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The Importance Of Ihram And How To Wear It Properly
19 November 2024
Umrah and Hajj are the most rewarding journeys Muslims ever take. Allah orders Muslims in the second chapter of the Holy Quran, Surah Baqarah, to complete the Hajj and Umrah for Allah. It means that these trips are for Allah and come with huge rewards. Although Umrah can be performed throughout the year, certain months are preferred by pilgrims for various reasons. This post is all about finding the best time to perform Umrah.This guide explores the best time of the day, the best day of the week, and the best time of the year to do Umrah. So, let's delve in and find the perfect slot for your next Umrah trip.
• The most rewarding time to perform Umrah: Ramadan
• Most pleasant weather to perform Umrah: November, December, and January
• The cheapest time to perform Umrah: May and August
• Umrah with fewer crowds: Immediately after Hajj or in the summer season
The Best Hours of the Day to Perform Umrah
According to the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, the best time to perform Umrah is from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM and from 11:00 PM to 2:00 AM. This advisory was issued last year owing to the increased number of pilgrims. It will help reduce the crowds and divide them evenly throughout the day. Here is a breakdown of the conditions in the Holy Mosque after each prayer.
Fajr
Many pilgrims prefer to stay up the whole night, recite the Quran, pray Nafals and Tahajjud, and seek Allah’s blessings. They leave for hotels after offering prayers, resulting in fewer crowds in the Kaabah. This can be a great time to perform Umrah and get close to the House of Allah. Moreover, the weather is also pleasant right after Fajr and before sunrise.
Zuhr
Performing Umrah right after Zuhr is also great. People rush to their hotels for lunch and to take some rest. It can be a good time to perform Umrah, but the temperature is higher. However, this slot is very busy after Friday prayer, but the rewards for performing Umrah right after the Friday congregation are huge. The situation can get very humid on Fridays if it is Ramadan or one of the peak months to perform Umrah.
Asar, Maghrib, and Isha
Masjid Al-Haram is extremely crowded after these prayers because people prefer to sit there and do worship. However, this can be the best time to perform Umrah for those who prefer a cooler weather. If you plan to stay in Haram after Asar prayers, make sure you go there at least an hour before the prayer time to get a good place.
Dr. Al-Rabiah also suggested the best days to perform Umrah. He mentioned in his post on X that the least crowded days for performing Umrah are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays. This is why we mentioned the Friday situation above. Friday is the official weekly holiday in the Kingdom. Thousands of locals go to the Holy Mosque to perform Umrah, making Friday and Saturday highly crowded. On the other hand, Sunday is a working day in Saudi Arabia, making it easier for foreign pilgrims to perform Umrah.
The Best Time of the Year to Perform Umrah
Ramadan
There is no better month to perform Umrah than Ramadan. All the deeds are multiplied 70 times in the holy month of Ramadan. This is the main reason why millions of Muslims flock to Makkah to perform Umrah. According to a report published by the Gulf News, around 9.3 million people performed Umrah during the first 10 days of Ramadan in 2024. The report also said that this number was expected to increase in the last two Ashras.
Apart from getting the benefit of a 70-time reward, the holy month of Ramadan has many other perks too. Many people distribute dates, milk, food, and ZamZam water. There are tens of roadside Suhoor and Aftar spots being setup around the holy mosque. All these places have high-quality and delicious local Saudi food. So, while the hotels may be a bit costly during Ramadan, you don’t have to worry about spending on meals.
Laila-tul-Qadar, the Night of Decree, also comes in the last Ahra of Ramadan. Allah says in Surah Al-Qadar that worshipping and praying on this night is better than a thousand months. It is the utmost desire of Muslims to be close to Allah during the last 10 days of Ramadan.
The Holy Prophet, Muhammad, (PBUH), also said multiple times that Umrah during Ramadan is equal to Hajj. All these reasons make Ramadan the best time to perform Umrah.
During Hajj
You can also perform Umrah during Hajj. It is known as Umrat al-Tammatu. The rituals are the same, but the rewards are greater. This Umrah is performed in the month of Dhul Hijjah, just before the start of Hajj. The Arabic word “Tammatu” means enjoyment because the pilgrims have the added benefit of doing Hajj and Umrah on the same trip. When Hajj is combined with an Umrah, it is known as Hajj al-Tammatu. This Hajj requires two separate intentions, one for Hajj and one for Umrah.
The date of Hajj moves 11 days earlier each year with reference to the Gregorian calendar because the Islamic calendar is 11 days shorter than the western calendar. Hence, the weather changes accordingly. However, the weather doesn’t play a significant role in deciding how many people will perform Hajj each year. Muslims don’t consider such factors when it comes to leaving for a sacred and spiritual journey like Hajj.
Right After Hajj
Another best time to perform Umrah is right after Hajj. The Umrah visas open on the 1st of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. The crowds are fewer than the rest of the year. Moreover, since this is the beginning of the Umrah season, visa processing also takes less time. The hotel and flight times are not too high as well. Overall, it can be an excellent option to perform Umrah for people on a budget.
One important thing to consider here is the weather. Muharram 2024 starts in July and will continue to fall in hot weather for the next 8–9 years. The average temperature for July, June, May, and April is 39°C, 42°C, 40°C, and 35°C, respectively. These conditions can be too hot and humid for pilgrims, especially those from colder parts of the world like the UK and the USA.
November–March
The November to March window is touted as the second-best time to perform Umrah after Ramadan. The major reason for this tag is the pleasant weather. The mercury levels vary between 28°C and 32°C during the day. The nighttime is even more cold and pleasant, making it ideal to sit back and offer prayers, recite Quran, and seek Allah’s blessings in the Masjid Al-Haram. The cool weather is also ideal to explore the local attractions and holy places in the cities of Mecca and Medina.
The month of Ramadan will fall during this window for the next 15–20 years. So, you’ll see an increased number of Umrah pilgrims in these months. If you are planning to perform Umrah in the next couple of years, make sure you book your slot on time to avoid inconvenience.
The month of December is the most popular among these months. The Christmas and New Year holidays allow Muslims to leave for Umrah without disturbing their schedule.
This period also sees an influx of Umrah packages on the market. The pilgrims have the option to choose from various packages as per their budget and preferences. The hotel and flight prices also see a hike owing to the increased demand. However, you can still get a cheaper deal if you book earlier.
April–June
This is the time when the temperature starts to increase, but other factors like Ramadan and Hajj still keep the number of visitors high. This can be the best time to perform Umrah for Pilgrims looking for a budget deal because Ramadan will move to March in the next year. The rates are not too high, and the hotels often offer upgraded deals with lower prices.
July–August
July and August are the hottest months in the Kingdom. The mercury is so high that it becomes unbearable to perform Umrah during the daytime. But this also presents an opportunity to get close to Kaabah & Hateem, and touch the black stone.
In the Masjid Al-Nabwi, these months are also less crowded. You can easily get an appointment to perform Nafals and pray in the Rawdah.
Despite the hot weather, thousands of Muslims from Europe and North America head over to perform Umrah during these months. The reason is the summer vacations. It is the best time to perform Umrah for people living in these regions to take their families along.
September–October
The weather is nice—neither too hot nor too cold. These months are usually busier than July and August but not crowded like November to February. The same is the case with the hotel and flight prices; they are moderate too. You can get a good deal by booking a package in advance.
Around 13.5 million people performed Umrah in 2023; this number is expected to multiply in the next years. Although every moment is the best time to perform Umrah, people have their preferences. Some like cold weather, some prefer Ramadan, and some want a cheaper deal. Remember, Allah sees the intention, not the package or time you travel to His home.
Muslims Holy Travel, one of the best travel agencies for Muslims living in the UK, has got you covered for all your Halal travel needs. We offer all-inclusive Umrah packages with the top hotels, direct flights, and guided tours. The best part is that all these services are offered at the lowest prices.
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