Umrah holds a special place in the hearts of all Muslims around the world. It is a minor pilgrimage in which Islamic followers go on a religious trip to Makkah and Madinah. It brings a lot of rewards and blessings for devotees, one of which is strengthening their faith. Umrah gives you a great chance to deepen your bond with Allah Almighty by asking Him for forgiveness for your sins. Whenever you get an opportunity to embark on this spiritual journey, never miss it. Are you a woman thinking of carrying out the act of Umrah this year? You can get all-inclusive women Umrah packages to ensure a completely comfortable pilgrimage. There are some leading requirements that you need to follow when starting Umrah. Keep reading to know more details!
A Look into the Basics of Umrah for Women
Umrah is an optional pilgrimage to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia. There is no specific time to begin this divine journey. Umrah is not as physically demanding as the Hajj pilgrimage. However, it still demands believers to be prepared physically, mentally, and emotionally. Women should be aware of some rules before travelling for Umrah. These rules are somehow different from the ones that apply to men. If you’re a woman and want to complete your Umrah pilgrimage while following Islamic guidelines, make sure to undertake it correctly.
What is the Umrah Preparation for Women?
It is great if you’re going to perform Umrah as a woman. Well, you can make this journey truly enriching by opting for women only Umrah packages. Having everything arranged appropriately lets you fully focus on Ibadah. Below is how you can prepare yourself greatly for this divine trip.
Mahram
A Muslim woman must travel with a male relative with whom she is not allowed to marry, or a mahram. As per the new rules by the Saudi Arabian Government, a woman can do Umrah alone only if she is above 45 years or is with a group. If not, there must always be a mahram with a woman during the pilgrimage. As a woman, you should be well aware of this fact before Umrah!
Documentation
No matter when you plan your Umrah, documentation is very important. All your documents should be prepared completely for a smooth entry to Saudi Arabia. Some essential papers include an Umrah visa and a valid passport. It is also paramount to have a mahram letter if travelling without a mahram. This way, you will be able to start your Umrah pilgrimage easily.
Packing
You need to be very careful when packing for Umrah as a woman. Make sure to pack clothing that is modest and comfortable. Basic items are loose-fitting abayas, several hijabs, undercaps, long-sleeved tops, and pants. It is also recommended to pack a small first-aid kit with items like pain relievers and antiseptic wipes. Also, check your health before beginning the Umrah journey.
Travel & Accommodation Tips for Umrah as a Woman
Umrah is a dreamy trip for all Muslims. If you’re a Muslim and want to carry out the act of this minor pilgrimage, get All Inclusive Umrah Packages. This will help you end up with a meaningful Umrah experience. The following are some of the travel & accommodation tips you must follow.
Group Travel
Women who don’t have a mahram to travel with for Umrah can count on travel agencies. For instance, you can get in touch with Muslims Holy Travel to ensure a hassle-free travel experience. There will be experts to take care of your comfort and guide you throughout the trip.
Accommodation
Whenever you head to Makkah for Umrah, it is advisable to book hotels that are close to the Haram. This is really very important for women. It allows women to easily access prayer areas and avoid late walks at night. You must consider this fact before beginning Umrah as a woman!
How Can Women Carry Out the Act of Umrah?
Umrah is an act of worshipping Allah to deepen your belief as a Muslim. Millions of devotees get together in front of the Kaaba to undertake the pilgrimage. Are you thinking of carrying out the act of Umrah as a woman? Here is how you can perform the Umrah rituals in the right manner.
Ihram Preparation
Be sure to make a sincere Niyyah to do Umrah for the sake of Allah before entering the state of the Ihram. Take a full bath or wudu after making an intention. If possible, pray two rakahs of salah before wearing Ihram. Once you wear Ihram, start reciting Talbiyah. One thing you need to know as a woman is that the Ihram must be worn in such a way that it covers the whole body.
Doing Tawaf
The next ritual for the Umrah pilgrimage is Tawaf. The core act of Tawaf is the same for both men and women. This is the activity in which you must circle around the divine Kaaba seven times in an anti-clockwise direction. There are no fixed duas for performing Tawaf. However, you should recite Talbiyah while circling the Kaaba. Try to pray two rak’ahs behind Maqam-e-Ibrahim.
Walking between Safa and Marwa (Sa’i)
Once Tawaf is completed, the next ritual is to walk between the Safa and Marwa hills seven times. This spiritual activity is referred to as Sa’i. Men have to do Sa’i quickly. As a woman, you only have to walk at a slower pace. Sa’i commemorates the actions of Hazrat Hajar (AS) and her desperate search for water for her son, Hazrat Ismail (AS). Do this act correctly during Umrah!
Performing Halq/Taqsir
Halq/Taqsir is the last ritual of undertaking Umrah. Men need to shave their whole heads. But if you’re doing Umrah as a woman, you only have to trim the hair about an inch or fingertip length. Once this ritual is done, your Umrah pilgrimage will be completed. No matter when you begin the Umrah trip, you should have a proper understanding of each ritual of the pilgrimage.
After Completing Umrah
You can spend time in the Haram after completing your Umrah. If you want to enhance the whole pilgrimage experience, visit spiritual sites. You can jet off to Masjid al-Nabawi and many other special places in Makkah and Madinah. In case you’re with your loved ones, opt for the Best Family Umrah Packages. This way, you’ll be able to get guided tours to these ziyarat sites.
Prohibitions to Keep in Mind While Doing Umrah
Below are some of the prohibitions that you must keep in mind while doing Umrah as a woman.
- Women must avoid establishing any physical relationship with their spouses. The same goes for men.
- Women can’t marry anyone during the Umrah pilgrimage.
- On menstruation, women must not take part in the spiritual journey of Umrah.
- Women must not show any part of the body, except for the face and hands.
- Makeup is strictly prohibited for women during the pilgrimage journey.
- Women must not wear shiny clothes to avoid drawing the attention of men in the surrounding.
- Women must also not apply any perfume or scents while doing Umrah.
Concluding Remarks
Umrah is an act of worshipping Allah in the Kaaba while strengthening your faith. Millions of Muslims undertake this act each year in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, certain rules apply to women travelling for this pilgrimage. If you’re a woman planning an Umrah, make sure to travel with a mahram or a male relative that you can’t marry. You must follow the requirements discussed above. In case you don’t know how to plan a perfect itinerary, get women Umrah packages from Muslims Holy Travel. This is how you can get a truly enriching and fulfilling Umrah pilgrimage experience. May this Umrah be a source of lots of blessings for you in this life and the hereafter! Click here If you want Surah Rahman English Translation.
