Discover everything you need to know about Umrah Guide for Beginners. A comprehensive destination guide updated for 2026.
Performing Umrah is a spiritual journey consisting of four primary pillars: Ihram (intention and dress), Tawaf (circling the Kaaba), Sa�i (walking between Safa and Marwa), and Halq/Taqsir (shaving or cutting the hair). Unlike Hajj, Umrah can be performed at any time of the year and typically takes between 2 to 4 hours to complete.
For male pilgrims, Ihram consists of two white, unstitched sheets; for women, it is modest, loose-fitting clothing that covers the entire body except for the face and hands. You must enter this state and declare your intention at a designated 'Miqat' station before crossing the boundary into Makkah. If you are flying directly into Jeddah, many pilgrims enter Ihram on the aircraft or at the dedicated Hajj/Umrah terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport.