Millions of Muslims from all over the world travel to Makkah and Madinah to perform Umrah, an act of worship and devotion. Here’s everything you need to learn about Umrah.
Umrah refers to the act of visiting the Kaaba in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, at any time of the year outside the Hajj season. Its rituals include entering a state of Ihram to perform Tawaf, Sai’e between Safa and Marwah, and shaving or cutting one’s hair.
Any Muslim, male or female, who has reached puberty, is in good mental and physical health, and has the necessary financial resources, is eligible to perform Umrah. While it is not obligatory for those who do not meet these criteria to perform Umrah, their pilgrimage is still valid if they choose to do so.
When accompanying minors or individuals with mental disabilities on pilgrimage, their caretakers must make the intention to enter Ihram on their behalf.
Pilgrims choose to undertake Umrah voluntarily because it allows them to connect with their faith, seek Allah's blessings and forgiveness, and feel a sense of unity with their fellow believers worldwide.
Umrah can be performed at any time of the year, except during the Hajj season which occurs in the month of Dzul Hijjah the 12th month of the Islamic Calendar.
Typically, pilgrims rely on travel agencies to plan and carry out their Umrah trip, which offers them convenience and support throughout their journey.
However, in recent years, more and more pilgrims are opting to organise their own Umrah, without the need for a travel agency – a practice known as “Umrah DIY”.
The term Umrah DIY (Do-It-Yourself) means organising Umrah trips independently. It entails making all of one's own arrangements, such as planning itineraries, booking flights, securing visas, and arranging for accommodation and transportation. This way, pilgrims have more control over where to find the best deals on flights and hotels, as well as more flexibility over their time to complete the Umrah goals they set for themselves.
Pilgrims can organise their own Umrah by following these steps:
To learn how to perform Umrah, click here.