Umrah has a clear sequence of rites, performed in Ihram: Tawaf around the Kaaba, Sa'i between Safa and Marwa, and Halq or Taqsir to end the state of Ihram. This page walks through the mainstream sequence most pilgrims follow. Rulings on some details differ between schools of fiqh, so please confirm anything specific to your situation — illness, menstruation, group timing — with your own scholar or the group leader travelling with you.
This guide is written for a first-time pilgrim from Pakistan travelling with a SafirAvia-arranged group, but the sequence itself is the same whether you travel independently or with an operator.
1. Ihram at the miqat
Before crossing the miqat boundary (the point set for pilgrims from your direction of travel — for most flights from Pakistan this is reached in the air or announced by cabin crew, or at a land/airport miqat point depending on your routing), men enter Ihram by wearing two unstitched white sheets; women wear modest, loose clothing in any colour, with the face and hands uncovered per most schools of thought. Ghusl (a full-body wash) beforehand is recommended. Once in Ihram, certain actions are restricted — no cutting hair or nails, no perfume, no marital relations, no hunting — until Umrah is complete.
2. Niyyah and Talbiyah
You make the intention (niyyah) for Umrah, then begin reciting the Talbiyah: "Labbayk Allahumma labbayk..." — repeating it frequently on the journey to Makkah, lowering your voice if you are a woman praying among unrelated men. The Talbiyah continues until you begin Tawaf.
3. Tawaf — seven circuits of the Kaaba
Tawaf is seven circuits around the Kaaba, starting and ending at the corner with the Hajar al-Aswad (Black Stone). Kiss or point towards the stone at the start of each circuit if you cannot reach it safely — crowding makes physical contact difficult for most pilgrims, and safety comes first. Men are recommended to walk briskly (Ramal) for the first three circuits if performing Tawaf immediately after arrival, then normally for the remaining four; this is not obligatory for everyone, so ask your scholar if you're unsure it applies to you.
4. Two rak'ah at Maqam Ibrahim
After completing the seven circuits, pray two rak'ah near the Maqam Ibrahim if the crowd allows it, or anywhere else within the Grand Mosque if it does not — the location is a matter of ease, not obligation at that exact spot for most schools when it is too crowded.
5. Zamzam
Drink Zamzam water, available throughout the mosque. Many pilgrims make dua while drinking. There is no fixed obligatory quantity or method — this step is about the spiritual act itself.
6. Sa'i — Safa to Marwa, seven laps
Walk between the hills of Safa and Marwa seven times (Safa to Marwa counts as one lap, Marwa back to Safa as the second, and so on), inside the covered Masa'i gallery. There is a marked stretch where men are recommended to jog lightly; women walk throughout. Make dua freely during Sa'i — there is no fixed required wording.
7. Halq or Taqsir — ending Ihram
Men either shave the head completely (Halq) or trim the hair evenly all over (Taqsir); women cut a small symbolic length, roughly a fingertip, from the ends of their hair. Once this is done, Umrah is complete and the restrictions of Ihram end.
Packing list for Umrah
- Two sets of Ihram cloth (men), spare set in case one gets soiled.
- Comfortable, easily removable sandals for Tawaf and Sa'i.
- A small bag for Zamzam bottles, Quran/dua booklet, phone.
- Unscented soap and toiletries (perfume is restricted in Ihram).
- Basic medicine kit, especially for feet and hydration.
- Modest, loose outer clothing for women, plus a scarf that stays secure in crowds.
- Copies of your passport, visa confirmation and vaccination certificate, kept separately from the originals.
Madinah ziyarat etiquette
Most groups visit Madinah before or after Umrah, though it is not a required part of Umrah itself. Common practice includes visiting the Prophet's Mosque, praying in Riyad al-Jannah where crowd numbers allow, and visiting Jannat al-Baqi. Keep visits respectful and quiet, follow the group leader's timing to avoid the busiest crowd windows, and avoid practices some scholars discourage, such as touching or seeking blessings from the grave itself — ask your own scholar about the correct etiquette if you are unsure.
Facts on this page were checked on 2026-09-18 against: umrah-packages.pk