Ihram
Ihram is a state that a Muslim must enter before performing Hajj or Umrah. The steps of Ihram are outlines here. You must enter Ihram before you leave for the Miqat in Makkah. If you’re going through an airline it is best for you to put on your Ihram clothes before getting on the plane that goes past the Miqat.
When you reach the Miqat, you must make the intention for Umrah by saying "Labbayk Allaahumma bi ‘Umrah'" (Here I am, O Allah, for ‘Umrah).
You should then recite the Talbiyah: "Labbayka Allaahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk. Inna al-hamd wa’l-ni’mata laka wa’l-mulk, laa shareeka lak" (Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sovereignty, You have no partner).”.
- This should be done out loud for males and silently for females.
- This does not have to be in sync with everybody else, it is better to do it at your own pace.
- This should be done continuously from the Miqat to when you begin tawaf at Masjid al-Haram (Unless you become tired or are unable to continuously do it).
Tawaf (Around the Kaaba)
Upon reaching Masid al-Haram, you should enter using your right foot. Unline a normal masid you should not perform the Tahiyyat al-Masjid (Greeting the Masjid) prayer. It is Sunnah to go directly into tawaf.
Upon entering Masjid al-Haram you should say: “Bismillaah wa’l-salaatu wa’l-salaam ‘ala Rasool-Allaah. Allaahumma ighfir li dhunoobi waftah li abwaab rahmatika. A’oodhu Billaah il-‘Azeem wa bi wajhih il-kareem wa bi sultaanih il-‘qadeem min al-Shaytaan il-rajeem” (In the name of Allah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, forgive me my sins and open to me the gates of Your mercy. I seek refuge with Allah the Almighty and in His noble Countenance and His eternal power from the accursed Satan).
You then begin your tawaf at the corner of the Kaaba that has the black stone. If you can, you should touch or kiss it, and if you’re unable to then you should face your hand in the direction of the stone and say “Allahu Akbar”. Then begin Tawaaf, taking rounds around the Kaaba, with the Kaaba being on their left.
- Warning: The cloth of the Kaaba is perfumed, so its best to not rub or go against it to avoid unintentionally getting that scent on yourself.
Men must keep their right shoulder uncovered during the Tawaaf, which is known as Idtibaa. This can be done by placing the Ridaa (Top cloth) beneath the armpit and taking it up on the left shoulder. Men must also practice raml in the first three rounds of Tawaf. This is essentially walking fast while taking small steps. They should walk at their normal pace for the rest of the rounds.
Upon finishing the seven rounds of Tawaff, the pilgrams must then go to the Maqaam e Ibrahim (Station of Ibrahim) and recite the following words:
“And take you (people) the Maqaam (place) of Ibraaheem (Abraham) [or the stone on which Ibraaheem (Abraham) stood while he was building the Ka’bah] as a place of prayer (for some of your prayers, e.g. two Rak‘at after the Tawaaf of the Ka’bah at Makkah)”
Surah al-Baqarah 125
Then offer a two rakkat prayer behind the Maqaam e Ibrahim. This can be done in any place behind the miqat as to avoid getting in the way of others performing tawaff. The sunnah surahs to recite are Surah al-Kafirun (109) and Surah al-Ikhlass (112) respectively.
Saa’i between Safa and Marwah
You will then go to the place of Saa’i (Masaa) and when you near the hill of Safa, the following should be recited:
“Verily, As-Safa and Al-Marwah (two mountains in Mecca) are of the Symbols of Allah”
Surah al-Baqarah 158
and
“Nabda’u bima bada’a Allaah bihi” (We start with that with which Allah started)
Then climb up on the Safa hill to a point from where the Kaaba is visible. You will then face the Kaaba and supplicate to Allah. This can be whatever dua you want, but the dua of the prophet ﷺ is:
"Laa ilaaha ill-Allah wahdahu laa shareeka lah, lahu’l-mulk, wa lahu’l-hamd, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer. Laa ilaaha ill-Allah wahdah, anjaza wa’dah, wa nasara ‘abdah, wa hazamaa al-ahzaaba wahdah” (There is no god but Allah alone, with no partner or associate; His is the Dominion, all praise is due to Him, and He is able to do all things. There is no god but Allah alone; he fulfilled His promise, granted victory to His slave, and defeated the confederates alone)
You should repeat this dua 3 times and decend down to make your way to Marwah. Men should run between the green lights (You will find green markers in the area). Upon reaching the second marker you will stop running and normally walk/climb up the hill of Marwah. Upon reaching the top of Marwah you will do the same things you did at Safa. After this, you will make your way down and go to Safa again. This is done for a total of seven circuits, with one circuit being from Safa to Marwah or from Marwah to Safa. So, you should end your final of the seven circuits at Marwah.
Shaving the head/Cutting of the Hair
Upon completing the seven circuits, you are required to cut your hair. The men are requried to cut a portion of their hair, but it is a highly recommended sunnah to shave it completely. Women are required to cut their hair the length of a fingertip. This final acts completes the Umrah and finishes the Ihram.
- Note: For women do not try to take out and cut your hair in the Masjid al-Haram, this must be done in private where non-mahrams cannot see your hair.
May Allah bless you, accept your Umrah and accept your supplications.