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Common Mistakes Women Make During Hajj or Umrah

Published

October 20, 2011

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by Asma bint Shameem

Mistake #1: Thinking that their iḥrām is the ‘cap’ they wear over their head

Some Muslimahs do not know what iḥrām means and they think it’s the cap that they put on over their hair, They don’t take it off no matter what, thinking they will “break their iḥrām”. Iḥrām is a state that you enter into and putting on any item of clothing when you enter into the state of iḥrām does not mean that you cannot take it off later. And taking it off does NOT mean that you ended your iḥrām. That’s why the ‘ulemā’ say we can change our iḥrām (meaning our clothes), and even wash it if it gets dirty.

“It is permissible for the pilgrim in iḥrām for Hajj or ‘Umrah to change his iḥrām clothes and put on another set of iḥrām clothes, and that does not affect his iḥrām for Hajj or ‘Umrah.” (Standing Committee for Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas, Fataawa al-Lajnah, 11/185)

Mistake #2. Excessive fear of breaking their hair

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Some women have an excessive fear of breaking their hair. So much so that they don’t take off their scarf/dupatta/hijāb, even when they’re by themselves or among just women. They are so worried about their hair breaking, that they don’t even take off their headpiece for making wuḍū’. This is a trick of the Shaytān. Think about it. If you don’t do wuḍū’ properly, would your prayer be valid? Would your tawāf be valid? Do you really think Allāh would hold you accountable if you did something that was not in your control? No of course not. He is The Most Merciful. He is the Most Forgiving. Then, why would He would nullify your iḥrām just because a few hair fell out on their own, something that was out of your control! The prohibition is for the hair to be cut, plucked, shaved, etc. on purpose. Not involuntarily.

Mistake #3: Getting their hair cut ONLY by someone who has exited iḥrām

Many women think that ONLY the one who isNOT in iḥrām can cut their hair, once they’ve finished with their rituals. And they refuse to cut their own hair to exit iḥrām nor do they allow another sister who has not yet exited iḥrām to cut it for them, thinking that she is not allowed to do that for them. This is a wrong notion. Actually, if you think about it, you are supposed to cut your hair when you finish with all the rituals.

The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) commanded his companions, during the Farewell Pilgrimage:

“Let him cut his (meaning, his own) hair then exit iḥrām.” (al-Bukhāri, Muslim)

Mistake #4: Not going to the Jamarāt or Muzdalifah

Some of us delegate another hajji to throw the pebbles on our behalf for no valid reason. We get scared of the crowd or sometimes, get plain old lazy, not understanding the importance of doing it themselves, even if they are able.

Māshā’Allāh, Allāh has blessed us with health. Alḥamdulillāh, we are young, energetic, confident, and capable. We are able to do anything and everything when we are back home and yet, when it comes to Hajj and the Jamarāt, all of a sudden we become “frail, little weaklings who cannot go throw the pebbles”.

Don’t be lazy about the rituals of Hajj. Realize the significance of doing everything yourself if you have the ability. There’s no need to be scared at all. Yes, many years ago, we heard horror stories of stampedes, and people suffocating or hurting themselves. But not anymore, Alḥamdulillāh the Saudi government has renovated the whole Jamarāt complex a few years ago and it is the easiest thing in the world. I have seen old people in wheelchairs, people on crutches, and kids as little as 3 and 4 years old, throwing the pebbles themselves.

If there is a lot of crowd or your safety is an issue, it can be delayed.

“It is permissible to delay their (meaning women) stoning of the Jamarāt until the crowding is less or has stopped, and there is nothing wrong with them doing that.” (Fatawa Shaykh Uthaymeen)

Although it is allowed for women to leave Muzdhalifah after half the night has passed, if there is an excuse such as sickness, weakness, or just because we are women. BUT, it is better if you do stay the whole night following the Sunnah of the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam). So don’t chicken out.

Mistake #5: Crowding with the men

Beware of crowding with men in all the rituals of Hajj, especially during ṭawāf and at the Black Stone, during Sa’i and when stoning the Jamarat. Choose times when there is less crowding. Think about it. Touching the Black Stone is a beautiful Sunnah, but it is a sunnah. And protecting yourself and your hayā’ from coming in unnecessary contact with all non-mahram men is a FARDH.

The Mother of Believers, ‘Ā’ishah used to do ṭawāf in an area away from the men, and she did not touch the Black Stone or the Yemeni Corner if there was crowding.

It was narrated that ‘Ata’ said:

‘Ā’ishah used to do ṭawāf far away from the men, not mixing with them.” A woman said: “O Mother of the Believers, let us go and touch the Black Stone!” She said: “Go yourself,” and she refused to go.

In my opinion, the best place for us women to do ṭawāf is up on the roof of the Masjid. Now it may seem like a big distance from far, but I promise you, all it takes is an hour and 10 minutes, to be precise, to complete a ṭawāf, walking at an average pace.

Now the Shayṭān may play with your mind and make it seem like a lot. But then ask yourself this…don’t you easily, easily, walk an hour ten minutes in the mall?

**Mistake # 6: Rushing through ‘ibādah. Remember it’s about quality, NOT quantity**

Remember that Allāh will look at the quality of your worship, NOT your quantity. And that’s why our deeds will be weighed on the Day of Judgment and not counted. If you pray just two rakʿah with khushū‘, concentrating on what you are saying, beseeching Allāh with humility, wouldn’t that be better and more acceptable to Allāh than even 50 or even a 100 rakʿah quickly pecking the ground, without knowing a word of what you are saying?

Every time you do any ‘ibādah, check to see whether you have khushoo or not? Are you focused in what you are doing? Do you know the meaning of what you are saying or asking? Are you moving at a slow, measured pace or are you rushing through it?

Remember what the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam), said:

“The worst type of thief is the one who steals from his prayer!” The Companions asked, “Oh Messenger of Allah! How does one steal from his prayers?” The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam), responded,

“He does not complete his bowing, nor his prostrations.” Or he said “He does not straighten his backbone while bowing and prostrating.” (Ahmed, Al-Ṭabarani, others–authentic)

Mistake #7: Misbehaving in the Masjid of the Prophet

One of the worst mistakes that I see the sisters making is at the Prophet’s (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) Masjid. When the doors are opened, in the morning and evening, for the sisters so that they can visit the Raudah of the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam), they totally lose all sense of who they are, where they are and what they are doing. They run like wild animals let loose, shouting and screaming in ignorance, pushing each other, trampling anyone and everyone that comes in their way.

SubḥānAllāh sisters! Is this what the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam), taught us?! Is this the way you behave in a Masjid, let alone the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam)’s Masjid?! Is this the respect he (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam), deserves from you?

Remember when visiting the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam),’s Masjid, to behave with honor and dignity, with the hayaa‘ that Allāh has adorned you with, as a believing Muslim woman would. Remember to keep your voice soft and your walk paced. Don’t shove, push, harm or hurt your fellow Muslim sisters. Even if you didn’t get a chance to pray in that area, if you let your sister pray there for the sake of Allāh just because she is your Muslim sister, Allāh will reward you, and He knows best, perhaps even more than He would have, had you yourself had a chance to pray there.

Mistake #8: Wasting precious time in Mina

I see so many sisters wasting their time talking with each other, about nothing specific, mingling and socializing with the other Hajjis, while they are staying in Mina and even on the day of Arafah, which is the most important day of Hajj. They forget that these are the most blessed days in which ibādah is dearest to Allāh. They forget that Mina is not a place to socialize; rather it is a place for ibādah and dhikr and istighfār and du‘ā’. They forget that Day of Arafah is THE DAY for Hajj. That’s what this whole journey is all about. Instead of remembering Allāh, they busy themselves with idle talk, laughing, joking, even gheebah and gossip.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with talking for a little bit and to enquire about each other’s well being, etc. In fact, it becomes an act ibādahof if you talk with that niyyah of being kind and polite to your fellow Muslim or for taking a little rest in between your ibādah to refresh yourself. But when this talking takes over one’s time and this is what a person is doing the majority of the time in Mina, then it becomes an a serious issue of wasting precious time. And in the end, no one loses but you.

Mistake # 9: Being uncovered in Muzdalifah

Muzdalifah is an open ground and there are no tents, etc and the bathrooms are in an open field. When the sisters make wuḍū’ there, they forget that they are in an open area and there are men everywhere who can see them. Yet, they take off their ḥijābs and dupattas right in front of them to make wuḍū’, thus exposing themselves. So how does one make wuḍū’ in such a situation?

There is an easy solution to all of this. Whenever you need to make wuḍū’, go with a few women as a group and take turns making wuḍū’ while the others can hold up a piece of cloth, ḥijāb, etc in such a way as to cover you and hide you completely. This way no one can see you, insha Allāh.

May Allāh enable us to perform Hajj according to the Sunnah of the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam), in a manner that is most pleasing to Him. May Allāh accept this Hajj from all of us and make it Mabroor. Ameen.

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42 Comments

Yasmin

October 20, 2011 at 8:37 PM

Jazakallah khair for this very important and timely post! I’m sure all of the Muslima readers will find it very helpful!

Reply
- yasmin
  
  February 11, 2014 at 8:20 PM
  
  Inshallha im sure it will b help full
  
  Reply
- Simran Mystikaa
  
  December 25, 2014 at 4:55 AM
  
  Jazakallahu khair .first thing is i thank allah and then u for passing this imp message and making me knowledgable.do remember all the momins and my whole family in prayers.we r really in need of it badly
  
  Reply
Fiza

October 21, 2011 at 6:22 AM

JazakAllah khair this is extremely useful and re-assuring.

Reply
FARAH

October 21, 2011 at 2:35 PM

JAZAKALLAH.. it realy help me alot.. THANKS

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AbdulRehman

October 21, 2011 at 2:55 PM

This is indeed very useful and precisely points out any potential mistakes for Hujjaj. We hope and wish that everyone performs Hajj according to its true spirit. Hajj Mabroor to all those performing Hajj this year.

FlyHajj Team

Reply
umtalhah

October 22, 2011 at 3:44 AM

as salam alaikum,

barikAllahu feekum asma baji, mm team and all others involved in bringing this excellent piece of reminder to us. may Allah azzawajalla add it to y’all’s scale of good deeds.

each point is a very good reminder especially the ones about crowding with men and not covering properly in muzdalifah.

i would like to add here that when cutting their hair, whether on as-safa or after jamarat, women again are not careful and uncover their hair in front of other men.

likewise women have to be careful when making wudu at the sa’ee area.

may Allah help us perform our hajj according to the sunnah of His Beloved Prophet (alaihissalam) and make it hajj mabroor for all of us.

thanks again :)

Reply
ebingalawi@yahoo.com

October 22, 2011 at 8:40 PM

Thanks for remind us..It can help me a lot..JazakAllahu khayran…

Reply
Umm Junnah

October 22, 2011 at 9:53 PM

as salam alaikum wa rahmatullah,

First of all, usually when we as Muslims are writing papers critiquing others of behavior, we should not only remind others but also ourselves. In that sense, the overuse of “you” comes across as accusatory.

Second, I don’t think it’s very polite or considerate to compare anyone to animals. These are your sisters in Islam, whether they are right or wrong.

I ask that Allah SWT guide us and protect us from ourselves. Ameen.

Reply
- Umm Sulaim
  
  October 26, 2011 at 2:18 AM
  
  I thought I alone consider the use of the term ‘you’ in any article grossly offensive, particularly in negative context.
  
  I prefer ‘one’.
  
  Umm Sulaim
  
  Reply
Rahma

October 23, 2011 at 1:42 AM

Thank you.. This is good reminder. May Allah (sw) lead us to the right path. Amen.

Reply
raheemu

October 24, 2011 at 5:57 AM

thanks

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A sister

October 26, 2011 at 1:17 AM

Assalamu alaykum,

A hopefully sincere question – how come I always hear about how women should try to avoid men accidentally touching us/brushing by us (which we should), how come this seems to not be a focus in hajj articles for men? Why is this presented as just a women’s issue?

I had a class also counseling women not to go for the black stone…but since inevitably there are so many women crowding there too no matter how many articles are written (it’s just reality…Muslim word is too big), shouldn’t men also avoid it and take very wide tawafs in order to avoid mixing with the women? I think reminders like that make some of us feel like the women’s tawaf is secondary, when instead I think perhaps both genders should be counseled to try to take that extra step to avoid the other gender accidentally touching you?

Reply
- Ghazala Sharif
  
  February 26, 2016 at 5:24 AM
  
  I agree with you its always a woman’s issue also it is mentioned women should go to the roof to do tawaf – men too should be encouraged to go to the roof as they are physically stronger and as the sister has mentioned it seems only we women seem to make mistakes. Men should also allow women privacy and lower their gaze when women are gathered to make wudu. Both genders should be encouraged to avoid making mistakes.
  
  Reply
Muslimah

June 13, 2012 at 11:57 PM

Asalamu alaikum,

I went for Umrah in 2009, and women were not allowed to go to the roof of Masjid Al-Haram, if that was the Masjid you were referring to. This is an awesome article, nonetheless.

Reply
Confused

February 1, 2013 at 7:18 AM

This article goes a little extreme. “being uncovered” “wasting time” too subjective. More onus needs to placed on men to behave properly and not crown women or leer and stare when they are in Ihram. I searched and couldn’t find a “common mistakes MEN make”.

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Zikra

March 13, 2013 at 10:40 AM

Jazak Allah Khair ….very useful information…

Reply
waseem naim

May 26, 2013 at 11:53 AM

Asslamalikum Mashallaaha this is very useful to us thanks a lot.

Reply
Amir

September 20, 2013 at 5:53 AM

Mash Allah Great post! Thanks for sharing good post.

Reply
Noor

January 29, 2014 at 5:46 AM

Wonderful post! Thanks for sharing great post.

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Suhayma

March 2, 2014 at 11:52 AM

JazakAllah, Very helpful! This is very useful to me and my family as we are Preforming Umrah in April.

Reply
- Shazia
  
  March 4, 2014 at 9:04 AM
  
  I’m also going in April inshallah. Wer u frm sister.
  
  Reply
Haji Cloths

March 3, 2014 at 5:17 PM

Masha’Allah very nice article! for hajj and Umrah clothing http://www.hajisclothhouse.co.uk/ may be helpful if you are in UK

Reply
Amira

May 1, 2014 at 3:24 AM

I feel the article, while trying to be helpful, has been written in a very sexist tone. I dare say even condescending. For your future “What to remember” consider drafting it from a joint perspective as to convey the true intentions rather than a near sighted view that could potentially alienate not only half your readership but also those who might be looking to convert to Islam. Sinning is not partial to one gender over the other.

Reply
- Aly Balagamwala
  
  May 2, 2014 at 9:23 AM
  
  Dear Amira
  
  Thanks for your observations. Basically this article was written by a female to a female audience. Can you further elaborate on the sexist condescending tone please?
  
  Best Regards
  Aly
  CommentsTeam Lead
  
  Reply
  - S s
    
    April 27, 2015 at 9:53 AM
    
    Each individual is entitled to their opinion and expressing their point. Do we really need to dissect and analyse these comments. Information is being provided with good intent. Read and absorb what you need. Then move on. What is the point of questioning the advice someone has taken the time to volunteer.
    
    Reply
  - Hamida
    
    December 4, 2016 at 4:25 AM
    
    Salaams,
    Brother, I will try to explain why it seems to have a sexist tone. Firstly, just because a woman wrte it, does not negate that it maybe predjudiced. She may be echoing a similar thought she heard from others. Anyhow, the over use of the word “you”, comparison to cattle, a disdain upon her own gender seem to contribute to the tone. It leaves the reader feeling a little worthless unlike constructive criticism and seems to be that the author speaks down from a “holier than thou” platform. Thats why many women found it unsettling though some of the points are well needed reminders. And it should be understood that the mother of the believers had a stricter code than other muslimahs. There seems to be NO recognition of women with difficulty, the elderly or those with children.
    
    Reply
khursheeda ahmed

August 24, 2014 at 3:26 AM

GOOD PIECE OF INFORMATION.WE ARE PLANNING TO GO FOR UMRAH IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER14

Reply
Rehma

August 29, 2014 at 11:51 AM

Thank you Asma, my mother and I found this article extremely helpful since we will be going for Hajj this year, inshAllah. One query I have relating to the first mistake, i.e. Thinking that their iḥrām is the ‘cap’ they wear over their head.

I have heard repeatedly by other Hajis in our friends and family that we are not supposed to take off our hijab, abaya during Haj and we can only change and take a shower only if we become na-pak although we can put water on ourselves without removing our abayas/hijab. My question is assuming we stay Pak, is it ‘afzal’ not to change clothes and stay in the same attire throughout Haj?

Regards!

Reply
janganpanic

December 11, 2014 at 2:17 AM

This is very helpful. Thank you.

Reply
Ismail

September 25, 2015 at 6:48 AM

MashAllah really informative post. May Allah reward you.

Reply
salma feroz

October 10, 2015 at 2:18 PM

The informations are really helpful,but i have a question too…ii i get my menses during
Hajj or Umrah what should i do??

Reply
Dee dee

January 22, 2016 at 8:05 AM

Thank you for this very important information. Unfortunately, these mistakes have been practised by many Muslims I know who go to Hajj & Umrah. In shaa Allah, I will go to Umrah this February and I can avoid making the above mistakes. Jazakallah!

Reply
Asma Ahmed

June 17, 2016 at 6:56 AM

Assalamualaikum,

Allah bless everyone to follow this steps, Inshallah by reading this every tries to follow our prophet muhammed sunnah.

Reply
Noor Fathima

August 22, 2016 at 6:55 PM

Assalamualikum.
When I did umrah my hairs are by mistaken comes outside from fore head.
I want to know about it what can I do for this mistake.

Reply
Sam

September 4, 2016 at 8:06 AM

Hi, i,ll be doing hajj this year, i have a question, can i use a little makeup to hide my dark eye circles, as they really effect my esteem or will it null my ihram?

Reply
Asmah

March 17, 2017 at 1:41 PM

Question to all the women saying why only women should take consideration and not men, would you be saying this to Allah too? Everybody will be judged according to their deeds. So you keep yourself safe and stop thinking like western women about men and women equality etc. Why does anybody want to do makeup and distract men and then be sinner also? precaution is better than cure.

Reply
Zahra

February 8, 2018 at 8:52 AM

Nice, informative article.

Reply
S,s

June 3, 2018 at 7:48 AM

Very informative about ahram,that.one can take off her cap n loosen it when in around women….n hair cutting too… thanks alots

Reply
Rahim Saiyad

February 26, 2019 at 7:59 AM

Awesome post! Very informative article.
Alhamdulillah

Reply
wazeershaik

December 10, 2019 at 2:20 AM

Mashallah,

Really good points you have mentioned it is like a scholar statement and you are highlighted good mistakes occurred by women, which most women can reduce these mistakes by reading your blog
and I was reading the other blogs of Hajj in sarainternationaltravel/blogs they gave a good piece of knowledge which will help a lot of pilgrim of Hajj.

Reply
huraira

September 15, 2023 at 3:42 PM

thank you so much for your information for umrah packages from USA your website its useful and helpful for everyone

Reply