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The Importance Of Ihram And How To Wear It Properly
19 November 2024
A chance to go for Umrah is often a one-time event for many Muslims. No one understands this better than us because we send hundreds of British Muslims to Mecca for Umrah. We know how they manage their expenses and save for years to be able to complete this journey.
There are two primary ways to travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. Pilgrims can either go for a DIY Umrah plan or avail an Umrah package. When it comes to Umrah packages, you can either go for solo Umrah deals or group Umrah packages. The first option is often a costly one because it is customisable and caters to bespoke travel needs. The second one is an affordable choice due to its shared nature. Tour operators offer cheaper prices because group Umrah packages include shared rooms and transportation services. This cuts the overall costs that travel agencies use to reduce the price and attract more pilgrims.
Regardless of how you travel, knowing the best time to perform Umrah, its rituals, tips to stay healthy, and packing tips is essential. This guide delivers this information. We would love to make this sacred journey easy for you and your loved ones.
Pilgrims can perform Umrah throughout the year except for the last 15 days of Dhul Qadah and the entire Dhu al-Hijjah. The Umrah season reopens immediately after Hajj on the 1st of Muharram. Let’s find out which is the best time to perform Umrah.
Ramadan
Ramadan is the most preferred time to perform Umrah by every pilgrim due to the rewards it offers. Firstly, every good deed in Ramadan has a 70-time reward. Moreover, many Hadiths put Umrah in Ramadan equal to Hajj. Apart from these benefits, Ramadan witnesses Taraweeh prayers, Laila tul Qadar, and Jummah tul Widda. All these events have huge importance in Islam, and it is the deepest wish of Muslims to spend these events in front of Allah.
This is the reason why you see a flurry of group Umrah packages specifically designed for Ramadan. So, if you are planning to perform Umrah in the next Ramadan, hurry up and book your slot as soon as possible.
November to February
This is another peak season to perform Umrah. The primary reason is the pleasant weather in the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia is known for its intensive heat, but the temperature starts to cool down as soon as November arrives. The months of December and January are particularly popular among Muslims living in the UK, Europe, and Northern America. These months have plenty of local holidays, making it easy for Muslims to get group Umrah packages and go to perform Umrah with their families and loved ones.
March to April
The window from March to April is also extremely crowded. The month of Ramadan in 2024 saw around 30 million pilgrims. The number is expected to grow even more in 2025, with Ramadan falling in March and April.
May to August
The hajj season will fall in May and June for the next 3–4 years. So Umrah visas are not allowed during these months. However, July and August see an influx of Umrah pilgrims owing to reduced hotel and flight prices. These months also see summer vacations for schools, colleges, and universities worldwide. Muslims wanting to perform Umrah with their families opt these months for doing Umrah. Such group umrah packages also include other tourist destinations in the country, like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.
September & October
These are often the least-crowded months because the weather is hot and humid. Since Umrah is a physically intense worship, people who can’t handle hot weather try not to visit the Kingdom. Tour operators offer affordable solo and group Umrah packages during these months. The hotel and flight prices are not too much either. So, it is an excellent option for performing Umrah without breaking the bank.
There are 4 essential practices while doing Umrah. If any of these are compromised, your Umrah may not be accepted. The final decision to accept one’s Umrah rests only with Allah Almighty, but pilgrims must ensure that they fulfil all the necessary requirements. One amazing feature of group Umrah packages is they include the services of a guide that explains all the essentials.
Ihram
Ihram is the dress that pilgrims wear for performing Umrah. Before wearing Ihram, a ghusl is necessary. For men, Ihram consists of 2 unstitched, white, clean pieces of cloth. For women, regular clothing with a head scarf. Many females choose to wear an abaya, but it is not obligatory.
It is an obligation to wear Ihram before reaching Miqat. Once you wear Ihram, it is a Sunnah to perform two Rakats of Nafal. Then do the Niyyat of performing Umrah. Once you are in Ihram, you have to refrain from different things like cutting nails or hair, wearing stitched clothes (only for men) and closed sandals covering ankles and backs, killing animals, or having sexual relations.
Tawaf-al-Umrah
Umrah isn’t complete without Tawaf. Tawaf is the process of encircling Kaaba 7 times. The rounds start anticlockwise with Kaaba on your left and end at Hajar-e-Aswad. Once you are done with Tawaf, perform two Rakats of Salah while standing between Kaaba and Maqam-e-Ibrahim. Now drink ZamZam to your fullest and thank Allah for his countless blessings.
Sa’ee
The next step is performing Sa’ee. It is the process of running between the hills of Safaa and Marwa. This practice reminds us of the hardships faced by Hajar (AS) in search of water. Allah rewarded her with the well of ZamZam. The well is so mighty that billions of Muslims have drunk millions of gallons of water from it.
The running starts on the hill of Safa. After reaching there, turn towards Kaaba and walk towards the hill of Marwa. Both hills are around 50 metres away from each other. The women must walk at a normal pace, while men have to run between the two light posts located between the two hills.
Halq
The Umrah is now almost complete. All you need to do is get your head shaved to finish the essential rituals. For men, a complete shave is required, but women can do the needful by cutting around 1-2 inches of their hair.
Umrah can be quite challenging, especially for the elderly, kids, and women. Even healthy adults can feel the toil if the weather is humid and hot. We care for our readers and want to ensure that they stay healthy while performing Umrah.
1. The first and most important tip is to ensure proper hydration while performing Umrah. You can carry a handbag or backpack with you and put some water bottles in it. Along with water bottles, you can go for energy bars or some snacks to stay up and running with full stamina.
2. The second tip is to get proper rest and sleep for at least 6-7 hours to let your body relax and regain its strength. It will keep you fresh and active for the next day. Many pilgrims don’t take ample rest, and they either fall sick during the trip or after returning home.
3. Avoid crowds or try to plan your Umrah in the off-peak season if you feel suffocated in huge crowds and are not comfortable being pushed.
4. If you have a medical history, make sure you carry a health card with you so you can be treated instantly and correctly. It is also a good idea to carry common medicines like painkillers, ointments, and mosquito repellents.
5. Do not leave elderly or physically challenged people alone while performing Umrah. Things can get overwhelming for them quickly, and they may need your help.
6. Pack as per the weather. Ihram is available in different materials. Make sure you select the one as per the weather.
7. If you have opted for group Umrah packages and don’t know anyone in the group, it is a good idea to get acquainted with a few members of the group. It may come in handy in case you need any assistance.
The Concluding Remarks
We hope that the discussion above has made things easy for you. You can now choose the best time to go for Umrah, perform it correctly, and pack the right supplies before leaving. Remember, Allah sees your intention of performing Umrah and not the way you reach His Home.
We at Muslims Holy Travel would love to work with you and offer you the right group Umrah package as per your preferences. Contact us today and let us handle all your travel needs. We have been around for quite some time now, and we take pride in the fact that we are the first choice of countless British Muslims to fulfil their most sacred religious duty.
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