Umrah is a holy journey that brings a person near to Allah(S.W.A). It is the dream of every Muslim. But when people go for the first time, they often feel confused about how to perform Umrah in 2026, what its main rituals are, and which is the first. That is why we will learn Umrah in a step-by-step way, following the Sunnah, so every pilgrim can feel satisfied after completing the pilgrimage. Now, let’s understand the main rituals of Umrah and how each part is performed.
1. How to Get Ready for Ihram
The first step of Umrah is to make your niyaha and put on the Ihram. Before wearing the Ihram, it is best to take a bath(Gusal). If you cannot do that for any reason, just wudu is enough. Trim your nails and remove the unwanted hair, and clean your full body. After this, men should wear the two pieces of the Ihram cloth, and women can wear any simple, modest outfit,there is no special color required. When making your intention, ensure that no perfume comes into contact with the Ihram clothes. It is best to do all your preparations at home or wherever you are staying, because the Ihram must be worn before crossing the Miqat. Where you put on the Ihram depends on your travel. It is usually easy to wear it at home or at the airport. You can put it inside the airplane, but as the Miqat gets near, many people rush to do the same, so it becomes difficult. That is why wearing it during the flight is the least option. This is the simple beginning for anyone learning how to perform Umrah in a way.
2. Niyha or Talbiyah
After wearing the Ihram, make your intention for Umrah by saying:
لَبَّیْکَ اللّٰہُمَّ عُمْرَۃً
“Labbayka Allahumma Umrah”
(O Allah! I am here to perform Umrah.)
Then start reciting the Talbiyah and continue repeating it throughout your journey. The Talbiyah goes like this:
لَبَّیْکَ اللّٰہُمَّ لَبَّیْکَ، لَبَّیْکَ لَا شَرِیکَ لَکَ لَبَّیْکَ، اِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَۃَ لَکَ وَالْمُلْکَ، لَا شَرِیکَ لَکَ
“Labbayka Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayka La Sharika Laka Labbayk, Innal-Hamda Wan-Ni’mata Laka Wal-Mulk, La Sharika Lak.”
This is a heartfelt call from your soul, expressing your presence before Allah(S.W.A) with humility and devotion.
3. Entering Masjid al-Haram and dua when you see kabaa
When you enter Masjid al-Haram, recite this dua:
اللّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ
(O Allah! Open the doors of Your mercy for me.)
After entering, it is best to keep your eyes lowered. When you first see the Kaaba, raise your hands in dua. This is one of the moments when duas are most likely to be accepted. Ask Allah(A.S.W) for anything your heart desires, anything you have wished for all your life. Allah is the Most Accepting and Most Merciful.
4. Starting Your Tawaf
Before you begin your Tawaf, make your intention. You can do it in your heart or verbally, whatever feels right for you. There is no strict rule about which dua you must read. You can recite any dua you like. You say:
اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ طَوَافَ بَيْتِكَ الْحَرَامِ فَيَسِّرْهُ لِي وَتَقَبَّلْهُ مِنِّي
“O Allah, I intend to perform the Tawaf of Umrah for Your sake alone. Accept it from me and make it easy for me.”
After your intention, the side of the Kaaba where the Hajar-e-Aswad is. Your Tawaf will start and end at this spot.
When you reach the Hajar-e-Aswad, say:
“بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ، اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَر”
“Bismillah, Allahu Akbar.”
Kissing or Touching the Black Stone
- If possible, kiss the Hajar-e-Aswad.
- If you can not reach it, touch it with your hand and then kiss your hand.
- And if the crowd is heavy, simply make a gesture of salam from a distance; this is perfectly fine and safe.
For Men:
- In the first three rounds, walk with a fast and energetic pace (this is called Ramal).
- Keep your right shoulder uncovered throughout the Tawaf (Idtiba).
For Women:
- Women should walk in their normal, modest way without Ramal and without Idtiba.
During Tawaf, you can read any dua you want. This is one of the moments when duas are accepted, so ask Allah for whatever you need. You can recite Quranic duas, send salawat (durood) on the Prophet (P.B.U.H), or make your own personal prayers in your own words. There is no restriction that you must read only one specific dua. Just talk to Allah(S.W.A) the way you feel comfortable. He is listening, and he knows what is in your heart. Each circuit begins at Hajar-e-Aswad and ends there again. When you finish seven rounds, your Tawaf is complete.
5. Praying Two Rakahs After Tawaf
After completing your Tawaf, go behind Maqam Ibrahim and pray two rakahs of nafl. This is a sunnah. If the area is crowded, you can pray these two rakahs anywhere in Masjid al-Haram. In the first rakah, it is good to read Surah Al-Kafirun, and in the second rakah, Surah Al-Ikhlas. After you finish the two rakahs, you can do this dua:
“اللّٰہُمَّ اِنَّکَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّی”
“O Allah, You are the One who forgives and You love forgiveness, so forgive me.”
6. Drinking Zamzam Water
After you finish the prayer, it is time to drink the Zamzam water. You will find Zamzam coolers and dispensers all around Masjid al-Haram, especially near the Tawaf area, so getting water is very easy. The entrance to the original well is now closed to create space for Tawaf, but the water provided everywhere is the pure Zamzam. The Prophet (P.B.U.H) said: “Zamzam water is for whatever purpose it is drunk for.”
So before drinking, with good intentions in your heart, such as:
- good health
- increase in your sustenance
- success in both this world and the Hereafter
- ease in your hardships
- protection from the trials of the grave
Whatever your need is, ask Allah(S.W.A) with hope that He is the One who accepts.
The Sunnah Way of Drinking Zamzam
While drinking Zamzam:
- drink while standing,
- face the Qiblah,
- start by saying Bismillah,
- drink in three breaths
- And say Alhamdulillah when you finish.
You may also apply Zamzam on your face or body, as this is also from the Sunnah.
Dua After Drinking Zamzam
اللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا ❁ وَرِزْقًا وَاسِعًا ❁ وَعَمَلًا مُتَقَبَّلًا ❁ وَشِفَاءً مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ ❁
Translation:
“O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, wide, accepted deeds, and a cure from every illness.”
This is another moment when duas are accepted, so ask your Lord for anything you wish He listens, and He answers.
7. Sai (Walking Between Safa and Marwah)
After completing Tawaf, prayer, and drinking Zamzam, the next step is Sai. Sai reminds us of the struggle of Hazrat Hajar (A.S) as she searched for water for her son Ismail (A.S). Allah(S.W.A) honored her effort, and it is part of worship for all Muslims until the end of time.
Starting from Safa
Sai always starts at Safa. When you Safa, go up a little, face the Kaaba, and recite:
“Innas-Safā wal-Marwah min Sha‘ā’irillāh.”
Then say Allahu Akbar three times, raise your hands, and make a heartfelt dua.
Share your worries, your hopes, and whatever you. This is a special time when duas are often accepted.
Walking from Safa to Marwah
- Walk at a normal pace.
- When you reach the green lights, this is the place where Hajar (A.S) ran:
- Men should run lightly between these two green markers.
- Women should continue walking normally.
At Marwah
When you reach Marwah, face the Kaaba again, say “Allahu Akbar” three times, and make dua just like you did at Safa. This completes one round. You need to complete seven rounds in total, and the seventh round ends at Marwah.
Dua During Sai
There are no fixed or required du’as during Sa’i
8 The last Step of Umrah (Hair Cutting)
This is the last and important step of Umrah.
- For men: You can shave your head completely or just trim the hair.
However, completely shaving the head is considered virtuous. - For women: It is enough to trim about an inch from the tips of the hair.
Once this is done, your Umrah is complete, and you are free from the of Ihram.
Emotional Moments
This is a very special and emotional moment. It feels as if all your worries and burdens have been lifted, every prayer is being accepted, and your heart is filled with deep peace and contentment.
Note:
This step-by-step Umrah guide is made to help you easily understand all the rituals. Remember, Umrah is not about long prayers or fancy words,, it is about sincerity from the heart. Whatever is in your heart, tell Allah He is listening and will accept it. May Allah make your journey easy, accept your ibadah, and shower His mercy on you. Ameen.
