The Rites of Umrah: Step-by-Step Guide

The Rites of Umrah: Step-by-Step Guide

Pèlerins accomplissant les rites de l'Umrah à La Mecque
© Photo Pexels

Umrah Rites — Umrah consists of four fundamental rites, to which the traditional visit to Medina is added. This guide presents each step with its conditions, duas and practical tips.

Although not mandatory for Umrah, visiting Masjid An-Nabawi and the Rawdah is a strongly recommended Sunna.

The 4 Mandatory Rites of Umrah

1. Ihram — Entering the State of Sanctification

Ihram is both a spiritual state and a dress code. For men: two pieces of unsewn white cloth. For women: modest clothing covering the whole body except the face and hands. Entering ihram is done at the Miqat, accompanied by the Niyyah (intention) and the Talbiyah.

Although not mandatory for Umrah, visiting Masjid An-Nabawi and the Rawdah is a strongly recommended Sunna.

/ihram

Although not mandatory for Umrah, visiting Masjid An-Nabawi and the Rawdah is a strongly recommended Sunna.

2. Tawaf — The 7 Circuits Around the Kaaba

Tawaf consists of performing 7 circumambulations around the Kaaba counterclockwise, starting from the Black Stone. Each circuit begins and ends at Al-Hajar Al-Aswad. The 2 rak’ahs prayer behind the Maqam Ibrahim concludes Tawaf.

Although not mandatory for Umrah, visiting Masjid An-Nabawi and the Rawdah is a strongly recommended Sunna.

/tawaf

Although not mandatory for Umrah, visiting Masjid An-Nabawi and the Rawdah is a strongly recommended Sunna.

3. Sa’i — Between Safa and Marwa

Sa’i commemorates Hajar’s run between Safa and Marwa in search of water for her son Ishmael. 7 round-trips, starting from Safa. Today, the walk is done in the covered and air-conditioned corridor of the Mas’a.

Although not mandatory for Umrah, visiting Masjid An-Nabawi and the Rawdah is a strongly recommended Sunna.

/sai

Although not mandatory for Umrah, visiting Masjid An-Nabawi and the Rawdah is a strongly recommended Sunna.

4. Tahallul — Exiting the Ihram State

Tahallul marks the end of Umrah with a complete shave (men) or cutting a strand of hair (women). After Tahallul, all ihram restrictions are lifted.

Although not mandatory for Umrah, visiting Masjid An-Nabawi and the Rawdah is a strongly recommended Sunna.

/tahallul

Although not mandatory for Umrah, visiting Masjid An-Nabawi and the Rawdah is a strongly recommended Sunna.

The Visit to Medina

Although not mandatory for Umrah, visiting Masjid An-Nabawi and the Rawdah is a strongly recommended Sunna. /ziyarat-masjid-nabawi

Although not mandatory for Umrah, visiting Masjid An-Nabawi and the Rawdah is a strongly recommended Sunna.

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Although not mandatory for Umrah, visiting Masjid An-Nabawi and the Rawdah is a strongly recommended Sunna.

Hotels for Your Rites
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🛒 Books on Umrah Rites

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Although not mandatory for Umrah, visiting Masjid An-Nabawi and the Rawdah is a strongly recommended Sunna.

Umrah Rites Guide
Step-by-step guide — detailed

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Although not mandatory for Umrah, visiting Masjid An-Nabawi and the Rawdah is a strongly recommended Sunna.

Bilingual Arabic-French Quran
Pocket — for memorizing invocations

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Although not mandatory for Umrah, visiting Masjid An-Nabawi and the Rawdah is a strongly recommended Sunna.

Electronic Rosary
Digital dhikr counter — practical on the go

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Although not mandatory for Umrah, visiting Masjid An-Nabawi and the Rawdah is a strongly recommended Sunna.

🌏 Extend to Asia

Although not mandatory for Umrah, visiting Masjid An-Nabawi and the Rawdah is a strongly recommended Sunna.

Many pilgrims choose to extend with a trip to Asia. Find our Muslim Friendly guides on AsieHalal.

Although not mandatory for Umrah, visiting Masjid An-Nabawi and the Rawdah is a strongly recommended Sunna.

Asia Guide — AsieHalal →

Although not mandatory for Umrah, visiting Masjid An-Nabawi and the Rawdah is a strongly recommended Sunna.

eSIM for Staying Connected in Asia and the Middle East

Stay connected during your trip without roaming fees. We recommend Airalo for its competitive international eSIMs — perfect for Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. Discover Airalo eSIMs → (*)

Although not mandatory for Umrah, visiting Masjid An-Nabawi and the Rawdah is a strongly recommended Sunna.