Hajj and Umrah are important acts of worship in Islam, and many of their essential rulings apply equally to both men and women. However, Islamic Shariah provides certain differences in how some rituals are performed by men and women. These differences are not about the value or reward of worship, but about the manner in which certain acts are carried out. In this guide, we will explain five important أَحْكَام (Ahkam) related to Hajj and Umrah: إِحْرَام (Ihram), تَلْبِيَة (Talbiyah), رَمَل (Ramal) during Tawaf, سَعْي (Sa’i) between Safa and Marwah, and حَلْق وَقَصْر (Halq and Qasr). Each point will be explained separately for men and women so that pilgrims can understand the correct method and important guidelines.
Hajj and Umrah in the Quran
Allah has commanded Muslims to complete Hajj and Umrah for His sake:
وَأَتِمُّوا الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ لِلَّهِ
“And complete Hajj and Umrah for Allah.”
This verse shows the importance of performing these acts of worship sincerely for Allah. Although men and women may differ in certain practical aspects of performing Hajj and Umrah, both are required to follow the commands of Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ according to their circumstances.
Allah also says:
الْحَجُّ أَشْهُرٌ مَّعْلُومَاتٌ ۚ فَمَن فَرَضَ فِيهِنَّ الْحَجَّ فَلَا رَفَثَ وَلَا فُسُوقَ وَلَا جِدَالَ فِي الْحَجِّ
“Hajj is during well-known months. So whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein, there is to be no sexual relations, no disobedience, and no disputing during Hajj.”
The verse highlights the importance of discipline, good conduct and obedience throughout Hajj.
1. Ihram (إِحْرَام)
إِحْرَام is the sacred state that a pilgrim enters before performing Hajj or Umrah. Both men and women must enter Ihram and observe its rules, but their clothing and some related guidelines are different.
Ihram (إِحْرَام) for Men
For men, إِحْرَام generally consists of two unstitched pieces of cloth:
- إِزَار (Izar): The lower garment wrapped around the waist.
- رِدَاء (Rida): The upper garment placed around the shoulders.
A man in Ihram should not wear normal fitted clothing such as shirts, trousers, underwear or similar garments. He should also avoid wearing clothing that is made according to the shape of the body.
During Ihram, men should keep their heads uncovered. They should also avoid wearing anything that covers the head in the manner of ordinary clothing.
Ihram (إِحْرَام) for Women
Women also enter إِحْرَام, but their Ihram clothing is different from that of men. There is no requirement for women to wear two unstitched white sheets. A woman may wear ordinary modest Islamic clothing that fulfills the requirements of حِجَاب (Hijab).
Women should wear loose and modest clothing that covers the body properly. They should not wear نِقَاب (Niqab) or gloves while in Ihram.
If a woman needs to cover her face because of the presence of non-Mahram men, she can lower a piece of cloth from above her head over her face without wearing a fitted Niqab.
Thus, the main difference is that men have specific Ihram clothing requirements, while women can wear suitable modest clothing.
2. Talbiyah (تَلْبِيَة)
تَلْبِيَة is one of the important acts associated with Ihram. The pilgrim declares his or her response to Allah’s call by reciting the famous words:
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
“Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Indeed, all praise and blessings belong to You, and all sovereignty is Yours. You have no partner.”
Both men and women recite تَلْبِيَة, but the manner of reciting it is different.
Talbiyah (تَلْبِيَة) for Men
Men are encouraged to raise their voices when reciting تَلْبِيَة, without causing harm or excessive disturbance to others. The Prophet ﷺ and his Companions would recite the Talbiyah aloud.
A man should recite the Talbiyah clearly and audibly, especially while traveling towards the sacred places.
Talbiyah (تَلْبِيَة) for Women
Women also recite تَلْبِيَة, but they should not raise their voices in the same manner as men. A woman should recite it in a voice that is audible to herself or only to those nearby when appropriate.
The purpose is to remember Allah and respond to His call while maintaining the Islamic guidelines of modesty.
Therefore, both men and women recite the same تَلْبِيَة, but men raise their voices while women recite it more quietly.
3. Ramal (رَمَل) During Tawaf (طَوَاف)
طَوَاف means circumambulating the Ka’bah seven times. It is an essential part of Umrah and is also performed during Hajj.
Allah says:
وَلْيَطَّوَّفُوا بِالْبَيْتِ الْعَتِيقِ
“And let them circumambulate the Ancient House.”
The Prophet ﷺ demonstrated the manner of performing Tawaf and taught the Ummah its guidelines.
Ramal (رَمَل) for Men
رَمَل means walking quickly with short steps while moving the shoulders in a manner that demonstrates strength and energy.
Men perform رَمَل during the first three rounds of certain Tawaf, particularly طَوَافُ الْقُدُوم (Tawaf al-Qudum) for those to whom it applies, while the remaining four rounds are performed at a normal walking pace.
Men may also perform اِضْطِبَاع (Idtiba’) during the relevant Tawaf by exposing the right shoulder, according to the established Sunnah.
Ramal (رَمَل) for Women
Women do not perform رَمَل. They perform Tawaf by walking normally throughout all seven rounds.
Women should maintain modesty and avoid pushing, rushing or competing with others during Tawaf.
Therefore:
- Men: Ramal is performed where prescribed.
- Women: Normal walking is maintained throughout Tawaf.
The purpose of this difference is to follow the Sunnah while maintaining appropriate modesty and consideration for other pilgrims.
4. Sa’i Between Safa and Marwah (السَّعْي بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَة)
سَعْي is the walking between الصَّفَا (Safa) and الْمَرْوَة (Marwah) seven times. It commemorates the struggle and devotion of Hajar (هَاجَر) when she searched for water for her son Ismail عليه السلام.
Allah says:
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ
“Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah.”
Allah then says:
فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا
“So whoever performs Hajj or Umrah, there is no blame upon him for walking between them.”
Sa’i (سَعْي) for Men
During سَعْي, men are encouraged to walk normally in most of the route but to increase their pace between the two marked areas, following the Sunnah.
This faster walking recalls the effort made by Hajar رضي الله عنها while searching for water.
Men should remain attentive to the safety of other pilgrims and should not push or cause harm.
Sa’i (سَعْي) for Women
Women perform سَعْي between Safa and Marwah seven times, just as men do. However, women do not run or increase their pace between the marked areas in the same way as men.
Women should walk normally throughout the route while maintaining modesty and avoiding unnecessary rushing.
The basic act of سَعْي is therefore the same for both men and women, while the manner of movement differs.
5. Halq and Qasr (حَلْق وَقَصْر): Cutting the Hair
After completing the required rituals of Hajj or Umrah, the pilgrim reaches the stage of completing حَلْق وَقَصْر.
Allah says:
مُحَلِّقِينَ رُءُوسَكُمْ وَمُقَصِّرِينَ
“With their heads shaved or their hair shortened.”
This indicates the completion of an important part of the pilgrimage.
Halq and Qasr (حَلْق وَقَصْر) for Men
Men have two options:
حَلْق (Halq): Shaving the entire head.
قَصْر (Qasr): Shortening the hair.
For men, حَلْق is considered more virtuous according to the Sunnah, while shortening the hair is also permissible.
The Prophet ﷺ prayed for those who shaved their heads. The Companions asked about those who shortened their hair, and the Prophet ﷺ also prayed for them after emphasizing those who shaved.
A man should ensure that the required amount of hair is removed properly rather than merely cutting a very small portion.
Halq and Qasr (حَلْق وَقَصْر) for Women
Women do not shave their entire heads. Instead, they perform قَصْر by shortening the required amount of hair from the ends.
Therefore, حَلْق is not prescribed for women. A woman should shorten her hair according to the applicable Islamic ruling and should not shave her head as men do.
This is one of the clearest differences between men and women at the completion of Umrah or Hajj.
Conclusion
Men and women perform the same fundamental acts of حَجّ و عُمْرَہ, and both receive the reward of worship when they sincerely follow Allah’s commands and the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. However, Islamic law establishes certain differences in the practical performance of these rituals. The five important differences discussed above are إِحْرَام, تَلْبِيَة, رَمَل, سَعْي, and حَلْق وَقَصْر.
Understanding these differences helps pilgrims perform their worship correctly and avoid confusion during the sacred journey. Men should follow the specific rules concerning Ihram clothing, audible Talbiyah, Ramal and Halq, while women should observe the guidelines regarding modest clothing, quiet Talbiyah, normal walking during Tawaf and Sa’i, and shortening rather than shaving the hair.
Above all, every pilgrim should remember that Hajj and Umrah are acts of worship that require sincerity, patience, good manners and obedience. Following the guidance of the Qur’an and Sunnah allows both men and women to complete their pilgrimage with greater confidence and devotion.
Author Bio:
The author is an Islamic content writer and researcher associated with Tajweed Ul Quran Worldwide, dedicated to sharing authentic Islamic knowledge in a simple way. Through practical content on Hajj, Umrah, Quran, Sunnah, and Duas, the author helps pilgrims prepare for their journey. If you’re learning about the Ahkam e Dam in Hajj, click here to learn more.