Putting on the ihram garments before the miqat
A man must refrain from wearing any sewn garments (such as a shirt, trousers, undershirt, etc., which are made in the form of clothing). He should wear a lungi and an upper sheet and keep his head uncovered. However, it is mustahabb for the two ihram garments to be white and clean.
A woman, however, will enter ihram in her usual clothing, taking care that her clothing is not of a kind that displays adornment or attracts attention.
Making the intention for ‘Umrah at the miqat and reciting the Talbiyah
Then he should make the intention in his heart—a firm resolve—to begin the rites of ‘Umrah, and he should say aloud:
لَبَّيْكَ عُمْرَةً
(Labbayka ‘umratan)
“Here I am before You to perform ‘Umrah.”
Or he may say:
اَللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ عُمْرَةً
(Allahumma labbayka ‘umratan)
“O Allah, here I am before You to perform ‘Umrah.”
If you wish to perform ‘Umrah on behalf of someone else—and you have already performed your own ‘Umrah—you should say:
اَللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ عُمْرَةً مِنْ فُلانٍ
(Allahumma labbayka ‘umratan min fulan)
“O Allah, here I am to perform ‘Umrah on behalf of so-and-so,” mentioning the person’s name.
If a person in ihram fears that he may be unable to perform ‘Umrah because of illness or fear of an enemy, it is permissible for him to make a stipulation when entering ihram. He may say:
«فِإِنْ حَبَسَنِيْ حَابِسٌ فَمَحَلِّيْ حَيْثُ حَبَسْتَنِيْ»
(Fa-in habasani habisun fa-mahilli haythu habastani)
“If something prevents me, then I will become free from ihram at the place where I am prevented.”
The female Companion Duba‘ah bint al-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with her) said to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): “I wish to perform Hajj, but I fear that I may fall ill.” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) then said to her:
«حُجِّي، وَاشْتَرِطِي أَنَّ مَحِلِّي حَيْثُ حَبَسْتَنِي»
“Begin the Hajj and make a stipulation, saying: ‘If something prevents me, then I will become free from ihram at the place where I am prevented.’” [Muslim: 1207]
Then he should recite the Talbiyah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), which is:
«لَبَّيْكَ اللّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ»
(Labbayka Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk, innal-hamda wan-ni‘mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak)
“Here I am before You for ‘Umrah. O Allah, here I am before You. Here I am at Your service. You have no partner. Here I am before You. Indeed, all praise and every blessing belong to You, and sovereignty is Yours. You have no partner.”
Men should recite the above supplication aloud, while women should recite it quietly. Thereafter, one should recite the Talbiyah frequently and engage in supplication, dhikr, and seeking forgiveness.
After reaching the holy city of Makkah, one should perform ghusl if possible. Then, when entering al-Masjid al-Haram, one should enter with the right foot and recite the following supplication:
«بِسْمِ اللهِ وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلى رَسُوْلِ اللهِ، أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ وَبِوَجْهِهِ الْكَرِيمِ وَسُلْطَانِهِ الْقَدِيمِ مِنْ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ، اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِيْ أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ»
(Bismillahi was-salatu was-salamu ‘ala Rasulillah, a‘udhu billahil-‘Azimi wa bi-wajhihil-Karimi wa sultanihil-qadimi minash-shaytanir-rajim. Allahumma-ftah li abwaba rahmatik)
“In the name of Allah, and may blessings and peace be upon His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). I seek refuge with Almighty Allah from the accursed Satan, by means of His noble Face and His eternal authority. O Allah, open for me the gates of Your mercy.”
How to Perform ‘Umrah in the Light of the Qur’an and Sunnah — Dr. Abu Bakr Muhammad Zakaria