Before reaching Mecca, pilgrims should prepare both spiritually and practically:

• Make a sincere intention (niyyah) in the heart to perform Umrah for the sake of Allah
• Learn the Umrah rituals and basic rulings
• Ensure travel documents, visa, and health requirements are completed
• Perform personal cleanliness such as trimming nails and removing unwanted hair before entering Ihram

This preparation helps ensure Umrah is performed calmly and correctly.

Umrah begins by entering the sacred state of Ihram before crossing the Miqat.

Steps:

• Perform ghusl (full bath) if possible
• Wear Ihram clothing:
• Men: Two white unstitched cloths
• Women: Modest clothing covering the body, with face and hands left uncovered
• Pray two rak’ahs if convenient (recommended but not obligatory)
• Make the intention for Umrah by saying: Labbayka Allahumma Umrah
• Begin reciting the Talbiyah:

Labbayka Allahumma Labbayk,
Labbayka la sharika laka Labbayk,
Innal hamda wan ni‘mata laka wal mulk,
La sharika lak

From this point, Ihram restrictions apply. Talbiyah continues until starting Tawaf.

Upon arrival in Mecca:

• Enter Masjid al-Haram with humility and calmness
• Upon seeing the Kaaba for the first time, make heartfelt du‘a
• Proceed directly to Tawaf

Tawaf consists of walking seven times around the Kaaba in an anti-clockwise direction.

Key points:

• Start and end at the Black Stone (Hajar al Aswad)
• If unable to touch it, gesture toward it and say Allahu Akbar
• Keep the Kaaba on your left
• Men uncover the right shoulder during Tawaf (Idtiba)
• Men may walk briskly during the first three rounds if possible
• Make du‘a or dhikr during Tawaf (no fixed supplication is required)

After completing seven rounds:

• Pray two rak’ahs near Maqam Ibrahim if possible, or anywhere in the mosque
• Drink Zamzam water if possible

Sa’i consists of walking seven times between Safa and Marwah.

Steps:

• Begin at Safa and end at Marwah
• One round is Safa → Marwah
• Men walk briskly between the green markers if able
• Make du‘a and remembrance throughout Sa’i

Sa’i is completed upon reaching Marwah on the seventh circuit.

This is the final step of Umrah.

• Men: Shave the head (preferred) or trim the hair
• Women: Trim a small portion of hair equal to fingertip length

After this:

• Ihram restrictions end
• Umrah is complete

• Pilgrims may change into regular clothing
• Continue with prayers, du‘a, and voluntary worship in Masjid al-Haram
• Additional Umrah may be performed if desired by entering Ihram again from the appropriate Miqat