Everything you need to know about Umrah
Before you leave for the umrah journey, some few things that you need to know about it. First, one should spend time in remembrance of Allah Almighty and His Messenger (P.BU.H). One should embrace their loved ones, ask them for forgiveness and ask them to make dua.
The Umrah pilgrimage is an essential aspect of Muslim’s life. Umrah can be offered at any time of month or year, not like Hajj, as hajj to be performed during the specific five days from the 9th-13th of Dhul Al-Hijjah, which is the last month of the Muslim calendar.
In the sacred cities of Mecca and Medina, more than 750,000 people travel to perform the rituals of Umrah or Hajj every year or month. We can say that It is known to be every Muslim’s dream to see the Kaaba at least once in their lifetime. The experience you get by performing this pilgrimage leaves a we can say, long lasting and life-changing impact. It gives you a spiritual change. Therefore, before going to Umrah, make a lot of spiritual and mental preparations to help you in your journey to the Kaaba.
Every year, Muslims worldwide embark on Umrah’s spiritual journey to the holy city of Mecca. Known as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, this beautiful and sacred journey should be undertaken without hassle or stress. The first step is to prepare the packing instructions and Umrah essentials checklist. From booking to Umrah essentials – planning is the path to success.
Many items are needed during the trip to Umrah in the house of Allah. However, only some people can clearly and fully understand how to prepare and what to pack for Umrah. To help you book your Umrah Packages 2023 and it’s essentials list, here’s a quick Umrah guide checklist of essentials that will make your experience memorable and comfortable.
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO UMRAH
For a pilgrimage, you must also be mentally comfortable in addition to having a good body. So it’s better to have everything sorted out before starting Umrah’s beautiful journey. So here’s a comprehensive guide to Umrah’s essentials.
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TRAVEL DOCUMENTS:
Keep them on top while packing Umrah essentials
Important travel documents include:
- Passport and its copy
- Passport
- Air ticket
- Certificate of vaccination
- Copy of hotel reservation confirmation
- Payment receipt for Umrah
- Passport size photo
- Relationship certificate (if you are travelling with your spouse)
- Saudi Riyals
- Debit Credit Card
- Travel itinerary
- Emergency contact numbers
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THE ESSENCE OF PRAYER FOR UMRAH:
Ihram is known to be the dress code for the Umrah pilgrimage, so packing the right clothes is one of the most essential things to do before the trip begins. Ihram is two pieces of plain white fabric without stitches for men. Women are also allowed to wear casual clothes covering their entire body, exposing only their hands and face. When planning the Umrah pilgrimage, packing a pocket Quran is also important. This is because one can easily read holy books in one’s spare time. In addition, several pocketbooks contain prayers from the Quran and Sunnah, which can be read during the trip. Also, by changing flights or moving from place to place, pilgrims can occupy themselves in Dhikr:
In remembrance of Allah, this makes wrapping Tasbeeh beads extremely important. Other Umrah essentials include a prayer mat, a compass for Qibla, and an Umrah guide.
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CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES:
People come to Makkah to perform Umrah from different parts of the world. Typically, this includes long air and road trips that can be tiring. Therefore, it is important to wear and pack light and comfortable clothes. Another important factor to consider is the weather in Makkah. Although Mecca is the hottest of the year, it’s important to pack and prepare depending on the month of travel. Choose light colours and breathable fabrics that won’t irritate your skin even in the scorching heat.
MOREOVER
In Saudi Arabia, it is advisable to dress modestly so as not to hurt the locals’ cultural feelings. Therefore, men usually wear formal attire – shirt and trousers, while women prefer salwar kameez or abaya.
For both men and women, some Umrah essentials include two or three pairs of comfortable shoes, a belt bag, bathroom slippers, a lanyard bag, a light sweater, sunglasses, a pin, and a hat. Prayer and folding umbrella. The items mentioned above, there are other essentials for Umrah for women, including:
- Five to ten headscarves that are light and breathable
- Hijab under the hat
- Pin Hijab
- Hair accessories
- Socks
- Light clothing to wear under an abaya
- Light pyjamas
- Anti blister patch
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BASIC FIRST AID KIT:
Basic medicines and first aid supplies are also important items on Umrah’s list of essentials. These include cold and flu medicine, pain relievers, motion sickness pills, cough syrup/throat lozenges, diarrhoea tablets, bandages, unscented sunscreen, cotton balls, antiseptic creams, muscle pain creams, oral rehydration salts and antibiotics. In addition, according to COVID-19 prevention guidelines, bring a mask and a bottle of hand sanitizer.
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SELF-CARE ESSENTIALS:
Daily Supplies for Umrah. Personal care products can include everything from essential hygiene products to makeup products. They may include:
- Towels big and small
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste (unscented for Ihram)
- Unscented shampoos and conditioners
- Unscented soap (bar or liquid)
- Pocket tissues
- Ihram unscented wet wipes
- Antibacterial hand sanitizer
- Hairbrush/comb (for use outside Ihram state only)
- Antiperspirant
- Small mirror
- Nail scissors
- Small scissors
- Razor or shaver
- Sanitary napkin
- Unscented moisturizer or cream
- Toiletry bag
- Notebook and pen
- Fill empty water bottles with ZamZam, as it is important to stay hydrated at all times.
- Sleeping accessories (including inflatable pillows, sheets and sleeping bags)
- pack snacks and juices
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ELECTRONICS:
A few gadgets you’ll need on the go Carrying a smartphone is important to the Umrah journey as it helps pilgrims stay in touch with family and friends. However, before starting the journey, it is important to ensure the phone is unlocked. You should also buy a local SIM card at the earliest. Other essentials to pack Umrah are a universal travel adapter, mobile phone charger, power bank, tablet or tablet, earphones/headphones, watch and lamp battery.
Umrah is a major religious journey in Islam that should be conducted with great sincerity. Therefore, take all necessary items and prepare for the trip in advance. One can get help from the online guides and websites of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to get updates on the latest Umrah circulars and dates.
