Returning to the Hotel after Umrah

At a glance

• Ihram restrictions end after halq or qasr.
• Usually you enter by one gate and leave by another; for example, people often come out on the Marwah side. After leaving, your first task is to find the side you came from.
• Wait a while instead of leaving in the crowd straight after a prayer.
• Rest, water and food at the hotel are essential.

Step by step

1. Halq or qasr: there are barber shops around the Haram. Men have halq or qasr done; women can have their hair trimmed at the hotel by a mahram or another woman.
2. The way back: take the route towards the side you came from. If you get lost, show the hotel card to one of the cleaning staff.
3. Avoid the rush: the gates are very crowded just after a prayer. Sit and make dhikr for a while, then leave.
4. At the hotel: bathe, change into normal clothes, eat and rest.
5. Let people know: tell your family and group WhatsApp that your Umrah is complete.
6. Ihram sheets: wash and keep them; you will need them for your next Umrah.

Do

• Drink water and oral rehydration salts, especially in the heat.
• Rest your feet and body; save energy for worship in the coming days.
• Keep an eye on elderly family members’ health.

Don’t

• Don’t head straight to the markets while exhausted.
• Don’t take off Ihram before having your hair cut.
• Don’t walk long distances in the heat without water.

Common mistakes

• Forgetting halq or qasr and taking off Ihram.
• Leaving in the crowd straight after prayer and getting separated.
• Rushing into more worship instead of resting.

Frequently asked questions

Can I have my hair cut at the hotel? Yes, if the hotel is within the Haram boundary. Ordinary hotels in Makkah are within it.

What if I feel dizzy from heat or tiredness? Sit in the shade, drink water and ask a nearby official or medical centre for help. See the page “If you fall ill”.

What should I do after Umrah? Try to pray in the Haram, perform nafl Tawaf, and spend time in du’a and recitation.