All praise belongs to Allah alone. This is a concise summary of the acts of Umrah rituals, explained as follows:
When the one intending to perform Umrah reaches the miqat (station of ihram), it is recommended for them to bathe and cleanse themselves. Women should do the same, even if menstruating or in postnatal bleeding. However, they must not circumambulate the Kaaba until they are purified and have performed ghusl (ritual purification).
A man should apply perfume to his body, avoiding his ihram garments. If bathing at the miqat is not possible, there is no harm, but it is recommended to bathe before circumambulation if possible upon arriving in Makkah.
A man should remove all tailored garments and wear an izar (lower wrap) and rida’ (upper wrap), preferably white and clean. Women, on the other hand, wear their regular modest clothing that is free from adornments or extravagance.
Next, one intends to enter into the state of ihram (sacred state) with their heart and pronounces verbally: "Labbayka Umrah" or "O Allah, I respond to Your call for Umrah." If the individual fears they may not be able to complete their rituals due to illness or fear of an enemy, they are permitted to set a condition by saying: "If I am prevented, then my exit from ihram is wherever I am prevented." This is based on the hadith of Dubaa’ah bint Al-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with her).
Then, one recites the talbiyah of the Prophet (peace be upon him): Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayk la sharika laka labbayk. Inna al-hamda wal-ni‘mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika laka. ("Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily, all praise, blessings, and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.")
They should frequently recite the talbiyah, remember Allah, and make supplications until they reach the Kaaba.
Upon arriving at the Masjid Al-Haram, they step in with the right foot and say: Bismillah wa assalatu wa assalamu ‘ala Rasulillah. A‘udhu billahil-‘azim wa bi-wajhihi-l-karim wa bi-sultanihi-l-qadim min ash-shaytan ir-rajim. Allahumma iftah li abwaba rahmatik. ("In the name of Allah and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. I seek refuge in Allah the Almighty, in His noble face, and in His eternal dominion from the accursed devil. O Allah, open the gates of Your mercy for me.")
Once they reach the Kaaba, they stop reciting the talbiyah. They approach the Black Stone, face it, and touch it with their right hand, kissing it if possible, without harming others by crowding. They say upon touching it: "Bismillah, Allahu Akbar." If unable to kiss it, they may touch it with their hand or a stick and then kiss what they used to touch it. If even this is not possible, they simply point toward it and say "Allahu Akbar," without kissing the hand or object used to point.
It is a condition for the validity of tawaf (circumambulation) that the pilgrim is in a state of purification from both minor and major impurities, as tawaf is likened to prayer, except that speaking is permitted.
While circumambulating, the Kaaba should remain to the left, and seven circuits are completed. Upon reaching the Yemeni Corner, it is recommended to touch it with the right hand if possible and say "Bismillah, Allahu Akbar." However, it is not kissed, and if touching it is difficult, the pilgrim should proceed without signaling or saying "Allahu Akbar."
For the Black Stone, one should touch and kiss it at every circuit if possible, or point and say "Allahu Akbar." It is recommended for men to perform raml (brisk walking with short steps) during the first three circuits of the arrival tawaf.
Men should also perform idhtiba during the arrival tawaf, where they place the middle of their upper garment under their right armpit and drape the ends over their left shoulder.
During the circumambulation, it is encouraged to engage in abundant remembrance of Allah and supplications. There is no specific du’a for each circuit, but between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone, the pilgrim should recite: “Our Lord, give us in this world good and in the Hereafter good, and save us from the punishment of the Fire.”
The seventh circuit ends by again touching or pointing toward the Black Stone as previously described.
After completing tawaf, the pilgrim adjusts their upper garment to cover both shoulders and prays two rak’ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim (the Station of Ibrahim) if possible. If not, they may pray anywhere in the mosque. In the first rak’ah, they recite Surah Al-Kafirun and in the second Surah Al-Ikhlas. This is preferable but not obligatory; any other surahs may be recited.
After concluding the prayer, they proceed to the Black Stone again if possible, then head to Safa to begin Sa’i (walking between Safa and Marwah). Upon reaching Safa, they ascend or stand at its base (ascending is preferred if possible) and recite: “Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah” Al-Baqarah It is recommended to face the Qibla, praise Allah, and glorify Him, saying: "There is no deity except Allah, and Allah is the Greatest. There is no deity except Allah alone, with no partner. His is the dominion, and His is the praise, and He is capable of all things. There is no deity except Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, supported His servant, and defeated the confederates alone." Then, one should supplicate while raising their hands and repeat this remembrance and supplication three times.
After that, one descends and walks toward Al-Marwah until reaching the first green marker. A man should hasten his pace between the two markers until he reaches the second green marker. As for women, they are not required to hasten because they are meant to maintain modesty. Then, one walks up Al-Marwah or stands there; ascending is better if possible. On Al-Marwah, one should say and do the same as on As-Safa.
One then descends and walks where walking is prescribed and hastens where hastening is prescribed until reaching As-Safa again. This is repeated seven times, with the journey from one to the other counting as one lap, and the return as another. If one performs Sa'i while riding, there is no harm, especially if needed.
It is recommended to engage frequently in remembrance of Allah and supplication during the Sa'i. While performing it, one should ideally be in a state of purification from major and minor impurities. However, if Sa'i is performed without purification, it is still valid.
After completing the Sa'i, a man shaves his head or shortens his hair, with shaving being preferable. However, if his arrival in Mecca is close to the time of Hajj, shortening is better so that he can shave his head during Hajj. As for women, they gather their hair and cut an amount equivalent to a fingertip or less.
Once the pilgrim has completed these acts, their Umrah is complete, and everything that was prohibited due to Ihram becomes permissible.
May Allah grant us and our fellow Muslims understanding in His religion, steadfastness upon it, and acceptance of our deeds. Indeed, He is Generous and Kind. May blessings and peace be upon His servant and messenger, our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family, companions, and followers until the Day of Judgment.
