Muslims are scattered all around the world, but every Muslim’s heart is present in the two holy cities of Saudi Arabia. Every Muslim, with even an ounce of faith, understands the significance of the Holy Kaabah, Masjid an-Nabwi, and other sacred sites in Makkah and Madinah. Also, there is no denying that visiting these holy sites to perform the pilgrimage is among the most sacred acts of worship. So, if you finally get the chance to embark on the spiritual journey, you might want to know how to perform Umrah from the USA.
Whoever gets the chance to travel to the house of Allah Almighty is His guest. Performing Umrah is the ultimate source to revive the faith and gain extensive rewards and blessings. But you will have to plan and prepare appropriately. Therefore, you will need a proper guide to tell you everything about your Umrah journey, from the booking process to the details about Umrah rituals and rules.
Get Your Umrah Package from the USA
Once you have decided to go for an Umrah soon, you will have to start looking for an Umrah package that will suit you perfectly. You will find many local travel agencies offering different types of Umrah packages. Firstly, you must choose an authentic and reliable travel agency—the Hajj and Umrah Ministry of Saudi Arabia authorized travel agencies to provide pilgrimage-related services. So, check whether the travel agency you choose is authorized.
After choosing a reliable Umrah travel agency, you will have to select the perfect Umrah package from the USA that will fulfill all your requirements. As mentioned earlier, there are numerous types of Umrah packages. You can get individual or group packages. There are also customized Umrah packages and a lot more.
You will have to choose the one that will ideally suit your budget and requirements. So, make sure that you consider all your options before making the right decision. Considering your budget and needs, you can also ask your travel agents for suggestions. Choosing the perfect Umrah package is crucial for a smooth and convenient pilgrimage. So, decide wisely after considering all the factors.
Educate Yourself About the Pilgrimage
After booking the perfect Umrah package, you will know how all your bookings and visa processes are handled. Therefore, you can educate yourself about the precious spiritual journey. You can start by learning about the exceptional rewards and blessings that come with this soul-lifting pilgrimage. It allows you to be closer to Allah Almighty and ask for forgiveness for all your mortal sins.
Moreover, it marks the removal of poverty from a person’s life, as they will spend their wealth in the way of Allah Almighty. Also, performing Umrah is equivalent to performing Jihad, which means fighting in the way of Allah Almighty. It is the noblest act in Islam.
You might also have heard about the exceptional rewards of performing the voluntary pilgrimage during Ramadan. Anyone who can perform Umrah during the holy month of fasting will receive a reward equivalent to the mandatory pilgrimage, the Hajj.
Prepare Your Mind and Body for the Pilgrimage
Umrah is an act of worship that requires excellent physical and mental exertion and proper preparation. You must prepare your mind for the life-altering journey. Ensure your mind is at complete peace, and your only worry is getting closer to Allah Almighty. So, make sure that you leave all your distractions and worries back home and enter the holy house of Allah Almighty with a clear and peaceful mind.
Moreover, don’t forget to prepare your body for all the extra work it will do during the Umrah journey. Performing Umrah requires a lot of walking. Also, it is usually hot in Saudi Arabia, so you must be adequately hydrated. So, exercise a little before your Umrah journey and always keep yourself hydrated. Also, if you are on any medication, be punctual with them. Try not to miss out on any medicine dose to avoid inconvenience during the pilgrimage.
How to Perform Umrah?
Let’s briefly discuss the Umrah rituals and rules so you will know how to perform the pilgrimage.
Make Niyyah and Enter the State of Ihram
The first step of performing the pilgrimage is to make Niyyah. This means making an intention for the pilgrimage. You will have to intend to perform this pilgrimage for the sake of Allah Almighty, to please Him, and to be closer to Him with a pure heart. After that, you must enter the state of Ihram, which has specific rules and restrictions.
You will have to clean yourself properly and then dress up in two unstitched pieces of white clothing for men. Meanwhile, the women must cover themselves from head to toe. After you enter the state of Ihram, you must abide by all the rules and restrictions it implies until you have completed your pilgrimage.
Perform Tawaf
Tawaf means circling the Holy Kaabah. You must make seven rounds around the Holy Kaabah to perform one Tawaf. Start from the Black Stone and end your Tawaf at the same place.
Perform Saee
Saee is another significant Umrah ritual. In this ritual, you must walk seven times between the sacred hills of Safa and Marwah. This ritual commemorates the act of Hazrat Hajra, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), when she was stranded in the desert with her infant. The historical event teaches Muslims a great lesson. It teaches Muslims to be patient and put their trust and faith in Allah Almighty.
Halq or Taqsir
The last ritual that will lift the Ihram obligations from you and mark the completion of your pilgrimage is Halq or Taqsir. In this ritual, men can shave their heads, shorten their hair equally, and cut their nails. Women must also cut a few inches of their hair and clip their nails.
Final Words
If you have received your Umrah package from USA, you should know everything that will enable you to have a smooth spiritual journey. We have a comprehensive guide on performing Umrah from the USA that will be very helpful for you. Just make sure that you are adequately prepared for the faith-reviving journey and ready to yield as many rewards and blessings as possible.
