What Muslim wouldn’t be happy to be given the opportunity to visit the holy land to perform Umrah? Although not all, most Muslims would be happy because it is an invitation from Allah Swt. In fact, for some it is not just an ordinary trip, but a spiritual journey that changes their lives for the better.
Since Umrah is a big journey, it is important to prepare yourself spiritually, emotionally and mentally before embarking on it. You also need to pay attention to these 10 things before going for Umrah. What are they?
10 Essentials for Umrah
1. Clear Intention
Before starting Umrah, the most important thing to do is to purify your intention.
“Yet they are not commanded except to worship Allah by purifying obedience to Him in (practicing) religion with straightness…” (QS. Al-Bayyinah: 98)
Intend our Umrah worship solely to seek His pleasure, forgiveness, and mercy. Remind ourselves that this Umrah journey is not just about visiting a holy place, but also purifying and renewing our spirituality. Keep your heart focused on Allah Swt and let Him guide you.
2. Prepare Your Heart for Forgiveness
Umrah is an opportunity for a Muslim to seek Allah’s forgiveness, as well as cleanse the soul.
“The Prophet Muhammad said: Whoever performs Hajj or Umrah and does not commit immoral or sinful acts, (he) will return as (free from sin) on the day his mother gave birth to him.” (HR. Bukhari)
Before finally going for Umrah, take some time to reflect on our past actions. Ask for forgiveness for the sins that have been committed and afterward, be determined to turn over a new leaf in life.
Allah is Forgiving and He loves to forgive those who repent sincerely. Remember that no matter how many mistakes we make, Allah’s mercy is greater.
3. Understand All the Meanings of Umrah Rituals
Every Umrah ritual has a deep spiritual meaning. From entering ihram to circumambulating the Kaaba, everything is a reminder for us to submit to Allah.
When performing Sai where we walk between Safa and Marwah, remember that we are walking in the footsteps of Siti Hajar (peace be upon her) whose faith was unshakable.
“The Prophet Muhammad said: Whoever circumambulates the House of Allah seven times and then prays two rak’ahs will have his sins forgiven.” (Ibn Majah)
Find out the meaning of all these rituals before we finally go for Umrah. Then, educate ourselves to perform all the rituals according to their meaning. Because, every ritual is a moment to get closer to Him.
Read also: These are 5 Types of Tawaf and Legal Requirements for Tawaf in Hajj and Umrah
4. Acknowledge the Sanctity of Makkah and Madinah
Makkah and Madinah are not just cities, they are the spiritual heart of Islam. Makkah is home to the Kaaba and Medina is the final resting place of the Prophet Muhammad. When in these holy cities, be respectful.
Keep your heart low, and realize that being in these blessed holy places is a gift from Allah. Spend time in Makkah and Madinah not only performing rituals, but also contemplating, praying, and worshipping Him.
5. Fill Your Heart with Patience During the Journey
Umrah travel requires excellent physical condition. We may be waiting for a long time, in a crowd of tens of thousands of people, or other inconveniences that we will encounter during the trip.
These conditions will certainly make us physically tired and affect our emotional state. But remember, patience is also an act of worship and will be greatly rewarded by Allah Swt.
Every difficulty that comes along on the Umrah journey is an opportunity for us to earn rewards. Whenever we feel tired or frustrated, remember that every challenge is a test from Allah. Stay calm, pray, and believe that Allah is with you every step of the way.
6. Guard your heart, keep praying and remembering
Umrah is a unique opportunity for us to speak directly to Allah. There is no better time to offer prayers than when we pray in the Holy Land.
While Tawaf, Sai, or praying at the Grand Mosque, remember that our prayers will be answered in these blessed places. Use this Umrah to ask for His forgiveness, guidance and mercy.
Ask for strength in faith, offer sincere prayers for the well-being of our loved ones, and keep our tongues wet with dhikr.
7. Rest assured that Allah’s Mercy is Infinite
No matter how bad your past is, no matter how many sins you have committed, Umrah is an opportunity for you to start a new life. Allah’s mercy knows no bounds.
“And your Lord is Forgiving, Merciful. If He had willed to afflict them with a calamity for what they have done, He would have hastened (the recompense) to them. But for them there is a decree from which they cannot escape.” (QS. Al-Kahf: 58)
As we stand in Makkah and Madinah, hope for Allah’s endless mercy and believe that He is always ready to forgive. Approach the Kaaba with humility and fill it with love. Know that Allah is eager to forgive His sincerely repentant servants.
Believe that the Umrah journey is not just a ritual journey, but also a journey of healing, renewal, and a new beginning.
8. Fill Your Heart with Gratitude
Being able to perform Umrah is a great blessing, so do it with gratitude. Allah has invited us to His house, and it is a privilege that millions of Muslims yearn for.
“The Prophet Muhammad said: Whoever visits my grave is as if he had visited me during his lifetime.” (HR. Bukhari)
When in Makkah, be grateful that we are given the honor to be able to stand in front of the Kaaba. Then when moving to Medina, bring a heart full of gratitude for being given the opportunity to connect with the Prophet.
Read also: Before Going to Hajj and Umrah, Get to Know These Parts of the Kaaba
9. Prepare for Transformation
“The Prophet Muhammad said: Whoever performs Hajj and Umrah and does not commit any evil word or sinful act, he will return home as free from sin as on the day his mother gave birth to him.” (HR. Bukhari)
Umrah is an act of self-purification and deep spiritual cleansing. It is an opportunity to escape the burden of sin and reconnect with Allah in a way that will change us for the better.
10. Believe in whatever Allah’s Plan is
The last important thing we should instill in ourselves before going on Umrah is to trust in Allah’s plan for our Umrah journey.
Did the trip go as we expected? Even if it doesn’t, and we face challenges along the way, remember that everything happens by Allah’s will.
Umrah is not just about visiting holy places, but also about reconnecting with Allah, seeking His forgiveness, and changing our lives for the better.
For those of you who will be performing Umrah, may your journey be filled with His blessings and pleasure. And hopefully, Allah Swt accepts all your prayers and gives you the strength to continue on the right path after returning from His Holy Land. To facilitate your Umrah trip, you can also give alms to those in need through Dompet Dhuafa. Give alms easily by clicking the link below! (RQA)
