Tawaf is performed seven times to follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and symbolize completeness and spiritual purification.
Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage, and in short, it is an act of worship of Allah (SWT). It is based on the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his Sunnah. The pilgrimage is a visit to the House of Allah (SWT) and can be carried out at any time of the year. It is known as a ‘minor pilgrimage’ in comparison to the ‘greater pilgrimage’ of Hajj. However, it holds great value and virtue in the eyes of Allah (SWT).
The Umrah comprises of four fundamental pillars:
Ihram is making the formal ‘intention’ of performing the Umrah. To enter the state of Ihram, the individual must change their clothes and take a proper bath (ghusl), which symbolises washing away all impurities.
Upon cleansing, the individual should perform the obligatory prayers or offer two rak’aat of Sunnah prayer. Once that is done, the individual should face the direction of the Qibla and officially enter the Ihram – the individual must enter the Ihram before leaving for the Meeqat in Makkah. Perfume or perfumed products are strictly prohibited while a person is in their Ihram.
At the Meeqat, the pilgrim must make the intention and recite the words:
“Labbayk Allaahumma bi ‘Umrah”
(Here I am, O Allah, for ‘Umrah)
After this, they should recite the Talbiyah in line with the Sunnah:
“Labbayka Allaahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk. Inna al-hamd wa’l-ni’mata laka wa’l-mulk, laa shareeka lak”
(Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am; you have no partner; here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sovereignty, you have no partner).
It is advised that the individual recite the Talbiyah from the moment they enter Ihram until they perform the Tawaaf.
The pilgrim must then enter Masjid al-Haram, and that too with their right foot and recite:
“Bismillaah wa’l-salaatu wa’l-salaam ‘ala Rasool-Allaah. Allaahumma ighfir li dhunoobi waftah li abwaab rahmatika. A’oodhu Billaah il-‘Azeem wa bi wajhih il-kareem wa bi sultaanih il-‘qadeem min al-Shaytaan il-rajeem”
(In the name of Allah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, forgive me my sins and open to me the gates of Your mercy. I seek refuge with Allah the Almighty and in His noble Countenance and His eternal power from the accursed Satan).
The pilgrim can then touch the Black Stone (Hajr-e-Aswad) and begin the Tawaf. Ideally, the pilgrim should touch it with his right hand and then kiss it. If, however, they are unable to kiss it directly, they can feel it with their hand and then kiss their hand. There is great virtue in touching the Black Stone.
Men must keep the right shoulder uncovered during the Tawaaf, which is known as Idtibaa. This is done by placing the Ridaa beneath the right armpit and then bringing it up to the left shoulder. Moreover, men must practice ‘rail’ in the first three rounds of Tawaaf, which is essentially walking fast while taking small steps. For the rest of the rounds, they can walk at their normal pace.
Upon finishing the seven rounds of Tawaaf, the pilgrim must then go to the station of Ibrahim (Maqaam e Ibrahim) and recite the following words:
“And take you (people) the Maqaam (place) of Ibraaheem (Abraham) [or the stone on which Ibraaheem (Abraham) stood while he was building the Ka’bah] as a place of prayer (for some of your prayers, e.g. two Rak’at after the Tawaaf of the Ka’bah at Makkah)” (Surah Baqarah:125)
The pilgrim should the then offer two rakaat of prayer behind Maqaam e Ibrahim. If that proves difficult, the pilgrim can offer prayers in any spot of the mosque. During the first rak’ah, Surah Al-Kafirun (109) is recited, and for the second rak’ah, Surah Al-Ikhlaas (112) is recited. Upon offering the prayer, the individual should return to the Black Stone and touch it, if possible.
The pilgrim should then head for the place of Saa’i (Masaa), and when nearing the hill of Safa, the following should be recited:
“Verily, As-Safa and Al-Marwah (two mountains in Mecca) are of the Symbols of Allah” (Surah Baqarah:158)
And
“Nabda’u bima bada’a Allaah bihi”
(We start with that with which Allah started)
The pilgrim must then climb up the Safa hill to a point where the Ka’bah is visible. They should face the Ka’bah, raise their hand, and supplicate to Allah (SWT). The pilgrim is free to make whatever dua they desire.
According to a hadith, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) recited the following dua as praise:
“Laa ilaaha ill-Allah wahdahu laa shareeka lah, lahu’l-mulk, wa lahu’l-hamd, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer. Laa ilaaha ill-Allah wahdah, anjaza wa’dah, wa nasara ‘abdah, wa hazamaa al-ahzaaba wahdah”
(There is no god but Allah alone, with no partner or associate; He is the Dominion, all praise is due to Him, and He can do all things. There is no god but Allah alone; He fulfilled His promise, granted victory to His slave, and defeated the confederates alone).” (Sahih Muslim, 1218)
The pilgrim should repeat this three times: perform dhikr, supplicate, perform dhikr, supplicate (and so on). Then, the pilgrim should descend to Marwah, and the men should run between the green lights. Two green markers mark the distance – men should run till the second marker and then walk up normally to the hill of Marwah and climb up. There, the pilgrim must face the Qibla and recite what was said at Safa. After that, the pilgrim must descend again and head towards Safa. Upon reaching Safa, the pilgrim must repeat what they did the first time and repeat the same when returning to Marwah for seven circuits. (One circuit is from Safa to Marwah).
Upon cleansing, the individual should perform the obligatory prayers or offer two rak’aat of Sunnah prayer. Once that is done, the individual should face the direction of the Qibla and officially enter the Ihram – the individual must enter the Ihram before leaving for the Meeqat in Makkah. Perfume or perfumed products are strictly prohibited while a person is in their Ihram.
At the Meeqat, the pilgrim must make the intention and recite the words:
“Labbayk Allaahumma bi ‘Umrah”
(Here I am, O Allah, for ‘Umrah)
After this, they should recite the Talbiyah in line with the Sunnah:
“Labbayka Allaahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk. Inna al-hamd wa’l-ni’mata laka wa’l-mulk, laa shareeka lak”
(Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am; you have no partner; here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sovereignty, you have no partner).
It is advised that the individual recite the Talbiyah from the moment they enter Ihram until they perform the Tawaaf.
Lastly, upon the completion of the seven circuits, the pilgrim is required to cut their hair. The men are required to shave their heads or cut their hair equally across the head. Women are required to cut their hair equal to the length of a fingertip.
With this last act, the pilgrim officially completes their Umrah.
Hopefully, this article proves useful for those planning to perform Umrah soon. May Allah (SWT) accept your duas and good deeds. Ameen!
Enter Ihram with intention, perform Tawaf around the Kaaba, pray two rak’ahs, then do Sa’i between Safa and Marwah. Finish by shaving or trimming hair (Halq or Taqsir).
Pray two rakats anywhere before Ihram or at Miqat, reciting Surah Al-Kafirun in the first rakah and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second. After completing, make the intention for Umrah and recite the Talbiyah to enter Ihram.
Tawaf is performed seven times to follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and symbolize completeness and spiritual purification.
Bleeding of any kind, including menstruation, does not break Ihram or invalidate the Umrah.
Ihram is broken by sexual intercourse or related acts, cutting hair or nails, using perfume, hunting, and for men, wearing sewn clothes, or for women, covering the face or wearing a niqab.
The preferred abaya colors for Umrah are traditionally black and white , symbolizing modesty, and white, representing purity and simplicity
During Tawaf, say “Bismillah, Allahu Akbar” when passing the Black Stone and recite prayers, supplications, and the Talbiyah, praising and remembering Allah.
Yes, women can wear socks during Umrah Ihram as long as they cover the feet and are not made of pure silk or wool.
Yes, using the toilet after wearing Ihram is allowed without breaking Ihram.
Ghusl before Umrah is Sunnah (recommended) but not mandatory, and your Umrah is valid even if you do not perform it.
Some of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate.
Iata and Atol Accredited Agents
Copyright © Taqwa Tours 2025. All rights reserved.
+44 7355 401151
