Common Umrah and Hajj mistakes

Instead: Enter ihram at or before the miqat; on a plane, before it is crossed. If you passed it, go back to it; most scholars say otherwise a sacrifice (dam) is due.

Instead: Perfume the body before ihram, not the ihram clothes. After entering ihram, no new perfume.

Instead: Uncover it only during the Tawaf of arrival or of Umrah. Cover it for prayer and the rest of the time.

Instead: In ihram she does not wear them. Many scholars allow lowering a cloth over the face when men pass close by.

Instead: Start and end each lap level with the Black Stone, with the Kaaba on your left.

Instead: Walk around the outside of the Hijr. It is part of the Kaaba, so a lap through it is not complete.

Instead: There is no set dua for each lap. Make any dua or dhikr in your own words, quietly, and say "Rabbana atina…" between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone.

Instead: Raml is for men in the first three laps of the Tawaf of arrival or Umrah only; walk normally in the other four.

Instead: Pointing to the Black Stone and saying "Allahu Akbar" is enough. The Yemeni Corner is touched if easy, not kissed; if you cannot reach it, just pass.

Instead: Pray them anywhere in the mosque when it is crowded.

Instead: Start at Safa. The Prophet ﷺ said: "I begin with what Allah began with."

Instead: Safa to Marwah is one lap, Marwah to Safa is the second. The seventh ends at Marwah.

Instead: Only men walk quickly there; women walk normally. Scholars agree on this.

Instead: Scholars differ. Many (Maliki and Hanbali) say trim from the whole head; the Shafi'is say three hairs are enough. Shaving or trimming the whole head is safest. Women cut a fingertip's length from the ends.

Instead: Make sure you are inside the boundary signs of Arafah. Hajj is Arafah.

Instead: The Prophet ﷺ stayed until the sun had set, then left for Muzdalifah. Stay until sunset.

Instead: All of Arafah is a place of standing. Make dua where you are, facing the Qibla.

Instead: Pray Maghrib and Isha together at Muzdalifah. If you fear reaching it after midnight, pray them on the way.

Instead: Throw seven small pebbles, a little bigger than a chickpea, one at a time, saying "Allahu Akbar" with each. Seven thrown at once count as one.

Instead: On the days of Tashreeq the Prophet ﷺ stoned after midday (zawal). Most scholars say it must be after midday.

Instead: If you leave early (Quran 2:203), leave Mina before sunset on the 12th. Many scholars say that if the sun sets while you are still there, you stay and stone on the 13th.

Instead: It is a separate visit to the Prophet's Mosque with great reward. Your Hajj or Umrah is complete without it.

Instead: Greet with respect and a low voice (Quran 49:2), then move on. Face the Qibla when you make dua.