Best time to do Umrah

The journey of Umrah is not time-sensitive, but December and January are the popular months when many Muslims prefer to travel to Makkah. This is because of two reasons – one, it is the end of the Hajj season, and two because the weather during months is pleasant in Makkah. As a result, hotel bookings are also easier. Other months preferred by Muslims to go for Umrah include the first and second months of the Islamic calendar, that is Muharram and Safar. Since the Islamic calendar is 10 to 12 days shorter than the solar calendar, these months do not fall on the same date every year but this year the month of Muharram will begin on 9th or 10th August.

How to reach Makkah for Umrah?

Nearest airport : King Abdulaziz International Airport (IATA: JED) in Jeddah

From the airport : Cab is the most preferred mode of transport from the Jeddah airport to Makkah city.

Intercity Travel : Tourists can choose to see the city by bus or taxi. You can also rent a car. However, there are a lot of religious places around the mosque that are at walking distance.

Umrah Visa

The kingdom of Saudi Arabia issues a special visa for Umrah pilgrims that is valid for 30 days from the date of issue. To apply for the same, pilgrims need to approach the authorized travel agencies. They need to fill in an online application form and submit the NOC certificate from their employees and a letter proving their religion, amongst other things. Besides authorized agencies, government-approved agents are also responsible for looking after pilgrims’ travel and lodging arrangements and can be contacted for the same.

Rituals of Umrah

Umrah brings peace and earns pilgrims many rewards in this life and the life hereafter. It consists of four rituals that Muslims need to perform in order to complete the journey. The first step is Ihram when the pilgrims enter the state of purity and devotion after performing Ghusl and donning Ihram garments. Next, they perform Tawaf around the Kaaba, circling it seven times counter-clockwise. In the third step – Sai, pilgrims walk between the hills of Safa and Marwa while reciting supplications. Lastly, the pilgrims shave their heads and officially complete the pilgrimage.

Must Read: 3 Important Umrah Rituals For Muslim Pilgrims Visiting Makkah

Umrah guide for females

For women performing Umrah, there are some special rules and guidelines that they need to observe during the pilgrimage. These rituals are mainly established to avoid attention so that everyone appears equal before Allah. One of these rules is that the female pilgrims should not wear any kind of makeup during Umrah. They must not wear a headdress that covers their forehead. Also, females must not undertake Umrah during their menstruation cycle.

Must Read: How To Perform Umrah For Women?

Accommodation near the Grand Mosque

Countless people visit the holy Kaaba every year to pay their respects to Allah. The city is home to several accommodation options including luxurious 5 star properties, as well as standard budget hotels.

Top 5-star properties near al-Haram mosque: Park Inn By Radisson Makkah Aziziyah, Pullman ZamZam Makkah, Millennium Makkah Al Naseem, and Hyatt Regency Makkah Hotel

Good Budget Stays near the Kaaba, Makkah: Dana Al Taj, Wisam Al Taj Hotel, Malak Ajyad Hotel, and Jawad Al Taj Hotel

Ziyarat Guide for Makkah

Performing ziyarat means visiting a holy place or a tomb or a shrine. In the holy city of Makkah, there are many religious sites that one must visit while they are visiting Makkah for the purpose of performing Umrah. The city is home to several beautiful mosques like Aisha Mosque where the beloved wife of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) prepared for entering Ihram and Quba Mosque, which is the second-largest mosque in the city of Makkah and the first mosque in the history of Islam. Other important sites include Jabal Al Nour, where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) received his first revelation and Jabal Al Thawr, where the Prophet took refuge to escape from the Quraysh tribe.

Umrah Guide of Essentials

Before undertaking the holy pilgrimage of Umrah, it is better to plan meticulously in order to avoid any issues later. Pilgrims visiting Makkah should carefully research and book their flight tickets in order to avoid any inconvenience. They should pack according to the weather and the key Umrah rituals. In order to help pilgrims in avoiding any mistakes, here is a checklist for intending Umrah pilgrims .

Umrah Guide 2022 FAQs

The post Umrah Guide 2022: Best Time, Visa, Accommodation, Essentials And More appeared first on Zamzam Blogs.

There are plenty of necessary items, which are required on this umrah trip to the house of Allah. Not everyone can have clarity and complete understanding of how to prepare and what to pack for Umrah. To help you put together an Umrah essentials list, here’s a quick umrah guide checklist of necessary items that’ll make your experience memorable and comfortable.

Umrah Essentials Guide

For a pilgrimage, apart from being physically fit, one needs to be mentally relaxed too. Therefore, it is best to organise everything before embarking on the beautiful journey of Umrah. Below is a comprehensive guide of indispensable items required for the Umrah journey.

1. Travel documents: Keep them on top while packing essentials for Umrah

Important travel documents include:

• Passport and its photocopies
• Visa
• Flight tickets
• Vaccination certificates
• Hotel booking confirmation copies
• Receipts of payments made for Umrah
• Passport size photographs
• Relationship certificate (in case, you are travelling with your spouse)
• Saudi Riyals
• Debit/Credit card
• Travel itinerary
• Emergency contact numbers

2. Prayer essentials for Umrah: Clothes & footwear for key rituals

Ihram is the dress code for the Umrah pilgrimage, which is why packing suitable clothing is one of the most important things to do before the commencement of the journey. For men and women, Ihram is two pieces of unstitched plain white cloth. Women are also allowed to wear regular clothing, which conceals the entire body with only hands and face uncovered.

While planning the Umrah pilgrimage, packing the pocket Quran is of great importance too. This is because, during spare time, one can easily read the holy book. Also, there are a number of pocket-sized dua books available that contain prayers from the Quran and Sunnah, which can be recited during the journey. Furthermore, while changing flights or moving from one place to another, pilgrims can keep themselves occupied in Dhikr: remembrance of Allah, which makes packing Tasbeeh beads absolutely significant. Some other essentials for Umrah include a prayer mat, compass for the Qibla and Umrah guide book.

3. Clothing and accessories: Pick them based on travel time & weather

People come to Makkah to perform Umrah from different parts of the world. Usually, that includes long flight and road travel which can be tiring. Therefore it is important to wear and pack clothes that are light in weight and super comfortable. Another important factor to consider is the weather in Makkah. Even though Makkah is hot most of the year, it is important to pack and prepare according to the month of travel. Choose light colours and breathable fabrics that would not irritate your skin even in scorching heat.

In Saudi Arabia, it is advised to dress conservatively so as to not hurt the cultural sentiments of the locals. Men usually wear formal clothes – shirt and trousers, while women prefer to wear salwar kameez or abaya.

For both men and women, some key essentials for Umrah include two or three pairs of comfortable shoes, waist pouch, bathroom slippers, string bag, light jumper, sunglasses, safety pins, prayer hat and folding umbrella. Apart from the above-mentioned items, there are some other Umrah essentials for ladies as well, which include:

• Five to ten light and breathable hijabs
• Hijab undercaps
• Hijab pins
• Hair accessories
• Socks
• Slips or light clothing for wearing under abaya
• Light pyjamas
• Blister patches

4. Basic First-aid Kit: Just in case

Basic medicines and first-aid items are also important parts of the Umrah essentials list. These include cold and flu relief drugs, pain-relief tablets, travel sickness medications, cough syrups/throat lozenges, diarrhoea tablets, bandages, fragrance-free sunblock, cotton, antiseptic cream, muscle pain relief creams, oral rehydration salts and antibiotics. In light of COVID-19 precautionary guidelines, also carry masks and sanitiser bottles.

5. Self-care essentials: Everyday items for the Umrah journey

Self care essentials can include a lot of things ranging from hygiene essentials to vanity products. These may include:

• Large and small towels
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste (Fragrance-free for Ihram)
• Unscented shampoo and conditioner
• Fragrance-free soap (bar or liquid form)
• Pocket tissues
• Fragrance-free wet wipes for Ihram
• Hand sanitiser
• Hairbrush/comb (only to be used outside the Ihram state)
• Anti-perspirant
• Small mirror
• Nail cutter
• Small scissors
• Razors or shaving machine
• Sanitary pads
• Unscented moisturiser or cream
• Toiletries bag
• Alarm clock
• Notebook and pen
• Empty water bottle for filling it with ZamZam as it is important to remain properly hydrated at all times.
• Sleeping accessories (including inflatable pillow, bedsheet and a sleeping bag)
• Snacks and packets of juices

6. Electronics: A few gadgets that you will need on the go

Carrying a smartphone is important for the Umrah journey as it helps pilgrims stay in touch with their families and friends. However, before embarking on the journey, it is important to ensure that the phone is unlocked. It is also advisable to purchase local sim cards at the earliest. Some other packing essentials for Umrah are a universal travel adaptor, mobile phone charger, power bank, kindle or tablet, headphones/earphones, wristwatch and flashlight.

Umrah being a major religious journey in Islam should be conducted with great sincerity. Therefore, one should not miss out on any essential components and prepare for the journey in advance. One can take help from online guides and Ministry of Hajj and Umrah sites to get updates on the latest circulars and dates for Umrah.

A travel list is never complete. So if you think we have missed an indispensable Umrah essential, please let us know in the comments below.

Umrah Essentials FAQs

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