Last updated: April 2026

How to Perform Umrah: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide for UK Pilgrims

Umrah is one of the most spiritually rewarding journeys a Muslim can undertake. Whether you are planning your first pilgrimage or simply want to refresh your knowledge before travelling, this guide walks you through every step of Umrah in detail — from entering Ihram to completing your rites in Makkah. Written specifically for UK-based pilgrims, it covers the practical preparation you need alongside the spiritual steps themselves.

What Is Umrah?

Umrah is a pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, that can be performed at any time of the year. The word “Umrah” comes from the Arabic root meaning “to visit a populated place,” and it involves a series of sacred rituals carried out at Masjid al-Haram and its surroundings.

Unlike Hajj — the fifth pillar of Islam, which takes place during specific dates of Dhul Hijjah (8th to 13th) and is obligatory once in a lifetime for those who are able — Umrah is not a pillar of Islam. However, it is a highly recommended Sunnah (practice of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him), and the Prophet himself described it as an expiation for sins committed between one Umrah and the next.

Umrah is sometimes referred to as the “lesser pilgrimage,” but its spiritual rewards are immense. Many scholars encourage Muslims to perform Umrah whenever they are able, and hundreds of thousands of British Muslims travel to Saudi Arabia each year to do so. The rituals of Umrah are fewer and shorter than those of Hajj, making it accessible even for shorter trips.

Before You Travel: Preparation

Performing Umrah requires both spiritual and practical preparation. Taking the time to prepare properly will help you focus on worship once you arrive in Makkah, rather than worrying about logistics.

Spiritual Preparation

The most important preparation is your niyyah (intention). Before anything else, sincerely intend to perform Umrah for the sake of Allah alone. This intention does not need to be spoken aloud — it is a matter of the heart. In the weeks before your trip, learn the steps of Umrah thoroughly so you can perform each ritual with confidence and presence of mind. Familiarise yourself with the duas (supplications) you wish to make, and consider any personal prayers you want to offer during this blessed journey.

Practical Preparation

From a practical standpoint, there are several things UK travellers need to arrange before departure:

• Visa – UK citizens can obtain a Saudi eVisa through the Nusuk platform or via their Umrah travel agent. Most Umrah packages include visa processing, but if you are travelling independently, you will need to apply in advance. See our Umrah visa guide for UK travellers for full details.
• Vaccinations – Saudi Arabia requires proof of meningitis (ACWY) vaccination for Umrah travellers. Your GP or a travel clinic can administer this. Additional vaccinations such as seasonal flu and COVID-19 may also be recommended or required depending on current regulations.
• Travel insurance – comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical treatment in Saudi Arabia is strongly recommended. Healthcare costs in the Kingdom can be high, and you want peace of mind during your pilgrimage.
• Ihram garments – men should purchase or prepare two white unstitched cloths before departure. These are widely available from Islamic shops across the UK or can be bought in Makkah. Women do not wear specific ihram garments but should pack modest, loose-fitting clothing that covers the body.
• Packing – pack comfortable walking shoes (you will walk a great deal), a lightweight prayer mat, personal medications, and essentials for the Saudi climate. Check our comprehensive Umrah packing list so you do not forget anything important.

Step 1: Entering Ihram

Ihram is both a physical state and a spiritual one. It marks the point at which you formally begin your Umrah, entering a state of consecration and spiritual purity before Allah. It is the first and arguably the most important step, as no act of Umrah is valid without it.

When and Where to Enter Ihram

You must enter Ihram before crossing the designated boundary known as the Miqat. For most UK pilgrims flying into Jeddah, the pilot will announce when the plane is approaching the Miqat. Many travellers choose to perform ghusl (a full ritual wash) and put on their ihram garments at the airport before boarding, or at their hotel in Jeddah or Madinah if visiting Madinah first. If you are travelling from Madinah to Makkah by road, the Miqat is at Dhul Hulayfah (also known as Abyar Ali), where there is a large mosque specifically for pilgrims to prepare.

Ihram Garments

For men, ihram consists of two white, unstitched cloths. One is wrapped around the lower body (the izar) and the other is draped over the upper body (the rida). No underwear, socks, or headcovering should be worn. Footwear should be open sandals that do not cover the ankles. For women, there is no specific colour or garment required — any modest, loose-fitting clothing that covers the body is acceptable. Women should not cover their faces with a niqab or their hands with gloves while in ihram, according to the majority of scholars, though a loose cloth may be used to cover the face if non-mahram men are nearby.

Making Your Intention and Reciting the Talbiyah

Once you are dressed in your ihram garments, make the intention in your heart to perform Umrah. You may say aloud: “Labbayk Allahumma Umrah” (Here I am, O Allah, for Umrah). Then recite the Talbiyah, the ancient proclamation of the pilgrim:

Translation: “Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise, grace, and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.”

You should continue reciting the Talbiyah frequently from this point until you begin Tawaf.

Restrictions During Ihram

While in the state of ihram, certain actions are prohibited. These restrictions serve as a reminder that you have set aside worldly concerns to focus entirely on your worship:

• Do not apply perfume, scented soap, or fragranced products to your body or clothing
• Do not cut, trim, or pluck any hair from your body
• Do not clip your nails
• Do not hunt or kill animals (insects that cause harm, such as mosquitoes, are an exception according to many scholars)
• Do not engage in marital relations
• Do not engage in arguments, disputes, or foul language
• Men must not cover their heads; women must not cover their faces with a niqab or their hands with gloves

Step 2: Tawaf — Circling the Kaaba

Upon arriving at Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, you will perform Tawaf — the act of circling the Kaaba seven times in an anti-clockwise direction. This is the central ritual of Umrah and one of the most profoundly moving experiences a Muslim can have.

How to Perform Tawaf

Before beginning, ensure you are in a state of wudu (ablution). Men should arrange their upper ihram cloth in the Idtiba position — passing it under the right arm and over the left shoulder, leaving the right shoulder exposed. This is done only during Tawaf.

Begin your Tawaf at the Hajar al-Aswad (the Black Stone), which is set into the eastern corner of the Kaaba. If you are able to reach it, touch or kiss the Black Stone. If the area is too crowded — as it very often is — simply face the Black Stone, raise your right hand towards it, and say “Bismillah, Allahu Akbar” (In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest). This gesture is sufficient and carries the same reward.

Walk anti-clockwise around the Kaaba, keeping it to your left. Each complete circuit brings you back to the Black Stone. During the first three circuits, men should perform Raml — walking briskly with short steps and with the chest pushed out slightly. This is a Sunnah act that commemorates the early Muslims demonstrating their strength. During the remaining four circuits, walk at a normal, calm pace.

Throughout your Tawaf, make dua (supplication) to Allah. There are no mandatory specific duas for each circuit — you may pray in any language, asking for whatever is in your heart. Many pilgrims recite Quranic verses and well-known supplications. Between the Yemeni Corner (Rukn al-Yamani) and the Black Stone, it is Sunnah to recite:

Translation: “Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.” (Quran 2:201)

After Tawaf: Prayer at Maqam Ibrahim

After completing all seven circuits, cover your right shoulder (ending the Idtiba) and proceed to Maqam Ibrahim (the Station of Ibrahim) — the glass enclosure containing the stone on which Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) stood while building the Kaaba. Pray two rakaat behind or near Maqam Ibrahim. In the first rakah, it is Sunnah to recite Surah al-Kafirun (Chapter 109), and in the second, Surah al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112). If the area directly behind Maqam Ibrahim is too crowded, you may pray these two rakaat anywhere in Masjid al-Haram.

After praying, it is recommended to drink Zamzam water, which is freely available throughout the mosque. Make dua while drinking, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that the water of Zamzam is for whatever purpose it is drunk for.

Step 3: Sa’i — Walking Between Safa and Marwa

The third ritual of Umrah is Sa’i — walking seven lengths between the hills of Safa and Marwa. This act commemorates the desperate search for water by Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her), the wife of Prophet Ibrahim, when she was left in the barren valley of Makkah with her infant son Ismail. She ran between the two hills seven times, looking for water, until Allah caused the well of Zamzam to spring forth beneath Ismail’s feet.

How to Perform Sa’i

Begin at Safa. Climb the hill (or the elevated platform, as the modern structure has been built over the original hills) until you can see the Kaaba, if possible. Face the Kaaba, raise your hands, and make dua. It is Sunnah to recite:

Translation: “Indeed, Safa and Marwa are among the symbols of Allah.” (Quran 2:158)

Then walk from Safa towards Marwa. This counts as your first length. When you reach Marwa, climb and make dua again while facing the Kaaba. Then walk back to Safa — this is your second length. Continue until you have completed seven lengths, finishing at Marwa.

Between the two hills, you will notice green fluorescent markers on the walls and pillars. Men should jog or walk briskly between these two green markers, commemorating Hajar’s urgency as she ran through the valley between the hills. Women walk at their normal pace throughout.

Make dua and dhikr (remembrance of Allah) throughout your Sa’i. As with Tawaf, there are no mandatory specific supplications — pray from your heart in any language. Many pilgrims use this time to make deeply personal prayers, as it is a time of great spiritual openness.

Step 4: Halq or Taqsir — Shaving or Trimming Hair

The final ritual of Umrah is the cutting of hair, which symbolises humility, renewal, and the completion of your pilgrimage. There are two options:

• Halq (complete shaving of the head) – this is the preferred option for men and carries greater reward according to the Prophet’s supplication, in which he prayed three times for those who shave their heads and once for those who trim.
• Taqsir (trimming the hair) – men trim at least one inch of hair evenly from across the head. This is a valid alternative, particularly if you plan to perform Hajj soon after and wish to reserve the full shave for that occasion.

For women, the ruling is different. Women do not shave their heads. Instead, they trim approximately a fingertip’s length (roughly one to two centimetres) from the ends of their hair. This can be done privately at the hotel or in a discreet area.

There are numerous barber shops around the Haram area in Makkah where men can have their heads shaved affordably. Once your hair has been cut, your Umrah is complete, and you exit the state of ihram. All the restrictions of ihram are now lifted — you may change into your normal clothing, use perfume, and resume your usual activities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

First-time pilgrims sometimes make errors that can affect the validity or spiritual quality of their Umrah. Being aware of these common mistakes will help you perform your rites correctly:

• Rushing through Tawaf or Sa’i – these are acts of worship, not a race. Take your time, maintain your focus, and make meaningful dua throughout. If the crowd is moving slowly, be patient. Pushing or shoving is sinful and contrary to the spirit of pilgrimage.
• Not making a clear intention (niyyah) – Ihram without the intention for Umrah is incomplete. Remember to make your intention sincerely in your heart before crossing the Miqat.
• Wearing perfume or scented products while in ihram – this is a common oversight. Check that your soap, deodorant, and any moisturisers are fragrance-free before entering ihram. Some pilgrims inadvertently use hotel toiletries that contain perfume.
• Incorrect ihram practice for women – some women mistakenly believe they must wear white or a specific colour. Women may wear any modest clothing in any colour for ihram. The key restrictions for women are not covering the face with a niqab and not wearing gloves.
• Not drinking Zamzam water – Zamzam water is freely available throughout Masjid al-Haram. It is Sunnah to drink it after Tawaf and to make dua while drinking. Do not miss this blessed opportunity.
• Not praying two rakaat at Maqam Ibrahim – after completing Tawaf, these two rakaat are a confirmed Sunnah. Even if the area is crowded and you need to pray further from the Maqam, do not skip them.
• Starting Tawaf from the wrong point – Tawaf must begin at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad). Look for the green light on the wall of the Kaaba that indicates its position, and ensure you begin each circuit from this line.
• Talking on the phone during Tawaf or Sa’i – while not forbidden, it detracts from the spiritual experience. This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for many pilgrims. Give it your full attention and keep your phone on silent.

How Long Does Umrah Take?

The Umrah rituals themselves — Tawaf, Sa’i, and Halq or Taqsir — typically take between 3 and 5 hours to complete, depending on the level of crowding at Masjid al-Haram. During peak times such as Ramadan and Hajj season, it may take longer due to the sheer number of pilgrims.

However, the total trip duration for most UK pilgrims is much longer than the rituals alone. The majority of Umrah packages from the UK are between 7 and 14 days, and this additional time is well used:

• Madinah visit – most packages include 3–5 nights in Madinah, where you can pray at Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque), visit Rawdah ash-Sharifah, and see historical sites such as Masjid Quba, Jabal Uhud, and the Qiblatain Mosque.
• Additional worship in Makkah – after completing Umrah, many pilgrims spend their remaining days performing voluntary Tawaf, praying the five daily prayers in Masjid al-Haram (where each prayer carries 100,000 times the reward), and making private supplications.
• Rest and recovery – Umrah involves considerable physical exertion, particularly the walking during Tawaf and Sa’i. Having days to rest, especially for elderly travellers or those with health conditions, is important.

If you have limited time, it is possible to perform Umrah on a shorter trip of 5–7 days, focusing on Makkah alone or with a brief visit to Madinah. Speak to your travel agent about shorter package options if time is a constraint.

Whether you are planning a first Umrah for yourself or organising a trip for your whole family, the key is to start early and choose a trusted agent. On HalalTrek, you can browse packages side by side, see transparent pricing, and book with confidence knowing that every agent on our platform is verified and ATOL-protected.

If you prefer to tailor your trip to your own requirements, you can also build a custom Umrah package by selecting your preferred hotels, flight dates, and room type. And if you have questions about the process, our FAQ page covers the most common queries from UK pilgrims.

May Allah accept your Umrah, grant you a safe journey, and bring you back home with your sins forgiven and your heart renewed. Ameen.