How to perform Umrah
Six steps, in plain words, with the crowd forecast and the gates nearest your hotel.
Performing Umrah comes down to six rites in a fixed order: ihram at the miqat, tawaf around the Kaaba, prayer behind Maqam Ibrahim, Zamzam, sa’i between Safa and Marwah, then halq or taqsir. This guide walks each step in plain words, with tonight’s crowd forecast and the prayer times that shape your timing.
The rites, in order
Bathe, wear the two white cloths, and make your intention at or before the miqat. Say the talbiyah from here on.
- Unstitched cloth for men; ordinary modest dress for women
- Perfume before ihram only, never after
Right foot first, and stop the talbiyah once you see the Ka’bah. Bab Ali is the closest gate to the mataf from most Haram hotels.
- Gate 10 (Bab Ali) is 4 minutes from Swissôtel and Pullman
- Wheelchair lanes are signposted at Bab Al Fath
Begin and end at the black stone line. Men uncover the right shoulder for tawaf only. Crowds are lightest between 01:00 and 04:00.
- Count on your fingers, not in your head
- The upper floor is longer but far calmer
If it is crowded, pray anywhere in the mataf — do not push. Then drink Zamzam.
- Zamzam coolers line the mataf edge
- Cups on the right, refill bottles below
Seven lengths, starting at Safa. Men jog the green-lit stretch; women walk throughout.
- Wheelchair lanes are on the upper floor
- One length is roughly 450 m
Shave or trim. Your ihram ends here — you can change clothes, eat, and rest.
- We send a licensed barber to your hotel floor
- Group rate from four people
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Not sure mid-tawaf?
Ask the concierge and a scholar answers in your language — usually within a few minutes, and always before you have to decide something.