We cannot deny the exceptional rewards of Umrah and the chance that it gives Muslims a chance to pray at Allah Almighty’s symbolic home. Nothing can be more spiritual for the believers in Islam. This is why every practising Muslim seeks to perform this faith-reviving act of worship. Are you looking forward to performing an Umrah soon? If so, you might be curious about when is the best time to book your Umrah trip. Don’t stress out; we are here to tell you about the ideal time to go for the pilgrimage.
Umrah is close to Muslim’s hearts because it is one of the most widely performed Sunnah. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) himself performed this pilgrimage multiple times. Moreover, he also enlightened the Muslim Ummah about the great benefits and rewards of this sacred act of worship.
If you want to go for an Umrah, you must know the best time to perform this journey. If you wish to avail of Umrah packages or have a DIY Umrah, choosing the ideal time will help you immensely. Here are some things that you must know about when is the best time to book your Umrah trip.
What is the Perfect Time to Perform an Umrah?
Even though Umrah is a pilgrimage with no time restriction, there is always a time when it is best to do anything. In the case of Umrah, it is the sacred month of Ramadan. Muslims know the importance of this holy month and the countless blessings that it comes with. Therefore, the rewards of Umrah also increase significantly in the shadow of this blessed month. Many pilgrims choose to perform this sacred journey during Ramadan, and with the availability of Ramadan Umrah packages, it has become easier than ever to undertake this spiritual experience during such a significant time.
If you decide to perform Umrah in Ramadan, you will be rewarded as if you have performed the obligatory Hajj. But this doesn’t mean you can lift your duty to perform Hajj. Hajj will still be mandatory if you haven’t fulfilled this obligation yet.
Muslims consider it the perfect time to perform the pilgrimage because of the increased rewards and blessings. Therefore, it is usually very crowded at the holy sites in Saudi Arabia during this month. It can also be considered the peak season of Umrah. But remember that you can only book for your Umrah package or flight in the first week of Ramadan. After that, Saudi Arabia doesn’t allow pilgrims in the region anymore.
When is the Cheapest Time to Perform Umrah?
Even though we would love to perform Umrah during the sacred month of Ramadan, not all of us can afford to because of the increased costs. As it is the peak season, the prices of everything increase, whether it is the flight or the accommodation in the region. If you are looking for ways to perform Umrah on a budget, you will have to consider what will be the cheapest time to perform the pilgrimage.
It is a fact that you can get some really good discounts and deals on everything if you decide to travel to the region during the off-season. The off-season of minor pilgrimage starts at the start of the Umrah season. The beginning of the Umrah season is referred to as the time when Saudi Arabia opens the holy sites for Umrah pilgrims after the Hajj season. It usually starts in Muharram and lasts till Rajab.
Therefore, if you have a tight budget, you can plan your Umrah trip during the off-season months, which will also enable you to have a quieter experience. Moreover, you will also get many discounts on flights and accommodation, reducing your Umrah journey expenses.
When is the Best Time to Book Your Umrah Trip?
Once you decide to go for an Umrah, you will start wondering when is the best time to book your Umrah trip. Whether you want to book an Umrah package from a reliable Umrah travel agency or book everything on your own, you must consider various factors to ensure you choose the ideal time.
You are making a big mistake if you wait until the last minute to book your Umrah trip. In this case, you will have to pay hundreds of extra pounds because last-minute deals usually cost a lot more. Everything from last-minute flights to accommodation will cost you extra that might disturb your budget.
Therefore, booking your Umrah trip months before planning to perform the pilgrimage will be wiser. You can contact your travel agency as soon as you have decided to go for an Umrah and tell them about your desired departure time. They will provide you with the ideal options that will enable you to have an affordable Umrah trip.
Summing Up
Even though you can go for an Umrah any time of the year except for the Hajj days, it is always better to choose the time that suits you the best. The first thing you have to do is sit down and decide what type of Umrah trip you want. Whether you want it to be quiet or you want to take the risk and go during the peak season or holidays, you will have to consider your budget, too. So, make sure that you make the most suitable decision.