Umrah is an Arabic word (عُمْرَة), which can be translated as “visit to a populated place.” It is also translated sometimes as “visit to a particular place.” In Islamic doctrine, Umrah is a pilgrimage to Masjid Al-Haram in the holy city of Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Umrah is one of the most popular and widely performed acts of worship amongst Muslims, although not a part of the five basic elements of Islam: Faith (Tawheed), Prayers (Salah), Fasting (Sawm), Alms (Zakat), and Pilgrimage (Hajj). Muslims worldwide travel to the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to perform this shorter Hajj. Performing Umrah is not a compulsion; rather, it is an optional kind of worship for every adult Muslim, man or woman. However, it is widely performed by the Muslims, being an act of following the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Umrah is often mentioned in the Quran alongside Hajj, such as the 158th verse of Surah Al-Baqarah:
Translation - Indeed, ˹the hills of˺ Ṣafa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever makes the major or minor pilgrimage to the ˹Sacred˺ House, let them walk between ˹the two hills˺. And whoever does good willingly, Allah is truly Appreciative, All-Knowing.
Here, Umrah is referred to as the shorter form of Hajj. This verse also explains how to perform Umrah. Similarly, we can find many Hadiths about Umrah, such as Hadith number 1773 of Sahih Al-Bukhari:
Translation - Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "(The performance of) `Umra is an expiation for the sins committed (between it and the previous one). And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise."
Here again, Umrah is mentioned with Hajj. So, that makes it almost as important as Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam. This guide will take you through the procedures and rituals required to perform Umrah in easily understandable steps. Click on the cards below access detailed information about that topic. Additionally, scroll down to read more information about Umrah.
Umrah is of two types, one performed alongside Hajj and the other performed out of the Hajj days. In Islamic traditions, these are referred to as:
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ migrated from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE with his followers and companions. By 628 CE, the tension was high between the Muslims of Medina and the Quraysh tribe of Mecca, whereas Muslims wanted to perform the pilgrimage of the house of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. So, the Prophet, along with more than 1000 of his followers, decided to go to Mecca for the performance of Umrah. The Qurayshites thought that Muslims were planning to attack Mecca.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ sent a representative to them, telling them that he only wanted to perform pilgrimage with his companions. However, they did not allow Muslims to enter Mecca and stopped them at a place known as Hudaybiyya. The Quraysh of Mecca insisted that Muslims should go back this time. The Prophet decided not to enter Mecca by force and relied on the negotiations. Resultantly the historic “Treaty of Hudaybiyya” took place. According to this treaty, Muslims were allowed to perform pilgrimage once a year. It further stipulated that there would be no aggression between the Muslims and Qurayshites for the next 10 years. So, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ performed the first ever Umrah the next year (629 CE) with his 2000 followers.
The performance of Umrah is repeatedly emphasized in various Hadiths, which reflects its significance in Islamic worship practices. Hadith 2630 of Sunan Al-Nisai narrates as under:
Translation - "The Messenger of Allah said: 'Perform Hajj and 'Umrah consecutively; for they remove poverty and sin as the bellows removes impurity from iron.”
Another Hadith, appearing in serial 2892 in Sunan Ibn Majah, further explains the importance of Umrah:
Translation - “The pilgrims performing Hajj and ‘Umrah are a delegation to Allah. If they call upon Him, He will answer them; and if they ask for His forgiveness, He will forgive them.”
So many other Hadith references specifically explain the importance of the performance of Umrah. That’s why Muslims perform Umrah of both types, single and combined with Hajj, so affectionately with religious passion.
As discussed above, Umrah is, a shorter form of Hajj, often referred to as “Minor Hajj” or “Mini Hajj”. But these are two different acts of worship. Let’s see the difference between them:
Traveling to perform Umrah is a religious journey for a very special kind of worship. Hence the homework also needs to be special, especially the spiritual preparation. You need to get prepared spiritually as well as materially.
Physical preparation for Umrah is very important to make your journey easy and trouble free but spiritual preparation is more than important. You are traveling to the House of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى (Baituallah), so you need very special preparations to get yourself presentable to your Creator.
Here are some useful tips on this very crucial part of your pilgrimage:
Translation - Don't sever relations of kinship, don't bear enmity against one another, don't bear aversion against one another and don't feel envy against the other and live as fellow-brothers as Allah has commanded you.
Hence, you need to regret and seek forgiveness of your close relatives and friends before proceeding to Umrah, as a gesture of following the above-quoted Hadith.
Once you are physically, mentally and spiritually prepared for the Umrah, it is time to enter the pilgrimage. Umrah comprises four essential activities: Entering the State of Ihram, Tawaf e Ka’aba, Sai (walking between the hills of Safa and Marwa), and Halq or Taksir (Shaving off the head or small Haircut). This in-depth guide will take you through all the essential sequential steps of Umrah.
The first of the four essentials of Umrah is entering into the state of Ihram. Ihram is a specific dress code for performing Umrah and Hajj. It consists of two unstitched pieces of plain white cloth. These are known as Rida and Izaar. Rida is the one that covers the upper part of the body, like a shawl, whereas Izaar covers the lower half of the body, while the head and face remain uncovered.
However, for women, covering the head is also required. The footwear is also specific for the performance of Umrah. It has to be a sandal without a heel and ankle cover so that the upper part of the foot, the heel, and the ankle should not be covered.
The person intending to perform Umrah must change into Ihram before crossing the “Miqat”. Miqat is a pre-defined point on the way to Masjid Al Haram, coming from different directions. There are five such points specified in two different Hadiths Hadith number 1526 of Sahih Al-Bukhari specifies four of the Miqat points as under:
Translation - Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) had fixed Dhul Hulaifa as the Miqat for the people of Medina; Al-Juhfa for the people of Sham; and Qarn Ul-Manazil for the people of Najd; and Yalamlam for the people of Yemen. So, these (above mentioned) are the Mawaqit for all those living at those places, and besides them for those who come through those places to perform Hajj and `Umra and whoever lives within these places should assume Ihram from his dwelling place, and similarly the people of Mecca can assume lhram from Mecca.
The fifth Miqat point is specified in Hadith number 1531 of Sahih Al-Bukhari:
Translation - When these two towns (Basra and Kufa) were captured, the people went to `Umar and said, "O the Chief of the faithful believers! The Prophet (ﷺ) fixed Qarn as the Miqat for the people of Najd, it is beyond our way and it is difficult for us to pass through it." He said, "Take as your Miqat a place situated opposite to Qarn on your usual way. So, he fixed Dhatu-Irq (as their Miqat).
Here are some important things to remember associated with the Ihram:
– لَبَّيْكَ اللهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ – لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ – إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ – لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ
The importance of Talbiya is narrated in the Hadith at serial number 828 of Jami Al-Tirmidhi, as under:
Translation - the Messenger of Allah said: "There is no Muslim who says the Talbiyah except that - on his right and left, until the end of the land, from here to there - the rocks, or trees, or mud say the Talbiyah."
Once you have taken the state of Ihram and your flight reaches Jeddah, your travel agent must have arranged your commute to Mecca. It is advisable to keep reciting the Talbiyah while on the way to Mecca, along with other Dikhar and especially Durood on the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. While entering into the boundaries of the Haram, recite the following dua.
اَللَّهُمَّ هَذَا حَرَمُكَ وَأَمْنُكَ فَحَرِّمْنِي عَلَى النَّارِ، وَأَمِنِّي مِنْ عَذَابِكَ يَوْمَ تَبْعَثُ عِبَادَكَ، وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنْ أَوْلِيَائِكَ وَأَهْلِ طَاعَتِكَ
Translation - O Allah, this is Your sanctuary and security, so make me unlawful to Hell-Fire, make me safe from Your punishment on the day You resurrect Your servants, and make me one of Your friends and one of the people who obey You
Now that you have reached your dream destination, the Holy City of Mecca, it is time to unpack at your hotel accommodation. It is better to take some rest here and take a shower if you want to. But keep in mind that you are in a state of Ihram; hence, don’t commit anything prohibited, such as using perfumed soap or any other scented item.
But in any case, remember, you are here with a purpose. So, don’t spend too much of time in other activities and immediately head towards Masjid Al-Haram.
While entering Masjid Al–Haram, try to use the Bab-Al-Salam, the Gate of Peace. It is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. But it depends entirely on the authorities, as they often restrict entry through different specified points. So, don’t be confused or worried; use the door available for entry at that particular time.
While entering the Masjid Al–Haram, first put your right foot in the Masjid. The recommended Dua at this stage is the same as you recite while entering into any other Masjid:
.بِسْمِ اللهِ، اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ. اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَافْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِك
Translation - In the name of Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad ﷺ. O Allah, forgive me and open for me the doors of Your Mercy.
Or alternatively you may also recite;
أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ الْعَظِيمِ، وَبِوَجْهِهِ الْكَرِيمِ، وَسُلْطَانِهِ الْقَدِيمِ، مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
Translation - I seek protection in Allah the Tremendous, His Noble Countenance, and His pre-eternal Sovereign Might from Shaytan the rejected.
Since your immediate intention is to perform Tawaf, it is not required to perform two Rakahs of Tahiyatul Masjid at this point in time.
You have traveled for this very time, the first sight of the Ka’aba. While entering Masjid Al-Haram, you are nearing, inch by inch, your dream sight, so, hold your breath and emotions to take the first sight of the Holiest place on the earth. While taking the first sight of the Ka’aba, recite Durood followed by Dua, with the trust that the Dua recited here has the highest probability of being accepted.
Frist recite the following:
.اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ. اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ . لَآ اِلَهَ اِلَّا اللّٰهُ
Translation - Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest. There is no God except Allah
Following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, you should also recite the following duas at this prime moment in your life:
اَللَّهُمَّ زِدْ هَذَا الْبَيْتَ تَشْرِيفاً وَتَعْظِيماً وَتَكْرِيماً وَمَهَابَةً، وَزِدْ مَنْ شَرَّفَهُ وَكَرَّمَهُ مِمَّنْ حَجَّهُ أَوْ اعْتَمَرَهُ تَشْرِيفاً وَتَكْرِيماً وَتَعْظِيماً وَبِرّاً.
Translation - Allah, increase this House in honour, esteem, respect and reverence. And increase those who honour and respect it—of those who perform Hajj or ‘Umrah—in honour, respect, esteem and piety.
اَللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلاَمُ وَمِنْكَ السَّلَامُ، حَيِّنَا رَبَّنَا بِالسَّلاَمِ.
Translation - O Allah, You are Peace and from You is peace. Make us live, Lord, in peace.
According to the dictionary, tawaf means to walk around, encircling a particular point. Religiously, it is a term used in Islamic worship, which means walking around the Ka’aba in a circle. Each circle is referred to as one Circuit. The Tawaf-e-Ka’aba, or Tawaf-e-Umrah, comprises seven such circuits.
The following are the prerequisites for the performance of Tawaf:
Generally, there are five different types of Tawaf-e-Ka’aba, as under:
Tawaf is the main activity of the performance of Umrah. So, you must be well aware of its requirements and procedures. First, you must know the major relevant points and locations inside Masjid Al-Haram. These are:
Once you are familiar with these prominent locations inside Masjid Al-Haram, it will help you perform tawaf correctly. Here is the process of doing Tawaf-e-Umrah:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ طَوَافَ بَيْتِكَ الْحَرَامِ فَيَسِّرْهُ لِيْ وَتَقَبَّلْهُ مِنِّيْ
Translation - O Allah, I intend to perform Tawaf of your Sacred House, so make it easy for me and accept it from me.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَاللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُمَّ إِيْمَاناً بِكَ وَتَصْدِيْقاً بِكِتَابِكَ، وَوَفَاءً بِعَهْدِكَ، وَاتِّبَاعاً لِسُنَّةِ نَبِيِّكَ مُحَمَّدْ
Translation - In the name of Allah, Allah is the greatest. O Allah, out of faith in You, conviction in Your book, in fulfilment of Your covenant and in emulation of Your Prophet’s Sunnah ﷺ.
The virtues associated with touching or kissing the Hajr-e-Aswad are enormous. This piece of stone is believed to have been brought by the Angels from the heavens. It is recommended by the Scholars, as derived from the Sunnah, that one must try to kiss the Hajr-e-Aswad, as it carries bundles of virtues and rewards. While kissing the Hajr-e-Aswad, recite بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَاللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ. This act is referred to as “Istilam”, in Islamic spirituality.
If you get a chance, do it three times, but it may not be possible for everyone to do so, especially during the rush days. Hence you should not feel grieved if you did not get to kiss it. The Scholars are of the view that we should avoid creating a fuss around the Hajr-e-Aswad. If you get a chance to kiss it, fine, but if you don’t get a chance, the second option is to try to touch it.
However, considering the huge attendance, most of the time, you may not get a chance to kiss or touch it. The third option, as recommended by the Scholars, is to salute it. Stop right in front of the Hajr-e-Aswad, while your face towards it. Raise your hands to the level of your ears, while palms facing towards the Black Stone and recite بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَاللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ.
The virtues of kissing the Hajr-e-Aswad are huge but don’t over-try doing so, as it might create trouble for others and, more importantly, harm the sanctity of this sacred place. Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى knows your intentions and may reward you heavily, even if you are unable to kiss the stone due to a huge rush of pilgrims.
The Yamani corner also has its significance during Tawaf. Scholars are of the view that one should try to get near to it during the Tawaf and should touch it with his right hand while reciting اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ. But as everyone would like to make this gesture, there’s every possibility that most of the pilgrims may not reach near to it. So, if that is the case with you, don’t mind and keep walking to complete the circuit.
However, it is a Sunnah to recite the following dua, as appears in Surah Al-Baqarah at 201st verse of Quran, while passing between the Hajr-e-Aswad and Rukn-e-Yamani
رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةًۭ وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ حَسَنَةًۭ وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّار
Translation - Our Lord! Grant us the good of this world and the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire.”
Per the Shafi school of thought, one should recite this Dua consistently during the entire circuit.
While performing the main ritual of Umrah, the Tawaf, the following points must be kept in mind and strictly followed:
Translation - And ˹remember˺ when We made the Sacred House1 a centre and a sanctuary for the people ˹saying˺, “˹You may˺ take the standing-place of Abraham2 as a site of prayer.” And We entrusted Abraham and Ishmael to purify My House for those who circle it, who meditate in it, and who bow and prostrate themselves ˹in prayer˺
وَاتَّخِذُوا مِنْ مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى
Once Tawaf is completed and you have offered two Rakah of Salah at or near the Maqam-e-Ibrahim, it’s time to drink Aab-e-Zamzam (the sacred water of the fountain of Zamzam). This water is abundantly available at various locations, in dispensers within the premises of Masjid Al-Haram.
Hadith number 3062 in Sunan Ibn Majah explains the virtues of Zamzam water as under:
Translation- I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘The water of Zamzam is for whatever it is drunk for
Drinking Zamzam Water is also a Sunnah. Hadith Number 3061 of Sunan Ibn Majah explains the etiquettes of drinking Aab-e-Zamzam.
Translation - I was sitting with Ibn ‘Abbas, and a man came to him and he said: ‘Where have you come from?’ He said: ‘From Zamzam.’ He said: ‘Did you drink from it as you should?’ He said: ‘How is that?’ He said: ‘When you drink from it, turn to face the Qiblah and mention the name of Allah, drink three draughts and drink your fill of it. When you have finished, then praise Allah.’ The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘The sign (that differentiates) between us and the hypocrites is that they do not drink their fill from Zamzam
So, the Sunnah of drinking Zamzam water can be summarized as under
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا وَرِزْقًا وَاسِعًا وَعَمَلًا مُتَقَبَّلًا وَشِفَاءً مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ
Translation - O Allah, I ask You for knowledge that is beneficial, provision that is abundant and a cure for every illness
Once this important step (drinking Zamzam Water) is done, you must proceed towards Multazim, the wall between the door of Ka’aba and Hajr-e-Aswad. Here you are required to embrace this wall, which is also an act of following the Sunnah. You can make any Dua, which you may need to; it is yet another place where Duas are accepted. But you may face difficulty reaching that spot, as everyone would be trying to do so. In that case, you may raise your hands while facing the Multazim and make your dua.
Remember, the Haram is a place of peace, hence you need to maintain its sanctity. So, if you cannot reach any particular point, such as Hajr-e-Aswad, Maqam-e-Ibrahim or Multazim, don’t be aggrieved or feel sorrow. Just give it a try. But if you can’t get there, make your dua as explained earlier and don’t create problems for others.
The third of the four essentials of Umrah is known as Sai. Sai is an Arabic word (السعي), which means walking or striving. Per Islamic norms, Sai is called the third essential of Umrah, comprised of walking between the hills of Safa and Marwa. These two hills are now included in the Haram and prominently marked for the knowledge and facilitation of the pilgrims. Sai is required to be done right after the completion of Tawaf.
The second wife of Prophet Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ is known as Hazrat Hajarah عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ. His first wife, Sarah, remained childless, and it is believed that she suggested his husband, Prophet Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ to marry Hazrat Hajrah so he could get a child. Eventually, Hazrat Hajra gave birth to a son named Ismail, who would later become a Prophet. At that time, Prophet Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was residing in the area now known as Palestine.
Responding to a divine command, Prophet Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ traveled to the area which at that time was called Bakka (now known as Mecca), along with his wife Hajrah and son Ismail. This was an uninhibited place then. He is believed to have left them under a tree with just one skin of water and other essential items. Prophet Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ told his wife that he was leaving her with his son at this place. alone, per the will and Command of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, hence she doesn’t need to worry.
While leaving them alone, Prophet Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ recited a dua, which is mentioned in the Quran in Surah Ibrahim at verse number 37:
Translation - Our Lord! I have settled some of my offspring in a barren valley, near Your Sacred House, our Lord, so that they may establish prayer. So make the hearts of ˹believing˺ people incline towards them and provide them with fruits, so perhaps they will be thankful.
Soon the resources with Hazrat Hajrah عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ were exhausted. She was in dire need of water then. Her infant child was crying for water, but the skin available to her was already emptied. Desperate, she ran up the nearby hills, known as Safa and Marwa, in search of water, but it wasn’t anywhere. At that juncture, Angel Jibrail عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ came down to her rescue.
Per some traditions, the Angel rubbed his wings on a particular point on earth, which resulted in an eruption of a fountain, whereas some others believe that it was where the infant Ismail was hitting his heel in want of water. Whatever the case, water started flowing from the earth, where the infant Ismail and his mother, Hajrah, lived. Hazrat Hajrah عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ dug a well near that fountain so that flowing water could be stored there. This well was later named the “Well of Zamzam.”
Sometimes later, a group of people arrived there in search of water. When they saw the Well of Zamzam, they requested Hazrat Hajrah to allow them to settle there and use this water. Hazrat Hajrah allowed them. This was the foundation time of the city of Mecca, where the Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ built the House of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, known as Baitullah or Khana-e-Ka’aba.
The act of Hazrat Hajrah to run up the hills of Safa and Marwa in search of water was so liked by the Allah Almighty that it was made a compulsory part of the Hajj and Umrah, as narrated in the 158th verse of Surah Al-Baqarah:
Translation - Indeed, ˹the hills of˺ Ṣafa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever makes the major or minor pilgrimage to the ˹Sacred˺ House, let them walk between ˹the two hills˺. And whoever does good willingly, Allah is truly Appreciative, All-Knowing.
Sai needs to be started immediately after the completion of Tawaf. However, it can be delayed for a while if one needs to. Before you proceed for Sai, you have to perform Istilam. This will be the ninth and the last Istilam required during one Umrah.
For the correct and valid performance of Sai, the pilgrim needs to be in the state of Ihram. Further, it has to be done on foot by the pilgrim him/herself. It has to be done after Tawaf as immediately as possible. Above all, Sai has to be done at the correct time, right after the completion of Tawaf.
Here’s the complete process of doing Sai:
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّه
اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلّٰهِ الْحَمْدُ,
Allah is the greatest; Allah is the greatest; Allah is the greatest, and to Allah belongs all praise.
لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
here is no deity except Allah, alone without a partner. To Him belongs the Dominion, and to Him belongs all praise. He gives life and death, and He has power over everything.
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اَللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ، اَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَهَزَمَ اَلْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ
There is no deity except Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, supported His slave and defeated the Confederates alone
بِسْمِ اللهِ وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَّامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ، اللَّهُمَّ إَنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ
Translation - In the name of Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, I ask of you from Your bounty.
Concessions while performing Sai are as follows:
That completes your third part of the Umrah.
The final part of the Umrah, the fourth essential, is known as Halq or Taksir. Halq refers to completely shaving off the head, while Taseer means cutting the hair on the head at least one inch. However, Women are required to cut only a small part of their hair to complete this ritual. Halq or Taksir is an essential part of the Umrah and is one of the Wajib Acts.
Halq or Taksir is mentioned in the Quran in the 27th verse of Surah Al-Fath:
Translation - Indeed, Allah will fulfil His Messenger’s vision in all truth: Allah willing, you will surely enter the Sacred Mosque, in security—˹some with˺ heads shaved and ˹others with˺ hair shortened—without fear. He knew what you did not know, so He first granted you the triumph at hand
Hadith number 1727 of Sahih Al-Bukhari also marks the significance and virtues of Halq and Taksir:
Translation - Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "O Allah! Be merciful to those who have their head shaved." The people said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! And (invoke Allah for) those who get their hair cut short." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "O Allah! Be merciful to those who have their head shaved." The people said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! And those who get their hair cut short." The Prophet (ﷺ) said (the third time), "And to those who get their hair cut short." Nafi` said that the Prophet (ﷺ) had said once or twice, "O Allah! Be merciful to those who get their head shaved," and on the fourth time he added, "And to those who have their hair cut short."
Here’s how you can do Halq or Taksir:
Translation - Anas b. Malik (Allah be pleased wish him) reported that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) came to Mina; he went to the Jamra and threw pebbles at it, after which he went to his lodging in Mina, and sacrificed the animal. He then called for a barber and, turning his right side to him, let him shave him; after which he tiimed his left side. He then gave (these hair) to the people.
Women are not required to perform Halq, as is narrated in the Hadith number 5049 of Sunan An-Nisai:
Translation - "The Messenger of Allah [SAW] forbade women to shave their heads."
So, the best way of cutting hair for women to complete this obligatory step of Umrah is to cut at least an inch of hair at the far end. This can be done alone and does not require going to any barber.
You will find different barbers near the Masjid Al-Haram. Not all of them are licensed. Try to get it done only from those who are officially licensed. The cost charged by unlicensed barbers might be less than that charged by licensed persons, but you must go for the ones who possess a license.
Unlicensed barbers can be found around the roadsides, whereas licensed ones work properly in their allocated shops. The reason why one should avoid getting it done by an unlicensed person is mainly the health issues, such as HIV and Hepatitis.
With that, your Umrah process is completed, and you can now come out of the state of Ihram. The nearest place to get out of Ihram is the Masjid Aysha, near the Masjid Al-Haram. Most of the pilgrims would like to avail of this facility at Masjid Aysha.
An unpleasant reality, especially in South East Asian Countries, is that women sometimes try to evade the compulsion of accompanying a true Mehram to get the Umrah or Hajj Visa. They declare a person as their Mehram who actually is not. This is not a reasonable option. You are proceeding for a sacred cause; hence you should not try any such illegal options, as it will defeat the very cause of your holy journey.