Learning how to perform Umrah before you travel helps you understand each ritual and follow the correct order. If you are exploring Umrah packages from Italy, start by learning the four main stages: entering Ihram with intention, performing Tawaf, completing Sa’i, and shaving or trimming the hair.
For first-time pilgrims travelling from Italy, there are also practical details to arrange. Your flight route, arrival city and group itinerary affect when you prepare for Ihram. Learning these details early gives you more time to focus on worship.
Prepare Before You Travel
Learn the main rituals before departure. Keep a short guide on your phone or carry a printed copy that you can read without an internet connection.
When comparing Umrah packages from Italy, ask about religious guidance, transfers and accommodation. Confirm whether your group visits Makkah or Madinah first, as this affects your Ihram arrangements.
Keep your Ihram clothing in your hand luggage if you need it during the flight. Discuss any health, mobility or personal religious questions with an appropriate professional or qualified scholar before travelling.
Understand the Miqat
The Miqat is a designated boundary where pilgrims intending Umrah must enter the state of Ihram. If your flight crosses this boundary before reaching Jeddah, you must prepare before arrival.
Men can put on their Ihram cloths before boarding or during a suitable stopover. Wearing the cloths is separate from making the intention to enter Ihram.
Confirm the timing with your group leader and listen for flight announcements. Do not wait until you reach Jeddah if your route has already crossed the Miqat.
If you visit Madinah first, you will normally enter Ihram later, before travelling to Makkah. Your guide should explain the arrangements for your route.
How to Perform Umrah in Four Steps
Step 1: Enter Ihram With Intention
Ihram is a sacred state that begins with the intention to perform Umrah. It includes specific restrictions, so it means more than changing clothes.
Before entering Ihram, wash and prepare yourself. Men wear two Ihram cloths, while women wear suitable modest clothing.
At the appropriate point, make your intention. A commonly recited phrase is:
“Labbayka Allahumma ‘Umrah.”
Here I am, O Allah, for Umrah.
Then begin reciting the Talbiyah:
“Labbayka Allahumma labbayk. Labbayka la sharika laka labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-ni‘mata laka wal-mulk. La sharika lak.”
Recite the Talbiyah frequently during the journey until you begin Tawaf.
Learn the restrictions before entering Ihram. These include restrictions concerning perfume, cutting hair or nails, and marital intimacy. Ask a qualified scholar if you are unsure how a rule applies to your circumstances.
Step 2: Perform Tawaf
Enter Masjid al-Haram calmly and prepare for Tawaf with Wudu.
Begin level with the Hajar al-Aswad, or Black Stone. Walk around the Kaaba counter-clockwise, keeping it on your left. Complete seven circuits, with each circuit beginning and ending at the Black Stone’s alignment.
You do not need to touch or kiss the Black Stone to complete Tawaf. Avoid pushing through crowds. Indicate towards it from your position when appropriate.
During Tawaf, make dua, remember Allah and recite Quran. You do not need a different scripted dua for every circuit.
After the seventh circuit, offer two Rak‘ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim if space permits. If the area is crowded, pray elsewhere in the mosque without blocking others. Men should cover their right shoulder before praying.
Drink Zamzam water before moving on to Sa’i.
Step 3: Complete Sa’i
Sa’i consists of seven one-way lengths between Safa and Marwa. Begin at Safa and finish at Marwa.
Use this simple count:
| Movement | Length |
|---|---|
| Safa to Marwa | 1 |
| Marwa to Safa | 2 |
| Safa to Marwa | 3 |
| Marwa to Safa | 4 |
| Safa to Marwa | 5 |
| Marwa to Safa | 6 |
| Safa to Marwa | 7 |
Walking from Safa to Marwa and back to Safa counts as two lengths.
Men who are able may move briskly between the green markers when safe. Women walk normally. You can make dua and remember Allah throughout Sa’i.
Keep track of your progress and avoid rushing. If you need mobility assistance, ask your guide about the available arrangements.
Step 4: Shave or Trim the Hair
After Sa’i, men shave their heads or shorten the hair across the head. Women trim a small amount from the ends of their hair, commonly described as approximately a fingertip’s length.
Once this stage is completed correctly, you leave the state of Ihram and its restrictions end.
Ask your guide about the correct method if your hair is very short, layered or difficult to trim. Men visiting a barber should choose a licensed establishment.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Knowing the order of the rituals helps you avoid confusion. Pay particular attention to these points:
- Enter Ihram before crossing the Miqat. Confirm the timing for your route.
- Count Tawaf and Sa’i separately. Tawaf has seven circuits; Sa’i has seven one-way lengths.
- Avoid pushing towards the Black Stone. You can complete Tawaf without touching it.
- Keep walking routes clear. Choose a suitable place for prayer.
- Remember the final haircut. Complete this stage after Sa’i.
If you make a mistake, explain what happened to a qualified scholar. Avoid deciding on your own whether a ritual needs repeating.
Ask About Religious Guidance
A guide can explain the rituals, confirm meeting points and help you follow the group itinerary. Before booking, ask which languages the guide speaks and whether they accompany pilgrims during the rituals.
When arranging your journey with Usman Travels, confirm the guidance and assistance included in your selected departure. Discuss any support needed by children, elderly parents or pilgrims with limited mobility.
Plan Your Departure From Italy
Prepare your documents, learn the rituals and confirm your travel arrangements before departure. Leave enough time for rest so you can complete your worship without rushing.
To discuss departures from Milan or Rome, contact Usman Travels with your preferred dates and group requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main steps of Umrah?
Enter Ihram with intention, perform Tawaf, complete Sa’i, then shave or trim the hair.
Can I put on Ihram clothing before boarding?
Yes. Men may wear the cloths before boarding, but the intention to enter Ihram must be timed according to the Miqat and the flight route.
Must I touch the Black Stone?
No. Touching or kissing the Black Stone is not necessary to complete Tawaf.
Does a return journey between Safa and Marwa count as one length?
No. Safa to Marwa is one length, and Marwa to Safa is the second.
Do women shave their heads after Umrah?
No. Women trim a small amount from the ends of their hair.
Is visiting Madinah required to complete Umrah?
No. Visiting Madinah is separate from the rituals of Umrah.