by WIKI TOURS

Omra glossary

The essential Omra terms, defined simply.

Umrah: A pilgrimage to Makkah that can be performed at any time of the year, unlike Hajj. It consists of ihram, tawaf around the Kaaba, sa'i between Safa and Marwah, then shaving or trimming the hair.
Ihram: The sacred state a pilgrim enters before the miqat, marked by intention and, for men, two unstitched white garments. Certain acts become forbidden until the rites are completed.
Miqat: A boundary point around Makkah that a pilgrim may not cross without being in ihram. Travelers flying from Morocco usually enter ihram before landing or at the miqat on their route.
Talbiyah: The invocation repeated by the pilgrim from the moment of ihram: "Labbayka Allahumma labbayk…" ("Here I am, O Allah, here I am"). It accompanies the traveler until the tawaf begins.
Tawaf: The ritual circumambulation: seven circuits around the Kaaba, starting at the Black Stone with the Kaaba on one's left, followed when possible by a prayer behind the Station of Ibrahim.
Sa'i (Safa & Marwah): The ritual walk of seven laps between the hills of Safa and Marwah inside the Grand Mosque, commemorating Hajar. It follows the tawaf in the Umrah rites.
Halq / Taqsir: The final act of Umrah: fully shaving the head (halq) or trimming the hair (taqsir) for men; women cut a fingertip's length. It marks the exit from the state of ihram.
Zamzam water: Water from the well within the Grand Mosque of Makkah, linked to the story of Hajar and Ismail. Pilgrims drink it on site and often bring some home to Morocco.
Masjid al-Haram: The Grand Mosque of Makkah surrounding the Kaaba, where tawaf and sa'i are performed. Hotel distance to the Haram is one of the main criteria when choosing an Umrah tier.
Rawdah (Madinah): The area of the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah between the minbar and the Prophet's ﷺ chamber, especially sought for prayer. Visits are now booked via the official Nusuk app.
Farewell tawaf: The farewell tawaf performed before leaving Makkah at the end of the stay — the pilgrim's last act around the Kaaba before returning home.
Nusuk: Saudi Arabia's official platform for pilgrimage services: Umrah visas, Rawdah booking and on-site services. For Moroccan travelers using a licensed agency, these steps are handled by the agency.
Tahallul (leaving ihram): The effective exit from the state of ihram and return to normal life after halq or taqsir. It divides into a minor and a complete tahallul, the latter lifting all ihram prohibitions.
Ihram prohibitions: Acts forbidden to the pilgrim throughout ihram: covering the head for men, trimming nails, removing any hair, and using perfume or scented products.
Raml: A brisk, short-stepped walk performed only during the first three circuits of tawaf. It is a sunnah for men, not for women.
Idtiba': Uncovering the right shoulder by passing the middle of the rida' under the right armpit with its ends over the left shoulder — only during the arrival tawaf or the Umrah tawaf.
Shawt (circuit): One complete circuit starting and ending at the Black Stone line. Tawaf counts 7 shawts; so does sa'i (Safa to Marwah = one shawt, Marwah back to Safa = another).
Istilam and takbir: Gesturing with the hand toward the Black Stone while saying "Allahu akbar" when aligned with it, at the start of each tawaf circuit — with no need to push through or stop.
Yemeni corner: The corner of the Kaaba preceding the Black Stone corner. It is sunnah to touch it by hand when possible, without kissing it; in crowds, simply pass it without gesture.
Maqam Ibrahim: The stone on which Prophet Ibrahim stood while building the Kaaba. It is sunnah to pray two rakaat behind it after completing the seven tawaf circuits.
Mataf and Mas'a: The mataf is the open esplanade and levels reserved for tawaf around the Kaaba; the mas'a is the multi-storey building dedicated to the walk between the hills of Safa and Marwah.
The Ziyarah (Madinah visit): The journey to greet the Prophet ﷺ and his two companions (Abu Bakr and Umar) and pray at the Prophet's Mosque. An independent sunnah, unrelated to the validity of the Umrah, done before going to Makkah or after leaving it.
Greeting the Prophet ﷺ: Standing before the noble Prophetic chamber in the Prophet's Mosque to offer greetings to the Prophet ﷺ and his two companions, with proper etiquette and in an orderly manner.
Quba Mosque and the Seven Mosques: Quba is the first mosque founded in Islam; praying there is recommended for Madinah visitors (its reward is likened to an Umrah). The Seven Mosques and the Mosque of the Two Qiblas are historic landmarks visited on Madinah tours.
Mount Uhud and the martyrs: The site of the historic Battle of Uhud and the cemetery of its martyrs, visited for reflection and supplication for the martyrs.
Umrah visa: The official authorization to enter Saudi Arabia to perform the rites. It exists in several forms (Umrah visa, tourist visa or transit visa); when booking through our agency, the process is handled end to end.
Tafwij (group flow management): The system organizing pilgrim groups' movements between hotels and the Haram, or between Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah, to prevent overcrowding.
Haramain high-speed train: The high-speed rail link connecting Jeddah's King Abdulaziz airport, Makkah and Madinah, dramatically shortening travel times.
Mazarat (guided visits): Group excursions organized by agencies in Makkah (Mount Thawr, Mount Arafat, the Kaaba kiswa factory…) and in Madinah, complementing the rites.
Umrah gifts: The traditional purchases pilgrims bring home: prayer mats, mushafs, dates (like 'ajwa), Zamzam water, perfumes and incense — often from the Al-Ma'abda souk or the central market.
The Kaaba: The cube-shaped building at the centre of the Masjid al‑Haram in Makkah, toward which Muslims turn in prayer (the qibla). Tawaf is performed by circling it seven times. It is draped in the kiswa, a black cloth embroidered with gold.
The Black Stone (Hajar al‑Aswad): A stone set into the eastern corner of the Kaaba, marking the start and end of each tawaf circuit. The pilgrim touches or kisses it if possible; otherwise points to it saying 'Allahu akbar', never pushing through the crowd.
The Hijr Ismail (Al‑Hatim): A semicircular area enclosed by a low wall, adjoining the Kaaba on its northern side. It is part of the Kaaba: praying inside it counts as praying within the Kaaba. Tawaf must go around it, never through it.
The Prophet's Mosque ﷺ: Islam's second holiest site, in Madinah, founded by the Prophet ﷺ himself. It houses his grave ﷺ and the Rawdah. Visiting it is not part of the Umrah rites, but most Moroccan programs devote several days to it.
The Al‑Baqi cemetery: Madinah's main cemetery, next to the Prophet's Mosque ﷺ. Many Companions and members of the Prophet's ﷺ household are buried there. Men may visit it and make supplications for the deceased.
The Hajj: Islam's fifth pillar: the pilgrimage to Makkah, obligatory once in a lifetime for every able Muslim. It runs 8–13 Dhul‑Hijjah and adds to the Umrah rites the standing at 'Arafat, Muzdalifah, Mina and the stoning.
Tamattu', Ifrad and Qiran: The three ways to perform Hajj: Tamattu' (Umrah then Hajj with a new ihram, the most common), Ifrad (Hajj alone) and Qiran (Umrah and Hajj joined in one ihram). Tamattu' and Qiran require a sacrifice (hady).
The Day of 'Arafat: A vast plain east of Makkah where pilgrims gather on 9 Dhul‑Hijjah, from noon to sunset, for supplication and repentance. The standing at 'Arafat is the essential pillar of Hajj: 'Hajj is 'Arafat.' It is not part of Umrah.
Muzdalifah: An open area between 'Arafat and Mina where pilgrims spend the night of 9–10 Dhul‑Hijjah after 'Arafat. They pray, rest, and gather the pebbles for the stoning at Mina.
Mina: A valley east of Makkah, covered in tents, where pilgrims stay during the days of Hajj. It is where the stoning of the pillars (jamarat) and the sacrifice take place. Sometimes called 'the city of tents.'
The stoning (Ramy al‑Jamarat): Throwing seven pebbles at each of the three pillars (jamarat) in Mina, from 10 to 13 Dhul‑Hijjah. The rite commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's rejection of Satan. It belongs to Hajj only, not Umrah.
The Hady (offering): The animal sacrificed during Hajj (sheep, goat, or a share of a camel/cow), required for pilgrims performing Tamattu' and Qiran. Its meat is distributed to the poor. The sacrifice begins on Eid al‑Adha, 10 Dhul‑Hijjah.