What to Say During Umrah: Essential Duas in Arabic, Transliteration, and English

Overview

This article is a reference-style companion for pilgrims who want confidence about what to say during Umrah. Many people preparing for their first journey feel pressure to memorize long pages of text. In practice, what helps most is knowing the sequence of the rituals, understanding a few essential duas, and recognizing where open personal supplication is allowed.

For most pilgrims, the useful approach is simple:

• Learn the intention and talbiyah for entering Umrah.
• Know the Qur'anic dua often recited between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone in tawaf.
• Know the verse connected to Safa and Marwah.
• Prepare a short personal dua list for tawaf, sa'i, and quiet moments.
• Focus more on understanding than on reciting quickly.

This makes the guide especially useful for umrah for beginners, families, solo travelers, and pilgrims who want a print-friendly companion. If you still need the full ritual order, pair this page with our Tawaf Step by Step guide and Sa'i Between Safa and Marwah walking guide.

A helpful reminder before the duas: transliteration can vary from book to book. Small spelling differences do not usually change the purpose of your practice. Use one consistent version that you can pronounce with care, and if possible listen to a teacher or trusted recitation to improve your confidence.

Core concepts

Here are the key duas and phrases most pilgrims want in one place, arranged by stage of Umrah.

1) When entering Ihram for Umrah

When you are ready to begin Umrah from the miqat, you make your intention and begin the talbiyah.

Intention for Umrah

Arabic: لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً

Transliteration: Labbayka Allahumma 'Umrah

English: Here I am, O Allah, for Umrah.

Some pilgrims also say the more general form while intending Umrah in their heart. The heart's intention is central, and the spoken form helps you stay organized and focused.

Talbiyah

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.

English: Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Surely all praise, favor, and dominion belong to You. You have no partner.

This is one of the most important recitations in Umrah preparation. Repeat it often after entering ihram, especially while traveling toward Makkah, until the point where talbiyah is stopped before tawaf begins. If you are reviewing ihram rules for umrah, it helps to connect the talbiyah to the state of devotion you have entered.

2) When entering al-Masjid al-Haram

There is no need to make this complicated. Enter with your right foot if possible, lower your gaze, and say the standard dua for entering a mosque if you know it. If you do not, simple remembrance such as bismillah and salawat is beneficial.

Common mosque entry dua

Arabic: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ

Transliteration: Bismillah, was-salatu was-salamu 'ala Rasulillah. Allahumma iftah li abwaba rahmatik.

English: In the name of Allah, and prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, open for me the gates of Your mercy.

If emotion takes over when you first see the Ka'bah, pause and gather yourself. You do not need to rush into a scripted page. Presence matters.

3) What to say during Tawaf

There is no single required dua for each round of tawaf. This is one of the most misunderstood parts of umrah rituals. Many guidebooks assign a specific dua to every circuit, but pilgrims should know that open dua is allowed. You may praise Allah, send blessings upon the Prophet, ask for forgiveness, make dua for your family, and speak to Allah in words you understand.

At the Black Stone area

If you are aligned with the Black Stone and can gesture toward it without harming others, many pilgrims say:

Arabic: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَر

Transliteration: Bismillah, Allahu Akbar

English: In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest.

Do not push, shove, or create harm trying to reach the stone. Calm worship is better than distressed crowding.

Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone

This is the best-known dua in tawaf and one many pilgrims try to memorize before departure.

Arabic: رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

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

English: Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.

Outside of that section, your tawaf can be filled with dhikr, istighfar, Qur'an if easy for you, and personal dua. If you want a practical walking sequence, see Tawaf Step by Step: What to Do in Each Round and What to Avoid.

4) At Maqam Ibrahim and after Tawaf

After completing tawaf, pilgrims often pray two rak'ahs if space and conditions allow. Keep your focus on calm completion rather than perfect positioning. If the area is crowded, do not block traffic. Pray where appropriate and manageable.

There is also a Qur'anic phrase associated with Maqam Ibrahim:

Arabic: وَاتَّخِذُوا مِنْ مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى

Transliteration: Wattakhidhu min maqami Ibrahima musalla.

English: And take the standing place of Ibrahim as a place of prayer.

After tawaf is also a good time for quiet personal dua. Many pilgrims ask for acceptance, forgiveness, guidance, and a heart that stays connected after returning home.

5) What to say during Sa'i between Safa and Marwah

As you approach Safa to begin sa'i, the verse most commonly recited is:

Arabic: إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ

Transliteration: Inna as-Safa wal-Marwata min sha'a'irillah.

English: Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah.

Some pilgrims continue by saying:

Transliteration: Abda'u bima bada'a Allahu bih.

English: I begin with what Allah began with.

When standing on Safa or Marwah, face the Ka'bah if possible, raise your hands in dua, glorify Allah, and make sincere supplication. A well-known remembrance used here is:

Arabic: لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

Transliteration: La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamd, wa huwa 'ala kulli shay'in qadir.

English: There is no god but Allah alone, without partner. To Him belongs all dominion and all praise, and He has power over all things.

You may repeat praise, takbir, and personal dua on Safa and Marwah. During the walking itself, there is again no need to force a round-by-round script. Make heartfelt supplications. Ask for steadfastness, relief, righteous family life, halal provision, healing, and a truthful heart. If you want help with the physical side of the route, read Sa'i Between Safa and Marwah: A Simple Walking Guide for First-Time Pilgrims.

6) At the end of Umrah

After sa'i, men typically shave or trim the hair, and women cut a small portion of hair according to their practice and guidance. This completes Umrah. There is no single required closing script, but this is a strong time for gratitude and acceptance-focused dua.

Useful simple supplications include:

• Allahumma taqabbal مني — O Allah, accept from me.
• Astaghfirullah — I seek Allah's forgiveness.
• Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ.
• Personal dua for consistency after Umrah.

One of the best habits is to ask not only for a completed ritual, but for a changed heart.

Related terms

This section clarifies terms readers often search for alongside dua for umrah in english and umrah duas transliteration.

Dua

Dua is personal supplication. You ask Allah directly for your needs, forgiveness, guidance, and acceptance. During Umrah, much of what you say can be open dua.

Dhikr

Dhikr means remembrance of Allah, such as saying SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah, and Astaghfirullah. Dhikr is especially helpful when you feel overwhelmed and cannot recall a longer text.

Talbiyah

The talbiyah is the special declaration recited after entering ihram. It marks your response to Allah's call and is one of the most recognizable recitations in Umrah.

Transliteration

Transliteration writes Arabic sounds in English letters. It is a bridge for learners, not a perfect substitute for Arabic pronunciation. Use it as training support, then improve gradually through listening and repetition.

Meaning-based memorization

This is often the best learning method for adults. Instead of memorizing a long list without understanding, learn a smaller number of duas with clear meaning. This improves khushu', steadiness, and recall.

Personal dua list

A personal dua list is a short set of requests you prepare before travel. Keep it specific. Include faith, family, health, debts, grief, forgiveness, and long-term guidance. This turns waiting time and walking time into sincere worship rather than anxious silence.

Practical use cases

To make this guide useful in real life, here are practical ways different pilgrims can use it.

For first-time pilgrims

Do not try to memorize everything in one sitting. Start with five anchor items:

1. Labbayka Allahumma 'Umrah
2. The full talbiyah
3. Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah...
4. Inna as-Safa wal-Marwata min sha'a'irillah
5. One short personal dua in English that you repeat often

This alone can carry you through Umrah with confidence.

For pilgrims who do not read Arabic

Use a three-line method on your phone or a printed card: Arabic, transliteration, English meaning. Practice aloud for a few minutes daily. The goal is not polished recitation overnight. The goal is calm familiarity.

For women, seniors, and families

If you expect interruptions, fatigue, or crowd stress, simplify your dua plan. Keep a short list you can return to easily. Long scripts are often less practical than a few meaningful supplications repeated with attention. For more audience-specific planning, see Umrah for Women Step by Step, Umrah for Seniors, and Umrah With Kids Checklist.

For solo travelers

If you are traveling without a group, save this article offline and create a note with your key duas. Pair it with our guide on performing Umrah alone so your spiritual preparation and logistics support each other.

For pre-departure practice

Use this three-step routine in the week before departure:

1. Read: Review the dua and its meaning once in the morning.
2. Recite: Say it aloud three to five times.
3. Place: Attach it to a ritual stage in your mind: ihram, tawaf, sa'i, completion.

This works better than random memorization because it follows the actual flow of step by step umrah.

For a print-friendly pocket checklist

Create a one-page sheet with these headings:

• Before miqat: intention and talbiyah
• Entering the Haram: mosque entry dua
• Tawaf: Bismillah, Allahu Akbar; Rabbana atina...
• Sa'i: Inna as-Safa wal-Marwata...; personal dua list
• End of Umrah: Allahumma taqabbal minni

You can also combine this with timing and pace planning from How Long Does Umrah Take?, especially if you want a realistic sense of how long you may be standing, walking, and waiting.

When to revisit

Return to this guide at five points in your Umrah preparation and journey.

1. Two to four weeks before travel: choose the duas you actually plan to use and begin light memorization.
2. When reviewing ritual order: revisit this page together with your full umrah guide so the words and actions stay linked.
3. The day you enter ihram: refresh the intention and talbiyah.
4. Before tawaf and sa'i: scan the key lines and your personal dua list.
5. After returning home: revisit the meanings and reflect on which supplications mattered most to you.

You should also revisit this page whenever your learning needs change. For example, many pilgrims first rely on transliteration, then later want more accurate pronunciation, stronger meaning-based study, or a shorter dua list that feels more personal and less crowded.

As a final practical step, do this now:

• Save this page offline.
• Copy the five essential duas into your notes app.
• Write three personal duas in plain English.
• Practice them in the order of the ritual.
• Keep your focus on sincerity, not performance.

That is often the most effective form of umrah training: knowing enough to move through the rituals correctly, understanding what you are saying, and leaving room for a heart that speaks honestly to Allah.

If you are still building the rest of your trip plan, you may also want to review our guides to the best time for Umrah, Umrah cost breakdown, and the Madinah checklist for Umrah travelers. Strong practical planning supports spiritual calm, and spiritual calm helps every step of the journey.