Easy Guide to Completing Umrah in one Trip

Performing Umrah is a beautiful and spiritual journey and every Muslim dreams of performing this holy journey at least once in their life time. Whether you are travelling alone, with family or in a group, understanding each and every step of the process makes the experience peaceful and free from confusion. It is a well-known fact that the Umrah pilgrimage is quite expansive and requires a pretty hefty budget.

Muslims from all around the world travel to the holy city of Makkah in order to perform the holy pilgrimage. There are a large number of Muslims that travel to the holy city of Makkah from far away countries such as UK, USA and Canada and travelling such a large distance can be quite expensive. This when the Cheap Umrah Packages UK come in handy and facilitate the UK residing Muslims with the best deals and the most affordable offers on the flight and hotel bookings. Beyond all these bookings it is still essential to know how to perform every ritual correctly. The below given guide will walk you through preparation, travel, Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i and all the essential etiquettes so one can perform Umrah with devotion and confidence.

Understand What is Umrah

Umrah is a voluntary pilgrimage to Makkah that can be performed at any time of the year. Unlike Hajj, it is not obligatory to perform Umrah but is one of the beloved Sunnah and carries an immense spiritual reward. It usually consists of four major rituals that include entering the state of Ihram, Tawaf around the holy Ka’aba, Sa’i between Safa and Marwah and shaving or trimming of the hair. Understanding the purpose behind every single act truly deepens your spiritual connection and focuses one’s heart on seeking the mercy of Allah.

Prepare yourself before Travelling

Preparation for Umrah is both physical and spiritual. One can start by strengthening their intention, repenting from the sins, making dua for an accepted Umrah, learning the Duas of Tawaf and Sa’i, arranging the travel documents and fulfilling the vaccination requirements. If you are traveling with the elders, children or first-time pilgrims one must explain the rituals in advance so they feel confident and at ease when performing the rituals.

Pack Smartly for your Journey

In order to perform the holy pilgrimage in one trip, one must avoid overpacking and must only take what is necessary for that trip. Some of the items that pilgrims must carry with them are mentioned in the guide as follows.

· Comfortable walking shoes

· Unscented toiletries

· Small backpack for Haram

· Prayer mat

· Basic medicines

· Lightweight clothing

· A lightweight jacket for cool weather

· Men are usually advised to pack two sets of white Ihram sheets, while women should bring loose and modest abayas and hijabs. Pilgrims are not allowed to use scented products once they enter the sacred state of Ihram. If you are travelling during the winter months, it’s also recommended to get a flu vaccination and consider booking the best family Umrah packages from UK for a comfortable and well-organized journey.

Entering the State of Ihram

Ihram is a sacred state that marks the beginning of Umrah rituals. The Ihram rules for men and women are quite different.

Men usually wear two white unstitched sheets. One sheet is for the lower body and the other one is draped over the shoulders. On the other hand, women usually wear regular modest clothing that fully covers without the need for a special dress. There are several steps that one must follow before entering the holy state of Ihram.

Some of these steps include;

· Showering and making ghusl

· Trimming the nails and removing unwanted hair

· Wearing the Ihram clothing

· Making the intention for Umrah

Once the pilgrims have completed all these steps, they are obliged to recite,

“Labbayk Allahumma Umrah”

From this moment onwards certain things are prohibited and these things include,

· Cutting of hair and nails

· Applying scents or using scented products

· Marital relations between couples

· Use of foul speech or arguments

After completion of these steps, one is officially in the holy state of Ihram.

Travelling to Makkah and reaching Masjid al-Haram

Once the pilgrims pass Miqat, they must continue reciting Talbiyah described as follows;

“Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayk la shareeka laka labbayk”

When the pilgrims have arrived in Makkah and see the holy Ka’aba for the first time, they must raise their hands in dua and say their prayer as this is the most blessed moment which is loved by Allah Almighty.

Performing Tawaf

Tawaf usually consists of seven rounds around the Ka’aba, beginning from the Black Stone. There are certain steps that you must follow in order to do Tawaf and these steps are mentioned as follows.

· Face the Black Stone and say “Bismillah, Allahu Akbar”.

· Walk anti-clockwise around the Kaaba seven times.

· Men must keep their right shoulder uncovered for men during Tawaf.

· The pilgrims must recite duas, Quran or dhikr while Tawaf. It is recommended that one must recite supplications for extra reward.

· After the completion of Tawaf, one must pray two rak’ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim if possible.

Pilgrims must remain patient and gentle, especially during heavy crowds.

Performing Sa’i between Safa and Marwah

After the pilgrims have completed Tawaf, they must drink Zamzam water and move forward to perform Sa’i. Sa’i commemorates the struggle of Hajar (AS) searching for water for her son Ismail. The steps that one must use to complete the process of Sa’i.

The steps include;

· Starting at Safa Hill, facing the Ka’aba and making dua.

· Walking towards Marwah.

· Completing seven rounds between the two hills.

· Men are supposed to jog lightly between the two hills.

During Sa’i, one must make heart felt duas as Allah loves sincere callers.

Shaving or Trimming the Hair

As a final step of Umrah the men must shave their heads completely or trim their hair according to their preference. On the other hand, women are only supposed to trim a fingertip length of hair. After this step, the Ihram restrictions are lifted and your Umrah has officially completed.

Umrah is not just a journey of miles but a journey of the heart. Understanding each step helps you perform Umrah with clarity, peace and devotion.