The literal meaning of Umrah is ‘to visit a populated space.’ It’s a voluntary pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah to please the Creator of the Universe, the Almighty Allah (SWT). Muslims from various parts of the world choose the best Umrah packages Uk to surrender to Allah (SWT) in the best way possible. It is a golden opportunity to repent for their wrongdoings and gain closeness to Allah.
Since Umrah is a pilgrimage to the city of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), it holds a major significance for believers. Due to its immense importance, it is not an ordinary tour that wouldn’t need planning ahead of time. Instead, you must prepare and remember some important considerations before you set off on your Umrah journey.
So, if you plan an Umrah trip this year, we have you covered. This blog post has compiled all the information necessary for you before you go ahead with your spiritual purification. Let’s dive deeper into the article to wash away your doubts.
Things to Consider While Planning Umrah
While you are planning your Umrah, there are certain things you need to consider. Some of them include:
Decision
The travel decision is a complicated process that starts months ahead of the actual time and plays a significant role when travelling anywhere in the world. When it’s about Umrah, decide months before your journey to avoid last-minute hassles.
Budget
Going on Umrah is not something you can do every day. The exact cost of Umrah packages is unknown, so you may get a tentative idea from someone who has recently been to Umrah. You may also visit an agency or do your research. However, starting saving at least six months before your Umrah tour is preferable.
The expense also depends upon whether you are a solo traveler or going in a group. In addition, Umrah packages that offer advance booking reduce your costs significantly. Regardless, plan your budget before setting off.
Company
A decent company will make your trip to Umrah a twofold better experience. If you wish to acquire the true essence of your journey, choose the right company. If you are booking an Umrah package with a group, ensure they are highly ethical people who will comply with the rules. When going with family, instruct them to grasp the rules by heart.
Places you want to Visit.
Ask yourself some questions before going to Umrah; do you want to visit Madinah? Will you explore the historical places that hold religious importance? Once you have the answer to these, you will plan your Umrah accordingly.
Perfect Season for Umrah with Umrah Packages
Although it’s best in Ramadan, Umrah may originally be done any time of the year, regardless of the seasons, months, dates, etc. However, many Muslims preferably perform Umrah in the month of Ramadan, Muharram, Safar, and Rabi-ul-Awwal for greater rewards.
In addition, some pilgrims choose to perform Umrah in the hassle-free months of November and December with Umrah packages because winter is more convenient for them. Hence, you may choose any month that best suits you.
Preparation for Umrah Rituals
The actions that Muslims (with the intention to perform Umrah) are required to execute when they enter the Holy Kaaba are referred to as the Umrah Rituals. We’ve listed below the key rituals that you need to prepare for beforehand.
Ihram from Miqat: Refers to attaining spiritual and physical purity to begin Umrah. It is the key step since it includes the intention (Niyat) to perform the spiritual action.
Tawaf of Holy Kaaba: Tawaf-e-Kaaba or circumambulation is going around (in a circle) the holy Kaaba 7 times. This ritual shows that Muslims have surrendered themselves to Allah (SWT).
Sa’iy: This action includes walking back and forth 7 times between the Hills of Safa and Marwa while in the state of worship.
Halq or Taqsir: Marking the completion of Umrah, this ritual is to shave off or clip one’s hair. This act is meant to show submission to Allah’s will.
A few hours would suffice to complete the holy act of Umrah. It is just a matter of one day since precisely 6-8 hours are enough to complete these rituals. However, make sure to take along the necessary equipment you will need during the performance.
Rules & Regulations for Umrah
- Pilgrims performing Umrah alone must be older than 18 years of age.
- Pilgrims must be fully vaccinated from an authorized source before performing Umrah.
- Non-vaccinated individuals are allowed to do Umrah ONLY after they complete 07 days of quarantine.
- PCR tests should be done before arriving at and departing from the KSA.
- Pilgrims must book October Umrah packages for at least five days in an authorized stay.
Documents Required to Book an Umrah
Here are the documents necessary to apply for a Visa for Umrah.
- Photograph (51 x 51mm)
- Scanned copy of Passport.
- Vaccination certificates.
