

Face the Ka'bah, raise your hands and make dhikr and dua.

02

Between Safa & Marwa

Men walk briskly between the green markers. Women continue walking normally.

03

At Marwa

Turn toward the Ka'bah and make dhikr and dua as appropriate.

04

Complete Seven

The seventh journey ends at Marwah. Then proceed to complete the Umrah by shortening or shaving the hair.

04 · Completing Umrah

Halq or Taqsir

The final act that completes the rite and lifts the restrictions of Ihram.

Men

HALQ
Shave the head. This is the more complete form of removing the hair.

TAQSIR
Shorten the hair. Ensure the shortening is done from the hair rather than taking only a tiny isolated strand.

Women

SHORTEN
Shorten approximately a fingertip's length from the ends of the hair.

Umrah is complete

Alhamdulillah

After the prescribed acts and the shaving or shortening of the hair, the restrictions of Ihram are lifted.

Supplement

Dua Library

A small selection of authentic supplications and meanings for the journey.

Travel
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ وَإِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ

Subhana alladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila rabbina lamunqalibun.

Glory is to the One who subjected this for us; we could not have controlled it ourselves, and to our Lord we shall return. — Qur'an 43:13–14

Entering the Masjid
اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ

Allahumma iftah li abwaba rahmatika.

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

Between the Corners
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina 'adhaban-nar.

Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire. — Qur'an 2:201

Supplement

Practical Reminders

Keep the journey simple, prepared and focused on worship.

Before Departure

  • Review your travel documents, accommodation details and current official requirements.
  • Prepare Ihram garments and comfortable footwear.
  • Keep essential medicines and personal items accessible.
  • Learn the sequence of Ihram, Tawaf, Sa'i and hair removal before travelling.
  • Avoid overcrowding. Pushing or obstructing other worshippers.

This companion is designed as a practical educational aid. For personal circumstances, uncertainty about Ihram restrictions, or matters requiring a specific ruling, consult a qualified scholar.

May Allah accept your Umrah.

May Allah grant us all the opportunity to visit His Sacred House, the Ka'bah, and accept our acts of worship from us. Ameen.

Complete PDF Guide
Step 01 Before Leaving Home

Prepare for Your Umrah

Complete the preparation checklist before moving to the next stage of your Umrah journey.

✦
Before you continue

Tick all six items above. Your next step will unlock only after the preparation checklist has been completed.

Step 02 Entering Ihram

Enter the State of Ihram

Review the essential Ihram guidance and Talbiyah before continuing to Tawaf.

01

What is Ihram?

Learn about the sacred state entered before beginning Umrah.

02

When do I enter Ihram?

Understand Ihram in relation to the appropriate Miqat.

03

What can I do?

Review actions permitted while you are in the state of Ihram.

04

What should I avoid?

Learn the relevant restrictions while in Ihram.

◉
Essential Recitation

Listen to Talbiyah

Listen carefully before continuing with the next stage of your journey.

Step 03 Tawaf

Complete Your Tawaf

Follow these seven stages and complete the quick knowledge check before moving forward.

1 Enter Masjid al-Haram
2 Face the Kaaba
3 Make your intention
4 Begin at the Black Stone
5 Complete 7 circuits
6 Pray 2 rak'ahs
7 Drink Zamzam
Quick Umrah Quiz

How many circuits are performed during Tawaf?

Step 04 Sa'i

Sa'i Between Safa & Marwa

Review all seven journeys between Safa and Marwa. Check each journey as you review it.

SAFA
7 Journeys
MARWA

Step 05 Final Step

Complete Halq / Qasr

Review the appropriate final-step guidance before marking your Umrah journey complete.

M

Men

Halq

Shaving the head.

Qasr

Shortening the hair.

W

Women

Follow the applicable shortening guidance according to the scholarly source used by Al Amanah Project.

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Your Umrah Journey

Alhamdulillah!

May Allah accept your Umrah, forgive your sins and accept your worship. Ameen.