Surahs and Verses to Recite During Each Step of Umrah
Umrah is an important religious journey for Muslims. It involves performing specific rituals in Makkah. Every step of this journey is meaningful and helps you feel closer to Allah. You don’t have to say Surahs or verses at certain times. But many scholars and people who’ve done Umrah suggest saying some Quranic verses and prayers (duas). These suggestions come from the teachings and examples of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This guide will show you which common Surahs and Verses are said during each part of the Umrah.
Umrah is an important religious journey for Muslims. It involves performing specific rituals in Makkah. Every step of this journey is meaningful and helps you feel closer to Allah. You don’t have to say Surahs or verses at certain times. But many scholars and people who’ve done Umrah suggest saying some Quranic verses and prayers (duas). These suggestions come from the teachings and examples of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This guide will show you which common Surahs and Verses are said during each part of the Umrah.
The first step of Umrah is to make your intention (Niyyah) and enter the special state called Ihram. Your intention should be honest and from a pure heart.
Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:196):
“And complete the Hajj and ‘Umrah for Allah…”
This verse reminds you to perform Umrah only to please Allah, not to show off or feel superior to others.
At this point, the pilgrim says:
Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk
(O Allah, here I am to perform Umrah.)
You don’t have to say a Surah when you put on your Ihram clothes. However, it’s a good idea to pray two rak’ahs before you dress. In the first rak’ah, you can say Surah Al-Kafirun, and in the second, Surah Al-Ikhlas. If you’re planning to go for Umrah in winter, you can easily find December Umrah deals that can help you get ready and focus on the spiritual part of your trip.
Talbiyah
When you’re in the Ihram state, you’ll say the Talbiyah often:
“Labbayka Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayka la sharika laka Labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-ni‘mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak.”
(Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am. You have no partner. Truly, all praise, favour, and kingdom belong to You. You have no partner.)
You’ll keep saying this prayer until you start the Tawaf (circling the Kaaba).
Allah mentions in Surah Al-Hajj (22:27-28):
“And proclaim to the people the Hajj… so that they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah…”
This part of the Quran reminds you why you go on pilgrimage and why it’s important to remember Allah.
Tawaf: Circumambulating the Kaaba
Tawaf means walking around the Kaaba seven times. You walk counter-clockwise, and you start at the Black Stone.
You don’t have to say Surahs while doing Tawaf. You can say any part of the Quran or make your own personal dua. Here are some verses and Surahs for Umrah that you can recite.
- Surah Al-Fatiha
- Ayat-ul-Kursi (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:255)
- Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas
Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone, it’s a Sunnah to say:
“Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah, wa fil-akhirati hasanah, wa qina ‘adhaban-nar.”
(Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.) – Surah Al-Baqarah (2:201)
Two Rak’ahs at Maqam Ibrahim
After you finish Tawaf, you’ll pray two rak’ahs of prayer behind Maqam Ibrahim if you can. For these prayers, people usually say these chapters (Surahs):
- First Rak’ah: Surah Al-Kafirun (109)
- Second Rak’ah: Surah Al-Ikhlas (112)
This is what Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did, as mentioned in different hadiths (like in Sahih Muslim, Book of Hajj).
Sa’i, Walking Between Safa and Marwah
Sa’i is when you walk between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times. This reminds us of the story of Hajar, Prophet Ismail’s mother, who ran between these hills looking for water for his son.
At the start of Sa’i, when you go up Safa, it’s a Sunnah to say:
“Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah…”
– Surah Al-Baqarah (2:158)
You must recite this verse once at the start of Sa’i
During the walk, pilgrims can say:
- Any short Surahs
- Personal duas
- General dhikr such as:
- SubhanAllah
- Alhamdulillah
- La ilaha illallah
- Allahu Akbar
It is also common to recite salawat (PBUH).
Hair Cutting/Shaving, Tahallul
The last step of Umrah is when men shave their heads, or women cut a small piece of their hair.
Allah says in Surah Al-Fath (48:27):
“Certainly has Allah shown to His Messenger the vision in truth. You will surely enter al-Masjid al-Haram, if Allah wills, in safety, with your heads shaved and [hair] shortened…”
This action simply shows you are humble and obedient to Allah.
General Dhikr and Quran Recitation Throughout Umrah
Apart from these steps, pilgrims should always think of Allah. They can do this by remembering Him often (dhikr), reading the Quran, and sending prayers to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
You can use these adhkar:
- Morning and evening adhkar
- Surah Al-Mulk (67) at night
- Surah Al-Kahf (18) on Fridays
Final Words
You don’t have to say specific Surahs during Umrah. But the verses and prayers listed in this blog post are what the Prophet taught and what many scholars and pilgrims commonly do. The most important thing is to do Umrah with a sincere heart, being humble, and giving it your full attention. When you read the Quran during Umrah, it will help you feel more connected spiritually and make your time in the holy land even more special. If you are planning to perform Umrah in 2026 and are looking for Umrah Packages 2026, keeping these suggested verses in mind can make your journey more special and help you feel closer to the Quran’s teachings.