There are a moment in life when the soul wants for something deeper or something beyond the noise of daily matters and responsibilities. For Muslims, one of the best answer to this inner calling is the journey of Umrah. It is not a physical journey to the holy city of Mecca, but a deeply spiritual developing, a heartfelt return to the soul of faith and submission to Allah.

Unlike Hajj, which comes one time in the year, Umrah can be performed at any time of the year, offering for the seek forgiveness, rebuild their faith, and reconnect to their Allah. This topic is about preparation, intension, and understanding the deep spiritual significance of the journey. We will guide step-to-step on how to plan, perform, and the benefit of this Umrah journey.

Best Time to perform Umrah

Finding the best month for Umrah is important for every traveler to Mecca. So, in this case, we explore the ideal time for performing Umrah below:

Off-peak seasons

Islamic months like Muharram, Safar, and Rajab are off-peak seasons for Umrah. These months are best for travelers to perform Umrah in fewer crowed and more manageable weather.  This period is ideal for those pilgrims who are spending more time, and complete their rituals quietly. Also, many Gregorian months like September, October or November are also off-peak months for Umrah. So, if you want to do Umrah without facing any large crowd in Mecca and Medina, going for Umrah with booking Umrah Packages in October.

These months offer a peaceful experience, allowing you to focus on your prayers and create connection with Allah. During these months, hotels and flights are available in cheap rates. These months allow pilgrims to spend more time to visit holy sites due to lower crowd.

Ramadan (Peak-season)

Performing Umrah in Ramadan holds the reward of performing Hajj with the Prophet (P.B.U.H) as per as hadith. The reward of doing Umrah in Ramadan is immense and the atmosphere is deeply spiritual. It is the busiest time of the year.

During the last ten days of Ramadan, the ratio of pilgrims is high to come and perform Umrah in this holy month. It is extremely crowded and prices are higher. During this month, Umrah is physically demanding because of fasting and weather conditions if Ramadan occurs in summer months.

Winter season

Winter is considered one of the best seasons to go for Umrah because of comfortable weather conditions in Saudi Arabia. The cooler weather especially December to February, offers a good environment for pilgrims. Winter is also a peak season because the weather of Saudi Arabia is cooler and everyone want to perform Umrah in this pleasant weather and collect rewards from Allah.

During winter especially December, the prices of hotels and flights are much high. Overall, winter presents an ideal opportunity to perform Umrah in comfort, peace, and spiritual clarity, making it an excellent choice for Muslims planning a meaningful pilgrimage.

How to Prepare for Umrah?

Follow the below steps to fully prepare for Umrah:

Spiritual preparation:

  • Renew your intention and perform Umrah only for the sake of Allah.
  • Seek forgiveness from Allah for your past sins.
  • Learn the Umrah rituals by reading Islamic books, watching videos, and attending seminars.

Travel and Documentation

  • Apply for an Umrah Visa through an approved travel agency.
  • Book hotels and flights in advance on low prices.
  • Carry important documents, including passport, flight tickets, visa, etc.

Packing Essentials:

  • Ihram clothes (two unstitched white sheets for men, while modest clothes for women)
  • Comfortable shoes/slippers
  • Quran, Dua book, tasbeeh, and Prayer mat
  • Personal hygiene items
  • Medication and Doctor Prescription

Rituals to Perform during Umrah

Performing Umrah involves four main rituals that are below:

  1. Ihram:

This is the first step to perform Umrah. Ihram is the state of purity that an individual who wants to do Umrah must adopt. It must be done by wearing specific attire for both men (two pieces of white clothes) and women (Abayas).

  1. Tawaf:

This is the second step to perform Umrah. In Tawaf, pilgrims circulate around the Kaaba seven times in an anti-clockwise direction. This ritual starts and ends on the Black stone.

  1. Sa'i:

This is the third step to perform Umrah. In Sa'i, pilgrims walk between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times. This act is the remembrance of the Hajra's (A.S.) running between Safa and Marwa to search of water for her son Hazrat Ismail (A.S.).

  1. Halq/ Taqsir:

This is the last step to perform Umrah. In Halq/Taqsir, pilgrims shave their entire head or cut their hair. After doing this ritual, Umrah is completed.

Conclusion

Performing Umrah is not just a physical act of travelling to the holy cities; it is a personal and spiritual experience for every Muslim to rebuild the heart and create a strong connection with Allah. Apart from its spiritual aspect, selecting the best time to go for Umrah is also important. You can choose your ideal time to go to Mecca by knowing about some important factors, including weather, the crowd level, and the cost of travel options. So, when you select your preferred time for Umrah, keep in mind these factors. Moreover, think about the cost of travel options properly if you want to do Umrah in Ramadan with booking Umrah Packages Ramadan 2026.