Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam that allows Muslims to Tawaf the Holy Kaaba. Being a costlier act, it is only compulsory for the well-off believers. Whereas Umrah, the optional pilgrimage, offers Muslims a cost-savvy opportunity to pray in the Haram’s yard. That is why travel firms provide a wide range of Umrah packages to cater to the needs of pilgrims.
These deals, offering different services, are available at variable prices. For example, the Ramadan Umrah packages 2025 are cheaper than the February deals. The reason is that Ramadan is the peak season where hotels, transport, and other services are high in demand.
While in contrast to the Hajj packages, these deals are still economical. That is why the travel industry is observing a massive rise in the purchase of Umrah packages. In 2023, 26.86 million pilgrims were blessed with the revered opportunity of Umrah. Out of this total, 55.9% were male, whereas 44.1% were female. This figure depicts that both genders are significantly contributing to the rising trend of Umrah.
Hence, educating all, especially the women, is vital to ensuring the accuracy of their holy trip. This article is crafted to highlight the 5 common mistakes that women usually make during their pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina.
1- Misunderstanding the Concept of Ihram
It is commonly observed that some of the women pilgrims are not aware of the concept of Ihram. They often consider it a piece of cloth, that is compulsory for both males and females. While in reality, Ihram refers to the state of spirituality and purity that one enters before planning the pilgrimage. Only Muslim men are commanded to wear two flat sheets of clothes at Miqat. Women don’t have to be in such a unique dress. They just have to wear modest attires, properly covering their body. The only key to keep the state of Ihram is to avoid all the prohibited actions, such as:
- Cutting hair
- Trimming nails
- Wearing perfumes
- Engaging in sexual relation
How to Avoid this Mistake?
Female pilgrims are highly suggested to listen to the religious scholars before planning their holy trip. They are also advised to read Islamic books and boost their knowledge. They can also ask their queries regarding Ihram on TV programs and get satisfactory answers.
2- Wearing Tight or Revealing Clothes
Modesty has high value in Islam and during pilgrimage, Muslims must show it through their conduct and dressing. This goes the same for everyone. However, some of them make the mistake of wearing tight and revealing attires, that can distract them from their spiritual aim. There can be many reasons why they choose such dresses. A few of them are:
- Lack of knowledge.
- Cultural impacts
- The thought of following the fashion trends
How to Avoid this Mistake?
Women can simply avoid it by educating themselves before embarking on the Umrah trip. They can seek expert guidance in this matter as well. By packing simple and loose-fitting dresses, they are more likely to follow Islamic teachings. An abaya and a hijab can better help them cover their bodies properly.
3- Not Staying Hydrated
Physical strength is required to perform the sacred rites of pilgrimage. For tawaf, both men and women have to circle the Holy Kaaba 7 times. Indeed, it is hard for people, especially during the summer season. Sai, another important rite of pilgrimage also demands immense physical effort from pilgrims. Though, unlike men, females don’t have to run between the Safa and Marwa, they are asked to walk briskly. This fast walking can drain their energy level and may lead them to faint in no time.
How to Avoid this Mistake?
Drinking plenty of water and taking rests while performing pilgrimage, is the best solution to avoid this mistake. Women are highly advised to listen to their body needs and quench their thirst when needed. They must carry a personal water bottle, having enough water for the whole trip.
4- Ignoring Health and Safety Measures
The Haram’s yard is one of the most crowded places on Earth. It is usually jam-packed with countless people performing the sacred rites. In the past, the world has witnessed many human stampedes in the Holy Kaaba. Therefore, the Saudi government has introduced some safety measures to avoid such accidents in the future.
Moreover, the state has also taken some health precautions to prevent the spread of contagious diseases, like COVID-19. Many female pilgrims don’t take these measures seriously. Most often they don’t follow the necessary health precautions as well. Even they don’t carry the following basic items with them:
- Comfortable footwear
- Prescribed medicines
- Sanitizers
- Sunscreen
How to Avoid this Mistake?
Women pilgrims should be highly aware of their surroundings. They must try to plan Umrah during the off-season to prevent the risks of accidents. They are highly advised to get vaccinated against contagious diseases. Moreover, they should sanitize their hands regularly and avoid physical contact with other pilgrims during their trip. They must apply sunscreen to prevent sunburns and other dermatological issues.
5- Engaging in Useless Talks
Umrah or Hajj are times for spiritual reflection and worship. For Muslims, these are the sacred chances to purify their souls. Many pilgrims use this revered time properly by performing Dhikr, supplications, and prayers. While some women make the major mistake by engaging in unnecessary talk. This causes them to lose their focus on worship, the main aim of pilgrimage. Gossiping can even lead to potential conflicts among the pilgrims. Women usually engage in idle chattering due to the following reasons:
- Social habits
- Anxiety and nervousness
- Boredom and fatigue
- Group dynamics
How to Avoid this Mistake?
Women pilgrims are advised to set their worship goals before embarking on the holy trip. Understanding the value of the time can make them more focused on spiritual purification rather than gossiping about worldly matters. They should do Dhikr and make Dua in their free time. Choosing the right companion is vital for them. They must ensure that they are surrounded by people who are committed to worship and not in useless talk.
Hence, Hajj and Umrah both are deeply spiritual journeys that require proper planning and understanding. By being aware of the above shared common mistakes, women can ensure the accuracy of their holy trip. Muslims Holy Travel is one of the leading travel agencies, offering Hajj and Umrah deals at competitive prices. They are always open for advanced booking. You can get their Ramadan Umrah packages 2025 with amazing discounts. Contact them today and start planning your spiritual trip.
Source: Streetinsider.co.uk
