Umrah Guide: Riteful Steps

Overview

Step-by-step practical guide to performing Umrah, covering intention, Ihram, Miqat, Talbiyah, Tawaf, prayer at Maqam Ibrahim, Sa’i between Safa and Marwa, and hair cutting/shaving. Includes key rulings, Sunnah practices, and common mistakes to avoid.

Intention, Knowledge, and Acceptance

• Umrah requires correct intention; deeds are judged by intentions.
• First Umrah must be done for yourself; only then can you perform on behalf of others.
• Two pillars for acceptance emphasized: correct intention and knowledge of rites.
• Add conditional clause (dua) at miqat to be excused if prevented from completing.

Ihram: Clothing and Restrictions

• Men wear izar (lower garment) and rida (upper sheet); enter Ihram at miqat.
• Before Ihram: allowed to bathe, trim nails, apply perfume; after Ihram: these are prohibited.
• Once in Ihram: no perfume/ scented soaps, no trimming nails/hair, no marital relations.
• If offered perfume unintentionally while in Ihram, decline; unintentional contact has no penalty.

Miqat and Entering Ihram

• Must enter Ihram at or before miqat on air or land routes; cannot pass miqat and delay Ihram to hotel.
• In Medina, use Dhu’l-Hulayfah (Abyar Ali); there are five miqat points depending on route.
• Make intention and utter Talbiyah at miqat; pray two rak‘ahs (Sunnah) there if feasible.
• Conditional dua meaning: if prevented, exit Ihram where stopped; useful for unexpected menses.

Women’s Clothing and Rulings

• Women wear normal modest clothing; cover properly including feet.
• Niqab (tied face covering) not permitted in Ihram; loose cloth draped over face is allowed if needed.
• If menses starts before Tawaf: do all rites except Tawaf until pure; maintain Ihram.

Talbiyah

• Recite Talbiyah from miqat until seeing the Kaaba.
• Meaning affirms Allah’s oneness, dominion, and rejection of shirk.
• Stop Talbiyah when the Kaaba comes into view.

Entering Masjid al-Haram

• Enter with wudu; purity required for Tawaf.
• Enter with right foot and standard masjid dua.
• Practical tip: carry a small bag for slippers to avoid loss.

Tawaf (Circumambulation)

• Begin at the Black Stone; for first time only: raise hand, say “Bismillah, Allahu Akbar,” then start.
• Subsequent rounds: raise hand and say “Allahu Akbar” when aligned with Black Stone.
• Complete seven anti-clockwise circuits; start and end at the Black Stone line.
• Men uncover right shoulder during Tawaf, then cover before praying.
• Between Yemeni Corner and Black Stone recite: “Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah…”; otherwise make any dua/Qur’an.
• Do not push or harm others; avoid innovations like unnecessary kissing gestures away from the Stone.
• If wudu breaks, exit, renew wudu, and resume.

Two Rak‘ahs at Maqam Ibrahim

• After Tawaf, cover both shoulders; pray two rak‘ahs near Maqam Ibrahim if possible.
• First rak‘ah: Surat al-Kafirun; second: Surat al-Ikhlas (as taught).
• If crowded, pray anywhere in the general area or en route to Sa’i; omission by forgetfulness does not invalidate Umrah.

Sa’i: Safa and Marwa

• Recite the Quranic verse about Safa and Marwa when heading to Sa’i.
• At Safa, face the Kaaba, raise hands, repeat the prescribed dhikr three times, make lengthy dua between repetitions.
• Path count: Safa→Marwa (1), Marwa→Safa (2) … end on Marwa at (7).
• Men jog between green markers; women do not jog.
• Make personal duas/Qur’an; avoid loud group incantations unless assisting someone unable.
• Wheelchairs available; typical cost mentioned was 100 riyals for assistance along dedicated path.

Hair Cutting/Shaving and Completing Umrah

• Completion occurs after Sa’i and hair cutting/shaving.
• Men: best to shave entire head; trimming all around at one level is allowed.
• Women: cut a small amount from all hair in private (e.g., hotel room); do not expose hair in public.
• Barbers are readily available outside near the clock tower; typical shave price cited as 10 riyals.

Practical Navigation Tips

• After finishing at Marwa, exit via nearby stair/exit to reach outside barber area.
• Follow signage (e.g., “barber shop”) toward clock tower side for men’s barbers.

Common Mistakes and Warnings

• Passing miqat without Ihram and intending to don it at hotel.
• Perfuming or scented products after entering Ihram.
• Group shouting and innovations during Tawaf/Sa’i; stick to Sunnah.
• Pushing toward the Black Stone and harming others.
• Women exposing hair publicly for cutting.

Structured Steps Summary

Decisions

• Follow the Sunnah precisely for acceptance and safety; avoid innovations and harmful crowd practices.
• Use wheelchair services when needed to prevent hardship.

Action Items

• Prepare Ihram garments and unscented toiletries; pack slipper bag.
• Review miqat location for your route; be ready to enter Ihram before passing.
• Memorize key duas: Talbiyah; dua between Yemeni Corner and Black Stone; Safa/Marwa dhikr.
• Plan barbershop route post-Marwa (men); arrange private hair cutting tools (women).