Umrah is a holy pilgrimage of Muslims. Since it is not an Ibadah that Muslims perform on a regular basis, mistakes can occur. Let it be in the form of your Umrah travel, rituals, or other technicalities associated. Therefore, for the pilgrims arriving in the region with all inclusive Cheap umrah packages, proper education and knowledge about the journey are essential.
As Umrah is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a majority of pilgrims, it’s common to make mistakes in your journey. However, here’s a brief guide for you to help avoid mistakes in your journey.
Early Planning:
If you are travelling for Umrah rituals and looking for a budget-friendly journey, then last minute arrangements should be avoided at all costs. One common mistake that pilgrims make for their Umrah travel is that they book their travel and accommodation at the last minute which results in reduced availability and higher prices. In addition, there’s less availability of options to choose from.
So, to avoid all of this and streamline your pilgrimage experience, plan your Umrah journey well in advance with an ideal timeframe of three to four months before your intended departure. So that you can get affordable fares as well as quality services.
Understanding Rituals:
A lack of knowledge about Umrah rituals can lead to making mistakes during the performance of the holy pilgrimage and making it invalid. So, to overcome this issue, it is significantly essential to familiarize yourself with the dos and don’ts of Umrah. It includes;
- A detailed guide on the Umrah journey; rituals, significance and history.
- Learning the proper way of performing the holy rituals.
- Being mindful of the prohibitions of Ihram.
- Knowing about the permissible acts of Umrah.
So, you can educate yourself on the matter through online videos, and lectures or even get in-person assistance from religious scholars for any specific concerns you have in your mind. Arrive in Makkah only after you’ve learned all of this about your Umrah journey and then undertake the pilgrimage.
Health Precautions:
Since a greater number of pilgrims are present in Haramain, neglecting the necessary health and safety precautions can negatively impact your pilgrimage experience. So;
- Prioritize vaccinations and carry a valid proof for it.
- Take your necessary medications on time if you are suffering from any chronic disease or on a medical treatment.
- Maintain your personal and oral hygiene.
- Be friendly to everyone and practice patience.
- Learn about the local laws and respect the cultural norms of the region.
- Carry your documents along.
- Know of the nearby health facilities and police stations to go to in case of an emergency.
Documentation:
Carrying invalid documents or documents that are incomplete/incorrect can cause serious issues during your travel to Saudi Arabia. Sometimes even resulting in prosecutions, fines and jail time. So, make sure that all of the documents you are carrying for Umrah are valid, up-to-date and correct.
Keep your original documents safe in a separate place while keeping the copies in another. So that you can minimise the risk of misplacing your original documents.
Financial Planning:
Budgeting is very important for a stress-free journey, whether travelling for Umrah or Hajj. Therefore, create a comprehensive budget for all of your Umrah costs i.e. hotel accommodation, flight tickets, local transportation, daily meals, health/medical expenses, shopping and other miscellaneous expenditures. It is also advised to keep some amount in cash reserved for any emergencies and/or unforeseen incidents.
Knowing your estimated Umrah travel and accommodation budget helps to ensure a peaceful journey as well as keeps you from overspending.
Choosing the Right Time:
Selecting the right time for Umrah travel, as per your individual preferences and budget is essential for a meaningful pilgrimage experience. Therefore, determine the peak and off-peak travel season for Umrah and then plan accordingly.
Accommodation Selection:
Choosing accommodations that are close to Haram as well as qualitative in terms of the living facilities they offer is necessary for comfort and convenience during your pilgrimage. Make sure that the hotel you are getting is neat and clean, equipped with all the necessary amenities as well as offers other hospitality features.
Language Barrier:
It is also advised that you learn some basic Arabic phrases to overcome the language barrier and enhance your communication with locals. For instance, learning about the simple expressions of greeting and gratitude can foster positive connections when interacting with the Saudis there. So, it’s a plus point.
These are some basic mistakes to be mindful of when travelling with December Umrah Packages.