ihyaus sunnah

Salah al-Ihram

How do I pray the two rak'ahs of ihram?

Pray two rak'ahs with the intention of the sunnah of ihram, as long as it is not one of the disliked times. Brothers keep the head covered for the prayer. Recite Surah al-Kafirun in the first rak'ah and Surah al-Ikhlas in the second.

The Kaaba and the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah
Pilgrims at tawaf around the Kaaba

When and how

After you bathe and dress in ihram, pray two rak'ahs. Brothers keep the head covered for this prayer, then uncover it afterwards, make the intention and recite the talbiyah.

It is the practice to recite Surah al-Kafirun in the first rak'ah and Surah al-Ikhlas in the second.

Disliked times

Do not pray at the disliked times for prayer. See the times in the two rak'ahs after tawaf. A sister in her period leaves out these two rak'ahs but still enters ihram. See Umrah during a period.

More questions

Do I need to pray two rak'ahs before the intention?

Yes. You are in the state of ihram only once you have worn the clothing, prayed the two rak'ahs, made the intention and recited the talbiyah.

Can I pray them on the plane?

On an airline with prayer and changing facilities you may put on your ihram on the plane. Otherwise do it at the departure airport.

Do sisters in their period pray them?

No. They leave the two rak'ahs but still make the intention and recite the talbiyah.

Perform your Umrah with confidence

Follow every rite in order, with counters and duas in Arabic, in our step by step Umrah guide. To study the Hanafi rulings behind it with qualified teachers, see our courses, or explore our apps. Ihya us Sunnah is sustained by its community, so please consider supporting our work.

This guide follows the Hanafi method and is based on Shaykh Mufti Wajid Iqbal's Umrah book, Essential Islam. For your own situation, ask a qualified scholar.