Performing Umrah is a deeply spiritual trip that every Muslim wishes to witness at least once in their lives. While it’s shorter than Hajj, it carries immense spirituality and peace. In this Umrah guide, we’ll walk you through every step of the procedure. From preparing at home to completing the final rituals in Makkah, in simple and clear language. 

Whether you’re traveling for the first time or helping a loved one prepare, this guide will make every step easy to follow. 

What’s Umrah? 

Umrah is a special trip Muslims make to Makkah to worship Allah.  It’s also called a small passage.  People can do Umrah any time of the year.  It isn’t the same as Hajj.  Hajj happens only once a year.  On the other hand, Umrah is shorter and easier. 

Why Do Muslims Perform Umrah? 

Muslims perform Umrah to get near to Allah.  It helps clean the heart and soul. 

It shows love, respect, and obedience to Allah. 

Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. said that Umrah removes sins and brings great peace. 

Steps To Follow Before Umrah 

Here are some steps that you need to follow for your Umrah.

Step 1: Get Ready for Umrah 

Before you travel, you must prepare.  Preparation makes your Umrah easier and more peaceful. 

Make Your Intention 

Say in your heart 

“ O Allah, I want to perform Umrah only for You. ” 

This is called Niyyah( intention).  Do it with a clean and pure heart. 

Learn about the way 

Read and learn what to do in Umrah.  Know each step before you go.  You can also check Amax Travel for help and trip planning. 

Get Your Documents Ready 

You’ll need 

• A valid passport 
• A visa for Saudi Arabia 
• Your flight tickets 
• hostel booking 
• Vaccination papers( check before trip) 

Pack the Right effects 

Pack light and simple.  You’ll walk a lot, so comfort is important.  Here are must-have particulars: 

• Ihram clothes( 2 white clothes for men, a modest dress for women) 
• Slippers 
• Unscented soap and lotion
• A small bag for money and ID 
• A prayer mat 

To make your stay easy, choose a hostel near the Haram. Also, you can book tour packages to explore the country after your religious worship. 

Step 2: Wear Ihram 

Ihram is the white apparel for Umrah.  It also means being in a state of purity for worship. 

How Men Wear Ihram 

Men wear two white cloths 

• One around the midriff 
• One over the shoulders 

How Women Wear Ihram 

Women wear a simple, modest dress. 

• It should be clean and not fancy. 
• No incense or makeup. 

Step 3: Entering the State of Ihram 

Before entering Makkah, you must be in Ihram. You can do this at a place called Miqat. 

Take a Bath( Ghusl) 

• Clean your body. 

• Use an unscented cleaner. 

• Trim nails and hair if demanded. 

Perform Two Rak’ahs 

Perform two short rak’ahs before you start. 

Make Intention 

Say 
“ Labbaik Allahumma Umrah. ” 

It means “Then I am, O Allah, ready to perform Umrah.”

Say the Talbiyah 

After that, start saying the Talbiyah 
“Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk, 
Labbayk La Shareeka Laka Labbayk, 
Innal Hamda Wan- Ni’mata Laka Wal Mulk, 
La Shareeka Lak.” 

Say it vocally and frequently as you travel. 

Effects You Must Not Do in Ihram 

When you’re in Ihram, avoid these 

• Don’t cut hair or nails 
• Don’t use incense 
• Don’t fight or argue 
• Don’t quest or kill any beast 
• Don’t harm anyone 
• Don’t do anything wrong 
• Stay calm, patient, and kind

Step 4: Reaching Makkah 

When you reach Makkah, say “Bismillah ” and enter with your right foot first. 

Keep your head down until you see the Kaaba.  When you see the Kaaba for the first time, stop and make du’a.  Ask Allah for anything good. It’s indeed a special moment. 

You can also check umrah packages at best prices on Amax Travel, which is one of the reliable agencies for hajj and umrah travels. 

Steps To Perform Umrah 

Now that you have reached Makkah, it’s time to start your Umrah. You will do three main things:

Tawaf
walk around the Kaaba

Sa’i 
walk between Safa and Marwah

Halq or Taqsir 
Cut or shave your hair

Let’s go step by step.

Step 1: Tawaf (Walking Around the Kaaba)

Tawaf means walking around the Kaaba seven times. This shows our love for Allah.

It also reminds us that life should always revolve around Him.

Before You Start

• Make sure you have wudu (clean for prayer).
• Keep calm.
• Stay respectful.
• Remember, you are in a very holy place.

How to Do Tawaf

• Go near the Black Stone (Hajj-e-Aswad).
• It is in one corner of the Kaaba.
• Face the Kaaba and raise your hands.

Say:
“Bismillah, Allahu Akbar.”

(It means: In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest.)

Start walking around the Kaaba in a circle.

Keep the Kaaba on your left side.

Walk slowly and politely.

When you reach the Black Stone again, that’s one round.

You need to do seven rounds in total.

What to Read During Tawaf

You can read:

• Any dua you know.
• Dhikr, like “SubhanAllah,” “Alhamdulillah,” “Allahu Akbar.”
• Or just talk to Allah from your heart.

Each round is a chance to ask Allah for good things, for your family, your health, and your life.

After Tawaf

When you finish all seven rounds:

Go to the area behind Maqam Ibrahim (a small glass case with Prophet Ibrahim’s footprint).

Pray two rak’ahs if you can.

In the first rak’ah, read Surah Al-Kafiroon.

In the second rak’ah, read Surah Al-Ikhlas.

If it’s crowded, you can pray anywhere inside the mosque.

After prayer, drink Zamzam water. It’s pure and blessed water. Make du’a after drinking.

Say something like:

“O Allah, give me health, mercy, and forgiveness.”

Step 2: Sa’i (Walking Between Safa and Marwah)

After Tawaf, it’s time for Sa’i. It means walking between two small hills, Safa and Marwah.

This reminds us of Hajar, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), who ran between these hills in search of water for her baby, Isma’il.

Her trust in Allah was strong, and Allah rewarded her with the Zamzam well.

How to Start Sa’i

Go to the Safa Hill first. Face the Kaaba and raise your hands.

Say:

“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.

La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la shareeka lah.

Lahul mulk wa lahul hamd,

yuhyi wa yumeet,

wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer.”

Then make any du’a you want. Ask Allah for blessings, peace, and forgiveness.

Walk from Safa to Marwah.

This is one round. When you walk back to Safa, it’s two rounds. You will walk a total of 7 times. Men walk a little faster between the green lights. Women walk normally.

What to Say During Sa’i

You can keep saying:

“Rabbighfir warham, innaka anta al-Azizur Rahim.”

(It means: “O my Lord, forgive and have mercy. You are the Mighty, the Merciful.”)

You can also make your own du’a in your own language. Allah understands every word.

Step 3: Halq or Taqsir (Cutting Hair)

After you finish Sa’i, the last step is cutting your hair.

For Men:

You can either:

Shave your head (Halq), or

Trim your hair all over (Taqsir).

Shaving brings more reward, but trimming is okay too.

For Women:

Women do not shave. They cut a small Part of their hair, about an inch from the ends of each braid or section. This shows the end of Umrah and renewal of purity.

Congratulations!

You have now completed your Umrah! You can take off your Ihram and put on normal clothes again. Spend some time praying and thanking Allah. Sit in the Haram. Look at the Kaaba. Talk to Allah with love and peace.

Things To Do After Umrah 

You did it! You completed your Umrah, may Allah accept it from you. Now let’s talk about what to do after Umrah, and some beautiful duas you can say.

When your Umrah is complete, don’t rush. Stay calm. Spend some time in the Masjid al-Haram. Sit quietly and think about Allah. This is a special time when your heart feels light and pure.

Thank Allah

Say Alhamdulillah again and again. Thank Allah for letting you visit His holy house.

Many people dream of this, and Allah chose you.

Make Du’a

You can ask Allah for anything. Ask for good health, peace, and forgiveness. Ask your parents, family, and friends. Ask Allah to bring you back to Makkah again.

Some people also perform nafl (extra) prayers after Umrah. You can do that if you wish.

Drink Zamzam Water

Zamzam water is a gift from Allah. It started from the time of Hajar and baby Isma’il. Drink it with Faith and make du’a before drinking.

Say:

“O Allah, I drink this for health, mercy, and blessings. Make it a cure for my heart and body.”

Visit the Prophet’s Mosque (Optional but Rewarding)

After Umrah, many pilgrims visit Madinah, the city of the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.

It’s not part of Umrah, but it is full of blessings.

When you go to Madinah:

• Visit Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque).
• Offer prayers there.
• Send salams to the Prophet S.A.W. 

He said:

“A prayer in my mosque is better than a thousand prayers elsewhere, except the Masjid al-Haram.”

Useful Umrah Duas (Easy to Remember)

Here are some simple Umrah duas you can say anytime:

Dua for Forgiveness

“Astaghfirullah wa atubu ilayh.”

(It means: I ask Allah for forgiveness and turn to Him.)

Dua for Guidance

“Allahumma inni as’aluka al-huda, wat-tuqa, wal-‘afafa, wal-ghina.”

(O Allah, I ask You for guidance, piety, purity, and sufficiency.)

Dua for Parents

“Rabbir hamhuma kama rabbayani saghira.”

(My Lord, have mercy on my parents as they raised me when I was small.)

Dua for Peace and Health

“Allahumma inni as’aluka sihhatan fi iman.”

(O Allah, I ask You for health with faith.)

After Returning Home

When you come back home from Umrah, keep your heart soft. Remember what you saw and felt in Makkah. Try to pray on time. Read the Quran more often. Be kind to everyone.

Umrah is not just about travel, but it’s about change. It makes you cleaner inside and closer to Allah.

A Gentle Reminder

If you plan to go again or help someone else go, you can get help from Amax Travel. They offer Umrah packages, guidance, and group tours, which are perfect for families and first-timers.

You can also check hajj and umrah packages at the given links: 

Umrah Packages

Hajj Packages

Final Words

Umrah is a gift and a journey of the heart. Every step, from wearing Ihram to cutting your hair, is a way to show love for Allah. When you come back, keep the light of Makkah inside you. Be thankful. Be humble. And always remember:

“The best journey is the one that brings you closer to Allah.”

Reference Sources 

The Holy Mosque Official Website – Step-by-Step Umrah Guide
https://www.gph.gov.sa/en/Pages/Umrah-guide.aspx

Muslim Pro Blog – How to Perform Umrah: Complete Beginner’s Guide
https://www.muslimpro.com/blog/articles/how-to-perform-umrah

AlHaram Travel – Complete Umrah Guide with Duas and Tips
https://www.alharamtravel.co.uk/blog/complete-umrah-guide-with-duas-and-tips