The first time you see the Kaaba, something shifts inside you. It is hard to put into words. Thousands of British Muslims will make this journey in 2026 and most of them will tell you the same thing afterwards; they wished they had felt more prepared before they went. According to research 18 millions foreign pilgrims performed umrah in 2025.
That is what this guide is for. If you have been searching online trying to figure out how to perform Umrah without getting lost in long Arabic explanations or confusing fiqh debates, this article will walk you through it plainly. Al Meeqat Travel will cover every step in the right order, explain what Ihram actually involves, and share the small bits of advice that experienced UK pilgrims pass down to first timers.
Whether you are flying with your family, joining a group, or going alone, this complete Umrah guide for beginners should leave you feeling ready instead of anxious.
What Is Umrah in Islam?
Meaning and Importance of Umrah
Umrah is a pilgrimage to Makkah that Muslims can do at any time of the year. It is shorter than Hajj and not compulsory, but the reward is huge. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that one Umrah wipes away the sins committed since the last one.
Most people who return from their first Umrah describe it the same way. Something changes your life differently. You miss the Haram weeks later. It is a journey that brings you back to what really matters.
Can Umrah Be Performed Any Time of the Year?
Yes, you can go any month. That said, some times of the year carry more weight. Doing Umrah in Ramadan is said to equal the reward of Hajj with the Prophet (peace be upon him). Rajab and Shaban are also popular among UK families because the weather is milder and crowds are smaller.
How Long Does Umrah Take?
The rituals themselves take roughly three to five hours, depending on how busy the Haram is. But a full UK Umrah trip usually runs between 7 and 14 days, which gives you time to also visit Madinah and not feel rushed.
How to Perform Umrah Step by Step
Here is the order you will actually follow once you arrive.
Step 1: Make Niyyah for Umrah
Nothing in Islam happens without intention. Before you set off, make a quiet niyyah in your heart that this trip is for Allah alone, not for photos, not for stories to tell back home.
You do not have to say it out loud. Just settle it in your heart before you reach the Miqat. This is also the right time to forgive people who have hurt you, pay off any debts you can, and arrive at the airport with a clean slate.
Step 2: Enter the State of Ihram
Ihram is more than just clothing, It is a state. For UK travellers, you usually enter Ihram on the plane or before boarding, since the Miqat boundary is crossed mid-flight.
Ihram clothing for men is two plain white cloths, one wrapped around the lower body and the other thrown over the shoulders. No stitching. Women wear modest, loose clothes in any colour they like with the face and hands left uncovered during the rituals.
Things you cannot do once you are in Ihram:
- Use scented soap, perfume, or deodorant
- Cut your hair or trim your nails
- Hunt or harm any animal
- Argue, swear, or have marital relations
- Cover your head (for men) or wear stitched clothing (for men)
After you put on Ihram, pray two rakats and start reciting the Talbiyah:
Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk, innal-hamda wan-ni’mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak.
In English, this means: “Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. All praise, grace and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.“
Keep saying the Talbiyah on and off until you reach Makkah and start Tawaf. Raise your voice if you are a man, keep it soft if you are a woman. If you are still weighing up when to travel, December Umrah Plans work well for families with kids in school.
Step 3: Arriving at Masjid al Haram
Once you reach Makkah, go to your hotel, freshen up, and prepare yourself before heading to the Haram. Enter the mosque with your right foot first and recite the dua for entering.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ
Then comes the moment you have been waiting for. The first sight of the Kaba. People react differently, some cry, some go silent, some can barely move. Whatever you feel, raise your hands and make dua, because this is one of those moments when supplications are accepted. Keep your voice down, watch your step, and do not push through the crowd.
Step 4: Perform Tawaf Properly
Tawaf means walking around the Kaaba seven times, anti clockwise. It is a reminder that no matter where Muslims come from, we all turn to the same House.
How to start Tawaf:
Stand at the corner of the Hajar al-Aswad. Face the stone, lift your right hand and say Bismillahi Allahu Akbar. If you cannot reach the stone because of the crowd, pointing at it from a distance is perfectly fine. Do not get into a wrestling match trying to touch it.
A few rules to keep in mind:
- The Kaba should always be on your left
- Men should do Ramal (walk briskly) in the first three rounds if there is space
- There is no fixed dua, so recite whatever you want, Quran, dhikr, or your own duas in English or in any language
- Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone, say: Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina adhaban-nar
If you are older, have a bad knee, or it is your first trip, head upstairs. The upper floors are calmer, cooler, and you can take your time. Drink water, avoid peak prayer times, and do not let anyone rush you.
Step 5: Pray at Maqam Ibrahim and Drink Zamzam
Once you finish your seventh round, move towards Maqam Ibrahim, the spot where Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) stood while building the Kaaba. Pray two rakats here, with Surah Al-Kafirun in the first rakat and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second.
Then drink Zamzam. The Sunnah is to drink while standing, facing the Qiblah, in three breaths, and to make dua before you start. Zamzam is no ordinary water. Whatever you ask Allah for when you drink it, ask sincerely.
Step 6: Perform Sa’i Between Safa and Marwah
Sai is the walk between two small hills, Safa and Marwah, repeated seven times. It traces the steps of Hajar, who ran back and forth in the desert looking for water for her baby son Isma’il (peace be upon him). Her story is one of the most moving in our deen.
How to do Sa’i:
- Start at Safa, face the Kaaba, lift your hands, and recite:
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ
- Walk to Marwah. That is round one.
- Walk back to Safa. That is round two.
- Keep going until you complete seven walks, finishing at Marwah.
Men should jog a little between the green markers in the middle section. Women walk normally the whole way. There is no set dua, so this is your time to talk to Allah about whatever is on your mind, your parents, your marriage, your career, your kids, your worries.
If you are bringing elderly parents with you, wheelchair help is available all around the Haram, and most Family Umrah tour packages will arrange this for you ahead of time.
Step 7: Halq or Taqsir
The last step is shaving or trimming your hair.
- Halq means shaving your head completely, which is what men are encouraged to do
- Taqsir means trimming, where men cut at least an inch from all over
- Women snip about a fingertip length from the ends of their hair
Once this is done, that is it. Your Umrah is complete. The Ihram restrictions are lifted, you can wear normal clothes, use perfume again, and spend the rest of your trip soaking it all in.
How to Perform Umrah for Ladies
Women’s Ihram Rules
For women, Ihram is not about a specific outfit. Wear modest, loose clothes in whatever colour you prefer. The face and hands should stay uncovered during the rituals, although you can lower a niqab briefly if non-mahram men are very close.
Umrah During Menstruation
If your period starts before Tawaf, you cannot do Tawaf yet because it requires purity. You can still enter Ihram at the Miqat and recite Talbiyah. Once your period ends and you do ghusl, you carry on with Tawaf, Sa’i, and Halq as normal. Do not feel embarrassed or stressed about this. It is something the Sahabiyat experienced too.
Important Tips for Female Pilgrims
- Travel with a mahram if you can, although Saudi rules now allow women over 18 to travel in groups
- Pack a small bag with essentials, a spare modest outfit and comfy shoes
- Stick to unscented toiletries while in Ihram
- Stay close to your group, especially after Fajr and Isha when the crowds peak
Spiritual Tips to Make Your Umrah More Meaningful
Doing the steps correctly matters but Umrah is really about your heart. Before you fly, sit down with a notebook and write out everything you want to ask Allah for. Your family, your sins, your fears, your dreams, the Ummah. Take that list with you.
Try not to spend hours on your phone or in the shopping malls. Every minute near the Kaba is something you will miss when you are back home. Plenty of UK pilgrims come back and wish they had prayed more Tahajjud, read more Quran or just sat quietly looking at the Kaba instead of scrolling.
When you get home, hold on to what you built. Keep praying on time. Give a little charity each week. Remember how you felt in Makkah whenever life starts dragging you down. Some travellers also start saving for Cheap Ramadan Umrah Deals so they can come back during the most blessed month and reset all over again.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Umrah
- Crossing the Miqat without entering Ihram
- Starting Tawaf from the wrong corner
- Losing count of rounds in Tawaf or Sa’i
- Rushing through prayers without focus
- Forgetting to drink Zamzam
- Snipping too little hair during Taqsir
- Losing your temper in busy areas
If you slip up unintentionally, do not panic. Allah is the Most Merciful. Most small mistakes do not invalidate your Umrah, but if something serious happens, ask a knowledgeable scholar before you assume the worst.
Frequently Asked Questions About Umrah
How do I perform Umrah step by step?
Make the intention, put on Ihram at the Miqat, do Tawaf around the Kaba, pray at Maqam Ibrahim, drink Zamzam, do Sa’i between Safa and Marwah, and finish with Halq or Taqsir.
Can I perform Umrah without a group?
Yes, you can travel independently if you sort out the visa and accommodation yourself. But for first timers, a group is usually less stressful.
How many days are enough for Umrah?
Most UK trips run between 7 and 14 days which gives you breathing room for the rituals, Madinah and rest.
What should I recite during Tawaf?
There is no fixed dua. Read the Holy Quran, do dhikr, or talk to Allah in your preferred language. Whatever feels closest to your heart.
Can women perform Umrah alone?
Saudi Arabia now allows women over 18 to travel for Umrah without a mahram if they go in a group. Always double check current visa rules before booking.
Is Umrah difficult for elderly people?
Not really, Wheelchairs, ground floor prayer areas and lifts make it manageable as long as you plan ahead.
What happens if I make a mistake during Umrah?
Honest mistakes are usually forgiven. For anything you are unsure about, ring a scholar or your group’s imam before assuming you need to repeat anything.
Can I perform multiple Umrahs in one trip?
Yes, after your first one, you can travel to a Miqat like Tan’eem, put on Ihram again and do another Umrah for a deceased family member or just for extra reward.
Final Thoughts on Performing Umrah
Your Umrah does not need to be flawless. Allah is looking at your heart, not at whether you did Ramal in the right rounds or recited the perfect dua. If you turn up at the Kaaba tired, humble, and hopeful, you are already doing the most important part right.
If you are nervous about getting things wrong, do not be. Thousands of British Muslims complete their Umrah every year, and you will too with a bit of patience and trust in Allah.
For 2026, start your planning early. Visa rules shift, flights fill up and good hotels near the Haram get booked months in advance. Sit down with an experienced UK agency like Al Meeqat Travel and talk through what works for your budget and family. It is also worth comparing Affordable umrah packages and looking at Best Group Umrah offers before you commit.
May Allah accept your Umrah, make the journey easy on you, and let you stand before His House with a heart full of peace.
