Umrah is one of the major Sunnahs of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH. It is a religious act of worship that all Muslims around the world follow. Umrah, unlike Hajj, can be carried out at any time of the year. However, one question frequently asked by many pilgrims is, How long is Umrah? The duration of the pilgrimage is as short as 5-7 days, including travel time and visiting religious places. Moreover, the basic rituals of Umrah are usually completed in just 2-3 hours.
If you’re thinking of doing Umrah this year, it is the best choice to give yourself enough time to understand how to pray and get the true blessings of being in the cities of Mecca and Medina. You can also get Cheap Umrah Deals from a trusted agency, like Muslims Holy Travel, to ensure a stress-free journey. Read this ultimate guideline ahead to know the maximum span of Umrah!
Understanding the Stages of the Umrah Journey
Umrah has a deep importance in the heart of every Muslim. There are 4 stages contributing to the overall pilgrimage experience that you need to understand. No matter which season you travel for Umrah, you must be aware of the basic rituals to better complete the pilgrimage following Islamic guidelines. Here is a brief breakdown of the key stages of the Umrah journey.
Ihram
Ihram is the state of purity that you need to enter before accessing the boundaries of Miqat. It includes specific cleansing rituals and wearing simple white-colored garments. Before wearing the Ihram, there is a need to perform Ghusl. It typically takes 30 minutes to 1 hour to enter the Ihram. However, it can vary depending on the familiarity with the process and the available facilities at the Miqat. As a Muslim, you must be completely aware of this prime stage of Umrah.
Tawaf
After entering the Grand Mosque, the first ritual that pilgrims need to do is Tawaf. Pilgrims walk around the Kaaba seven times in an anti-clockwise direction during this ritual. You might not know, but it is a Sunnah to do Tawaf keeping the Kaaba at left and pray two rak’ahs after doing the seven rounds. It takes about 1 to 2 hours to do Tawaf, following the crowd and your own pace. It may take longer during peak times because of large crowds in or near the divine Kaaba.
Sa’i
The second ritual for Umrah is Sa’i. It involves walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa within Masjid al-Haram. This journey commemorates Hazrat Hajar’s (AS) desperate search for water for her son Hazrat Ismail (AS) and how the divine spring of Zamzam came. Sa’i generally takes 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, based on the number of pilgrims and the individual’s speed. Briefly, the total distance covered during Sa’i is approximately 2.1 miles (3.5 kilometres).
Tahallul
Tahallul is the end stage of the pilgrimage, which is mandatory for pilgrims to perform. It also refers to the exit from the state of Ihram, which signifies the lifting of restrictions imposed during Ihram. For men, Tahallul usually involves shaving or trimming the hair. Women, on the other hand, cut only a small portion of the hair. Generally speaking, Tahallul is the physical manifestation of purification, showing a fresh start and the end of the sacred state of the Ihram.
What Factors Can Affect the Duration of Umrah?
The Umrah duration can be affected by a number of factors. If you want to plan your Umrah better and ensure a smooth and truly enriching experience, be sure to understand the following.
Physical Fitness
Pilgrims with good physical fitness can complete the Umrah more quickly. If you’re travelling with elderly members in your family, you may need to rest and move at a slower pace. Whenever you plan your travel, make certain to stay fit physically to perform the Umrah rituals with ease.
Crowd Size
Crowd size matters a lot when it comes to the duration of the Umrah trip. There are increasing numbers of pilgrims during peak seasons, like Ramadan. This can slow down the process of doing rituals. Hence, it is advisable to travel during off-peak seasons to avoid massive crowds.
Weather Conditions
The duration of your Umrah is also impacted by weather conditions. The intense temperatures of Saudi Arabia can make Umrah physically demanding, causing more frequent breaks. Keep the weather in mind when planning the pilgrimage! This is how you can complete Umrah super fast.
Personal Preferences
Some pilgrims prefer to take their time to carry out each ritual, contributing to additional prayers. Well, this can lengthen the whole pilgrimage experience. Factors, like accommodation choices, travel times, and even the pace of rituals, can all be influenced by personal preferences.
General Duration for Completing the Umrah
Whether you’re travelling solo or as part of a group, get all-inclusive Umrah deals for a hassle-free journey. You might be pondering how long the pilgrimage can be. Let’s have a look!
Short-Term Umrah
A short-term Umrah lets you complete all the essential rituals within just 3-5 days. This is a perfect choice for those who are in pursuit of a quick yet fulfilling experience. With this type of Umrah deal, you can arrive in Mecca and undertake the required rituals only in a short period.
Standard Umrah
The standard Umrah package gives you a duration of 7 days. This span provides a more relaxed pace compared to the short-term Umrah. For instance, there is enough time for extra prayers and sightseeing. This is worth investing in for those who want to do all the rituals of the Umrah.
Extended Umrah
The extended Umrah spans over 10-14 days. It gives pilgrims more flexibility for spending time in Medina to visit the Prophet’s Mosque. You can even perform additional prayers for a stronger relationship with Allah. This duration provides a great experience of both Mecca and Medina.
Customising Your Stay
You can also make your own plan. Travel agencies, like Muslims Holy Travel, give you the chance to customise the duration period. The Umrah duration cost may vary based on the stay period. Some pilgrims want to stay longer to jet off to Mecca, Medina, and other Islamic sites.
Can Umrah Be Performed in One Day?
Umrah has four key obligations, namely Tawaf, Sa’i, and Halq or Qasar while in the state of Ihram. If you’re an overseas pilgrim and land in Jeddah, travelling from the airport to Mecca will take more than 1 hour. You can get Family Umrah Deals to get your tour planned properly.
You will probably be too tired to carry out the act of Umrah by the time you reach the hotel. Yet, many Muslims decide to do Umrah right away. This might be the right decision, keeping in mind the restrictions linked with Ihram. Anyhow, if you decide to take a rest, eat your meal, and undertake Umrah the next day, you will start with Tawaf. Next, you move on to performing Sa’i and Taqsir or Qasar. Comprehensively, the Umrah itself can be performed in one day. Even the family Umrah duration can be a single day. In fact, all rituals should take as much as 3-6 hours.
How Long Should You Plan for Umrah?
The time required to carry out the act of Umrah is not fixed. It can vary significantly depending on the individual. While the core rituals take 3-6 hours, most pilgrims prefer to stay for at least one week. The only purpose of this is to fully absorb the spiritual ambience and visit other important religious sites. So, you can shorten or lengthen the stay as per your personal choices.
The Final Thoughts
Umrah brings so many rewards for Muslims, like the forgiveness of sins, the renewal of the soul, and the removal of poverty. If you want to deepen your relationship with Allah, it is the ideal choice to do the pilgrimage. Since it can be done at any time of the year, what bothers most pilgrims is the Umrah duration. It usually takes no more than 3-6 hours to complete the Umrah journey. However, the span may vary depending on factors like crowd size. Umrah can be done in one day, but you can extend the stay for additional prayers and ziyarat tours. No matter when you decide to travel, it’s best to get cheap Umrah deals to ensure a smooth and economical trip.