Contents 10 sections
Families planning Umrah with children look for answers to two questions: is a child’s Umrah religiously valid, and how can the journey be made easier in practice? In this article, we explain the child’s ihram, tawaf and sa’y, and the ruling on ihram restrictions, according to Diyanet’s Hajj and Umrah manual; and practical matters such as passports, health and managing crowds as a checklist for families. The mid-year school break is the Umrah period that families with children prefer most.
In Short
Umrah is not fard or wajib for a child who has not reached puberty; but the Umrah a child performs is valid and counts as voluntary (nafl). A child who has the power of discernment (mumayyiz) makes the intention for ihram themselves; for a small child, the guardian makes the intention. According to the Hanafi school, if a child commits an ihram violation, no penalty is required of either the child or the guardian.
- Religious status: The child’s Umrah is valid and voluntary.
- Ihram: A discerning child by themselves, a small child through the guardian.
- Most suitable period: The mid-year and summer holidays, when schools are closed.
Is a Child’s Umrah Valid?
Responsibility for acts of worship begins with puberty. For this reason Umrah is not required of a child; however, if a child performs Umrah, the Umrah is valid and carries reward. A Hajj performed in childhood does not take the place of the Hajj that will become fard after puberty; likewise, the Umrah a child performs has the status of a voluntary Umrah.
In a hadith narrated by Muslim, a woman lifts up her small child and asks, “Is there Hajj for this one?”; the Prophet (peace be upon him) answers, “Yes, and there is reward for you too.”
How Does a Child Enter Ihram?
The Discerning Child
A child who can tell good from bad and worship from play makes the intention for ihram themselves, says the talbiyah themselves and performs the acts of Umrah themselves. For the intention and the talbiyah, see our article on the intention for ihram.
The Small Child
The guardian makes the intention on behalf of a child who has not reached the age of discernment. A boy may be dressed in the ihram garments; even if he is not, he is not held absolutely to the prohibition of stitched clothing as adults are. In tawaf the child is carried in the arms or, in the areas where it is permitted, with a carrying aid; if the guardian performing tawaf makes separate intentions for their own tawaf and for the child’s tawaf, both are fulfilled together.
If a Child Commits an Ihram Violation
According to the Hanafi school, if a child commits one of the ihram violations, no penalty is required, because a child is not religiously accountable. This ease does not mean that the guardian should leave the child entirely free with regard to the restrictions; the meaning of ihram should be explained to the child in a way suited to their age. For the list of restrictions, see our article on ihram restrictions.
Should a Child’s Hair Be Cut?
The last step of Umrah is shaving. A discerning boy shortens or shaves his hair; a girl cuts from the ends of her hair. For a small child, the guardian has this step done as well. Details: shaving in Umrah.
Practical Checklist
- Passport: The child must have their own passport, with sufficient validity remaining after the date of travel. Details: passport for Umrah.
- Visa and permissions: A separate visa application is made for the child as well; if the child is travelling with one parent, the other parent’s letter of consent may be requested. Get the current list of documents from the officer of your group. Details: how to get an Umrah visa.
- Health: Discuss your child’s vaccination status with your family doctor before the journey; the vaccines Saudi Arabia requires change from time to time. Details: Umrah vaccine.
- Crowds: Plan the tawaf and sa’y for the hours when Masjid al-Haram is at its quietest. Put a card with your name and telephone number in the child’s pocket or on their wrist.
- Heat and water: Stay close to the Zamzam taps; children are slow to notice thirst.
- Hotel location: Hotels within walking distance of the Haram make it easier to take the child back to the room when they get tired. See walking distance Umrah.
To follow the whole preparation, from documents to the suitcase, by ticking items off, use the “Travelling with children” option on our Umrah checklist.
Which Period Is Suitable?
With school-age children, the most preferred period is the mid-year school break in February; the weather is cooler than in the summer months. The Ramadan and summer holiday periods, on the other hand, are both more crowded and hotter. For choosing a period, see our article on the best time for Umrah and our school holiday Umrah programmes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can babies be taken on Umrah?
There is no religious obstacle; the guardian makes the intention on the baby’s behalf. However, because of the crowds, the heat and the long walks, make the decision according to the child’s state of health, consulting a doctor if necessary.
Does a child’s Umrah take the place of an Umrah performed later?
According to the Hanafi school, performing Umrah once in a lifetime is an emphasised sunnah (sunnah mu’akkadah). As an Umrah performed in childhood counts as voluntary, a person who has the means is advised to perform Umrah after puberty.
References
Method: Religious rulings are given according to the Hajj and Umrah manual of the Presidency of Religious Affairs of Türkiye (Diyanet), on the basis of the Hanafi school. As document and health requirements can change, up-to-date information should be obtained from official sources before the journey. Last checked: 29.10.2026.
- Presidency of Religious Affairs of Türkiye (Diyanet), General Directorate of Hajj and Umrah Services, Hac ve Umre Rehberi (Hajj and Umrah Guide). hac.diyanet.gov.tr. Accessed: 29.10.2026.
- Presidency of Religious Affairs of Türkiye (Diyanet), High Board of Religious Affairs, Fatwas. kurul.diyanet.gov.tr. Accessed: 29.10.2026.
Cihat Murat Yüksel is the editor of the RotaNur blog and the founder of Markention. Drawing on the sources of Türkiye's Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), he turns the questions travellers ask most about preparing for Umrah, Hajj and halal travel into clear, practical guides.
Questions answered in this article
Is a Child’s Umrah Valid?
Responsibility for acts of worship begins with puberty. For this reason Umrah is not required of a child; however, if a child performs Umrah, the Umrah is valid and carries reward. A Hajj performed in childhood does not take the place of the Hajj that will become fard after puberty; likewise, the Umrah a child performs has the status of a voluntary Umrah.
Should a Child’s Hair Be Cut?
The last step of Umrah is shaving. A discerning boy shortens or shaves his hair; a girl cuts from the ends of her hair. For a small child, the guardian has this step done as well. Details: shaving in Umrah.
Which Period Is Suitable?
With school-age children, the most preferred period is the mid-year school break in February; the weather is cooler than in the summer months. The Ramadan and summer holiday periods, on the other hand, are both more crowded and hotter. For choosing a period, see our article on the best time for Umrah and our school holiday Umrah programmes.
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