AMDA

How to Perform Umrah?

There are two Farz (obligatory acts) of Umrah.

If these are missed—whether intentionally or unintentionally—Umrah will be invalidated.

1. Ihram

Entering the state of Ihram. Men shall wear two unstitched garments. Women shall wear loose, ordinary clothing. From Miqat or outside Miqat, one must attain purity (wudu/ghusl), put on the Ihram garments with the intention of Umrah, and recite the Talbiyah. If possible, perform two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer beforehand.

Talbiyah:

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ

O Allah! I am present at Your door, I am at Your threshold, I am present; You have no partner, I have come before You. Verily all praise and every blessing belong to You, and the dominion is Yours—You have no partner.

Due to the intention of Ihram, the following acts become prohibited:

  • •Wearing stitched or tailored clothing (for men).
  • •Covering the head with anything that touches it.
  • •Intentionally cutting or removing hair from the head or body.
  • •Cutting nails of hands and feet.
  • •Using perfume or scented items.
  • •Hunting land animals.
  • •Marital relations or indulging in such discussions.
  • •Proposing marriage or getting married.
  • •For women: wearing gloves or covering the face (though covering the face in public is required).
  • •Cutting, breaking, or uprooting trees or plants within the Haram boundaries of Makkah and Madinah (everywhere).
  • •Taking found items within the Haram of Makkah and Madinah (unless picking them up to return to the owner).

2. Tawaf

Circumambulating the House of Allah (Baitullah). Upon reaching Makkah, one should perform ablution and perform Tawaf without delay. During Tawaf, men shall perform Idtiba—leaving the right shoulder bare by placing the middle of the upper garment under the right shoulder and over the left. Start Tawaf from the place of Hajar al-Aswad by saying 'Bismillahi Allahu Akbar.' During Tawaf, if possible, touch the Rukn al-Yamani with the hand. Each time you complete a circuit and reach Hajar al-Aswad, gesture toward it and say 'Bismillahi Allahu Akbar' to begin the next circuit. During Tawaf, one may recite the Quran or make any supplication. After completing seven circuits, cover both shoulders. Then pray two rak'ahs behind or near Maqam Ibrahim. If crowding makes it impossible to pray there, praying anywhere in Masjid al-Haram will suffice.

There are also two Wajib (necessary) acts of Umrah.

If intentionally omitted, Umrah will be invalidated. If unintentionally omitted, Umrah remains valid; however, Dam (sacrifice) or Qurbani must be offered as compensation.

1. Sa'i

Performing Sa'i between Safa and Marwah. Sa'i must begin from the hill of Safa. First ascend Safa and recite the verse: 'Innas-safa wal-Marwata min sha'a'irillah' (Surah Al-Baqarah: 158). Then face the Qibla, raise both hands, and supplicate to the Almighty, for this is a special place where supplications are accepted. Then say 'Bismillahi Allahu Akbar La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu wa huwa 'ala kulli shay'in qadir' and begin Sa'i. During Sa'i, any supplication may be made. At the green light area, men should pass a little faster (women pass at normal pace) and both should recite: 'Rabbighfir warham wa anta al-A'azzul Akram.' Upon reaching Marwah, recite the same supplications and tasbih as at Safa. Complete seven rounds in total. Sa'i ends when you reach the hill of Marwah.

2. Shaving or Trimming the Head

Men must shave the head or trim the hair. Women must cut at least a fingertip's length from the ends of their hair. With this, the rites of Umrah are complete.

Every God-loving believer cherishes the dream of visiting Makkah and Madinah. They remain ever eager for the thirst of ziyarah. A true lover of Allah is never satisfied with visiting the House of Allah and Madinah—rather, each visit intensifies the longing, and upon return they burn with the pain of separation from Makkah and Madinah at every moment. So we implore our Lord: O Allah! Envelop all Your loving servants in Your mercy and grant them the tawfiq to visit the House of Allah and Madinah again and again through Hajj and Umrah.