Description of ‘Umrah

Assuming Ihram at the Miqat:
• The ‘Umrah pilgrim assumes Ihram at the Miqat of their country or the Miqat they pass by on their way to ‘Umrah. The male pilgrim wears the white lower and upper garments of Ihram, whilst the female pilgrim wears any clothing that covers her sufficiently.
• The ‘Umrah pilgrim makes intention for ‘Umrah with their heart and says, “Labbayk Allahumma ‘Umrah” (O Allah, I respond to Your call to perform ‘Umrah).
• If the person assuming Ihram fears that an illness or something else may prevent them from fulfilling the rites of ‘Umrah, they may stipulate a condition when assuming Ihram by saying, “Fa in habasani habisun fa mahilli haythu habastani” (If something prevents me from going further, then I will exit the state of Ihram where You stop me).
• It is then prescribed to say the Talbiyah, “Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk, innal-hamda wan-ni‘mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika laka” (I obediently answer Your call, O Allah, I obediently answer. I obediently answer Your call, testifying that You have no partner, I obediently answer. To You belong all praise, favour, and dominion. You have no partner.)

Reaching the Grand Mosque and Beginning the Tawaf:
• One enters the Grand Mosque and stops saying the Talbiyyah when they begin the Tawaf, for which they must be in a state of Wudu’.
• The ‘Umrah pilgrim performs Tawaf around the Ka‘bah seven times, beginning and ending at the Black Stone, ensuring that throughout the Tawaf the Ka‘bah is to their left.
• It is recommended for men only to make Ramal (walking at a brisk pace with short steps) during the first three circuits of Tawaf.
• It is recommended for men to make Idtiba‘ (uncover the right shoulder by placing the middle of the upper garment under the right armpit and the edges over the left shoulder). This is to be done during all the circuits of the Tawaf for ‘Umrah or Tawaf al-Qudum for those performing Hajj Qiran or Ifrad.
• The two rak‘ahs after Tawaf should be prayed behind the Maqam Ibrahim if it is easy to do so. Surah al-Fatihah and Surah al-Kafirun should be recited during the first rak‘ah, and Surah al-Fatihah and Surah al-Ikhlas should be recited during the second rak‘ah.  

Performing as-Sa‘i Between as-Safa and al-Marwah:
• Begin at as-Safa and recite, “Innas-Safa wal-Marwata min sha‘a’irillah” ((Indeed, as-Safa and al-Marwah are among the defining marks of Allah’s religion.)) [2:158]. It is recommended to be in a state of Wudu’. 
• Then it is recommended to face the Qiblah, praise Allah, say Allahu Akbar, and say, “La ilaha illallah wallahu akbar. La ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulk wa lahul-hamd, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadir. La ilaha illallah wahdahu anjaza wa‘dahu wa nasara ‘abdahu wa hazamal-ahzaba wahdahu” (There is none worthy of worship except Allah and Allah is the Greatest. There is none worthy of worship except Allah alone, without any partner. To Him belong all dominion and praise, and He is able to do all things. There is none worthy of worship except Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, aided His worshipping servant, and vanquished the alliance of enemies by Himself). One should then raise their hands and supplicate as much as they wish and repeat the above dhikr and supplication three times.
• One then performs Sa‘i by walking between as-Safa and al-Marwah seven times; starting at as-Safa and ending at al-Marwah. Going to al-Marwah counts as one length and returning to as-Safa counts as another length.
• Men should run between the green lights during every length of Sa‘i.

Shaving or Trimming the Hair:
• After completing the Sa‘i, a male pilgrim comes out of Ihram by shaving his head completely – and that is best – or trimming it. 
• A female pilgrim gathers her hair and cuts the length of a fingertip from the ends of her hair. 
Exiting the State of Ihram:
• Once the shaving or trimming of the hair is done, one’s ‘Umrah is complete. One is permitted to do all the things that were prohibited whilst in Ihram.

Prohibited Acts while in Ihram:
• Removing hair from any part of the body.
• Clipping nails.
• Applying perfume after making the intention for Ihram (whether on the body or Ihram clothing).
• Hunting land animals or assisting in hunting them.
• Contracting a marriage (either for oneself or arranging it for others).
• Engaging in any form of intimacy with one’s spouse driven by desire (kissing, touching, or the like).
• Sexual intercourse (the gravest prohibition – invalidates the rites performed so far if done before the first exiting from Ihram).
• Wearing clothes that are tailored to fit the body (specific for men and includes clothing such as shirts, trousers, and jackets).
• Covering the entire head for men (such as with a cap or headscarf).
• Covering the face with a niqab or burqa‘ for women.