If you are planning your first Umrah trip, you likely have questions about what to wear, how to pack, and what rules are different for women. Below is a straightforward breakdown of the entire process—from entering ihram to finishing your final rituals—along with direct advice on visas and health requirements.
In This Guide
What Is Umrah?
Umrah is a voluntary pilgrimage to Makkah that you can perform at any time of the year. The rituals require you to enter a state of purity called ihram, walk around the Kaaba seven times (Tawaf), walk between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times (Sa'i), and trim a small amount of hair to exit the state of ihram.
The main steps of the pilgrimage are identical for men and women, with only a few specific differences regarding clothing and pacing during the walks.
Can Women Go Without a Mahram?
A mahram is a close male relative whom a woman cannot marry, such as her husband, father, brother, or son. Under current rules managed by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the old laws have changed.
Women aged 18 and older can apply for an Umrah visa and travel alone or without a male relative. Girls under 18 must still travel with a parent or legal guardian. Even though a mahram is no longer a legal requirement, many women in the Twin Cities still choose to travel with a family member or join an organized group tour to make navigating the airports and hotels more comfortable.
Please note
Visa rules can change from season to season. Double-check the current entry regulations on the official Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Pakistan portal before finalizing your travel dates.
Ihram Rules for Women
Ihram is the clean, spiritual state you enter before your rituals start. Men must wear two specific sheets of unstitched white cloth. For women, there is no set uniform. You can wear any loose, everyday modest clothing as long as it covers your body fully and is not see-through.
| Allowed | Not Allowed |
|---|---|
| Loose abayas, maxi dresses, or loose shalwar kameez | Tight, transparent, or figure-hugging clothing |
| Any color (black, white, brown, blue, grey) | Bright colors with flashy sequins or heavy embroidery |
| A standard hijab or scarf covering the hair and neck | A fitted niqab or face veil tied directly to the skin |
| Hands must stay bare | Gloves |
| Socks, closed shoes, and walking sneakers | Perfumed clothes, scented lotion, or body sprays |
| Simple rings or basic items if needed | Nail polish or heavy makeup |
You cannot wear a tight, fitted niqab while in ihram. If you want face privacy around unrelated men, you can loosely drape a scarf over your face from your head, then pull it down once they pass. Before making your intention (niyyah) at the starting boundary (the Miqat), it is sunnah to clip your nails, clean yourself, take a bath (ghusl), and put on your clean clothes.
Step-by-Step Umrah Steps
Follow these steps in order once you are ready to begin:
- **Enter Ihram:** Bathe, change into your loose clothing, and say your intention: "O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah, make it easy for me and accept it."
- **Recite the Talbiyah:** Repeat the phrase "Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk." Women should say this quietly to themselves rather than loudly like men.
- **Perform Tawaf:** Walk around the Kaaba seven times, starting at the Black Stone corner. Men walk quickly with their shoulders out for the first three rounds, but women walk at a normal, steady pace for all seven rounds.
- **Pray at Maqam Ibrahim:** Offer two short rakahs near the Station of Ibrahim, or anywhere inside the Haram if the area is too crowded.
- **Perform Sa'i:** Walk between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times. Men jog briefly between the green lights, but women should walk normally without jogging.
- **Trim Your Hair:** Men shave or buzz their heads. Women only need to bunch their hair together and clip about a fingertip's length off the very ends.
After clipping your hair, you are out of ihram. Normal rules apply again, and you can wear your regular clothes, use scented soap, or wear nail polish.
Umrah Rules for Periods
If your period starts before or during your trip, you can still travel, enter ihram, and make your intention. However, you cannot pray or enter the mosque floor to do Tawaf while bleeding.
- You stay in the state of ihram even if your period begins.
- Do not perform Tawaf or your two rakah prayers until your period completely stops and you take a full bath (ghusl).
- You can complete Sa'i (the walk between Safa and Marwah) later once your purity is restored after Tawaf.
- If you choose to use medicine to delay your cycle, discuss this with your doctor well before your flight leaves.
Because minor details can vary depending on your school of thought, ask a local scholar or imam for clear guidance before your travel date if your dates overlap with your cycle.
Umrah Checklist for Women
Keep your packing simple to stay comfortable in the hot weather and during long walks:
| Category | Items to Pack |
|---|---|
| Clothes | 2 to 3 loose abayas, 6 to 8 light cotton hijabs, and soft cotton under-layers |
| Shoes | One pair of broken-in walking sneakers and one pair of simple hotel slippers |
| Toiletries | Unscented soap, fragrance-free shampoo, and unscented moisturizing lotion for ihram |
| Papers | Original passport, visa printout, NADRA CNIC copy, and vaccine papers |
| Medicine | Your daily prescriptions, pain relief tablets, bandages, and feminine hygiene supplies |
| Extras | A small shoe bag for the mosque, a reusable water bottle, and a small pocket prayer mat |
Health and Safety Tips
Makkah and Madinah get very crowded. Use these tips to stay healthy during your journey:
- Drink Zamzam water constantly to avoid dehydration from the heat.
- Do not wear brand-new shoes on your trip; wear shoes you have already broken in to avoid blisters.
- Get your mandatory meningitis vaccine before booking. The World Health Organization notes this is required for all travelers.
- Keep your hotel card and your group leader's phone number in your pocket at all times.
- Use the designated women-only sections inside the mosques during busy prayer times for more space.
- Download the official Nusuk app to secure your permits for the Rawdah visit in Madinah.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Watch out for these simple errors that first-time travelers often make:
- Tying a fitted niqab with strings tightly over the face while in ihram.
- Using scented face creams, hand soaps, or perfumes after making your Umrah intention.
- Buying tight or stiff shoes right before the flight, which makes walking difficult.
- Losing track of where the women’s gates are, leading to confusion when prayers end.
- Forgetting to drink water during the day, which causes quick exhaustion.
Mosque Etiquette
Keep these habits in mind out of respect for other worshippers around you:
- Keep your voice low and walk gently through the halls, especially near the Kaaba.
- Be patient in the crowds, as movement around the hills and the Tawaf floor can be very slow.
- Set up a clear meeting spot outside the gates with your family or group leader in case your phone battery dies.
- Avoid taking constant photos or videos so you can stay focused on your prayers.
Booking Your Trip
Once you understand the basic rules for clothing, hair cutting, and daily purity, planning your trip becomes simple. We help travelers from Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and nearby areas organize reliable packages. We provide clear pricing upfront with no hidden costs. Visit our office at Rania Mall, Saddar, Rawalpindi, or message our team online to check available dates for your family.