Stress-Free Umrah with a Disability: How to Make it Happen in 2024

Introduction

Umrah is a very holy prayer for Muslims as evidenced by this narration of Muhammad (P.B.U.H):

“Performing Umrah can remove the committed sins (between it and the previous one).” (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 27, Number 1)

That’s why every Muslim wishes to offer this minor Pilgrimage to the best of their abilities. However,  certain circumstances such as disabilities may limit this opportunity for them. People often get worried that, with these disorders, they may not get the full reward. But Allah (SWT) is merciful enough to bestow His followers who love to walk on His way, despite illnesses. In one narration, the Holy Prophet (SAW) said:

“When someone gets sick or leaves the country, they will still be rewarded for all the nice things they did while they were at home and well (Al-Bukhari).”

Hence, if someone wishes to perform Umrah with a disability, he should be certain that he would get the same rewards as a healthy Muslim. If you are interested in learning how to perform Umrah with limitations, this blog provides a complete guide. You’ll discover how to get prepared, the stepwise process, and important things to consider. Let’s find out how to maximize your reward.

Planning and Preparation

The first step to performing Umrah with a disability is to plan your tour. The major complication is that there is a crowd of pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, which makes things a little difficult for special people. In fact, 13.5 million Muslims did Umrah last year. Therefore, it is the need for hours that you prepare accordingly so that you can have a smooth experience. Here is a guide that will help you with preparation:

1. Assess Your Physical Power

The basic thing to ponder while prepping is to assess yourself. Take into account factors like mobility, muscle force, and power. The best thing is that you ask your doctor about your health. Lab tests like CBC, lipid panel, or flexibility also provide you with a detailed report on your well-being.

2. Choose a Solid Travel Agency

The next thing to do is to come in touch with an agency that provides Umrah services. Pick agencies that show a deep understanding of disabilities. Plus, they should also offer bespoke assistance during the entire process for a hassle-free experience.

One such travel partner is Muslim Holy Travel. The best thing about them is that they cater services for the disabled. You can rest assured with their packages.

3. Complete the Key Paperwork

Before going to Umrah, you have to do the main paperwork. Ensure you have all the essential docs in order, including medical test reports, if applicable. Moreover, you should also consider if there are any specific rules for disabled ones from the Saudi government. For example, the state has allowed free online visa extensions for disabled people.

4. Pack with Purpose

The final step of pre-boarding is to pack your luggage for Umrah. During the process, it is thoughtful that you keep in mind your disability. Get your assistive devices (such as a wheelchair or cane). Also, don't forget to pack your medications and comfortable clothing that caters to your needs. On top of that, essentials like prayer garments or a travel adapter should also be on your checklist.

Performing Umrah with Disability

Once you are done with the pre-Umrah formalities, it’s time to travel and perform the pilgrimage. This is a crucial step and these given instructions can help you with the process in a clinical way.

Arrival and Getting Around

As you start your sacred Umrah journey, prepping for your ride is crucial. Consider the following:

• Handy Travel: Arrange for open transport from your house to the airport that caters to the disabled. Similarly, the same plans should be made from the airport to your hotel in Mecca. Airlines also offer these services for travelers with special needs.
• Wheelchair-Friendly Hotels: Ensure that your chosen hotels have parking or a setting for a wheelchair. Hotels near Masjid al-Haram often have rooms and ramps designed with accessibility in mind.

Sail Through Masjid al-Haram

There are also various setups for handy people inside the mosque, as mentioned below:

• Wheelchair Access: The Masjid al-Haram, housing the revered Kaaba, has made major strides in ensuring access. There are almost 10,000 wheelchairs in the area. You can also get electric chairs but they can cost up to 200 SAR. Further, ramps are also available for your ease.
• Seeking Guide: Feel free to seek guidance from the mosque staff. They can direct you to special area entrances and provide help. For example, to get a chair, you can ask in Arabic, “Araba Majanan.” Moreover, a voluntary push service is also available at two points - inside Ajyad on the ground floor and inside Safa on the second floor.
• Easy Prayer Areas: Specific prayer areas are present in Haram for handy people. You can find them with proper labels inside the mosque.
   

Perform the Tawaf Ritual

Once you are sure of your handy device, it’s time to carry the main deed or perform the Tawaf. During this ritual, you have to do 7 circles around Kaaba. For those facing mobility problems:

• Adaptable Paths: Wheelchair-accessible paths are available for Tawaf. Their purpose is to make sure that you have a peaceful Ibadat exposure.
• Observe Patience: There could be a large crowd during your Tawaf, especially at times of Ramadan. Therefore, approach it with discipline.

The Sa'i Between Safa and Marwa

The Sa'i involves walking between the hills of Safa and Marwa seven times. This step needs special care as you can’t perform Sa’i in a wheelchair unless you have a really good reason for that. Consider the following to have guidance on Sa’i for the disabled:

• Follow Wheelchair-specific Paths: Ramps and pathways have been designed to assist handy users during this ritual.
• Aid on Wheelchair Use: For solo practice, you can get an electric wheelchair. Otherwise, helpers are also available.
• Rest Areas: Rest areas are also located along the route for your comfort.

Additional Considerations

Umrah is a very holy prayer. Small mischiefs or ignorance can cause the loss of the reward of the entire Ibadat. Particularly, if you are a disabled person, you can easily get annoyed with other people’s behavior. The following are the points that you can indulge in to get the most out of your prayer:

Mental and Emotional Health

For a strong mental rebirth, you need to be aware of yourself. This step is crucial as it provides peace to both you and your fellow members. These points can help you in this regard:

• Grow Adaptability: Going to the sacred Umrah can be physically hard for individuals with disabilities. Therefore, observe a spirit of patience. Stay calm and ignore the mistakes of others. Practice patience as Allah SWT says in the Quran:

“Indeed, the person with patience will be given a reward without any count. Surah Az-Zumar (39:10)”

• Seek Emotional Support: Umrah can be a harsh prayer, very much for first-time goers or for people with an illness. Therefore, don't wait to seek emotional support from your relatives and fellow members.
• Focus on Self-Care: This phase is especially crucial for you. Make self-care a top priority. Don’t strain yourself. Drink enough water and stay hydrated.

Embrace the Spiritual Significance

Since the purpose of Umrah is to get maximum reward from Allah (SWT), you need to understand the importance of this prayer. The spirit of Umrah lies in the sincerity of your intention. Seize this sacred chance to fix your bond with Allah. Learn as many Dua’as as you can. Moreover, engage in heartfelt prayers and seek forgiveness. Finally, reflect on your past life, and ask for pardon. Make a vow for the future and get the most out of your Ibadat.

Resources and Support

Disabled people need special care and treatment. Therefore, they need to know about places and people that can cater to them during the need of an hour. Enlisted below are the facilities and places that you should mind during your Umrah travel:

Specialized Travel Mediators

Look for companies that offer tailored services as per your needs. Their main focus should be on transport, tours, and hoteling. On top of that, you need to be assured that they are available if you need any help during the journey. Furthermore, they should have a straight booking process for needy people. All you need to provide your documents. And they can handle complex tasks, such as flight bookings, visa processing, and other logistical arrangements.

Support Communities

Further, you can also join different support groups and communities for assistance. The following are the available options to join for as a pilgrimage:

• Online forums: Join online forums where persons share their firsthand experiences. An example of such a platform is the Ummah forum. A large group of people join to help each other here.
• Social Media Groups: Moreover, do your research and join credible Facebook groups, WhatsApp communities, or Instagram accounts. A big benefit of such handles is that they are run by pros and can guide you with their own experience.
• Virtual Guidance: You can also get virtual help from the internet. For example, watch videos, read blogs, or attend a webinar on the topic. Similarly, if you want to learn about the holy sites in advance, this link here can help you.
• Local NGOs: There are various groups of NGOs that offer help to the people coming for Umrah. You can come in touch with them as a need-base pilgrim. Their volunteers are often available to help you during Tawaf, transportation, or other relevant matters.

Conclusion

The digest is that if you are looking to offer Umrah with a disability, this guide provides complete help. To start the process, you need a plan and prepare yourself. Access your physical health, choose a travel partner, complete your documentation, and pack your luggage. During Umrah rituals, give special consideration to yourself, find accessible devices, and follow the handy instructions. Finally, don’t forget to get help from experts on the matter, fellows, and online platforms for a smooth experience.