The Step-by-Step Umrah Rituals
For beginners, here is the chronological breakdown of what you will perform during your first Umrah:
1. Ihram & Miqat
Before crossing the Miqat boundary (when flying from Lahore to Jeddah, the crew will announce this 20-30 minutes before arrival), you must enter the state of Ihram.
- For Men: Wear two white unsewn sheets of cotton or terry-cloth. One is wrapped around the waist (Izar), the other over the shoulders (Rida). No underwear, socks, or closed shoes are allowed. Wear open-toed sandals.
- For Women: Wear any modest, loose clothing (Abaya) covering the entire body except the face and hands. No specific color (like white) is mandatory, though preferred by many.
- Intention (Niyyah): Recite: "Labbayk Allahumma Umrah" (Here I am, O Allah, for Umrah). Begin reciting the Talbiyah aloud (for men) or silently (for women).
- Ihram Restrictions: No trimming of hair or nails, no scented soap, no perfume, no hunting or harming plants/animals, and no marital relations.
2. Tawaf (Kaaba Circles)
Enter Masjid al-Haram with your right foot first and recite the Masjid entrance du'a. Proceed to the Mataf (circumambulation area).
- Start Point: Start at the corner of the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad), marked by a green light on the Haram wall. Raise your right hand facing the Kaaba and say "Bismillah, Allahu Akbar".
- Circuits: Circle the Kaaba 7 times counter-clockwise. For men, it is Sunnah to perform the first 3 circuits at a brisk pace (Ramal) and with the right shoulder uncovered (Idtiba' - wrap the upper sheet under the right armpit and over the left shoulder).
- Maqam Ibrahim Prayer: After 7 circuits, cover your right shoulder. Pray 2 Rakat of voluntary prayer behind Maqam Ibrahim (or anywhere in the Haram). Drink Zamzam water from the dispensers.
3. Sa'i (Walking between Safa and Marwa)
Proceed to the hill of Safa (located inside the Haram extension building).
- Trips: Walk from Safa to Marwa (this counts as trip 1). Walk from Marwa back to Safa (trip 2). You will complete exactly 7 trips, ending at Marwa.
- Green Lights: Men should jog or quicken their pace between the green fluorescent lights mounted on the ceiling. Women continue walking at a normal pace.
- Du'as: Stop at the top of Safa and Marwa, face the Kaaba, and make personal du'as.
4. Halq or Taqsir (Exiting Ihram)
After finishing the 7th trip at Marwa, you must shave or cut your hair to exit the state of Ihram.
- For Men: Shaving the head completely (Halq) is highly recommended and carries greater spiritual reward. Trimming the hair equally all around (Taqsir) is also acceptable. Use authorized barbers outside the Marwa exit gates.
- For Women: Cut a small lock of hair (fingertip length, approx. 1 inch) from the end of their hair. Shaving the head is strictly prohibited for women.
- Completion: Once hair is cut, Ihram rules are lifted. You can take a shower, wear regular clothes, and apply perfume. Your Umrah is complete!
Umrah Terminology Dictionary for Beginners
To help you navigate your first pilgrimage, here is a glossary of key terms you will hear throughout your journey:
- Miqat: The geographical boundary points designated by the Prophet ﷺ where pilgrims intending to perform Hajj or Umrah must enter the state of Ihram.
- Ihram: The sacred state of physical and spiritual purity required for pilgrimage, symbolized by the two unsewn white garments for men.
- Talbiyah: The sacred prayer recited repeatedly by pilgrims once in Ihram: "Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk..."
- Tawaf: The ritual of walking around the Kaaba seven times counter-clockwise, starting from the corner of the Black Stone.
- Sa'i: The ritual walking back and forth seven times between the two hills of Safa and Marwa.
- Halq: Shaving the head completely (for men), marking the exit from the state of Ihram.
- Taqsir: Trimming the hair (for men or women), marking the exit from the state of Ihram.
- Ziyarah: Spiritual visits to historical sites in Makkah (e.g. Cave Hira, Mount Arafat) and Madinah (e.g. Masjid Quba, Mount Uhud).
Logistical Preparation — SIMs, Nusuk, and Currency
Aside from rituals, first-time pilgrims must handle important logistical steps:
- The Nusuk App Permit: The Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah requires all pilgrims to book their Umrah slot and their Rawdah visit (in Madinah) through the official Nusuk App. Permits are tied to your visa passport number. We assist you in setting up the app and booking slots before you leave Lahore.
- Saudi SIM Cards: You will need mobile data to show your Nusuk permits at checkpoints. You can buy a SIM card (STC, Mobily, Zain) at Jeddah KAIA Arrivals hall or near your hotel in Makkah for SAR 80-120. Carry your physical passport copy for registration.
- Exchanging Currency: Saudi Arabia is highly digitalized (cards are accepted almost everywhere), but carrying SAR 500-1,000 in cash is important for small purchases, tips, and barber payments. Exchange PKR to SAR at licensed exchange dealers in Lahore cantt before departure.
Physical Preparation for First-Time Pilgrims
Umrah is a physically demanding journey. A single Umrah ritual involves walking 4.5km during Tawaf and Sa'i, often in high temperatures. Prepare your body weeks before your departure from Pakistan:
- Start Walking Early: At least 4 weeks before your flight, begin walking 3–5km daily in Pakistan. This builds the cardiorespiratory stamina required to complete Tawaf and Sa'i without exhaustion.
- Shoe Selection is Vital: Do not wear brand new sandals on your first day. Break in your sandals at home. For men, choose open-toed, unsewn sandals that do not cover the ankle bones (required during Ihram). For women, supportive orthopedic walking shoes or sneakers are recommended.
- Hydration Habit: Practice drinking 3–4 liters of water daily. Once in Makkah, you will walk long distances in dry heat; proper hydration prevents muscle cramps and heat exhaustion.
Essential Mobile Applications for Your Journey
The Saudi Government has digitized most pilgrimage processes. Ensure these apps are downloaded and active on your smartphone:
| Application Name | Primary Use Case | Key Tips for First-Timers |
|---|---|---|
| Nusuk (Official) | Book Umrah permits and Madinah Rawdah visit slots. | Register using your Visa number and Passport immediately after visa approval. |
| Tawakkalna Emergency | Digital health passport and official ID verification. | Keep this updated as security check points may request it on arrival. |
| Google Maps | Navigate hotel streets and find historical ziyarah landmarks. | Download the offline map of Makkah and Madinah to save mobile data. |
| Careem / Kaiian | Book local taxis and private transfers between hotels and airports. | Avoid overpaying street taxis by using ride-sharing app standard rates. |
Frequently Asked Questions
The core Umrah rituals (Tawaf, Sa'i, Halq) take approximately 3–5 hours for a first-time pilgrim, including queuing and rest breaks. Many first-timers take longer because they wish to make du'a at each station. With a Moallim guide, the process is calm and clearly paced.
No — while memorising key du'as is recommended, it is not a ritual requirement. Many pilgrims read from a du'a book or phone app during Tawaf and Sa'i. Your Moallim will guide you through each station with appropriate du'as in both Arabic and Urdu translation.
Key essentials: unscented soap and toiletries, comfortable sandals for inside the Haram, Ihram sets (for men — bring 2), a small du'a booklet, extra cash (SAR), medication (if needed), a lightweight abaya for women, sunscreen for outdoor Ziyarat, and a reusable bottle for Zamzam. Full packing guidance is provided at the Tarbiyah session.
If a woman enters the state of Ihram and her cycle begins, she cannot enter Masjid al-Haram or perform Tawaf. She remains in Ihram restrictions at the hotel. Once her cycle ends, she performs Ghusl, goes to the Haram, and completes her Umrah. If her cycle does not end before departure, scholarly advice is provided during our briefing.
Wudu (ablution) is required for performing Tawaf. If you lose wudu, you must exit the circle, make wudu at the nearest toilets/ablution stations, return, and resume your Tawaf. According to the Hanafi school of thought, you should resume from the start of the circuit you were performing when wudu was lost. Wudu is recommended but not strictly mandatory for Sa'i.
Yes. You can perform additional Umrahs by traveling to Masjid Ayesha (Taneem) or Jirana to enter the state of Ihram again and returning to Masjid al-Haram. However, for your first trip, we recommend focusing on performing your first Umrah perfectly and dedicating extra days to voluntary Tawafs.
No. Umrah can be performed independently if you know the rituals and rules. However, for first-timers, having a Moallim helps prevent common mistakes and provides reassurance, which is why we include Moallim guidance in all beginner packages.
Once your Umrah visa is issued, download the Nusuk app and register as a visitor. Navigate to the Rawdah permit section, select the male or female slot, choose your preferred date and time, and save the active permit code. We assist all first-timers with this step during check-in.
No. Packing Zamzam water in regular checked bags is strictly banned by Saudi airport security. You must carry only the official 5-liter sealed bottle checked as separate cargo at the airport check-in desk.
Yes. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at major malls, supermarkets, hotels, and restaurants. However, cash (Saudi Riyals) is still required for taxi services, local street food stalls, and the official barbers at Marwa.