Step by Step Guide To Umrah

Doing the Umrah is so easy and anyone can do the Umrah without any guide from booking to performing Umrah. Here is a quick guide you can use to understand the whole Umrah process:
 

Step 1: Umrah Booking

Choosing an Umrah Package has become so easy these days. You can explore different Umrah packages online or from physical travel agents. The most important elements of an Umrah Package is the duration of the package you want to have. There are popular packages for 10, 15, 21 and 28 days being offered by many agents nationwide.

Most of the Umrah packages offer all-in-one solution which means the package will include all the requirements during umrah. These are:

1.       Return flight ticket

2.       Pickup from the airport in Saudi Arabia and transfer to hotel

3.       Hotel stay (better hotels offer breakfast also)

4.       Transport from Makkah to Madina and return

5.       Ziarat in Makkah and Madian (sometimes these are not included in the packages)

6.       Transport back to Jeddah airport

7.       Return flight

 

Step 2: Prepare for Umrah

When preparing for the blessed Umrah journey for seeking Allah’s blessing and forgiveness and  many Umrah pilgrims do not take proper steps needed for the preparation of Umrah through the following steps

·  Spiritual preparation (refraining from all kinds of sins and make your heart pure by resolving any disputes)

·   Physical preparation (make sure that you are physically fit for the journey, getting yourself medically checked)

·   Mental preparation (learning from people who have experienced Umrah journey

You must also prepare yourself for your Umrah journey by carrying out the following steps as well

You have take the required Umrah vaccination for Umrah trip as required by Saudi Arabia government like Menigitis ACWY vaccination, Corona Virus vaccination etc.

You have to obtain your Umrah Visa by pay your Umra Visa fees which is starting at SAR 10250 for your Umrah trip

You have to obtain your Umrah permit from your nearest Saudi Consulate or approved Travel agent

You must obtain Saudi currency “Saudi Riyal” from your local dealer as it will be more cheaper option then obtaining from Jeddah Airport.

You must prepare your Urmah Ihram clothing before your journey need to carryout sacred Umrah rituals and visiting Ziarat places

You must know your Umrah cleansing rituals and duas need to perform Umrah properly

You must prepare your Umrah trip carry essentials that you will need during your journey like prayer mat, towel, umbrella, slippers, socks, toiletries, first aid, basic medicines, scissors etc.   

You must arrive at the airport before designated time

You must also prepare your essential travel baggage which will help your travel easily like baggage with wheels

You must check and ensure that all your travel documents are complete and nothing remains

You must check and ensure that you are familiar with your flight timings

 You must check with your concerned travel agent for contact person upon your arrival in Jeddah Airport 

Step 3: Your Flight Day

Before you ascend upon your blessed Umrah journey flight by booking umrah packages from Islamabad you must ensure that you follow the following steps

Enter state of Ihram

You must get into state of Ihram which means performing ghusal or wudu. You may enter state of ihram when you reach Meeqat point during your flight or you before the flight. You must also offer two rakat salah Al Ihram after getting into ihram clothing.

Offer Niyyah and Tabliyah

You must offer your Niyyah (intentions) after your enter state of Ihram clothing and when you are near meeqat by reciting the following prayer

 

Labbayka llāhumma ‘umratan.

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً

Translation : O Allah, here I am to perform Umrah

After you are done with your Niyyah, you must offer your Tabliyah by reciting the following

لَبَّيْكَ اللهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ – لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ – إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ – لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ 

Labbayka llāhumma labbayk(a), labbayka lā sharīka laka labbayk(a), inna l-ḥamda wa n-ni’mata, laka wa l-mulk(a), lā sharīka lak.

Translation: At Your service, Allah, at Your service. At Your service, You have no partner, at Your service. Truly all praise, favour and sovereignty are Yours. You have no partner.

Step 4: Arrival in Jeddah

After you have arrived at Jeddah Airport along with your Umrah pilgrimage group members through ramazaan umrah packages, you will be gradually be received or welcomed by ministry of Hajj staff as they will process your travel documents and help you along the way.

You will have to face waiting period from 4 to 6 hours in passenger arrival halls and present your passport to Saudi authorizes as your item like checques, bus vouchers to be stapled with your passport.

You group leader will now collect your passport and make the necessary travel arrangements for traveling to your hotel in Medina or Mekkah according to your Umrah package travel itinerary.

Step 5. Arrive at your Hotel

When you arrive at your hotel, you must take rest and refreshment in order to regain your energy. Afterwards you must get ready for performing the holy act of Umrah pilgrimage that you have attained through your ramadan Umrah package.

 

Step 6: Perform Umrah

You must perform certain steps in order to properly perform Umrah act through the following procedures

Performing Tawaf

You must perform the tawaf which includes carrying out anti clockwise circuits of the holy Kaabah.. Men must cover their navel and knees and women must cover their entire body except their face and hands.

You must observe Mataf which means you must uncover your right shoulder as it is Sunnah. You will start your tawaf where the Haj Al Asward or black stone is placed with it being on right side. You will now carryout your niyyah for your Tawaf by reciting the following words

سْمِ اللَّهِ وَاللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُمَّ إِيْمَاناً بِكَ وَتَصْدِيْقاً بِكِتَابِكَ، وَوَفَاءً بِعَهْدِكَ، وَاتِّبَاعاً لِسُنَّةِ نَبِيِّكَ مُحَمَّدْ

“Bimillahi Wallahu Akbar, Allahumma Imanan bika wa tasdiqan bika kitabika wa wafa’an bi ahdika wattaba’an li sunnati nabiyyika Muhammad (Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam)”

Translation: I begin in the name of Allah, Allah is the greatest. O Allah, out of faith in You, belief in your book, in fulfilment of your covenant, and the emulation of the Sunnah of Your Prophet (Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam)

Now you perform you Tawaf by making sure that Kaabah is on your left so it in in anti clockwise way.

You may recite any duas you have remembered by heart during your Tawaf. One of the best duas to recite when your are between black stone and Yamani corner is below

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

“Rabbana Atina Fid Dunya Hasanah, wa fil akhirati hasanah, wa qina Azab annar”

Translation: O Lord, grant us the best in the world and the best in the next world, and protect us from the punishment of hellfire.

Upon reaching Haj Al-aswad (black stone) marks completing of one round so you can salute, touch or kiss the Haj Al aswad and carryout your next round.

Performing Salah Al Tawaf

You must perform two rakah salah after you are done with your Umrah Tawaf. The salah is recommended to be carried out near Maqam e Ibrahim.

Drinking Zamzam

After carrying out your Salah Al Tawaf , you must head to zamzam water well which is place in the holy mosque and obtain water from the various fountains and dispensers. You can recite dua which you remember to be granted by Allah.

Performing Sa’ee

Now you have to perform the mandatory Sa’ee for your Umrah which is the process of walking in between Safa and Marwah hills seven times. After you have carried out your Salah Al Tawaf you must return to the Haj Al Aswad to perform another round of tawaf before starting your Sa’ee from safa hill. You can recite the following dua

ِإِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ

“Inna s-safa wa l-marwata min sha’a’iri llah (i)”

Translation: Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the Signs of Allah (SWT).

Now you must recite the dua

أَبْدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللهُ بِهِ

“Abda’u bima bad’allahu bihi”

Translation:  I start with that which Allah has begun with.

Now when you reach Safa hill, recite the dua

اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلّٰهِ الْحَمْدُ

“Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahi l-hamd”

Translation: Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, and all praise be to Allah.

Now start walking towards Marwah and you will see two green sets of florescent light which are set apart by 50 meters, men are recommended to run at medium pace in between the two and women are recommended to carryout at their normal speed.

You can recite any dua that has been prescribed for Umrah pilgrims for  Sa’ee or of your choice like Duroodshareef upon our last prophet(PBUH).

You will complete your Sa’ee when you reach Marwah hill. You can recite two rakaht prayer after completing yoru Sa’ee.

Performing Halq

When you are done with your Sa’ee you need to carryout your Halq or Taqsir in order to exit your state of Ihram. Halq means head shaving and Taqsir stands for hair trimming. For carrying out taqsir, you must trim heal equal to your fingertip length from all sides of your head.

Finishing Ihram

As your are done with your Taqsir or Halq, you will now exit your Ihram state and now are free from all restrictions associated like cutting nails, using perfume etc. You must change into your regular clothes to end .

Step 7. Visit Madina

You must now carryout the following actions

Make pure intention for visiting madina by reciting the following dua and recite Darud Sharif during your journey.

O, Allah! I start this journey with a sincere heart and with the complete intention of visiting the holy tomb of Your noble Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Accept it with your kindness.

Take bath or carryout Vudu before visiting the Holy prophet (PBUH)

Do not take your personal belonging to Prophet(PBUH) mosque, wear clean clothes, use perfume and Recite Darud Sharif when you leave for Masjid-e-Nabvi

Go to Masjid e Nabvi which is the 2^nd holy site after Masjid al Haram and has great importance in Islamic history.

Try to enter the Prophet mosque from the bab-e-jibril

You must enter Prophet mosque with right food and keep reciting Allahu Akbar, Subhan Allah and Alhamdu LIllah

You must carryout two rakat Nafil prayer near the Nawafil or holy prophet burial site

 You must face the Holy Prophet (PBUH) holy tomb and offer salam and recite Darud Sharif

Step 8. Return Flight

Now you must get ready for your return flight so make sure that you 

Collect all your travel documents in one place

 Purchase your  zamzam water and dates

Buy any gifts for your family and loved ones

Know your flight departure time and arrival date 

Ramadan Umrah Packages 2022

A new system of Electronic Umrah Visa or Umrah E Visa has been introduced by Saudi Arabia. Now you can apply for Hajj and Umrah online on their official website of Hajj and Umrah. You can pay the fee through Credit Card or Debit Card. Then you will have to access any approved travel agency to buy the packages having hotel accommodation, transport, etc. which is also a rule for Visa for Saudi Arabia.

 

Umrah Visa Document Requirements

Those people who wish to perform blessed Umrah need to have the following documents for Umrah visa

4 recent passport size photo with white background

 Valid passport with 8 months validity minimum having two empty pages

Umrah Visa Covid Vaccine Requirements

Carrying out the sacred act of Umrah is now easier then ever as Saudi Arabia has removed all coronavirus related restrictions so people who wish to perform Umrah do not need

Covid 19 vaccination

PCR tests

 Quarantine

Umrah Ticket Prices

PIA Airline

PIA Airline to Medina

If we talk about Umrah performance so only the minimum time is required will be 3 to 6 hours, based on different days.in only one day you can perform worship .but there is no any package for one day Umrah. You can get package of one week or seven days for staying on holy land.

 

The best benefit of umrah is that you will be rewarded. The first reward will be that you are going to be the guest of Allah. The second will be poverty removal. The third will be that sins will be forgiven means there will be expiation of sins. Fourth is that Umrah will be equal to jihad for some Muslims. It refreshes faiths of Muslims and is an opportunity to pray for what you need.

 

There are two key rituals which are performed during umrah.one is tawaf and other is sa’i.Tawaf is known to be circling or walk around the Kaaba.it is adviced for men that the first three circuits should be done in speed pace and followed by the four circuits in relaxed pace.after that Sa’I happens that is between Safa and Marwah  which is in the Great Mosque of Mecca,. Pilgrimage is concluded with halq (short or partial shorting of hair). 

 

The best time to perform Umrah is after hajj, which is April, May and December holidays. Hostels and other accommodations will be available in cheapest prices.

 

If we talk about economy Umrah package so it is cheapest. 150,000 PKR is nearly the start for 25 days in 5 star. 4 star cost will start from 132,000 PKR and that will be for 15 days. The 3 start cost for 15 days will be approximately around 120,000 PKR.

 

The cost of  Saudi Arabia Umrah e-Visa with also processing can come up to USD 162.00 and that will be for standard processing. Rush processing will USD 187.00 and that will be total including e-visa. If you want to go for super rush processing so it will cost you USD 212. 

 

Umrah packages varies according days you live. Like in one package you can get 10 nights package in only  £795/PP and that is economy. And on the other hand you can get seven nights five star Ramadan umrah package in £1185/PP , so there are different packages with different prices.

 

Umrah packages are chepeast if we talk about economy. 150,000 PKR is for 25 days in 5 star . 132,000 PKR in 4 star for 15 days and 120,000 PKR in 3 star for 15 days

 

The applicant should have nadra id card and passport validity of almost 6 moths and that should be prior to departure. There should be two empty visa pages in passport for further processing.