• 18 Sep, 25
• by Muslims Holy Travel

Prayer Times, Etiquettes, and Tips for Masjid al Haram

All mosques in Islam have a certain set of rules and demand a lot of respect from every Muslim. However, this doesn’t mean that mosques are only meant for praying but you can’t act in a casual way while you are inside one. But when it comes to the Masjid al Haram, a person’s etiquette must be at his or her best. Whether you are there for daily prayers, Umrah or Hajj, showcasing appropriate behaviour is necessary. In order to get a smooth experience and ensure that you have a good time inside the mosque, you need to be aware of expected behaviour and tips for interacting with the place in the right way. Before we explain numerous etiquettes and tips for Masjid al Haram, it is important that you know about the prayer times beforehand so you can reach the mosque on time and have enough time to join the congregational prayer.

Prayer Times in Masjid al Haram

The five daily prayers are an obligation for every Muslim and there is no skipping them even if you are sick or on your deathbed. There are some conditions when you can’t pray but you still have to make up for the lost ones. The atmosphere throughout the day is electric and there are thousands of people at any given time. If you want to attend the prayers, you must reach the mosque at least an hour before the designated time. The mosque is far more crowded during Jumma prayers than the others. If you don’t reach the mosque at least two to three hours before the prayer time, you will not be able to enter the mosque. While there is a lot of space to offer the prayers but the atmosphere and feel you get when you are close to the Kaaba is not the same in the external areas of the mosque. The timing issue is managed much more easily if you are going for a group Umrah. Most of the group deals come with the services of a guide. These guides are experienced pilgrims who know about the ins and outs of the mosque like the closest gate to the hotel and shortcuts. In this way, you can reach inside the mosque quickly and possibly avoid crowds.

How to Check the Updated Prayer Times?

The prayer times change periodically as the weather changes and the duration of the day and night varies. In order to attend the prayers without any delays, pilgrims must stay up to date with the current timing. There are different ways you can find out the exact prayer times. Some of them are listed below.

• Saudi Government’s Portal: The most reliable and authentic way to find the exact time of prayers in both Masjid al Haram and Masjid e Nabwi is the official portal of these mosques. You can also find out about any seminars or religious events taking place inside the mosque in the upcoming days.
• Prayer Time Apps: There are tens of apps and websites that offer exact prayer times for both holy mosques. Nusuk is the best of all and offers an easy to understand interface that doesn’t require any technical knowledge to navigate. If you are using any other app, make sure that it follows the Umm al-Qura Calendar. This is the official method used in Makkah to calculate prayer times.
• Real-Time Updates When in Haram: If you are present in the Haram, you can check the times on the digital notice boards located at numerous places inside the mosque. For example, you can simply check the timings of the other prayers when you go for the morning prayer or the timing for the next day’s prayers if you attend Isha congregation.
  
  

General Etiquette for Masjid al Haram

For many Muslims, going to Masjid al Haram is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and this is why it is best to follow all the rules and show etiquette while you are there. This will not only enhance your experience but make it better for others as well. Here are some of the etiquettes that you must follow all the time.

Purity and Cleanliness

Let it be Masjid al Haram or any other mosque in the world; a person cannot enter the mosque or pray there if he or she is not pure. This is why women during periods are not allowed to enter the mosque, nor are men if they are not pure. You must be in a state of purity when entering the mosque; your clothes must be clean and you must smell good. In this way, the people next to you will not get irritated.

General Manners

• When you enter the mosque, always place the right foot inside first and ask Allah for His mercy. If you use the washroom during your stay at the mosque, take the left foot inside first and do wudu upon your return.
• Maintain the peace of the mosque by keeping your voice low. Avoid engaging in loud or worldly conversations.
• Turn off your phone or use silent mode when you are inside the mosque.
• It is okay to take pictures or video call your friends or family to show them the mosque but make sure your actions don’t affect others. Try to avoid taking photos that explicitly include the faces of other women.
• Do not push or shove people when you are near the Kaabah, the Black Stone or doing Sai. If you want to kiss the Stone, wait for your turn patiently instead of being rude towards the fellow pilgrims.
  
  
• Umrah and Hajj pilgrims have to wear Ihram. However, if you are just going there for a prayer, make sure you dress modestly. Men must wear simple clothes and women must avoid bright or flashy colours. A simple and loose abaya with a headscarf is the best option. You can also do a face veil if you are not doing Umrah or Hajj.
• While your time inside the mosque, take care of the environment. Do not litter or throw trash randomly; always use bins for this purpose. Use the washroom as you would do in your home and ensure that the next person doesn’t find dirt after you leave.
• Last but not least, always take your left foot out when you are leaving the mosque. It is a sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and ask Allah for His bounty and forgiveness.

Tips for a More Immersive Experience at Masjid al Haram

Plan Your Time Properly

There are hundreds of thousands of people in Masjid al Haram all the time. However, the time right before Fajar or late at night is the best if you want a comparatively less crowded environment to perform Umrah or pray to Allah. This tip will come in quite handy if you are going for pilgrimage during the peak seasons like Ramadan or the winter months. If you are interested in going for Umrah in 2026, check out our Umrah deals for Ramadan.

Leave Behind Everything

As you are present right in front of Allah’s house, it is time to let go of everything that bothers you. Hand over your worries to Him and have unbreakable faith that only He can take care of you and solve your problems. Go to the mosque with a firm belief that Allah is the only able being in the entire world and only He is capable of each and everything. If you succeed in doing this, you will surely have a great experience.

Explore and Learn

Masjid al Haram is an architectural marvel and has undergone a wide range of renovations over the course of time. Take out some time to explore the history of the mosque, learn about different areas, gates and expansions. This will enrich your experience and make you fall in love with the mosque all over again.

Stay Hydrated

The mosque is an extremely big place and you will need to walk a lot. For an Umrah, you will be required to walk around 4 to 5 kilometres in a time of 2 to 3 hours if you do tawaf on the ground floor. Plus, the atmosphere is quite humid during peak hours. To keep yourself going, it is better to stay hydrated. You can drink Zamzam during Umrah or you can keep a water bottle with you as well. Other than this, have some dates or protein-rich snacks to keep the energy bar high.

Final Words

If you follow the above tips and suggestions, we are sure that you will have an excellent and spiritual experience. Always remember: patience and modesty are key when visiting Masjid al Haram for prayers, Umrah, Hajj or any other purpose. These two virtues are central in Islam and adopting them makes your life a lot better. For the best Umrah packages in the UK, contact our booking agents and benefit from amazing deals by Muslims Holy Travel.