Umrah Glossary: Key Terms Explained

New to Umrah, or helping a family member prepare? These short definitions cover the terms you will meet in our guides and during your journey. Spellings of Arabic words vary in English; we use common forms. For the full rites in order, read How to Perform Umrah: A Step-by-Step Guide.

• Abaya: A loose, full-length outer garment worn by many women.
• Black Stone (al-Hajar al-Aswad): The stone set in the eastern corner of the Kaaba. Each circuit of Tawaf begins and ends in line with it.
• Dhul Hulayfah (Abyar Ali): The miqat for those traveling from Madinah toward Makkah, on the southern edge of Madinah.
• Dua: Personal supplication to Allah, in any language.
• Halq: Shaving the head, the preferred option for men to complete Umrah.
• Haram: Sacred precinct. Commonly used to mean the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah or the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.
• Hajj: The annual pilgrimage performed on set days in the month of Dhul Hijjah. Distinct from Umrah, which can be performed most of the year.
• Idtiba: For men during the Tawaf of Umrah: wearing the upper Ihram sheet under the right arm and over the left shoulder, leaving the right shoulder uncovered.
• Ihram: The sacred state a pilgrim enters for Umrah or Hajj, and also the simple garments men wear in that state.
• Kaaba: The cube-shaped House of Allah at the center of the Masjid al-Haram, toward which Muslims pray.
• Mahram: A close male relative whom a woman cannot marry, such as a father, brother, son or husband.
• Maqam Ibrahim: The Station of Ibrahim, near the Kaaba, behind which pilgrims pray two units of prayer after Tawaf when possible.
• Marwah: The hill where Sa’i ends; the seventh lap finishes here.
• Masjid al-Haram: The Sacred Mosque in Makkah, surrounding the Kaaba.
• Masjid an-Nabawi: The Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.
• Masjid Quba: The first mosque built in Islam, on the outskirts of Madinah.
• Miqat: A boundary point at which pilgrims heading to Makkah for Umrah or Hajj must enter Ihram.
• Mutawwif: A guide who assists pilgrims with the rites.
• Niyyah: Intention. For Umrah, the intention to enter Ihram for Umrah is made at or before the miqat.
• Nusuk: The official Saudi platform for Umrah permits and pilgrim services.
• Ramal: A brisk walk with short steps, recommended for men in the first three circuits of the Tawaf of Umrah.
• Rawdah: The area of the Prophet’s Mosque between his pulpit and his house. Visits require an official appointment.
• Sa’i: Walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, a rite of Umrah.
• Safa: The hill where Sa’i begins.
• Talbiyah: The phrase pilgrims recite after entering Ihram: “Labbayk Allahumma labbayk…”.
• Taqsir: Trimming the hair to complete Umrah. Women trim a small amount; men may trim instead of shaving.
• Tawaf: Walking seven times around the Kaaba counter-clockwise, beginning at the Black Stone.
• Umrah: The “lesser pilgrimage” to Makkah, consisting of Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i and shaving or trimming the hair.
• Wudu: Ritual washing before prayer.
• Yemeni Corner (ar-Rukn al-Yamani): The corner of the Kaaba before the Black Stone corner in each circuit of Tawaf.
• Zamzam: The blessed well within the Masjid al-Haram. Its water is freely available in both holy mosques.
• Ziyarat: Visits to places of historical and religious significance, such as Quba Mosque or Mount Uhud.