Enjoyment usually refers to a pleasure generated by visiting public places like theme parks, adventure parks, cinema, and other activities that develop interest among people. But that’s all physical enjoyment. Have you heard of spiritual enjoyment? A spiritual enjoyment is the enjoyment of the soul. It happens when you meditate or worship. In Islam, when you feel that you are talking directly to God, it’s the peak of your spiritual enjoyment. Umrah is a voluntary religious journey, in which a Muslim travels from his/her country to Saudi Arabia to perform some rituals. This journey can be enjoyed physically and spiritually, too. Let’s elaborate! How?

Preparation for Umrah

Every step of the journey not only requires serious attention, but also gives you goosebumps about the next. When you start preparing for Umrah, your excitement reaches its highest level. Everything, including booking, shopping and packing, gives you the imagination of being in front of the Holy Kaaba and performing rituals of Umrah.

Wearing Ihram clothing and starting Talbiyah

When you spend your time in Zikr (remembrance of Allah), you feel real calmness and silence in your soul. The moment when you want to reach your destination as soon as possible is a big source of your spiritual enjoyment. When you cross the Miqat after wearing the Ihram clothes, you start Talbiyah saying: Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik. (I’m here, O Allah, I’m here) which gives you goosebumps and the peak of spiritual enjoyment.

Key Rituals

After taking some rest upon reaching the hotel room, you move to the Haram to perform the key rituals of Umrah.

Tawaf: When you reach in front of the Holy Kaaba, you want to ask for everything from your God and the best of the moment comes when you can’t control your emotions and start crying. Upon every circumambulation, you seek extra rewards and forgiveness from Allah. Allah will surely forgive your sins after this.

Note: If you want to perform more Tawaf after 7 circuits, you can perform it after completing all the rituals of Umrah.

Sai: Walking between the mountains Safa and Marwa is not just a ritual of Hajj and Umrah. It presents the history of Hajar (A.S.) and his son Prophet Ismail (A.S.). When the Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) left his family there and his wife Hajar (A.S.) walked between in search of water and Allah gave Zamzam where her son Ismail (A.S.) was hitting with his heel. Not only this but also Allah made this a ritual for everyone who performs Hajj and Umrah. When you perform Sai, you feel your spiritual attachment with Hajar (A.S.).

Halq/Taqseer: When you cut or trim your hair just for the sake of God, it means, as a Muslim, you prioritize the orders of Allah.

After Umrah

After spending 4-6 hours on Umrah, you may have a schedule for visiting other ziyarah places in the remaining days. You’ll go to Masjid al-Nabawi, where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) spent most of his time after migrating to Medina. You may also visit other places like Badar, Uhud, and a guided tour leads to an informational journey. Every place has a different history and a tour guide will tell you about it.

Physical Enjoyment During Umrah

If you want to enjoy Umrah even as a physical journey, set your schedule when you have vocations and it’s a human-friendly temperature. From December to March, it’s easy to perform Umrah, rather than performing it during the summer. For a physically fit person or a person who likes to put his body in the exercise, Umrah and Ziyarah tours are beneficial after Umrah because your body moves during the Tawaf, Sai and at the time of prayers.

Umrah: Changing the Way of Life

After coming back to your home country, if you still want to feel the effects of Umrah, you must change the way to live your life by following these instructions:

1.       Pray five times a day.

2.       Keep repeating Zikr (remembrance of Allah) after prayer.

3.       Don’t hurt people.

4.       Don’t miss the ‘obligations of Islam’ like Salah, Sawm, Zakat and Hajj.

5.       Don’t waste resources like food, water etc.

6.       Avoid eating or drinking “Haram”.

7.       Avoid doing what’s forbidden in Islam, like lying, theft, non-marital affairs, or sex etc.

By following these guidelines, you’ll find the actual meaning of Islam. And Umrah will have an impact on your remaining life.

Useful tips to perform Umrah

Follow these tips to perform Umrah with ease and comfort during the journey:

1.       Book your Umrah 3-6 months before the journey; it will be cheaper.

2.       Book your Umrah through an ATOL-Protected travel agent; it will give you financial protection.

3.       Pack a lightweight luggage just with the essential items, don’t overload yourself.

4.       Wear Ihram from home; you may miss the Ihram upon crossing the Miqat otherwise.

5.       Keep your documents and their photocopies in a separate bag.

6.       Keep a soft copy of your travel documents in your Phone.

7.       Do not engage in a war of words or a physical fight with anyone during the whole journey.

8.       Don’t violate any restriction of Ihram.

9.       Keep yourself hydrated and take necessary electrolytes through the fruits and oral rehydration solutions.

10. Take enough rest before performing Umrah.

11. Wear easy-walking footwear; men are not allowed to cover their ankles.

12. Perform Umrah late at night if it’s summer. Use sunscreen and an umbrella in the daytime.

Conclusion

Umrah is not a usual enjoyment like weekend outings or a picnic. It is a spiritual enjoyment of your soul. When you start planning for Umrah, the spiritual enjoyment of Umrah begins. You can enjoy every ritual of it but it is necessary to have its knowledge. You can obtain the Umrah-related knowledge from any mosque of the UK or any trusted social media account that teaches Umrah. Book your Umrah through a reputable travel agency so your money doesn’t get wasted by any manipulation or fraudulent activity. Keep following the useful tips given above, during the whole journey. May Allah accept your worship and prayers, Ameen!