Spiritual Preparation for Umrah – A Complete Guide Before Your Journey to Makkah

The Steps of ‘Umrah: Practical and Spiritual Guide

‘Umrah is a sacred journey to the House of Allah ﷻ in Mecca, a unique moment to purify the heart, strengthen faith, and draw closer to Allah ﷻ. Even if you do not know all the steps by heart, do not worry: our guides will be there to accompany you, step by step, reminding you what to do and what to say.

Al-Ihrām: Entering the State of Sacralization

Ihrām marks the beginning of your ‘Umrah and requires a sincere intention to perform this pilgrimage. Before entering this state, it is important to:

• Trim nails and remove dead skin (cuticles), as certain habits, like biting the skin of your hands, can invalidate your ihrām and require a sacrifice for the ‘Umrah to be accepted.

• Remove unwanted hair.

• Perform ghusl (full ritual purification).

• Wear the ihrām clothing: a specific attire for men, while women wear their regular modest clothing.

Before arriving at the Miqat (the designated place for entering ihrām), depending on your mode of transport, it is recommended to make the intention as early as possible. In our programs, we advise beginning as soon as you are seated on the train or plane, and our guides will remind you, in shā’ Allāh.

Formulate the intention in your heart and then pronounce it aloud:

Arabic: « لَبَّيْكَ عُمْرَةً »
Transliteration: Labbaïka ‘umratan
(O Allah, here I am for ‘Umrah).

Then begin reciting the Talbiyah regularly:
 

Arabic:
« لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكُ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ »
Transliteration:
Labbaïka Allâhumma labbaïk, labbaïka lâ sharîka laka labbaïk, inna al-hamda wa-n-niʿmata laka wa-l-mulk, lâ sharîka lak.
(I am here, O Allah, I am here. You have no partner; I am here. Yours is the praise, the bounty, and the dominion. You have no partner).

Supplications Upon Arrival in Mecca

Entering Mecca

Arabic:
« اللهم هذا حرمك وأمنك فحرمني من النار، وأمني من عذابك يوم تبعث عبادك، واجعلني من أوليائك وأهل طاعتك »
Transliteration:
Allâhoumma hâdhâ haramouka wa amnouka, fa-harrimnî min an-nâr, wa amminnî min ‘adhâbika yawma tab’athou ‘ibâdak, wa-j’alnî min awliya-ika wa ahli tâ’atika.
(My Lord, this is Your sacred territory and place of safety. Protect me from Hellfire and Your punishment on the Day You resurrect Your creatures. Make me one of Your close servants and count me among those who obey You. O Lord, open for me the gates of Your mercy).

First Glance at the Kaaba

Arabic:
« اللهم زد هذا البيت تشريفا وتعظيما وتكريما ومهابة وبرا، وزد من شرفه وكرمه ممن حجه أو اعتمره تشريفا وتكريما وتعظيما وبرا اللهم انت السلام ومنك السلام حينا رب بالسلام »
Transliteration:
Allâhoumma zid hâdha-l-bayta tashrîfan wa ta’dhîman wa takrîman wa mahâbatan wa birran. Wa zid man sharrafahou wa karramahou mimman hajjahou aw i’tamarahou tashrîfan wa takrîman wa ta’dhîman wa birran. Allâhumma anta s-salâm wa minka s-salâm, hayyinâ rabbi bi-s-salâm.
(O Allah, increase this House [the Kaaba] in dignity, grandeur, veneration, and respect; and increase the honor, generosity, and piety of those who honor it, whether by Hajj or ‘Umrah. O Allah, You are Peace; from You comes peace. Make us live, O Lord, in peace).

⚠️ Supplications are especially accepted at the first glance of the Kaaba. Take full advantage of this blessed moment to multiply your duʿās.

Tawāf: Circumambulation Around the Kaaba (7 Circuits)

Stop reciting the Talbiyah upon arrival.

Begin the Tawāf keeping the Kaaba on your left, starting from the Black Stone (al-Hajar al-Aswad).

Touch it if possible, otherwise raise your right hand and say:
 

Arabic: « الله أكبر »
Transliteration: Allâhu akbar (Allah is the Greatest)

 Recite your personal supplications or verses from the Quran.

 Between the Yemeni corner and the Black Stone (the last quarter), it is recommended to say:
Arabic: « رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّار »
Transliteration: Rabbanâ âtinâ fi-d-dunyâ ḥasanah, wa fi-l-âkhirati ḥasanah, wa qinâ ʿadhâba an-nâr.
(Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the Fire).

Salāt Behind Maqām Ibrāhīm ﷺ

After Tawāf, pray 2 rakʿāt behind Maqām Ibrâhîm ﷺ, if possible:

• 1st rakʿa: S. Al-Fātiḥa + S. Al-Kāfirūn

• 2nd rakʿa: S. Al-Fātiḥa + S. Al-Ikhlāṣ

Drink Zamzam water with the supplication:
Arabic: « اللهم إني أسألك علما نافعا ورزقا واسعا وشفاء من كل داء »
Transliteration: Allâhoumma innî as’alouka ‘ilman nâfi’an wa rizqan wâsi’an wa shifâ’an min koulli dâ’in.
(O Lord, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, abundant provision, and healing from every ailment).

⚠️ It is Sunnah to face the Qibla while drinking Zamzam water, to drink seated, and in three sips, applicable to regular water as well.

As-Saʿī: Running Between Safā and Marwa (7 Trips)

Ascend the hill of Safā, face the Kaaba, and say:
Arabic: « إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّه »
Transliteration: Inna ṣ-Ṣafâ wa-l-Marwata min shaʿâ’iri Allâh (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:158)
Arabic: « أَبْدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللَّهُ بِهِ »
Transliteration: Abda’u bimâ bad’a Allâhu bih (I start with what Allah began with).

Raise your hands in duʿā:
Arabic: « الله أكبر الله أكبر الله أكبر لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك وله الحمد، وهو على كل شيء قدير، لا إله إلا الله وحده، أنجز وعده، ونصر عبده، وهزم الأحزاب وحده »
Transliteration: Allâhu akbar, Allâhu akbar, Allâhu akbar, lâ ilâha illa Allâh waḥdahu lâ sharîka lah, lahu-l-mulku wa lahu-l-ḥamdu, wa huwa ʿalâ kulli shay’in qadîr, lâ ilâha illa Allâh waḥdahu, anjaza waʿdah, wa naṣara ʿabdah, wa hazama-l-aḥzâba waḥdah.

Descend toward Marwa, men walk quickly between the two green markers (saʿy).

Repeat the same supplications as at Safā.

Continue until completing 7 trips, ending at Marwa.

Shaving or Cutting Hair

• Men: Shave the head completely (preferred) or trim the hair.

• Women: Cut a small portion of hair (about the length of a phalanges).

✅ After this, the ihrām ends, and the ‘Umrah is officially complete.

This article provides a comprehensive and practical guide, while maintaining the spiritual dimension of each step. It helps pilgrims focus on intention, piety, and closeness to Allah throughout their ‘Umrah journey.