How to perform umrah – step-by-step guidance, support and comfort
Umrah is often called the smaller pilgrimage, but there is nothing small about standing in front of the Kaaba for the first time. If you have never performed Umrah before, the order of rituals can feel like a lot to hold in your head, especially with jet lag, crowds and the emotion of the moment all happening together. This guide walks through each step in the order you will actually do them, from putting on Ihram to the final haircut that closes your Umrah.
None of this replaces proper study with a knowledgeable teacher or imam before you travel. Treat it as a companion you can read on the flight over, so the rituals feel familiar rather than overwhelming once you land in Jeddah or Madinah.
Getting Ready: Niyyah and Ihram
Umrah begins before you ever see the Kaaba. At or before the miqat (the boundary point set for pilgrims coming from your direction), you will perform ghusl, trim your nails and hair, and put on your Ihram. Men wear two plain white unstitched sheets, one wrapped around the waist and one draped over the shoulder, along with sandals that leave the ankles uncovered. Women wear loose, modest clothing in any colour, and their hands and face stay uncovered.
Once you are dressed, you make your niyyah (intention) for Umrah and begin reciting the Talbiyah, which opens with "Labbayk Allahumma labbayk", meaning "Here I am, O Allah, here I am." Many pilgrims keep reciting it quietly the whole way to Makkah. From this point, certain everyday things are off limits, including cutting hair or nails and using perfume, so it helps to sort out anything you need to do beforehand.
Entering Masjid al-Haram and Performing Tawaf
When you reach the Grand Mosque, you will make your way to the mataf, the open area around the Kaaba, and begin Tawaf. According to the official Nusuk rituals guide, you stand level with the Black Stone, raise your hand and say "Allahu Akbar" to mark the start, then walk counterclockwise around the Kaaba seven times. Nusuk's guide notes that men uncover their right shoulder during this tawaf and pick up their pace slightly for the first three rounds, a practice known as raml. You do not need to touch or kiss the Black Stone. If the crowd is thick, a respectful glance and a raised hand as you pass is enough.
Keep your movements unhurried and your attention on your surroundings. With hundreds of thousands of people moving in the same direction, patience matters more than speed.
Praying at Maqam Ibrahim and Drinking Zamzam
Once you finish your seventh round, it is Sunnah to pray two short rakahs near the Station of Ibrahim if space allows, or anywhere else in the mosque if it is too crowded to get close. Afterwards, many pilgrims drink Zamzam water, which is available at dispensers throughout the mosque. There is no obligation attached to how much you drink, so there is no need to push through crowds for it.
Sa'i Between Safa and Marwa
From the mataf, signs will direct you toward Safa, the starting point for Sa'i. This walk between the hills of Safa and Marwa, completed seven times, is traditionally linked to the story of Hajar searching for water for her infant son. You begin at Safa and finish at Marwa on the seventh leg. Men jog gently between two green markers along the route, while women walk the entire distance at a normal pace. The path today is a long, air conditioned corridor rather than open desert, with moving walkways available if you need them.
Halq or Taqsir: Completing Your Umrah
The final ritual is cutting your hair. Men can either shave the head completely (halq) or trim it all over (taqsir), though shaving is considered more virtuous. Women cut a small amount, roughly a fingertip's length, from the ends of their hair. Once this is done, the restrictions of Ihram are lifted and your Umrah is complete. Many barbers operate just outside the mosque precincts for men who want it done on the spot.
A Few Things First Timers Often Get Wrong
Two practical points trip people up more than the rituals themselves. First, Saudi authorities expect proof of MenACWY meningitis vaccination for pilgrims, issued at least ten days before you travel. The Meningitis Research Foundation treats this as essential given how easily the disease can spread in crowded settings, so book your vaccination appointment well ahead of your flight. Second, check what visa route applies to you before you assume you need a separate Umrah visa. Many travellers, including Australians, can perform Umrah on the standard Saudi tourist eVisa rather than a dedicated pilgrimage visa. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is the official authority for entry requirements, so it is worth a check before you finalise dates.
Our step by step guide covers packing, prayer etiquette and timing in more depth, and our FAQs answer the questions we get asked most often by first time pilgrims.
If you would rather talk it through with someone who has actually walked this route, message us on WhatsApp. We help pilgrims from Sydney and across Australia plan every stage of Umrah, and if you find a genuinely comparable package cheaper elsewhere, we will beat it by 50 US dollars.
