The journey of Umrah does not begin with your feet; it begins with your heart.
Niyyah, or the inner intention, is a quiet, conscious declaration that you are about to perform Umrah solely for the sake of Allah ﷻ. It is not a phrase you have to say aloud but rather a firm conviction in your heart that you are embarking on this act of worship, free from showing off, and with no worldly gain in mind.
At this moment, pause and remind yourself of the purpose:
➡️ You are not a tourist — you are a guest of Allah.
Though not obligatory to say verbally, many scholars recommend uttering the intention in a clear form as you cross the Miqat (the boundary station), such as:
“Labbayk Allahumma Umrah”
(Here I am, O Allah, intending to perform Umrah.)
From here onward, your time, your thoughts, and your body are dedicated to the rites of Umrah.
2️⃣ Wearing the Ihram – The Garment of Equality and Humility
Once your intention is made, you must wear the Ihram, the simple attire prescribed for pilgrims. It serves as a powerful symbol — removing your worldly identity and placing you in a state of spiritual purity.
🔹 For Men:
- Two unstitched white cloths.
- One wrapped around the waist (izar), the other draped over the shoulders (rida).
- No stitched clothing, underwear, or covered head.
🔹 For Women:
- Any modest Islamic dress that covers the entire body.
- Face and hands remain uncovered, even in the presence of non-mahram men.
- No specific color is required, but modesty must be observed.
Before wearing the Ihram, it is Sunnah to:
- Clip nails.
- Remove underarm and pubic hair.
- Take a full bath (ghusl) or at least perform wudhu.
- Apply non-alcoholic fragrance to the body (men only), not on the Ihram cloth.
Once you wear the Ihram and make the intention, you enter the sacred state of Ihram — not just in clothing, but in soul. From this point, several prohibitions come into effect: no cutting hair or nails, no arguing, no sexual relations, and no hunting or harming living creatures.
The simplicity of Ihram reminds you: in the sight of Allah, all people are equal — kings and beggars, rich and poor, all stand shoulder to shoulder in His service.
3️⃣ Talbiyah – The Call of Love and Obedience
As soon as you don the Ihram and declare your intention, the tongue of a believer is lit with one of the most soul-stirring chants in Islam — the Talbiyah.
“Labbayka Allahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-ni‘mata laka wal-mulk, laa shareeka lak.”
(Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sovereignty. You have no partner.)
This proclamation is not just a chant — it is a pledge of obedience, echoing the call of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) when Allah commanded him to announce Hajj and Umrah to all mankind.
🔸 When to Recite Talbiyah:
- Begin immediately after making the intention.
- Recite frequently during travel, after prayers, and upon entering the city of Makkah.
- Men should raise their voices; women recite softly.
Every time you say “Labbayk”, you are saying:
“O Allah, I heard Your call, and I have left everything to respond to You.”
It brings peace to the heart, purifies the soul, and keeps the believer aware that they are on a divine mission.