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Key points
- Anyone already in Makkah who wants to do Umrah must first go outside the Haram boundary to put on ihram. The nearest place is at-Tan’eem, where Masjid Aisha stands.
- It is named after Aisha (RA), who put on ihram here for Umrah after the Farewell Hajj, on the Prophet’s ﷺ instruction.
- It is about 7.5 km north of Masjid al-Haram: 15 to 25 minutes by car, longer at busy times.
- The mosque has wudu areas, washrooms and shops selling ihram, so you can get ready there.
Why pilgrims go to Masjid Aisha
Pilgrims coming from India put on ihram before the miqat on the way, usually on the plane. But once you are inside Makkah, you are within the Haram. To do another Umrah from there, you must go out to the “hill” area (al-hill) beyond the Haram boundary, put on ihram there, and come back.
At-Tan’eem is the nearest point outside the Haram boundary from Masjid al-Haram, which is why most pilgrims use it. The mosque built there is called Masjid Aisha, or Masjid at-Tan’eem.
The story of Aisha (RA) at Tan’eem
In the Farewell Hajj, Aisha (RA) could not complete her Umrah before Hajj because of her monthly period. After Hajj she was sad that the others were going home with a Hajj and an Umrah, while she had only a Hajj.
So the Prophet ﷺ told her brother, Abd ar-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr (RA), to take her out to at-Tan’eem, where she put on ihram and performed her Umrah (Bukhari 1784). The mosque now stands at that place.
How to get there
- By taxi or ride app: the simplest way, about 15 to 25 minutes from the Haram. Agree on the fare first, or ask for a return trip
- By city bus: Makkah’s public buses run between the Haram area and at-Tan’eem; ask at your hotel for the nearest stop
- In a group: when a second Umrah is part of the plan, our group goes together by coach with a guide
- Avoid the hours just before Jumu’ah and the busy evening times, when traffic around the Haram is heavy
Step by step at Masjid Aisha
- 1
Step 1
Get ready
Do ghusl or wudu at the hotel or at the mosque. Men change into the two ihram sheets; women wear normal modest clothes.
- 2
Step 2
Pray two rak’ahs
Pray two rak’ahs of nafl in the mosque, if it is not a time when prayer is disliked.
- 3
Step 3
Make the niyyah
Make the intention for Umrah in your heart, and you may say “Labbayk Allahumma ‘umrah”. From this moment the rules of ihram apply.
- 4
Step 4
Start the talbiyah
Recite the talbiyah on the way back to Masjid al-Haram. Men say it aloud; women say it softly.
- 5
Step 5
Do your Umrah
Tawaf, two rak’ahs, sa’i between Safa and Marwah, then cut the hair, the same as your first Umrah.
A note on doing many Umrahs
Many pilgrims do more than one Umrah during their stay. Scholars have differed on how often to repeat it: some encourage it, while others say extra tawaf in Masjid al-Haram is better than going out again and again. Ask a scholar you trust, and remember that one Umrah done with care is worth more than many done in a rush.
Questions
At at-Tan’eem, about 7.5 km north of Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, just outside the Haram boundary.
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Official guidance
This guide is general travel information. For religious rulings, please ask a qualified scholar.
