Umrah is an important spiritual journey that Muslims from all over the world carry out to achieve spiritual wellbeing and rewards from Allah (SWT). It is a beautiful way to strengthen their connection to Allah (SWT) and take the time to focus on their faith. This journey is similar to the Hajj because the sacred act also includes visiting the Holy Kaaba (a holy site in Mecca). Umrah also involves performing specific duties just like Hajj. However, Umrah is a shorter journey with fewer steps and duties than the Hajj and is only a voluntary act that is highly recommended. In contrast, Hajj is mandatory for those who are physically and financially able to do so because it is the fifth Pillar of Islam. On top of this, Umrah can be done at any time of the year, while Hajj must be undertaken during the month of Dhul Hijjah.
Undertaking the pilgrimage can bring Muslims great reward as the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated, "The performance of Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous one." (Sahih al-Bukhari). As the Umrah journey is a significant undertaking for believers, there is key preparation that must be done before you begin the spiritual journey. However, the preparation for Umrah can be overwhelming as there’s a lot to do to be fully ready, both physically and spiritually. If you’re about to take on the Umrah journey, then don’t worry as UKIM is here to help you prepare for Umrah with this guide.
Umrah is a spiritual pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca that is performed by Muslims at any time of the year. It is just like the Hajj, but a smaller version that is voluntary but very highly recommended to do. The Hajj must be done at least once in a believer’s lifetime when they are able to do so and is carried out on specific dates in the Islamic calendar. Umrah has fewer steps in the journey, but it provides Muslims with hope that Allah (SWT) will rid them of their sins and accept their duas (prayers) as they immerse themselves in the religious pilgrimage. It includes setting your intention before the journey to devote yourself to remembrance of Allah (SWT). It also includes going into the state of Ihram (purity), performing Tawaf (circling the Kaaba), Sa’i (walking between Safa and Marwah) and Tahallul (shaving or cutting the hair).
Umrah preparation before undertaking the spiritual journey is crucial to allow you to fulfil the experience properly and comfortably. Without preparation, you can struggle with the journey physically, mentally and spiritually, making it difficult to carry out the duties accurately. If this happens, you could risk not completing the Umrah properly or at all. This can hinder the purpose of connecting to Allah (SWT), seeking forgiveness from Him, strengthening your faith and earning reward. Being prepared lets you focus on the spiritual significance of the journey, connect closely with your faith and return home refreshed and renewed.
Preparation for Umrah involves being physically and mentally ready for the journey to be able to carry out the duties correctly.
As the journey can be physically demanding, it is best to focus on getting yourself physically fit first, in plenty of time before you leave. This is due to Umrah involving a considerable amount of walking, particularly in Mecca. You need to be able to keep up and get through the journey with no issues to be able to complete it and fulfil the experience. It is ideal to start getting physically ready as early as possible to boost your fitness levels and endurance. Try to go for daily walks beforehand to ensure that your body can handle the walking involved during the journey. You should also add exercise to your daily routine to boost your fitness levels. A balanced diet should also be eaten, consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables, to build your immune system before travelling.
Umrah can be a mentally challenging journey too, so it’s best to ensure that you’re mentally strong. You can’t undertake Umrah if you are not in the best state of mind. You should practice wellness strategies, such as meditation, to help boost your mood and get you in the right frame of mind.
A big part of Umrah preparation is to understand what the journey consists of to be able to complete it correctly. Having the correct information about Umrah, Mecca and every aspect of the holy journey allows your experience to be genuine.
Umrah begins with entering the state of Ihram. This is the sacred state a pilgrim must be in before starting the pilgrimage and involves:
From this state, Tawaf is performed, which involves circling the Kaaba seven times in a counterclockwise direction. Each round starts at the Black Stone (Hajr al-Aswad). This is typically kissed or touched by pilgrims, but if you can’t reach it, simply pointing towards it will do.
After Tawaf is complete, you will perform two rak’ahs of prayer near Maqam Ibrahim- a site that is connected to the Prophet Ibrahim (AS). Then, you will drink the blessed Zamzam water that is known for its purity and healing properties. After you’ve drank the water, Sa’i is performed. This is the act of walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, commemorating the Prophet Ibrahim’s wife’s, Hajar, search for water for her son, Prophet Ismail (AS).
The final step of Umrah is the shaving or trimming of hair. Men are encouraged to shave their heads completely, while women trim a small amount of their hair. This stands of humility and renewal.
You should also be prepared for the journey to Mecca through careful planning to ensure you have everything you need to complete Umrah properly. The first important thing to do is to book your flights for when you want to do Umrah and be visa ready. If you are carrying out umrah preparation by yourself, without a travel agent, make sure you have thoroughly planned everything. You should include hotels, sites you want to visit in Mecca and Medina and transportation.
Next is to ensure that you know of any vaccinations that you must have before you travel. Book all vaccinations with your doctor as soon as possible to prevent you from contracting illness and diseases.
Once this is done, you need to pack everything you need for the spiritual journey. When you prepare for Umrah, there are specific items you need with you that will need to be packed. These can’t be forgotten as they can prevent you from completing the experience. You should have:
Preparation for Umrah also includes being spiritually ready for the journey. It is a time to grow your spirituality and connect to Allah (SWT), so you need to be in that mind frame. This means you should try to incorporate your 5 daily prayers in the lead up to the pilgrimage and carry out acts of worship as regularly as possible. It also involves making the intention to perform Umrah to gain Allah’s (SWT) love. Within this, you should seek Allah’s (SWT) forgiveness for your past sins and make the intention clear that you will never repeat these sins or any others.
Before Umrah, you should also settle any conflicts with family and friends because you can’t enter a state of purity in the midst of these. Visit those you love and repair any broken relationships by asking for forgiveness and accepting apologies made to you in your heart. You should forgive those who have done you wrong and move past it.
As well as this, Umrah preparation involves getting your affairs in order to truly be free. This allows you to gain the benefits of the journey and to do it correctly. Make sure you pay any outstanding debts and check that you have fulfilled your obligations, like paying Zakat.
Many wonder “How much does it cost to do Umrah?”. There is no set value of Umrah because it all depends on how you plan your journey. You can do it yourself, with everything separate, or use a travel provider package that comes at set rates and includes everything, from flights to accommodation. However, whichever way you choose to do Umrah, the price will vary. This is due to several factors, like the duration of your travel and the level of comfort you need. There are cheaper services in Umrah packages that choose budget hotels and transportation. But you can also do Umrah in a more luxurious way with luxury hotels and experiences, such as exploring historical sites whilst you’re there. It all depends on what you want to do when you’re there and how you prefer to travel.
The average price for an Umrah package for one person is around £850. Prices for packages can vary from around £600 to over £1000 per person because they include different activities and types of transport and accommodation. This is also due to different lengths of stay. Doing it on your own can be as cheap or expensive as you make it. If you want to spend less to do Umrah, then going in the summer month- June to August- tends to be cheaper because of the extreme temperatures, which is something you need to consider.
Preparation for Umrah is a lot but doing it correctly and having everything you need will allow you to easily carry out the spiritual journey and gain immense reward from Allah (SWT). As you prepare for Umrah, consider giving Sadaqah to those in need to be spiritually ready and help those less fortunate. Umrah is a beautiful and rewarding experience that allows you to seek Allah’s mercy and strengthen your faith.
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