Ihram – What to Know
It is achieved by:
1. Recommended to do ghusl (bath) and perform 2 rakat nafl salah (of any type)
2. Before arriving at the meeqat Ihram must be entered before crossing the meeqat – the designated boundary points set by the Prophet for those intending Hajj or Umrah. It is not permissible to pass the meeqat without being in Ihram if one intends to perform Umrah. Those travelling by plane should enter into Ihram before crossing the meeqat line in the air, usually announced by the airline. It is best to prepare in advance.
3. Wear the two pieces of unstitched cloth (slippers should be worn leaving middle bone uncovered)
For men, Ihram consists of two white unstitched cloths – one wrapped around the lower body (izar) and one draped over the upper body (rida). The clothing must not be stitched in a tailored manner that fits the shape of the body. Footwear should allow the top middle bone of the foot to remain uncovered. Women do not wear special Ihram garments – they wear normal modest Islamic clothing that covers the entire body except the face and hands.
4. Make intention: You verbalise it by saying: Labbayka Allahumma Umrah.
5. Saying the Talbiyah: After making the intention, one begins reciting the Talbiyah:
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
Transliteration: Labbayka Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk, innal hamda wan ni mata laka wal mulk, la sharika lak.
Translation: Here I am O Allah, here I am. Here I am – You have no partner – here I am. Indeed all praise, favour and dominion belong to You. You have no partner.
Once the intention and Talbiyah are made, the person has entered the sacred state of Ihram and the prohibitions of Ihram now apply.
Masjid al Haram, Makkah
- Remember to take a card from your hotel so you can find your way back easily.
- Identify the closest door to the Haram from your hotel.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before salaah time to comfortably find a place in the Haram. For Friday prayers, it is recommended to arrive no later than 10am in off-peak periods.
Masjid an Nabawi, Madinah
“The area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens of Paradise.” [Bukhaari (1196) & Muslim (1391)]
Jannat al Baki
The main cemetery in Madinah, located to the southeast of Masjid al-Nabawi. It contains the graves of many companions and family members of the Prophet ﷺ
To book praying in the Rawdah in Madinah:
Cash and Card Payments
Money
You will be able to use your bank cards in most shops and there are multiple locations to withdraw cash from cash machines. Regarding money exchange, it is generally better not to exchange money at airports but in Makkah or Madinah.
Mobile – Sims and Internet
- Register for a free eSIM
- Purchase Data package (lasts 30 days) – 3GB is sufficient
- Enable
High Speed Train
You can book High Speed Train connecting Jeddah Airport to Makkah and Madinah. The train station is located in the Airport and is easily accessible. You can book tickets at the station but these will be more expensive than if you book online or via the app.
You can book either via website https://sar.hhr.sa/web/portal/home#
Via App “HRR Train” – Android –https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.indra.haramain.pro&hl=en&pli=1
Travelling between these locations is so much easier via the bullet train. If you decide to go from Jeddah airport (or Madinah) to Makkah, it will drop you on the outskirts of Makkah. You will then have an option of catching a taxi (should cost around 50 Riyal) straight to your Hotel or get a shuttle bus service straight to the Haram for around 6/7 Riyal.
Please note: If your suitcase is larger than the size below, they will charge extra and send it to be picked up 12-24 hours later. They will arrange that from the station easily also but it is extra hassle and cost for you to consider.
