Prerequisites of Umrah
- Intention (niyyah) — Umrah is worship; sincerity comes first.
- Ihram from the meeqat — pilgrims must enter ihram at the designated boundary for their route. The Prophet ﷺ fixed: Dhul-Hulaifa for Medina, Al-Juhfa for Sham, Qarn for Najd, Yalamlam for Yemen.
- Ihram prohibitions — no stitched garments (men), no perfume, no cutting hair/nails, no hunting, no marital relations while in ihram.
- Purity & preparation — ghusl, clean ihram garments, and settling debts and family affairs before travel.
"The people of Medina should assume ihram from Dhul-Hulaifa; the people of Sham from Al-Juhfa; the people of Najd from Qarn; and the people of Yemen from Yalamlam."
Sahih al-Bukhari 1525
Umrah step by step
1. Ihram & niyyah
At (or before) the meeqat, make ghusl, wear the ihram garments, pray two rak'ahs, and make the intention: "Labbayk Allahumma Umrah" — then keep reciting the Talbiyah.
2. Tawaf — seven circuits
Circle the Kaaba seven times counterclockwise, starting at the Black Stone. Uncover the right shoulder (idtiba) and walk briskly in the first three rounds (raml) — for men.
"I know that you are a stone and can neither benefit anyone nor harm anyone. Had I not seen Allah's Apostle kissing you, I would not have kissed you."
Sahih al-Bukhari 1597 (Umar at the Black Stone)
3. Sa'i — Safa and Marwa
Walk seven times between Safa and Marwa, beginning at Safa. Men jog lightly between the green markers.
"When he drew close to Al-Safa he recited: "Verily, As-Safa and Al-Marwah are of the symbols of Allah" [Qur'an 2:158], and said: "I begin with that with which Allah began.""
Sahih Muslim 1218
4. Halq or Taqsir
Men shave (halq) or trim (taqsir) the hair; women trim a fingertip's length. With this, Umrah is complete and ihram ends.
Common issues & solutions
- Wudu breaks during tawaf? — Renew wudu and resume; scholars allow continuing from where you stopped.
- Crowded and can't reach the Black Stone? — Point toward it from a distance; kissing it is sunnah, not obligatory (see Umar's words above).
- Unsure of the round count? — Act on the lower certain number and complete seven.
- Missed a rite? — Do not guess: ask a qualified scholar; some omissions require a compensatory sacrifice.
"The performance of Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous one."
Sahih al-Bukhari 1773
Frequently asked questions
What are the prerequisites of Umrah?
Sincere intention, entering ihram at the meeqat for your route, observing ihram prohibitions (no perfume, no stitched garments for men, no cutting hair/nails), and physical/financial preparation for travel.
What are the steps of Umrah?
Four: (1) ihram with niyyah at the meeqat, (2) tawaf — seven circuits of the Kaaba, (3) sa'i — seven walks between Safa and Marwa, (4) halq/taqsir — shaving or trimming the hair.
Where do I enter ihram from?
From the meeqat on your route: Dhul-Hulaifa (Medina), Al-Juhfa (Sham), Qarn (Najd), Yalamlam (Yemen) — Sahih al-Bukhari 1525. Those inside Makkah enter from their residence.
What if I make a mistake during Umrah?
Common issues (broken wudu, uncertain counts, crowds) have well-known rulings — but don't guess. Ask a qualified scholar; some omissions require compensation.
Hadith references verified on sunnah.com. This guide is for orientation only — rites have scholarly details; consult a qualified scholar and your Hajj group before traveling. Disclaimer