Umrah is a less important form of a pilgrimage than Hajj and is not obligatory for all Muslims, but it is of great importance and very rewarding in Islam. It is one of the greatest Sunna of our Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) and can be done at any time of the year.
Every Muslim desire to visit the sacred city of Mecca or Medina to perform Umrah at least once in their life. Unlike Hajj, there is no prescribed time to perform this type of pilgrimage and one can go on this spiritual journey at any time of the year except during the five days of Hajj.
During the month of Ramadan
When it comes to performing Umrah, Ramadan is the best time to perform this pilgrimage. It is a blessed month where even the simplest good deeds reap multiple rewards. The Umrah in Ramadan becomes an even more important act when one reads the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ):
‘Abdallah Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) narrated that the Prophet (may Allah’s prayer and His salvation be upon him) said: “Umrah during Ramadan is equivalent to Hajj in my company “.
During spring break
Spring break is a great time to embark on this spiritual journey. If you plan to do Umrah with your family, loved ones or alone, the Easter holidays in April will be a perfect time, as it is considered off-season and prices tend to drop.
Umrah in December
Whether you plan to embark on Umrah alone or with the family, the December holidays for the New Year are perfect. Indeed, while the whole country is busy celebrating the festivities, you can take advantage of this period to undertake the spiritual journey to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Weather conditions in Saudi Arabia are quite comfortable in December and Mecca is less crowded compared to the high season of Ramadan. One can easily procure hotels near Haram at affordable prices and perform your rituals peacefully and without any hurdles.