Umrah is the second holiest journey Muslims undertake in their lives. While it is not obligatory, it holds a central place in every Muslim’s beliefs. Owing to the countless blessings Umrah brings along, Muslims try to perform Umrah whenever they get a chance. However, due to financial constraints and busy lifestyles, it might not be possible for every UK Muslim to embark on this journey often. Hence, it is important to plan your Umrah trip in the best way possible.
Executing a successful Umrah requires a pilgrim to consider a lot of factors, like booking flights and hotels, getting an Umrah visa, and learning Umrah rituals. While this may look like a walk in the park for some, many pilgrims prefer making things simple and easy by booking All Inclusive Umrah Packages. These pre-planned deals come with Umrah visas, flights, hotels, meals, and guided ziyarat tours, letting you focus on praying and performing Umrah in the right way. Let’s check out different factors that you need to pay attention to before departing for Umrah.
6 Things to Consider Before Leaving for Umrah
Select the Right Time to Perform Umrah
Umrah is a physically intense worship. You have to walk 7 rounds around the Kaaba and then run (for males) or walk (for females) from Safa to Marwa hills. All of these things will make you tired, and if you are performing Umrah in hot weather, things can get quite tough and humid. To avoid this, you can go for Umrah in winter months starting from November and running till February.
While these months make it easier to perform Umrah, they also bring large crowds in the holy cities of Makkah and Medina with them. If you prefer fewer crowds, then go for Umrah in May, June, July, August, or September. Pilgrims looking for the best of both worlds can opt for October as the weather is not too hot and the crowds are relatively fewer than the peak months. If you are looking to seek maximum rewards for your Umrah journey, then Ramadan is the best time to go for Umrah. Umrah in Ramadan is the top choice of millions of Muslims all over the world. As the number of pilgrims increases during this month, you can book all-inclusive Umrah packages to ensure that you get every essential facility during your minor pilgrimage.
Pre-planned Umrah Package or DIY Umrah
Once you have finalized the best time to perform Umrah as per your preferences, the next big thing to consider is whether you want to opt for Umrah packages from the UK or book all the things on your own.
If you prefer to take things into your own hands, you need to apply for a visa, book flights and hotels, arrange meals, and book on-ground transportation from the airport to the hotel and for ziyarats. All of these things can be quite tough, especially if you are going for Umrah for the first time. Although there are websites and apps to help you in each thing, it can be quite stressful. On the other hand, the biggest benefit of booking everything on your own is cost-saving. You can easily save a handsome amount of money.
Let us now evaluate the other option: booking Umrah packages including flights, from a tour operator. These packages usually come in different types, like 3-star, 4-star, and 5-star plans. When you go with an Umrah package, you get every essential facility. However, the nature of services varies as per the price of the plan you select. The good part about these packages is that they are fully customizable and allow pilgrims to get a plan as per their budget and preferences. One tip from our side: If you are planning to go for a minor pilgrimage in 2025, book Umrah packages 2025 at least 3-4 months before your departure date to get early bird discounts. In this way, you can get your hands on cheap Umrah packages.
Learn Umrah Rituals
When you read about Umrah rituals, they seem easy, but in reality they can be quite technical to perform. So, it is better to learn them by heart and go through them before performing. You can find plenty of books to learn Umrah rituals, but taking guidance from well-versed Islamic scholars is a better option. You can also consult your friends or relatives who performed Umrah recently. Taking guidance from such sources can not only help you perform Umrah in the right way but also give you an idea about other things such as hotels, the best places to eat, and where to shop for gifts or souvenirs.
Select the Right Airport
There are many international airports in the UK. Make sure you select the one that is nearest to your home. For example, you can get Umrah packages from London if you live there. You can also book your flights from Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, or Glasgow. If you book a flight from a faraway airport, you will be adding unnecessary commute to your journey. This can tire you out even before you board the flight.
Pack Carefully
Packing is also a critical factor that you need to consider. The packing requirements will change depending on who is accompanying you on Umrah. If you are going alone, you will need Ihram, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a cap, and sunscreen or sunblock creams; personal hygiene items; medicines; and prayer supplies. But if you are traveling with your family, kids, or elders, packing requirements will change. Make sure you carry everything they require during their daily life. Kids will need a few toys, and adults with limited mobility may require walking sticks or wheelchairs. Similarly, don’t forget to pack some snacks during the flight. It takes around 6 hours to fly directly from London to Jeddah, and the flight can be quite longer if you have booked a connecting one. So, some snacks will come in handy. When packing, don’t forget to consider the weight limits imposed by the airline. Going beyond this limit will cause unnecessary inconvenience, so it is better to be careful.
Organize Your Tasks
An average Umrah trip lasts at least 7-15 days. So, make sure that you manage your worldly tasks in such a way that you don’t face any inconvenience upon your return. Also, if you are the breadwinner of the family and leaving them behind, then give them enough money or supplies that they don’t have to face any issues during your absence. Other than this, make sure you keep all your documents, like your passport, tickets, vaccination cards, and other important documents like medical prescriptions, organized and in one place. This will help you avoid any unnecessary issues and get ready for your Umrah peacefully.
Final Words
There is no denying the fact that Umrah is a great way to get Allah’s blessings, but you must perform it in the right way and with mental peace. One way of doing this is by booking Umrah packages from a reputable travel agency. When it comes to hiring trusted Umrah tour planners, Muslims Holy Travel is the perfect choice. They offer all-inclusive Family Umrah Packages from the UK at affordable rates to help you perform the perfect Umrah.
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