Four simple steps
From entering Ihram at the Miqat to completing your Umrah, follow the journey in this order.
Make your intention (Niyyah) and enter Ihram
الإحرام
Before reaching the Miqat — the boundary point fixed according to your direction of travel — perform ghusl if possible, wear the Ihram garments, and pray two rak'ahs if you can; pilgrims flying in are usually advised to be in Ihram before boarding, or are told by the cabin crew when the flight is passing over the Miqat. Niyyah is made in the heart, not just spoken aloud, and simply means firmly intending 'Umrah for the sake of Allah' as you cross the boundary; from that moment, the same restrictions that apply during Hajj Ihram apply here too. Begin reciting the Talbiyah as soon as you enter Ihram and repeat it often — many pilgrims recite it continuously between the Miqat and arrival at the Haram — continuing until the moment you actually begin Tawaf, at which point it stops.
Read the full dua →Perform Tawaf — seven circuits of the Kaaba
الطواف
Each of the seven circuits begins and ends level with the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad), moving counter-clockwise with the Kaaba kept on your left shoulder throughout; you don't need to touch or kiss the Black Stone — a raised hand or a gesture toward it from a distance is enough, and is often safer given the crowds immediately around it. The first three circuits are traditionally walked briskly (Ramal) by men where conditions allow, while the remaining four are walked at a normal pace; there's no requirement to recite anything specific, so many pilgrims use the time for personal dua. Once the seven circuits are complete, pray two rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim if space allows, or anywhere else in the mosque if it's too crowded to reach — the obligation is the two rak'ahs, not the specific spot.
Read the full dua →Perform Sa'i between Safa and Marwah
السعي
Sa'i re-enacts Hajar's search for water for her infant son Ismail, walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times in total — Safa to Marwah counts as one, and Marwah back to Safa counts as the next, so you finish at Marwah rather than back where you started. It's recommended to climb a few steps up each hill and face the direction of the Kaaba to make dua, particularly at the start, though this isn't obligatory if crowds make it impractical. The walkway is now a long, covered, air-conditioned corridor with wheelchair lanes to the side, so pilgrims who cannot walk the distance comfortably have a straightforward alternative without needing to arrange anything in advance.
Read the full dua →Shave or trim your hair (Halq or Taqsir)
الحلق والتقصير
This single step ends Ihram completely for Umrah — unlike Hajj, there's no 'minor' and 'major' release, so every restriction lifts at once the moment your hair is cut. Men may shave the head fully or trim it evenly all over, with shaving generally considered more rewarding; women take a symbolic amount, roughly a fingertip's length, from the ends of their hair rather than cutting it short or shaving. Once this is done your Umrah is complete — you can change into regular clothes, and if you plan to perform Umrah again later on the same trip, you'll need to travel back out to a Miqat point (many pilgrims use Masjid Aisha in Makkah itself) before starting again.