Entering Makkah and the first sight of the Kaʿbah
The etiquette and supplications for approaching the Haram, entering Makkah, walking to Masjid al-Haram, and seeing the Kaʿbah for the first time.
After ihram, a pilgrim travels to Makkah. There are good manners and words to say all along the way, right up to the moment the Kaʿbah first comes into sight.
Arriving in Makkah
- If you can, walk the last part barefoot as you get close to the Haram, the sacred land around Makkah.
- Approach slowly and humbly, like someone coming before a great king, feeling sorry for your past mistakes.
- It is best to wash yourself (ghusl) just before going into Makkah, at a stop on your route.
- It is best to arrive in the daytime, though arriving at night is fine too.
- When Makkah first comes into view, say a dua asking Allah for a good stay and lawful provision there.
- Go straight to Masjid al-Haram. Do not stop to eat, change clothes, or find a place to sleep first, unless a prayer is about to be missed, in which case pray it first.
- Step into the mosque through Bab al-Salam with your right foot first, saying the entering-mosque dua.
- When you first see the Kaʿbah, say the takbir and raise your hands, then make any dua you like: this is a moment when dua is answered.
اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنَّ هَذَا حَرَمُكَ وَ حَرَمُ رَسُولِكَ فَحَرِّمۡ لَحْمِي وَ دَمِي وَعَظْمِي عَلَى النَّارِ اَللّٰهُمَّ اٰمِنِّي مِنْ عَذَابِكَ يَوْمَ تَبْعَثُ عِبَادَكَ وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنْ أَوْلِيَائِكَ وَ أَهْلِ طَاعَتِكَ وَتُبۡ عَلَىَّ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
Allāhumma inna hādhā ḥaramuka wa ḥaramu rasūlika, fa-ḥarrim laḥmī wa damī wa ʿaẓmī ʿala'n-nār. Allāhumma āminnī min ʿadhābika yawma tabʿathu ʿibādaka, wa'jʿalnī min awliyā'ika wa ahli ṭāʿatika, wa tub ʿalayya innaka anta't-tawwābu'r-raḥīm.
O Allah! Indeed, this is Your sacred place and the sacred place of Your Messenger. So make my flesh, blood and bones forbidden to the Fire. O Allah! Protect me from Your punishment on the Day You resurrect Your servants, make me one of Your friends and those who obey You, and turn to me in forgiveness; indeed You are the Most-Pardoning, Most-Merciful.
سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Subḥāna'llāhi wa'l-ḥamdu lillāhi wa lā ilāha illa'llāhu wa'llāhu akbar.
Glory be to Allah, and all praise belongs to Allah, and there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and Allah is the Greatest.
اَللّٰهُمَّ اجْعَلۡ لِي بِهَا قَرَارًا وَ ارْزُقْنِي بِهَا حَلَالًا
Allāhumma'jʿal lī bihā qarāran wa'rzuqnī bihā ḥalālan.
O Allah! Grant me a place to stay in this city and provide me with lawful sustenance within it.
بِسْمِ اللهِ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلٰوةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلٰى رَسُولِ اللهِ اَللّٰهُمَّ افْتَحۡ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ وَ اَدْخِلْنِي فِيهَا
Bismillāhi wa'l-ḥamdu lillāhi wa'ṣ-ṣalātu wa's-salāmu ʿalā rasūli'llāh. Allāhumma'ftaḥ lī abwāba raḥmatika wa adkhilnī fīhā.
I enter in the name of Allah, and all praise belongs to Allah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah! Open the doors of Your mercy for me and admit me through them.
اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ اَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَآ إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, lā ilāha illa'llāhu wa'llāhu akbar.
Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest. There is no god except Allah, and Allah is the Greatest.
The etiquette of arrival begins before Makkah is even reached, and continues through entering Masjid al-Haram and the first sight of the Kaʿbah.
From the edge of the Haram to the first sight of the Kaʿbah
- On reaching the boundary of the Haram, walk barefoot if able, approaching with the humility, slowness and repentance of a prisoner brought before a stern king.
- Perform ghusl just before entering Makkah: at Dhu Tuwa for those arriving from Madinah, at Bir Ma'una for those arriving from Iraq, or at any convenient place with water for other routes.
- Enter during the day if possible, though night entry is also proven and, for a woman, preferable. Enter from the higher side, Kada, near Jannat al-Mu'alla.
- On sighting the city, recite the dua asking for a good stay and lawful provision. On reaching Maqam Mad'aa, the raised spot from which the Kaʿbah's roof was once visible, recite Rabbanā ātinā fi'd-dunyā ḥasanah, or any dua of your choosing.
- Head straight to Masjid al-Haram, reciting Talbiyah and dua along the way. Do not stop for the mosque's own voluntary prayers, changing clothes, or lodging first, unless a congregational farḍ, Witr, an emphasised sunnah, or a funeral prayer would otherwise be missed, in which case pray that first.
- Enter through Bab Bani Shaybah (now called Bab al-Salam) with the right foot first, in humility, reciting Talbiyah and the entering-mosque dua.
- On first sighting the Kaʿbah, raise the hands and recite the takbir, then make any dua desired and wipe the hands over the face: this is a moment in which dua is accepted.
اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنَّ هَذَا حَرَمُكَ وَ حَرَمُ رَسُولِكَ فَحَرِّمۡ لَحْمِي وَ دَمِي وَعَظْمِي عَلَى النَّارِ اَللّٰهُمَّ اٰمِنِّي مِنْ عَذَابِكَ يَوْمَ تَبْعَثُ عِبَادَكَ وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنْ أَوْلِيَائِكَ وَ أَهْلِ طَاعَتِكَ وَتُبۡ عَلَىَّ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
Allāhumma inna hādhā ḥaramuka wa ḥaramu rasūlika, fa-ḥarrim laḥmī wa damī wa ʿaẓmī ʿala'n-nār. Allāhumma āminnī min ʿadhābika yawma tabʿathu ʿibādaka, wa'jʿalnī min awliyā'ika wa ahli ṭāʿatika, wa tub ʿalayya innaka anta't-tawwābu'r-raḥīm.
O Allah! Indeed, this is Your sacred place and the sacred place of Your Messenger. So make my flesh, blood and bones forbidden to the Fire. O Allah! Protect me from Your punishment on the Day You resurrect Your servants, make me one of Your friends and those who obey You, and turn to me in forgiveness; indeed You are the Most-Pardoning, Most-Merciful.
سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Subḥāna'llāhi wa'l-ḥamdu lillāhi wa lā ilāha illa'llāhu wa'llāhu akbar.
Glory be to Allah, and all praise belongs to Allah, and there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and Allah is the Greatest.
اَللّٰهُمَّ اجْعَلۡ لِي بِهَا قَرَارًا وَ ارْزُقْنِي بِهَا حَلَالًا
Allāhumma'jʿal lī bihā qarāran wa'rzuqnī bihā ḥalālan.
O Allah! Grant me a place to stay in this city and provide me with lawful sustenance within it.
رَبَّنَآ اٰتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَّ فِي الْاٰخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَّقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِ مَا سَأَلَكَ مِنْهُ نَبِيُّكَ مُحَمَّدٌ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شِرِّ مَا اسْتَعَاذَكَ مِنْهُ نَبِيُّكَ مُحَمَّدٌ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
Rabbanā ātinā fi'd-dunyā ḥasanatan wa fi'l-ākhirati ḥasanatan wa qinā ʿadhāba'n-nār. Allāhumma innī as'aluka min khayri mā sa'alaka minhu nabiyyuka Muḥammadun ṣalla'llāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam, wa aʿūdhu bika min sharri ma'staʿādhaka minhu nabiyyuka Muḥammadun ṣalla'llāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam.
O our Lord! Grant us goodness in this world and goodness in the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire. O Allah! I ask You for the best of what Your Prophet Muhammad ﷺ asked You for, and I seek Your protection from the evil from which Your Prophet Muhammad ﷺ sought protection.
بِسْمِ اللهِ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلٰوةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلٰى رَسُولِ اللهِ اَللّٰهُمَّ افْتَحۡ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ وَ اَدْخِلْنِي فِيهَا اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ فِي مَقَامِي هَذَا أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ عَلٰى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِكَ وَ رَسُولِكَ وَ أَنْ تَرْحَمَنِی وَ تُقِيلَ عَثَرَاتِي وَ تَغْفِرَ ذُنُوبِي وَ تَضَعَ عَنِّي وِزۡرِی
Bismillāhi wa'l-ḥamdu lillāhi wa'ṣ-ṣalātu wa's-salāmu ʿalā rasūli'llāh. Allāhumma'ftaḥ lī abwāba raḥmatika wa adkhilnī fīhā. Allāhumma innī as'aluka fī maqāmī hādhā an tuṣalliya ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin ʿabdika wa rasūlika, wa an tarḥamanī wa tuqīla ʿatharātī wa taghfira dhunūbī wa taḍaʿa ʿannī wizrī.
I enter in the name of Allah, and all praise belongs to Allah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah! Open the doors of Your mercy for me and admit me through them. O Allah! I ask You at this place to send blessings on our master, Your servant and Messenger Muhammad, to have mercy on me, pardon my errors, forgive my sins, and lighten my burdens.
اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ اَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَآ إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, lā ilāha illa'llāhu wa'llāhu akbar.
Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest. There is no god except Allah, and Allah is the Greatest.
اَللّٰهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلَامُ وَ مِنْكَ السَّلَامُ وَ إِلَيْكَ يَرْجِعُ السَّلَامُ حَيِّنَا رَبَّنَا بِالسَّلَام وَاَدْخِلْنَا دَارَ السَّلَامِ تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَ تَعَالَيْتَ يَا ذَالْجَلَالِ وَالۡإِكْرَامِ اَللّٰهُمَّ زِدْ بَيْتَكَ هَذَا تَعْظِيماً وَ تَشْرِيفَاً وَ مَهَابَةً وَ زِدْ مِنْ تَعْظِيمِهٖ وَتَشْرِيفِهٖ مِنْ حَجَّةٍ وَ عُمْرَةٍ تَعْظِيماً وَ تَشْرِيفَاً وَ مَهَابَةً
Allāhumma anta's-salāmu wa minka's-salāmu wa ilayka yarjiʿu's-salām, ḥayyinā rabbanā bi's-salām wa adkhilnā dāra's-salām, tabārakta rabbanā wa taʿālayta yā dha'l-jalāli wa'l-ikrām. Allāhumma zid bayta-ka hādhā taʿẓīman wa tashrīfan wa mahābatan, wa zid man ʿaẓẓamahu wa sharrafahu min ḥajjatin wa ʿumratin taʿẓīman wa tashrīfan wa mahābah.
O Allah, You are peace, and peace comes from You, and peace returns to You. O our Lord, keep us alive in peace and admit us into the abode of peace. O our Lord, You are blessed and most exalted, O Possessor of majesty and generosity. O Allah, increase the greatness, honour and reverence of this House, and through the rites of Hajj and Umrah increase the greatness, honour and reverence of those who honour and revere it.
The stretch from the boundary of the Ḥaram to the first sighting of the Kaʿbah carries its own etiquette (adab) and its own transmitted supplications, distinct from those of ṭawāf proper, which begins only once the Black Stone is reached with the intention to circle.
From the Ḥaram boundary to the Black Stone
- At the boundary markers of the Ḥaram (placed since the time of Ibrāhīm ʿalayhi's-salām, said to trace the spread of the Black Stone's light), walk barefoot if capable, approaching with the humility of a prisoner before a harsh king, in slowness, dignity and repentance.
- Perform ghusl immediately before entering Makkah: at Dhū Ṭuwā for the Madinah route, Biʾr Maʿūnah in Baṭḥāʾ Makkah near Jabal al-Nūr for the Iraq route, or any place with water near Makkah for other routes.
- Day entry is preferable, though night entry is equally proven from the Prophet's ﷺ practice and preferable for a woman. Enter from the upper Kadā, near Jannat al-Muʿallā: some hold that one leaving Makkah for ʿUmrah out of reverence should return by the lower Kudā near Bāb Shubaykah, though most today enter by the upper route regardless of direction of travel.
- On sighting the city, recite Allāhumma'jʿal lī bihā qarāran. At Maqām Madʿā (the elevated ground fixed by ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, from which the Kaʿbah's roof remained visible for nine hundred years until later construction obstructed it, supplication there remaining mustaḥabb regardless), recite Rabbanā ātinā, or any duʿā.
- Proceed directly to Masjid al-Ḥarām while reciting Talbiyah and duʿā. Voluntary prayers of the mosque (taḥiyyat al-masjid, ishrāq, ḍuḥā, tahajjud) are not to be prioritised ahead of ṭawāf; a congregational farḍ already in progress, or the imminent loss of farḍ, Witr, a muʾakkadah sunnah, or janāzah, is prayed first, ṭawāf following after.
- Belongings are secured or left with someone; without changing clothes, taking lodging, or eating and drinking, one proceeds straight to Masjid al-Ḥarām, entering Bāb Banī Shaybah (Bāb al-Salām) right foot first, in utmost humility, reciting Talbiyah and the entry duʿā.
- On first sighting the Kaʿbah, raise the hands and recite the takbīr, then supplicate as one wishes and wipe the hands over the face, this moment being one in which duʿā is accepted, before walking on towards the Black Stone reciting the walking duʿā, which precedes the formal niyyah of ṭawāf.
اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنَّ هَذَا حَرَمُكَ وَ حَرَمُ رَسُولِكَ فَحَرِّمۡ لَحْمِي وَ دَمِي وَعَظْمِي عَلَى النَّارِ اَللّٰهُمَّ اٰمِنِّي مِنْ عَذَابِكَ يَوْمَ تَبْعَثُ عِبَادَكَ وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنْ أَوْلِيَائِكَ وَ أَهْلِ طَاعَتِكَ وَتُبۡ عَلَىَّ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
Allāhumma inna hādhā ḥaramuka wa ḥaramu rasūlika, fa-ḥarrim laḥmī wa damī wa ʿaẓmī ʿala'n-nār. Allāhumma āminnī min ʿadhābika yawma tabʿathu ʿibādaka, wa'jʿalnī min awliyā'ika wa ahli ṭāʿatika, wa tub ʿalayya innaka anta't-tawwābu'r-raḥīm.
O Allah! Indeed, this is Your sacred place and the sacred place of Your Messenger. So make my flesh, blood and bones forbidden to the Fire. O Allah! Protect me from Your punishment on the Day You resurrect Your servants, make me one of Your friends and those who obey You, and turn to me in forgiveness; indeed You are the Most-Pardoning, Most-Merciful.
سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Subḥāna'llāhi wa'l-ḥamdu lillāhi wa lā ilāha illa'llāhu wa'llāhu akbar.
Glory be to Allah, and all praise belongs to Allah, and there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and Allah is the Greatest.
اَللّٰهُمَّ اجْعَلۡ لِي بِهَا قَرَارًا وَ ارْزُقْنِي بِهَا حَلَالًا
Allāhumma'jʿal lī bihā qarāran wa'rzuqnī bihā ḥalālan.
O Allah! Grant me a place to stay in this city and provide me with lawful sustenance within it.
رَبَّنَآ اٰتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَّ فِي الْاٰخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَّقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِ مَا سَأَلَكَ مِنْهُ نَبِيُّكَ مُحَمَّدٌ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شِرِّ مَا اسْتَعَاذَكَ مِنْهُ نَبِيُّكَ مُحَمَّدٌ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
Rabbanā ātinā fi'd-dunyā ḥasanatan wa fi'l-ākhirati ḥasanatan wa qinā ʿadhāba'n-nār. Allāhumma innī as'aluka min khayri mā sa'alaka minhu nabiyyuka Muḥammadun ṣalla'llāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam, wa aʿūdhu bika min sharri ma'staʿādhaka minhu nabiyyuka Muḥammadun ṣalla'llāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam.
O our Lord! Grant us goodness in this world and goodness in the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire. O Allah! I ask You for the best of what Your Prophet Muhammad ﷺ asked You for, and I seek Your protection from the evil from which Your Prophet Muhammad ﷺ sought protection.
بِسْمِ اللهِ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلٰوةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلٰى رَسُولِ اللهِ اَللّٰهُمَّ افْتَحۡ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ وَ اَدْخِلْنِي فِيهَا اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ فِي مَقَامِي هَذَا أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ عَلٰى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِكَ وَ رَسُولِكَ وَ أَنْ تَرْحَمَنِی وَ تُقِيلَ عَثَرَاتِي وَ تَغْفِرَ ذُنُوبِي وَ تَضَعَ عَنِّي وِزۡرِی
Bismillāhi wa'l-ḥamdu lillāhi wa'ṣ-ṣalātu wa's-salāmu ʿalā rasūli'llāh. Allāhumma'ftaḥ lī abwāba raḥmatika wa adkhilnī fīhā. Allāhumma innī as'aluka fī maqāmī hādhā an tuṣalliya ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin ʿabdika wa rasūlika, wa an tarḥamanī wa tuqīla ʿatharātī wa taghfira dhunūbī wa taḍaʿa ʿannī wizrī.
I enter in the name of Allah, and all praise belongs to Allah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah! Open the doors of Your mercy for me and admit me through them. O Allah! I ask You at this place to send blessings on our master, Your servant and Messenger Muhammad, to have mercy on me, pardon my errors, forgive my sins, and lighten my burdens.
اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ اَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَآ إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, lā ilāha illa'llāhu wa'llāhu akbar.
Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest. There is no god except Allah, and Allah is the Greatest.
اَللّٰهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلَامُ وَ مِنْكَ السَّلَامُ وَ إِلَيْكَ يَرْجِعُ السَّلَامُ حَيِّنَا رَبَّنَا بِالسَّلَام وَاَدْخِلْنَا دَارَ السَّلَامِ تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَ تَعَالَيْتَ يَا ذَالْجَلَالِ وَالۡإِكْرَامِ اَللّٰهُمَّ زِدْ بَيْتَكَ هَذَا تَعْظِيماً وَ تَشْرِيفَاً وَ مَهَابَةً وَ زِدْ مِنْ تَعْظِيمِهٖ وَتَشْرِيفِهٖ مِنْ حَجَّةٍ وَ عُمْرَةٍ تَعْظِيماً وَ تَشْرِيفَاً وَ مَهَابَةً
Allāhumma anta's-salāmu wa minka's-salāmu wa ilayka yarjiʿu's-salām, ḥayyinā rabbanā bi's-salām wa adkhilnā dāra's-salām, tabārakta rabbanā wa taʿālayta yā dha'l-jalāli wa'l-ikrām. Allāhumma zid bayta-ka hādhā taʿẓīman wa tashrīfan wa mahābatan, wa zid man ʿaẓẓamahu wa sharrafahu min ḥajjatin wa ʿumratin taʿẓīman wa tashrīfan wa mahābah.
O Allah, You are peace, and peace comes from You, and peace returns to You. O our Lord, keep us alive in peace and admit us into the abode of peace. O our Lord, You are blessed and most exalted, O Possessor of majesty and generosity. O Allah, increase the greatness, honour and reverence of this House, and through the rites of Hajj and Umrah increase the greatness, honour and reverence of those who honour and revere it.
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Related
- How to perform tawaf, step by step The full method of circling the Kaʿbah seven times, from the intention at the Black Stone to the two rakats at Maqam Ibrahim and drinking Zamzam.
- Visiting Madinah, and the etiquette of the Prophet's ﷺ grave The virtue of visiting Madinah, entering the Prophet's ﷺ mosque, and the words of greeting at his grave and those of Abu Bakr and Umar beside it.
- Where dua is accepted in Makkah, and sacred places to visit The places in and around Makkah where dua is said to be accepted, and the historic sites (Khadijah's house, the caves of Hira and Thawr, and more) worth visiting.
- The standing at Arafat, on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah The Day of Arafah: travelling from Mina, the khutbah at Namira, combining Zuhr and Asr, and the standing (wuquf) itself until sunset.