Top ten tips for Umrah 🕋

Below are ten practical tips to help you make the most of your Umrah and your stay in and around Al-Masjid Al-Haraam.

1. Carry your hotel name on you. Each person in your group should have their hotel name and address written on them. It's very easy to get separated from your group during Tawaf or Sa'ee. You want the peace of mind that everybody in your group can make their own way back to the hotel should they get separated.
2. Keep your footwear on when doing Tawaf and Sa'ee. Unless you're used to walking long distances bare foot on hard surfaces, doing so will cause strain to your feet and legs and hamper your ability to do follow-up Tawafs and/or Umrahs.
3. Carry plasters and antiseptic wipes on you during Tawaf and Sa'ee. Individuals pushing wheelchairs are careless and often hit and cut those in front of them. I hope you never have to administer the plasters and wipes that you're carrying but, sadly, it's likely you will.
4. Protect yourself against the sun. Pack sunglasses, sun cream and a light coloured scarf or umbrella. Take these items with you on each daytime trip to the Masjid. Remember not to wear the sun cream whilst in the state of Ihram.
5. Set off early for prayer. Leave half an hour before the Adhan at least to get a place inside the Masjid or the extension.
6. Use the first floor for Nafl Tawafs. The ground floor is currently exclusive for those doing Umrah. The roof is currently off limits for Tawaf due to construction works.
7. Use the Mosque extension for a more tranquil prayer. There is always plenty of space inside and it is nicely carpeted. The ground and first floors of the main Mosque are currently exclusive for Umrah and Tawaf. As a result, they are quite disruptive to pray in.
8. Ask the cleaners for help and advice. Avoid asking the Saudi guards for help and advice. Asking the Saudi guards for advice is like asking a Magic 8 Ball for advice.
9. Avoid getting mobile data if you can. Entering the Masjid without internet is a great way to maximise your time inside and to have a detox from all the distractions online and outside.
10. Install the Maps.ME app on your mobile device. Download the offline map for Saudi Arabia in the app to get a better visual layout of the Masjid and the surrounding area than what is available with Google Maps.