14 January 2026
How to Perform Umrah Step
by Step Complete Beginner Guide
To perform Umrah correctly, a pilgrim must enter the sacred state of Ihram in goodwill, Tawaf (seven circumambulations of Kaaba), Sa’i (seven walks between Safa and Marwah) and Halq or Taqsir (shaving and cutting hair). These are the pillars which are required to complete Umrah and must be done in the correct order and with respect.
Key Takeaways
- Ihram: Before Miqat, enter into the holy condition with intention and special clothes.
- Tawaf: Seven circles around the Kaaba that starts with Black Stone.
- Sa’i: Seven circumnavigations of Safa and Marwah in Masjid al-Haram.
- Halq/Taqsir: In order to do Umrah, shave your hair (Halq) or cut it (Taqsir).
- Spiritual Emphasis: There shall be duas, humility and purification.
What Is Umrah and Why It Matters
Umrah is the pilgrimage to the holy city Makkah which is performed in the non-Hajj season. It is quite spiritual and it is geared towards restoring faith and forgiveness. Unlike Hajj, which is a compulsory event once in a lifetime, to individuals who are capable of affording it, Umrah is optional but highly encouraged in the Islamic culture. The Umrah pilgrimages are the replicas of the Prophet Ibrahim and his family whose emphasis is on the submission, endurance and submission to Allah.
The Dreamial Umrah guide is a step by step guide that could help the first time pilgrims learn and familiarize themselves with all the rituals and perform them with confidence and reverence. Many pilgrims prefer to perform Umrah with organised travel support to avoid confusion, which is why choosing the right Umrah package plays an important role in a smooth and stress-free journey.
1. Preparing Before You Leave Home
Physical and Spiritual Preparation
Preparation of travel begins long before traveling. A pilgrim should:
- Seek forgiveness to others and purify the intention only to Allah.
- Get to know the order of ceremonies and important prayers (duas).
- Bring such necessities as Ihram clothes, odorless soaps and right shoes.
The pilgrims who come to the UK usually seek departure-based information particularly those who book Umrah from London with direct flights and guided tours. This kind of preparation is one way of ensuring that the spiritual goals of Umrah are in perspective rather than being stressed due to logistical problems.
1.2 Travel Documents and Visa
Saudi Umrah eVisa system is used by the vast majority of the nationalities in which passport data and eligibility are submitted before traveling. The pilgrims like the UK, EU and the USA can apply through the internet or through designated travel agents.
What Is Miqat and How to Enter Ihram
What Is Miqat?
Miqat is a special place which is outside Makkah where pilgrims must enter Ihram. Going beyond this limit without prior doing Ihram makes the Umrah invalid.
Ihram Clothing and Rules
For Men
- Two white unstitched cloths: Izar and Rida.
- Put on untailored and bare head.
For Women
- Simple, loose clothes that cover the entire body and the only parts that are seen are the face and hands.
Declaring Intention
Prior to or subsequent to Miqat comes:
- Intent to visit Makka (Earnest Niyyah).
- Recite the Talbiyah:
- Labbaik Allahumma labbaik.
Restrictions in Ihram
Once in to Ihram, there are acts that cannot be performed until the day of Umrah:
- wearing a perfume or smell.
- Cutting hair or nails.
- Wearing the head (in the case of men) or arguing.
Step-by-Step Rituals of Umrah
Tawaf Circumambulation of the Kaaba
Definition and Purpose
Tawaf is the circling of the Kaaba seven times in a counter clockwise direction with Kaaba on the left.
How to Perform Tawaf
- Starting with the Hajar al-Aswad (Black Stone).
- Should it be impossible to touch because of the crowd, point in its direction and say: Bismillah, Allahu Akbar.
- Seven circuits in a continuous motion.
- Repeat your personal prayers or Quran supplications in the course of Tawaf.
Important Sunnah Acts
- During the first three rounds, men can do Raml (brisk walk) provided that space is not a problem.
- Following Tawaf, two Rak’ahs of Salah close to Maqam Ibrahim should be done where possible.
- Take Zamzam water and say a hearty personal dua.
Sa’i Walking Between Safa and Marwah
Historical Significance
Sa’i praises the fact that Hajar sought water to her son Ismail, and this is a sign of trust to Allah.
How to Perform Sa’i
- Start at the hill of Safa towards Kaaba.
- Seven circuits (walk to Marwah and back).
- Men can walk at a brisk pace between the green markers and women can walk at a normal pace.
- Pray to Allah and make individual du’as during the trip.
Halq or Taqsir Shaving or Trimming Hair
This is the last physical action, which completes Umrah and removes the constraints of Ihram.
For Men
- Halq: Head is shaved off (more righteous).
- Taqsir: Cut hair in case it is impossible to shave.
For Women
- Shave a little bit of hair (about an inch).
- The completion of Halq or Taqsir is a sign that one has finished Umrah.
Common Questions and Misunderstandings
Can a Woman Perform Umrah Without a Mahram?
Yes. New policies permit women to do Umrah without a Mahram when they are travelling as a group or with close female family members.
What Happens If You Miss a Ritual?
In case of missing or failing to perform any of the required pillars (Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i, Halq/Taqsir) the Umrah can be invalid and will require rectification.
Is Visiting Madinah Part of Umrah?
No. A visit to Madinah and Masjid an-Nabawi is a good deed and is promoted, but not a ritual of Umrah per se.
Things Pilgrims Commonly Overlook During Umrah
Understanding the Order of Rituals Matters
Most of the first-time pilgrims hurry through Umrah without following the sequence that is required. The steps must be done in their correct sequence, otherwise, they will cause confusion and, in other instances, compromise the validity of Umrah.
Mental Focus Is as Important as Physical Actions
Umrah does not just involve the completion of movements. Being conscious, not talking too much, and being in a spiritual state enhances the whole experience and purpose of the pilgrimage.
Crowd Awareness Prevents Stress and Fatigue
Knowing the movements of crowds within Masjid al-Haram is one way of preventing panic and fatigue. Umrah can be made manageable by choosing the routes that are not so windy and avoiding the peak hours.
Personal Duas Should Be Prepared Beforehand
Pilgrims are usually afraid when performing rituals since they do not know what to utter. It is beneficial to prepare personal supplications beforehand to stay on course and be emotional.
Small Rule Violations Happen Unknowingly
Even simple errors like application of scented products or feeling hair during Ihram are accidental. It eliminates anxiety and mistakes by learning Ihram restrictions in advance.
Rest Between Rituals Is Permissible
Several pilgrims feel that they are in a hurry. It is permissible and sometimes necessary to take short intervals between Tawaf and Sa’i particularly in the case of the elderly or new pilgrims.
Conclusion
The Umrah is a very spiritual exercise that entails a series of rituals that are based on Islamic culture. Since the state of Ihram is attained by entering the sacred state with pure intention, up to the completion of Halq Taqsir, every single step is a manifestation of submission to Allah. This The Dreamial Umrah guide includes all the necessary stages with simple but authoritative instructions to enable the beginners to be confident and complete their pilgrimage adequately. Pilgrims seeking personalised guidance or verified Umrah arrangements may contact The Dreamial Umrah team for reliable planning and support.
FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions
Umrah is done by entering Ihram with intention at Miqat, seven rounds of Tawaf around Kaaba, Sa 7 times between Safa and Marwah and Hajj or Taqsir. These are the steps that should be adhered to in order to make Umrah valid.
Umrah normally lasts between 3 to 6 hours depending on the number of people present, physical capacity and the time of the day. It can be time consuming during peak seasons because of the congestion within Masjid al-Haram.
Umrah is nullified when a pilgrim crosses Miqat without Ihram, when the pilgrim omits Tawaf or Sa, when the pilgrim does rituals in reverse sequence, and when the pilgrim fails to perform Halq or Taqsir. Small errors are not a reason to nullify Umrah but must be avoided.
No, the Arabic duas is not obligatory. In Umrah, pilgrims can pray in any language since what matters is sincerity and intention rather than words.
Umrah is not a hard task when the steps are known in advance. First time pilgrims can comfortably and properly conduct Umrah with the simple preparation, patience and guidance.
