Question 1

What is Umrah?

Accepted Answer

Umrah is an act of worship performed by Muslims by visiting the Sacred House of Allah in Mecca and carrying out specific rituals. These include Ihram, Tawaf, and Sa'i between Safa and Marwah, followed by shaving or trimming the hair. It can be performed at most times of the year, except during the Hajj period.

Question 2

Prohibitions of Ihram?

Accepted Answer

Using perfume after entering Ihram  
Cutting hair or trimming nails  
Covering the head for men  
Wearing stitched clothing for men such as thobes, pants, underwear, etc.  
Wearing a niqab or gloves for women during Ihram  
Contracting marriage or engagement during Ihram  
Intercourse or its preliminaries  
Hunting or assisting in it  
Arguing, committing sins, and raising one's voice inappropriately during the sacred rites

Question 3

What are the recommended acts of Ihram?

Accepted Answer

Performing ghusl before entering Ihram and preparing oneself with complete cleanliness  
Applying perfume on the body before the intention of Ihram, not on the Ihram clothing  
Cutting nails and removing any hair that needs to be removed before entering Ihram  
Wearing two clean white garments for men  
Praying two Rak'ahs before entering Ihram if possible  
Making the intention at the Miqat  
Increasing the Talbiyah, remembrance, and supplication after entering Ihram  
Maintaining calmness and tranquility, and avoiding arguments and crowds while performing the rituals

Question 4

What are the obligations of Ihram?

Accepted Answer

Intention to Enter the Rituals  
The Muslim should intend to perform Umrah or Hajj at the designated Miqat.

Ihram from the Designated Miqat  
One should not pass the Miqat without entering into Ihram if intending to perform Umrah or Hajj.

Talbiyah After Entering Ihram  
Say: "Labbayk Allahumma Umrah" and frequently recite: "Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk..."

Adhering to the Prohibitions of Ihram  
Such as avoiding perfume, cutting hair or nails, and covering the head for men.  
Wearing Ihram for men correctly  
A lower garment and a cloak, while avoiding wearing regular stitched clothing.

Question 5

Should nails be trimmed before or after entering Ihram?

Accepted Answer

Before Ihram: It is recommended to cut your nails, trim your hair, take a bath, and apply perfume. This is part of the Sunnah of Ihram, and you can do it at home or in the hotel before you intend and wear the Ihram.

During Ihram: Cutting nails is prohibited. If you cut them intentionally, you must offer a fidya; if you forget, you are not required to do anything.

After Ihram: You can cut your nails after the first release, which means after throwing the Jamrat al-Aqaba and shaving or trimming for men. After the second release, you can do everything.

In summary: Prepare yourself completely before the intention. Cut your nails + take a bath + wear the Ihram + intend.

Question 6

Can a woman perform Umrah without a Mahram?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a woman is allowed to perform Umrah without a mahram according to the approved regulations.

Question 7

What are the most important steps to perform Umrah?

Accepted Answer

The basic steps of Umrah are: entering into Ihram from the Miqat, performing Tawaf around the Kaaba, Sa'i between Safa and Marwah, and then either shaving the head or shortening the hair. However, it is recommended for the pilgrim to learn the rituals before traveling or to seek the assistance of a reliable guide to avoid confusion while performing the rites.

Question 8

Are there important health guidelines for Umrah pilgrims?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some of the important health guidelines are: drinking water continuously, avoiding prolonged exposure to heat, washing hands regularly, following etiquette for coughing and sneezing, and resting when feeling fatigued. The health guidelines for rituals emphasize the importance of physical preparation, personal hygiene, and prevention of heat stress.

Question 9

Can the Rawdah Ash-Sharifah be booked through the Nusuk app?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the Nusuk digital services include booking the Rawdah Al-Sharifah as part of a range of services that assist visitors in planning their trip. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah stated that the Nusuk application offers multiple digital services, including booking the Rawdah Al-Sharifah.

Question 10

Do I need a valid passport and civil ID before booking Umrah?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the passport and the civil ID must be valid before submitting the visa application and booking. It is preferable to ensure that the validity period is not less than 6 months for the passport and not less than 3 months for the civil ID before starting the procedures to avoid delays or rejection of the application.

Question 11

Is it possible to book Umrah online without visiting the branch?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can choose the service or package that suits you through the Maqam website. Enter the required information, upload the documents, and track your application electronically with ease, without the need for multiple visits or hassle.

Question 12

What are the required documents for the Umrah visa?

Accepted Answer

The essential documents include:  
Original passport photo  
Identity or residence information  
Personal photo with a white background

Question 13

Can additional services be added after booking?

Accepted Answer

Yes, additional services can be requested, but each service is separate. For example:  
- Tours of the holy sites  
- Electronic SIM card (eSIM)  
- Delayed buses and private transportation  
- Or purchasing Umrah and travel essentials from the online store.