Preparing for Umrah is one of the important things you need to consider, especially if it’s your first time. The aim is to ensure that the pilgrimage runs smoothly without any obstacles.
A brief overview: Umrah is often called a "minor pilgrimage" because its rituals are similar to Hajj. It is performed in the holy city of Mecca, starting with tawaf (circling the Kaaba) and ending with tahallul (shaving or cutting the hair).
The ruling on performing Umrah is sunnah (recommended) and can be done at any time. However, performing Umrah is discouraged on the Day of Arafah, the three days of Tashreeq, and Eid al-Adha.
To ensure you can perform Umrah smoothly, make sure to prepare everything that needs to be brought and carefully consider the following points. Let's take a look below.
1. 11 Umrah Preparations to Consider
There are several Umrah preparations that pilgrims must pay attention to:
1.1 Choose a Kemenag-Licensed Umrah Travel Agency
Nowadays, there are many Umrah travel agencies that assist pilgrims in going to the holy land of Mecca. However, make sure you don’t choose just any agency.
Choose an Umrah travel agency that is officially licensed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag). This is to avoid the risk of fraud or other problems that could delay your departure.
To avoid fake Umrah agencies, before deciding, please check the license of the travel agency through the official Kemenag website or the SIMPU application. Once the agency is registered and has an official license, you can proceed with choosing the agency and registering for Umrah.
1.2 Compare Prices and Services of Umrah Travel Agencies
Besides checking the official license from Kemenag, you should also compare the prices and services offered by each Umrah travel agency you find. Choose an agency with prices and services that comply with Kemenag’s regulations.
Services from a licensed Umrah agency typically include accommodation, transportation, visas, meals, and additional options such as tour packages.
If you find a travel agency that meets Kemenag’s price and service standards and holds an official license, you can proceed with registration and follow the agency’s instructions.
1.3 Prepare Passport and Umrah Visa
After finding a trusted Umrah travel agency, the next step is to prepare your passport and Umrah visa. If it’s your first time, prioritize obtaining the visa. Usually, the process of issuing an Umrah visa is handled by the travel agency or independently. To avoid any issues during departure, check and ensure the visa complies with current regulations. Keep in mind that Umrah visas are issued by the Saudi Arabian Embassy or Consulate General in Indonesia.
Also Read: Complete Guide to Hajj: 6 Pillars of Hajj, Requirements, Types, and Costs
1.4 Take Care of Your Health
Performing Umrah requires good stamina and physical health. Therefore, before embarking on this sacred journey, make sure you take care of your health. Maintain your health by consuming nutritious food, exercising regularly, and undergoing a health check before departure.
You don’t need to engage in heavy exercise. Light activities such as cycling, walking, or doing light aerobics for 30 minutes daily are sufficient. Ideally, start these exercises 30 days before your departure to prepare your body to stay fit and healthy.
1.5 Get Vaccinated
Actually, Umrah pilgrims are not required to get a meningitis vaccination, as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through its embassy, issued a circular on November 8, 2022, stating that meningitis vaccination is only mandatory for those coming for Hajj with a Hajj visa.
As a result, the Indonesian Ministry of Health also issued Circular No. HK.02.02/C.I/9325/2022 regarding Meningitis Vaccination for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims on November 11, 2022, which states that the meningitis vaccination is no longer a requirement for Umrah pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia. However, there is no prohibition if you still wish to receive the meningitis vaccine for health protection.
1.6 Bring Complete Umrah Gear
The next Umrah preparation to pay attention to is bringing complete Umrah gear. This includes Ihram clothing, comfortable daily wear, socks, modest undergarments, toiletries, skincare, sunglasses, a mask, sandals, a Quran, medications, and prayer equipment. For women, make sure to bring sanitary pads in case of menstruation.
Bring two suitcases and one small bag that can be carried around to store all the necessary Umrah items. First, you can use a carry-on suitcase to store one set of clean clothes, prayer gear, a pair of socks, flip-flops, personal medications, and sunglasses.
For the larger suitcase, pack three headscarves and prayer garments (for women), at least two sets of white Ihram clothing for women, one set of Ihram for men, five sets of long clothing, seven pairs of socks, personal items, and toiletries.
1.7 Deepen Your Religious Knowledge
Performing Umrah must be done with devotion to gain the maximum benefit. Before departure, focus on deepening your religious knowledge, especially the rituals you will perform during Umrah.
For instance, study and memorize the rules for performing tawaf seven times, understand how to do sa’i between Safa and Marwah, and memorize or improve your knowledge of the prayers to recite during Umrah.
If you are unable to memorize everything, make sure to bring a small prayer book and a Quran in a small bag so you can easily access and read them whenever needed.
1.8 Learn and Respect Saudi Culture
Since you will be visiting Mecca for worship, make sure to learn and respect the customs of Saudi Arabia. In general, Saudi society holds strong Islamic values that are reflected in their daily lives, from their way of dressing to their professions.
Pilgrims entering Saudi Arabia must respect and follow the rules set by the government. These rules can be studied through the Public Decorum Charter.
According to the rules, everyone entering Saudi Arabia must dress modestly. Specifically, women must wear clothing that covers the shoulders and knees in public areas.
Men and women are also prohibited from engaging in public displays of affection, using foul language, or exhibiting inappropriate gestures. Additionally, buying, drinking, or carrying alcoholic beverages is forbidden.
Violating these rules may result in fines ranging from SAR 50 to SAR 6,000 (approximately IDR 200,000 to IDR 24 million) depending on the violation.
1.9 Learn the Umrah Procedures
To ensure your Umrah preparation is thorough, you need to learn the proper procedures for performing Umrah. Understanding the correct procedures will help you worship in accordance with the established guidelines.
You can easily learn the Umrah procedures through books, the internet, YouTube videos, or Umrah courses. This will help you worship with focus and comfort.
Additionally, be aware of certain prohibitions during Umrah, such as engaging in sinful or disgraceful acts, cutting nails or hair, killing hunting animals, and entering into a marriage contract. Violating these rules will result in penalties or dam (fines), which may involve paying a certain amount of money.
1.10 Prepare Your Finances
Financial preparation is another important aspect to consider. Make sure you have enough funds for the cost of Umrah and your needs while in the holy land. This includes funds for souvenirs, charity, and communication expenses to stay in touch with family at home.
The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs has set a standard cost for Umrah ranging from IDR 24 million to IDR 28 million per person, depending on the package. This cost includes transportation, accommodation, religious guidance, meals, visas, and Umrah gear.
Also Read: 10 Tips for Choosing Umrah Travel that You Need to Know
1.11 Focus on Worship
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Before performing Umrah, ensure your intention is solely to focus on worship. Avoid performing Umrah for the sake of showing off on social media or for other reasons. Set your heart on performing Umrah purely out of obedience and devotion to Allah SWT.
Therefore, to help maintain focus, carefully select your Umrah travel agency and prepare the items you need to bring.
2. 10 Essential Umrah Preparations to Bring:
After understanding the preparations you need to focus on, here are several essential items you should bring for your Umrah pilgrimage:
2.1 Administrative Documents
You must bring administrative documents to pass the immigration inspection at the airport. These documents include your ID card, passport, Umrah visa, vaccination record, marriage certificate, cash, payment bankbook, hotel booking receipt, and flight tickets.
Ensure all the documents you bring are valid and comply with the current regulations. This way, there will be no issues during your departure or while you are in the holy land.
2.2 Ihram Clothing
Male pilgrims must bring ihram clothing as per the regulations, which is unstitched cloth. Make sure to bring at least one set of ihram.
Besides the ihram, also bring comfortable and modest clothes to wear when you are not in ihram. You should also bring a small waist bag for convenience and practicality.
For women, bring at least two sets of white ihram clothing so they can be alternated between uses.
2.3 Everyday Clothing
In addition to the ihram, you also need to bring everyday clothing to wear when you are not performing Umrah.
Some clothing items you should bring include 2-5 sets of long dresses or abayas, 2 long-sleeve pajamas, 10 pairs of underwear (or disposable underwear), and 3-5 bras (for women).
Also, bring prayer garments (for women) and a sarong for men. Female pilgrims should bring hijabs that cover the chest to wear when walking around in Mecca.
2.4 Personal Medications
Many people underestimate the importance of bringing personal medications when going for Umrah. These are crucial because no one knows how their health will be while there.
As a precaution, you should bring common medications such as pain relievers, fever medicine, bandages, flu medication, plasters, painkillers, allergy medication, eucalyptus oil, and others.
If you have a specific medical condition, ensure you bring your prescribed medications according to your health history.
2.5 Sandals
The weather in Mecca is unpredictable, sometimes hot or cold. Therefore, bringing sandals for your Umrah journey is a necessity.
Especially if you are traveling with an Umrah tour group, since the agency often takes pilgrims to visit historical sites related to Prophet Muhammad's life and his companions.
Female pilgrims should wear shoes or sandals along with socks to cover their aurat. Since the routes you will walk are quite long, ensure you wear comfortable sandals to avoid blisters.
2.6 Sunglasses and Masks
Don’t forget to bring sunglasses and masks to protect yourself from the scorching sun and to block out dust. Female pilgrims can opt for a niqab instead of a mask.
If you forget to bring these, don't worry. These items are easily available in various shopping areas around Mecca.
2.7 Toiletries
Some toiletries you need to bring include soap, shampoo, a toothbrush, and toothpaste. To save space in your luggage, you can bring travel-sized toiletries for convenience.
2.8 Skincare and Face Spray
Since Mecca tends to have hot weather, ensure you bring skincare products and face spray to protect your skin. Use sunscreen or sunblock and moisturizers to shield your skin from the sun's heat.
Also, bring special creams as needed to keep your skin healthy. This will help you worship comfortably and stay focused.
2.9 Socks
Socks are another essential item you should bring for your Umrah pilgrimage. You'll wear them frequently during various activities in the holy land.
You don't need to bring thick socks; just bring ones that can protect your feet from dust while staying comfortable for long wear.
2.10 Other Essentials
Female pilgrims usually have more items to bring than men. So, make sure you provide extra space in your luggage for additional items such as prayer garments, sanitary pads, safety pins, a small bag, wet and dry tissues, hijabs, long dresses or abayas, hair ties, hijab inners, and underwear.
Bring only the necessary additional items to avoid overpacking. For small items such as tissues, safety pins, a prayer book, and sanitary pads, you can place them in a small bag to carry with you.
Additionally, all pilgrims should bring a smartphone, charger, and power bank for communication, navigation, and capturing moments. However, use them sparingly so you can remain focused on worship.
So, those are some of the essential Umrah preparations you should pay attention to and bring for your pilgrimage. To ensure nothing is left behind, make a checklist of all the items you plan to bring. This way, everything you need will fit in your luggage, allowing you to perform Umrah smoothly, comfortably, and with full focus.
Sobat BFI, if you're interested in performing Umrah using the assets you own, BFI Finance can be your solution. Through the My Hajat program, you can pledge your car’s BPKB (vehicle registration certificate) to finance your Umrah journey.
For more information about My Hajat and other Sharia financing products at BFI Finance, you can visit the following link.
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