Are you planning your Umrah journey as a first-timer? Most pilgrims are so excited to enter Mecca, Masjid al-Haram which contains Allah’s (SWT) house. To ensure a stress-free Umrah and seamless journey, it is imperative to choose the correct things such as booking your travel arrangements from a reputable travel company like Labbaik Hajj Umrah.
Planning an Umrah trip is not just very easy, you need to take care of many things. Especially, if you are a first-timer, you should be careful of Umrah’s dos and don’ts. Can you travel to other countries without knowing their rules and regulations? You will think not and that’s correct!
Let’s see the top 5 Umrah travel tips that you should know when you travel for Umrah as a first-timer.
Begin the journey with the right intention (Niyyah):
The intention or Niyyah is the central act of your pilgrimage. You are going to Umrah and that’s your intention, is that? Making pure intention from your heart is necessary for your Umrah performance. Although you can also say it verbally using some specific words. Therefore, making the pure intention is necessary for Umrah.
Important Things to Know About Umrah:
Know the steps/rituals of Umrah to ensure a smooth and meaningful journey. Pilgrims should know all the steps of Umrah that they are going to perform:
- Ihram
- Tawaf
- Sa’ee
- Qasr
The Ihram:
Pilgrims must wear the Ihram before entering into Masjid al-Haram to perform Umrah. This involves dressing in all-white clothing and standing by certain rules. Ihram is different for both men and women.
The Tawaf:
Tawaf is the second and most important step of Umrah as well as Hajj. Pilgrims must perform Tawaf to complete their Umrah journey. Tawaf must be done in an anticlockwise direction for the seven times. While performing Tawaf, pilgrims can touch or kiss the holy Kaaba.
Safa and Marwah:
Walking/running between the hills of Safa and Marwah is the third step of Umrah. These are the hills which are located inside the Masjid al-Haram.
Qasr:
This is the last step of Umrah and it will mark your Umrah completion. Qasr is further divided into Halq and Taqsir. Halq is for men and Taqsir is for women. Men should shave their hair while women should cut their hair.
Read Also: Which hour is best for Umrah?
Visiting the Prophet’s Mosque:
Prophet’s Mosque is one of the largest and most famous mosques in Medina City. Most pilgrims visit Medina after performing Umrah in the city of Mecca. Visiting Prophet’s Mosque is optional but it’s more recommended to pilgrims to go there and perform some prayers.
Using the Zamzam Well to drink:
As a follower of Allah (SWT), you can’t leave Mecca until you drink Zamzam water. It is the holiest water of Mecca and the source of this water is Zamzam well. So, pilgrims must drink this water.
Pack Light and Smart:
Packing light and smart is key to a successful Umrah. As a first-timer, you should well pack and include only the essential items in your bags. Please avoid packing unnecessary items such as heavy, bulky, and fancy items as these are not allowed during Umrah. Follow the culture and customs of Umrah.
Final Words
To finalize this article, Umrah is one of the most critical acts for Muslims. It permits individuals to re-establish their confidence, look for pardoning, and make them closer to Allah (SWT).
This article offers different tips for a fruitful Umrah experience, by including just only the five amazing travel tips. Remember that, as a first-timer your Umrah experience can be daunting and you may feel some difficulties. But ensure that if you follow some tips in advance, you can make the pilgrimage experience better. Hope your Umrah journey as a first-timer will go well.