Muslims worldwide perform Umrah to restore their faith. So millions of muslims come to Makkah to renew their relationship and bond with Allah. They come here to get rid of their sins and to make loads of duas. Umrah is a beloved sunnah of our Prophet (PBUH). So if you get a chance to perform this ritual, know that this is an invitation from your creator.
Umrah in 10 steps
Every year, umrah is performed by millions of Muslims. Pilgrims, especially UK Muslims planning Umrah Packages, prepare themselves months in advance to carry out this ritual smoothly. While hajj is a mandatory ritual, umrah is a sunnah performed at any time when you feel the need to reconnect with your creator. The experience of Umrah helps you to forget about worldly desires and deeply connect with your soul and your creator.
1. Four key rituals
Umrah can be performed at any time of the year and includes four key rituals:
- Entering Ihram
- Tawaf (Circumambulation)
- Sa’i (Walking Between Safa and Marwah)
- Halq or Taqsir (Hair Removal)
2. Renew your intention of why you’re going
Doing Ibadah or performing any ritual is all about your intentions. So when you wish to perform Umrah, make sure to always clearly state your intentions for performing it. Umrah is about spiritual cleansing and connecting with Allah. So as soon as you land and put your feet, make sure to perform Umrah asap, then plan to do sightseeing, etc.
3. Make a list of things you need for the trip
For this trip, comfortable clothes and shoes are a must. Have enough clean underwear for each day. Try to have a mentality of being in pure clothing and mindset. For UK Muslims, these essentials are important to make their pilgrimage hassle-free. This reflects their mindset that they are reflecting on the spiritual discipline that the pilgrimage demands.
4. Pack the medicine
Stock up on Tylenol for headaches and fever due to changes in temperature and constant hot and cold temps in the hotel due to AC, Pepto/Imodium for upset stomach, and hand sanitiser to use frequently to keep the germs away. Also, pack some Vaseline.
5. Write a dua list
Take a pocket-sized Dua book with all the Quranic duas and a pocket-sized notebook with all your personal duas in it. You are a Musafir (traveller), so your duas are accepted during this blessed time. Also, make dua and recite Istighfar constantly.
6. Drink Zamzam water as much as you can
Pour it on your head and ask Allah to give you shifa in the heart and the mind. Have patience during this trip and spend some time learning the steps to perform Umrah. Watch videos and take notes. UK Muslims make special arrangements to get prepared for umrah by attending a pre-umrah seminar. Through these seminars, they can learn each ritual correctly with proper understanding.
7. Know that you will be tested before, during, and after the Umrah trip
Anything and everything will happen, so have very low expectations. Again, go back to renewing your intention of why you are going to Umrah. Keep complaining to a minimum. Don’t let bad experiences stop you from focusing on Allah and his blessings.
8. Get used to eating healthy and walking before embarking on this trip
There will be a lot of walking, so build a habit of walking before beginning the trip. Try to aim for 5k steps daily to improve your stamina and comfort during the pilgrimage. UK Muslims make sure that they are physically fit to perform this ritual with a healthy body. So they follow a proper practice for months to get in better shape before performing umrah.
9. Try to visit Makkah first, Madinah second
Makkah is the hard work of the Dunya. It’s hustle mode turned on. It’s gruelling and busy, with sights and sounds. Madinah is a fresh breeze on that hot, summer day after working outside doing yard work, and you take a sip of cold lemonade with extra ice. It’s peace and tranquillity. There is a section on earth called Riyadhul Jannah where the Prophet (peace be upon him) frequently prayed and will be lifted to Jannah when this earth is destroyed. Madinah is a beautiful way to recover from Makkah, and it is where our Prophet’s final resting place is.
10. Make dua for an accepted Umrah/Hajj
Do your part and leave it to Allah. Just as Ibrahim (alayhis salam) built the Kabah with his son, Ismai, he made the dua: “Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Indeed! You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” (Baqarah 2: 127).
Conclusion
At the end of the day, when going to Umrah, remember that it’s by Allah’s invitation that you are there. Many people wish to go to Umrah but cannot, whether financially or mentally. So many muslims, especially UK Muslims, use this opportunity to their full advantage because this might be the only chance they get to go, and you don’t know if there will be another opportunity to go. Enjoy the experience because there is nothing quite like it on Earth. Make dua that Allah allows you to go more often in the coming years.
