1. Ihram
Ihram is the sacred state, entered before crossing the miqat — the boundary points around Makkah. For UK pilgrims flying to Jeddah, this is generally done before boarding or in the air, since the aircraft crosses the miqat.
- Perform ghusl (a full ritual wash) where possible, before dressing
- Men wear two unstitched white cloths; women wear ordinary modest clothing with hands and face uncovered in the usual practice
- Make the intention (niyyah) for Umrah
- Begin the talbiyah: Labbayk Allahumma labbayk
Restrictions while in ihram
From entering ihram until leaving it, a pilgrim refrains from:
- Cutting hair or nails
- Using scented products, including perfumed soap
- Marital relations, and proposing marriage
- Hunting or killing game
- For men, wearing stitched clothing or covering the head
- Arguing, quarrelling and obscenity
2. Tawaf
On arriving at Masjid al-Haram, perform tawaf: seven circuits of the Kaaba, anticlockwise, starting and finishing at the Black Stone. Men traditionally perform idtiba (leaving the right shoulder uncovered) and ramal (walking briskly in the first three circuits) — practices that are recommended rather than required, and often impractical in a heavy crowd.
After tawaf, pray two rak‘ah, ideally near the Maqam Ibrahim, and drink Zamzam.
3. Sa‘i
Proceed to Safa and walk seven times between Safa and Marwah. Safa to Marwah counts as one, Marwah back to Safa as the second, finishing at Marwah on the seventh. The distance is roughly 450 metres each way, so this is around three kilometres in total — worth knowing if you are travelling with someone elderly.
4. Halq or taqsir
Men either shave the head completely (halq) or trim the hair (taqsir); shaving is considered the more meritorious. Women trim a fingertip’s length from their hair. This completes Umrah and releases the pilgrim from ihram, and the restrictions lift.
Practical notes for UK pilgrims
- Wear your ihram from the UK, or change on the aircraft before the miqat — most groups do the former
- Unscented soap and unscented deodorant are worth packing; ordinary toiletries are usually perfumed
- The mataf is marble and warm. Simple sandals that can be carried are more practical than they sound
- A refillable bottle for Zamzam saves a great deal of queuing