Know Your Deen

Q: What are some things to recite at Umrah? Jazakallah!

A: Umrah Duas & easy to read Supplications from Quran. Chose those Duas that most resonate with your families needs.

May Allah accept your worship and grant you a beautiful journey, Insha’Allah, ameen.

Before Starting the Journey

بِسْمِ اللهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلى اللهِ وَلا حَوْلَ وَلا قُوَّةَ إِلاّ بِالله
Bismillāhi tawakkaltu ‘alā Allāh, wa lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh.
In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah; there is no might and no power except with Allah.

At the Miqat – Intention (Niyyah) for Umrah

اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ الْعُمْرَةَ فَيَسِّرْهَا لِيْ وَتَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّيْ
Allāhumma innī urīdul-‘umrah, fa-yassirhā lī wa taqabbalhā minnī.
O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah, so make it easy for me and accept it from me.

Talbiyah – Recite Often Until Tawaf Begins

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ
إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
Labbayka Allāhumma labbayk. Labbayka lā sharīka laka labbayk.
Innal-ḥamda wan-ni‘mata laka wal-mulk. Lā sharīka lak.
Here I am, O Allah, here I am. You have no partner. Truly, all praise, blessings, and sovereignty are Yours. You have no partner.

Upon Entering Masjid Al-Haram

اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ
Allāhumma iftaḥ lī abwāba raḥmatik.
O Allah, open for me the doors of Your mercy.

Tawaf (7 Circuits Around the Ka‘bah)

Start by making an intention, Raise hand as you do for Salah (men) and recite:

Bismillah, Walhamdulillah, Allah hu Akbar

Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone (each round):
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Rabbanā ātinā fid-dunyā ḥasanatan wa fil-ākhirati ḥasanatan wa qinā ‘adhāban-nār.
Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.

Other Duas: Make any personal supplications, dhikr (remembrance), or Quranic Duas in Arabic or your own language.

Sa‘i – Between Safa and Marwah (7 Times)

At Safa (facing the Ka‘bah):
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ
Innaṣ-Ṣafā wal-Marwata min sha‘ā’irillāh.
Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. (Qur’an 2:158)

Then say 3 times:
اللَّهُ أَكْبَر
Allāhu Akbar

Follow with:
لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ
لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Lā ilāha illallāh, waḥdahu lā sharīka lah. Lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamdu, wa huwa ‘alā kulli shay’in qadīr.
There is no god but Allah, alone, no partner. His is the dominion and praise, and He has power over all things.

During the walk (all rounds):
Repeat any dua — especially:
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً…
Or make personal duas for forgiveness, guidance, family, health, etc.

Dua When Drinking Zamzam

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا، وَرِزْقًا وَاسِعًا، وَشِفَاءً مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ
Allāhumma innī as’aluka ‘ilman nāfi‘an, wa rizqan wāsi‘an, wa shifā’an min kulli dā’.
O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, abundant provision, and healing from every illness.

Quranic Duas
For Parents

رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا
Rabbi irḥamhumā kamā rabbayānī ṣaghīrā.
My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up when I was small.

For Forgiveness (You, Parents & Believers)

رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْحِسَابُ
Rabbanā’ghfir lī wa li-wālidayya wa lil-mu’minīn yawma yaqūmul-ḥisāb.
Our Lord, forgive me, my parents, and the believers on the Day of Judgment.

For Ease & Clarity (Prophet Musa)

رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي
Rabbi ishraḥ lī ṣadrī wa yassir lī amrī.
My Lord, expand for me my chest and ease my task.

For Forgiveness (Prophet Adam)

رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ
Rabbanā ẓalamnā anfusanā wa in lam taghfir lanā wa tarḥamnā lanakūnanna minal-khāsirīn.
Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us and have mercy, we will be among the losers.

For Distress (Prophet Yunus)

لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
Lā ilāha illā Anta subḥānaka innī kuntu minaẓ-ẓālimīn.
There is no deity but You. Glory be to You! I was among the wrongdoers.

For Righteous End

رَبَّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّئَاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ الْأَبْرَارِ
Rabbanā faghfir lanā dhunūbanā wa kaffir ‘annā sayyi’ātinā wa tawaffanā ma‘al-abrār.
Our Lord, forgive our sins, remove our misdeeds, and make us die among the righteous.

For Family

رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ
وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا
Rabbanā hab lanā min azwājinā wa dhurriyyātinā qurrata a‘yunin waj‘alnā lil-muttaqīna imāmā.
Our Lord, grant us from among our spouses and children comfort to our eyes and make us leaders for the righteous.

For Children and Prayer (Prophet Ibrahim)

رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِي مُقِيمَ الصَّلَاةِ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِي
رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَاءِ
Rabbi’j‘alnī muqīmas-ṣalāti wa min dhurriyyatī, Rabbanā wa taqabbal du‘ā’.
My Lord, make me steadfast in prayer, and [also] from my descendants. Our Lord, accept my supplication.

For Guidance & Mercy

رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا
وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ
Rabbanā lā tuzigh qulūbanā ba‘da idh hadaytanā wa hab lanā min ladunka raḥmah.
Innaka anta al-Wahhāb.
Our Lord, do not deviate our hearts after You have guided us, and grant us from Yourself mercy. Truly, You are the Bestower.

For Patience & Victory

رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا
وَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ
Rabbanā afrigh ‘alaynā ṣabran wa thabbit aqdāmanā wa-nṣurnā ‘ala al-qawmil-kāfirīn.
Our Lord, pour upon us patience, make our feet firm, and grant us victory over the disbelievers.

When making your own Duas, start with praise of Allah, send blessings on the Prophet ﷺ, make your requests (for the Ummah, your community, family, and self), and end with praise again.

May Allah (SWT) take you and your loved ones with love, safety and goodness, and bring you back with safty and an accepted Umrah, ameen.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

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.

Q: As-Salaamu Alaikum,

If someone is planning to perform Umrah, should they go to Makkah or Madinah first? Where should they wear the Ihram? (Phone message)

A: WaAlaikum Salaam wa Rahmatullah WBR,
This is a beautiful and common question. For educational benefit, we share more than one may prefer, however, it is to benefit others as well. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, as it depends on personal circumstances and what brings the most ease and spiritual readiness for the Umrah. The journey of Umrah is filled with sacrifice, reward and spiritual transformation—may Allah (SWT) grant you and your family ease and acceptance, Ameen.

Option 1: Makkah First
Pros:
·         Since Umrah can only be performed in Makkah, going there first gets the major act of worship completed early.
·         After Umrah, you are out of Ihram and can start performing other acts of worship – Quran, Salah, feed the needy, and explore historical sights with ease. Your purpose has been fulfilled. Now it’s all extra credit on your extra credit.
·         Jet lag, fatigue or illness which generally people undergo Insha’Allah will not interfere with the rest of your stay.

Important Note for this Option:
·   You must be in Ihram before crossing the Miqat.
·   If flying into Jeddah, the Miqat is typically Qarn al-Manazil (also known as al-Sail al-Kabeer).
·  Airlines will announce when you are near the Miqat.
·   Wear the Ihram at the time the announcement is made, or wear the Ihram at the airport prior to takeoff. Wearing it at the airport sometimes allows one to shower at the airport, etc. Less hectic, more ease and more clean.
·   Once the pilot makes the announcement that soon we are to cross Meqaat, make your intention and recite the Talbiyah.
·   Some do not like to wear it at the airport of original take off, because once in Ihram, all the rules now apply to you, all impurity must be avoided, types of conversations etc. all get limited, etc.
Example: Flying from California:  Wearing Ihram on the plane (This can be very challenging, yet, I have seen people doing it. Lax to destination, too challenging and not so practical.)  

This method is not easy. It just brings more challenges upon the self, but gets the task done. If one is limited with time, etc. it may work out well.

Option 2: Madinah First
Pros:
·   Spiritually boost attained by visiting the Rasool ﷺ.
·   Rasool ﷺ said: Whoever visits my grave, my intercession will be guaranteed for him. (Understood meaning of Hadith.)
·   Madinah offers a peaceful and calming effect before the physically demanding rituals in Makkah.

Ihram Process from Madinah:
·   No Ihram is needed while getting to Madinah or being in Medinah and up to one getting to Miqat. Some prefer this. Less stressful. (More likely to get sick before Makkah, making aspects of Umrah a challenge, especially if with family)
·   When traveling to Makkah, you will pass the Miqat of Dhul-Hulayfah (Abyar Ali). The folks will let you know when it is time to wear the ihram.  This approach allows you to do more of the subtle and technical things as can be noted, and done with more ease.
·   What to do at the stop at Miqat: 1. Some have a shower, others already had a shower so they may make wudū. 2. Put on Ihram garments. 3. Pray 2 rakats (Sunnah) before making an intention. 4. Then make niyyah for Umrah. 5. Begin reciting the Talbiyah.
·  Now you are officially in the state of Ihram.

(make lots of Dua for the Ummah — May Allah (SWT) accept your family efforts! Ameen.)

Allah Certainly Knows Best.