It is a great honor and privilege for the devotees to perform Umrah in the blessed month of Ramadan itself. These are the spiritual gains which are enormous given the fact that worship during the blessed month is rewarded more. If you are among those who would be performing Umrah this Ramadan, then you are in the right place as this article will guide you about fasting while traveling in Saudi Arabia as you plan for your holy journey.

Fasting While Traveling During Ramdan Umrah

Umrah is performed throughout the year from UK but like I mentioned, Ramadan is the most popular time to perform the Umrah hence flights and accommodation spaces become fully booked several months before the start of Ramadan. Make all your bookings about 4-6 months in advance so that you can have a better chance of getting cheap flight tickets and hotels. It is recommended to travel during the middle of the Ramadan so as to be able to capture and enjoy the spirit and ambiance of the Ramadan Umrah in Makkah and Madina.

Packing Essentials

When packing, two critical words should be light weight and comfortable. For the men folk it’s recommended to pack 2-3 lightweight Ihram, slippers, open shoes for the rites, toiletries, medication for ailments, sunglasses, umbrella, prayer mat, and normal clothes. For women, pack full length and loose abayas to cover head and body, socks, shoes and slippers, caps and other headcovers and the like along with necessary good clothes.

Important Documents

While traveling, it’s beneficial to have copies of your passport, identification/residence papers, vaccination records, and hotel vouchers easily accessible in the hand luggage . With some Saudi Riyal in the initial days after arrival it can be easier to manage other expenses. You can exchange currency or withdraw from ATMs that are located in the country later. Also have print out of the flight itineraries too.

Arrival at Saudi Arabia

When arriving at the immigration officer, he or she will ask to be shown the vaccination card. You will be allowed entry if you have taken the meningitis vaccine in the last 3 years or Covid vaccine. Those who have not been vaccinated for any reason are required to receive the necessary doses of a vaccine at the clinic in the airport.

Pick Zamzam water bottles for yourself and your family in the airport before traveling further. Without any extra charge, transport will transfer you to the hotel whether in Makkah or Madinah. Clean yourself up and get a little of rest before you head to Haram to begin performing your first Umrah during the next Ramadan.

Ihram and Niyyah

Gentleman can wear Ihram from the hotel and ladies can put on their normal clothes and then change Ihram later when it is allowed. Both must have Niyyah for Umrah while being on the way to Haram. As for niyyah it can be done mentally or by saying something in words as per your wish.

First Umrah

If one is performing Umrah before Hajj, enter the state of Ihram before arriving at Miqat which is the boundary line for Ihram. After entering Haram, start the Tawaf al-Umrah, which means moving around Kaaba seven times. Begin Tawaf from Hajr-e-Aswad until one completes at least a full circle to reach it again. And then make Sa’ee (walk seven circuits between Safa and Marwah). This marks the end of the first Umrah after going through the following steps. Change your normal outfit and proceed with worship in Makkah.

Subsequent Umrah

One can perform multiple Umrahs during their stay; a point of flexibility in the entire exercise. For other times of Umrahs, you put on Ihram from any point within the Haram area after declaring Niyyah. Perform Tawaf al-Umrah and Sa’ee and then perform Tawaf al-Umrah and Sa‘ee once more. Umrahs are not counted and therefore there are no restrictions to the number of times one can perform Umrahs. Here, one is rewarded based on the number of performances given, and the more one performs, the higher are his or her earnings.

Etiquettes of Worship

These are some of the etiquettes to be followed during Tawaf and Sa’ee – do not converse in worldly matters when circumambulating the Kaaba, Tawaf should be done anti-clockwise, do not push others, If one gets exhausted, one should sit down as soon as the current round is completed, Sa‘ee is performed between Safa and Marwah at a moderate speed.

Worship through the Night

I have to say that the highlight of doing Umrah in Ramadan is trying to get on the spiritual buzz and spend hours in prayer and worship inside the Masjid al Haram. There is no comparison to the feeling of respect that is observed during Qiyam al-Layl or Tahajjud Namaz when the Imam offers prayers at night in Haram which has a holy aura.

The kind of fasting while traveling where one practices during the Ramadan either in Makkah or Madinah is made easier by the support of fellow believers as well as the inspiring Tarawith prayers. Very near the time of Maghrib Adhan, inside the Haram, dates and laban Iftar is held as Sunnah Iftar. It is possible for one to join his colleagues and friends in taking Iftar inside Haram in order to enjoy great spiritual satisfaction.

Shop for Souvenirs

During the break time from prayer you can buy souvenirs for family, prayer rugs, Attar (perfume), Azan clocks, Tasbeehs, etc from gift shops within the premises of Haram. The price is also cheaper compared to the airport strip. For the ladies, elegant scarves, Abayas with appealing Islamic designs and caps are great souvenirs. This is especially important in cases when one intends to shop keeping Ramadan crowds in mind to avoid last moment hassle. Traveling in Ramadan for Umrah In Conclusion Although traveling during Ramadan for performing Umrah multiplies the spiritual blessings, prolonged fasting takes a heavy toll on one’s health. Such planning enables the human body to manage difficult fasting regimes, while not depriving the body of energy it requires during those periods of fasting. This leads to depletion, which is avoided through maintaining adequate rest, water and food intake as necessary. Accepting challenges with equal efforts and moderate expectations helps one to direct full attention towards spiritual quests. Fasting while traveling and then performing Umrah is a noble and virtuous deed. As it is a difficult and challenging endeavor, it is formulated with knowledge and planning and, ultimately, an extremely valuable life experience.

Can you travel during Ramadan from UK?

Yes, everyone can travel from UK. However you must have required assistance from the local umrah travel agency to book the Ramadan Umrah package.

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