Rites of Umrah: A Complete Guide

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Ihram

Begin your Umrah journey with a sincere intention to enter the state of Ihram, which is an essential part of the Umrah rituals. Engage in the rituals of Umrah by reciting the Talbiyah before you don the Ihram garments. Following the Ihram steps ensures that you are spiritually prepared for the journey ahead, which includes Tawaf guidance and the subsequent Sa'i procedures.

Tawaf is an essential act of worship where a Muslim circumambulates around His Noble House (the Kaaba), engaging in worship of the Lord of the House and striving to grow closer to Him through the practices He has prescribed. This act is a significant component of Umrah rituals, and understanding Tawaf guidance is crucial for fulfilling these spiritual obligations.

01. We enter the mataf and position ourselves next to the Black Stone, ensuring it is to our left.

02. We raise our hand and say 'Allahu Akbar' when we are aligned with the Black Stone.

03. We initiate circumambulation in a counterclockwise direction.

04. As we circle the Kaaba, we pray during the circumambulation process.

05. Upon reaching our starting point, where we align once again with the Black Stone, we have completed one step. Thus, we repeat the alignment, raising our hand and saying 'Allahu Akbar' to commence a new stage of our Tawaf.

06. We continue this process until we successfully complete seven rounds, following the outlined Ihram steps and the established Sa'i procedures.

Sa'i between Safa and Marwa is an essential part of the Umrah rituals. After completing the Tawaf, you will find clear guidance signs inside the Grand Mosque that lead you to embark on the Sa'i procedures, pointing you toward Al-Safa, the starting point of the journey.

01. The journey begins at the location of Mount Al-Safa: although the mountain itself has vanished, remnants of rocks remain on the ground floor. You can find signs on the upper floors indicating where Al-Safa is situated.

02. Proceed towards Mount Marwa, continuing your Sa'i.

03. Before reaching Al-Marwa, as you arrive at the area marked by the two green flags, men are instructed to jog. This jogging stops once they pass the end of Alamein, as it signifies a transition to a more brisk walking pace.

04. Upon arriving at Al-Marwah, one complete leg of the journey is finished, and you will need to turn around to return to Al-Safa, where you began your Sa'i.

05. This process continues until you complete three and a half laps that culminate at Mount Marwa, with males jogging each time they pass the Green Alamein area. By following these Ihram steps, you will have successfully completed seven rounds in total.

After completing the tawaf guidance and the sa'i procedures, the Umrah visitor either shaves or trims his hair, thus fulfilling the Umrah rituals. For males, this involves shaving the entire head or shortening the hair, while females should cut an amount of 1-2 cm from the ends of their hair. Pilgrims have the option to postpone cutting their hair until they return to their residence, and may have it cut by themselves or others accompanying them. However, the prohibitions related to ihram steps remain in effect until the hair is shaved.