Umrah Duas and Talbiyah: What to Say at Each Step

Quick answer: The main words of Umrah are the Talbiyah (Labbayk Allahumma labbayk), recited from the moment you make your intention until you begin Tawaf, and Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah between the Yemeni corner and the Black Stone. A few other short phrases are taught for entering the mosque, Safa and Marwah and drinking Zamzam. Beyond these, there is no fixed dua for each circuit, and you may make personal dua in any language.

This guide collects the well-known wording in one place so you can learn it before you fly. It sits alongside our step-by-step guide to performing Umrah, which explains the actions themselves. Here we focus only on what to say.

What do you say when making the intention for Umrah?

The intention (niyyah) is in the heart, but it is Sunnah to say it out loud when you enter Ihram. The well-known wording is:

Labbayk Allahumma 'Umrah

Meaning: "Here I am, O Allah, for Umrah."

If you are worried that illness or another problem may stop you completing Umrah, you can add a condition, as the Prophet ﷺ taught a Companion in this situation:

Allahumma mahilli haythu habastani

Meaning: "O Allah, my place of leaving Ihram is wherever You stop me."

On flights from the UK the intention is usually made in the air, shortly before the Miqat. Our guide to Ihram rules for men and women explains what changes once you have made it.

What are the words of the Talbiyah?

The Talbiyah is the declaration that marks every pilgrim. Once you have made your intention, begin reciting it and keep repeating it on the journey to Makkah:

Labbayk Allahumma labbayk. Labbayka la sharika laka labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk. La sharika lak.

Meaning: "Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. All praise, blessing and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner."

• Men recite it aloud, without shouting or disturbing others.
• Women recite it quietly, loud enough for themselves to hear.
• When to stop: for Umrah, you stop reciting the Talbiyah when you begin Tawaf.

A useful tip is to practise it in the weeks before you travel, perhaps after each prayer, so that it comes naturally on the coach from Jeddah. Families often recite it together, which helps children learn it too.

What dua do you say when entering Masjid al-Haram?

Enter with your right foot first and say the same dua taught for entering any mosque:

Bismillah, was-salatu was-salamu 'ala Rasulillah. Allahummaftah li abwaba rahmatik.

Meaning: "In the name of Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, open for me the doors of Your mercy."

When you leave, step out with your left foot and say:

Allahumma inni as'aluka min fadlik.

Meaning: "O Allah, I ask You of Your bounty."

Many pilgrims have heard that a dua made at the first sight of the Kaaba is accepted. There is no single fixed wording that scholars agree on for this moment, so simply raise your hands if you wish and ask Allah for what matters most to you. Have your most important requests ready in your mind before you arrive.

What do you say during Tawaf?

Tawaf begins at the corner of the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad). Face it, raise your right hand towards it and say:

Bismillah, Allahu Akbar

Meaning: "In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest."

You repeat Allahu Akbar each time you pass the Black Stone at the start of every circuit. During the rest of each circuit you are free to remember Allah in any way: recite Qur'an, say SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah and La ilaha illallah, send blessings on the Prophet ﷺ, or ask for your own needs.

Printed booklets often give a different long dua for each of the seven circuits. These can help some people focus, but those specific wordings are not required, and reading them aloud in a group can disturb others. A sincere dua you understand is better than a page you are reading without understanding.

What is the dua between the Yemeni corner and the Black Stone?

The Yemeni corner (Rukn al-Yamani) is the corner just before the Black Stone. Between these two corners the Prophet ﷺ used to say:

Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah, wa fil-akhirati hasanah, wa qina 'adhaban-nar.

Meaning: "Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire." (Qur'an 2:201)

Say it on every circuit as you walk this short stretch. If you can touch the Yemeni corner without pushing, do so with your right hand, but do not point at it or kiss it, and do not crowd the corner if it is busy.

What do you say at Maqam Ibrahim and when drinking Zamzam?

After the seventh circuit, it is Sunnah to recite this verse as you go towards Maqam Ibrahim:

Wattakhidhu min maqami Ibrahima musalla.

Meaning: "And take the station of Ibrahim as a place of prayer." (Qur'an 2:125)

Then pray two rak'ahs behind it, or anywhere in the mosque if the area is crowded. Many people recite Surah al-Kafirun in the first rak'ah and Surah al-Ikhlas in the second, following the Sunnah.

Zamzam follows. The Prophet ﷺ said that Zamzam water is for whatever it is drunk for, so make your intention and ask Allah for something specific as you drink. A supplication reported from Ibn 'Abbas is widely used:

Allahumma inni as'aluka 'ilman nafi'an, wa rizqan wasi'an, wa shifa'an min kulli da'.

Meaning: "O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, plentiful provision and a cure from every illness."

What do you say at Safa and Marwah?

As you approach Safa to begin Sa'i, recite:

Innas-Safa wal-Marwata min sha'a'irillah.

Meaning: "Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah." (Qur'an 2:158)

Then add: Abda'u bima bada'allahu bih ("I begin with what Allah began with"). This verse is recited only once, at the start of Sa'i.

On Safa, face the Kaaba, raise your hands and say Allahu Akbar three times, then:

La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamd, wa huwa 'ala kulli shay'in qadir. La ilaha illallahu wahdah, anjaza wa'dah, wa nasara 'abdah, wa hazamal-ahzaba wahdah.

Meaning: "There is no god but Allah alone, with no partner. To Him belongs the dominion and all praise, and He has power over all things. There is no god but Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, supported His servant and defeated the confederates alone."

The Sunnah is to say this three times, making your own dua in between. Do the same each time you reach Marwah and each time you return to Safa. While walking, there is no fixed wording. Some Companions are reported to have said Rabbighfir warham, innaka antal-a'azzul-akram ("My Lord, forgive and have mercy, You are the Most Mighty, the Most Generous") between the green lights, and many pilgrims use it.

Can I make dua in English or my own language?

Yes. The Talbiyah and the Qur'anic verses above are best learned in Arabic, but personal dua can be made in English, Urdu, Bengali, Somali or any language you speak. Allah knows every language and every heart, and a dua you truly understand often comes with more presence.

Practical ideas that our pilgrims find helpful:

• Write a dua list before you travel, including people who asked you to pray for them. Keep it on your phone or on a small card.
• Learn three or four short duas well rather than trying to memorise a whole book.
• Pack a pocket dua book with transliteration; our Umrah packing list covers the other essentials.
• Lower your voice in Tawaf and Sa'i, so you do not distract the people around you.
• Women in their period can still recite the Talbiyah, make dua and remember Allah; our Umrah guide for women explains this in more detail.

Are there words to avoid or common mistakes?

A few things to keep in mind:

• Do not treat any booklet's dua for each circuit as compulsory. Missing it does not affect your Umrah.
• Do not shout duas in a group behind a leader during Tawaf. This is a common habit, but it disturbs other pilgrims.
• Do not keep reciting the Talbiyah during Tawaf and Sa'i; it ends when Tawaf begins.
• Do not worry if you forget a wording. None of these phrases is a pillar of Umrah, and remembering Allah in your own words is enough.

We cover other easy-to-avoid errors in common Umrah mistakes and how to avoid them.

If you are planning your first Umrah, our team is happy to help you choose dates and hotels that let you focus on worship. Have a look at our Umrah packages, or tell us what you need and we will put together a quote.

Related guides: Umrah for Couples and Newlyweds: A Practical Guide · Difference Between Hajj and Umrah: A Clear Guide · Jeddah Airport to Makkah: Transfer, Train or Taxi

Frequently asked questions

When do I start and stop the Talbiyah?

Start reciting it after you make your intention for Umrah at or before the Miqat. For Umrah, stop when you begin Tawaf at the Black Stone.

Is there a special dua for each round of Tawaf?

No set dua for each round is required. The only specific words are Bismillah, Allahu Akbar at the Black Stone and Rabbana atina between the Yemeni corner and the Black Stone; the rest is your own remembrance and dua.

Can I read duas from my phone during Tawaf?

Yes, reading from a phone or a small book is fine. Keep moving with the crowd, keep the volume off, and avoid taking photos or videos while you walk.

Do women recite the Talbiyah aloud?

Women recite it quietly, loud enough to hear themselves. Men recite it aloud, but without shouting.

What if I forget the duas or say them wrongly?

Your Umrah is still valid. These duas are recommended, not pillars, so simply remember Allah and ask Him for good in your own words.