​Your Guide to a Wonderful I'tikaf in Masjid-al-Haraam, Makkah & Madina 2024,
​Insha Allah


مسجد الحرام مکہ مکرمہ, مسجد نبوی  میں اعتکاف کی رجسٹریشن کا آغاز 01  سے 15 رمضان تک​  ہوگا، طریقہ کار اور متعلقہ ضروری تاریخیں لنک میں دیکھ سکتے ہیں۔
Example
​Dear Brothers & Sisters
​
✍️Itikaf registration Update 14/03/2024 01:00 AM
​
🧭 Itikaf registration for makkah will start on 7th ramadan. 

🧭 Registration will start on official website of Masjid al Haram Masjid Nabawi

🧭 You can do the registration by clicking on itikaf in Al haramain app & direct visit by website. or you can click link mentioned below.

🧭 Registration will be done only trough saudi iqama holder who have absher/Nafath account. they will apply for itikaf on behalf of you on your name.

🧭 ​Registration can not be done by any other person. only saudi iqama holder can do the registration.
Dear watch the above video for Madinah etikaf package & Makkah lockers. I hope every members of this group will got it.
Read all details till the end of this post. You will see important suggestions & some whatapp groups for live communication and collaboration for itikaf 2024. You are welcome to join it.
​Dear Sister's & Brothers !!

Please read carefully so that you don't repeat the same questions again & again.

Makkah Itikaf !!

Itikaf registration for Makkah was done last year 2023 through (Absher) account on first Ramadan mindnight. and (Absher) account holders are only Saudi Nationals & those who have residence, work visa of Saudi Arabia. So they have applied for itikaf registration on behalf of others. you have to provide them your passport copy, your name, your date of brith, and border no. (border number will be on your visa if not on your visa then upon immigration they will write on your passport page. my registration was done with same procedure last year and i got registered for Makakh 2023.

Without registration itikaf in Makkah 2024?

As per last year's experience and previous years news. In Makkah yes you can sit without registration and can manage it.

Note:- i am giving this information as per my last year experience. What will happen this year? I can't say anything even no one can assure you.


Madina Itikaf !!


Itikaf registration for Madina was done last year trough Visitors  (زائرون) App. To make registration on this app. You need valid Saudi mobile number. they will send confirmation code on it. if you are trying to register out of Saudi Arabia you have to ask someone for Saudi mobile number and make sure they will give you the registration code on time to complete the registration process.
Last year 2023 itikaf registration for madina was open on 12th & 13th Raman (3/4 April 2023) People who were inside Saudi Arabia for umrah and outside of Saudi Arabia were allowed to register through this app for madina itikaf 2023.
people applied from all over the world and lucky people got registered last year 2023.

Note:- Itikaf registration for Madina  2024. We can't say anything about how registration will be done this year in this ramadan. For that we have to wait till end of first Ashra


Without registration itikaf in Madina 2024?

As per last year's experience and previous years news. In Madina it is very difficult for those people who were sitting itikaf without registration.

Note:- i am giving this information as per my last year experience. What will happen this year? I can't say anything even if no one can assure you.


Jazak ALLAH !!
​
•Itiqaf in Makkah & Madina link will be activated on 1st of ramzan and afterwards

•👉 Link for Makkah - https://eservice.gph.gov.sa/visit/Home.aspx (You need to regulary check this link).

• 👉For Makkah and Madinah itikaf application name – Alharamain (You can apply using this app for madinah too)

•👉 Link for Madina - http://eservices.wmn.gov.sa:8081/e-services/ittikaf/reg_seasonal_isolated.php

•​👉 For Madina  - the Application name (زائرون) – (Visitors) and Alharamain search and download for Madina itiqaf

•​🛑 Note Normally, the above links not working if you are applying from outside of saudia arabia. You can take help from people who are in Sauida Arabia ask them register on behalf of you if they can.  
✍️All those who cannot registered themselves at Makkah or Madinah should not be worried. There is no compulsion for registration of itikaf at Makkah. It is mandatory for Madina only. Anyone can do itikaf at Makkah without any difficulty.  Whole Haram is open for itikaf through out the month of Ramzan. At makkah no one will ask that you are doing itikaf. Just select a place for itikaf at designated area.
Sponsor link
Makkah Registration Link 1
Makkah Registartion link 2
​​​Madinah Registration Link​
​​​Madinah Registration App
Sponsor link
Before, applying for itikaf at Makkah or Madinah, visit the step by step link, how to apply in both Masjids. There you will see step by step process in text and video tutorial form.

At end also read the useful instruction/suggestions, how to do Itikaf at Makkah and Madina? What item you need to bring? Where to stay?  etc..

Note:
​
  1. There is no need to register for Itikaf registration at makkah, you can directly go one day before (for selecting the place of your choice). The I’tikaaf card only help you to get back in the mosque on peak hours, when they closed entry for new visitors.
  2. Registration for eitkaf in Masjid Nabvi Madina Munawara opens at 5:30 pm saudi time but it closes within a few minutes because it reaches its daily limit​. So, be ready for that you need your passport number, mobile number, data of birth in hijree, country information (some time if you country not in the list then you can select the nearest country).
  3. There are some volunteers whatapp group for Makkah and Madinah for 2019 Itikaf, You are welcome to join for live communication and support. Once registration for Madina open, apply as soon as possible. Furthermore, some time it also open in the morning as well, better to join the whatapp group you will see the live update and other important conversation/ communication among brothers.
  4. You can apply for both Makkah and Madinah itikaf at the same time. Batter to apply for both, later you can decided your choice especially who have intention for Madinah etikaf, you need to apply for Makkah as well, because in Madinah the number of online seats are limited.
  5. Women can also apply online but normally they did not approve their application. They can set without online itikaf at Makkah, I am not sure they can set in Madinah or not. You need to confirmed it, Because in Madinah the roles are little bit strict as compare with makkah.
  6. At the end of this page there are frequently ask questions and answer and  a audio lecture about how to do itikaf in makkah and madina, in which the mulana mention different masael about holy masjeds.
​ Itikaf Haramain 2024 (Makkah) Group for General information, issue related online registration, suggestion/recommendation etc.,​


Click here

Support/provide guidelines who face problems during online registration
​ Itikaf Haramain 2024 (Madinah) Group for General information, issue related online registration, suggestion/recommendation etc.,​


Click here

Support/provide guidelines who face problems during online registration​
​Frequently asked questions:

​1️⃣Can we set for itikaf at Makkah without registration. 

Short Answer: Yes, just come one day before and find a good place for your Itkaf at king Abdullah extension.


2️⃣When Etikaf registration start for Makkah?

Makkah registration link was opened for one day only. After that it closed. We don't know it will reopen or not.

3️⃣Can we set for itikaf at Madinah without registration?

Short answer: No, because the authority will not allow you to set or sleep inside masjid Nabvee.


4️⃣When Etikaf registration for madinah will start?

Etikaf registration for Madinah will started 03/04/2023


5️⃣If madinah or Makkah etikaf start then can we apply outside of Saudi Arabia?

No, you can not apply from outside of Saudia. Because the link only work inside Saudi Arabia. Or you can tell your friends or relatives who live in sauida they will apply for you.


6️⃣How we will know that Etikaf link is working?


We will update here.
Important Suggestion/Points to be noted:
  1. You can apply and register yourself in the given period, from 25th Shaban till 10th Ramzan. I will recommend that you need to apply as soon as possible, especially for madinah because they have limited number of space for Motakeefeen).
  2. Once you reached Makkah then you can take your i'tikaf card from the counter between 15 to 19 of Ramzan.
  3. But if you did not get the itikaf card also any problem, you can do i'tikaf. The only benefit of the card is the locker.
  4. ​​Keep in mind the lockers at Haram are limited, so they issue the locker to those who registration umber come in the range of locker, each locker has a number, inside of the locker you will see different items as shown in the above video. If they say your registration number is not in the range. Then, kindly don't do resining with them and don't be disappointing, no problem you can still do itikaf without locker and itikaf card at Makkah. The only benefit of the card is the locker. You will see large number of people who do itikaf without Locker and Itikaf Card. You people are the specially gust of Allah, that Allah select you amount thousands of people and bring you to the holy place for Itikaf. Ma sha Allah, May Allah accept your ebadat and Itikaf. Ameen.
  5. If you want to do i'tikaf in Madina then registration is mandatory. Without registration, you cannot stay in Madinah. But for Makkah, It not mandatory. In Madinah they will give itikaf package as seen in the above video.
  6. One more advantage of i'tikaf in Madina and Makkah, you don't need to stay in a hotel, I.e., if you are coming for itikaf don't pay money to the hotel of the i'tikaf period, you can give up to 100 or 150 Saudi royals just for take care of your luggage.  Join the whatapp group as shown in the left side of this page. There you will find some volunteer brothers they will help you in sha 'allah.
  7. You can read AHKAM_E_ITIK  by Mufti Taqee Usmani, Click here to direct download it. You can also listen a audio lecture especially for those who want to do itkaf at makkah and madinah, in this audio lecture you will listen all about maaka and madinah, such as what are the adab of eating, sleeping, tawaf, visiting Prophet PBUH qabar mubark, reyazul janat,  etc., Click here to listen or download the lecture by Dr. Hafiz Afzal (Prof. at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Mineral, KSA)
    Note: Translation of mufti taqi usmani book on ittikaf in English Click here    ​ ​
Where to Stay for Itikaf at Makkah and Mindia? 

MAKKAH — The basement of the King Fahd expansion  and some other  area  (basement) of the mosque is earmarked for Itikaf. In Makkah no limit on the number of the applicant, the only limit for the lockers around 20 thousand to 25 thousand locker are available for Makka applicants, those who did not got locker, no problem they can do itikaf, just select a best place in the designated area for itikaf.  More details/suggestions are given at the end of this page.
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MADINAH -- Arrangements are being made at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah to accommodate 10,000 worshipers who intend to perform the ritual of Itikaf (seclusion and staying in the mosque with the intention of worshiping) during the month of Ramadan.

This year in the holy month of Ramadan, which is due in mid-May, the Mu’takif (those observing Itikaf) will be allowed to do so only on the roof of the Prophet’s Mosque. More details/suggestions are given at the end of this page.
When Itikaf will start? From 20th ramzan or 21 Ramzan?

Ans:
From 20th ramzan after Maghrab prayer, batter to reach before one day.  For details watch below video: https://youtu.be/C00qzEeDto0
Friends suggestions about hotel booking at Makkah and after arrival at Makkah what should we need to do before Umra?

Just a suggestions, those who come by self, once you reach Haram. I think it will be better to put your luggage in the private locker they will charge up to 25- 35 Saudi reyal for 5 to 6 hours. In this interval you can easily perform your umra. Once you finish your umra. Then, you will be relax. Afterwards, find a hotel base on your choice. Then you will be no tensions of time etc, otherwise you will be in Harry mood. But keep in mind once you put your luggage in the private locker they will not allow you to reopen to put/withdraw your personal belong. So, keep your clothes be with you. Once you finish your umra and take a bath. In this way your cloth will be with you and you don't need to reopen the locker. Once you finish umra and search hotel then take your luggage

Addition, there are many places about 10 min walk around the mosque from Saptco Bus stop onward. I believe now a day the room rent shouldn’t be more then 100 to 150 riyal ( please keep in mind, I’m talking about the 4 or 5 * hotel) which can  accommodate 4 to 5 people’s each room. There is alway bargaining on price.

Furthermore, you can talk with the hotel that you only need room for few days till itikaf start. So, itikaf days they will not charge. You can bargain with them that kindly take care my luggage till Eid. If they didn't agree then give then up to 100 or 150 SR. They will easily agree

One more suggestion, if you are more then one you can communicate with each other even in this group. And all of you book a room just for luggage and divided the money among. Supposed if they cost 1000 SR for 10 days then divide the money on each. If you are 10 to 15 friends, each of you will cost less then 100 SR.

Important suggestion about luggage:

Brothers please don’t take extra luggage with you at all; this will cost you money, and big time headaches. In 2019 I took a big 30 kg bag with 5-6 pairs of cloths, food etc. and I nearly missed my I’tikaaf; due to this bag as no one wanted to keep it for 10 days in Madina. I didn’t learn my lesson, and took a medium sized 25kg bag again in 2020 around 4 pair of clothes,and then bought around 15kg dates from Madina. Later I was begging hotels to keep my bag in Mecca for 10 days; at the end they put my bag on the open roof in 40 degrees heat. I didn’t recognise my bag when I got it back. Now inshallah I’m planning to take only 2 pairs of clothes in carrier bags, plus my Umrah Ahram which I will wash later to use one piece for pillow and other for blanket while sitting in itikaf. We can easily wash our clothes in disabled toilets, and leave them outside in the sun 5 to 10 min to get dry. This is my plan inshallah for this year. I would also like to inform you that, no electric sockets work to charge your mobile, except in the basement where there is a queue of hundred of people all the time. I found a person who took my power bank home to get it charge, from his hotel. This is the reality that you have to keep in mind, if you are planning to take big luggage with you.

Brother please don’t take too much stuff with you because they don’t allow and locker outside Haram very very expansive you need oil money to keep stuff there as they charge hourly and even don’t bother to open the locker door for you if you don’t wear expensive clothing 🤫. The hotel charge me around 300 Rial (which was really cheap)  and put my small bag top of the hotel roof without any shelter in 45 degree when my Dates was inside which I bought from Medina. So please try not take too much stuff with you.
​​
 WHAT TO PACK? 
  1. 3-4 pairs of clothes. I'tikaf will last 9-10 days and this depends on how often you need to shower. For ladies, carry an extra abaya and hijab in case yours gets dirty. Though it's hot in Makkah, you might get chilly if your clothes are too thin, and you happen to be in an air-conditioned hall. Try cotton which keeps you cool during the day and warm at night.
  2. Personal care: deodorant, oud, hand wipes, lots of tissue, small shopping bags, comb, small mirror, extra pair of glasses, tablets for headache and flu, face masks, tooth brush, tooth paste
  3. Prayer mat
  4. Bring with yourself some medicine for headache, flow, allergy, and throat infection (note: these are just for convenience otherwise there are pharmacy available near to Mosque, but it will help you and you can shared it with some bother if they have problem like above )
  5. ​Cell phone charger (yes there are sockets in the mosque!) and an adaptor, but remember I'tikaf also means not to used the things which create disturbance in ebadat.
  6. ​Sleeping equipment: inflatable pillow, sheets, blankets [bring small/mini size, especially air-fill plow, sheets and blanket because it will take less space], otherwise your ehram will also work as blankets and sheets.
  7. Two small-sized plastic water bottles: fill them up before Fajr and use them for ablution in the ablution areas the next day if you need to. You will not find a trace of water in Masjid-al-Haram during the day, all water cans are emptied, faucets closed, don’t know why they do that, so be prepared. Water supply is opened after asr but it'll be a hassle to get water since you risk losing your spot, so use this for aftar as well.
  8. A pocket-sized Quran with translation and a dua'a book.
  9. Sisters/brother should bring an over-the-shoulder bag because they're the easiest to carry. Also, carry a tiny over-the-shoulder bag and wear it under your Abaya and put your money in it! , You can also buy this shoulder back at makkah, it cost around 8 to 10 Saudi Reyal. You will find it in BinDawod Shop [one of the famous shop at harm]
  • Kindly don't bring more items with you, because they will not allowed if the size of the item are large, especially if they see the item in box or like in laptop bag they will not allowed you. Better to put these items in a big size shopping bag or over-the shoulder bag.
WHERE TO SLEEP?
  • People performing I'tikaf generally remain on the first floor of Masjid-al-Haram (not the ground floor) because it's not as packed as it is downstairs, but mind you it's still very very crowded in Ramadan. If you enter gate no. 84 (one of the mini gates next to the huge King Fahd Gate) and go straight up using the stairs, you come right to a female cabin (there are many more to the right and left). Ahead of the female cabin there's the men's area. The great thing about this area is that there are ablution areas right behind so you don't have to go to the bathrooms if you just want to do wuzu. Also if you leave the mosque from gate 84, the female bathrooms are straight ahead. So are the restaurants.
  • A friend told me that Masjid-al-Haram also has a basement where a lot of worshippers perform I'tikaf. Personally, I've never been there, but you can definitely check it out.
WHERE TO PRAY?
  • Though the air-conditioned halls of the King Fahd gates are very nice to sleep in, they get way too crowded during the taraweeh timings and even before iftar. So I used to pack up my sleeping stuff, put them in a bag, and leave them with a family who I met who were also performing I'tikaf, and then go to another area to pray. My priority used to be the King Abdul-Aziz gate which wasn't air-conditioned but much less crowded. Plus, if you were lucky to get a place way up ahead in each cabin, you could get a spectacular view of the Ka'abah! I used to go there an hour before Maghrib or after Maghrib to get a nice spot (most people would leave the mosque to grab some iftar).
  • Sometimes I used to leave the mosque to use the bathroom but couldn't get back in because of the crowd. In that case, you can easily find a place in the small cabins spread throughout the courtyard of the masjid. They have small ablution areas in the middle too, plus sweet Zam Zam water close by! Now, the sound quality of the prayers was absolutely incredible here. Everything would echo multiple times at the tall marble walls and fall to your ears. Pretty entrancing. Masha Allah.

WHAT TO EAT AND WHERE?
  • Iftar will not be a problem Insha Allah. If you happen to be outside, there are small gift packs officially distributed and they have dates, water, juice, a croissant, etc. Enough to last you till taraweeh finishes. If you happen to be inside, people generously distribute before maghrib time, though you do have to keep your eyes open and spot distributors!
  • For dinner and suhoor.. there are the hilton towers right in front where there are a couple of fast food outlets to buy your food from.
  1.  Pizza's of Eight: this is what I had mostly. There was a separate female cue. Waiting times were short. A small sized     pizza would suffice for both "dinner" and suhoor.
  2.  Al-Tazaj: pretty great-tasting chicken broast but get this only if you're willing to stand in cue for an hour!
  3. KFC: slightly over-priced broast compared to other KFC outlets in the kingdom :/
  4. House of Donuts: has coffee for only 3 SR [others are usually over 5 SR] to keep you awake for the prayers and good if you're feeling sick.
  5. Shawarma shops outside the tower where you can also get rice and rotisserie chicken. Do care about the hygiene though.
  • Dates and Zam Zam will suffice you more than expected Insha Allah.
  • You can buy lots of things [not junk food please!] from the super-market "Bin Dawood" in the hilton tower, open 24/7
  • DON'T WORRY ABOUT FOOD AT ALL. REALLY. EATING LIGHT WILL KEEP YOU MORE ACTIVE INSHA ALLAH.

HOW TO SURVIVE THE CROWD ON THE ODD NIGHTS AND FRIDAY?
  • Avoid rush hours which include right after prayer or right before. Find a place to pray well in time.
  • I used to go to the bathrooms three times only! One was right after Fajr, every body leaves to get some sleep after the long night of prayers. Second was at 2:45 pm. I remember because they used to close the second basement of the bathrooms at 3 pm for washing and ask everyone to leave. If you can sneak in minutes before they're asking everyone to get out, you meet empty bathrooms and you don't have to wait! Third time was after taraweeh. This was unbelievably crowded but inevitable.
  • On Friday, DO NOT, under any circumstances, leave the mosque before Friday prayer, you will NOT be allowed back in. You should enter a cabin by 8-9 am if you want to find a spot. Prayer starts at 1 pm so you can imagine how crowded it will be. I barely had a place to sleep that night, or erm.. morning.
  • Night 27th will be the most crowded (over 1 million people), also night 29th during Khatamul Quran (finishing of the Quran). You will not be allowed to enter the mosque if you leave. Rows for prayers extend up to 10 km out on the road. Here's a secret. Not many people know that there's a small prayer area in the hilton towers which is linked to the main audio from Masjid-al-Haram and is considered to be part of it. This was so empty and I was pleasantly surprised! Pray your taraweeh and tahajjud hereeeee!

MUST DO WHEN YOU'RE THERE?
  • Tawaaf in the morning. Oh my goodness, I always thought the most beautiful thing I saw was Masjid-al-Haram at night but nooo it's most beautiful in the morning when the sun is sneaking up, the birds are chirping, a cool breeze is flowing, the marble walls look a completely different hue, everything's glowing, it's nice and tranquil, you get the idea. First time I came out of the bathroom after Fajr and I witnessed the beauty, my jaw dropped. I seriously did not want to go inside to sleep!
  • Understand what's being recited in taraweeh and tahajjud each day. This is where your translation Quran comes in handy. Read before-hand or after, but do read the translation no matter what happens. Insha Allah.
  • Help others and do not cause anyone pain. Don't fight over places. Be on your best behavior. Offer your food. Bring Zam Zam water to old people. Smile. Be thankful. Recharge your iman. Pray for the ummah. Build a connection with your Creator. 


Wa alikum assalam. Hope this is beneficial. Keep me in your dua's Insha Allah. 

Frequently ask questions with short answer

Note: The answers are based on personal and friends suggestion who have some past experience of itikaf at makkah and madina. These are just suggestions not official notice/announcement.
ان شاءاللہ تعالیٰ قرعہ اندازی ہر اتوار 03:30 کو ہوگی۔ جو لوگ اعتکاف مکہ یا مدینہ میں
خواھشمد ہے وہ تین دن تک ھدایات کے مطابق کام کریں۔

کمپیوٹر کے زریعے قرعہ اندازی ہوگی۔ جسکا نام قرعہ اندازی میں نکل آ ہے تو بطور انعام اس کو عمرہ کی سھولت دیں گے۔ جسمیں وہ رمظان میں مکہ یا مدینہ میں اعتکاف بھی کریں گے۔

مسافر حضرات بھی اس میں حصہ لے سکتے ہیں

Best of Luck!!! Have a Blessing Etikaf
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