Umrah is not only a physical journey but a worship and a source of rewards for the Muslims. Umrah can be performed at any time of the year. So, it is necessary to decide a comfortable time for this worship and journey so you don't get distracted and stay mentally calm and independent during the whole journey. The question, “what is the best time to perform Umrah” hasn't a single answer or a particular time, it has multiple answers because of your preferences and on-going circumstances in your life. This blog gives you the comfort and independence to choose your particular time to perform Umrah. So let's discuss the most happening circumstances and the right time to perform Umrah according to them.
Seasons and Weather
Seasons generally indicate the weather but sometime it doesn't go according to your expectations and weather surprises everyone. Despite these kinds of surprises, people keep their eyes on the season to set their schedule. Here is the explanation of seasons and the usual expected weather in them.
Summer (May to August)
The temperature in Makkah during the summer reaches 45°C to 48°C and it's extremely hot. It is marked as off-peak season of Umrah if it doesn't meet Ramadan. It is very hard to survive there, especially for children, old pilgrims and for those with some serious chronic disease. At the same time, travel agencies drop the prices of Umrah packages to engage more people. If anyone has a lower budget for Umrah, going for Umrah in July or another summer month can be beneficial for him. So, if you are physically fit, you have tight budget or you can't schedule it in the other seasons. This time is for you to perform Umrah.
Spring and Autumn (March-April and September-October)
These two seasons have manageable temperatures (from 30°C to 38°C) and crowds are more than summer, less than Ramadan, Hajj and winter during these months and the prices of Umrah package are moderate. This month is marked better than the summer season as it is offering more comfortable environment and cost. If these conditions suit you, you can select one of these months.
Winter (November to February)
Winter is marked as “the best” among the seasons to perform Umrah. The temperature drops up to 25°C in Makkah, the holidays are started and the prices go high. Despite these high prices, people perform Umrah accompanied by their children, old parents and other family member because of cold and friendly weather. Crowds are higher than the other months. So if you can manage to take your young children or old parents to Umrah, you can manage to pay higher prices. This month is comfortable for you and your family to perform Umrah.
Islamic or Lunar Months
The environment may change you decisions and schedules but here's what may also change your time to perform Umrah. Islamic months follow lunar circulation or appearance. So they also have an impact on the time-selection for Umrah.
Dhul Hijjat ul Haram
Dhul Hijjat ul Haram is the twelfth month of the Islamic Calendar. In this month, Muslims perform the biggest pilgrimage of Islam, which is Hajj. People also perform Umrah before or after the Hajj. If you are planning Hajj 2026, you can perform Umrah before or after performing Hajj.
Exceptions: You can't buy an Umrah package for Dhul Qaadat ul Haram or Dul Hijjat ul Haram.
Muharram and Safar
After the completion of 12th month of the Islamic calendar and Hajj, the travel agencies know that a big number of Muslims have performed Hajj and Umrah as well and crowd is going to be dropped now. The prices and rents of Umrah packages, transport and Hotel rooms are decreased. If you are not planning to perform Hajj and Muharram and Safar are passing through the winter season or its summer while facing tight budget issues, this time you can perform Umrah in a less crowded environment.
Ramadan (The Best of them all)
You may select any time but what matters the best is what's told by The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and He Said, ”Perform Umrah in the month of Ramadan, it's equivalent to the Hajj (in rewards). So, it doesn't matter what your schedule is and what the temperature of Makkah is if you are physically fit and financially stable. You can perform Umrah in Ramadan and you can get a chance to get rewards equivalent to Hajj.
Instructions
You may reduce stress and distraction by deciding the right month to perform Umrah but it is necessary to follow some instructions for additional advantage:
- Stay hydrated always, it will keep your body fresh and steady during the whole journey and protect you from any possible illness as much as it can.
- Protect yourself from direct sunlight with Umbrella or Sun or Sunscreen.
- Don't overload yourself, just keep necessary items in your luggage.
- Keep connected with your group or family members during the whole journey through the digital devices and don't get separated without any communication.
- Take care of your luggage and items in it.
- Don't fight anyone during the whole journey.
- Keep your necessary medicine with you during the journey.
- Keep following the instructions, given by the Saudi government.
- Keep following the Ihram restrictions during the Ihram state.
- Don't even start the journey without learning about it.
By following these instructions you can additionally protect yourself from other illnesses and distractions.
Conclusion
Umrah can be performed in any month of the year but everyone isn't facing similar circumstances in his/her life. The time management is different for everyone. Some people are busy and some are free, some are healthy and some are ill, some have big budget and some have small. But everybody has independence to select the best time to perform Umrah. This blog gives explanation of almost every single aspect so, people could easily decide their time to perform Umrah.