Umrah Guide

وَأَتِمُّوا الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ لِلَّهِ

“And complete the Hajj or ‘Umrah in the service of Allah.” (Quran 2:196)

Like Hajj, ‘Umrah is a journey of the body, heart and soul. It is a journey back in time to the era of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH). Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail (PBUT) laid the foundations of the Ka’abah. The peak of the Ka’abah’s history is when our Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) removed the idols, which the pagans had placed there, and rededicated it as a mosque for the worship of Allah alone. Now in the 21st century, we can look back at this history and feel connected to the prophets through the performance of Hajj and ‘Umrah.

Unlike Hajj, the required rituals of which extend over several days and various sacred sites, the rituals of ‘Umrah are confined to one place, and could be completed in a mere few hours.

Having said this, the real test in both journeys remains the same; this blessed voyage is all about testing your patience.

Remember, this is not a vacation per se. It is a test! So prepare for the worst and pray for the best.

Themes of ‘Umrah:

Prohibited things during the state of Ihram:

Hair cutting
Nail clipping
Intimate relations
Servitude
Using scents/fragrances on body and clothes
Hunting
Wearing tailored garments (men)
Covering the face (women)

Steps of Umrah

1. Ihram

2. Tawaaf

3. Sa’i between Safaa and Marwah

4. Shaving/trimming hair

Travel Tips

(Do's)

1. Dress modestly/comfortably
2. Comfortable walking/running shoes (men and women)
3. Slippers/Sandals for men during Ihram (most of the feet must be exposed)
4. Always carry a small pack bag to carry shoes, water bottle and other necessities
5. Caps/hats/shades/small umbrellas
6. Bring a fall jacket/scarf/ shawl as Madinah gets cold over-night

(Dont's)

Landmarks

In Makkah

1. Ghaar Hiraa
2. Jabal Thawr
3. Mina/Arafaat/ Muzdalifah
4. Jabal Thabir

In Madinah

1. Qubaa Mosque
2. Al-Qiblatayn Mosque
3. Jabal Uhud
4. The Seven Mosques
5. Al-Baqee’ Cemetery

Maps & Diagrams

Umrah Shopping List

Food

Medicine (better to bring from Canada)

Electronics (better to bring from Canada)

Hygiene (You can always buy or get more in Madinah/Makkah)

Clothing suggestion for Men (apart from your regular clothing items)

Belt for Ihram (buy in Madinah/Makkah)
Money belt while in Ihram (buy in Madinah/Makkah)
Your most comfortable sandals/flip flops to wear while in Ihraam. (bring from Canada)
Comfortable pair of running shoes. There will be a lot of walking and running shoes are essential in non ihraam days. (For EVERYONE) (bring from Canada)
Rimmed hat to block the sun during site seeing

Literature

Miscellaneous

A draw string bag (you get this at the dollar store, or any athletic store) this will be your bag for shoes, water bottle etc while going to the Masjid. – A bag will be provided by VisaEnterprise, and it will include an Ihram for men, two-piece hijab/skirt for women. However, you can bring your own if you want to
Large water bottle. There will be a lot of walking. Therefore, before setting out it is essential to drink a reasonable amount of water and to stay hydrated as much as possible
Little pouch to wear around your neck/chest for phones, keys, and money (can get it from a dollar store, or travel suitcase section in Walmart)
Umbrella (small retractable size is ideal)
Eye cover shades and earplugs (bring from Canada)
Hajji mat (you can buy this in Mecca/Madinah)
Snacks such as energy bars (do not get anything with chocolate coating it will melt)

Documents

Average spending shouldn't exceed $600 for the trip (doesn't include personal shopping), not all of the hotels have safes in the rooms. If you run out of money you can use local ATM machines with your Canadian debit card. It is better to exchange your money in Madinah/Makkah Exchange outlets for better rates. Only exchange at airports if you really have to and for smaller amounts
Do not bring any valuables such as expensive watches, jewelry etc.

Learn More about How To Perform Hajj and Umrah

Important Links of Publications:

Find below Links to Hajj and Umrah literature for you to read in order to equipped yourself with good knowledge in Hajj and Umrah fiqh Islamic guidance.