By Binte Mariyam

Umrah is a source of spiritual revival for Muslims. Believers in Islam yearn to undertake this faith-enriching journey. Imagine having the opportunity to be the guest of Allah Almighty – which is what makes this pilgrimage so rewarding. So, if you are among the fortunate U.S. Muslims who have availed themselves of Umrah packages 2026, it is essential to be aware of common mistakes to avoid during Umrah, ensuring you do everything correctly.  

While everyone strives to follow guidance from the Quran and Sunnah when performing Umrah, some errors are so widely committed and normalized that many of us might not even think of them as mistakes. Let us understand some of these common mistakes that you must avoid during Umrah, and perform its rituals as taught by the Prophet ﷺ.

1) Neglecting Proper Intention

This is one of the most common mistakes made by many pilgrims. You must not neglect a proper intention for your pilgrimage. Make sure that when you enter the state of Ihram, you make a conscious intention to perform the Umrah with a pure heart, and with the ultimate goal of pleasing the Almighty. This will also set your temperament to perform this soul-lifting pilgrimage, and remind you why you are present at the most sacred sites in Islam. 

2) Supplicating Mandatorily at the First Sight of the Kaaba

Many Muslims have the misconception that supplications made at the first glance of the Kaaba are always accepted. No doubt, the first sight of the Kaaba is a mesmerizing experience that evokes emotions and revives faith. However, there is no evidence from the Quran or Sunnah about any special significance of making dua at this particular instance.

3) Kissing the Black Stone from Afar

There is no doubt that kissing the Black Stone (Hajr Al-Aswad) is a sacred and beloved practice of the Prophet ﷺ, and everyone desires to follow this sunnah. However, it is not possible for all pilgrims to do so due to the extensive crowds. As a result, some pilgrims stop in front of the Black Stone and give a flying kiss in its direction. This not only disrupts the flow of tawaf but is also not an established sunnah. So, when the pilgrimage site is too crowded, the Prophet ﷺ taught us to simply raise our right hand towards the Black Stone and say “Bismillahi Allahu Akbar” (In the name of Allah; Allah is the Greatest) without stopping in our tracks.

4) Supplicating Loudly in Unison

Have you seen pilgrims recite dua loudly in unison while performing tawaf? Pilgrims who travel in groups sometimes have a group leader who recites a dua loudly, and the crowd behind him repeats it in unison. This can confuse other pilgrims and distract them from their remembrance of Allah. In fact, there are no specific supplications to be recited during tawaf, and everyone can make whatever supplications they prefer. This means invoking Allah during tawaf is a private act of worship, which requires performing it in a low voice or within your heart. 

5) Performing Tawaf on Behalf of Someone Else

This is another common mistake committed during Hajj and Umrah. Pilgrims perform the tawaf with the intention of donating its reward to a loved one. However, there is no sound basis for the permissibility of this act. While it is permissible to perform an entire Hajj or Umrah on behalf of a deceased or chronically ill person, there is no evidence in the Quran or Sunnah for performing a separate tawaf to benefit another person. 

6) Performing Umrah Multiple Times in a Visit

Some people perform multiple Umrahs in a single trip to Makkah. If there was any need for it or any good in it for us, the Prophet ﷺ would have done it himself or encouraged us to do so. However, even though the Prophet ﷺ was in Makkah for several days, he performed Umrah only once. On the other hand, you can perform as many tawafs as you want in a single journey.

7) Touching or Wiping over the Kaaba

Some pilgrims attempt to touch the Kaaba and then wipe their hands over themselves, considering this act as a source of blessings for them. However, such a practice is not proven from the Quran or Sunnah. In fact, you must strictly avoid such an act when in a state of ihram, as the walls of the Kaaba are perfumed. If you touch them and then touch yourself, you will be violating the rules of ihram. 

Like in all other religious matters, it is important to derive our information regarding Umrah from authentic sources only, and perform this pilgrimage with the soul intention of pleasing Allah and seeking His reward.