Hajj glossary: Ihram, Mashair, Talbiyah and more
You will come across many terms around Hajj and Umrah. The most important ones are briefly explained below, so you can better read information from travel organisations and the official platform.
Last updated: 2026-09-09
Short answer
The key Hajj terms at a glance: ihram, tawaf, sa'i, wuquf, jamarat, mahram, talbiyah and Nusuk. This helps you follow your travel organiser's guidance and the texts on the official platform.
Planning your vaccination
- Meningococcal ACWY, required for Saudi Arabia
- International vaccination certificate straight away
- Evening and weekend appointments, every day 10:00 to 22:00
Ritual terms
- Ihram: the sacred state and the simple clothing that goes with it
- Talbiyah: the invocation pilgrims recite along the way
- Tawaf: seven circuits around the Kaaba
- Sa'i: walking seven times between Safa and Marwa
- Wuquf: standing at Arafat, the core moment of Hajj
- Jamarat: the pillars stoned in Mina
Places and organisation
- Mashair: the holy sites of Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat
- Miqat: the boundary where you enter the state of Ihram
- Nusuk: the official platform of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah
- Mahram: a male relative who accompanies a woman on the journey
- Shifting and non-shifting: packages with or without a hotel change in Mecca
Medical terms you will encounter
- Meningococcal ACWY: the vaccination required for entry to Saudi Arabia
- International vaccination certificate: the official booklet listing your vaccinations
- Practitioner: the healthcare provider who advises you and administers the vaccination
Information about registration and packages is based on the official Nusuk Hajj platform of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Registration and payment take place there only; DKliniek provides the medical preparation.
Official sources
- hajj.nusuk.sa — Official registration and packages
- haj.gov.sa — Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah
- visa.mofa.gov.sa — Saudi visa information
- lcr.nl — Dutch national travel health centre
- who.int — World Health Organization
Arrange your vaccinations in time
Meningococcal ACWY is required for entry to Saudi Arabia and must be given at least ten days before arrival. We also advise you on DTP, hepatitis A and your certificate.
- Meningococcal ACWY, required for Saudi Arabia
- International vaccination certificate straight away
- Evening and weekend appointments, every day 10:00 to 22:00
- Groups and families vaccinated in one session
Frequently asked questions
Continue reading
The rites of Hajj, day by day
Overview of the rites of Hajj day by day: Ihram, Tawaf, Sa'i, Arafat, Muzdalifah, Mina, the stoning, the sacrifice and the farewell Tawaf.
Registering for Hajj via Nusuk, in ten steps
How to register for Hajj through the official Nusuk Hajj platform: account, documents, application, verification, category, wallet, provider, package, booking and itinerary.
Hajj packages explained: all-inclusive, shifting and non-shifting
What is included in a Hajj package? An explanation of all-inclusive, shifting and non-shifting packages, hotel classes and the minimum durations of 6, 10 and 14 days.