The Performance of Umrah

1. Entering the State of Ihram

At the designated Station of Ihram, known as al-Miqat, those people wishing to perform Umrah start by carrying out Wudhu (ablution). Men are required to put on the two-piece white Ihram garment (izar and rida). Women, on the other hand, may wear any outfit that does not display their adornment, ensuring they are fully covered except for their face and hands.

After people dressing appropriately, make the intention to perform Umrah by saying: “لبيك اللهم عمرة “Labbayka Allahumma Umrah.” followed by the conditional phrase: (اللهم ان حبسني حابس فمحلي حيث حبستني), which means: Allahumma in habasani Habisun, Famahilli Haithu Habastani, or “O Allah, if I am prevented by any unforeseen circumstance, my place of ending the rituals will be where You have caused me to stop.” Then recite:

Labbayka Allahumma Labbayk. Labbayka La Shareeka Laka Labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-n’imata Laka Wal-mulk La Shareeka Lak.

(Here I am at your service, O Lord, here I am. Here I am. No partner do you have. Here I am. Truly, the praise and the favor is Yours, and the dominion. No partner do you have.)

Men should recite the Talbiyyah aloud, while women should do so silently. Repeat the Talbiyyah frequently, engage in praising Allah, make supplications for forgiveness, and encourage what is good while forbidding what is evil.

2. Obligations and Prohibitions During State of Ihram

During the state of Ihram for Umrah, the following are obligatory:

• Faithfully observe all that Allah has made obligatory, such as performing the daily prayers at their proper times.
• Avoid all that Allah has prohibited, including wrongdoing, quarrelling, and committing sins.
• Guard against injuring other Muslims, whether by deed or by word.

Additionally, abstain from actions prohibited specifically during Ihram:

• Do not cut the nails or pull-out hair. If nails or hair break or come out unintentionally, there is no blame.
• Do not use scent on clothing, body, food, or drink. Any residual scent from before entering Ihram is permissible.
• Do not kill, frighten, or assist in hunting any land game while in Ihram.
• Within the precincts of Al-Haram, cutting trees, plucking vegetables, or collecting lost property (except for identifying its owner) is forbidden for everyone, regardless of Ihram status.
• Do not propose marriage, contract marriage (for oneself or others), or engage in sexual intercourse. Touching the opposite sex with desire is also prohibited during Ihram.

All these prohibitions apply equally to men and women alike.

Specific Guidelines for Men and Women

• Men may not cover their heads. However, using an umbrella or the roof of a car for shade is allowed, as is carrying something on the head.
• Men may not wear shirts or sewn garments such as burnouses, turbans, trousers, or khuff (short, thin boots) overall or any part of the body.
• Women are forbidden from wearing gloves or covering their faces with a face-veil (niqab) during Ihram. If unrelated men are nearby, a woman should shield her face with her head covering or something similar. These rules are observed until Ihram is concluded.
• If a person wears a sewn garment, covers his head (for men), uses perfume, removes hair, or cuts nails out of forgetfulness or ignorance, there is no expiation (fidyah) required. The person should simply stop the action upon remembering or being reminded.
• Wearing sandals, rings, glasses, hearing aids, wristwatches, belts, or girdles to protect money or documents is permissible.
• It is allowed to change or wash clothes, wash hair and body, and there is no harm if some hair falls out unintentionally during washing.

3. Arrival at the Holy Mosque in Makkah

Upon reaching the Holy Mosque in Makkah, enter with your right foot first and say:

A’udhu billahi-l-‘adheem wa wajhihi-l-kareem wa sultaanihi-l-qadeem min-ashaytaani-rrajeem; bismillah, Allahumma Salli ‘ala Mohammed wa ‘aalihi wa sallim; Allahumma ighfir lee dhnubi w-aftah lee abwaaba rahmatik.

أعوذ بالله العظيم ووجهه الكريم وسلطانه القديم من الشيطان الرجيم؛ بسم الله، اللهم صل وسلم على محمد واله؛ اللهم اغفر لي ذنوبي وافتح لي أبواب رحمتك.

(I seek refuge in Allah the Almighty and His noble countenance and His eternal power from Satan. In the name of Allah. O Allah, bestow Your peace and blessings on Mohammed and his family. O Allah, pardon my sins and open the gates of Your mercy for me.)

4. Performing Tawaf (Circling the Ka’bah) – The first Main Umrah Ritual

Begin by making seven circuits around the Ka’bah, starting at the Black Stone with the utterance of “Allahu Akbar,” keeping the Ka’bah to your left, and ending each circuit at the starting point. While making tawaf, you may praise Allah and supplicate Him in any words you prefer, though it is preferable to end each circuit with:

Rabbana, atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina adhaban-nar.

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ.

(Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the fire.)

For the first three circuits, walk briskly, if possible, without causing harm or inconvenience to yourself or others. Walk at a normal pace for the remaining four circuits.

After completing tawaf of seven circuits, pray two rak’as behind the Station of Ibraheem (Maqam Ibraheem) if possible, or at any other place within the Sacred Mosque if necessary.

5. Performing Sa’ye (Walking Between As-Safa and Al-Marwah) – The second Main Umrah Ritual

Proceed to as-Safa. Facing the Ka’bah, praise Allah and raise your hands. Say “Allahu Akbar” three times, then make supplication to Allah, repeating your supplication three times as is the Sunnah. Then say:

La ilaha illal-lah, wahdahu la shareeka lah. Lahul-mulk wa lahul-hamd, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shayin qadeer. La ilaha illal-lah, wahdahu, anjaza wadehu wa nasara abdahu wa hazama al ahzab wahdahu.

لا إله إلا الله، وحده لا شريك له، له الملك وله الحمد، وهو على كل شيء قدير. لا إله إلا الله وحده، أنجز وعده، ونصر عبده، وهزم الأحزاب وحده.

(There is no deity except Allah, The One without a partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is powerful over everything. There is no deity except Allah; He completed His promise, supported His slave, and defeated the parties Alone.)

It is preferable to repeat this supplication three times but saying it less is acceptable.

Descend from as-Safa and perform the Sa’ye of Umrah seven times between as-Safa and al-Marwah. Increase your pace between the green posts and walk at a normal pace before and after them. On reaching al-Marwah, praise Allah and repeat the actions performed at as-Safa, repeating your supplications three times if convenient.

There are no prescribed supplications for tawaf and Sa’ye; you are free to praise Allah, supplicate in your own words, or recite from the Qur’an, while keeping in mind the supplications recited by the Prophet (peace be upon him) during these rites.

6. Completing Umrah – The third Main Umrah Ritual

After completing Sa’ye, end your Umrah by shaving your head or shortening your hair. Upon doing so, all prohibitions associated with Ihram are lifted and you may return to your normal life.