Ihram dress for women
There is no prescribed garment. Women wear ordinary modest clothing, the requirement is that the face and hands remain uncovered during ihram, which is the reverse of what many people assume.
Practically: loose cotton abayas or long dresses rather than synthetics, which do not breathe at 40°C. Pack one set per two or three days. Hijab with safety pins, and comfortable slip-on shoes you can remove quickly.
Menstruation and Umrah
A menstruating woman may enter ihram and make the intention, but may not perform tawaf until she is pure. Sa'i without a valid preceding tawaf does not count.
The practical implication is scheduling: if your period begins before tawaf, you remain in ihram and wait. Many women plan their trip dates around this, and some consult a doctor about delaying menstruation, a decision to make with medical advice, not travel advice.
Madinah has no such restriction, since there are no rites there. Ziyarat continues normally.
Practical notes for the Haram
There are women's prayer areas on every level of both mosques, and dedicated women's entrances, gates 1, 2 and 3 at Masjid an-Nabawi lead to the women's section.
The Rawdah has separate timed slots for women, generally overnight and in the early morning. Book on Nusuk like any other permit.
For tawaf during heavy crowds, the upper floors are considerably less congested and the wheelchair level is calmer still.
Common questions
Can a woman perform Umrah without a mahram?
Saudi Arabia permits women aged 18 and over to apply for an Umrah visa and travel without a mahram. That is a visa rule rather than a religious ruling. The Hanafi and Hanbali schools generally require a mahram for travel beyond a certain distance; the Shafi'i and Maliki schools permit travel with a trustworthy group of women. The ruling question should go to a scholar in your own school.
What should a woman wear for Umrah?
There is no prescribed ihram garment for women. Ordinary modest clothing is worn, with the requirement that the face and hands remain uncovered during ihram. Loose cotton abayas or long dresses work better than synthetics in the heat. Pack one set per two or three days plus hijabs and safety pins.
Can you perform Umrah during your period?
A menstruating woman may enter ihram and make the intention but may not perform tawaf until she is pure, and sa'i without a valid preceding tawaf does not count. She remains in ihram and waits. There is no such restriction in Madinah, where there are no rites, so ziyarat continues normally.
Is there a separate Rawdah slot for women?
Yes. The Rawdah in Masjid an-Nabawi operates separate timed slots for women, generally overnight and in the early morning. Book the permit free on the Nusuk app in the same way as any other permit, one per person every 30 days.