The four rites · 01
Step 1: Ihram
Entering the sacred state with intention and talbiyah, what to wear, and the duas for arriving at Masjid al-Haram.
Ihram is the sacred state a pilgrim enters before crossing the miqat. It is the intention (niyyah) that makes you a pilgrim. The white garments are part of that state, not the state itself.
Before you enter ihram
- Clip your nails, trim or remove unwanted body hair, and take a full bath (ghusl) if you can. Wudu is also fine.
- Men may apply perfume to the body (not the garments) before the intention.
- Pray two rakʿahs if it is not a prohibited time, or make the intention after an obligatory prayer.
What to wear
Men
- Two white, unstitched sheets: the izar around the waist and the rida over the shoulders
- Sandals that leave the ankles and the top of the foot uncovered
- Nothing covering the head
- No stitched, fitted clothing such as shirts, trousers or underwear
Women
- Normal, loose, modest clothing that covers the body. There is no special colour.
- Hijab covering the hair
- The face and hands stay uncovered: no niqab and no gloves
- Comfortable footwear
Intention and talbiyah
At the miqat, make the intention in your heart for Umrah. Saying it aloud in these words is the practice of many pilgrims.
لَبَّيْكَ عُمْرَةً
Labbayka ʿumrah.
Here I am, [O Allah], for Umrah.
At the miqat, in the heart. Saying it aloud in these words is the common practice.
Sahih Muslim 1232
Then begin the talbiyah. Men raise their voices; women say it so that those beside them can hear. Repeat it often, from the miqat until you begin tawaf.
لَبَّيْكَ اللّٰهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
Labbayk Allāhumma labbayk, labbayka lā sharīka laka labbayk. Innal-ḥamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, lā sharīka lak.
Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Surely all praise, favour and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.
After making the intention for Umrah, and often until you begin Tawaf. Men say it aloud, women quietly.
Sahih al-Bukhari 1549; Sahih Muslim 1184
“O Allah, make this ihram easy for me and protect me from anything that breaks it.”
A personal supplication; say it in any language.
Arriving at Masjid al-Haram
Enter with your right foot first and say the dua for entering a mosque. Many pilgrims enter through the gates facing the Kaaba's eastern side, such as Bab al-Salam, but any gate is fine.
بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللّٰهِ، اللّٰهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ
Bismillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu 'alā Rasūlillāh. Allāhummaftaḥ lī abwāba raḥmatik.
In the name of Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, open for me the doors of Your mercy.
Step in with the right foot, at Masjid al-Haram or any mosque.
Sahih Muslim 713; Sunan Ibn Majah 771
When you first see the Kaaba, raise your hands and ask Allah for whatever you wish. This is a moment many pilgrims remember for life.
اللّٰهُمَّ زِدْ هٰذَا الْبَيْتَ تَشْرِيفًا وَتَعْظِيمًا وَتَكْرِيمًا وَمَهَابَةً، وَزِدْ مَنْ شَرَّفَهُ وَكَرَّمَهُ مِمَّنْ حَجَّهُ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَهُ تَشْرِيفًا وَتَكْرِيمًا وَتَعْظِيمًا وَبِرًّا
Allāhumma zid hādhal-bayta tashrīfan wa ta'ẓīman wa takrīman wa mahābah, wa zid man sharrafahu wa karramahu mimman ḥajjahu awi'tamarahu tashrīfan wa takrīman wa ta'ẓīman wa birrā.
O Allah, increase this House in honour, esteem, dignity and awe, and increase those who honour and revere it, of those who perform Hajj or Umrah, in honour, dignity, esteem and righteousness.
Raise your hands and ask Allah for anything. This wording is reported from the early generations.
Reported by al-Shafiʿi in al-Umm and al-Bayhaqi; its chain is considered weak