Q: What are some steps for Umrah?
A: Brief Umrah Guide (Hanafi Fiqh) — From Home to Makkah and back home.
Some of these are Must Do’s, some are recommendations.
Before Leaving Home
Make a sincere Niyyah in your heart for Umrah purely for Allah (SWT). Saying it aloud is good, especially for children.
نَوَيْتُ العُمْرَةَ لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى
Seek forgiveness from family, friends, and those you may have wronged. The goal is sincere forgiveness, not reopening wounds.
Perform Ghusl with the intention of preparing for Umrah.
Pack modest clothing and Ihram garments (men: two unstitched white cloths; women: modest, loose clothing but not excessively loose).
Avoid arguments, sins, and disputes before and during the journey. Intend no agitation, no yelling, no harsh words—everything is for Allah (SWT).
Prepare spiritually by recognizing this as a sacred journey. Start practicing duas and reciting the first Kalimah regularly.
On the Way to Miqat
As you approach the Miqat, make your Niyyah verbally or in your heart, preferably both:
اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الْعُمْرَةَ O Allah, here I am; I intend to perform Umrah.
Shower, enter into Ihram, pray 2 Rak’ahs before entering Ihram.
Begin reciting Talbiyyah gently and joyfully:
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكُ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
Once in Ihram: Avoid cutting hair or nails, using scented products, showing intimacy like behavior, harsh words, fighting and hunting (except harmful insects; give charity as compensation).
Practice patience and gentleness in crowds, airports, and transport. Ihram is a state of humility and self-restraint.
Arriving in Makkah
Upon entering Masjid al-Haram, continue reciting Talbiyyah.
Be in the state of Wudu before starting Tawaf. Enter calmly into the Sacred House. No 2 Rakats read for this funtion.
Performing Tawaf
Begin Tawaf at الحجر الأسود – Hajar al-Aswad) corner.
Raise your hands and say Allahu Akbar facing the Black Stone.
Kiss it if possible, otherwise touch with the right hand or point towards it each time you pass.
Complete seven counter-clockwise circuits around the Ka’aba.
Women maintain a moderate pace.
Remember the spiritual significance of the area, it is an area that was walked by Prophets.
After Tawaf, pray two Rak’ahs near Maqam Ibrahim if possible, or anywhere in the Musjid. CLoser to the Maqam Ibraheim, the better.
Drink Zamzam water after prayer in small sips while making dua:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا، وَرِزْقًا وَاسِعًا، وَشِفَاءً مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ O Allah, make it a cure, provision, and blessing.
Performing Sa’i (Between Safa and Marwah)
Proceed to Safa sid eof the hill, face the Ka’aba and recite:
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ (Qur’an 2:158)
Say Allahu Akbar and start walking towards Marwah.
Men again should rapidly walk back and forth 7 times, ending at Marwah. Woman at a slower pace.
The focus is on worship—avoid loud talking or joking, laughing at peoples slip and falls is never good. If someone needs help, its okay to help them, one cannot be so focused that they ignore the pain of others or create pain for others. Use this time for dua, dhikr, and reflection.
Many make personal prayers here for forgiveness, guidance, and blessings—this is a special, blessed part of Umrah.
Halq or Taqsir (Finishing Ihram)
Men must either shave their heads completely (Halq, preferred) or trim hair (Taqsir) by at least a fingertip length.
Women trim a small amount of hair (about a fingertip length).
This ends Ihram and you may resume normal activities.
While in Makkah
Stay in Wudu as much as possible.
Avoid gossip, backbiting, quarrels and sinsor even doubtful things.
Spend your time praying, making dhikr, and sincere dua.
Use your time in the Haram for reflection, Quran reading, and spiritual connection.
After Leaving Makkah
Continue reciting Talbiyyah until you exit the Miqat boundary on your return journey.
Maintain Ihram restrictions until you have fully exited the Miqat.
Once exited, remove Ihram garments and change into regular clothes.
General Do’s and Don’ts (Hanafi Fiqh)
Do’s:
Maintain wudu regularly, offer voluntary prayers, and make frequent dua.
Be very calm, especially with family. Every anger would be remembered by your families.
Recite Quran and send salutations on the Prophet (SAW).
Dress modestly and keep behavior humble.
Don’ts (especially in Ihram):
Do not cut hair or nails.
Avoid perfumes, scented soaps, or oils.
Do not argue, raise your voice, or fight.
Men should not cover their heads with caps; women should not cover faces or wear gloves.
No shared intimacy until Ihram ends.
Do not hunt or harm any living creatures.
In Madinah (Going to madinah is optional, highly recommended)
Visit Masjid an-Nabawi, the Prophet’s Mosque.
Send salutations on the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and visit the Rawdah (the garden inside the mosque); note access may require a permit.
Get a book on 40 Durood. Read as much from it on the way to madinah. Or read any basic Durood you know. Read the short version at least 1000 times.
Visit other sacred sites like Masjid Quba and Mount Uhud for spiritual enrichment.
After Returning Home
Read 2 rakats. Make dua of shukar gratitude for a safe and blessed journey.
After every salah, ask Allah (SWT) to accept your Umrah efforts.
Maintain the spiritual benefits by continuing prayers, dhikr, and good deeds.
Allah Certainly Knows Best.
P.s. Not good at typesetting, we will work on it.
