The Talbiyah for Umrah
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً
Labbayka Allahumma 'Umrah
Here I am, O Allah, for Umrah.
Said at the miqat when forming the intention
Umrah is the lesser pilgrimage, performed at any time of year. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'One Umrah to the next is an expiation for what is between them.'
Unlike Hajj, Umrah has four simple stages: entering Ihram at the miqat, performing Tawaf around the Ka'bah, walking Sa'i between Safa and Marwah, and shaving or shortening the hair. This hub walks through each stage with the dua attached to it.
An Umrah performed in Ramadan carries the reward of a Hajj performed with the Prophet ﷺ, as reported in Sahih al-Bukhari.
In this hub
Step-by-Step Umrah GuideUmrah has four rites performed in order. Follow this sequence from the miqat to the completion of Halq or Taqs…Ihram — Rules and DuaIhram is both a state and an intention. It begins at the miqat and continues until the rites of Umrah are comp…Tawaf — Circling the Ka'bahTawaf is the circling of the Ka'bah seven times, beginning and ending at the Black Stone, performed with wudu.…Sa'i between Safa and MarwahSa'i retraces the steps of Hajar as she searched for water for her son Isma'il — seven laps between the hills …
Key supplications
Beginning each circuit of Tawaf
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Bismillah wa Allahu akbar
In the name of Allah, and Allah is the Greatest.
Said facing the Black Stone at the start of each circuit
The four stages
Ihram and intention at the miqat, Tawaf of seven circuits, Sa'i of seven laps, then Halq or Taqsir to exit Ihram.
Each stage has its own etiquette; the sub-pages below cover them one by one.
Before you travel
Learn the rites, ensure your provision is lawful, and make sincere intention for the sake of Allah alone.
Pray two rak'ahs before entering Ihram and keep the Talbiyah on your tongue throughout the journey to Makkah.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Umrah take?
The rites themselves usually take two to four hours depending on crowds, though the journey and preparation take longer.
Can Umrah be performed on behalf of someone else?
Yes, for someone deceased or unable to travel, provided you have performed your own Umrah first.
Do women need a mahram for Umrah?
The majority of scholars require a mahram for travel. Saudi regulations have relaxed the visa requirement, but the fiqh position remains with the schools of law.
Is there a fixed dua for each circuit of Tawaf?
No. Apart from the takbir at the Black Stone and the verse recited between the Yemeni corner and the Black Stone, supplicate freely.
What if I break a condition of Ihram by mistake?
Acts done out of forgetfulness or ignorance are generally excused; stop the act as soon as you realise. Deliberate violations carry an expiation.