Introduction to Umrah for Women
All the Umrah rituals remain the same for both men and women. However, there are several rules especially for women which makes the difference. So, this guide is all about how to perform Umrah step by step as a woman and what Dua's to recite through the journey.
Step-by-Step Umrah Guide for Women
Knowing all the basics of how to perform Umrah step by step is important for women especially for first-time travelers. And it makes a difference not in terms of rituals but in terms of rules and restrictions. So, follow the guide below to plan every step of your Umrah journey:
Entering Ihram and Making Niyyah
There's no specific Ihram clothing preference for women unlike men. Women can wear any dress or abaya to cover their whole body except face and hands. However, the Ihram clothing should be simple and modest. And it shouldn't be fancy or tight fitting at all.
Entering into the ihram state is the foremost ritual of an Umrah journey. And it starts from making a sincere Niyyah. So, revise and affirm in your heart that you're going to perform Umrah for the sake of Allah.
Niyyah Before Miqat
اللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الْعُمْرَةَ فَيَسِّرْهَا لِي وَتَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّي
Translation: O Allah, I intend to perform ʿUmrah. Please make it easy for me and accept it from me.
Niyyah to revise at Meeqat
لَبَّيْكَ اللّٰهُمَّ عُمْرَةً
Translation: O Allah, here I am, responding to You with ʿUmrah.
Talbiyah for Women
لَبَّيْكَ اللّٰهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
Translation: Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. All praise, all blessings, and all kingdom belong to You. You have no partner.
With this, women enter into the Ihram. Therefore, the restrictions of Ihram become valid as soon as you will make niyyah.
So, it's recommended that women should make niyyah after boarding the flight and before reaching Miqat. Miqat is a boundary location that pilgrims shouldn't cross without making niyyah. And making niyyah after crossing Miqat isn't acceptable at all.
Entering Makkah
Makkah is a holy land as well as a birthplace of Islam. So, pilgrims should honour this sacred place. This is also the reason the holy Prophet used to say the following Dua while entering Makkah:
Dua When Entering Makkah
اللَّهُمَّ هَذَا حَرَمُكَ وَأَمْنُكَ، فَحَرِّمْنِي عَلَى النَّارِ، وَآمِنِّي مِنْ عَذَابِكَ يَوْمَ تَبْعَثُ عِبَادَكَ، وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنْ أَوْلِيَائِكَ وَأَهْلِ طَاعَتِكَ
Translation: O Allah, this is Your sacred place and Your place of safety. So protect me from the Fire, keep me safe from Your punishment on the Day You raise Your servants, and make me among Your close servants and those who obey You.
Dua for Increased Honor of the Sacred City
اللَّهُمَّ زِدْ هَذَا الْبَيْتَ تَشْرِيفًا وَتَعْظِيمًا وَتَكْرِيمًا وَمَهَابَةً، وَزِدْ مَنْ شَرَّفَهُ وَكَرَّمَهُ مِمَّنْ حَجَّهُ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَهُ تَشْرِيفًا وَتَكْرِيمًا وَتَعْظِيمًا وَبِرًّا
Translation: O Allah, increase this House in honor, greatness, respect, and awe. And increase those who honor and respect it, those who perform Hajj or Umrah in honor, respect, greatness, and goodness.
Entering Masjid al-Haram
Every mosque is honored where Muslims recite Sunnah Dua while entering and leaving the mosque. However, masjid al-Haram is the most sacred mosque of Islam and thus has a specific Sunnah Dua that pilgrims should recite while entering Masjid al-Haram:
Dua for Entering Masjid al-Haram
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلَامُ وَمِنْكَ السَّلَامُ، فَحَيِّنَا رَبَّنَا بِالسَّلَامِ، وَأَدْخِلْنَا الْجَنَّةَ دَارَ السَّلَامِ، تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ يَا ذَا الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَا
Translation: O Allah, You are Peace and from You comes peace. Grant us peace, our Lord, and admit us into Paradise, the home of peace. You are blessed and exalted, O Owner of Majesty and Honor.
Seeing Kaabah for the first time
Seeing Kaabah for the first time is a unique experience that one can't explain in words. It's the moment that fills the hearts with gratitude, humility and joy all at the same time. So, the holy Prophet used to say the following Dua while seeing Kaabah:
Sunnah Dua on Seeing the Kaabah for the first time
اللَّهُمَّ زِدْ هَذَا الْبَيْتَ تَشْرِيفًا وَتَعْظِيمًا وَتَكْرِيمًا وَمَهَابَةً، وَزِدْ مَنْ شَرَّفَهُ وَعَظَّمَهُ مِمَّنْ حَجَّهُ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَهُ تَشْرِيفًا وَتَعْظِيمًا وَتَكْرِيمًا وَبِرًّا
Translation: O Allah, increase this House in honor, greatness, respect, and awe. And increase those who honor it - those who perform Hajj or Umrah in honor, goodness, and righteousness.
General Dua at First Sight of the Kaabah
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلَامُ وَمِنْكَ السَّلَامُ، فَحَيِّنَا رَبَّنَا بِالسَّلَامِ
Translation: O Allah, You are Peace and from You comes peace. Grant us peace, our Lord.
Dua for Acceptance at the First Sight
اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ، وَتَقَبَّلْ مِنِّي دُعَائِي، وَاغْفِرْ لِي ذُنُوبِي
Translation: O Allah, open for me the doors of Your mercy, accept my prayers, and forgive my sins.
Performing Tawaf as a Woman
Tawaf is an important ritual of Umrah to perform in Masjid al-Haram. It's a highly rewarding act of worship which is all about completing seven circuits around the Kaabah.
Dua for Making Niyyah of Tawaf
نَوَيْتُ أَنْ أُؤَدِّيَ طَوَافَ هَذَا الْبَيْتِ لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى
Translation: I intend to perform tawaf of this House for Allah.
Also, ask Allah for ease:
اللَّهُمَّ يَسِّرْ لِي هَذَا الطَّوَافَ، وَتَقَبَّلْهُ مِنِّي، وَاجْعَلْهُ خَالِصًا لِوَجْهِكَ الْكَرِيمِ
Translation: O Allah, make this Tawaf easy for me, accept it from me, and make it only for Your sake.
Dua to seek acceptance of Tawaf from Allah
اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ مِنِّي طَوَافِي، وَاغْفِرْ لِي ذُنُوبِي، وَارْحَمْنِيبِرَحْمَتِكَ
Translation: O Allah, accept my tawaf, forgive my sins, and have mercy on me.
How to Start Tawaf?
The corner of Kaabah having Hajr Al aswad (Black Stone) is the starting point of Tawaf. So, position yourself in the direction of the black stone by following the green lights located on the left wall of the upper floors. After that, make niyyah of performing Tawaf as an Umrah ritual.
Doing Istilam to start Tawaf
Istilam is a Sunnah act of kissing, touching or pointing towards Hajr al-Aswad. However, it's quite difficult for women to navigate the crowds of pilgrims and getting closer to Hajar al-Aswad. Also, it involves mixing with men and harming fellows which isn't ideal at all.
Therefore, the best option is to perform Tawaf farther from Hajar al-Aswad and doing Istilam by raising the right hand towards it and saying:
Completing the First Circuit of Tawaf
The first circuit of Tawaf begins with Istilam. So, keep walking in an anticlockwise direction while reciting any Sunnah supplications or Quranic Dua's to connect with Allah. Avoid pushing or harming others while performing Tawaf.
Reaching Rukn al-Yamani
Rukn al-Yamani is the corner of Kaabah just before the corner having Hajr al-Aswad. It's in the southwestern side of the Kaabah facing Yaman. Rukn al-Yamani is special because it's Sunnah to recite the following Dua while crossing this corner:
Dua to recite at Rukn al-Yamani
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً، وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً، وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Translation: Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the next life, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.
So, keep reciting this Dua until you reach in front of Hajr al-Aswad and you have to start the next circuit.
Completing Seven Circuits of Tawaf
Start the second circuit of Tawaf in a similar way as you did firstly. Begin with performing Istilam, reciting supplications or making Dua's throughout walking and reciting Sunnah Dua while crossing Rukn al-Yamani. Similarly, complete the seven circuits of Tawaf and do Istilam in the last too - and it will count as a completed ritual.
Is there any Specific Dua to recite in Tawaf?
The supplication to recite at Rukn al-Yamani is the only Sunnah Dua of Tawaf. So, recite it while walking from Rukn al-Yamani to Hajr al-Aswad. Besides this, there's nothing specific to recite during Tawaf. And it's better to recite any Sunnah or Quranic Dua's or even personal Dua's and be in the state of Dhikr throughout Tawaf.
Can Women Perform Tawaf during Menstruation?
No, it's prohibited for women to perform Tawaf while menstruating. This is because one can perform Tawaf only in the state of purity. Even no one can perform Tawaf without Wudu. So, women should wait until purity to perform Tawaf and complete their Umrah.
What to do if Wudu breaks during Tawaf?
Wudu is an essential prerequisite for pilgrims including women to perform Tawaf. So, one has to leave Tawaf as soon as Wudu breaks and has to revise Wudu. After that, one should resume performing Tawaf exactly from the incompleted circuit. And there's no need to perform tawaf from the beginning in this case.
Do Women need to perform Idtiba and Ramal?
No. Women have to cover their whole body modestly except for their face and hands. And they also have to walk at normal pace without getting into the crowd. Idtiba (leaving the right shoulder naked) and Ramal (walking swiftly) are only allowed for men.
Offering two Rak'ah salah after Tawaf
It's Sunnah to offer two Rak'ah salah at Maqam e Ibrahim after completing Tawaf. However, finding a bare place near Maqam e Ibrahim is near to impossible especially as a woman. This whole area remains crowded all the time with pilgrims performing Tawaf.
So, find any suitable place in the Haram to offer two Rak'ah. Begin with making niyyah of performing voluntary (Nafl) Rak'ah of Tawaf and complete as an obligatory Salah. It's Sunnah to recite Surah Al Kafirun in first Rak'ah and Surah Al Ikhlas in second Rak'ah.
Drinking Zam Zam and Related Duas
Zam Zam is a miraculous water with unlimited benefits. And drinking Zam Zam while performing Umrah is also the Sunnah of our Holy Prophet. So, find any Zam Zam station nearby and drink sufficient water. Drink it while standing and facing the Kaabah.
Make niyyah of drinking this pure water and with the intention of gaining all its benefits. Also, recite the following Sunnah Dua before drinking Zam Zam:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا، وَرِزْقًا وَاسِعًا، وَشِفَاءً مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ
Translation: O Allah, I ask You for useful knowledge, plenty of provision, and healing from every illness.
Dua for Seeking the Benefits of Zam Zam
اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهُ لَنَا عِلْمًا وَإِيمَانًا، وَرِزْقًا وَشِفَاءً، وَقُوَّةً عَلَىٰ طَاعَتِكَ
Translation: O Allah, make this water a source of knowledge and faith, provision and healing, and strength to obey You.
Dua for Energy and Strength for Sa‘i
اللَّهُمَّ قَوِّنِي بِهِ عَلَىٰ ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ
Translation: O Allah, give me strength through it to remember You, thank You, and worship You well.
Performing Sa‘i for Women
Sa'i is an important ritual of Umrah that pilgrims perform inside Masjid an-Haram. It's an act of walking between Safa and Marwa hills and completes seven laps. This ritual reminds pilgrims of the struggle of Hazrat Hajar when he ran between these hills in the search of water.
It shows her dedication and trust in Allah and it's also the same incident through which we got the blessed water "Zam Zam". So, women can deeply relate with the effort of Hazrat Hajar which makes this act even more spiritual and rewarding for women.
Starting Point of Sa'i
Mas'a area is the starting point of Sa'i which is a multilevel gallery in the east of the Holy Kaabah. It's the area having both the hills of Safa and Marwa. So, women can perform Sa'i anywhere either in the ground or upper floors. So, find the nearby Mas'a floor to start your Sa'i.
Making Niyyah of Sa'i
Revise in the heart that you are going to perform Sa'i as a part of Umrah. Also, recite the following Sunnah Dua's before starting Sa'i:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ السَّعْيَ بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ سَبْعَةَ أَشْوَاطٍ لِوَجْهِكَ الْكَرِيمِ، فَيَسِّرْهُ لِي وَتَقَبَّلْهُ مِنِّي
Translation: O Allah, I intend to perform Sa'i between Safa and Marwah, seven rounds, for Your sake. Make it easy for me and accept it from me.
Dua to recite at Safa
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ، أَبْدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللَّهُ بِهِ
Translation: Indeed, Safa and Marwah are from the signs of Allah. I begin with what Allah began with.
Dua to recite During Sa‘i
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ، إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْأَعَزُّ الْأَكْرَمُ
Translation: My Lord, forgive me and have mercy on me. You are the Most Powerful and the Most Generous.
Dua to seek Acceptance of Sa‘i
اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ مِنِّي سَعْيِي، وَاجْعَلْهُ سَعْيًا مَبْرُورًا، وَذَنْبًا مَغْفُورًا، وَعَمَلًا مَقْبُولًا
Translation: O Allah, accept my Sa'i, make it blessed, forgive my sins, and accept my deeds.
Also, stop at Safa hill for a while to make personal Dua's and ask Allah for ease and acceptance.
Starting the first lap of Sa'i
Start walking from Safa to Marwa at a normal pace. Keep walking while reciting any Sunnah or quranic Dua's just like Tawaf. There are also screens on the walls in the Mas'a area displaying Sunnah Dua's recitation.
Ending the first Lap of Sa'i
The first lap of Sa'i ends at Marwa hill. So, stop for a while at Marwa hill and make personal Dua's.
Completing the seven laps
Start walking from Marwa hill to Safa as a second lap of Sa'i. Similarly, recite any Sunnah or quranic Dua's while walking at normal pace. And this lap will be completed at Safa hill. Just like this, complete the seven laps of Sa'i from Safa to Marwa and Marwa to Safa. And the seven laps will be completed at Marwa hill.
Can Women run under green lights?
No. Women have to walk at normal pace throughout the seven laps of Sa'i. The green light area is designated for men so that they can perform Ramal. However, it's prohibited for women to maintain their modesty and sanctity.
Taqsir: Completing Umrah for Women
Taqsir is the final ritual of Umrah for women. It's an act of cutting hair short to exit the Ihram state and complete the Umrah. Remember that women can only perform Taqsir as Halq (shaving entire head) is only permissible for men.
When to Perform Taqsir as a woman?
Women have to perform Taqsir after completing Tawaf and Sa'i. Though one can delay Taqsir for a while, unnecessary delaying isn't recommended at all. Also, remember that you have to abide by all the restrictions of Ihram until you perform Taqsir.
Where to Perform Taqsir as a woman?
Women shouldn't expose their hair to non-Mahram men. Also, cutting hair inside Masjid an-Haram isn't a good practice. So, women should perform Taqsir in private. And for this, a hotel room is the best choice for women.
Making Niyyah of Taqsir
Start with revising in the heart that you are going to perform Taqsir as a ritual of Umrah and to exit the Ihram.
How much hair to cut as a woman?
Women have to cut hair from the ends up to the length of a finger tip. For this, curl hair tips from the ends around your finger and cut at the point from where hair starts overlapping over the first layer. And someone (Mahram) can also cut your hair on your behalf.
Exiting Ihram state
All the Ihram restrictions end as soon as women perform Taqsir. And it ends the Ihram state too. So, express gratitude towards Allah and ask for acceptance.
Common Mistakes Women Make During Umrah
Though the Umrah rituals are the same for both men and women, there are several rules specific for women only. However, many women don't understand the basics completely while performing Umrah and don't fulfill the requirements of an Umrah journey as per the Sunnah.
So, if you are planning your Umrah as a woman, avoid the following common mistakes when perfrom Umrah that women make often:
- Entering Ihram without making proper niyyah
- Entering Ihram after crossing Miqat
- Wearing fancy clothing as Ihram garments
- Using scented products during the state of Ihram
- Covering face with stitched niqab during Ihram
- Cutting hair or nails while in Ihram
- Reciting Talbiyah loudly like men
- Performing Tawaf without wudu
- Pushing fellow pilgrims to touch Hajr al-Aswad
- Kissing Hajr al-Aswad in crowd of pilgrims
- Performing Tawaf during menstruation
- Running between green lights during Sa'i
- Starting Sa'i from Marwah instead of Safa
- Cutting too little hair for Taqsir
- Exiting Ihram before completing all Umrah rituals
- Carrying unnecessary valuables into Haram
- Spending a lot more time on phone and making pictures
Final Words
In conclusion, an Umrah for women is all about following simplicity and modesty during each step of the journey. As compared to men, there are fewer rules and restrictions for women. So, it all requires the proper knowledge of do's and don'ts as well as the understanding of rituals. And we hope by the end of this post that you can plan your Umrah with Alhaq Tours journey better now as a woman.
Frequently Asked Questions About Women’s Umrah
Is there any specific Ihram clothing for women?
No, the Ihram clothing for women isn't specific unlike men. So, women can wear any dress or abaya while performing Umrah. However, it's important to wear simple and modest clothing during Ihram.
Can a woman perform Umrah without a mahram?
It depends on the age and circumstances of a woman that decides whether she can perform Umrah without Mahram or not. So, get a personalized suggestion from scholars in this regard.
What if menstruation starts unexpectedly?
If periods begin before Tawaf, pause your Umrah and wait until you are pure to perform Tawaf. However, periods begin after completing Tawaf, you can perform Sa'i and Taqsir and your Umrah will be valid In Sha Allah.
Can I wear socks and gloves in Ihram?
Women can wear socks in Ihram but not the gloves. Similarly, women shouldn't cover their face with a stitched niqab during Ihram.
Is makeup allowed outside Ihramfor women?
Yes, women can wear makeup after exiting Ihram. However, scented makeup products aren't permissible to use during Ihram. Similarly, wearing makeup for adornment isn't recommended at all. After exiting Ihram, normal grooming and makeup are permissible.
Can I perform multiple Umrah?
Though women perform multiple Umrah in a single journey, it's not a Sunnah. The holy Prophet used to perform a single Umrah in a journey to Makkah. So, women should also perform one Umrah in a single journey. But still, they have an option of performing a second Umrah after returning from Madinah.
Can I take birth control to avoid menstruation?
It's permissible to use birth control to delay menstruation for Umrah when recommended by a doctor and is medically safe as well.
Can I do Umrah while breastfeeding?
Yes, breastfeeding during Umrah doesn't impact the validity of Umrah. Breastfeeding also doesn't violate any Ihram restriction, and thus is totally safe.
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