Wondering what to say during Umrah? This practical reference explains the Talbiyah, remembrance for Tawaf and Sa'i, useful Arabic phrases, transliteration, English meanings, and where personal dua fits into the rituals. Use it to rehearse before travelling, keep it available during preparation, and worship with calm attention rather than worrying about memorising a different supplication for every step.
Overview
There is no single script that a pilgrim must recite throughout the whole of Umrah. Some words and remembrances are established for particular points, while much of the worship may include personal dua, dhikr, Qur'an recitation, or quiet reflection. Understanding this distinction helps first-time pilgrims avoid a common mistake: believing that an Umrah is incomplete because they could not recall a long dua in Arabic.
The basic sequence is straightforward. You enter Ihram at the appropriate point, make the intention for Umrah, recite the Talbiyah, perform Tawaf around the Ka'bah, pray after Tawaf where possible, complete Sa'i between Safa and Marwah, and then finish Umrah according to the applicable rulings on cutting or shaving the hair. For the full ritual sequence, see How to Perform Umrah Step by Step and review the guidance on Ihram and Miqat rules.
The Talbiyah for Umrah
The Talbiyah is recited after entering Ihram and making the intention for Umrah. It is repeated during the journey and at suitable times until the pilgrim begins Tawaf.
Arabic:
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
Transliteration:
Labbayka 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. Surely all praise, blessing, and dominion belong to You. You have no partner.
The Talbiyah is a response of devotion and readiness. Say it with understanding, not only as a memorised sound. If pronunciation is difficult, practise slowly before departure and ask a trusted teacher for correction. Transliteration is a learning aid, not a substitute for checking the Arabic and its pronunciation.
What to say during Tawaf
At the Black Stone, when beginning Tawaf or passing its line, a pilgrim may say:
Arabic: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Transliteration: Bismillah, Allahu akbar.
Meaning: In the name of Allah; Allah is the Greatest.
The intention is in the heart. Avoid pushing, harming others, or treating the act of touching or kissing the Black Stone as more important than the safety and dignity of fellow pilgrims. If reaching it is not possible without difficulty, continue without forcing your way.
During the seven circuits, there is no reliably established requirement to recite a separate, fixed dua for each circuit. You may make dua in Arabic or in your own language, remember Allah, recite Qur'an, send blessings upon the Prophet, or speak privately to Allah. This flexibility is especially helpful for beginners, women, older pilgrims, and anyone concentrating on staying with their group.
Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone, many pilgrims recite:
Arabic: رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Transliteration: Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan 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.
This is a broad, meaningful dua that can be understood and repeated without needing a different formula for every circuit. If you lose count, become separated from your companions, or need to pause for safety, address the practical issue calmly and follow reliable guidance rather than panicking.
What to say during Sa'i
When approaching Safa, a pilgrim may recite the Qur'anic verse:
Arabic: إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ
Transliteration: Inna as-Safa wal-Marwata min sha'a'irillah.
Meaning: Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah.
Then say, for example:
Arabic: أَبْدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللَّهُ بِهِ
Transliteration: Abda'u bima bada'Allahu bih.
Meaning: I begin with what Allah began with.
At Safa and Marwah, face the direction of the Ka'bah as reasonably possible, praise Allah, declare His greatness, affirm His oneness, and make dua. A well-known remembrance includes:
Arabic: اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ، أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ، وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ، وَهَزَمَ الْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ
Transliteration: Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar. 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: Allah is the Greatest. There is no god but Allah alone, without partner. To Him belongs the dominion and all praise, and He has power over everything. There is no god but Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, helped His servant, and defeated the confederates alone.
After this remembrance, make your own dua. The same general approach applies while walking between the two hills. At the marked walking area, men traditionally increase their pace where appropriate; women continue at a normal pace. Follow the guidance of your qualified teacher and local arrangements.
Maintenance cycle
Treat this dua reference as a preparation tool, not as a replacement for sound religious instruction. Review it during your Umrah preparation, practise the phrases in short sessions, and check Arabic text and transliteration against a trusted Qur'an, hadith, or qualified scholar. A useful routine is to learn the Talbiyah first, then the short Tawaf remembrance, then the Safa and Marwah remembrance. Focus on meaning and confident pronunciation rather than collecting a large number of optional supplications.
Before each trip, review the page for formatting, transliteration consistency, and the distinction between established remembrance and personal dua. If your school of Islamic jurisprudence or teacher gives a different practical explanation, follow qualified guidance and avoid turning a difference of opinion into anxiety.
Signals that require updates
This article should be checked when reliable religious guidance changes or when readers show confusion about a phrase, pronunciation, or ritual sequence. Particular attention is needed if an Arabic quotation is corrected, a transliteration creates a misleading pronunciation, or a popular “dua for each Tawaf round” is being presented as compulsory without adequate qualification.
Practical travel information is separate from the wording of the duas. Current entry requirements, booking procedures, crowd-management instructions, health guidance, and access arrangements should be checked through official channels before travel. For preparation beyond remembrance, use the Umrah packing and document checklist and the Umrah preparation checklist.
Common issues
- Trying to memorise too much: Learn a few established phrases well and make sincere personal dua in the language you understand.
- Assuming every circuit has a required dua: Do not let printed circuit-by-circuit lists make you think Tawaf is invalid without them.
- Reading while walking without awareness: Keep your attention on safety, the people around you, and the meaning of worship.
- Relying only on transliteration: Use Arabic audio or instruction where possible, since transliteration cannot represent every pronunciation precisely.
- Speaking loudly near others: Recite at a volume that helps you and does not disturb fellow pilgrims.
- Forgetting a phrase: Pause, breathe, and continue with simple dhikr or your own dua. Forgetting an optional wording is not a reason to abandon the ritual.
When to revisit
Revisit this reference at three practical points: during your first Umrah training session, again in the final week before departure, and shortly before entering the Masjid al-Haram. On the day of Umrah, keep a small, readable version available if permitted by your group’s arrangements, but do not allow the phone or paper to distract you from movement and safety.
Make a simple personal plan. Memorise the Talbiyah, learn the meaning of the short Tawaf dua, practise the Safa and Marwah remembrance, and write down a few personal requests in your own language. Include prayers for forgiveness, guidance, family, the wider Muslim community, and whatever concerns you sincerely bring to Allah. If travelling with children or seniors, choose short phrases they can repeat comfortably and allow rest without pressuring them to maintain a constant recitation.
Finally, review the full step-by-step Umrah checklist so that dua preparation sits within the complete ritual plan. The aim is not perfect performance from memory. It is to arrive prepared, understand what you are saying, and remain present in worship.
