How to Perform Umrah for Ladies
Are you a Muslim woman planning your Umrah trip? You’ve come to the right place! Lots of ladies perform Umrah for the first time every year, but many feel unsure about what to do, where to go first (Mecca or Medina?), and what the special rules are for women. This guide by our online Quran academy breaks down everything to answer all your possible questions about how to perform umrah for ladies.
You’ll get to know about the step-by-step Umrah rituals. What to do first: Mecca or Medina? Important do’s and don’ts for women (Umrah/Hajj). What documents will they require? What happens if you start your period during Umrah? If you plan everything in advance, it will be much easier for you to have a smooth and peaceful spiritual journey.
Preparing for Umrah
Are you ready to make your Umrah trip easy and meaningful as a woman? Before you start, you must get ready with both your heart and your bags.
Spiritual Preparation.
- Make your intention (Niyyah): You should have a clear intention that your journey is only for Allah (not for showing to others).
- Repentance: Say sorry for your mistakes to your Lord or to the ones you might have hurt intentionally or unintentionally,
- Learn the necessary duas: The time you spend in Makkah and Madinah is limited, so try to memorise some prayers that you can recite for entering Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i, and other rituals. This way, you can focus on your Umrah completely.
Practical Preparation
Papers Check: When you are getting ready, the first and most important step is to make sure your passport, visa, and vaccine papers are all ready.
Packing List: You should keep all the important things in your bag, like your tickets, hotel information, and money.
Comfort First: Pack clothes in which you feel comfortable and shoes that are easy to walk in, your prayer items, and everything you need to stay clean.
Choose the right travel package: Some women prefer Women-only Umrah packages or a guided tour. This can make dealing with larger crowds easier.
Physical and Mental Preparation
Practice Walking: You have to walk a lot while doing your Umrah, like around the Kaaba and between the Safa and Marwah hills. So, you have to develop that stamina before you actually start your Umrah. Start walking every day now so your legs are ready. This builds your stamina.
Be Patient: There are big crowds and lines. You might have delays, so prepare your mind to be calm and patient with a focus on how to perform umrah for ladies.
Health Kit: Don’t forget to carry your medicines for little problems like headaches, a cough, or if your stomach hurts.
Women’s Umrah Attire and Essentials
Ihram for Women
Women don’t need to wear the Ihram like men:
- Wear loose clothes. Your clothes should not be tight.
- Cover your whole body. Only your face and hands should show.
- Keep it simple. Do not wear flashy or tight clothing.
- Wear a scarf (hijab). This must cover all of your hair.
- Choose light fabrics. Mecca is hot, so pick breathable, comfortable clothes to stay cool.
Travel Essentials
You should keep all the travel essentials with you that you might need there.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You will be walking and standing for a very long time.
- Bring a small bag. Use it to carry your water, tissues, and prayer items.
- Pack all your toiletries and medicines. This includes soap, a toothbrush, and anything else you use.
- Take copies of your important papers. Keep them safe in case you lose the originals.
Step-by-Step Umrah Rituals for Women
Entering the State of Ihram
- You need to wash your whole body (this is called Ghusl) before you put on your clothes, because for women, there are no specific Ihram clothes. You just need to wear modest clothes.
- Then you have to make a clear intention like “I am doing this Umrah” (this is your intention).
- Start saying these words: “Labbayka Allahumma Umrah.” (Talbiyah).
Tawaf (Circumambulation of the Kaaba)
There is no change in performing Tawaf for a man or a woman when you are looking for how to perform Umrah for ladies regarding Tawaf. You start at the black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad). Find the corner of the kaaba where the black stone is.
Walk Seven Times: Go around the Kaaba a total of seven times.
Be Careful in a Crowd: Women should walk at a normal, easy speed and watch out for other people.
After that, Lift Your Hands: Every time you pass the Hajar al-Aswad, try to lift your hands for a short prayer.
Sa’i (Walking Between Safa and Marwah)
- Start at Safa.
- Walk to Marwah, then back, seven times (laps).
- Talk to God (pray) while you walk.
- Be calm and follow the lines.
- Do not push!.
Halq or Taqsir (Shaving or Cutting Hair)
- Finish Tawaf (circling) and Sa’i (walking).
- Cut a very small piece off your hair.
- Your Umrah is done! (The haircut is the final sign.
Common Challenges for Women
Crowds
- Stay with your friends/family. Don’t get lost!
- Keep your phone and money safe.
Fatigue (Getting Tired)
- Rest when you need to.
- Drink lots of water.
- Walk at a slow, comfortable pace.
Menstruation (For Women)
- If you have your period, you can still do the walking (Sa’i).
- You must wait to do the circling (Tawaf) until your period is completely finished.
Travel Considerations for Women
Travelling Alone: A question that many women ask is, Can I travel alone? So the answer is yes, women can travel alone, but it is safer to travel with a trusted group or companion.
Menstruation during Umrah: If you are on your period, you can do other rituals like Sa’i, but not Tawaf; you have to wait until it’s over.
Duration of Umrah: You can finish the actual rituals in just a few hours. But the full journey, like travelling, sleeping, resting, and visiting ziyarat, will usually take several days.
Mahram Requirements: Well, if you want to travel alone without a Mehram, you can, according to the new Saudi policy, but some women may need a Mehram (male guardian) to travel. If you are travelling without a mehram, it is better to travel in a group, and many travel groups manage this requirement.
Conclusion
It doesn’t matter if you are a woman or a man; the spiritual significance of Umrah is the same for both genders. If you want to have a perfect journey, you require proper planning, patience, and focus.
You can finish the rituals safely and feel good if you plan properly before you go, learn how to perform the rituals, and follow the simple rules for dressing properly and staying safe. Just start your preparations now, remember why you are going, and do each ritual with respect.
