Umrah is a lesser or minor pilgrimage that is not obligatory but a highly recommended Sunnah to perform. Muslims from all around the world come to carry out this holy journey in order to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet PBUH. Although the Umrah has its standard rituals, the Sunnah way to perform these rituals involves performing specific actions and etiquettes. Islamic Travel offers all-inclusive Umrah Packages for our Muslim community living in the UK so that you can perform Umrah rituals easily. If you are travelling for the first time, we also bring you comprehensive and scholarly guided packages that include all the key guidelines to Umrah rituals. Book our Umrah Packages 2026 from UK today for a smooth stress-free travel.
The Sunnah Way to Perform Umrah
The Sunnah way to perform Umrah rituals include certain actions and etiquettes to be followed. If you want to perform your Umrah by following the Sunnah way, you need to consider the following things:
Pre-Umrah Preparation
The preparation before you embark on your holy journey following the Sunnah way includes a list of things such as your intention, purification, ihram, perfume and Salah:
Declaring Pure Intention/ Niyyah:
First of all, you need to make a pure intention to perform Umrah with all your heart and devotion. This means that you fully declare your pure intention and your purpose and show full submission to Allah’s will.
Physical and Spiritual Purification:
As a Muslim, if you also wish to follow the Sunnah way, you need to make sure that you follow Prophet PBUH’s way of performing Umrah. You need to first make a pure intention and clear purpose of Umrah. Next, you take ghusl or bath, which include trimming of nails and removal of unwanted hair. Make sure to wear clean garments before you enter the mosque and proceed to perform Umrah rituals.
Entering Ihram:
Ihram for men are two clean pieces of white cloth that pilgrims wear when they go to perform Umrah whereas for women Ihram is their modest clothing that covers their bodies well. It is not just a piece of cloth but a state of observing humility before Allah. Pilgrims need to observe and enter ihram before they leave to perform Umrah rituals.
Applying Perfume:
It is the Sunnah of Prophet PBUH to apply perfume before you enter Ihram. If you want to follow the Sunnah way of performing Islamic rituals, make sure that you follow all the actions that the Prophet (PBUH) did.
Two Rakaat Salah before Umrah:
The Prophet PBUH used to perform two rakaat Salah after entering Ihram and before performing Umrah. If you wish to follow the Sunnah way, you can follow this action.
Entering Meeqat and Talbiyah
As a pilgrim, you enter your Ihram in the Sunnah way such that you enter Meeqat by saying the Talbiyah. The Talbiyah is recited repeatedly: “Labbayk, Allahumma Labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk. Inna al-hamda, wan-ni’mata, laka wal-mulk, laa shareeka lak”. The Talbiyah shows the pilgrims intentions to perform Umrah. Moreover, it is a Sunnah to be in the state of Wudu throughout your Umrah rituals.
Doing the Tawaf:
Tawaf is also known as the circumambulation of the Ka’aba. Pilgrims must enter Ka’aba in such a way that they enter with their right foot first inside the Holy Mosque and start reciting the holy supplication as you enter the Meeqat. Pilgrims perform seven rounds of Ka’aba in an anti-clockwise direction. It is also Sunnah to touch or kiss the Blackstone if possible while performing Tawaf. This circulating ritual means aligning one’s will with the will of Allah. After Tawaf, it is Sunnah to perform two rakaat Nawafal prayers if possible.
Performing the Sa’i ritual:
After performing the Tawaf comes the ritual of Sa’i. The Sa’i reminds us of the story of Hajar searching water for her son. This ritual also involves going to and fro between the mounts of Safa and Marwa completing seven circuits.
Drinking the Zamzam water:
It is not obligatory to drink Zamzam water nor is it a part of Umrah ritual, but if you want to follow the Sunnah way to perform Umrah, you may also drink the Zamzam water after performing Tawaf or Sa’i.
The Halq or Taqsir Ritual
The last step after performing the Sa’i ritual is the Halq or the Taqsir. The Halq for men is shaving the head whereas the Taqsir involves trimming your hair. For women, they can cut a small piece of their hair.
Exiting the state of Ihram
After completing all your essential Umrah rituals, you can leave the state of Ihram and carry on with your normal life activities. If you want to perform your Umrah rituals by following the Sunnah way, you can book all-inclusive Umrah Packages with Islamic Travel for a smooth and stress-free journey. Our Umrah Packages 2026 from UK are now open for bookings