Everything starts at home, before the suitcase: a sincere intention, for Allah alone. Settle debts or inform creditors, ask relatives for forgiveness, choose a travel companion and prepare your heart through repentance.
Educational guide. If in doubt, ask your guide or a scholar.
Supplications
إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى
Innamā l-aʿmālu bi-n-niyyāt, wa innamā li-kulli mriʾin mā nawā
Actions are judged by intentions, and every person will have what they intended.
Bukhari 1, Muslim 1907
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الْعُمْرَةَ فَيَسِّرْهَا لِي وَتَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّي
Allāhumma innī urīdu l-ʿumrata fa-yassirhā lī wa taqabbalhā minnī
O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah: make it easy for me and accept it from me.
Free supplication, no fixed prophetic wording.
Common mistakes
- Leaving with unpaid debts without telling creditors.
- Seeking to impress (photos, stories) rather than to please Allah.
- Waiting until departure to learn the rites.
What if…
I doubt my sincerity?
Renew your intention and ask Allah for help: the doubt itself shows that you care.
I am travelling for a deceased relative’s Umrah?
Possible if you have already performed your own Umrah. Tell the guide before the miqat.
Checklist
- ☐ Intention renewed for Allah alone
- ☐ Debts settled or creditors informed
- ☐ Forgiveness asked from relatives
- ☐ Guide read once
Sources
- Bukhari 1, Muslim 1907
All steps
- 1Forming your intention
- 2Documents and formalities
- 3Health and fitness
- 4The pilgrim’s suitcase
- 5The journey and arrival
- 6Ihram at the miqat or on board
- 7The talbiya
- 8Entering Makkah and the Sacred Mosque
- 9Tawaf: 7 circuits around the Kaaba
- 10Prayer behind Maqam Ibrahim and Zamzam water
- 11Saʿi: 7 laps between Safa and Marwa
- 12Halq or taqsir: leaving ihram
- 13Madinah: the Prophet’s Mosque and visits
- 14The return