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Umre consists of four essential acts: (1) entering Ihram at the Miqat with the intention and Telbiye, (2) performing Tavaf — 7 circuits around the Kabe, (3) performing Say — 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 gusul (full ritual bath) or at minimum abdest. 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 Umre and begin reciting the Telbiye. The Miqat points are: Dhul Hulayfah (for those from Medine), 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 Tavaf, recite the Telbiye frequently and with a raised voice (for men). The Telbiye is the hallmark of Ihram and a declaration of your submission to Allah's call. Women recite it softly. Continue the Telbiye during your travel to Mekke. Stop reciting the Telbiye when you first see the Kabe or when you begin your Tavaf.
These are the most frequent errors pilgrims make during this stage of Umrah.
Scholarly references supporting this guidance from established Islamic sources.
Enter Mescid-i Haram with your right foot first, reciting the dua for entering the cami. It is sunnet to enter through Bab al-Salam (the Gate of Peace) if accessible, though any entrance is permissible. When you first see the Kabe, pause and make heartfelt dua, as this is a moment when duas are answered. Raise your hands and ask Allah for whatever you wish. Then proceed toward the Hacer-ul Esved to begin Tavaf.
Begin at the Hacer-ul Esved (al-Hajar al-Aswad). Face the Hacer-ul Esved, raise your right hand toward it, and say 'Bismillah, Allahu Akbar.' If you can touch or kiss the Hacer-ul Esved without harming others, do so. Otherwise, simply point toward it and begin. Keep the Kabe 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 Hacer-ul Esved, recite the dua below. You may make any other dua or dhikr during the rest of the circuits.
After completing the 7 circuits, proceed to the Station of Ibrahim (Maqam Ibrahim) and pray 2 rak'at. 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 cami — the obligation is the 2 rak'at, not the specific location. After praying, make dua.
After praying the 2 rak'at, proceed to the Zamzam water stations. Face the Qiblah, say 'Bismillah,' drink your fill, and pour some over your head if you wish. Make dua while drinking, as Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) 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 Say. Upon reaching Safa, face the Kabe, raise your hands, and recite the verse: 'Indeed, Safa and Marwa are among the symbols of Allah...' (Al-Baqarah 2:158). Then make dua 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 Kabe, raise your hands, make takbir, tahlil, and dua. You may make any dua during the walking.
After completing Say at Marwa, men should either shave the entire head (Halq) or trim the hair evenly from all sides (Taqsir). Shaving is more virtuous, as Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) 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 Umre is now complete. Praise Allah and ask Him to accept your Umre.
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 sunnet to pray 2 rak'at of gratitude (salat al-shukr) and spend time in the Haram making dua, reading Kur'an, and worshipping. If you are staying in Mekke, take advantage of your time to perform additional voluntary tavaf (nafl tavaf), as each circuit is a tremendous act of worship.