What is Umrah?
Umrah is a voluntary Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, that can be performed at any time of year — unlike Hajj, which takes place on specific dates in the Islamic calendar. While Umrah is not obligatory, it carries immense spiritual reward and is often referred to as the 'minor pilgrimage'. It consists of four core rites performed in and around Masjid al-Haram, the Grand Mosque of Makkah.
Before you travel: preparation checklist
Thorough preparation makes for a stress-free pilgrimage. In the weeks before departure:
- Obtain a valid Umrah visa — this is issued through licensed travel agents and is tied to your package
- Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your travel date
- Book a meningitis ACWY vaccination and carry the certificate (required by Saudi authorities)
- Arrange travel insurance that covers medical care in Saudi Arabia
- For women: you must be accompanied by a mahram (husband or male guardian) if under 45 — regulations have relaxed for group travel, consult your agent
- Learn the essential duas (supplications) for each rite in advance
- Pack unscented toiletries, ihram garments (men), modest clothing (women), and comfortable walking shoes
Step 1 — Entering ihram at the Miqat
Ihram is both a spiritual state of intention and a physical state of dress. Before crossing the Miqat (the designated boundary around Makkah), pilgrims must:
- Perform a full-body purification (ghusl) and make a sincere intention (niyyah) for Umrah
- Men: wear two seamless white cloths — one wrapped around the waist (izar), one draped over the shoulder (rida). No stitched clothing is permitted
- Women: wear modest, loose clothing that covers all but the hands and face. Niqab is not required during ihram
- Recite the Talbiyah: "Labbayk Allāhumma labbayk, labbayk lā shareeka laka labbayk…" — continue reciting until you begin Tawaf
- Avoid cutting nails or hair, using scented products, or engaging in arguments until the state of ihram is exited
Note: If flying directly into Jeddah or Madinah, you will enter ihram at the airport or during the flight before crossing the Miqat boundary. Your airline will announce it.
Step 2 — Tawaf: circling the Kaaba
Upon arriving at Masjid al-Haram, perform Tawaf al-Umrah — seven counter-clockwise circuits around the Kaaba:
- Begin and end each circuit at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad). Point toward it and say "Bismillah, Allahu Akbar" if you cannot touch or kiss it due to crowds
- Men: during the first three rounds, walk briskly (raml); walk normally for the remaining four
- Recite supplications, dhikr, or Quran during the circuits — there is no fixed dua required
- Rukn Yamani: if accessible, touch it with your right hand during each circuit without kissing it
- After completing seven circuits, proceed to Maqam Ibrahim
Step 3 — Prayer at Maqam Ibrahim
Maqam Ibrahim is the stone bearing the footprint of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), located near the Kaaba. After Tawaf, offer two rak'ahs of prayer here if space allows, or anywhere in the mosque. Recite Surah Al-Kafirun in the first rak'ah and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second. Afterwards, proceed to Zamzam and drink from the blessed water.
Step 4 — Sa'i: walking between Safa and Marwa
Sa'i commemorates Hajar's (AS) search for water for her infant son Ismail. It involves walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa, which are now enclosed within the mosque complex:
- Begin at Mount Safa — face the Kaaba, raise your hands, and make dua. Recite: "Inna as-Safa wal-Marwata min sha'a'ir-illah"
- Walk briskly between the two green lights on the ground (men only); women walk at a normal pace
- Each one-way trip counts as one length — Safa to Marwa is one, Marwa back to Safa is two, ending on the seventh at Marwa
- There is no fixed dua during Sa'i — use this time to make personal supplications
Step 5 — Halq or Taqsir: completing ihram
After Sa'i, men must shave the head completely (halq) or cut the hair evenly all around (taqsir). Shaving is more virtuous. Women cut a finger's width from the tips of their hair — they do not shave. Once this is done, the state of ihram ends and all restrictions are lifted.
Visiting Madinah
Many Umrah packages include a visit to Madinah, which holds immense significance as the city of the Prophet (SAW). Key sites include:
- Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet's Mosque) and his blessed grave
- Masjid Quba — the first mosque in Islam; two rak'ahs here equal the reward of an Umrah
- Masjid al-Qiblatayn — the mosque with two qiblas
- Al-Baqi' cemetery — burial ground of many companions of the Prophet
- Jabal Uhud — the site of the Battle of Uhud and resting place of the martyrs
Note: Visiting Madinah is not part of Umrah — it is not obligatory. However, it is highly recommended and most pilgrims do so either before or after Makkah.
Practical tips for first-timers
Beyond the spiritual rites:
- Wear simple slip-on sandals — you will remove footwear frequently in the mosque
- Carry a small bag with Zamzam bottle, prayer beads, and pocket Quran inside the mosque
- Avoid peak times around Fajr and Maghrib prayers when the mosque is most crowded
- Stay hydrated — Makkah is hot year-round. Drink Zamzam water regularly
- Keep your hotel's address card with you at all times in case you get separated from your group
- Women: use a safety pin to secure the hijab during Tawaf to avoid it slipping in crowds
- Download the Nusuk or Haramain apps for real-time mosque capacity information