Ihram, Tawaf, Sa'i and Halq explained simply — the four acts of Umrah, what to recite and the mistakes pilgrims make most often.
Umrah is made of four acts: Ihram, Tawaf, Sa'i and Halq (or Taqsir). Most pilgrims complete them in three to four hours. Here is each step in order.
1. Ihram — before you cross the Miqat
Ihram is the sacred state you enter, with an intention (niyyah), before passing your Miqat — the boundary set for pilgrims coming towards Makkah.
- Before ihram: take a bath (ghusl), trim nails and hair if needed, and apply unscented items only.
- Men wear two plain, unstitched white sheets (the izar and rida) and sandals that leave the ankle bone uncovered.
- Women wear ordinary modest clothing of any colour; the face and hands stay uncovered (no niqab or gloves while in ihram).
- Make the intention for Umrah and begin the Talbiyah:
Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayk la sharika laka labbayk, innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak.
Flying into Jeddah? Jeddah is inside the Miqat, so put on your ihram before or during the flight and make your intention when the crew announces that the aircraft is passing the Miqat.
While in ihram avoid: perfume, cutting hair or nails, hunting, marital relations, and — for men — covering the head or wearing stitched clothing.
2. Tawaf — seven circuits around the Kaaba
- Stop the Talbiyah when you begin Tawaf.
- Start at the line of the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad); face it, raise your right hand and say Bismillah, Allahu Akbar.
- Walk seven circuits anticlockwise, keeping the Kaaba on your left. Each circuit ends back at the Black Stone line.
- Men uncover the right shoulder (idtiba') during this Tawaf and walk briskly (raml) in the first three circuits if space allows.
- Between the Yemeni corner and the Black Stone recite: Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah, wa fil-akhirati hasanah, wa qina 'adhaban-nar.
- There is no fixed dua for each circuit — pray in your own words and language.
After Tawaf, pray two rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim if possible (anywhere in the mosque is fine when it is crowded) and drink Zamzam.
3. Sa'i — between Safa and Marwah
- Go to the hill of Safa, face the Kaaba, praise Allah and make dua.
- Walk to Marwah — that is one lap. Marwah back to Safa is the second.
- Complete seven laps, finishing at Marwah. Men jog lightly between the green lights.
- Wheelchairs and electric carts are available on the upper floors for elderly pilgrims.
4. Halq or Taqsir — leaving ihram
- Men shave the head (halq, the better option) or trim the hair evenly all over (taqsir).
- Women cut a lock about the length of a fingertip.
Your Umrah is now complete and the restrictions of ihram are lifted. Alhamdulillah.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Crossing the Miqat without entering ihram (this requires a sacrifice, dam).
- Starting Tawaf away from the Black Stone line or walking through the Hijr Ismail (the semicircle is part of the Kaaba).
- Losing count — keep a simple counter or count on your fingers.
- Forgetting to check the Nusuk app for the latest permit and booking rules before you travel.
Plan it with us
We arrange your hotel by the Haram, the airport transfer timed to your flight, and a guide who can walk you through your first Umrah. Message us on WhatsApp for a fixed quote — a real person replies, usually within minutes.
Cover photo: Masjid al-Haram, Tawaf by Basheer Olakara, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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