How to Perform Umrah: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

For millions of Muslims, performing Umrah is a deeply awaited spiritual journey. If it is your first time, understanding exactly how to perform Umrah before you arrive removes a great deal of anxiety and lets you focus on worship rather than logistics. This step-by-step guide walks you through each ritual in order — entering ihram, tawaf, sa'i, and trimming the hair — along with the etiquette and practical tips that make the experience smooth and meaningful.

Umrah is sometimes called the "lesser pilgrimage," but there is nothing minor about its significance. Unlike Hajj, it can be performed at almost any time of year and completed in a few hours. Below, we explain everything a beginner needs to know, written in plain language so you can approach your pilgrimage with confidence.

Note: this article is a general overview of the widely-followed steps of Umrah. For rulings specific to your circumstances, always consult a qualified scholar or your group's religious guide.

What Is Umrah?

Umrah is a sacred visit to the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah to perform a set of rituals centred on the Kaaba. It consists of four essential acts performed in sequence. While Hajj is obligatory once in a lifetime for those who are able and occurs on fixed days, Umrah is a recommended act of worship that can be undertaken throughout the year.

The Steps of Umrah at a Glance

Step	Ritual	Where
1	Enter ihram & make intention	At the miqat
2	Tawaf — 7 circuits of the Kaaba	Masjid al-Haram
3	Two rak'ahs & Zamzam water	Near Maqam Ibrahim
4	Sa'i — 7 trips Safa to Marwah	Inside the Haram
5	Shave or trim hair (tahallul)	Makkah

Step 1: Enter the State of Ihram

Ihram is both a physical state and a spiritual intention. Before reaching the boundary point known as the miqat, pilgrims perform ghusl (a full ritual wash), wear the ihram garments, and make the intention (niyyah) to perform Umrah.

Ihram clothing

Men wear two unstitched white sheets — one wrapped around the waist and one over the shoulder. Women wear ordinary modest clothing that covers the body, without covering the face or hands. The simplicity of ihram reminds every pilgrim that all stand equal before God.

The intention and Talbiyah

After making the intention, pilgrims begin reciting the Talbiyah: "Labbayk Allahumma labbayk…" ("Here I am, O Allah, here I am"). This is repeated frequently until tawaf begins.

Ihram restrictions

While in ihram, certain actions are prohibited, including using scented products, cutting hair or nails, arguing, and engaging in marital relations. Many first-time pilgrims arrive at Jeddah already in ihram, which is why a smooth Jeddah airport transfer straight to Makkah is so valued — you can travel directly without changing vehicles.

Step 2: Perform Tawaf Around the Kaaba

On reaching the Masjid al-Haram, pilgrims perform tawaf — circling the Kaaba seven times in an anticlockwise direction, beginning and ending at the corner of the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad). If possible, pilgrims gesture toward or kiss the Black Stone at the start of each circuit, but pushing or harming others to reach it should always be avoided.

During tawaf

• Men perform idtiba (uncovering the right shoulder) during tawaf only.
• There are no fixed obligatory supplications — pilgrims may make personal du'a or recite the Qur'an.
• Maintain wudu (ablution) throughout, as tawaf requires it.

Step 3: Pray at Maqam Ibrahim and Drink Zamzam

After completing the seven circuits, pilgrims offer two short rak'ahs of prayer, ideally near Maqam Ibrahim (though anywhere in the mosque is acceptable when it is crowded). Afterwards, they drink the blessed Zamzam water, which is freely available throughout the Haram.

Step 4: Perform Sa'i Between Safa and Marwah

Sa'i commemorates Hajar's search for water for her son Isma'il. Pilgrims walk seven times between the two small hills of Safa and Marwah, now enclosed within the mosque. The journey starts at Safa and ends at Marwah, with each one-way trip counting as one of the seven.

During sa'i

• Men jog lightly between the clearly marked green lights; women walk normally.
• Wudu is recommended but not strictly required for sa'i.
• Make personal supplications — this is a moment of reflection and gratitude.

Step 5: Shave or Trim Your Hair (Tahallul)

The final act is tahallul — exiting the state of ihram by cutting the hair. Men either shave the head completely (halq), which carries greater reward, or trim it evenly (taqsir). Women trim about a fingertip's length from the ends of their hair. With this, the Umrah is complete and the ihram restrictions are lifted.

After Completing Umrah

Many pilgrims continue their journey to Madinah to visit the Prophet's Mosque and the historic sites of the city. The Makkah to Madinah journey is a comfortable few hours by private car. If you plan ziyarat, see our guide to the historic sites of Madinah to make the most of your visit.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Umrah

• Learn the steps beforehand — a calm mind worships better.
• Stay hydrated and pace yourself, especially in summer.
• Wear comfortable sandals you can remove easily.
• Avoid peak prayer times for tawaf if you want more space.
• Plan your transport in advance so arrival and travel between the holy cities are stress-free — explore our Umrah taxi service and our Umrah transport guide.
• Read about common pitfalls in our guide to mistakes to avoid during Umrah.

Understanding the Miqat Boundaries

The miqat is the designated boundary at which pilgrims must enter ihram before proceeding toward Makkah. There are five fixed miqat points, each serving pilgrims arriving from a particular direction. Knowing yours prevents the most common error of all — crossing the boundary without ihram.

Miqat	Serves pilgrims from
Dhul Hulayfah (Abyar Ali)	Madinah and beyond
Al-Juhfah (Rabigh)	Syria, Egypt, North Africa
Qarn al-Manazil (As-Sayl)	Najd and Taif
Yalamlam	Yemen and the south
Dhat Irq	Iraq and the east

Pilgrims flying into Jeddah typically enter ihram before landing, as the aircraft crosses a miqat in the air. The captain usually announces the approach. If you are travelling onward from Madinah after visiting first, your miqat is Dhul Hulayfah, just outside the city.

The Virtues of Umrah

Umrah carries immense reward. The Prophet ﷺ taught that performing one Umrah to the next is an expiation for the sins committed in between, and that Umrah performed during Ramadan is especially virtuous. Understanding this spiritual weight helps pilgrims approach each step with sincerity rather than treating it as a checklist. Every circuit of tawaf, every walk of sa'i, and every supplication is an opportunity to draw closer to God and seek forgiveness.

Umrah for Women: Key Differences

The rituals of Umrah are the same for women, with a few important distinctions:

• Ihram dress — women do not wear the two white sheets; they wear ordinary modest clothing, leaving the face and hands uncovered while in ihram.
• Talbiyah — women recite it softly rather than aloud.
• Hair-cutting — women trim about a fingertip's length from the ends of their hair rather than shaving.
• Menstruation — a woman who is menstruating delays tawaf until she is able, as tawaf requires purity; other matters may differ, so a scholar should be consulted.

Travel arrangements such as a mahram may apply depending on circumstances and current regulations — always check the latest rules before booking.

Performing Umrah with Children and Elderly Family

Umrah is a journey families often make together, including young children and elderly relatives. A little planning keeps it comfortable for everyone:

• Wheelchairs and electric carts are available within the Haram for those who cannot walk the full tawaf and sa'i.
• Pace the day — break the rituals with rest, and avoid the most crowded prayer times.
• Keep the group together and agree a meeting point in case anyone is separated in the crowd.
• Door-to-door transport spares elderly pilgrims the strain of long walks between the hotel, Haram, and airport — one reason families value a private Umrah taxi service.

Worship with Presence of Heart

Perhaps the most important "step" of all is one not found in any checklist: performing Umrah with sincerity and presence of heart. The rituals are a means, not an end. Many pilgrims, focused on getting the mechanics right, forget to pour out personal supplication during tawaf and sa'i — yet these are among the most blessed moments to ask God for what matters most to you. Slow down, reflect, and let the experience move you. A calm, well-prepared pilgrim who has arranged logistics in advance is far more able to worship with this kind of presence.

What to Avoid While in Ihram

Once in ihram, a pilgrim observes a set of restrictions that last until tahallul. Knowing them in advance prevents accidental slips:

• No perfume or scented products on the body or clothing.
• No cutting hair or trimming nails.
• No hunting or harming animals.
• No marital relations or related intimacy.
• No arguing, foul speech, or sinful behaviour.
• Men: no stitched clothing and no covering the head; women: no face veil or gloves while in ihram.

If a restriction is broken — whether by mistake or necessity, such as needing medication — there may be an expiation (fidyah) in some cases, while genuine forgetfulness is often excused. Because the rulings vary, ask a scholar about your specific situation rather than worrying alone.

Performing Umrah on Behalf of Another

It is permissible to perform Umrah on behalf of someone who has passed away or who is permanently unable to travel due to age or illness. The general condition is that the person performing it has already completed their own Umrah first. The intention is made on the other person's behalf at the miqat. As with all such matters, confirm the details with a knowledgeable scholar.

Points First-Timers Often Ask

• Can I perform Umrah more than once on the same trip? Yes — many pilgrims do, re-entering ihram from a nearby boundary such as Tan'im or Ji'ranah.
• Can I use my phone during tawaf? It's best kept away to preserve focus, though brief use to follow a du'a or count circuits is common.
• What if I lose count during tawaf or sa'i? Build on the lower number you are certain of, and use a counter to avoid the problem.
• Is photography allowed? Be considerate — prioritise worship over photos, and respect others' privacy and the sanctity of the place.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to perform Umrah in advance transforms the experience from overwhelming to deeply peaceful. The four essential steps — ihram, tawaf, sa'i, and tahallul — are simple to follow once you understand them, and millions complete them every year. Prepare your knowledge, prepare your heart, and arrange reliable transport so the practical side never distracts from the spiritual. May your pilgrimage be accepted.

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