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

Umrah is a voluntary pilgrimage to Makkah that can be performed at any time of year. Unlike Hajj, most Hanafi and Maliki scholars do not consider it obligatory (the Shafi’i and Hanbali schools hold it obligatory once in a lifetime), and it carries enormous spiritual reward. This guide explains the four core rites in the order they must be performed, so you can approach your pilgrimage with clarity and confidence.

This guide is general educational content. For rulings specific to your situation, ask the assistant or consult a qualified scholar.

Overview: The Four Rites of Umrah

Umrah consists of four essential rites that must be performed in sequence:

  1. Entering the state of Ihram
  2. Performing Tawaf around the Kaaba
  3. Walking Sa’i between Safa and Marwa
  4. Shaving or cutting the hair (halq or taqsir)

Missing or performing these out of order can affect the validity of your Umrah, which is why understanding each step before you travel is essential.

Step 1: Ihram — Entering the Sacred State

Ihram is both a physical state and a spiritual intention. Before crossing the meeqat — the designated boundary points around Makkah — you must:

  • Perform a full ritual bath (ghusl) or at minimum wudu
  • Put on the ihram garments — two white unsewn cloths for men; modest, loose-fitting clothing for women
  • Make the intention (niyyah) for Umrah
  • Recite the talbiyah: Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk...

Once in ihram, certain actions become prohibited until the pilgrimage is completed. The most significant include cutting hair or nails, using scented products, and marital relations. See the ihram rules guide for the complete list.

Step 2: Tawaf — Seven Circuits Around the Kaaba

Upon arriving at Masjid al-Haram, you perform tawaf: seven counter-clockwise circuits around the Kaaba, beginning and ending at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) in the corner.

  • Each circuit begins at the Black Stone — point to it or touch it if possible, and say Bismillah, Allahu Akbar
  • The Kaaba must remain on your left throughout all seven circuits
  • Men are encouraged to jog lightly during the first three circuits (raml) if conditions allow
  • Wudu (ritual purity) is required for tawaf according to the majority scholarly opinion

After completing the seven circuits, proceed to Maqam Ibrahim and offer two units of prayer (raka’ah). Then drink Zamzam water if available. Learn more in the detailed tawaf guide.

Step 3: Sa’i — Seven Trips Between Safa and Marwa

Sa’i commemorates Hajar’s search for water for her son Isma’il. You walk seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa, which are now enclosed within Masjid al-Haram.

  • Begin at Safa — face the Kaaba direction, raise your hands and make du’a
  • Walk to Marwa — this counts as one trip; return to Safa is a second trip
  • Complete seven trips in total, ending at Marwa on the seventh
  • Men are encouraged to jog between the green marker lights in the middle section

For a full explanation of the route and its significance, see the Sa’i guide.

Step 4: Halq or Taqsir — Exiting Ihram

After Sa’i, you end the state of ihram by cutting or shaving your hair:

  • Halq — shaving the entire head, recommended for men
  • Taqsir — shortening the hair by at least a fingertip’s length (anmulah), from at least a quarter of the head in the Hanafi school; permissible for both men and women
  • Women trim a small portion from the ends of their hair — women must not shave their heads

With this final act, your Umrah is complete and the prohibitions of ihram are lifted. You may return to normal dress and activity.

A Note on Scholarly Differences

The sequence above reflects widely-agreed practice across the four Sunni schools of jurisprudence. Details — such as the exact ruling on wudu for tawaf, the precise amount of hair to cut, and the consequences of missing a step — can differ between madhabs. If you follow the Hanafi school, or have questions about your specific situation, the assistant can provide cited, madhab-aware answers.