1 Entering Masjid Al-Haram
Upon arrival in Makkah, proceed to the Masjid Al-Haram. The sight of the Kaaba is a momentous spiritual event.
🚪 Dua for Entering the Mosque
بِسْمِ اللهِ وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ، اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ
Bismillahi was-salatu was-salamu 'ala Rasulillah. Allahumma aftah lee abwaba rahmatik
"In the name of Allah, and peace and blessings upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, open for me the doors of Your mercy."
💡 First Sight of Kaaba: It is traditional to make a heartfelt Dua upon first seeing the Kaaba, as this is considered a time of acceptance. Pause, lower your gaze, then look at the House of Allah with awe and gratitude.
2 Tawaf - Circumambulation
Tawaf consists of seven counter-clockwise circuits around the Kaaba.
- Idtiba (Men only): Expose the right shoulder by passing the Ihram sheet under the right armpit and over the left shoulder
- Starting Point: Align with the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad). A green light on the wall indicates the line
- Raise your right hand toward the Stone and say: "Bismillahi Allahu Akbar"
- Raml (Men only, first 3 rounds): Walk briskly with chest out, demonstrating strength
- Rounds 4-7: Walk at a normal pace
- At the Yemeni Corner: Touch it if possible, but don't kiss it
🤲 Dua Between Yemeni Corner and Black Stone
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina 'adhaban-nar
"Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the Fire."
After 7 Rounds: Cover your right shoulder. Proceed to Maqam Ibrahim and pray 2 Rak'ahs. Recite Surah Al-Kafirun in the first Rak'ah and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second. Then drink Zamzam water.
3 Sa'i - Walking Between Safa and Marwah
Sa'i commemorates Hajar's (Hagar's) frantic search for water for her infant son Ismail.
🏔️ At Safa (Start)
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللهِ
Innas-Safa wal-Marwata min sha'a'irillah
"Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah."
- Climb the slope of Safa until the Kaaba is visible
- Face the Kaaba, raise hands, and make Dua
- Say "Allahu Akbar" three times, then the Dua of Safa
- Descend and walk toward Marwah
- Green Lights Section: Men should jog/run briskly through this section. Women walk normally.
- At Marwah, climb, face Qiblah, and make Dua
- Return to Safa - this completes TWO laps
- Continue until you complete 7 laps, ending at Marwah
📏 Counting the Laps
Safa → Marwah = 1 lap
Marwah → Safa = 2 laps
...
End at Marwah = 7 laps ✓
4 Halq or Taqsir - Exiting Ihram
Upon completing the seventh lap at Marwah:
- Men (Halq): It is preferred to shave the entire head. The Prophet ﷺ prayed for those who shave three times, and for those who trim only once.
- Men (Taqsir): If not shaving, trim hair from all sides of the head (at least fingertip length)
- Women: Gather the hair and cut approximately one fingertip length (about 1 inch) from the ends. Do NOT shave.
✅ Umrah Complete! With the cutting of hair, all Ihram restrictions are lifted. You return to a "Halal" state and may wear normal clothes, use perfume, etc. If performing Hajj al-Tamattu, wait in Makkah until 8th Dhul-Hijjah.
⏱️ Physical Demand Summary
Umrah requires significant walking:
- Tawaf: ~1.5 - 2.5 km (depending on crowd radius)
- Sa'i: ~3.0 - 3.5 km (fixed distance)
- Transit: ~1.0 km
- Total: Approximately 5-7 km
💡 Tips for Umrah
- Perform Umrah during off-peak hours (after Fajr or late night) for less crowding
- Stay hydrated - drink Zamzam water frequently
- There are no fixed Duas for each round - make personal supplications
- Do NOT push to kiss the Black Stone - pointing from a distance is sufficient
- Wheelchairs are available for those who need assistance