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Umrah consists of four essential acts: (1) entering Ihram at the Miqat with the intention and Talbiyah, (2) performing Tawaf — 7 circuits around the Kabah, (3) performing sa'i — 7 laps between Safa and Marwa, and (4) shaving (Halq) or trimming (Taqsir) the hair to exit the state of Ihram.
Before reaching the Miqat (the designated boundary point for your route), perform mandi wajib (full ritual bath) or at minimum wudhu. Men wear two white, unstitched garments: the izar (lower wrap) and the rida' (upper wrap). Women wear their normal modest clothing — there is no specific color requirement. Apply fragrance to the body (not the ihram garments) before making the intention. At the Miqat, make the intention (niyyah) in your heart for Umrah and begin reciting the Talbiyah. The Miqat points are: Dhul Hulayfah (for those from Madinah), Al-Juhfah (from the west/Levant), Qarn al-Manazil (from Najd), Yalamlam (from Yemen), and Dhat Irq (from Iraq).
From the moment you enter Ihram until you begin Tawaf, recite the Talbiyah frequently and with a raised voice (for men). The Talbiyah is the hallmark of Ihram and a declaration of your submission to Allah's call. Women recite it softly. Continue the Talbiyah during your travel to Mekkah. Stop reciting the Talbiyah when you first see the Kabah or when you begin your Tawaf.
These are the most frequent errors pilgrims make during this stage of Umrah.
Scholarly references supporting this guidance from established Islamic sources.
Enter Masjidil Haram with your right foot first, reciting the doa for entering the masjid. It is sunnah to enter through Bab al-Salam (the Gate of Peace) if accessible, though any entrance is boleh. When you first see the Kabah, pause and make heartfelt doa, as this is a moment when doa-doa are answered. Raise your hands and ask Allah for whatever you wish. Then proceed toward the Hajar Aswad to begin Tawaf.
Begin at the Hajar Aswad (al-Hajar al-Aswad). Face the Hajar Aswad, raise your right hand toward it, and say 'Bismillah, Allahu Akbar.' If you can touch or kiss the Hajar Aswad without harming others, do so. Otherwise, simply point toward it and begin. Keep the Kabah on your LEFT side and walk counterclockwise. Complete 7 full circuits. Men perform Raml (brisk walking with small steps) during the first 3 circuits and Idtiba' (exposing the right shoulder by placing the rida' under the right arm) throughout all 7 circuits. Between the Yemeni Corner (al-Rukn al-Yamani) and the Hajar Aswad, recite the doa below. You may make any other doa or dhikr during the rest of the circuits.
After completing the 7 circuits, proceed to the Station of Ibrahim (Maqam Ibrahim) and pray 2 rakaat. Recite Surah al-Kafirun (109) in the first rak'ah and Surah al-Ikhlas (112) in the second rak'ah. If it is too crowded to pray directly behind Maqam Ibrahim, you may pray anywhere in the masjid — the obligation is the 2 rakaat, not the specific location. After praying, make doa.
After praying the 2 rakaat, proceed to the Zamzam water stations. Face the Qiblah, say 'Bismillah,' drink your fill, and pour some over your head if you wish. Make doa while drinking, as Nabi (shallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: 'The water of Zamzam is for whatever it is drunk for.' Ask Allah for beneficial knowledge, ample provision, and healing from every disease.
Proceed to the hill of Safa to begin sa'i. Upon reaching Safa, face the Kabah, raise your hands, and recite the verse: 'Indeed, Safa and Marwa are among the symbols of Allah...' (Al-Baqarah 2:158). Then make doa and begin walking toward Marwa. Walking from Safa to Marwa is one lap, and from Marwa back to Safa is the second lap. Complete 7 laps, ending at Marwa. Men should jog between the two green markers (fluorescent lights). At each hill (Safa and Marwa), face the Kabah, raise your hands, make takbir, tahlil, and doa. You may make any doa during the walking.
After completing sa'i at Marwa, men should either shave the entire head (Halq) or trim the hair evenly from all sides (Taqsir). Shaving is more virtuous, as Nabi (shallallahu alaihi wa sallam) supplicated three times for those who shave and once for those who trim. Women trim approximately a fingertip's length from the ends of their hair — women do NOT shave their heads. After cutting the hair, you have exited the state of Ihram, and all Ihram restrictions are lifted. Your Umrah is now complete. Praise Allah and ask Him to accept your Umrah.
With the hair cutting complete, you have fully exited the state of Ihram. All restrictions are now lifted — you may wear regular clothing, apply fragrance, and resume normal activities. It is sunnah to pray 2 rakaat of gratitude (salat al-shukr) and spend time in the Haram making doa, reading Al-Quran, and worshipping. If you are staying in Mekkah, take advantage of your time to perform additional voluntary tawaf (nafl tawaf), as each circuit is a tremendous act of worship.