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Ziyarat in Makkah

Short answer: Visiting the historic places of Makkah is not part of Umrah, but it is a wonderful way to understand the Seerah. The ziyarat usually take half a day by group bus or taxi. If you go to Taif, you must be in Ihram before re-entering Makkah.

At a glance

  • Jabal an-Nur (Cave of Hira): where the first revelation came
  • Jabal Thawr: the cave of the Hijrah
  • Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat: the places of Hajj
  • Jabal ar-Rahmah: in Arafat
  • Masjid Aisha (Tan’eem): Ihram for Umrah while staying in Makkah
  • Jannat al-Mu’alla: the resting place of Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her)
  • Taif: outside the Miqat, so Ihram is required on return

Step-by-step guide

  1. Choose your time: go early in the morning, before the heat, and be back before the next prayer.
  2. Group or taxi: ask your agent or hotel about ziyarat transport. If you take a taxi, agree the fare first.
  3. Take with you: water, an umbrella, comfortable shoes and the hotel card.
  4. Cave of Hira and Cave of Thawr: the climb is hard. Elderly and unwell pilgrims should view them from below.
  5. If you go to Taif: on the way back, enter Ihram for Umrah at Qarn al-Manazil (As-Sayl al-Kabir) or Wadi Muharram, then come to Makkah and perform Umrah.

Do

  • Read the history of each place beforehand so the visit is meaningful.
  • Keep respect and quiet at the sites.
  • Take your Ihram with you before going to Taif.

Don’t

  • Don’t take stones, soil or plants from any site as a blessing, and don’t direct your prayer towards them.
  • Don’t climb the mountains in the midday heat.
  • Don’t miss prayers in the Haram because of ziyarat.

Common mistakes

  • Returning from Taif to Makkah without Ihram. A dam then becomes necessary.
  • Thinking ziyarat are a required part of Umrah.
  • Taking elderly companions up to the Cave of Hira, thinking the climb is easy.

Frequently asked questions

Are ziyarat included in packages? Some packages include them. Check your voucher or ask your travel agent.

Can I perform Umrah again from Masjid Aisha? Yes. For a voluntary Umrah while staying in Makkah, you go outside the Haram boundary to enter Ihram, and Masjid Aisha is the nearest place. Get a Nusuk permit for each Umrah too.

Why is Ihram needed when returning from Taif? Because Taif is outside the Miqat. Someone coming to Makkah from outside the Miqat may not pass it without Ihram.