Umrah is one of the most beautiful journeys a Muslim can make. Standing in front of the Kaaba for the first time, walking between Safa and Marwa where Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her) once searched for water, and drinking Zamzam in the city where the Prophet ﷺ was born: these are moments that stay with you for life.
But for many first-time pilgrims, the rituals can feel confusing. When do you enter ihram? How many rounds of tawaf are there? What do you say at Safa? And what happens if you make a mistake?
This Umrah guide explains everything step by step, from preparing at home to completing your final ritual. It covers how to perform Umrah, the rules of ihram, the duas to recite, the differences for women, common mistakes and when Dam is required, and practical tips for performing Umrah in the winter season of 2026–27.
What Is Umrah?
Umrah is a pilgrimage to Makkah that includes four main rituals: entering ihram, performing tawaf around the Kaaba, walking sa'i between the hills of Safa and Marwa, and shaving or trimming the hair. It is sometimes called the "lesser pilgrimage" because it is shorter than Hajj and is not tied to specific days.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "(The performance of) Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous one" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1773). Scholars differ on whether Umrah is obligatory once in a lifetime or a strongly recommended Sunnah, but all agree on its great reward.
Umrah vs Hajj: The Key Differences
| Umrah | Hajj | |
|---|---|---|
| When | Any time of year | Only on fixed days in Dhul Hijjah |
| Main rituals | Ihram, tawaf, sa'i, halq or taqsir | Ihram, Arafah, Muzdalifah, Mina, stoning, sacrifice, tawaf, sa'i and more |
| Duration | A few hours | Around five to six days |
| Obligation | Sunnah or once in a lifetime (scholarly difference) | Obligatory once for those able |
| Sacrifice (Hady) | Not required | Required for Tamattu and Qiran pilgrims |
Unlike Hajj, Umrah does not require an animal sacrifice. A sacrifice (Dam) is only needed if a pilgrim makes certain mistakes, which we explain later in this guide.
Before You Travel: Your Umrah Checklist
Good preparation makes the journey calmer and helps you focus on worship.
- Check your visa and permit. Make sure you have a valid visa that allows Umrah, and book your Umrah permit through the official Nusuk app or your travel agent. Requirements can change, so always check the latest rules before you travel.
- Check health requirements. Saudi Arabia usually requires certain vaccinations for pilgrims, including meningitis. Speak to your doctor or travel clinic well in advance.
- Settle any religious obligations. If you owe missed fasts, Fidya or a vow, try to settle them before you travel. Our guide on what Fidya is and who has to pay it explains the rules.
- Learn the basics. Read through the steps below, memorise the talbiyah, and save a few duas on your phone.
- Pack sensibly. Bring ihram clothing (for men), comfortable sandals, an unscented soap and toiletries, a small bag for your shoes in the mosque, a refillable water bottle and any regular medication.
- Make sincere intention. Remind yourself that you are travelling for the sake of Allah, and ask forgiveness from anyone you may have wronged.
How to Perform Umrah: The 4 Main Steps
Here is an overview of the Umrah rituals in order:
- Ihram: enter the sacred state at or before the miqat, make your intention and recite the talbiyah.
- Tawaf: walk around the Kaaba seven times, then pray two rak'ahs.
- Sa'i: walk seven times between Safa and Marwa.
- Halq or taqsir: men shave or trim their hair; women trim a small amount. Your Umrah is then complete.
Each step is explained in detail below.
Step 1: Entering Ihram at the Miqat
Ihram is the sacred state a pilgrim enters before beginning Umrah. It is both a set of clothes and a state of the heart.
Preparing for Ihram
Before entering ihram, it is Sunnah to:
- Take a full bath (ghusl) or at least perform wudu.
- Trim your nails, remove unwanted body hair and tidy your hair, so you don't need to do this during ihram.
- Men may apply perfume to the body (not the ihram clothes) before making intention.
- Men change into two white, unstitched pieces of cloth: one wrapped around the waist (izar) and one over the shoulders (rida). Women wear normal modest clothing of any colour that covers the body, leaving the face and hands uncovered.
- Many scholars recommend praying two rak'ahs before entering ihram, if it is not a disliked time for prayer.
The Miqat Points
A miqat is a boundary that a pilgrim must not cross without being in ihram. There are five main miqat points around Makkah:
| Miqat | For pilgrims coming from |
|---|---|
| Dhul Hulayfah (Abyar Ali) | Madinah and the north |
| Al-Juhfah (near Rabigh) | Syria, Egypt and North Africa |
| Qarn al-Manazil (As-Sayl al-Kabir) | Najd, Taif and the east |
| Yalamlam | Yemen and the south |
| Dhat Irq | Iraq and the north-east |
If you are flying directly to Jeddah, you will pass over a miqat before landing. Most airlines announce when the plane is approaching it, so many pilgrims change into ihram at home or at the airport and make their intention on the plane before the announcement. Jeddah itself is inside the miqat boundary for most travellers, so you should not wait until you land.
Niyyah and Talbiyah
At the miqat, make your intention (niyyah) for Umrah. You can say: "Labbayk Allahumma Umrah" (Here I am, O Allah, for Umrah).
Then begin reciting the talbiyah, which men say aloud and women say quietly:
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk, innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak.
"Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Truly all praise, blessings and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner."
Keep repeating the talbiyah throughout your journey until you begin tawaf.
Ihram Rules: What Is Not Allowed in Ihram
Once you are in ihram, the following are not permitted until your Umrah is complete:
- Cutting or removing hair or nails.
- Using perfume or scented products, including scented soap and wipes.
- Sexual relations or any intimate contact with your spouse.
- Hunting or harming animals.
- Entering into a marriage contract.
- For men: wearing stitched clothing that is shaped to the body (such as shirts, trousers or underwear) and covering the head.
- For women: wearing a niqab (face veil) or gloves.
You should also avoid arguing, bad language and anything that spoils the spirit of worship. Breaking some of these rules can require a penalty, as explained in the mistakes section below.
Step 2: Tawaf Around the Kaaba
When you reach Masjid al-Haram, enter with your right foot and recite the dua for entering the mosque. Stop reciting the talbiyah when you begin tawaf. Make sure you are in a state of wudu, as it is required for tawaf.
How to Perform Tawaf
- Start at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad). Line up with the corner of the Kaaba that holds the Black Stone. A green light on the wall of the mosque marks the starting line.
- Begin each round with istilam. If you can reach the Black Stone, touch or kiss it. If not, which is usually the case because of the crowds, simply face it, raise your right hand towards it and say "Bismillah, Allahu Akbar".
- Walk seven rounds anti-clockwise, keeping the Kaaba on your left. Each round starts and ends at the Black Stone.
- Men only: for the tawaf of Umrah, uncover the right shoulder (idtiba) and walk briskly with short steps (raml) in the first three rounds, if the crowds allow.
- Make dua freely. There is no fixed dua for each round; you can pray in your own language. Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone, it is Sunnah to recite: "Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah, wa fil-akhirati hasanah, wa qina 'adhaban-nar" (Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire; Quran 2:201).
Two Rak'ahs at Maqam Ibrahim and Zamzam
After completing seven rounds, men cover their right shoulder again. Then:
- Pray two rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim if there is space, or anywhere in the mosque if it is crowded. It is Sunnah to recite Surah Al-Kafirun in the first rak'ah and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second.
- Drink Zamzam water and make dua. The Zamzam coolers are found throughout the mosque.
Step 3: Sa'i Between Safa and Marwa
Sa'i commemorates Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her), who ran between these two hills searching for water for her son Isma'il (peace be upon him), until Allah brought forth the spring of Zamzam.
- Go to Safa. When you approach, recite: "Innas-Safa wal-Marwata min sha'a'irillah" (Indeed, Safa and Marwa are among the symbols of Allah; Quran 2:158).
- Face the Kaaba, raise your hands, say "Allahu Akbar" and make dua.
- Walk to Marwa. Between the two green lights, men jog lightly; women walk normally.
- At Marwa, face the Kaaba again and make dua.
- Repeat until you complete seven laps. Safa to Marwa counts as one lap, and Marwa back to Safa is the second. You will finish at Marwa.
Wudu is recommended but not required for sa'i. You may rest if you are tired, and wheelchairs are available for those who need them.
Step 4: Halq or Taqsir (Shaving or Trimming)
The final step of Umrah is cutting the hair:
- Men may shave the whole head (halq), which is more rewarded, or trim hair evenly from all over the head (taqsir).
- Women gather their hair and cut about a fingertip's length (around 2 cm) from the ends. Women should not shave their heads.
There are many barbers near Masjid al-Haram. Once your hair is cut, your Umrah is complete and the restrictions of ihram are lifted. Alhamdulillah!
Umrah for Women: Key Differences
Women perform the same four steps, with a few differences:
- Clothing: normal modest clothes in any colour; no special ihram garments. The face and hands are not covered during ihram.
- Talbiyah: recited quietly rather than aloud.
- Tawaf: no idtiba or raml.
- Sa'i: walk at a normal pace between the green lights.
- Hair: trim a fingertip's length instead of shaving.
- Menstruation: a woman who is menstruating may enter ihram and do everything except tawaf. She waits until she is pure, takes a bath and then completes tawaf and the remaining steps.
Common Umrah Mistakes and When Dam Is Required
Even careful pilgrims sometimes make mistakes. Some can simply be corrected, while others require a penalty.
Mistakes You Can Correct
- Losing count of tawaf or sa'i rounds: go with the lower number you are sure of and complete the rest.
- Performing tawaf without wudu: that tawaf is not valid in the view of most scholars and should be repeated with wudu.
- Forgetting the two rak'ahs after tawaf: pray them when you remember.
Mistakes That Can Require a Penalty
- Crossing the miqat without ihram and not going back to enter ihram from it.
- Cutting hair or nails, or using perfume while in ihram.
- Men wearing stitched clothes or covering the head while in ihram.
- Leaving out a required part of Umrah, such as not cutting the hair at the end.
Depending on the mistake and the school of thought, the penalty may be a Dam (the sacrifice of a sheep or goat within the Haram of Makkah) or, for some violations, a choice between sacrificing a sheep, fasting three days or feeding six poor people (based on Quran 2:196). Because the rulings are detailed, always ask a qualified scholar about your situation. Our article on Dam in Hajj and Umrah explains the most common cases.
Already home and need to pay Dam? Many pilgrims only realise a mistake after returning home. A Dam must be performed within the Haram boundary of Makkah, so you cannot fulfil it in your own country. MakkahZabiha performs the sacrifice in Makkah on your behalf and distributes the meat to people in need there. Arrange your Dam (Hajj/Umrah Mistake) in Makkah, from $220 for a goat or sheep. If your penalty is to feed six poor people, you can choose our Fidya: Feed 6 People in Makkah option instead.
After Umrah: Good Deeds to Do in Makkah
Your Umrah is complete, but your time in Makkah is a rare opportunity for more worship:
- Pray in Masjid al-Haram. A prayer in Masjid al-Haram is worth many times more than prayers elsewhere.
- Perform extra tawaf. Voluntary tawaf can be done at any time, without ihram.
- Make plenty of dua for yourself, your family and the Ummah.
- Give charity. Many pilgrims choose to give charity in Makkah, the city where good deeds carry special meaning. A popular way is a Sadaqah Zabiha in Makkah, where an animal is sacrificed and its meat shared with families in need.
- Remember those who couldn't come. You can make dua for your parents and relatives by name, or give a Sadaqah Zabiha on behalf of a parent or a family member who has passed away.
- Celebrate a new arrival. If your family has welcomed a baby, you may choose to have the Aqeeqa performed in Makkah.
Umrah in Winter 2026–27: Practical Tips
The cooler months, roughly November to February, are one of the most popular times for Umrah. Daytime weather in Makkah is usually warm and pleasant, while evenings are mild.
- Expect crowds during school holidays and in the weeks before Ramadan. Tawaf and sa'i are often quieter late at night or after Fajr.
- Book early. Flights and hotels near Masjid al-Haram fill up quickly in winter.
- Bring a light layer for air-conditioned areas and cooler evenings.
- Wear comfortable, broken-in sandals. You may walk several kilometres in a day.
- Stay hydrated. Even in winter, drink plenty of Zamzam and water.
- Plan for Ramadan Umrah. If you are planning to travel in Ramadan 2027, which is expected to begin around 8 February, book well in advance, as it is the busiest Umrah period of the year.
How MakkahZabiha Works
For pilgrims and families who need a sacrifice in Makkah, whether it is Dam for an Umrah mistake, Sadaqah, Aqeeqa or Qurbani, the process is simple:
- Choose your service online and enter the name of the person it is for.
- An animal is selected that meets Shariah requirements.
- The sacrifice is performed in Makkah according to Islamic guidelines.
- The meat is distributed to people in need in Makkah.
Browse all our Qurbani and Zabiha services in Makkah.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to perform Umrah?
The rituals of Umrah usually take between three and six hours, depending on crowds and your pace. Tawaf takes around 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, and sa'i a similar amount of time.
Can I perform Umrah more than once on the same trip?
Yes. Many scholars allow more than one Umrah on a trip, by going out to a miqat or the edge of the Haram, such as Masjid Aisha in Taneem, to enter ihram again. Some scholars prefer that you spend extra time in tawaf and worship instead.
What should I do if I made a mistake during Umrah and I am already home?
First, ask a scholar whether your mistake requires a penalty. If a Dam is required, it must be performed within the Haram of Makkah. You can arrange it from home through a trusted service such as MakkahZabiha, which performs the sacrifice in Makkah on your behalf.
Do I need to sacrifice an animal for Umrah?
No. Umrah does not require a sacrifice. A Dam is only needed if a pilgrim breaks certain rules of ihram or leaves out a required part of Umrah.
Can women perform Umrah during their period?
A woman on her period can enter ihram and remain in it, but she should not perform tawaf until she is pure. Once her period ends, she takes a bath and completes tawaf, sa'i and trimming her hair.
Can I perform Umrah on behalf of someone else?
Yes. Umrah Badal is performed on behalf of someone who has died or who is unable to travel because of old age or illness. The person performing it should already have completed their own Umrah.
What is the best time of year for Umrah?
Ramadan is the most rewarded time for Umrah, but also the busiest. The winter months offer pleasant weather and are a popular choice, while quieter periods outside school holidays can mean lower prices and smaller crowds.
Conclusion
Umrah is a journey of the heart as much as of the body. By understanding each step, from putting on your ihram at the miqat to completing tawaf, walking between Safa and Marwa and cutting your hair, you can focus on what matters most: worship, dua and drawing closer to Allah.
Take this Umrah guide with you, keep the duas close, and don't worry if you make a mistake; most can be corrected, and for those that need a Dam, MakkahZabiha can perform it in Makkah on your behalf.
May Allah accept your Umrah and grant you the chance to return again and again.