Salaam everyone,

My wife and I are really hoping to visit Makkah for Umrah next March. Unfortunately, because of annual leave and PTO, we can only manage around 5 full days.

We would also love to visit Madinah, but we’re worried that trying to fit both Makkah and Madinah into 5 days might make the trip too rushed.

I had a few questions:
- Is it permissible to perform Umrah without visiting Madinah?
- From your experience, is 5 full days enough for Umrah?
- Would you recommend focusing only on Makkah this time and visiting Madinah another time?

In an ideal world, we would love to have 2 weeks, but unfortunately, we don’t have the financial flexibility or annual leave to make that possible right now.
I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has done Umrah with a similar amount of time.

JazakAllah khair!

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. 🤲🏼

My last visit to Mecca 🕋 was in 2025, and I kept thinking to myself throughout the whole year, why is Mecca so different? There is something up in the air, and you can feel it. Last year I went there for the first time, and the whole year of 2025 I couldn't describe what Mecca is in words. But this year, when I went, I had read Seerat al Nabi in depth, so while i was performing Umrah, it clicked for me, I remembered the story of this city. It emerged out of nowhere; it started out as a miracle, so of course, it makes sense that this city has a feeling of a "Jalal."

If you've ever been to Mecca 🕋, you know the feeling of performing Salah in Masjid Al Haram. The azan it echoes throughout the city, it reverberates within your veins and awakens your soul. The best word to describe this city is "Jalal", which means greatness, majesty, glory, sublimity, and splendor. This word comes from one of the 99 names of Allah and one of the most beautiful names of Allah, Dhul-Jalali Wal-Ikram (The Lord of Majesty and Bounty" or "Possessor of Glory and Honor). This city has power, terror, the feeling of a supreme being; it will suffocate you. You can sense this slight glimpse of Allah's power. You can feel the existence of someone far beyond our comprehension, a feeling that there is a Supreme Leader, A King of the Cosmos, and you can feel Allah's Jalal here!

But yet we come here; why? Because this place is hope. Hope that our desperation, our worries, our problems, our anxiety, our fears, and dreams can come true just by believing and asking Allah, like how Hajar did. When Ibrahim a.s. was commanded to leave his wife Hajar and newborn infant Ismail a.s. Hajar kept asking Ibrahim a.s. not to leave her, but she understood that it was the command of Allah, and that he had no choice but to leave. So she walked alone with her infant boy Ismail a.s., and if you've been to Mecca, then you know the heat is extreme even during winter times i was getting dizzy. Hajar kept walking, and there was no water in sight as her infant kept crying. And remember, there is no city anywhere close because civilizations are only created near water, that is why, even to this day, Saudi Arabia is 90% empty because it is desert. When infant Ismail a.s cried from thirst, Hajar ran between Safa and Marwah mountain seven times until on her last return to Marwah, she heard a sound of something. Angel Jibril appeared and struck the ground, causing a spring of pure water to gush forth. Hajar gathered the water, cuddling her hands so water can pour into them, and she kept repeating "Zummi, Zummi, which is now called ZamZam, meaning "stop, stop." Isn't it beautiful that she asked for water from Allah? The water didn't just arrive but it created a civilization, and our Nabi ﷺ was born in this same city where the ZamZam well emerged. Hajar's story is about tawakkul and perseverance in hardship. And that is what Umrah and Hajj are about. When we do tawaf, we run between Safa to Marwah to make dua. We hope that our dua comes true, like how Hajar made dua for water to quench the thirst of her son. So don't doubt Allah, he will also grant your dua, just like He did for Hajar. Because in this city you will feel Allah's Jalal, so ask Allah, and for Him it is be, and it is.

However, Madinah 🕌 is totally opposite... When i visited Madinah last year 2025, I instantly fell in love with this city. As soon as I stepped outside the train station, I felt peace ❤️

It is true what they say about this city, the city of the Rasullullahﷺ... Madinah, it has a different feel to it, a peaceful one, filled with tranquility and history that speaks with us. Like it's carved out of peace and love. It feels like you have returned home, to a place of safety and peace after being away for a long time. Peace and calm came will overcome your soul, and it just feels right, like this is where I was meant to be and the outside world felt irrelevant. The day gets soaring hot, but the nights cool down as chilly winds brush through your hair(at least in winter). Madina's serenity and tranquillity is unmatched by any other place. No words can either describe or do justice to the calmness when sitting in front of the Baqi and Rasullullahﷺ Rawdha. Every footstep you take in this city was also taken by our beloved Rasullullahﷺ. You'll feel it when you near Masjid Al Nabawi ( Prophetﷺ Mosque). When you first see the sight of the Green Dome, chills run down your veins, your so close but yet so far. The Rawdah (Riyazul Jannah), brings you closer to the presence of Rasullullahﷺ; behind the sacred chamber was the place where he ﷺ took his last breath... The sight of this chamber brings tears to one's eyes. As I walked by Rasullullahﷺ, my soul it was shaking with a mixture of emotions which I cannot put into words. Next to Rasullullahﷺ lay Khalifas Abu Bakr As-Siddiq r.a., then Khalifa Umar bin Al Khataab r.a and you give them your Salam and hope that Allah will send your salam to Rasullullahﷺ, to Abu Bakr r.a., to Umar r.a ❤️. What a beautiful city this is, what beautiful leaders they were. 💕

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Asalamualaykum

I want to book umrah for 4 people from pakistan but dates must be 16 December- 2 Jan. With a close hotel within 5 minutes walk 3 star hotel.

I am asking agents in Mardan however they say packages aren't available till November or I need to give them passports before they even give a price how does this make sense?

We just want a private package for 4 people we will even cover our own transport etc if needed we don't need a group.

We also have 9 people coming from UK so need hotel booking only for them.

Any agents in Mardan KPK or nearby who can sort this for us or any general advice from others? Jazakallah

I just came from medinah yesterday, so coming straight to the point—— just open your nusuk app before 12 am around masjide nabwi, at exactly 12:00 am and also at exactly 12:00 pm they open all the slots for men and women rawadah permit, best hack to get em. And mostly for women after 12 am is the best time to get more instant slots.
Plz remember me. Pray that what i am going through get sort out soon by allah’s will ameen ya rabb.
Have a blessed umrah guys ❤️