The four steps of Umrah in order, its conditions, pillars and obligations, and the differences for men and women, plus the practical side most guides skip: entering ihram on the plane, the Nusuk permit and first-timer mistakes.
Umrah has only four steps: ihram, tawaf, sa’i, and shaving or trimming the hair. But first-timers have plenty of questions. When do I make my intention if I am on a plane? What becomes forbidden once I am in ihram? What is the difference between a pillar and an obligation? What do women do differently? This guide explains how to perform Umrah step by step and in order, summarises the conditions, pillars and obligations as most scholars state them, and adds the practical layer a pilgrim flying in from the UK or Europe needs.
Umrah in four steps
Conditions, pillars and obligations of Umrah
Conditions: being Muslim, sane, adult, and physically and financially able. A child’s Umrah is valid as a voluntary act. Pillars (according to most scholars): ihram, tawaf and sa’i; Umrah is not complete without them. Obligations: entering ihram from the miqat, and shaving or trimming the hair; most scholars say a missed obligation is made up with a sacrifice. Recommended acts include a ritual bath before ihram, the talbiyah, two rak’ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim after tawaf, and drinking Zamzam water. Women have specific rulings on travelling with a mahram and on ihram clothing. Current Saudi regulations allow women to perform Umrah as part of an organised group, and it is wise to ask a scholar you trust about your own situation. For the basics, read what Umrah is and how it differs from Hajj.
Entering ihram
Before the miqat, it is recommended to bathe and clean yourself. Men wear two white unstitched sheets (izar and rida) and sandals; women wear their normal modest clothing, without a face veil or gloves. Then make the intention in your heart to enter Umrah and say Labbayka Allahumma ‘Umrah, and begin the talbiyah: Labbayka Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk, innal-hamda wan-ni‘mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak. On the plane: change into ihram before take-off or on board, and make your intention when the aircraft is level with the miqat. Most airlines flying from the UK to Jeddah announce it before landing. If you are flying to Madinah first, you enter ihram later, at Dhul Hulayfah, when you leave Madinah for Makkah. Our guide to the five miqat and entering ihram on a plane explains exactly when to make your intention.
Once in ihram, avoid: cutting hair or nails, perfume, marriage contracts and marital relations, and hunting. Men must not wear stitched, fitted clothing or cover their heads; women must not wear a face veil or gloves. Anything done by genuine mistake or ignorance carries no penalty, but stop as soon as you realise.
Tawaf around the Kaaba
Enter Masjid al-Haram with your right foot and head for the Black Stone line. Touch it or point to it and say Bismillah, Allahu Akbar. Walk seven circuits with the Kaaba on your left; each circuit starts and ends at the Black Stone. In this tawaf, men uncover the right shoulder (idtiba) and walk briskly with short steps (raml) for the first three circuits. Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone, say Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah, wa fil-akhirati hasanah, wa qina ‘adhaban-nar; there is no fixed supplication for the rest of the circuits, so make your own. After tawaf, pray two rak’ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim if possible, or anywhere in the mosque, then drink Zamzam water. For the exact words at each stage, see our Umrah duas step by step.
Sa’i between Safa and Marwah
Go to Safa and recite Innas-safa wal-marwata min sha‘a’irillah, face the Kaaba and make supplication. Then walk to Marwah; that is one lap. Walking back to Safa is the second, and so on until you finish seven laps at Marwah. Men walk briskly between the green lights; women walk at a normal pace. Most scholars do not require wudu for sa’i, although it is better to have it, and wheelchairs and electric carts are available for elderly pilgrims.
Halq or taqsir
Men shave the whole head, which is better, or trim hair evenly from the whole head. Women cut a fingertip’s length, about one centimetre, from the ends of their hair. Your Umrah is then complete and all ihram restrictions are lifted. There are many barbers near the Marwah end.
Men vs women: what is different
Clothing: men wear the two sheets; women wear modest clothes without a face veil or gloves. Idtiba and raml: men only. Sa’i: walking briskly between the green lights is for men only. Completion: men shave or trim; women only trim. Menstruation: a woman whose period starts after entering ihram stays in ihram until it ends, then performs tawaf.
Before you fly: the practical side
Visa and permit: you need a visa that allows Umrah, an Umrah slot booked in the Nusuk app, and the ACWY meningitis vaccine certificate. Timing: Umrah usually takes two to four hours depending on crowds; late night and the hours after Fajr tend to be calmer. Where to stay: staying close to the Haram saves energy between tawaf and sa’i. UK pilgrims can compare Umrah packages from the UK and Makkah hotels near the Haram, and choose dates with our guide to the best time for Umrah. Use our Umrah checklist and packing list so nothing is forgotten. If you hold a UK passport, our guide to the Umrah visa from the UK compares the ETA, the e-Visa and the visa waiver.
Common first-timer mistakes
Passing the miqat without entering ihram, especially on a plane. Putting on perfume or using scented soap after making the intention. Starting tawaf away from the Black Stone line. Losing count of circuits; if in doubt, go with the lower number. Pushing through crowds to touch the Black Stone; pointing to it is enough. And, for men, trimming just a few hairs instead of trimming from the whole head.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Umrah take?
Usually two to four hours, longer in Ramadan and at peak times.
Can I perform more than one Umrah on the same trip?
Yes. Someone already in Makkah goes outside the sacred boundary, usually to Masjid Aisha at Al-Tan’im, to enter ihram, and books a new permit on Nusuk.
Browse our Umrah packages from the UK.
Yuusr.com helps pilgrims plan Umrah with confidence: flights, hotels near the two Holy Mosques, transfers and Nusuk guidance.