Umrah is a sacred pilgrimage to the Holy city of Makkah. It is also referred to as a minor pilgrimage as compared to Hajj which is the obligatory pilgrimage under certain conditions.
Umrah is a pilgrimage that can be performed throughout the year while Hajj pilgrimage is performed only in the month of Dhul Hijjah. Let’s have a brief look at the rituals of the Umrah pilgrimage:
Ihram:
It includes making niyyah or intention and entering a state of sacred dress and following certain conditions.
Tawaf:
Circling the Holy Kabah seven times is known as tawaf. After Ihram, pilgrims perform Tawaf around the Holy Kabah.
Sayii:
After tawaf, pilgrims perform Sayii, that is walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah, commemorating the act of Hajar, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim PBUH when she was searching for something for Prophet Ismail PBUH when he was a baby.
Halq or Taqsir:
After Sayii, pilgrims shave or trim their heads and women must trim their hair, shaving is not required.
Umrah pilgrimage is a way to cleanse one’s soul, seek forgiveness and strengthen their faith. However, in this article, we will discuss the Umrah preparation guide for people who wish to perform Umrah to its fullest.
How to get ready for Umrah?
When you plan to visit the House of Allah for Umrah it is your duty to start preparing yourself physically and mentally for this journey. Preparation makes the person ready for every type of situation and he enjoys the experience. Moreover, for a fulfilling spiritual journey, it is better to prepare yourself.
Physical preparation for Umrah:
Physical preparation includes preparing your body for the pilgrimage. It includes the following aspects:
Build endurance:
During Umrah, you will need to walk more than your routine, therefore, prepare yourself for more walk so that you don’t get exhausted quickly during Tawaf. This will help your body to endure more walk.
Healthy diet:
Take a healthy diet once you plan for an Umrah and avoid junk foods. This is because you need to stay healthy and fit during the pilgrimage for a fulfilling experience. Moreover, taking healthy foods will keep you away from illness and make you strong.
Vaccination:
You must get yourself vaccinated for meningitis and Covid 19 as it is necessary according to the Saudi rule. Moreover, polio drops are also required sometimes. The vaccines are important to keep yourself and others safe from infections and illnesses as prevention is better than cure.
Pack meticulously:
While packing, keep all the essentials like comfortable clothing, prayer mats, medication, water bottle etc. Make sure that you have all your necessities so that you have a hassle free journey.
Spiritual Preparation for Umrah:
It includes making yourself ready mentally and spiritually and you understand the holiness of the journey and prevent inappropriate acts.
Mental preparation:
As Umrah is a spiritual journey, preparing mentally is crucial. It involves making pure intentions only for the sake of Allah Almighty, seeking assistance from Allah and seeking forgiveness from Allah as well as from people whom you have hurt. Moreover, making the intention to not hurt anyone in future.
Sincerety:
The Niyyah, or the intention must only be to please Allah and not for any other worldly joys or to impress people.
Repentance:
Seeking repentance to please Allah and to build connection between yourself and your creator.
Knowledge about Umrah:
Apart from everything, it is very important that you gain enough knowledge about the rituals of Umrah, their importance and the Sunnah of our Prophet related to them. Furthermore, learn the rulings of Ihram, don’ts and dos of Umrah along with the necessary duas during Umrah.
Umrah fitness tips:
When you prepare yourself mentally, physically and spiritually then focus on getting yourself fit for the journey. Here are a few tips for you:
Cardiovascular endurance:
You can build cardiovascular endurance by starting a walk and then increasing it gradually. You can also incorporate jogging and cycling to your routine.
Strength training:
Some people prefer strength training also during Umrah preparation, however, I find it stressful as you only need to walk more during Umrah. If you’re not used to strength training then you are making yourself tired beforehand and it can leave an impact on your journey.
However, strength training includes building leg strength by squats, lunges and leg press.
Lastly, stay hydrated during Umrah and pays more attention to spiritual growth and development during your Umrah pilgrimage. One essential step in your preparation for Umrah is selecting a reliable Umrah travel agency that can handle visa processing, accommodation, and transportation, ensuring a smooth and spiritually fulfilling journey.