Umrah in 10 steps: preparing for a spiritual journey to Makkah
by Guest Contributor Marzana Quayoum
Umrah is the smaller pilgrimage to Makkah, performed throughout the year, except for Hajj season. Hajj, the largest pilgrimage, is performed during 8-13 of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic Calendar.
While hajj is mandatory for Muslims who can afford it at least once in their life, umrah is sunnah. When going to Umrah, know this is an invitation from Allah. He has chosen you to be there. Many have made intentions and have money in their bank accounts but are not invited to be there.
Nonetheless, once you have plans to go, here are some considerations to make your trip smoother.
Renew your intention of why you’re going. Umrah is a spiritual trip meant to bring you closer to Allah. It is not a vacation to Saudi Arabia to sightsee. That’s a great idea but save that for another trip. Sleep on the plane and do an Umrah as soon as you get into Makkah. There is no time to rest when your feet land on the soil.
Make a list of things you need for the trip. “Whoever commits to performing pilgrimage, let them stay away from intimate relations, foul language, and arguments during pilgrimage. Take necessary provisions for the journey—surely the best provision is righteousness.” (Baqarah 2:197) 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.
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 sanitizer to use frequently to keep the germs away. Also, pack some Vaseline.
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 (traveler) so your duas are accepted during this blessed time. Also, make dua and recite Istighfar constantly.
Source: Marzana Quayoum 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.
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.
Get used to eating healthy and walking before embarking on this trip. There will be a lot of walking so build a habit to walk before beginning the trip. Try to aim for 5k steps daily.
Try to visit Makkah first, Madinah second. Makkah is the hard work of the Dunya. It’s hustle mode turned on. It’s grueling 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. Its peace and tranquility. There is a section on earth called Riyadhul Jannah where the Prophet (peace be upon him) frequently prayed on and will be lifted to Jannah when this earth is destroyed. Madinah is a beautiful way to recover from Makkah and where our Prophet’s final resting abode is.
Always remember that this is an invitation from our Rabb SWT, the land of our beloved Muhammad (sallahi wa alahi wasalam) is a huge deal. Do not limit the mind of what you are capable of. Ask Allah fully with confidence because He is the creator of the universe and He just has to say Be and it is.
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, Ismail he made the dua: “Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Indeed! You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” (Baqarah 2: 127).
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. Use every day to its full advantage because this might be the only chance you 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. When you come back it will be normal not to feel how you did prior to visiting Makkah. You will feel a sense of urgency to return to the Holy Land. Make dua that Allah allows you to go more often in the coming years.
If you are able to go to Umrah or Hajj, I hope you have a fulfilling trip and return feeling spiritually rejuvenated. May Allah accept all your duas.