● Understand the rites
Umrah glossary
The terms you will hear on your journey — explained simply.
- Ihram
- The intention to enter the rites, with the two unstitched garments for men; certain acts are forbidden until you exit ihram.
- Miqat
- The boundary a pilgrim may not cross without entering ihram — each direction of approach has its own.
- Talbiyah
- Reciting "Labbayka Allahumma labbayk…" from entering ihram until the tawaf begins.
- Tawaf
- Circling the Kaaba seven times, each circuit beginning at the Black Stone.
- Mataf
- The courtyard around the Kaaba where tawaf is performed.
- The Black Stone
- The stone set in the corner of the Kaaba, touched or gestured to at the start of each circuit.
- Maqam Ibrahim
- The stone Ibrahim stood upon while building the Kaaba; the two rak'ahs after tawaf are prayed behind it.
- Sa'i
- Walking between Safa and Marwah seven times after tawaf.
- Safa and Marwah
- The two small hills between which the sa'i is performed.
- Tahallul
- Leaving ihram by shaving or trimming the hair once the sa'i is complete.
- Idtiba
- Uncovering the right shoulder, for men, during the arrival tawaf only.
- Raml
- A brisk, short-stepped walk in the first three circuits of the arrival tawaf, for men.
- Zamzam
- The blessed water that springs beside the Kaaba.
- Al-Rawdah
- The area between the Prophet's ﷺ pulpit and his chamber — "a garden of Paradise". A permit is required.
- Al-Mas'a
- The walkway between Safa and Marwah inside the Haram.
- Al-Hijr
- The walled area north of the Kaaba; praying there counts as praying inside it.