العمرة consists of four essential steps performed in order:
**Step 1 — الإحرام:** Before crossing the Miqat boundary, perform الغسل (ritual bath), wear الإحرام garments (for men: two white unsewn cloths; women: any modest clothing), make your intention (niyyah) for العمرة in your heart, and begin reciting the التلبية: 'Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk, innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak.' Continue reciting until you begin الطواف.
**Step 2 — الطواف:** Perform 7 complete counter-clockwise circuits around the الكعبة, starting and ending at the الحجر الأسود (Hajar al-Aswad) corner. For men, it is السنة to expose the right shoulder (idtiba) and walk briskly (raml) during the first 3 circuits. Touch or point toward the الحجر الأسود at the start of each circuit. Between the Yamani corner and the الحجر الأسود, recite: 'Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah wa fil-akhirati hasanah wa qina adhab an-nar.' After الطواف, pray 2 ركعةs behind مقام إبراهيم if possible, and drink زمزم water.
**Step 3 — السعي:** Walk 7 laps between the hills of الصفا and المروةh, starting from الصفا and ending at المروةh. Each direction counts as one lap. Men should hasten their pace between the green markers. Make دعاء at each hilltop.
**Step 4 — Hair cutting:** Men shave their head (preferred) or trim. Women cut approximately a fingertip's length from the ends of their hair. This completes the العمرة and you exit the state of الإحرام.