In this guide
This guide helps you prepare your prayer hijab or prayer shayla for a trip. A prayer hijab you carry for Umrah or on a trip needs a light fabric that folds small, a way of wearing it that you know, and washing that is easy away from home. Shailah's prayer hijabs are light cotton at 215 x 254 cm, with one size per design, so two or three designs pack at the same size.
Choosing a prayer hijab design for your bag
Two of the designs in the collection come in the same size; the difference is the print and the way they are worn:
| Design | Examples | Fabric and how it is worn | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boteela | SL-262 greyish green with cream dots, SL-263 grey with fuchsia dots | Soft, light cotton; wrapped around the face and under the chin, then the end is thrown over the shoulder and falls to the floor | 215 x 254 cm |
| Standard design | SL-267, SL-274, SL-276 | Comfortable, light cotton with full coverage | 215 x 254 cm |
If you are wearing the Boteela for the first time, practise the wrap at home before you travel. Available designs change, and the product page is the reference for size and description.
How to fold and carry a prayer hijab
- Lay the piece out on a clean surface.
- Fold it lengthwise in half, then in half again, until it forms a long strip.
- Fold the strip end to end until it fits your bag.
- Put it in a clean fabric pouch of its own, not directly into the bag.
- Keep the pouch away from pens, keys, zips and perfume bottles, which leave marks or pull threads.
- When you get back, take it out of the pouch and spread it out to air rather than leaving it folded for days.
A prayer hijab for work and university
Choose a design you can wrap quickly without adjusting it in a mirror. If you have a drawer or locker at work or university, leave one piece there in its pouch and keep a second in your bag for days out. Before ordering, compare the size with a prayer hijab you own, as the prayer hijab guide explains.
A prayer hijab in your Umrah and travel bag
- Two or three prayer hijabs, each in a clean fabric pouch, so you can rotate them while one is being washed.
- A separate small bag for the used piece until it is washed.
- A gentle travel detergent for washing in the basin.
- A folding hanger or a short washing line.
- A spare small towel for rolling the wet piece before hanging it.
- The product code of each piece saved on your phone, in case you need to ask about it.
This guide covers the piece itself: fabric, size and care. For Umrah clothing, your tour group's guidance is the reference.
Caring for a prayer hijab in a hotel
Prayer hijabs go in the washing machine in cold water on a gentle cycle, including the Boteela pieces SL-262 and SL-263 and the pieces SL-267, SL-274 and SL-276 with hand crochet edges, and cotton pieces such as SL1-309 and SL1-313. If there is no machine where you stay, washing in the basin suits them too:
- Fill the basin with cold water and a little gentle detergent.
- Move the piece gently in the water for a few minutes without hard rubbing.
- Rinse in cold water until the water runs clear.
- Do not wring it. Lay it on a clean towel, roll the towel and piece together, and press gently.
- Hang it in the shade, away from the sun and direct air conditioning.
- In humid rooms, wash it in the evening and keep a dry spare.
For more on caring for pieces with worked edges, see the care guide for embroidered and crochet hijabs.
Before the trip: when to order
Inside the UAE, order at least two weeks before your travel date. According to the shipping policy, processing takes 1-3 working days, Sunday to Thursday, plus 1-2 days in peak periods, then UAE delivery takes 1-3 working days after dispatch, with 1-2 extra days for remote areas. Public holidays are not working days.
From outside the UAE, add the international delivery time, usually 5-14 working days, with fees calculated at checkout. Shailah ships to the GCC and worldwide; if your country is not listed at checkout, contact the Shailah team on WhatsApp +971 56 900 1425 or at info@shailah.ae. Cash on delivery is available in the UAE only. For ordering from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman, see the guide to ordering from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman.
On delivery, try the piece at home before removing its tags. The return policy accepts an unworn, unused piece with its original tags and packaging within 14 days of receipt, after prior approval, and there is no direct exchange.
Common questions
How many prayer hijabs do I need for Umrah?
Usually two or three: one you wear, one drying after a wash, and a third as a spare for longer trips or humid rooms. Shailah's prayer hijabs come in one size, 215 x 254 cm, so you can take two different designs with no difference in size.
What is the difference between the Boteela prayer hijab and the standard design?
Both are light cotton at 215 x 254 cm. The difference is the print and the way it is worn: the Boteela, such as SL-262 and SL-263, wraps around the face and under the chin, then the end is thrown over the shoulder and falls to the floor, while the standard design, such as SL-267 and SL-274, is comfortable cotton with full coverage.
How do I fold a prayer hijab for a travel or work bag?
Lay it on a clean surface, fold it lengthwise in half twice until it forms a strip, then fold the strip end to end to suit your bag. Keep it in a clean fabric pouch away from pens, keys and perfume, and spread it out to air when you get back.
How do I wash a prayer hijab in a hotel?
A prayer hijab goes in the washing machine in cold water on a gentle cycle. If the hotel has no machine, wash it in the basin with cold water and a gentle detergent, rinse it without wringing, roll it in a clean towel and hang it to dry.
When should I order a prayer hijab before a trip?
Inside the UAE, at least two weeks before you travel: processing takes 1-3 working days plus 1-2 days in peak periods, then delivery takes 1-3 working days after dispatch. From outside the UAE, add the international delivery time, usually 5-14 working days per the shipping policy. That still leaves time to try the piece within the return window.
