Essentials Hajj and Umrah Packing List

If you’ve been invited by Allah to go for Umrah or Hajj, then you’re going to need to have a umrah-packing-checklist (or Hajj) for your essentials! We’ve compiled a super-easy Hajj and Umrah packing list – which is in no way exhaustive – to get you started!

Table of Contents

Hajj and Umrah Essentials Packing Checklist

packing list for muslims going to hajj or umrah I’ve you’ve ever packed for a holiday before, you’ll know that there are some items you just can’t forget to carry with you – especially if you’re travelling to Makkah and Madinah, you’ll want to make sure your essential items are with you so that you can perform Umrah or Hajj with ease. After all, your packages and hotel won’t include the necessities for a valid Umrah or Hajj.

So what is this checklist you’re on about? We’ve divided your packing list into three categories: 1) Documentation (e.g. your passport and tickets – you know, the things you’ll need to actually board your plane), 2) Essentials (toiletries, cash, and clothes), and 3) Ibadah (like your Ihram garment, which for men is so essential, that ihram is not complete without it!)

Documentation:

- Passport, tickets, ID card: This one’s obvious – but you can’t afford to forget your essential documents on the day of travel! It also includes airline tickets, visa documentation, a photocopy of your passport and other important documents
- Negative PCR COVID-19 test: if you’re a non-Saudi citizen travelling to Saudi Arabia, you’ll need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to boarding

Proof of vaccination: If you have been vaccinated for covid (Saudi ministry of health approves of: Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson) then you are not required to quarantine so long as you have proof of vaccination! If you are unvaccinated, you must quarantine for seven days in a hotel or shelter approved by the Saudi ministry of tourism.

Islamic will

Passport sized photos

Emergency contact numbers: for your group leader, your country’s consulate etc.

Essentials:

Money/cash

- Medications: If you have any conditions, you’ll need to pack enough (even more) medicine for the duration of your stay, and this includes any devices you use to measure blood pressure and sugar.
- Unscented items: This includes unscented petroleum jelly, unscented soap, unscented tissues/baby wipes
- Cotton undergarments
- A backpack/waist pouch: Depending on if you’re going for Hajj or Umrah, you’ll want to take a lightweight backpack for Hajj, and a waist pouch for Umrah to keep your important stuff at hand.

Essential toiletries

A pair of scissors, razor, nail cutter

Folding Umbrella: Not for the rain, for the sun! (Although it is likely that you cannot take this inside the Haram with you)

Ibadah:

- Ihram: For men, ihram consists of two pieces – we suggest taking two sets for your journey, and don’t forget a belt to keep it in place!

Pocket Quran and Fortress of the Muslim

- Dua list: Make the most out of your time and increase in dua – for yourself and others, and frequently read duas from Hadith and Quran

Tasbih

- Compass for the Qibla: Or use an app

Umrah/Hajj guidebook

Compact travel prayer mat

Umrah Packing List for Women

If you’re a woman going for Umrah or Hajj, note that you will perform some rituals differently to men; likewise, a woman’s checklist will consist of some items that won’t be present in a man’s packing list, such as:

- A pair of scissors: for taqsir (or cutting the hair to leave the state of ihram)
- Ihram: unlike men, a woman’s ihram does not require her to wear two white cloths, but ihram does require a woman to dress modestly, so abayas are important.

Sanitary pads

Hijab under caps

Cotton scarfs/hijabs

Hair clips

Pins

Performing Umrah Without Mahram?

Now, the topic arises when women travel for Umrah or Hajj – is it permissible to perform the pilgrimage without a mahram? We addressed this issue in our article ‘How to Perform Umrah for Ladies’ which you may want to refer to for more detail.

However, as it is such a pertinent question, we’d also like to answer it here. Women must travel with their mahram or husband to perform Umrah or Hajj, and if in doubt seek a scholar’s advice for her personal circumstances.

Umrah Packing List for Kids

Some parents may also consider making their children pilgrims too. If this sounds like you, this is another journey you may want to start getting your checklist ready for!

عَنْ كُرَيْبٍ، أَنَّ امْرَأَةً، رَفَعَتْ صَبِيًّا فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَلِهَذَا حَجٌّ قَالَ ‏ “‏ نَعَمْ وَلَكِ أَجْرٌ ‏”‏))

A woman lifted a child and said: “Messenger of Allah, would he be credited with Hajj?” He said: “Yes. and for you there would be a reward.” [1]

Without further ado, let’s get our packing list ready for the little ‘uns:

- Ihram: Now, although technically speaking ihram is not compulsory for children, prep them anyway by allowing your kids to learn about the obligations of Hajj or Umrah.
- Medicines: Try to avoid frequent visits to the pharmacy by taking essentials with you, such as paracetamol, band-aids, plasters and a thermometer.
- ID card: This one’s important! Although you are going to Holy lands, do remember that your kid’s safety is crucial (as safe as Makkah and Madinah are!) Create a simple ID card with your child’s name, parent or guardian’s name, hotel address or name and a contact number. They should keep this with them wherever they go.
- Baby Sling: If your kids are likely to not stay put, you may prefer to carry them on a baby sling.
- Stroller: depending on how young your young ones are, you may want to take a lightweight and compact stroller, but do remember you won’t be able to use it in Masjid al Nabawi and Masjid al-Haram
- Diapers: For when you have really little ‘uns with you.
- Toys: We’re not suggesting you bring their whole playroom with you, but do bring their favourite toys!

Feeding bottle

Comfortable shoes

Baby Food

Pacifier

Sun hat/sunscreen

Umrah Tips to Make the Most of Your Pilgrimage

Pilgrims from around the world will want to make this blessed journey an accepted one – so what should pilgrims do to make their Umrah an unforgettable one?

What better advice can a believer take for preparing for a life-changing journey than the statement of Allah in the Qu’ran:

‏((ٱلْحَجُّ أَشْهُرٌۭ مَّعْلُومَتٌۭ ۚ فَمَن فَرَضَ فِيهِنَّ ٱلْحَجَّ فَلَا رَفَثَ وَلَا فُسُوقَ وَلَا جِدَالَ فِى ٱلْحَجِّ ۗ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍۢ يَعْلَمْهُ ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَتَزَوَّدُوا۟ فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ ٱلزَّادِ ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ۚ وَٱتَّقُونِ يَٓأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَبِ))

Hajj is [during] well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein [by entering the state of ihram], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj. And whatever good you do – Allah knows it. And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah. And fear Me, O you of understanding. [2]

Here, Allah informs the believers that the “best provision” is “fear of Allah” – i.e. taqwa. As you prepare your suitcases and tick off your checklist to ensure you’re not running around desperately looking for medications or unscented items, as believers we should equip ourselves with taqwa (God-consciousness) and remember to devote ourselves to the worship of Allah during our pilgrimage.

More practically, here are some tips to ensure you make the most out of your pilgrimage!

Prepare your documents in advance to avoid running around frantically last minute.
Make sure that you have left adequate provision for your family if you are leaving family behind, and take enough provisions for yourself!
Read guides about Umrah and Hajj so that you are familiar with the pilgrimage before you perform it – after all, for many it is a once a lifetime invitation that you should ensure is performed correctly.