Hajj and Umrah guideline

Umrah, step by step

1. Ihram — enter the state of ihram at or before the miqat, with the intention and the talbiyah.
2. Tawaf — seven circuits of the Ka'bah, beginning and ending at the Hajar al-Aswad.
3. Two rak'ah after the tawaf, near the Maqam Ibrahim where possible.
4. Sa'i — seven trips between Safa and Marwah.
5. Halq or taqsir — shaving or shortening the hair, which ends the ihram.

The prohibitions of ihram

While in ihram, a pilgrim refrains from perfume and scented products, cutting hair or nails, marital relations, hunting, and — for men — stitched clothing and covering the head. Learn these before you travel rather than in the aircraft.

Hajj, in outline

1. 8 Dhul-Hijjah — ihram and departure to Mina.
2. 9 Dhul-Hijjah — the day of Arafah, then Muzdalifah after Maghrib.
3. 10 Dhul-Hijjah — the first stoning, the hady, halq or taqsir, and Tawaf al-Ifadah.
4. 11–13 Dhul-Hijjah — the days of Tashriq in Mina and the remaining stoning.
5. Before leaving Makkah — Tawaf al-Wada'.

Practical preparation

• Walk. Build up your walking distance for weeks before you travel; both journeys are far more physical than people expect.
• Learn the duas you want to read, so that you are not reading from a phone at the moments that matter most.
• Sort out your medicines, your documents and your money before you leave India.
• Agree a meeting point with your family for every place you will visit.

Where to read more

• Umrah from India: complete step-by-step guide
• Umrah visa for Indian passport holders
• Hajj packing list
• Pre-departure webinars