The Umrah pilgrimage is an essential aspect of a Muslim’s life. Umrah can be performed at any time of the year, unlike Hajj, which has to be performed during the five days from the 9th-13th of Dhul Al-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Muslim lunar calendar. 

In the sacred cities of Mecca and Medina, more than 750,000 people travel to perform the rituals of Umrah or Hajj every year or month. We can say that It is known to be every Muslim’s dream to see the Kaaba, at least once in their lifetime. The experience you get by performing this pilgrimage leaves a we can say long lasting and life changing impact. It gives you a spiritual change. Therefore, before you are going for Umrah, make a lot of spiritual and mental preparations that will help you in your journey to the kabah. Check our Umrah packages 2023 for an unforgetable experience of holy journey.

The following steps will make your umrah a rewarding pilgrimage experience.

1. Seek forgiveness

Umrah is known to be an expedition for the mind, body and your soul. It is very much relayed to personal and social life in Islam, and therefore, it brings  a lot of joy and excitement to the families of pilgrims. Family, friends, and relatives gather around in their houses and help the person going for Umrah in different manners. They help them to plan their pilgrimage, and arrange all the necessities they would need for the pilgrimage, which creates an atmosphere of peace, Serenity, and harmony.

Before you begin your umrah journey you should visit your neighbours, friends, mentors and teachers and they should seek their forgiveness for any wrongs/ hurtful actions they could have possibly done in the past. It is a very good opportunity to clear your grudges and say farewell before the pilgrimage. Furthermore, it is recommended that you should make duas for everyone you know while you are performing umrah.

2. Pay Zakat

Zakat is a part of one of the best five pillars of Islam that makes you complete Muslim. So If you are getting ready for Umrah, it is essential one to perform all duties and obligations that are expected of and bound upon the pilgrim. Helping the people those who are in need through zakat is essential. It can be in the form of food and money. As donations is one of the essential deeds that is to be performed while one is going to be a guest at kabah Makkah.

3. Perform Salah and recite Duas

One is advised to perform Salah and make duas for different purposes and has many different preferences. For those who are going for Umrah, it is recommended to them to specifically pray for their safety during the pilgrimage. Pilgrims should perform two rak’ahs of salah for protection as they leave from their house. Scholars recommend a few Surahs that are intended for the well-being of pilgrims while they are going for and coming back from the Umrah. 

After you have offered the prayer. make dua for a safe journey, calling for Allah’s help and blessings throughout their journey.

4. Exceptions for Pilgrims on Long Umrah Journey

Pilgrims have a long journey in order for them to reach Makkah. Some has to fly across countries in order for them to complete their dream umrah. However, traveling can be very exhausting but there are some of their exceptions that give them relief. In past times, the pilgrimages were very tough. They used to walk long distances in order to reach the holy mosque in Makkah to seek Allah’s blessings. In current times, people donot travel as long distance and they are not so laborious, but still it is tiring.

5. Praying during Umrah Journey:

If you are praying alone during journey than, you can cut short your Asr, Isha and zohar salah from four rak’ahs to two rak’ahs. However, you have to pray your Maghrib and Fajr Salah as it is. Pilgrims must continue to perform salah this ways during Hajj or Umrah. unless their stay is extended are for more than 15 days.

6. Combine prayers

You can also combine prayers. The method of combining two prayers in  one prayer time is called Jama’. This is valid in the Shafi’i, Maliki and Hanbali academies of reflection. It is not for Hanafis.

Pilgrims can combine prayers in two ways – one at the time of the initial prayer (known as Jama’ al-Taqdim) and the other at the time of the latter prayer (Jama’ al-Takhir). Check our Umrah packages 2023.

7. Fasting during Umrah Journey:

If you are traveling in the month of Ramadan and can’t fast during your travel so you can postpone or put off your fasts.

8. Praying during a flight:

During your travel through a plane, one should perform all the essential prayers without disturbing the other travellers.

9. Wudhu on plane:

Before wearing Ihram, pilgrims must   perform Wudhu by washing their face, arms, both feet and more than one-fourth of the head.

10. Face the Qiblah:

As it is important to stand while one is performing their prayer, so you must face the Qiblah inorder for that you must  find the most suitable area where you can  pray while you are in a moving plane or train.

11. Salah on plane:

And as for Salah timings, you can begin your Magrib, Fajr and Isha by looking out of the window. Saudia airline offtenly offers a specific area for you to perform Salah whereas some of the other airlines don’t.

So, you can stand or sit in the prayer if there’s a space limitation or the plane is unstable. But, if you are unable to perform the prayers as per told than you can perform them again when you arrive at your destination.

In conclusion:

All muslims must move on with this spiritual journey with a clear conscience and good intentions. They should follow these steps to have a Umrah with rewarding experience.