Umrah step by step – complete guide for a smooth pilgrimage
Umrah has a clear, fixed sequence. It's not long or complicated once you know the order, but standing in Masjid al Haram for the first time, surrounded by thousands of people, is not the moment to be figuring it out. This guide walks through each step in order, so you can focus on the moment itself rather than wondering what comes next.
Umrah consists of four main rites: entering the state of Ihram with the intention (niyyah), performing Tawaf around the Kaaba, performing Sa'i between the hills of Safa and Marwah, and finally shaving or trimming the hair. Everything else, from what you wear to when you recite the Talbiyah, supports those four steps.
Step one: entering Ihram
Ihram is both a physical state and a spiritual one. You enter it at or before a designated boundary point called the Miqat, which depends on where you are travelling from. Men wear two unstitched white sheets, known as the izar and rida. Women wear modest, loose clothing that covers the body, with hands and face left uncovered (the face covering requirement differs from Hajj rules around the ihram garment itself, so it's worth checking current guidance for your situation). Before entering Ihram, it's customary to perform ghusl (a full ritual wash), apply unscented care to the body beforehand if needed, and pray two rak'ahs if possible.
Once you've made the intention for Umrah, known as the niyyah, you recite the Talbiyah, repeating it as you continue your journey toward Makkah:
"Labbayk Allahumma labbayk. Labbayka la sharika laka labbayk. Innal hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal mulk, la sharika lak."
From this point, certain things become restricted while you remain in Ihram: cutting hair or nails, using scented products, hunting, and marital relations, among others. If you're unsure of the full list, it's worth reviewing it properly before you travel rather than trying to remember it on the day.
Step two: Tawaf around the Kaaba
Once you arrive at Masjid al Haram, the first rite is Tawaf: circling the Kaaba seven times in a counterclockwise direction, starting and ending in line with the Black Stone (Hajar al Aswad). According to the official Nusuk Umrah guide, published by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, each round begins by aligning with the Black Stone, raising a hand toward it and saying "Allahu Akbar" (you are not required to touch or kiss it given the crowds, a gesture from a distance is sufficient). Men are encouraged, where crowd conditions allow, to walk at a slightly faster pace during the first three rounds, a practice known as ramal, and to keep the right shoulder uncovered during Tawaf (idtiba). After completing the seven rounds, it's Sunnah to pray two rak'ahs behind or near the Maqam Ibrahim if space permits, then to drink Zamzam water, drawn from the well linked to the story of Hajar and her son Ismail searching for water in the valley.
Step three: Sa'i between Safa and Marwah
From the Kaaba, pilgrims move to perform Sa'i: walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times in total, starting at Safa and finishing at Marwah. This rite commemorates Hajar's search for water for her infant son, running back and forth between the two hills before Allah provided the Zamzam spring. Men jog briefly through the section marked by green lights or markers along the path, while women walk the entire distance at a normal pace. One full lap means walking from Safa to Marwah; the return trip counts as the second, and so on, with the seventh and final lap ending at Marwah.
Step four: shaving or trimming the hair
The final rite is halq (shaving the head) or taqsir (trimming the hair), which brings you out of the state of Ihram. Men have the choice between fully shaving the head or trimming it evenly, though a full shave is generally considered the more complete option for Umrah. Women trim a small amount, roughly a fingertip's length, from the ends of their hair, rather than shaving. Once this is done, the restrictions of Ihram are lifted and Umrah is complete.
A few practical things that make the day smoother
Should you extend your trip to Madinah?
Visiting the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah is not a required part of Umrah, but most pilgrims choose to include it, either before or after their days in Makkah. Many describe it as the part of the trip they remember most warmly. If you're deciding how to structure your itinerary, our piece on visiting Madina goes into why it's worth the extra days.
If any of this feels like a lot to hold in your head while you're also managing flights, visas, and accommodation, that's completely normal. Our step-by-step Umrah guide and FAQs cover the practical side in more depth, and we're happy to talk you through the whole sequence before you travel. Message us on WhatsApp if you'd like to go through it together, and remember, if you find a comparable Umrah package cheaper elsewhere, we'll beat that price by 50 US dollars.
