How long does it take to perform Umrah?

The four rituals - Ihram, Tawaf, Sa'i and Halq/Taqsir - usually take two to three hours when the Haram is not crowded. During Ramadan, Fridays and peak weekends it can take four hours or more because of the crowds around the Kaaba and the Sa'i gallery. Allow plenty of time and do not rush your worship.

What are the four steps of Umrah in order?

Umrah is performed in this sequence: (1) entering Ihram and making the intention with the Talbiyah, (2) Tawaf - circling the Kaaba seven times, (3) Sa'i - walking seven times between Safa and Marwah, and (4) Halq or Taqsir - shaving or trimming the hair to exit Ihram. Completing all four correctly makes your Umrah valid.

Can I perform Umrah without knowing Arabic?

Yes. Only a few short phrases such as the Talbiyah and the takbir at the Black Stone are in Arabic, and these can be learned easily or read from a guide. All of your personal duas during Tawaf and Sa'i may be made in any language - Allah understands every tongue. Many pilgrims keep a small dua booklet or the Nusuk app for reference.

Do women perform Umrah differently from men?

The core rituals are the same, but there are a few differences. Women wear ordinary modest clothing rather than the white Ihram cloths, they do not uncover a shoulder or jog during Tawaf and Sa'i, they recite the Talbiyah quietly, and at the end they trim a small length of hair rather than shaving. Women should also confirm current Saudi Mahram rules before travel.

What if I make a mistake during Umrah?

Minor errors made unintentionally - losing count of a circuit, a lapse in concentration - are generally forgiven, and you simply correct the count if you can. More serious breaches of Ihram restrictions may require a penalty (dam). If you are unsure, ask your group scholar or Big Bird Travel's Umrah guide, who accompany pilgrims to help with exactly these situations.

Is Umrah harder to perform in summer from the UAE?

The rituals are identical year-round, but Makkah summers are very hot (often 40-45 degrees C outdoors), so Tawaf in open areas and any walking outside the air-conditioned zones can be tiring. Summer does bring the lowest prices and smallest crowds, though. If you or your family are heat-sensitive, consider the cooler January-February window - see our best time for Umrah guide.

Umrah Guides| 10 min read|02 Sept 2026

How to Perform Umrah Step by Step: A First-Timer's Guide from UAE

By Big Bird Travel Team

Performing Umrah for the first time can feel overwhelming. This plain-English, step-by-step guide walks UAE pilgrims through every stage - from entering Ihram to the final Halq or Taqsir - so you arrive at the Haram calm, confident and ready.

Umrah is one of the most rewarding acts of worship a Muslim can perform, and unlike Hajj it can be undertaken at any time of the year. For UAE residents the journey is short - a 3.5-hour flight from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Jeddah or Madinah - but the rituals themselves are what many first-time pilgrims worry about most. The good news is that Umrah has only four essential steps, and once you understand the sequence, the experience becomes calm and deeply moving rather than confusing.

This guide explains exactly how to perform Umrah, step by step, in plain language. It is written for first-time pilgrims travelling from the UAE, and it assumes you already have your visa, flights and hotels arranged. If you are still at the planning stage, start with our Umrah packages guide and our documents checklist first, then come back to this page to learn the rituals.

Learn before you land

Read this guide two or three times before you travel and, if you can, watch a short video of Tawaf and Sa'i. Arriving at the Haram already familiar with the flow means you can focus on your worship rather than logistics.

The Four Pillars of Umrah at a Glance

Every valid Umrah is made up of the following stages, performed in order. Completing all four - with Ihram entered from the correct point - is what makes your Umrah complete.

Step	Ritual	What Happens	Approx. Time
1	Ihram	Enter the sacred state, make your intention (niyyah) and recite the Talbiyah	30-60 min
2	Tawaf	Circle the Kaaba seven times, then pray two rakat near Maqam Ibrahim	45-90 min
3	Sa'i	Walk seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah	45-90 min
4	Halq / Taqsir	Shave (men) or trim (men and women) the hair to exit Ihram	10-20 min

From start to finish, Umrah typically takes between two and three hours when the Haram is not overcrowded. During Ramadan or peak weekends it can take considerably longer, so pace yourself and stay hydrated.

Step 1: Entering Ihram

Ihram is both a physical state and a spiritual one. Physically, men wear two plain white unstitched cloths - one wrapped around the waist (izar) and one over the upper body (rida). Women have no fixed dress; they wear ordinary modest Islamic clothing that covers the body, leaving the face and hands uncovered. Spiritually, Ihram is a state of consecration in which certain everyday actions become temporarily forbidden.

Before You Put On Ihram

1.Perform Ghusl (a full ritual bath) - this is a recommended Sunnah before Ihram
2.Trim your nails, remove excess body hair and, for men, apply unscented deodorant if needed (perfume is not allowed once in Ihram)
3.Men change into the two white Ihram cloths; women wear their modest clothing
4.Pray two rakat with the intention of Ihram where prayer is permitted

The Miqat and Your Niyyah

You must enter Ihram before crossing the Miqat - the designated boundary around Makkah. Pilgrims flying from the UAE usually enter Ihram either at home, at the UAE airport, or on the aircraft when the captain announces the Miqat is approaching. If you are flying to Madinah first, your Miqat is Dhul-Hulayfah (Abyar Ali) as you travel on to Makkah. Once at the Miqat, make your niyyah (intention) for Umrah in your heart and begin the Talbiyah:

"Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayka la sharika laka Labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak" - Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Truly all praise, favour and sovereignty belong to You; You have no partner.

Recite the Talbiyah frequently and audibly (men) or quietly (women) from this point until you reach the Kaaba and begin Tawaf.

Restrictions while in Ihram

Once in Ihram, avoid using scented products, cutting hair or nails, covering the head (for men), covering the face (for women), arguing, and any marital intimacy. Wearing stitched clothing is prohibited for men. Breaking these knowingly may require a penalty (dam). If unsure, ask your group leader before acting.

Step 2: Tawaf - Circling the Kaaba

On reaching Masjid al-Haram, enter with your right foot and make dua. When your eyes first fall on the Kaaba, pause and supplicate - many pilgrims describe this as the most emotional moment of the journey. You must be in a state of Wudu (ablution) to perform Tawaf.

Tawaf means circling the Kaaba seven times in an anti-clockwise direction, beginning and ending at the corner where the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) is located. Follow these points:

Start each circuit level with the Black Stone. Face it, raise your hand towards it and say "Bismillah, Allahu Akbar." If you can kiss or touch it safely do so, but never push or harm others to reach it - pointing towards it is completely acceptable
Keep the Kaaba on your left as you walk
Men perform Raml (walking briskly with the chest out) in the first three circuits if space allows, then walk normally for the remaining four
For men, the right shoulder is kept uncovered during Tawaf (this is called Idtiba)
There is no fixed dua for each circuit - recite any Quran, dhikr or personal supplication in any language
On reaching the Yemeni corner, if easy, recite "Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah..." until the Black Stone to complete each round

After the seventh circuit, cover both shoulders again and, if possible, pray two rakat behind Maqam Ibrahim (the Station of Abraham). If it is crowded, you may pray these two rakat anywhere within the Haram. Afterwards, it is Sunnah to drink Zamzam water freely.

Step 3: Sa'i - Between Safa and Marwah

Sa'i commemorates Hajar's search for water for her infant son Ismail. You walk seven times between the two small hills of Safa and Marwah, which are now enclosed within an air-conditioned marble gallery inside the Haram.

1.Proceed to Safa and, facing the Kaaba, raise your hands and make dua. Reciting the verse "Innas-Safa wal-Marwata min sha'a'irillah" the first time is recommended
2.Walk towards Marwah - this counts as the first of seven trips
3.Men are encouraged to jog lightly between the two green markers (the area of the old valley); women walk normally throughout
4.On reaching Marwah, face the Kaaba and make dua again
5.The return to Safa is the second trip. Continue until you complete seven, ending at Marwah
6.There is no fixed dua for Sa'i - supplicate freely in any language throughout

For elderly or unwell pilgrims

Wheelchairs and electric buggies are available inside the Haram for Tawaf and Sa'i, with dedicated upper levels for smoother movement. If a family member struggles with distance or heat, arrange this in advance - Big Bird Travel can advise on hotels closest to the Haram to minimise walking.

Step 4: Halq or Taqsir - Exiting Ihram

The final act of Umrah is cutting the hair. Men may either shave the head completely (Halq) or trim it evenly (Taqsir) - shaving carries greater reward. Women trim only a small amount, about a fingertip's length, from the ends of their hair. Women do not shave their heads.

Once you have cut your hair, your Umrah is complete and all Ihram restrictions are lifted. You may change back into normal clothes, use perfume again and resume ordinary activities. Many pilgrims perform additional voluntary Tawaf during the rest of their stay, and most packages include time in Madinah for ziyarat afterwards.

A Simple Pre-Departure Checklist

Passport valid 6+ months, Umrah visa confirmed and Nusuk profile registered
Meningitis (ACYW135) vaccination certificate - required, taken at least 10 days before travel
Ihram garments (men) and a spare set; modest clothing and prayer garments (women)
Unscented soap, comfortable sandals and a small bag for shoes inside the Haram
A pocket dua guide or the free Nusuk app for step-by-step ritual reminders
Basic medication, rehydration salts and a refillable Zamzam-safe bottle

For the full document list, including vaccination and Mahram rules for women, see our dedicated Umrah documents checklist. To choose the right hotel tier and duration, read our guide to Umrah packages from the UAE.

Plan Your Umrah with Big Bird Travel

Umrah Packages from UAE Umrah Packages Guide: What to Expect Best Time for Umrah from UAE Documents Required for Umrah Book Flights from the UAE Hotels Near the Haram