Umrah experience (older Mom🙂)
Sharing my Umrah experience as a regular mom — not an expert!
I don’t know much about the technical side of visas, tickets, transport etc. — my husband handled all of that. I just wanted to share a few practical things that made my Umrah easier and more comfortable.
🌙 Madinah
Try to get Tahajjud
If you can, go for Tahajjud. There is an adhan before Fajr (roughly an hour before), which is a good indication that it’s time to head to the masjid.
If you go early for Tahajjud, you’ll usually have a much easier time finding a place for Fajr, either inside Masjid Nabawi or in the courtyard. The closer you get to Fajr, the harder it becomes to find space inside.
🌅 After Fajr
Go back, have a proper breakfast, rest and sleep for a little while.
Around 10 am, head back towards Masjid Nabawi if you want to pray Ishraq/Dhuha, or stay through to Dhuhr.
After Dhuhr, go back to your room and rest again if you need to.
Food
For me, a heavy breakfast + very light lunch worked really well.
Instead of having a full lunch, I’d have something simple like a banana, croissants and tea. You're walking a lot and praying throughout the day, so I found that eating too heavily during the day just made me sluggish.
😴 Don't expect to get one long night's sleep
You'll be trying to catch Isha, Tahajjud, Fajr, and perhaps do Tawaf after Isha. So instead of waiting for the perfect opportunity for a long nap, take small power naps whenever you can.
Even 20–30 minutes here and there can rejuvenate you.
A nap between Dhuhr and Asr, another little rest after returning to the hotel, or even just lying down for a short while can make a huge difference.
Don't be afraid to sleep in little pockets throughout the day. It really can work, inshaAllah, especially when your trip is short.
🕌 From Asr to Isha — STAY!
If you can, go to the masjid for Asr and simply stay there until Isha. Going back and forth to the hotel takes time and energy.
Take what you need with you and settle in.
💧 Zamzam
Carry a small empty bottle that you can use for drinking Zamzam from the available Zamzam points.
Just be mindful of the rules regarding bottles and filling containers. Don't try to sneak around restrictions.
👜 Your little masjid bag
Have a lightweight bag with several compartments.
You’ll want somewhere for:
- Your dua/Qur'an book
- Phone
- Tissues
- Water
- Your slippers/shoes when you take them off
- A few small essentials
A small, lightweight travel prayer mat can also be useful, especially if you end up praying in the courtyard.
☀️ Sun protection
If you're sensitive to the sun, take sunscreen. You may spend much more time outdoors than you expect.
🍽️ Dinner + sleep
An early dinner worked well for me. Eat, get some rest, and then head back out for the night prayers.
🕋 Then Makkah
I went to Madinah first and then took the Haramain train to Makkah.
We reached Makkah around noon. I went to the hotel.
We did our Umrah around Asr time.
It was still somewhat hot, but the crowds were noticeably less, and Alhamdulillah, it was a very smooth and comfortable experience.
So if your schedule allows it, don't feel that you have to rush out the moment you arrive. Sometimes giving yourself a little time isbetter.
🕋 Prioritize Tawaf if your stay is short
This is something I personally tried to keep in mind.
Because my stay in Makkah was short, I tried to prioritize Tawaf, because it is an act of worship that is specifically connected to the Ka'bah and cannot simply be done anywhere else.
Everything is very well managed, and when the crowds are lighter, I found the whole experience of performing the manasik much easier and calmer.
❤️ Be mindful of your emotional energy.
You're going to be surrounded by thousands of people, all coming from different countries, cultures and backgrounds. There may be pushing, someone may cut in front of you, someone may say something rude, someone may frustrate you, or something may simply not go the way you expected.
When something upsets you, try your best to let it go.
Say Alhamdulillah, make dua, breathe, and move on.
These are just things that worked for me as an ordinary older mom sharing my first-hand experience. ❤️
May Allah accept everyone's Umrah, make it easy for those planning to go, and invite us back again and again.
Ameen. 🤲🏼