Shopping
Short answer: Don’t let shopping eat into your worship time. Buy dates, prayer mats, tasbeeh and gifts in your last days. Big shops have fixed prices, while small shops expect some bargaining. Keep your luggage weight limit in mind.
At a glance
- When: in your last days, protecting your worship time
- What: dates, prayer mats, tasbeeh, attar, fabric, gifts
- Where: markets near the Haram, malls and supermarkets
- Watch out for: luggage weight, receipts, and genuine versus fake goods
Step-by-step guide
- Make a list: write down what to buy for family beforehand so you don’t waste time.
- Set a budget: put aside your shopping money in advance.
- Compare prices: check the same item at two or three shops. Bargain reasonably in small shops.
- Get receipts: especially for gold, attar and expensive items.
- Check the weight: weigh your luggage after shopping so you don’t pay excess at the airport.
Do
- Buy Madinah’s Ajwa dates from a reliable shop.
- Stop shopping at prayer time and go to the Haram.
- Get a receipt when you pay by card.
Don’t
- Don’t trust street sellers offering “cheap Ajwa” or “real gold”.
- Don’t test attar while in Ihram.
- Don’t overbuy and push your luggage over the limit.
Common mistakes
- Starting to shop in the first days and losing worship time.
- Buying something expensive without a receipt.
- Shopping on the day you leave and missing the transport.
Frequently asked questions
Is there tax on prices? Yes, most prices in Saudi Arabia include VAT. Receipts from big shops show it.
Where do I get Zamzam? A sealed bottle is available at the airport on your way home. Check your airline’s rules with your travel agent.
Do shops close at prayer time? Many shops close at prayer time. It’s best to go and pray then too.