Planning Your Umrah: Timings, Seasons, and Best Practices

Umrah is the act of worship that not every Muslim can perform, but everyone yearns to. Only a few Muslims who Allah Almighty invites Himself can travel to the holy city of Makkah to perform the pilgrimage. So, if you are planning your Umrah this year, there are various things that you will have to consider. 

The pilgrimage is for Allah Almighty. You have to ensure a smooth journey, which will help you focus more on pleasing the Almighty and getting closer to Him. Even though you can perform Umrah any time of the year, excluding the Hajj days, you must still consider the timings and seasons. If you need assistance booking Umrah packages Uk, consider contacting an Islamic travel agency that can provide you with a guide to help you through the entire process.

Moreover, to make the most of it, you must also learn about the best practices to indulge in during the journey. Here is a comprehensive guide that will benefit you while planning your Umrah. 

Timings to Perform Umrah 

Here are some preferable times to perform Umrah;

• In Ramadan

Many Muslims prefer the month of Ramadan for their minor pilgrimage. This is because it is believed that the reward of Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to mandatory Hajj. But it cannot replace the obligatory Hajj. Therefore, the holy city of Makkah becomes quite crowded, with millions of pilgrims arriving to perform Umrah during the holy month of Ramadan. So, if you want to avail yourself of the benefits of this sacred month, you must plan your Umrah accordingly. 

• Grand Months 

Moreover, people prefer performing this pilgrimage during other grand months such as Muharram, Safar; Rabbi ul Awwal and Shabaan. These months are also sacred in Islam because of the various things associated with them. Rabbi ul Awwal is the birth month of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and Muslims prefer performing Umrah and visiting the Prophet’s Mosque during this blessed month. 

• Holiday Season

People who want to perform Umrah with their families consider the holiday months. They like to travel during the mid-year holiday or Christmas holiday to perform the pilgrimage with their family. Therefore, you will have to consider various things to choose the ideal time to perform Umrah. It depends entirely on your requirements and your preferred season, so decide wisely. 

Seasons to Perform Umrah 

Muslims can perform Umrah any time of the year, but you must choose the right season for a more memorable journey. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a desert climate, which is usually very hot during the day, but the temperature drops at night. There is little rainfall all year round. Make sure to consider the seasons in mind while planning your Umrah. 

• During Winter

Most people like to travel to the holy city of Makkah and perform Umrah during the winter. The temperatures drop significantly more than in summer but still welcome the pilgrims with comfortable, warm weather conditions. The average temperature in the holy city of Makkah during the winter months is around 31oC, while that in Madinah ranges between 24oC and 25oC. 

• During Spring

Spring is also the month when many believers in Islam make their way towards the holy city of Makkah to perform Umrah. The temperature during the spring months is quite pleasant. The only drawback to performing Umrah during spring is being very crowded. Being a high-demand month, you must spend more on flights and accommodation. 

• During Summer

If you are looking for more affordable Umrah packages 2024, consider travelling during the summer or autumn months. Even though it can get hot in summer, you can get some really affordable packages during this time. If the heat doesn’t bother you much or you can adjust your pilgrimage during the cold nights, it is a preferable time for those looking for cheaper options. 

• During Autumn 

Autumn is also quite humid in the region, so only a few people prefer performing pilgrimage during this season. It is also ideal for those who want to perform Umrah on a budget. Therefore, make sure that you choose the right season considering your budget and your tolerance to the weather conditions in Saudi Arabia. 

Best Practices During Umrah 

It would help if you made the most of your spiritual journey. Here are some best practices that you must observe during your Umrah;

• Perform Dhikr

Make sure that you perform as much Dhikr as possible during your Umrah so that you can please Allah Almighty, 

• Practice Patience 

Umrah requires excellent physical and mental exertion. So, be patient and treat others with kindness and respect during your Umrah rituals. 

Conclusion 

If you are setting on the spiritual journey for the first time, you will have to put great effort into planning your Umrah. You must have a smooth and memorable trip. And the key to that is adequate planning and proper preparation. So, don’t forget to consider everything before you plan your Umrah and set on the journey.  The best travel agency in the UK offers Umrah and Hajj packages. You can avail of their services.