Useful Tips for Your Umrah Trip

The Arabic word ‘Umrah’ literally means to visit a populous place. Islamically, Umrah is a lesser form of Hajj, an act of worship which millions of Muslims do by visiting Makkah and performing the Umrah rituals as performed by our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Umrah is a non-obligatory form of worship which can be performed at any time all round the year except for the days of Hajj. Millions of Muslims visit Makkah to perform Umrah for the love of their creator, Allah (SWT) and to get spiritually connected to Him. It is essential to make this Umrah trip memorable so that it remains etched in our memories for a lifetime.

Here are a few quick and essential tips to make your Umrah journey outstanding and most memorable:

Before planning your Umrah trip, ensure to get the necessary knowledge about the reason why you are undertaking this journey. Get an in-depth understanding of Islam from its authentic sources, Quran and Hadith. Learn more about the various fardh and Sunnah rituals of Umrah that you need to perform during your Umrah pilgrimage.
Another must know Umrah tip is to make a list of all the Islamic sites that you are going to visit on your trip to Makkah and Madinah including Mount Uhud, Jannat-ul-Baqi, Masjid-e-Nabawi and Cave of Hira.
Plan and arrange all your responsibilities at home and ensure that the provision for family is made well in advance before departing on Umrah pilgrimage to Makkah so that you concentrate completely on Ibadah.
Another piece of advice before you leave for Umrah is to prepare your documents necessary for the Umrah travel. Make a copy of passport and other important documents, and email it to your personal I.D or store it on your Google drive or the like, in case something goes awry.

Ensure that you learn about all the rules of Ihram before going on Umrah. There are simple rules that people can violate unknowingly or without thinking. For example you can’t use scented soaps and men cannot cover their head in the state of Ihram.
Tips for Umrah travel also include talking to people from different countries and backgrounds. You will meet numerous Muslims from every corner of the world. Get enlightened about the message of brotherhood of our faith.
Make a list of duas that you want to ask Allah (SWT). Make dua for yourself, your family and friends. You are at the most sacred place on earth worshipping the Almighty and your duas are more likely to be accepted if you do it with good intention and pure heart, In Sha Allah!
One of the top tips to stay healthy during the Umrah pilgrimage is to eat fruits only after washing them including the dates. Avoid eating pre-cut fruits or salads which might have been exposed to unhygienic conditions.

Those were some of the most important tips & advice for going on Umrah. If you are planning to go to this spiritual tour, make sure that you remain prepared mentally and physically.