What is Umrah in Islam?

Performing Umrah is a sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him). It’s an act of worshipping Allah that clears all the sins and purifies the heart and soul.

The prophet (peace and blessing be upon him said):

“Follow up the Hajj and Umrah, because they certainly remove poverty and sins as fire separates the impurities from iron, gold, and silver.”

There are many virtues of performing Umrah and we will learn all of them and how to perform Umrah throughout the article.

What is performing Umrah In Islam?

Umrah in Islam is an act of visiting the Kaaba (the Sacred House of Allah). it can be performed at any time of the year by any capable Muslim.

When performing Umrah, Muslims perform Tawaf around the Kaaba then they go to Safa and Marwa to perform Sa’I.

The rules for Umrah include:

For a person to be a Muslim.
The person should be mature, i.e have reached puberty.
To be sane.
Capable of performing Umrah Financially and Physically.
The person should be safe during the trip to Umrah (afford safe transport).

What are the rituals of Umrah?

Here we will walk you through the rituals of Umrah and how to perform them step by step.

How to perform Umrah in Islam

Here’s how you can perform Umrah in easy steps:

To be in the state of Ihram do the following:

Clip your nails and remove any unwanted hair.
Take a bath (Ghusl) or perform Wudu.
Wear the Ihram clothing before the departure of your flight.
After wearing the Ihram clothing Pray salat Ihram. By praying two Rakat and reciting surah al-Kafirun in the first Rakah and surah Ikhlas in the second. Then Make a dua after finishing the prayer.
When you are near the Miqat make your intention to perform Umrah in Islam. And recite the Talbiyah as follows:

لَبَّيْكَ اللهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ – لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ – إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ – لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ –

Labbayka llāhumma labbayk(a), labbayka lā sharīka laka labbayk(a), inna l-ḥamda wa n-ni’mata, laka wa l-mulk(a), lā sharīka lak.

English translation: At Your service, Allah, at Your service. At Your service, You have no partner, at Your service. Truly all praise, favor, and sovereignty are Yours. You have no partner.

Send Salawat (peace and blessings) to the prophet.
When entering Makkah keep reciting Talbiyah, Dhikr, and Salawat on the Prophet.

You may recite the following Dua when entering the Haram:

اَللَّهُمَّ هَذَا حَرَمُكَ وَأَمْنُكَ فَحَرِّمْنِي عَلَى النَّارِ، وَأَمِنِّي مِنْ عَذَابِكَ يَوْمَ تَبْعَثُ عِبَادَكَ، وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنْ أَوْلِيَائِكَ وَأَهْلِ طَاعَتِكَ.

Allāhumma hādhā ḥaramuka wa amnuka fa ḥarrimnī ‘ala-n-Nār, wa amminnī min ‘adhābika yawma tab’athu ‘ibādak, wa j‘alnī min awliyā’ika wa ahli ṭā’atik.

“Allah, this is Your sanctuary and security, so make me unlawful to Hell-Fire, make me safe from Your punishment on the day You resurrect Your servants, and make me one of Your friends and one of the people who obey You.”

Entering Masjid al-Haram:

Enter Masjid al-Haram with your right foot and recite the entering the mosque Dua. You can recite one of the following mosque’s Dua:

.بِسْمِ اللهِ، اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ. اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَافْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِك

Bismi-llāh, Allāhumma ṣalli alā Muhammad. Allāhumma-ghfir lī wa-ftaḥ lī abwāba raḥmatik.

“In the name of Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad ﷺ. O Allah, open for me the doors of Your Bounty.”

أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ الْعَظِيمِ، وَبِوَجْهِهِ الْكَرِيمِ، وَسُلْطَانِهِ الْقَدِيمِ، مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

A‘ūdhu bi-llāhi-l-Aẓīm, wa bi-wajhihi-l-karīm, wa sulṭānihi-l-qadīm, mina-sh-Shayṭāni-r-rajīm.

“I seek protection in Allah the Tremendous, His Noble Countenance, and His pre-eternal Sovereign Might from Shaytan the rejected.”

Head to the Kaaba and when you see it recite “Allah Akbar, Allah Akbar, LA illah ila Allah” three times. Then make Dua and Salawat.

When you first see the Kaaba for the first time recite Dua (supplications), wish for all the things you want it to come true. Kaaba is one of the places where all prayers and Duas are answered. And send prayers upon the prophet (peace and blessing be upon him)

Umar ibn al-Khattab I narrated:

“Dua is suspended between heaven and earth and none of it is taken up until you send blessings upon your Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him). “

Also, it is a sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) to recite the following Dua:

اَللَّهُمَّ زِدْ أَهْلَ هَذَا الْبَيْتَ تَشْرِيفاً وَتَعْظِيماً وَتَكْرِيماً وَمَهَابَةً، وَزِدْ مَنْ شَرَّفَهُ وَكَرَّمَهُ مِمَّنْ حَجَّهُ أَوْ اعْتَمَرَهُ تَشْرِيفاً وَتَكْرِيماً وَتَعْظِيماً وَبِرّاً.

Allāhumma zid hādhā-l-Bayta tashrīfan wa ta’ẓīman wa takrīman wa mahābah, wa zid man sharrafahu wa karramahu mimman ḥajjahu awi-’tamarahu tashrīfan wa takrīman wa ta’ẓīman wa birrā.

“Allah, increase this House in honor, esteem, respect, and reverence. And increase those who honor and respect it—of those who perform Hajj or ‘Umrah in Islam—in honor, respect, esteem, and piety.”

اَللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلاَمُ وَمِنْكَ السَّلَامُ، حَيِّنَا رَبَّنَا بِالسَّلاَمِ.

Allāhumma Anta-s-Salāmu wa minka-s-salām, ḥayyinā Rabbanā bi-s-salām.

“O Allah, you are Peace, and from You is peace. Make us live, Lord, in peace.”

Start the Tawf: go to the Hajar al-Aswad. If you can’t see it there will be a green light on the wall to mark its position.

Make your intention by reciting:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ طَوَافَ بَيْتِكَ الْحَرَامِ فَيَسِّرْهُ لِيْ وَتَقَبَّلْهُ مِنِّيْ

Allāhumma innī urīdu l-ṭawwafa baytika l-ḥarāmi fa yassirhu lī wa taqabbalhu minnī.

“O Allah, I intend to perform Tawaf of the Sacred Mosque, so accept it from me and make it easy for me.”

You may also say the following Dua:

“O Allah, I intend to perform the Tawaf of Umrah of the Kaaba for your sake and your sake alone. Please accept it from me and make it easy for me.”

Perform the Istilam: Touch or kiss the Hajar al-Aswad if you can reach it. If you can’t then raise your hand to your ears and recite:

Bismillahi Allauhu akbar wa lillahil hamd.

“ I begin with the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest, and all Praise be to Allah.”

Circle around the Kaaba anticlockwise while reciting Duas, Dhikr, Salwat, or Quran.

When you are between the Rukn al-Yamani and the Hajar al-Aswad recite:

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Raubanaa aatinaa fiddunya hasanah wa fil akhirauti hasanah wa qinaa a’zab annaar.

“O our Lord, grant us the good of this world, the good of the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the fire.”

When you reach the Hajar al-Aswad you’ve completed one circle. Do the second by performing Istilam.

You can recite the following Dua when you reach the black stone every time:

سْمِ اللَّهِ وَاللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُمَّ إِيْمَاناً بِكَ وَتَصْدِيْقاً بِكِتَابِكَ، وَوَفَاءً بِعَهْدِكَ، وَاتِّبَاعاً لِسُنَّةِ نَبِيِّكَ مُحَمَّدْ

Bismi llāhi wa llāhu akbar, Allāhumma īmānan bika wa taṣdīqan bi kitābika wa wafā’an bi ahdika wattibā’an li sunnati nabiyyika Muḥammadin (peace and blessing be upon him).

“In the name of Allah, Allah is the greatest. O Allah, out of faith in You, conviction in Your book, in fulfilment of Your covenant, and in emulation of Your Prophet’s Sunnah (peace and blessing be upon him).”

Repeat this process seven times.

When you finish the Tawaf pray two Rakat whether in the Masjid or in a place where Maqam Ibrahim is between the KAbaa and you. Recite surah al-Kafirun in the first Rakah and surah Ikhlas in the second. Then Make a dua after finishing the prayer.

Drink the water of Zamzam and make Dua.

After drinking the water you can recite the following Dua:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا وَ رِزْقًا وَاسِعًا وَ شِفَاءً مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ

Allahumma innī as’aluka ‘ilman nāfi’an, wa rizqan wāsi’an, wa ‘amalan mutaqabbalan, wa shifā’an min kulli dā’.

“O Allah, I ask You for knowledge that is beneficial, provision that is abundant, and a cure from every illness.”

Face the Kaaba and make Dua, but it’s better to go between the door of the Kaaba and Hajar al-Aswad. Touch the door and make Dua, if you can reach it.

Perform final Istilam.

When performing the Tawaf make Dua and Supplications, and wish for everything you want. Because during Tawaf all Dua and supplications are accepted and don’t forget to send prayer upon the prophet (peace and blessing be upon him).

Sa’i of Safa and Marwa (a mandatory step of Umrah):

When going to Safa and Marwa it is a sunnah to recite the following verse followed by the second Dua, and you should recite them one time only:

ِإِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ

Inna ṣ-ṣafā wa l-marwata min sha’ā’iri llāh(i).

“Indeed, Safa and Marwa are from the Signs of Allah.” [Surah al-Baqarah, 158]

أَبْدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللهُ بِهِ

Abda’u bimā bad’allahu bihi.

“I begin with that which Allah has begun with.”

Go to the hill of Safa and Marwa and make your intention.
Face the Kaaba and say “Allah Akbar”, “La Ila Illa Allah”, send Salawat upon the prophet, and Make Dua, make as much Dua as you can. It’s also a sunnah to recite the following Dua:

اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلّٰهِ الْحَمْدُ

Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, wa lillāhi l-ḥamd.

“Allah is the greatest; Allah is the greatest; Allah is the greatest, and to Allah belongs all praise.”

لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

Lā ilāha illallāh waḥdahu lā sharīka lah(u), lahu l-mulku wa lahu l-ḥamdu yuḥyī wa yumīt(u), wa huwa ‘alā kulli shay’in qadīr.

“There is no deity except Allah, alone without a partner. To Him belongs the Dominion, and to Him belongs all praise. He gives life and death and He has power over everything.”

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اَللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ، اَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَهَزَمَ اَلْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ

Lā ilāha illallāhu waḥdah(u), anjaza wa’dahu wa naṣara ‘abdahu wa hazama l-aḥzāba waḥdah.

“There is no deity except Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, supported His slave, and defeated the confederates alone.”

It is a sunnah to recite this dua three times and between each one make your own Dua and wish for everything you want.

Head to Marwa.
When walking between Safa and Marwa make Dua, Dhikr, read Quran, and send Salawat.
When you reach Marwa hill do as you did at Safa. say “Allah Akbar”, “La Ila Illa Allah”, send Salawat upon the prophet, and Make Dua.
You will go back and forth between the Safa and Marwah, seven times (you will finish at Marwa).
Make Dua after you finish and then pray two Rakat in the Mosque.

Halq or Taqsir:

When exiting the Masjid exit with your left foot and recite the leaving the masjid Dua.

The last step to finish the Umrah is for men to shave or at least cut an inch of their hair head and women to trim their hair.

What is the virtue of Umrah in Ramadan?

Performing Umrah during Ramadan is the best time, here’s a hadith that shows its virtue:

The reward for performing Umrah in Ramadan.

The prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said to a woman: “When it is Ramadan, perform Umrah then, for Umrah during it is equivalent to Hajj.”

Umrah can be performed at any time but it’s better to perform it in the month of Ramadan.

the prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) told him, “If you carried her upon it for Hajj, it will still be in the path of Allah.” She also told me to ask you (SAW), “What equals a Hajj with you O Nabi of Allah? Nabi (SAW) said, “Convey my greetings to her and inform her that Umrah performed in the month of Ramadan is equal to Hajj performed with me.”

Umme Ma’qal narrated that he said to the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him), “O Nabi of Allah, I am a very old and sickly lady. Is there any action that I can do which will be sufficient for my Hajj the prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) told her, Umrah performed in the month of Ramadan equals Hajj.”

What is the reward of performing Umrah?

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said, “An Umrah to another Umrah will be the redemption of sins for whatever (minor) occurs between them.”

Ibne Mas’ood narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said, “Follow up the Hajj and Umrah because they certainly remove poverty and sins as fire separates the impurities from iron, gold, and silver.”

Umar bin Khattab narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said, “Follow up between the Hajj and Umrah because certainly succession between the two of them increases the life span and dispels poverty and sins as fire removes impurities.”

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said, “The Jihad of the elderly, weak and the woman is undertaking the Hajj and Umrah.”

Umar bin Abasa narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said, “Two actions are considered to be the most virtuous of actions, unless if someone performs them in the same way. They are an accepted Hajj and an accepted Umrah.”

Ibn Umar narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said, “The warrior in the cause of Allah, the pilgrim, and the one who is performing Umrah are all the delegation of Allah. He called them and they responded and they will ask of His bestowals and He will give it to them.”

Ibne Abbas narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said, “Umrah performed in the month of Ramadan will equal (in rewards) to that of Hajj or Hajj performed with Me (SAW).”

A woman told her husband to take her on Hajj with Nabi (SAW). Her husband said to her, “I do not possess a conveyance with which I can carry you upon.”

She said, “Take me on such and such a camel of yours.”

The husband said, “That is held up in the path of Allah.”

The man then went to the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) and said, “My wife conveys her Greetings to you and she has asked me to carry her on hajj with you.” I told her, “I do not have something to carry her upon.” She then told me to carry her upon such and such a camel of mine. ” I told her that it is kept in the path of Allah.”

Ibne Abbas narrated that Ummu Sulaim came to the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) and said, “Abu Talha and his son have both gone for Hajj and they left me.” the prophet (peace and blessing be upon him)) said, “O Ummu Sulaim, Umrah is done in Ramadan equals Hajj done with me.”

Aisha narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said, “Whoever leaves his home only for the purpose of Hajj or Umrah and he dies, nothing will be presented to him nor will he have any accountability on the day of Reckoning and it will be said to him, enter into Jannah.”

Anas bin Maalik said, “The pilgrims and those who perform Umrah are the delegations of Allah. He will give them whatever they ask for, answer their supplications and He will give them better than what they spend. Every Dirham will be multiplied by a thousand.”

The prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said, “The Hujjaj (pilgrims) and those who make Umrah are Allah’s delegation. Whatever they ask for, they will be granted. Whatever supplication they make, it will be answered and whatever they spend, they will be given better in return. I take an oath in the name of Allah, no person says Allahu Akbar on a flat piece of land or says Laa Ilaaha Illallahu on a raised piece of ground except that the grains of sand in front of him say the same words as he had said (Allahu Akbar and Laa Ilaaha Illallah.”

Reward of umrah hadith

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said, “(The performance of) Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed (between it and the previous one). And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise.”

Ibn Juraij narrated, Ikrima bin Khalid (RA) asked Ibn Umar (RA) about performing Umrah before Hajj. Ibn Umar (RA) replied, “There is no harm in it.” Ibn Ikrima (RA) said, ‘Ibn Umar (RA) also said, “The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) had performed Umrah before performing Hajj.’”

Ibn Abbas narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said, “Perform Umrah in the month of Ramadan, (as it is equivalent to Hajj or Umrah with me (in reward).”

Ibn-e-Maajah narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said, “The performers of Hajj and Umrah are deputations of Allah SWT Almighty. If they call Him, He answers them, and if they seek His forgiveness, He forgives them.”

Abu Hurairah narrated that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) said, “The guests of Allah SWT are three: The Ghazi (i.e., the warrior who fights in Jihad), the Hajj (i.e., the pilgrim who performs Hajj), and the Mu’tamir (i.e., the pilgrim performing Umrah).”

Ayesha narrated that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) stated, “Whoever leaves his home solely for the purpose of Hajj or Umrah and he dies, nothing will be presented to him nor will he have any liability on the Day of Judgment and it will be said to him, enter into Jannah.”

The difference between Hajj and Umrah

There are many differences between Hajj and Umrah but the main difference is that Umrah can be performed any time of the year. On the other hand, Hajj is only performed one time a year during the last month of the Islamic calendar. Also, Umrah is called a “Minor Pilgrimage” because it takes less time to complete. Additionally, the rituals of Umrah are less than Hajj.

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