How to perform tawaf

Enter Masjid al-Haram with your right foot first, with reverence and respect. Keep your gaze ahead rather than looking left or right, because a dua made when you first see the Holy Kaaba is accepted.

From a place with a full view of Baytullah, raise your hands and greet the Holy Kaaba on seeing it, saying “Allahu Akbar.” Then look at Baytullah and, with tears in your eyes, say: “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la ilaha illallahu wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahil-hamd.”

You may make any dua you wish silently. For example: “O my Lord, accept all the duas I have made up to today and all those I will make from now on.”

Remember your children and family, and make dua for them.

Men then uncover their right shoulders for idtiba' and make the intention for the Umrah tawaf.

When you arrive opposite Hajar al-Aswad (the Black Stone), remember the covenant (ahd). Turn fully towards it with your chest, raise both hands, and greet Hajar al-Aswad by saying “Bismillahi Allahu Akbar.”

After greeting it, kiss the palm of your right hand once, with the intention of kissing Hajar al-Aswad.

Only men perform ramal in the first three circuits (shawts) of tawaf, walking briskly with the chest held forward and taking short, firm steps.

Remain reverent and patient in the crowd, and treat those around you courteously. UmrahAi will accompany you throughout the seven circuits with a dua sequence approved by our scholars.

Then make your intention to perform the tawaf of Umrah. You will soon begin tawaf around the Holy Kaaba. Do not rush your intention; focus your heart on the worship you are about to perform.

Steady your breathing and begin tawaf peacefully.

Arrange your ihram cloth neatly and cover your right shoulder completely. Then prepare for the next step: the tawaf prayer.

Do not rush. Adjust your ihram cloth, take a few breaths to collect yourself and move on to the next step of worship in peace.

After tawaf, men cover their right shoulders. If possible, pray the two-rak'ah wajib tawaf prayer in a suitable place near Maqam Ibrahim, facing Baytullah, with men in front and women behind.

Make the intention to perform the tawaf prayer:
“I intend to perform the tawaf prayer for the pleasure of Allah Most High.”

It is recommended to recite Surah al-Kafirun in the first rak'ah and Surah al-Ikhlas in the second. If you do not know these surahs, you may recite a surah of your choice for the prayer.

After the movement of tawaf, turn to your Lord through these two rak'ahs. Do not rush your prayer; allow the worship you have experienced to settle in your heart.

Fill the cups with Zamzam water from the most suitable place. While standing or sitting, recite salawat (if you recite Salat al-Anbiya, add “and upon Isma'il” after “and upon Ibrahim”). Then say “Bismillah” and drink Zamzam water with your right hand, intending that your important affairs turn out for the best; finish it in three sips. Before each sip, say “Bismillah,” and after each sip, say “Alhamdulillah.” Then recite the following dua:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا وَرِزْقًا وَاسِعًا وَشِفَاءً مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ وَسَقَمٍ
(Allahumma inni as'aluka 'ilman nafi'an wa rizqan wasi'an wa shifa'an min kulli da'in wa saqam.)

Ask Allah Most High for the good your heart desires. You are now preparing your body and heart for sa'i.