The Committed Believer · Hajj & Umrah

Intention and Rituals in Hajj & Umrah

Test your knowledge of intentions, permissible actions, and rituals before entering Ihram.

7 questions · Medium · about 4 minutes

Test yourself properly, with scoring and instant feedback.

7 questions, about 4 minutes.

Take the quiz
Show questions and answers Spoilers: every answer and explanation for all 7 questions.

1. If someone intended Hajj at the miqat but then performed ‘umrah actions with the group before Hajj, what is the ruling?

  • The Hajj is valid, and the ‘umrah supersedes the initial Hajj intention. (correct answer)
  • The Hajj is invalid because the person did not intend ‘umrah at the miqat.
  • The person must repeat Hajj the following year.
  • The person must stop all rituals immediately.

Why

If someone entered ihram intending Hajj, then reached Makkah and performed ‘umrah with the people, their Hajj is valid and that ‘umrah supersedes the Hajj they first intended. This is supported by the Prophet ﷺ instructing some Companions who had intended Hajj to make it ‘umrah, except those who had brought a hadiy. A pilgrim should still learn the rulings of Hajj and ‘umrah before performing them, but following the people in the essential actions may still result in a valid Hajj.

View source on IslamQA →

2. Before forming the intention to begin Hajj or ‘umrah, what may a person do even after putting on the ihram garments?

  • Wear ordinary clothing over the ihram garments if needed. (correct answer)
  • Become forbidden from all ihram restrictions merely by wearing the garments.
  • Enter ihram simply by reciting Talbiyah without intending the ritual.
  • Start tawaf before forming any intention for Hajj or ‘umrah.

Why

Ihram begins with the intention to start the rituals, not merely by doing ghusl, putting on perfume, wearing the izar and rida’, or reciting Talbiyah without intending to begin. Before that intention is formed, the person may wear ordinary clothing over the ihram garments, use perfume, and do things that would later be prohibited in ihram. The intention should be formed at the miqat or when coming in line with it, though entering ihram before that is valid but not preferred.

View source on IslamQA →

3. When entering ihram for Hajj or ‘umrah, what intention is enough for tawaf, sa‘i, and the other rituals?

  • A general intention to perform Hajj or ‘umrah. (correct answer)
  • A new spoken intention before every circuit of tawaf.
  • No intention at all for the act of worship.
  • A separate intention before every step of sa‘i.

Why

A specific intention is not required for each individual ritual of Hajj or ‘umrah, such as tawaf, sa‘i, standing in ‘Arafah, or stoning the Jamarat. The general intention formed when entering ihram for Hajj or ‘umrah includes the parts of that worship, just as the intention to pray includes bowing and prostration. If uncertainty comes after finishing the act of worship, it should not be given attention, because that is waswas.

View source on IslamQA →

4. What should a pilgrim know about du‘a and dhikr during tawaf and sa‘i?

  • They may make any prescribed du‘a and remember Allah, but there is no fixed du‘a for every circuit. (correct answer)
  • Each circuit has a specific required du‘a that must be recited.
  • Du‘a is not allowed during tawaf or sa‘i.
  • Only Arabic du‘as written in a booklet are valid.

Why

There are authentic adhkar and du‘as connected to parts of ‘umrah, such as saying takbir at the Black Stone, saying “Rabbana atina…” between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone, and making du‘a on as-Safa and al-Marwah. A pilgrim may also remember Allah, recite Qur’an, and make du‘a as Allah inspires them during tawaf and sa‘i. However, the claim that each circuit of tawaf or sa‘i has its own special fixed du‘a has no basis in shari‘ah.

View source on IslamQA →

5. What is recommended for male pilgrims to wear for ihram?

  • Two clean white cloths: an izar and a rida’. (correct answer)
  • Formal stitched clothing.
  • Black or green garments specifically.
  • Any clothing that resembles ordinary tailored clothes.

Why

At the miqat it is recommended to do ghusl, put on perfume before ihram, and attend to fitrah matters such as trimming the moustache, clipping nails, and removing pubic and armpit hair if needed. The male pilgrim then wears an izar and rida’, and it is recommended that they be two clean white cloths, along with sandals. A woman may enter ihram in whatever permissible clothing she wants, but she should not wear niqab or gloves while in ihram, and there is no basis for singling out black or green for women.

View source on IslamQA →

6. If a pilgrim needs to wear socks for medical reasons while in ihram, what must they do?

  • Offer a fidyah (correct answer)
  • Wear special pilgrimage socks
  • Avoid wearing socks altogether
  • Seek permission from a religious scholar

Why

The text states that offering a fidyah is required in such situations.

View source on IslamQA →

7. What is recommended regarding the moustache before entering ihram, if it needs attention?

  • Trim it before entering ihram. (correct answer)
  • Leave it even if it needs trimming.
  • Shave the head because that is part of entering ihram.
  • Dye it as part of the miqat Sunnah.

Why

Before entering ihram, it is mustahabb to take care of fitrah matters that need attention, such as trimming the moustache, clipping the nails, and removing pubic and armpit hair. This is done before ihram so that the pilgrim will not need to remove such hair or nails after entering ihram, when that becomes prohibited. It is not prescribed to remove hair from the head when entering ihram, and the beard must be left alone and not shaved or trimmed.

View source on IslamQA →

A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

More in Hajj & Umrah

Browse all 281 quizzes or explore guidance topics.