A

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  Abaya: Loose-fitting, modest overgarment worn by Muslim women.
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  Ajwa: Revered, nutrient-dense soft black dates grown exclusively in Madinah.
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  Ash-Shajarah (Dhul Hulayfah): The Miqat station for pilgrims departing from Madinah toward Makkah.

B

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  Baqi (Jannat al-Baqi): The historic cemetery immediately east of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, containing the graves of over 10,000 companions and the Prophet’s family.
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  Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad): The sacred stone set into the eastern corner of the Kaaba from which Tawaf begins and ends.
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  BRN (Booking Reference Number): The official Ministry of Hajj & Umrah confirmation code required for hotel and visa verification.

D

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  Dam (Fidyah): A compensatory expiation (such as feeding the needy or sacrificing a sheep) required if an obligatory act of Ihram is violated.
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  Dhul Hulayfah: The furthest Miqat boundary located 9 km outside Madinah.

H

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  Halq: Shaving the entire head with a razor for men following the completion of Sa’i; highly virtuous for achieving Tahallul.
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  Haramain (Al-Haramayn): The Two Holy Sanctuaries: Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah.
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  Hateem (Hijr Ismail): The semi-circular low marble wall attached to the Kaaba; praying inside it is equivalent to praying inside the Kaaba.
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  HHR (Haramain High-Speed Railway): The 300 km/h electric bullet train connecting Makkah, Jeddah Airport, King Abdullah Economic City, and Madinah.

I

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  Idtiba: The practice of men uncovering their right shoulder by draping the upper Ihram cloth under the right armpit and over the left shoulder during the 7 circuits of Tawaf only.
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  Ihram: The sacred state of ritual purity entered with intention (Niyyah), as well as the two-piece white unstitched garments worn by male pilgrims.
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  Istilam: The act of kissing, touching, or gesturing toward the Black Stone with the right hand at the start of each Tawaf circuit.

M

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  Makkah (Mecca): The holiest city in Islam, birthplace of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), and home to the Holy Kaaba.
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  Madinah (Medina): The illuminated city of the Prophet (ﷺ), home to Masjid an-Nabawi and the sacred Rawdah.
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  Maqam Ibrahim: The golden station containing the miraculous stone upon which Prophet Ibrahim (AS) stood while building the Kaaba.
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  Masa'a: The enclosed 450-meter corridor between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah where Sa'i is performed.
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  Mataf: The open white-marble courtyard immediately surrounding the Holy Kaaba where Tawaf is performed.
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  Miqat (Plural: Mawaqit): The designated geographical boundary lines that no pilgrim intending Hajj or Umrah may cross without being in the state of Ihram.
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  Multazam: The section of the Kaaba wall located between the Black Stone corner and the Kaaba door, renowned as a place of answered prayers.

N

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  Niyyah: Sincere, conscious mental intention in the heart to perform an act of worship for the sake of Allah alone.
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  Nusuk: The official Saudi government digital platform and mobile app used to issue Umrah visas, schedule Tawaf time slots, and reserve Rawdah prayer permits.

R

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  Raml: The Sunnah practice of men walking with brisk, short, vigorous steps during the first 3 circuits of Tawaf.
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  Rawdah al-Sharifah: The sacred garden between the Prophet’s noble chamber and his pulpit (Minbar) in Masjid an-Nabawi.
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  Rukn al-Yamani: The south-western corner of the Kaaba facing Yemen, where it is Sunnah to touch or recite the comprehensive Quranic prayer (Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan...).

S

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  Sa'i: The devotional ritual of walking back and forth 7 times between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah, commemorating Lady Hajar's desperate search for water for infant Ismail.
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  Safa & Marwah: The two small historical hills inside Masjid al-Haram between which Sa'i is completed.

T

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  Tahallul: Exiting the state of Ihram and lifting its ritual prohibitions by shaving or trimming the hair after completing Sa'i.
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  Talbiyah: The iconic sacred chant recited by pilgrims from entering Ihram until beginning Tawaf ("Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk...").
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  Tanaqol: The official mobile app used to reserve manual and electric mobility wheelchairs and scooters inside Masjid al-Haram.
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  Taqsir: Trimming hair evenly (minimum 1–2 cm across the entire head) to exit Ihram.
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  Tawaf: The devotional act of circumambulating the Holy Kaaba 7 times in a counter-clockwise direction in a state of Wudhu.

Z

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  Zamzam: The miraculous blessed water from the well spring revealed by Angel Jibreel to Lady Hajar and infant Ismail in the heart of Makkah.
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  Ziyarah: Visiting holy, historical, and religious landmarks in Makkah and Madinah (e.g., Mount Uhud, Masjid Quba, Cave of Hira, Jannat al-Baqi).