First Umrah Preparation: Key Points to Consider
Make your first Umrah preparation flawless with Salambooking. The Umrah pilgrimage is a sacred spiritual journey for Muslims. It is an opportunity to see the Kaaba with our own eyes, renew our faith, seek forgiveness from Allah, and ask Him for everything in our hearts. Performing Umrah has never been easy. People save for years to embark on this short journey and often visit the beloved city of the Prophet (SAW), Medina. However, with the end of COVID and a gradual return to normalcy, the Saudi government has made Umrah worship a bit easier. You can click here to check out these innovations.
Salambooking offers a reliable solution for Umrah tours. You’ve completed your Umrah reservation, but do you want more information about this process? Now is the time to become knowledgeable about your Umrah journey.
How well-prepared are you, really? Especially if it’s your first time, going for Umrah might not be easy. There are many details to keep in mind and consider during this process. Here is a checklist of the most important 9 things that any man or woman should think about when going for their first Umrah.
Apply for a Visa
You will need a visa to enter Saudi Arabia. To obtain your visa, you will need to visit the visitsaudi.com website. The visa application process takes some time, and you will need to upload several documents and make a specific payment, but the visa itself arrives in your inbox within a few minutes. It’s important to print your visa and bring it with you during your journey, as officials, especially at the airport, may ask to see it. For more detailed information on obtaining an Umrah visa, you can read our article on “Getting an Online Visa.”
Download the Nusuk App
After COVID, the Saudi government has increased measures for making advance reservations for specific dates and times. One of these places is the Rawda, located within the Prophet’s Mosque where Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is buried. The Nusuk App allows you to make an advance reservation to visit Rawda. This is crucial for those who want to see the burial places of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his companions Abu Bakr (RA) and Umar (RA). I recommend downloading the app at least a month before and making a reservation to enter Rawda on your desired dates. Men and women have separate entrances and reservations. You can access the Nusuk app by clicking here.
Make the Intention for Umrah
If you are on a flight to Jeddah, there is usually an announcement on the plane about the transition to Mecca. We make our presence known at the Miqat, which indicates the transition to Mecca. Miqat is the boundary where Muslims intending to perform Umrah or Hajj must wear ihram. For men, this means physically wearing ihram (two pieces of white fabric) and performing two Rak’ahs of Salatul Ihram. For women, although we do not need physical fabric for ihram, it is important to make the intention and still perform two Rak’ahs.
Where to Go First: Mecca or Medina?
After landing in Jeddah, you will need to travel to either Mecca or Medina by train or taxi. And this decision can be quite difficult. Some people prefer to see the city of the Prophet first, learn more about it, and visit all the important places before going to Mecca to perform Umrah. Others prefer to visit the city of the Prophet before performing Umrah.
How Will You Travel: By Train or Taxi?
Traveling to Mecca and Medina has become much easier with the introduction of the Haramain high-speed train. This train takes you from Jeddah to Mecca and Medina within a few hours. It’s a luxurious train with a reasonable price. You can read our article on “Haramain Train” for more information. However, there are luggage restrictions to follow. There are strict baggage requirements, and it can be a problem if you are traveling with family or have a lot of luggage.
Taking a taxi, on the other hand, may be an easier option. It may take longer to reach your destination, but luggage won’t be a problem, and you can find a taxi almost anywhere.
Hotels and Airbnbs Near the Haram
When making accommodation reservations, it’s advisable to look for a place as close to the Haram as possible. However, the closer you get to the Haram, the higher the prices. You can visit our site to check out Umrah hotels that fit your budget and expectations. It is recommended to choose hotels within a short distance as taking a taxi to and from the Haram can be quite costly.
Learn How to Perform Umrah
Before embarking on your sacred journey, especially if it’s your first time, take some time to research how to perform Umrah. There are books, articles, and YouTube videos that will help you learn the basic steps. However, if you are not traveling with a guide in a tour group, you will likely have to navigate around the Haram on your own. You can read our article on “Performing Your Own Umrah” for guidance.
Tawaf (walking around the Kaaba seven times) and Sa’i (walking back and forth between Safa and Marwa seven times) are both lengthy processes, and men must do them barefoot and without socks. However, women can wear socks. So, if you want to prevent blisters, I recommend wearing socks throughout.
Bring a Small Bag
When packing your bags, it’s important to bring a light and easy-to-carry bag, a crossbody bag, or a small backpack to keep your belongings secure and easily transportable. You should have a place for your shoes, water bottle, phone, and prayer rugs. Finding a real place inside the Haram can be quite challenging because there is always a rush (try to arrive 30 minutes to an hour before each prayer if you want to go from one place to another!), but having a place for your shoes while praying on the carpets and having a prayer rug is essential.
Remember Your Intention
Of course, the main reason for going to Umrah is to seek forgiveness from Allah, worship Him, and ask for blessings. Some things in Mecca and Medina can be a bit distracting (such as numerous shops and shopping malls), but you will need to remember your purpose for being there.
Also, going to the Ziyarat to strengthen your connection with Allah and visiting different places associated with the beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and different mosques in the two cities will be a great experience. Try to make a taxi reservation for the visit and do your best to feel connected to Allah.
May Allah accept it…