Umrah for Women, Step by Step

This page lists the Umrah steps for women in order, from the miqat to the final trim. Tick each step as you finish it, and your progress stays saved on your device.

How many days does Umrah take?

• The rites themselves usually take 3 to 6 hours, depending on crowds.
• Tawaf takes about an hour, sa'i about an hour, and the rest is waiting and moving.
• Most Umrah trips last 3 to 7 days, but that is a travel choice, not a condition of worship.
• Islam sets no required number of days for Umrah.

What women wear in ihram

Women have no special ihram garment and no required colour. Wear any loose, modest clothing.

• Not allowed in ihram: the niqab and gloves. The Prophet ﷺ said: "The woman in ihram should not wear a niqab or gloves" (al-Bukhari 1838).
• Allowed: lowering the headscarf over the face when unrelated men pass by, the view of most scholars.
• Allowed: socks, shoes, ordinary jewellery and a watch.
• Avoid after the intention: perfume, and cutting hair or nails.

Menstruation and Umrah

This is the question that worries women most, and the ruling is clear:

• A menstruating woman enters ihram at the miqat and does not delay it, because purity is not a condition for ihram.
• She stays in ihram and does everything except tawaf until she is pure.
• When Aisha's period began, the Prophet ﷺ told her: "Do what the pilgrim does, except do not circle the House until you are pure" (al-Bukhari 305, Muslim 1211).
• Once pure, she bathes, then performs tawaf, sa'i and the trim.
• If her period starts after tawaf and before sa'i, she performs sa'i, because most scholars do not require purity for it.
• If her return flight is close and she will not be pure before it, this is a special case to ask a scholar about before travelling.

Where women differ from men

The basis for trimming is the hadith: "Women do not shave; women only trim" (Abu Dawud 1984).

The talbiyah

"Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. All praise, blessing and dominion are Yours. You have no partner." Al-Bukhari (1549) and Muslim (1184). Start after the intention and stop when tawaf begins.

Tawaf step by step

1. Start level with the Black Stone, with the Kaaba on your left.
2. Point to the Stone with your hand if you cannot reach it, and do not push through men.
3. Make any dua you wish; there is no fixed dua for each round.
4. Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone it is sunnah to say: Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire (Abu Dawud 1892).
5. Complete seven rounds, then pray two rak'ahs.

Sa'i between Safa and Marwah

• Start at Safa, and on first climbing it recite: Indeed Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah.
• Safa to Marwah is one lap, and Marwah back to Safa is another.
• Seven laps, ending at Marwah.
• Purity is not required for sa'i, though it is better to be in wudu.

Travelling with a mahram

• The Prophet ﷺ said: "A woman should not travel except with a mahram" (al-Bukhari 1862, Muslim 1341).
• Scholars differ on a woman travelling for Umrah with a trustworthy group of women, and national rules change.
• Ask a scholar in your country, and check the visa conditions before booking.

Common mistakes and what is correct

Before you travel

• Find the qibla in your hotel room with the qibla finder.
• Check prayer times in Makkah on the Makkah prayer times page.
• Read the full picture of Umrah and its virtue in the Umrah guide.
• Leaving the hotel? Take the dua for leaving home and entering the mosque.

This page relays the well-known rulings with their sources. It does not replace asking a scholar about your own situation.