### 1. Entering the Sacred State of Ihram
Ihram is not merely wearing two white sheets; it is entering a sacred spiritual state characterized by formal intention (*Niyyah*) and proclamation of the *Talbiyah*.
- **Physical Preparation**: Trim nails, remove unwanted body hair, perform Ghusl (ritual bath) or Wudu, apply perfume to your body *before* making the intention (perfume must not remain on the cloth itself).
- **Men's Attire**: Two seamless, unstitched white cloth sheets (*Rida* over the shoulders, *Izar* around the waist). No underwear, shirts, or stitched head coverings. Footwear must expose the top bone of the foot and ankles.
- **Women's Attire**: Any loose, modest, opaque Islamic dress (such as an abaya). Face and hands remain uncovered. No perfumed garments.
- **The Niyyah (Intention)**:
> *Allahumma inni ureedul-Umrata fa-yassirha li wa taqabbal-ha minni.*
> (O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah, so make it easy for me and accept it from me.)
- **The Talbiyah**:
> *Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayka la shareeka laka Labbayk, Innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, La shareeka lak.*
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### 2. Tawaf al-Umrah (Circling the Kaaba 7 Times)
Upon arrival at Masjid al-Haram:
1. Enter with the right foot reciting the Masjid entrance supplication.
2. For men: perform **Idtiba** (uncovering the right shoulder) for the duration of this Tawaf only.
3. Position yourself at the green light line aligned with the **Hajar al-Aswad** (Black Stone).
4. Point both palms toward the Black Stone and recite: *Bismillahi Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil-hamd*, then kiss your palms (Istilam).
5. Walk counter-clockwise around the Kaaba for 7 complete circuits.
6. For men: perform **Raml** (brisk, purposeful stride with chest out) in the first 3 circuits only.
7. Between the Yemeni Corner (*Rukn al-Yamani*) and the Black Stone, continuously recite:
> *Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina 'adhaban-nar.*
8. Upon finishing the 7th circuit, cover the right shoulder, proceed behind Maqam Ibrahim (or anywhere in the Haram), and offer 2 rakats of **Salat al-Tawaf**.
9. Drink Zamzam water while standing, facing the Qibla, and make Dua.
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### 3. Sa’i Between Mount Safa & Marwa (7 Laps)
1. Climb Mount Safa, face the Holy Kaaba, raise your hands and glorify Allah with Takbeer and Tahlil.
2. Walk towards Mount Marwa. When passing between the two green fluorescent markers, men should pick up a moderate jog (*Harwala*), while women maintain a normal walking pace.
3. Upon reaching Mount Marwa, you have completed **Lap 1**. Face the Kaaba and make heartfelt Dua.
4. Walk back from Marwa to Safa (**Lap 2**).
5. Continue until completing **Lap 7 at Mount Marwa**.
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### 4. Halq or Taqsir (Exiting the State of Ihram)
- **Men**: Either shave the head completely (*Halq*, which is vastly superior in reward) or trim evenly across the entire head by at least one fingertip length (*Taqsir*).
- **Women**: Cut approximately one fingertip length from the ponytail of their hair.
- Once completed, all Ihram restrictions are lifted, and your Umrah is complete. *Alhamdulillah!*