Glossary of hajj and umrah terms

The terms used in this site’s umrah, hajj, ziyarah and dua guides, in alphabetical order. Each has its Malay name, the Arabic where an official source gives it, a short definition and the official source it was read from. Where official sources differ, the difference is stated.

Compiled by Aiman Malib · Checked against the sources on 31 October 2026.

Terms A to Z

A

Arafah Place

عرفة 'Arafah Malay: Arafah

The plain where pilgrims stand on 9 Dhul Hijjah. They move from Mina to Arafah after dawn, combine the Zuhr and Asr prayers, and remain until sunset before leaving for Muzdalifah.

B

Black Stone (al-Hajar al-Aswad) Place

الحجر الأسود Al-Hajar al-Aswad Malay: Hajar Aswad

A stone of Paradise set in a corner of the Kaaba, marking the start and end of each circuit of tawaf (green lights mark it on the upper floors). Kissing it is sunnah when possible; in crowds, pointing with the hand while saying the takbir is enough.

See also: Umrah · Tawaf: seven circuits

Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Umrah Pillars

C

Cutting the hair (taqsir) Act

التقصير Taqsir Malay: Bergunting

Shortening the hair. Women only cut: the Saudi Ministry of Hajj’s umrah page says to gather the hair and cut 1–2 cm from the ends, its hajj page says a fingertip’s length. If umrah falls close to hajj, cutting in umrah is better so that shaving is left for hajj.

Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Umrah Pillars · Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Hajj

D

Dam Ruling

Dam Malay: Dam

A penalty owed by a pilgrim who breaches a condition of hajj or umrah, such as missing an obligation (leaving one deliberately is sinful; forgetting is not, but the dam still applies). Tamattu‘ pilgrims also owe a dam.

The category of the tamattu‘ dam: the JAWHAR manual names it "Dam Tertib dan Takdir", while the Federal Territory Mufti (Bayan li al-Haj 36) names it "Dam Tertib dan Takhyir".

Sources: Federal Territory Mufti — Bayan li al-Haj 36: Paying the dam in Malaysia (Malay) · JAWHAR — Hajj and Umrah Guidelines · JAWHAR — Management Manual for Hajj Ifrad, Tamattu' and Qiran (Malay)

Day of Tarwiyah Time

يوم التروية Yaum al-Tarwiyah Malay: Hari Tarwiyah

8 Dhul Hijjah. Pilgrims go to Mina from dawn and stay until dawn on the 9th; this night at Mina is sunnah, not obligatory. Tamattu‘ pilgrims enter ihram for hajj from Makkah on this day.

E

Early and late departure (nafar) Time

Nafar Malay: Nafar awal dan nafar thani

Nafar means leaving Mina during the days of tashriq. Early departure: after two nights and stoning on the 11th and 12th (42 pebbles), leave Mina before sunset on the 12th with that intention. Late departure: three nights and stoning until the 13th. Both are permitted, with no dam.

Sources: JAWHAR — Management Manual for Hajj Ifrad, Tamattu' and Qiran (Malay) · Federal Territory Mufti — Bayan li al-Haj 33: Conditions of the early departure (Malay)

F

Farewell tawaf (tawaf al-wada‘) Act

طواف الوداع Tawaf al-Wada' Malay: Tawaf wada'

The farewell tawaf before leaving Makkah. It is an obligation of hajj: anyone who skips it must offer a sacrifice (dam). A menstruating woman does not have to perform it.

H

Hady Ruling

الهدْي Hady Malay: Hady

The sacrificial animal required for tamattu‘ and qiran pilgrims (ifrad needs none). It must be slaughtered within the Haram and given to the poor there; payment may be made in advance in Malaysia through Tabung Haji as agent.

Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Hajj · Federal Territory Mufti — Bayan li al-Haj 36: Paying the dam in Malaysia (Malay)

Hajj Rite

الحج Hajj Malay: Haji

The fifth pillar of Islam: visiting the House of Allah at set times and performing its rites. It is obligatory once in a lifetime for those able; any further hajj is voluntary. Unlike umrah, hajj includes standing at Arafah, nights at Muzdalifah and Mina, and stoning the jamarat.

The hajj season: the Federal Territory Mufti gives 1 Shawwal until dawn on 10 Dhul Hijjah; the Saudi Ministry of Hajj gives Shawwal, Dhul Qa‘dah and the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.

I

Idtiba‘ Sunnah

الاضطباع Idhtiba' Malay: Idtiba'

Men uncover the right shoulder during the umrah tawaf and the arrival tawaf: the middle of the rida’ goes under the right armpit and both ends over the left shoulder. It is not done in other tawafs.

See also: Umrah · Tawaf: seven circuits

Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Umrah Pillars

Ihram Act

الإحرام Ihram Malay: Ihram

The intention that enters a person into hajj or umrah. From then on, some normally permitted things become forbidden (the ihram restrictions). Men wear two unstitched sheets (an izar below, a rida’ above); women wear loose clothing that covers them, without covering the face or wearing gloves.

Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Umrah Pillars · JAWHAR — Hajj and Umrah Guidelines

Ihram restrictions Ruling

محظورات الإحرام Mahzurat al-ihram Malay: Larangan ihram

Things forbidden once ihram is entered, including perfume, cutting the hair or nails, fitted clothing (men) and covering the face (women). Breaking one requires a fidyah; the full list is in the umrah guide.

J

Jamrah (the jamarat) Place

الجمرات Al-Jamarat Malay: Jamrah

The three pillars at Mina stoned with pebbles: the small (Ula), the middle (Wusta) and the large (Aqabah), in that order. Seven pebbles each; the pebbles are fingertip-sized and must land in the basin.

Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Hajj · JAWHAR — Management Manual for Hajj Ifrad, Tamattu' and Qiran (Malay)

Jamrat al-Aqabah Place

جمرة العقبة الكبرى Jamrah al-'Aqabah al-Kubra Malay: Jamrah Aqabah

The largest pillar, at the Makkah end of Mina, and the only one stoned on Eid day (10 Dhul Hijjah), with seven pebbles. Saudi Ministry of Hajj: the time starts at midnight on the eve of Eid and lasts to the end of the day; the talbiyah stops and takbir begins with the first throw.

Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Hajj

K

Kaaba Place

الكعبة Al-Ka'bah Malay: Kaabah

The Sacred House of Allah, revered by all Muslims. It was built by Prophet Ibrahim and his son Isma‘il AS, and is the first House on earth appointed for the worship of Allah. Tawaf is performed around it.

See also: Umrah · Tawaf: seven circuits

Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Umrah Pillars

M

Marwah Place

المروة Marwah Malay: Marwah

The small hill where sa‘i ends, opposite Safa. Hajar also climbed it searching for provision; the supplication made at Safa is repeated here.

Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Umrah Pillars

Masjid al-Haram (the Grand Mosque) Place

المسجد الحرام Al-Masjid al-Haram Malay: Masjidil Haram

The mosque in Makkah surrounding the Kaaba. Tawaf and sa‘i are done inside it; Zamzam water is provided throughout.

See also: Umrah · Tawaf: seven circuits

Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Umrah Pillars · Federal Territory Mufti — Bayan li al-Haj 30: What tahallul means (Malay)

Mina Place

منى Mina Malay: Mina

The pilgrims’ tent area: the night of Tarwiyah (sunnah), stoning Jamrat al-Aqabah on 10 Dhul Hijjah, then the nights and the stoning of all three jamarat on the days of tashriq.

Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Hajj · JAWHAR — Management Manual for Hajj Ifrad, Tamattu' and Qiran (Malay)

Miqat Place

الميقات Miqat Malay: Miqat

A set time or place for worship. The time miqat is the hajj season; the place miqat is a point set by the Prophet SAW that anyone intending hajj or umrah may not pass without ihram. Passing it without ihram means going back; entering ihram after it requires a fidyah. Air passengers make their intention when the plane is level with the miqat.

Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Miqaats and Types of Rituals

Multazam Place

الملتزَم Al-Multazam Malay: Multazam

The eastern wall of the Kaaba (or part of it) between the Black Stone and the Kaaba door. The name comes from "iltizam": a person supplicating presses the chest, face, forearms and hands against it — hard to do in busy seasons.

Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Umrah Pillars

Muzdalifah Place

مزدلفة Muzdalifah Malay: Muzdalifah

Where pilgrims stop after leaving Arafah on the night of 10 Dhul Hijjah. Maghrib and Isha are combined here, and pebbles for Jamrat al-Aqabah may be collected here (or elsewhere).

Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Hajj · JAWHAR — Management Manual for Hajj Ifrad, Tamattu' and Qiran (Malay)

O

Obligation (wajib) Ruling

واجبات Wajibat Malay: Wajib

An act that must be done in hajj or umrah but is not a pillar. If one is missed, the rite is still valid but a dam is due; leaving it deliberately is sinful.

Overnight stay (mabit) Act

المبيت Al-Mabit Malay: Mabit

Spending the night. Two are obligations of hajj: Muzdalifah (being there, even briefly, after midnight on the night of 10 Dhul Hijjah until dawn) and Mina on the nights of tashriq (most of the night, at least 6 hours according to JAWHAR). The night at Mina on the Day of Tarwiyah is sunnah.

Sources: JAWHAR — Management Manual for Hajj Ifrad, Tamattu' and Qiran (Malay) · Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Hajj

P

Pillar (rukn) Ruling

أركان Arkan Malay: Rukun

An essential act of hajj or umrah. Leaving out a pillar makes the rite invalid — unlike an obligation (wajib), which can be made up for with a dam.

The number of pillars depends on how they are counted: JAWHAR gives five for umrah and MKN six for hajj (order included); the Federal Territory Mufti gives four and five (order not counted separately); the Saudi Ministry of Hajj lists three for umrah (ihram, tawaf, sa‘i) and four for hajj (ihram, standing at Arafah, tawaf al-ifadah, sa‘i).

Q

Qarn al-Manazil Place

قرن المنازل Qarn al-Manazil Malay: Qarnul Manazil

The miqat of the people of Najd and anyone passing that way, 94 km from Makkah; also called al-Sail al-Kabir (Saudi Ministry of Hajj).

R

Ramal Sunnah

الرّمَل Ramal Malay: Ramal

Walking briskly with short steps in the first three circuits of the umrah tawaf and the arrival tawaf; a sunnah for men when possible. It is different from the jog during sa‘i.

See also: Umrah · Tawaf: seven circuits

Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Umrah Pillars

Rawdah Place

الروضة الشريفة Al-Raudhah al-Syarifah Malay: Raudhah

The area at the front of the Prophet’s Mosque, from the Prophet’s SAW resting place to his pulpit, described in a hadith as one of the gardens of Paradise. Entry is booked in the Nusuk app (choosing a time and an entrance).

Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Information about the Prophet’s Mosque

S

Sa‘i Act

السعي Sa'i Malay: Saie

Walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times, starting at Safa and ending at Marwah; men are encouraged to jog between the two green markers. It is a pillar of hajj and umrah. Ritual purity for sa‘i is recommended, not required, and a menstruating woman may do it.

Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Umrah Pillars · Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Hajj

Safa Place

الصفا Safa Malay: Safa

The small hill where sa‘i begins. Hajar, the mother of Prophet Isma‘il AS, climbed it searching for provision. On reaching it each time, it is sunnah to face the qiblah, raise the hands and supplicate.

Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Umrah Pillars

Shaving the head (halq) Act

الحلق Halq Malay: Bercukur

Shaving the head as an act of worship once the rites are done: for umrah after tawaf and sa‘i, for hajj after stoning Jamrat al-Aqabah on the Day of Sacrifice. Shaving is better for men; women do not shave, they only cut.

Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Umrah Pillars · Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Hajj

Standing at Arafah (wuquf) Act

الوقوف بعرفة Al-Wuquf bi 'Arafah Malay: Wukuf

The greatest pillar of hajj ("Hajj is Arafah"): being in Arafah after the hajj intention, even briefly, between midday on 9 Dhul Hijjah and dawn on the 10th, while conscious. Whoever misses it in that window has no hajj. No special act is prescribed beyond supplication and remembrance of Allah.

T

Tahallul Act

التحلل Tahallul Malay: Tahallul

Release from the ihram restrictions. For umrah: shaving or cutting the hair after sa‘i. Hajj has two: the first release after two of three acts (stoning Jamrat al-Aqabah on 10 Dhul Hijjah; shaving or cutting; tawaf al-ifadah with sa‘i if not yet done) lifts everything except intimacy, intercourse and marriage; the second release, after all three, lifts every restriction.

Sources: Federal Territory Mufti — Bayan li al-Haj 30: What tahallul means (Malay) · JAWHAR — Management Manual for Hajj Ifrad, Tamattu' and Qiran (Malay)

Talbiyah Recitation

التلبية Talbiyah Malay: Talbiah

The words "Labbayk Allahumma labbayk…" (Here I am, O Allah, answering Your call), repeated after entering ihram. Men are encouraged to raise their voices; women are not. For umrah it continues until tawaf begins; for hajj, until stoning Jamrat al-Aqabah, tawaf or shaving, whichever comes first.

Sources: Federal Territory Mufti — Bayan li al-Haj 25: The talbiyah and its times (Malay) · Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Umrah Pillars

Tawaf Act

الطواف Tawaf Malay: Tawaf

Circling the Kaaba seven times, starting at the Black Stone corner with the Kaaba on your left. It is a pillar of both hajj and umrah; ritual purity and covering the body are conditions for it to be valid.

See also: Umrah · Tawaf: seven circuits

Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Umrah Pillars · Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Hajj

Tawaf al-ifadah Act

طواف الإفاضة Tawaf al-Ifadhah Malay: Tawaf ifadah

The tawaf that is a pillar of hajj. It can be done from the middle of the night of 10 Dhul Hijjah with no end time; best after mid-morning (Duha) on the 10th. The hajj sa‘i follows it if not already done after the arrival tawaf.

Sources: JAWHAR — Management Manual for Hajj Ifrad, Tamattu' and Qiran (Malay) · Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Hajj

The Prophet’s Mosque (al-Masjid an-Nabawi) Place

المسجد النبوي Al-Masjid al-Nabawi Malay: Masjid Nabawi

The mosque of the Prophet SAW in Madinah, home to the Rawdah and his resting place. It has 100 numbered mosque doors and 40 courtyard gates.

U

Umrah Rite

العمرة 'Umrah Malay: Umrah

Literally "a visit". As a rite: tawaf around the House of Allah and sa‘i between Safa and Marwah while in ihram. Umrah can be performed at any time of the year.

Its ruling: in the sound view of the Shafi‘i school, umrah is obligatory once for those able; Imam Malik and Imam Abu Hanifah hold it to be a strongly recommended sunnah (both views are given by the Federal Territory Mufti).

Y

Yemeni Corner (al-Rukn al-Yamani) Place

الرّكن اليماني Al-Rukn al-Yamani Malay: Rukun Yamani

One of the four corners of the Kaaba, named for facing Yemen; the corner before the Black Stone in each circuit of tawaf. Together with the Black Stone corner they are called "the two Yemeni corners".

See also: Umrah · Tawaf: seven circuits

Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Umrah Pillars

Z

Zamzam

زمزم Zamzam Malay: Zamzam

The water Allah made flow from beneath the feet of Prophet Isma‘il AS when he and his mother Hajar were left in Makkah. It is provided in drinking containers throughout the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque — for drinking only, not for ablution. Drinking it is sunnah, especially after tawaf.

All sources

Federal Territory Mufti — Bayan Li Al-Haj No. 2: Hajj and Umrah defined (Malay) Pejabat Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan
Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Hajj Kementerian Haji dan Umrah, Arab Saudi
Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Miqaats and Types of Rituals Kementerian Haji dan Umrah, Arab Saudi
Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Umrah Pillars Kementerian Haji dan Umrah, Arab Saudi
JAWHAR — Hajj and Umrah Guidelines Jabatan Wakaf, Zakat dan Haji (JAWHAR), Jabatan Perdana Menteri
Federal Territory Mufti — Al-Kafi No. 1095: Bir Ali or Dhul Hulaifah (Malay) Pejabat Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan
Federal Territory Mufti — Bayan li al-Haj 25: The talbiyah and its times (Malay) Pejabat Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan
JAWHAR — Management Manual for Hajj Ifrad, Tamattu' and Qiran (Malay) Jabatan Wakaf, Zakat dan Haji (JAWHAR)
Federal Territory Mufti — Bayan li al-Haj 30: What tahallul means (Malay) Pejabat Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan
Federal Territory Mufti — Bayan li al-Haj 33: Conditions of the early departure (Malay) Pejabat Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan
Federal Territory Mufti — Bayan al-Hajj 18: Tamattu‘ and when the dam applies (Malay) Pejabat Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan
Federal Territory Mufti — Bayan li al-Haj 36: Paying the dam in Malaysia (Malay) Pejabat Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan
MKN — Pillars of Hajj (Malay) Majlis Keselamatan Negara
Federal Territory Mufti — Irsyad al-Hadith No. 125: Zamzam water (Malay) Pejabat Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan
Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Information about the Prophet’s Mosque Kementerian Haji dan Umrah, Arab Saudi

A short guide for learning and revision, compiled from the official sources below. For rulings or your own situation, ask your mutawwif, hajj guide or a mufti’s office.

Glossary of hajj and umrah terms

Terms A to Z

A

B

C

D

E

F

H

I

J

K

M

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

Y

Z

All sources

Other guides

Umrah step by step

Hajj day by day

Visiting Madinah: a guide

Daily duas and dhikr for pilgrims