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Overview

step-by-step guide

Women's Guide

The guide to pilgrimage, tailored for you

Introduction

Women will have different concerns to men when performing Umrah, such as what to do when menstruating, if a woman can travel without a mahram to perform her Umrah, and even what to wear once when entering the state of ihram for Umrah. Even for Hajj, females should be aware of all of the steps they will do differently to men in order to ensure the rituals are performed correctly.

When it comes to the rituals of performing Umrah, there’s little that men and women actually do differently – but if you are looking for Umrah packages now, it’s vital that you make a note of the information in this article for your pilgrimage, particularly if you’re performing Umrah for the first time.

Umrah Overview

Umrah, a sacred pilgrimage in Islam, offers a journey of reflection and devotion in Makkah. This section provides a concise introduction, capturing its essence, rituals, and significance, guiding both novices and those familiar with its profound traditions. Dive in to grasp the heart of this spiritual endeavor.

What is Umrah?

Umrah is a lesser pilgrimage in Islam, compared to Hajj. It’s voluntary, taking place in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and can be performed throughout the year, unlike the annual Hajj.

Anyone who proceeds with this spiritual journey purifies their body, heart, soul and mind from their past sins.

How long does Umrah take?

Depending on ability and capacity in the masjid, Umrah can be performed in as little as 45 minutes upto 3 hours.

Virtue of Umrah

Umrah holds significant spiritual value. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him highlighted its importance, stating that it serves as an expiation for sins committed between consecutive Umrahs, enhancing one’s piety and spiritual growth.

Reward for performing Umrah in Ramadan:
1. The Prophet blessings and peace be upon him said: “Performance of Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to Hajj”, or he said: “Equal to performance of Hajj with me”
2. This virtue extends to all the days and nights of Ramadan
3. The pilgrim must perform his Umrah at the time allotted to him as shown by the reservations in the official Umrah applications

Best time to perform Umrah

A Muslim may perform Umrah at any time. However, there are important criteria for determining the appropriate time for Umrah for each person:

  • It is better for the pilgrim to choose the less crowded times so that they can perform the rituals of Umrah, go near the Haram, and pray there with ease.
  • There is a special merit for Umrah in the month of Ramadan. The Prophet’s blessings and peace be upon him said: “Performance of Umrah during Ramadan is equal to Hajj”, or he said: “Equal to the performance of Hajj with me”.
  • Pilgrims must perform Umrah at the time allotted to them, according to their reservations on the official Umrah apps.
  • Umrah is not allowed during the Hajj season, for those who do not intend to combine it with Hajj, to keep the Sacred sites available for pilgrims, because they are more deserving of those sites than others at that time.
  • Those entering the Kingdom on any type of visa can go to Makkah to perform Umrah after making a reservation through the Nusuk app.

Umrah in Ramadan

Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, amplifies the rewards of Umrah. Undertaking it during this time is believed to grant blessings equivalent to performing Hajj alongside the Prophet Muhammad, emphasizing its special significance.

Reward for performing Umrah in Ramadan:
1. The Prophet blessings and peace be upon him said: “Performance of Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to Hajj”, or he said: “Equal to performance of Hajj with me”
2. This virtue extends to all the days and nights of Ramadan
3. The pilgrim must perform his Umrah at the time allotted to him as shown by the reservations in the official Umrah applications

Women's Hajj and Umrah

If you are a woman performing Umrah for the first time, you may be searching for a guide on how to perform Umrah for ladies specifically.

Rules of Umrah for Women

Women can partake in all of the rituals and expect the same level of reward as men, but need to follow a few rules while completing these. For example:

  • The Talbiyah (ٱلتَّلبِيَة) is an essential part of Umrah and Hajj repeated by men and women – but while male pilgrims invoke the Talbiyah loudly, women are supposed to lower their voice.
  • The Raml (رمل) is an emphasised sunnah for male pilgrims in the first three rounds of tawaf, which involves running with medium pace during Tawaf. Women do not need to engage in this ritual as it is specifically for men.
  • Likewise, during Sa’ee, women will also not run between the two green posts.
  • Women must have a mahram accompanying them to travel to perform Umrah.
  • When the rituals of Umrah have been fulfilled, men can choose to have their heads shaved (halq), or trimmed (taqsir), whereas women will not do halq, but trim their hair the length of a fingertip to leave ihram.

Having a Mahram

Mahram is an Arabic word that refers to a male guardian who is a close relative of a woman. A mahram can be a husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, or son.

The purpose of a mahram is to protect and accompany women on their journey, especially during Hajj and Umrah. Islam emphasizes the importance of a mahram for the safety and security of women.

It is mandatory for a woman to have a mahram while performing Umrah. According to Islamic law, a woman cannot travel alone without a mahram. The reason for this rule is to ensure the safety and security of women.

According to the Umrah rules for ladies, women who are over 45 years of age can perform Umrah without a mahram as long as they travel with an organized group or with their family members. Women who are under 45 years of age are required to have a mahram to accompany them. This rule applies to all Muslims around the globe, including those residing in the UAE.

Ihram

Women’s Ihram is different from that of men. It supposed to a loose robe covering the entire body. Unlike men’s Ihram, in which a shoulder needs to be exposed when performing tawaf, Women’s Ihram involves complete coverage of their bodies at all times.

The loose-fitted robe may have buttons or seams, but it must be free of colours of adornments. It must either be white or black. Women’s hands should remain exposed and they aren’t permitted to wear niqabs to cover the face. If a woman chooses to keep their face veiled, they can wear a hat that keeps the veil away from their face while also keeping it covered. Also, women pilgrims need to use footwear that covers their entire feet.

Umrah Preparation

Embarking on Umrah requires spiritual and logistical preparation. This section offers insights and guidelines to ensure you're mentally and physically ready for this sacred journey.

Virtue of Umrah

Umrah is a spiritual trip that Muslims take. In Umrah, they follow certain steps. They enter a stage called Ihram, go around a structure known as the Kabah in Makkah, travel between two spots named Safa and Marwah, and then have their hair cut or shortened.

Umrah is highly valued and carries many benefits:

  1. The Quran, the sacred book for Muslims, emphasises that both Umrah and another pilgrimage called Hajj are vital responsibilities for Muslims. Performing these duties with dedication and sincerity pleases Allah.
  2. Prophet Muhammad taught that if Muslims perform Hajj and Umrah back-to-back, it can help erase their sins and alleviate their financial difficulties.
  3. Umrah also serves as a way for Muslims to seek forgiveness for their sins. According to Prophet Muhammad, the period from one Umrah to the next serves as a time of pardon for sins committed in between.
  4. When Muslims engage in Tawaf, which involves circling the Kabah, every step they take is a step towards goodness and sin removal. This comes from Prophet Muhammad’s teachings about Tawaf.
  5. When Muslims practice Sai, or moving between Safa and Marwah, Allah values this act. The Quran asserts that when someone willingly performs good actions, Allah is appreciative and fully aware of it.

In summary, Umrah is a spiritual journey that can result in numerous blessings for Muslims. It offers opportunities for doing good, seeking forgiveness, and improving one’s life.

Makkah: The Haram

What is the meaning of ‘Haram’ (Sanctuary)?

‘Haram’ or Sanctuary refers to a unique area where certain activities, usually permitted elsewhere, are disallowed out of profound respect and reverence for God, who set these rules. God said that those who respect these sanctified sites would be rewarded. God selected this land as sacred, with specific rules differing from other locations. It possesses exclusive merits not found anywhere else, and its sanctity dates back to the dawn of the universe.

God declared this land a Sanctuary on the day the universe was created, a status that will endure till the end of time. As the Prophet said: “From the day He created the heavens and the earth, God declared this town a sanctuary. It remains a sanctuary by God’s decree till the end of time.”

What does the Sanctuary mean to you?

You are now in a place that was distinguished and sanctified by God before the creation of humans. It’s the location where God instructed Ibrahim to lay the foundations of the House (Kabah), even before a single soul lived in Makkah. It was chosen to be the Qiblah and guidance for all. In this place, rewards for good deeds are amplified, and sins hold more significance than elsewhere.

God entrusted His noblest humans, Ibrahim and Ismail, and then Muhammad, with the responsibility of purifying, building, and taking care of the Kabah.

Repeat Umrah

Carrying out the Umrah, a holy pilgrimage, is considered one of the noblest deeds in the eyes of Allah. The Prophet Muhammad expressed: “One Umrah serves as atonement for the sins committed between it and the previous one. It’s also permissible to do it more than once in a year.”

Is it recommended to do multiple Umrahs in a single journey?

Some visitors to Makkah aim to do Umrah multiple times, either for themselves or on behalf of relatives. They may do this because they’re uncertain about returning to Makkah. This is allowed as long as it doesn’t disrupt other pilgrims or breach the rules and regulations of the official Umrah process.

How do I complete a second or repeat Umrah?

To do repeat Umrah, Pilgrims need to travel to the closest place outside the Haram, such as Aishah’s mosque in Al Taneem, Makkah. From there, they can enter the state of Ihram as normal and begin the next Umrah.

Best time to perform Umrah

A Muslim may perform Umrah at any time. However, there are important criteria for determining the appropriate time for Umrah for each person:

1

<br /> It is better for the pilgrim to choose the less crowded times so that they can perform the rituals of Umrah, go near the Haram, and pray there with ease<br />

2

<br /> There is a special merit for Umrah in the month of Ramadan. The Prophet’s blessings and peace be upon him said: “Performance of Umrah during Ramadan is equal to Hajj”, or he said: “Equal to the performance of Hajj with me”. It is better for the pilgrim to choose the less crowded times so that they can perform the rituals of Umrah, go near the Haram, and pray there with ease<br />

3

<br /> Pilgrims must perform Umrah at the time allotted to them, according to their reservations on the official Umrah apps.<br />

4

<br /> Umrah is not allowed during the Hajj season, for those who do not intend to combine it with Hajj, to keep the Sacred sites available for pilgrims, because they are more deserving of those sites than others at that time.

Those entering the Kingdom on any type of visa can go to Makkah to perform Umrah after making a reservation through the Nusuk app.

Umrah in Ramadan

Umrah is always a meaningful deed. It’s known to cleanse sins, as highlighted by the Prophet Muhammad. Its significance is even more pronounced during the holy month of Ramadan.

Rewards for carrying out Umrah in Ramadan

The Prophet Muhammad stated: “Performing Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to performing Hajj,” or he said, “It’s as if you’ve done Hajj with me.” This merit applies to all the days and nights of Ramadan.

Pilgrims should adhere to their allotted schedule for Umrah, as indicated in their official Umrah reservations.

Nusuk App

The Nusuk App is responsible for managing Umrah bookings and visitation to the Rawdah for Umrah.

After downloading the app, you must first create an account. To create an account, follow these steps:

  1. Open your Nusuk App
  2. Select your language
  3. Select the ‘Visitor’ account if you are an international visitor
  4. Enter all the required details
  5. Create a password
  6. Tick the box to agree with the terms and conditions
  7. Click the ‘Register’ button
  8. Enter the OTP that has been sent to your SMS

Once you have created an account, the next thing you should do is book your Umrah permit:

  1. Go to homepage
  2. Choose the Umrah category
  3. Choose the date and time of your Umrah from the provided calendar on the app
  4. Click the ‘continue’ button

You will be able to view your Umrah details afterwards. The details include the reservation and permit number, a QR Code of the permit and the date and time slot. It is advised that visitors choose timings with fewer crowds, which are indicated by green colours on the calendar.

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Travel

Navigating travel for Umrah can be daunting. Here, we simplify the process, providing essential tips and recommendations for a smooth pilgrimage journey.

Landing at the airport

  • You can get a trolley to carry your luggage
  • There are trolley attendants to load and unload your luggage for a specified fee
  • The Hajj missions arrange pilgrims’ exit from the airport in coordination with the concerned airport authorities, determine the bus stop where they are helped to board and their luggage get transferredTo go through the airport customs smoothly, using the relevant declaration form disclose the following:
  • Gifts in commercial quantities i.e. sums exceeding SAR 3,000
  • Any amounts exceeding SAR 60,000
  • To guarantee convenient arrival and departure of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah provides the best services at its various facilities during Hajj and Umrah seasons.

Hiring private cars

If you come to Makkah to perform Umrah on your own or rented car:

  • Remember that you cannot drive in Makkah neighborhoods during the Hajj season and in the last ten days of Ramadan as this restriction is imposed to prevent traffic jams
  • You will be asked to park your car in a parking lot in the Holy Capital (Makkah)Car parking in Makkah

  • Al-Haramain High Express Railway station parking lot
  • Az-Zaher Parking
  • Keddi Parking
  • Al-Jamarat Parking
  • Ar-Rusaifah Parking
  • Duqm Al-Waber Car Parking
  • Prince Mit’ib Rd. Parking (Refinery tunnels)
  • Buses are available to transport Hajj and Umrah pilgrims from these parking lots directly to the Grand Mosque.
|Before you travel by car, make sure to:

  • Check and change fluids, if necessary
  • Check brakes, lights, and tires
  • Take a spare tire
  • Take enough rest before and during the trip

Travelling by land

Umrah pilgrims residing in adjacent countries are allowed to enter the Kingdom through land ports on their own or rented cars. They may also enter through land ports using means of transportation licensed to external agents only.

Residents and local citizens intending to do Hajj or Umrah can travel by public transport buses. They can also drive to Makkah after obtaining a permit to perform Umrah. However, small cars are banned from entering Makkah before the start of the Hajj season and on the last ten days of Ramadan unless they have an official entry permit.

At entrances to Makkah, there are 7 parking lots able to accommodate 50,000 cars of Umrah pilgrims.
You will be asked to park your car in a parking lot in the Holy Capital (Makkah). At these parking lots, buses transport Hajj and Umrah pilgrims directly to the Grand Mosque.