How to Perform Umrah — the Complete Step-by-Step Guide

The four pillars of Umrah

Umrah consists of four essential acts, performed in sequence: entering the state of ihram from the miqat, performing tawaf (seven circuits of the Kaaba), performing sa'i (seven laps between the hills of Safa and Marwah), and finally halq or taqsir (shaving or trimming the hair). Everything else — the duas, the etiquette, the visits — surrounds these four pillars.

Step 1 — Ihram: intention and dress

Ihram is both a physical state and an intention. Men wear two unstitched white cloths; women wear any modest clothing that covers everything except the face and hands. Pilgrims flying from India typically assume ihram before boarding or during the flight, because the aircraft crosses the miqat boundary before landing in Jeddah or Madinah.

At the moment of intention, recite the talbiyah: 'Labbayk Allahumma labbayk…' From this point, certain things become prohibited — perfume, cutting hair or nails, and marital relations — until the Umrah is complete.

Step 2 — Tawaf: seven circuits of the Kaaba

On entering Masjid al-Haram, proceed to the mataf (the open area around the Kaaba). Tawaf begins at the Black Stone corner — you'll see a green light on the wall marking the starting line. Walk counter-clockwise around the Kaaba seven times, keeping the Kaaba on your left.

There is no fixed dua for each circuit; pray in any language, from the heart. After completing seven circuits, offer two rakats of prayer behind Maqam Ibrahim if possible, and drink Zamzam water.

Step 3 — Sa'i: between Safa and Marwah

Sa'i re-enacts Hajar's search for water for her son Ismail. Starting at Safa, walk to Marwah — that is one lap; Marwah back to Safa is the second. Complete seven laps, finishing at Marwah. The green-lit section in the middle is where men lightly jog. The entire route is indoors, air-conditioned and wheelchair-accessible.

Step 4 — Halq or Taqsir: leaving ihram

Men either shave the head completely (halq — greater reward) or trim hair from all over the head (taqsir). Women cut a fingertip's length from the end of their hair. With this, the Umrah is complete and the restrictions of ihram are lifted. Licensed barbershops surround the Haram; agree the price before sitting down.

Practical tips for Indian pilgrims

Perform Umrah soon after arriving while energy is high, ideally at night when it is cooler and less crowded. Keep your hotel card and your group leader's number with you — the Haram is vast and phones die quickly. Wear comfortable sandals you can slip off, and memorise where you left them (or carry a shoe bag).

• ◆Carry a small Zamzam bottle for sa'i — the walk is nearly 3 km in total
• ◆Elderly pilgrims can hire wheelchairs with pushers near the mataf
• ◆Women in ihram must not cover the face with a fitted niqab; a loose drape is used instead
• ◆No fixed dua is required for tawaf or sa'i — a small pocket dua card with transliteration is handy, and praying in your own language is perfectly valid