What is Umrah?
Umrah is often called the "lesser pilgrimage" to distinguish it from Hajj, but this title should not diminish its significance. Umrah is a deeply rewarding act of worship that can be performed at any time of year and carries immense spiritual merit. The Prophet ﷺ said: "One Umrah to the next is an expiation for whatever sins come between them."
Unlike Hajj, Umrah is not obligatory — but it is a highly recommended Sunnah, and for many Muslims, it is a lifelong dream and a preparation for Hajj itself.
Umrah vs. Hajj: Key Differences
| Aspect | Umrah | Hajj |
|---|---|---|
| Obligation | Sunnah (recommended) | Fard (obligatory, once in a lifetime) |
| Time | Any time of year | Specific days of Dhul Hijjah only |
| Duration | A few hours to a day | Approximately 5–6 days of rituals |
| Key rituals | Ihram, Tawaf, Sa'i, Halq/Taqsir | All of the above + Arafat, Muzdalifah, Mina, Jamarat |
| Completion sign | Exiting Ihram after Halq/Taqsir | Multiple stages of Ihram exit |
The Four Pillars of Umrah
Umrah consists of four essential components:
- Ihram — Entering the sacred state of pilgrimage
- Tawaf — Seven circuits around the Kaaba
- Sa'i — Walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah
- Halq or Taqsir — Shaving (men) or trimming the hair to exit Ihram
Step-by-Step: How to Perform Umrah
Step 1 — Enter the State of Ihram
Ihram must be entered at or before the Miqat — the designated boundary point for your direction of travel. Before entering Ihram:
- Perform a full body wash (ghusl) and apply permitted (unscented) toiletries.
- Men wear two white seamless cloths: the izar (lower) and rida' (upper). Women wear their regular modest dress — there is no specific garment required.
- Pray two rak'ahs of Ihram prayer (in a mosque at the Miqat if possible).
- Make the intention (niyyah): "Labbayk Allahumma bi-'Umrah" — "O Allah, I answer Your call to perform Umrah."
- Begin reciting the Talbiyah: "Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayk la sharika laka labbayk, innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak."
Once in Ihram, certain actions become prohibited: cutting hair or nails, applying perfume, sexual intimacy, and for men, covering the head.
Step 2 — Perform Tawaf
Upon entering Masjid al-Haram, proceed to the Kaaba and perform Tawaf — seven anticlockwise circuits beginning and ending at the Black Stone. For a detailed guide to Tawaf, see our dedicated article. After completing Tawaf, pray two rak'ahs at Maqam Ibrahim and drink Zamzam water.
Step 3 — Perform Sa'i
Sa'i commemorates the actions of Hajar (Hagar), the wife of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), who ran between the hills of Safa and Marwah searching for water for her infant son Ismail (AS). Allah honoured her effort by bringing forth the miraculous spring of Zamzam.
- Begin at Safa. Face the Kaaba, raise your hands, and make du'a.
- Walk to Marwah — this counts as one circuit.
- Return to Safa — this counts as the second circuit.
- Continue for seven circuits total, ending at Marwah.
- Men should walk briskly (not run) between the two green lights marking a short stretch of the path — this is Sunnah.
- Recite Quran, make du'a, and engage in dhikr throughout.
Step 4 — Halq or Taqsir (Exiting Ihram)
After Sa'i, men shave their heads completely (halq) or cut their hair short (taqsir). Shaving is more virtuous. Women trim a fingertip's length from their hair — shaving is not permissible for women. With this, the state of Ihram ends and Umrah is complete.
Practical Tips for Your Umrah Visit
- Timing: Umrah is less crowded in Ramadan (though extremely busy), Shawwal, and Rajab. Avoid the last ten days of Ramadan if you prefer quieter circuits.
- Accommodation: Book as close to the Haram as your budget allows — proximity matters greatly for repeated visits.
- Repeat visits: The beauty of Umrah is that it can be performed multiple times. Many pilgrims perform Umrah several times during a single visit.
- Etiquette: Be patient, considerate of other pilgrims, and maintain focus on worship rather than photography or socialising.
Umrah is a gift — a chance to stand before the House of Allah, to shed your worldly concerns, and to return spiritually renewed. May Allah accept your Umrah and bring you back to His blessed House again and again.