Best city for religious shopping - Makkah or Madinah?

[Visitor]

What I mean to say is, when the missus wants to buy presents for those back home which city is best for range of goods and prices? And whereabouts are the best shops for these items?
She will be buying things like abayas, itr perfume, dates, scarves, etc.

Thanks.

[zahed73]

May be some shopping guide or travel guide type of thing will make this thread more useful ....

If any SF brother / sister could contribute please ?

[Visitor]

Assalamu alaykum

Madeenah is a better place for shopping.

walikumasalam.

Why do you say that?

[muminah]

If she wants custom made abayas then it's best to buy from Makkah. Hijab al Khaleej is a popular reasonably priced shop. Alternatively shops like sharqiyyah, bedoon ism etc probably have better quality abayas but are pricey (all in the shopping centre under Hilton/opposite king Fahd door).

Madinah is cheaper generally (visit the sharqiyyah shop for niqabs and shaylas) but there isn't much variety in Madinah.

You could visit the date market in Madinah if you are buying in bulk. I'd buy dates from whichever city I am last visiting (don't want to carry it around).

Itr/perfume is cheaper in Madinah. As far as I recall some shops were 50% cheaper in Madinah in comparison to Makkah. I've also been told men's thobes are cheaper in Madinah too.

[Visitor]

If she wants custom made abayas then it's best to buy from Makkah. Hijab al Khaleej is a popular reasonably priced shop. Alternatively shops like sharqiyyah, bedoon ism etc probably have better quality abayas but are pricey (all in the shopping centre under Hilton/opposite king Fahd door).

Madinah is cheaper generally (visit the sharqiyyah shop for niqabs and shaylas) but there isn't much variety in Madinah.

You could visit the date market in Madinah if you are buying in bulk. I'd buy dates from whichever city I am last visiting (don't want to carry it around).

Itr/perfume is cheaper in Madinah. As far as I recall some shops were 50% cheaper in Madinah in comparison to Makkah. I've also been told men's thobes are cheaper in Madinah too.

Thanks for the excellent, detailed post.

We will try to visit the Makkah Hilton centre then if we have time.
Typically how much for a good quality, black abaya in Makkah and Madinah?
In the UK I think these are priced around £40!

In Madinah whereabouts are these shops then?

[muminah]

Thanks for the excellent, detailed post.

We will try to visit the Makkah Hilton centre then if we have time.
Typically how much for a good quality, black abaya in Makkah and Madinah?
In the UK I think these are priced around £40!

In Madinah whereabouts are these shops then?

Abaya price:

Others probably know more but a custom made plain abaya (made to measure) at Khaleej (on the 2nd floor i think) was around £8. If you are going non peak time it may be cheaper. Abayas with work on them can go up to £50/£100. It really depends on the type of quality you are looking for. If you are looking for high quality stuff then probably best to buy from bedoon Ism/Sharqiyyah and they are priced around £30-£100. It may be cheaper in out of peak seasons.

Also if you are ordering custom made abayas please ensure you order on the 1st day you get there so that it is made on time. One visit to the centre under the Hilton should suffice. Also, even though the men at Khaleej don't measure you (they ask your friend to measure you) they are pretty savvy and can accurately estimate one's size.

In Madinah, the sharqiyyah shop and others are in the Tayyibah Centre, beneath a hotel called Dallah Tayyibah, right opposite haram (the back end of the haram). Besides odd bits from the sharqiyyah shop, I wouldn't personally leave any abaya shopping for Madinah.

[aslamjiffry]

Salaams All... this is more informative thread masha allah. I too collected more information on this thread. so i can say to buy tjos who are going to umrah or hajj this time to buy in madinah more cheaper than makkah. Also please pray for me to go Umrah and Hajj and Also to visit my master Muhammed Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaiohiwasallam Noble rawla sherrif. Ameen.

Wassalaam

[byellow200]

What are the different kind of dates that we are supposed to be shopping for and where do we get them from? JAZAKALLAH

[onetinywish]

Abaya price:

Others probably know more but a custom made plain abaya (made to measure) at Khaleej (on the 2nd floor i think) was around £8. If you are going non peak time it may be cheaper. Abayas with work on them can go up to £50/£100. It really depends on the type of quality you are looking for. If you are looking for high quality stuff then probably best to buy from bedoon Ism/Sharqiyyah and they are priced around £30-£100. It may be cheaper in out of peak seasons.

Also if you are ordering custom made abayas please ensure you order on the 1st day you get there so that it is made on time. One visit to the centre under the Hilton should suffice. Also, even though the men at Khaleej don't measure you (they ask your friend to measure you) they are pretty savvy and can accurately estimate one's size.

In Madinah, the sharqiyyah shop and others are in the Tayyibah Centre, beneath a hotel called Dallah Tayyibah, right opposite haram (the back end of the haram). Besides odd bits from the sharqiyyah shop, I wouldn't personally leave any abaya shopping for Madinah.

Jazakallah for the advice. Unfortunately Hijaab al Khaleeg wouldn't quote me less than 90 riyals (£15.80). I wasn't impressed with the fabric either. Seven years ago I had ten or so made in a soft crepe type fabric and these lasted up until a year ago. All the shops now only seem to sell the shiny fabric which is a tad heavier too.

Anyone looking for small toys etc look out for the 2 riyal shops. The malls only have the 3 riyal ones. If you walk through the side street to the left of KFC, keep walking and you'll find local shops inc 2 riyal shops.

The street vendors are also cheaper. Boys thobes were only 10 riyals.

To me a reasonably priced abaya was 100 riyals. Shopkeepers aren't that busy and many dropped prices if you were looking to buy several pieces.

I avoided shopping in Makkah as had a day in Jeddah. It's easy to get distracted but by all means shop as its all quite cheap.

We bought dates from Madinah from the main market. We paid 70 riyals for Ajwa (per kilo). Can't remember how much kalmi and Sagai was- perhaps 23 riyals per kilo.

I also recommend Sharqiyah for niqabs as they are very soft and of good quality. These were 25 riyals each (£4.50 ish).