What is Umrah and why perform it?
Linguistically “umrah” means a visit; in Islamic law it is visiting the Sacred House of Allah to perform tawaf around it, Sa‘i between its two hills, then shaving or trimming the hair. It has no fixed season: it is valid all year round and is most rewarded in Ramadan, and it takes roughly two to four hours when crowds are light. Its steps in one line: ihram at the miqat → Talbiyah → seven circuits of tawaf → two rak‘ahs and Zamzam water → seven laps of Sa‘i → shaving or trimming.
وَأَتِمُّواْ ٱلۡحَجَّ وَٱلۡعُمۡرَةَ لِلَّهِۚ فَإِنۡ أُحۡصِرۡتُمۡ فَمَا ٱسۡتَيۡسَرَ مِنَ ٱلۡهَدۡيِۖ وَلَا تَحۡلِقُواْ رُءُوسَكُمۡ حَتَّىٰ يَبۡلُغَ ٱلۡهَدۡيُ مَحِلَّهُۥۚ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوۡ بِهِۦٓ أَذٗى مِّن رَّأۡسِهِۦ فَفِدۡيَةٞ مِّن صِيَامٍ أَوۡ صَدَقَةٍ أَوۡ نُسُكٖۚ فَإِذَآ أَمِنتُمۡ فَمَن تَمَتَّعَ بِٱلۡعُمۡرَةِ إِلَى ٱلۡحَجِّ فَمَا ٱسۡتَيۡسَرَ مِنَ ٱلۡهَدۡيِۚ فَمَن لَّمۡ يَجِدۡ فَصِيَامُ ثَلَٰثَةِ أَيَّامٖ فِي ٱلۡحَجِّ وَسَبۡعَةٍ إِذَا رَجَعۡتُمۡۗ تِلۡكَ عَشَرَةٞ كَامِلَةٞۗ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن لَّمۡ يَكُنۡ أَهۡلُهُۥ حَاضِرِي ٱلۡمَسۡجِدِ ٱلۡحَرَامِۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلۡعِقَابِEn verricht de hadj en de oemra voor Allah. Maar als je wordt weerhouden (om hem te voltooien) offer dan een offerdier dat je je kan veroorloven, en scheer jullie hoofden niet voordat het offerdier de slachtplaats bereikt. En iedereen van jullie die ziek is of aan een kwaal lijdt aan het hoofd moet losgeld betalen of drie dagen vasten of het geven van aalmoes of een offerdier brengen. Als jullie dan in veiligheid zijn en iedereen die de oemra verricht in de maanden van de hadj voordat de hadj (verricht wordt) moet een offerdier slachten wat hij zich kan veroorloven, maar als hij het zich niet kan veroorloven moet hij drie dagen tijdens de hadj vasten en zeven dagen bij zijn thuiskomst, om de tien dagen vol te maken. Dit geldt voor degene wiens gezin niet aanwezig is in de Masdjied al-Haram. En vrees Allah diep en weet dat Allah streng is in de bestraffing.
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: «الْعُمْرَةُ إِلَى الْعُمْرَةِ كَفَّارَةٌ لِمَا بَيْنَهُمَا، وَالْحَجُّ الْمَبْرُورُ لَيْسَ لَهُ جَزَاءٌ إِلاَّ الْجَنَّةُ».Al-‘Umrah to al-‘Umrah is expiation for what is between them, and the accepted Hajj has no reward except Paradise.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “‘Umrah to ‘Umrah is an expiation for the sins between them, and the accepted Hajj has no reward but Paradise.”
In short: ‘Umrah is a short journey in which the Muslim heads to the House of Allah with the intention of worship, answering the call: “Labbayk Allahumma ‘Umrah”.
The ruling on Umrah and its conditions
Jurists differ on the ruling of ‘Umrah: it is obligatory once in a lifetime for those able according to the Shafi‘is and Hanbalis, and a highly emphasised sunnah according to the Malikis and the well-known Hanafi view. The difference does not change how it is performed, and it is safer not to omit it if one is able.
Its conditions of obligation are those of Hajj: Islam, sanity, puberty, freedom, and ability in wealth and body, and for a woman a mahram or an organised group according to the rules in force.
وَأَذِّن فِي ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلۡحَجِّ يَأۡتُوكَ رِجَالٗا وَعَلَىٰ كُلِّ ضَامِرٖ يَأۡتِينَ مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٖEn verkondig aan de mensheid de hadj. Zij zullen te voet en op elke kameel tot jullie komen, zij zullen van alle verre plaatsen komen.
Pillars and obligations of Umrah
| Category | Examples | If missed |
|---|---|---|
| Pillars | Ihram with the intention, tawaf of seven circuits, Sa‘i of seven laps | ‘Umrah is not complete without it; not compensated by a sacrifice |
| Obligations | Entering ihram from the miqat, then shaving or trimming at the end | Compensated by a sheep slaughtered in the Haram |
| Sunnahs | Washing before ihram, the Talbiyah, idtiba‘ and raml for men in tawaf, the two rak‘ahs, drinking Zamzam | Nothing upon the one who omits it |
۞ إِنَّ ٱلصَّفَا وَٱلۡمَرۡوَةَ مِن شَعَآئِرِ ٱللَّهِۖ فَمَنۡ حَجَّ ٱلۡبَيۡتَ أَوِ ٱعۡتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيۡهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَاۚ وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيۡرٗا فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌWaarlijk! As-Safa en Al-Marwa zijn symbolen van Allah. Het is dus geen zonde voor degenen die Hadj of Oemra verrichten van het huis om het lopen daartussen te verrichten. En ieder die vrijwillig goed doet, dan waarlijk, Allah is de Herkenner van alles, de Alwetende.
Umrah steps from start to finish
These are the steps of ‘Umrah in order, as the Prophet ﷺ performed them, narrated by Jabir in Sahih Muslim:
- 1Prepare: wash, purify, no perfume
- 2At the miqat: ihram clothing, intention
- 3Talbiyah until reaching the Haram
- 4Enter the Sacred Mosque, right foot first
- 5Tawaf: seven circuits from the Black Stone
- 6Two rak‘ahs at the Maqam, then Zamzam
- 7Sa‘i: seven laps from Safa to Marwah
- 8Shaving (halq) or trimming (taqsir)
- 9Umrah complete — ihram ended
1. Preparation
Wash and purify yourself, trim hair and nails beforehand if you wish, wear clean clothes, and use no perfume after the intention.
2. The miqat and the intention
At the miqat: the man washes and wears the two white sheets; the woman wears her modest clothing. Then make the intention for ‘Umrah saying “Labbayk Allahumma ‘Umrah”, and observe the ihram prohibitions.
3. The Talbiyah
Repeat the Talbiyah on your way — “Labbayk Allahumma labbayk…” — men raising their voices — and stop it when you begin tawaf.
4. Entering the Haram
Enter the Sacred Mosque with your right foot and the entry du‘a; and supplicate as you wish.
5. Tawaf
Seven complete circuits around the Kaaba, starting and ending at the Black Stone, with the Kaaba on your left. Men: idtiba‘ throughout the tawaf (the middle of the upper sheet under the right armpit, its ends over the left shoulder) and raml (brisk short steps) in the first three circuits. Say takbir each time you pass the Black Stone. Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone recite the du‘a of al-Baqarah, and in every circuit say whatever dhikr and du‘a you can in your own language.
6. Two rak‘ahs and Zamzam
After tawaf pray two rak‘ahs behind the Station of Abraham if possible, otherwise anywhere in the Haram, then drink from the water of Zamzam.
7. Sa‘i
Climb Safa facing the Kaaba, remember Allah and supplicate, then walk to Marwah — that is one lap — and do the same there; returning to Safa is the second lap, and so on until seven laps, starting at Safa and ending at Marwah. Men jog between the two green lights; women do not. Supplicate in your heart in your own language — no specific wording is required.
8. Shaving or trimming
After Sa‘i shave your head entirely (better for men) or trim it; a woman trims a fingertip’s length from her hair. With this you leave ihram and the ‘Umrah is complete.
9. Completion
You are out of ihram and everything forbidden in it is permitted again. You may repeat ‘Umrah whenever you are able; every ‘Umrah brings you nearer to Allah.
Tawaf and Sa‘i are easier in quieter hours or on the upper floors; crowding is not worship, and patience and good manners complete the rite.
The five mawaqit and air travellers
The mawaqit are places fixed by the Prophet ﷺ; the pilgrim must not pass them without entering ihram:
| Miqat | Distance from Makkah (approx.) | For whom |
|---|---|---|
| Dhul-Hulayfah (Abyar Ali) | ≈ 450 km | People of Medina and those passing it |
| Al-Juhfah | ≈ 183 km | People of the Levant, Egypt and the Maghreb |
| Qarn al-Manazil (As-Sayl) | ≈ 80 km | People of Najd and the east |
| Yalamlam | ≈ 100 km | People of Yemen and the south |
| Dhat ‘Irq | ≈ 94 km | People of Iraq and beyond |
Air travellers: put on the ihram clothing before boarding, and make the intention when the plane is parallel to the miqat — this is usually announced on board. By the majority view Jeddah is not a miqat for those arriving from outside it, so passing the miqat without ihram requires a sacrifice; some contemporary scholars allow ihram from Jeddah. The safest course is to enter ihram on the plane at the miqat.
Ihram prohibitions in Umrah
- For men: no stitched clothing, no head covering, no shoes covering the heels — open sandals only.
- For women: no niqab or gloves by the majority view; ordinary modest clothing suffices.
- No perfume, no cutting of hair or nails, no shaving until the tahallul.
- No hunting or catching land game, no marriage or proposal of marriage.
- No sexual relations or what leads to them until tahallul — intercourse voids the ‘Umrah, requiring a sacrifice and a make-up.
Beyond that, all acts of worship remain open: prayer, Quran, du‘a and dhikr. For violating a prohibition the fidya applies: fasting three days, feeding six poor persons, or slaughtering a sheep.
Women, children, and Umrah on behalf of another
A woman who is menstruating or in postnatal bleeding enters ihram at the miqat, but does not perform tawaf or pray until she is pure; then she performs tawaf and Sa‘i and trims her hair. If time runs out before she is pure, she should ask a scholar about her case.
Children: their guardian enters ihram on their behalf with the intention for them; they are carried or pushed in wheelchairs for tawaf and Sa‘i, trimmed afterwards, and they earn the reward if Allah wills. ‘Umrah on behalf of a deceased or permanently disabled person is valid, provided the deputy has performed his own ‘Umrah first, by the majority view.
Common mistakes in Umrah
- Passing the miqat without ihram and entering ihram later from Jeddah or elsewhere — this requires a sheep as compensation, according to the scholars.
- An incomplete tawaf or Sa‘i, or starting Sa‘i from Marwah instead of Safa.
- Interrupting tawaf out of tiredness without excuse, although a brief rest then continuing does not break it.
- Believing there is one fixed formula for tawaf and Sa‘i, while dhikr and du‘a are unrestricted in your own language.
- Performing tawaf without purity, or praying in the Haram without wudu.
- Pushing and crowding in tawaf and Sa‘i when quieter hours and places are available.
- Skipping the two rak‘ahs and the Zamzam water — great parts of this visit.
- Men cutting only a few hairs instead of trimming from the whole head.
The duas of Umrah at each rite
A general rule: dhikr and du‘a in ‘Umrah are unrestricted, in your own language. Below are the most prominent supplications narrated from the Prophet ﷺ; the full list with transliteration is on the Hajj duas page.
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَLabbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk, inna al-hamda wa-n-ni‘mata laka wa-l-mulk, la sharika lak.
Here I am at Your service, O Allah, here I am. You have no partner. Here I am. Truly, all praise, favour and sovereignty are Yours. You have no partner.
وَمِنۡهُم مَّن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِي ٱلدُّنۡيَا حَسَنَةٗ وَفِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ حَسَنَةٗ وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِEn van hen is hij die zegt: “Onze Heer, schenk ons de goede (gunsten) in dit leven en de goede (gunsten) in het hiernamaals, en bescherm ons tegen de kwellingen van het vuur.”
لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَهَزَمَ الأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُLa ilaha illa Allahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahu al-mulku wa lahu al-hamdu wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadir, la ilaha illa Allahu wahdahu, anjaza wa‘dahu wa nasara ‘abdahu wa hazama al-ahzaba wahdah.
There is no god but Allah alone, without partner. His is the sovereignty and His is the praise, and He is able to do all things. There is no god but Allah alone: He fulfilled His promise, gave victory to His servant, and defeated the confederates alone.
The complete duas list
- All Hajj & Umrah duasTalbiyah, tawaf and Sa‘i with transliteration
Useful pages before you travel
Frequently asked questions
How long does Umrah take?
The rites themselves usually take two to four hours depending on crowds, and less in quiet hours. The whole ‘Umrah trip depends on your programme and stay in Makkah.
Is Umrah obligatory or a sunnah?
Jurists differ: it is obligatory once in a lifetime for the able according to the Shafi‘is and Hanbalis, and a highly emphasised sunnah according to the Malikis and the well-known Hanafi view. The difference does not change how it is performed.
What is the difference between Umrah and Hajj?
‘Umrah is a sunnah at any time, with four rites: ihram, tawaf, Sa‘i and shaving, taking hours. Hajj is obligatory at a fixed time (the days of Dhul-Hijjah) and includes the standing at Arafah, nights at Mina and Muzdalifah, and the stoning — taking days.
Is Umrah in Ramadan better?
Yes — ‘Umrah in Ramadan carries great reward: the Prophet ﷺ said: “An ‘Umrah in Ramadan is (equal to) a Hajj” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1782) — in reward, not replacing the obligatory Hajj. Crowds are larger, so plan your time and choose quieter hours.
Does a woman wear a niqab in ihram?
By the majority view she does not wear the niqab or gloves while in ihram; she may let a cloth hang over her face when unrelated men pass by. Details rest with the scholars.
Can Umrah be performed on behalf of a deceased or disabled person?
Yes — ‘Umrah may be performed for a deceased person or someone permanently incapable, provided the deputy has performed his own ‘Umrah first, by the majority view.
Where does someone arriving via Jeddah enter ihram?
By the majority view Jeddah is not a miqat for those arriving from outside it: enter ihram on the plane when parallel to the miqat; passing it without ihram requires a sacrifice. Some contemporary scholars allow ihram from Jeddah. Residents of Jeddah enter ihram from Jeddah itself.
What if I lose count of the tawaf or Sa‘i laps?
Take the lower certain number and continue to seven from there. Doubt after finishing is not considered; the default is that you are free of obligation.
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