The Minor Pilgrimage

Complete Umrah Guide

Your comprehensive companion for the spiritual journey to the House of Allah. Step-by-step guidance from Ihram to completion.

The 4 Sacred Steps

Umrah consists of four essential pillars performed in sequence

1

Ihram

Entering the sacred state from the Miqat boundary with intention and Talbiyah

2

Tawaf

Seven circumambulations around the Kaaba starting from the Black Stone

3

Sa'i

Seven trips between Safa and Marwah hills commemorating Hajar's search

4

Halq/Taqsir

Shaving or trimming hair to exit the state of Ihram and complete Umrah

Step 1: Ihram Preparation

Ihram Clothing

Men: Two white unstitched sheets (Izar for waist, Rida for shoulders). No underwear, no stitched clothes. Sandals must expose ankles.

Women: Any modest clothing covering body except face and hands. No face veil (niqab) touching face, no gloves.

Prohibitions (Muharramat)

  • Cutting hair or nails
  • Using perfume or scented soap
  • Hunting or killing insects
  • Sexual activity or marriage proposals
  • Covering head (men) / face (women)

Talbiyah (The Call)

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيْكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لاَ شَرِيْكَ لَكَ
Labbayka Allāhumma labbayk...
Meaning: "Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Indeed, all praise, grace, and dominion belong to You. You have no partner."

Recite frequently from Miqat until seeing the Kaaba

Miqat Locations

Five designated boundaries where pilgrims must enter Ihram

Dhul Hulayfah

For pilgrims from Medina (closest to Madinah)

Al-Juhfah

For pilgrims from Syria, Egypt & Europe

Qarn al-Manazil

For pilgrims from Najd & Taif

Dhat Irq

For pilgrims from Iraq & Iran

Yalamlam

For pilgrims from Yemen & India

Step 2: Tawaf (Circumambulation)

Method

Circle the Kaaba 7 times counter-clockwise. Start from the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad). Men: Keep right shoulder uncovered (Idtiba) for all 7 rounds. Women: Normal covering.

Idtiba (Uncovering Shoulder)

Men should pass the upper sheet (Rida) under the right armpit and over the left shoulder, exposing the right shoulder. This is done for all 7 rounds of Tawaf.

Dua at Rukn Yamani

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan waqina adhaban-nar
"Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the Fire."

Step 3: Sa'i (Between Safa & Marwah)

The Method

Walk 7 times between the hills of Safa and Marwah. Start at Safa, end at Marwah. Total distance: ~3.15 km. The green lights indicate where men should jog (Harwala).

Dua at Safa

إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ...

Face the Kaaba, raise hands, and make any Dua. Then walk toward Marwah.

Step 4: Halq or Taqsir (Hair Cutting)

For Men

Shaving (Halq): Shave entire head. This is preferred (afdal) and offers more reward.

Trimming (Taqsir): Cut at least 1 inch from all hair. Allowed but less reward.

Note: It is Sunnah to shave the whole head as the Prophet ﷺ prayed three times for those who shaved and once for those who trimmed.

For Women

Cut only 1 inch (finger-tip length) from the end of hair. Do not shave head. Hair can be cut anywhere, but best at Marwah after Sa'i.

Shaving the head is forbidden for women and considered a sin.

Essential Checklist