Tawaf and Sa'i: Step-by-Step Guide for First-Time Pilgrims

Tawaf and Sa'i are the two main physical rituals of Umrah. If you are performing Umrah for the first time, this step-by-step guide will walk you through each ritual, what to recite, and practical tips to perform them correctly.

Part 1: Tawaf (Circling the Kaabah)

Tawaf means walking 7 times counter-clockwise around the Kaabah. Here is how to perform it:

Before Starting Tawaf

• Ensure you are in Ihram (for Umrah Tawaf)
• Perform wudu (ablution) — must be in a state of purity
• Make the intention (niyyah) for Tawaf
• For men: Uncover the right shoulder (idtiba) — pass the rida under the right arm and over the left shoulder

Starting Point: The Black Stone (Hajr al-Aswad)

• Go to the corner of the Kaabah where the Black Stone is located (look for the green light on the wall)
• Face the Kaabah, raise your right hand toward the Black Stone, and say: 'Bismillahi Allahu Akbar, Allahumma imanan bika wa tasdiqan bikitabika wa wafa'an bi'ahdika wattiba'an lisunnati nabiyyika'
• If you can touch or kiss the Black Stone, do so. If not (usually too crowded), pointing is sufficient.

The 7 Circuits

• Walk counter-clockwise (Kaabah on your left side)
• Round 1-3 (men only): Walk briskly in the first 3 circuits (ramal) — this is Sunnah
• Rounds 4-7: Walk at normal pace
• Yamani Corner: Each time you pass the Yemeni Corner (before the Black Stone), touch it with your right hand if possible and say: 'Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina adhaban-nar'
• Between Yamani Corner and Black Stone: Recite: 'Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan...'
• Complete 7 full circuits, ending back at the Black Stone

After Tawaf

• Cover your right shoulder again (men)
• Pray 2 rakats behind Maqam Ibrahim (the Station of Abraham) — if crowded, pray anywhere in the Haram
• Recite Surah Al-Kafirun in the first rakat and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second (Sunnah)
• Drink Zamzam water (available throughout the Haram)
• Go to the Multazam (between the door of the Kaabah and the Black Stone) and make dua — this is a place where duas are accepted

Part 2: Sa'i (Walking Between Safa and Marwah)

Sa'i commemorates the search for water by Hajar (Abraham's wife) for her infant son Ismail. It involves walking 7 times between the hills of Safa and Marwah (now inside the Haram as an enclosed area).

Starting Sa'i

Go to the hill of Safa (inside the Mas'a/Sa'i area) and face the Kaabah.

• Recite: 'Innas-Safa wal-Marwata min sha'airillah' (Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah)
• Make dua facing the Kaabah, raise your hands
• Walk from Safa toward Marwah

The 7 Trips

• Safa to Marwah = 1 trip
• Marwah back to Safa = 2nd trip
• Continue until you complete 7 trips (ending at Marwah)
• Between the green lights (men only): Run/jog briskly between the two green fluorescent markers — this commemorates Hajar's running
• Women: Walk at normal pace throughout (do not run)
• Make dua and recite Quran throughout the walk

After Sa'i

• After completing 7 trips at Marwah, your Umrah is almost complete
• Men: Shave your head (halq) — preferred, or trim at least 1cm from all hair (taqsir)
• Women: Cut a small portion of hair (1-2cm) — do not shave
• After halq/taqsir, Ihram is exited — all restrictions are lifted
• Your Umrah is now complete! May Allah accept it.

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