Top 11 Mistakes to Avoid While Performing Umrah in Ramadan
Performing Umrah in Ramadan is a sacred worship that Islam encourages. After all, it combines the two sacred acts of fasting and Umrah rituals in one place. This is the reason our Prophet said that an Umrah in Ramadan earns rewards equal to Hajj and even it's like performing Hajj with me. So, one can plan Ramadan Umrah to get massive rewards, especially ones who are unable to afford Hajj expenses for any reason. Though it's a rewarding and most spiritual Ibadah, many pilgrims make common mistakes during this journey. There are many reasons behind this, like lack of management or understanding of challenges of the pilgrimage. As a result, these mistakes can ruin the spirituality and purpose of an Umrah in Ramadan. So, here are some of these mistakes you must avoid to maintain the sacredness of this journey.
1. Neglecting hydration in non-fasting hours
Non-fasting hours are worth planning your comfort, Ibadah and eating habits. However, many people ignore hydration once they have an Iftar meal. And it has a good reason too. Pilgrims get busy in offering Taraweeh and completing rituals of Umrah until Suhoor. But they forget that fasting doesn't feel the same during Umrah as it requires stamina for performing rituals and going through crowds. So, they end up having low energy and dehydration all because of not balancing diet and drinking enough water. This way, it affects the whole schedule of doing Ibadah which ends up ruining the purpose of Ramadan Umrah.
How to avoid it?
Plan your non-fasting hours in a way you plan your fasting hours. For example, take some dates and drink Zam Zam during Iftar and offer Maghrib prayer after that. Then, take some break from rituals and consider a healthy meal having fruits as well. It's a way to get prepared for Isha prayer and Qiyam Ul Layl. The best way is to keep a water bottle with you to have some frequently. Similarly, you can have a fulfilling Suhoor meal on the next day to gain energy for the whole day without any risk of dehydration.
2. Overdoing While Fasting
An Umrah in Ramadan is a sacred Ibadah, so don't overdo this anyway. For example, many pilgrims plan their whole days and nights for nafil rituals and prayers. It's a great act during Umrah but doesn't work in Ramadan. In fact, Ramadan Umrah requires balance in worship and comfort. Remember that not just the Umrah rituals and nafil prayers are the only good deeds you can do. Even a small deed like remembering Allah from the heart carries massive reward. But pilgrims overdo things in both ways. Sometimes, they overdo rituals and prayers while sometimes they skip all of these altogether and overdo resting in the hotels. It all ruins the purpose and spirituality of Ramadan Umrah that many pilgrims experience.
How to avoid it?
Planning is everything when it comes to performing Umrah in Ramadan. So, plan your worship hours smartly, having breaks between rituals and even obligatory prayers. Remember that you can't do everything at once as you also have to consider your health which is far more important. Divide your day and night hours and distribute worshipping acts throughout them. For example, include Quran recitation, nafil prayers, supplications, dhikar, and tasbih in your routine. Similarly, shift your routine of nafil Tawaf and rituals to non-fasting hours to keep balance.
3. Missing last ashra i’tikaf
The last ten days of Ramadan are the essence of the whole month. Specifically, the odd nights of the last ashra hold massive significance. And it becomes manifold for pilgrims in Haramain. It's also the time when Muslims perform I'tikaf and make themselves separate from worldly tasks. However, many pilgrims ignore this rewarding act of Ibadah and don't do I'tikaf even for the last three days. This way, they lose the chance of maximizing their reward and closeness to Allah. After all, who can get the best out of Ramadan than those who spend the days and nights of the last ashra in the remembrance of Allah at the most sacred place?
How to avoid it?
Performing I'tikaf in the last ashra is easier for solo pilgrims who can plan their routine independently. So, discuss your goals to your travel agent to get extended stay in Makkah. Do I'tikaf with fellow pilgrims in Masjid al-Haram. It's the best way to even find Layalt Ul Qadr and multiply your reward.
4. Delaying Iftar Unnecessarily
Iftar delays are common in pilgrims especially when they are performing rituals. Some of them even think that delaying Iftar brings more reward. However, it doesn't have any proof from the Quran or Sunnah. Above all, the Holy Prophet used to Iftar as soon as the sun set. Well, delaying Iftar during Umrah isn't just an ignorant concept. It also affects the spirituality of the journey. For example, pilgrims delay their Iftar and even skip the Maghrib prayer with the congregation. On the other hand, Iftar at its right time is ideal to drink water and have some dates for a quick energy boost.
How to avoid it?
Follow any of the schedules of Suhoor and Iftar times of Haramain and stick to it. Don't fall for any misconception of delaying Iftar. Similarly, plan your rituals or prayers in early hours of the day. Free your time after Asr prayer and consider Quran recitation and supplications. It's the best time to ask Allah for forgiveness and his blessings.
5. Overeating at Iftar
Overeating at Iftar is a common mistake that almost everyone makes in Ramadan. But it affects Ibadah and health the most during Umrah. Well, pilgrims end up overeating as they are already exhausted from overdoing things throughout the day. This way, they suffer from low energy and tiredness during the daytime while feeling overwhelmed after Iftar. The result is being unable to focus on Ibadah especially on Qiyam Ul Layl. It's not the way things work ideally. So, plan your worshipping and resting hours beforehand.
How to avoid it?
Divide your Iftar meals in two to three sittings to avoid overeating. For example, take some dates and drink Zam Zam during iftar. Then, consider your comfort food after maghrib prayer and have some rest. Similarly, keep some fruits or snacks with you while offering Qiyyam Ul Layl to beat cravings. Also, don't forget to drink Zam Zam frequently.
6. Skipping Taraweeh
Taraweeh is a nafil prayer special to Ramadan which maximizes the reward of fasting. However, many pilgrims skip taraweeh prayer for one or another reason. For example, some of them plan shopping after Isha prayer as it's the time when shops and malls are open in Ramadan. The others don't think taraweeh as an important Ibadah but just take it as voluntary Sunnah. There are also some pilgrims who don't have stamina after the whole day exhaustion and overeating at Iftar. But it's not an ideal behavior, so pilgrims must avoid this. In fact, offering Taraweeh prayer brings forgiveness of all the past sins. And it's also a once-in-a-lifetime chance of offering Taraweeh in Haramain.
How to avoid it?
Add Qiyam Ul Layl to your Ibadah routine while skipping nafil rituals at night. Also, don't overdo things during daytime but have proper rest between Fajr and Zuhr prayer. Keep your Iftar light but nutritious to compensate for energy drop and the risk of dehydration.
7. Giving No Time to Quran
Ramadan is a month of the Quran and also has Laylt ul Qadr when it was revealed. Muslims also dedicate more time to the Quran during Ramadan than usual. But pilgrims often ignore Quran recitation while performing Umrah in Ramadan. This is because they engage themselves in nafil prayers and rituals which is great but not at the cost of skipping Quran. In fact, reciting the Quran and pondering over ayat is the whole purpose of Ramadan.
How to avoid it?
Every Fard and nafil prayer involves listening and reciting the Quran. But it's not enough. So, consider reciting the Quran at your priority and free your time for it. Go through the translation and tafsir to understand better. You can also carry a pocket Quran or listen to it through mobile apps as per your ease.
8. Sleeping After Suhoor
Suhoor meal is equally important as Iftar but balance is a key here too. Many pilgrims overeat during Suhoor and thus become unable to join congregations in Haramain. Some of them prefer sleeping immediately after Fajr prayer which is not right. This is because the morning hours are quiet at Haramain and also brings peace to the soul. The energy level is also high in morning so one can easily perform nafil Tawaf and rituals at that time. Even families with kids or seniors must avoid sleeping after suhoor and wasting such precious time.
How to avoid it?
Consider Suhoor meals nearby Haramain so that you can offer Fajr prayer timely. Also, don't leave the masjid instantly but recite Quran or make supplications until sunrise. Then, offer two Rak'ah salah of ishraq which brings a huge reward. Plan your sleep hours after sunrise up to Zuhr prayer.
9. Excessive Shopping instead of Ibadah
Many pilgrims consider shopping an essential part of Umrah and thus spend a lot of time in this. Some of them also skip worship for shopping. Though shopping isn't prohibited in Islam but wasting time or spending a lot on shopping isn't encouraged. It's even more important to avoid shopping at night when it's time for taraweeh. And it's also the time when shops and malls are open. Also, it's not the shopping that drives you to be in Haramain during Ramadan. So don't ruin the purpose of your sacred journey as you can buy things from anywhere in your region.
How to avoid it?
Set a clear budget for pilgrimage and also for souvenirs or gifts if important to you. Don't ever skip any worshipping act for shopping. Instead plan specific hours for shopping in between Zuhr and asr prayer or after Taraweeh. Don't buy anything extra as it will trouble you while traveling.
10. Delaying Umrah Rituals
Performing Umrah in Ramadan is a physical challenge without any doubt. It combines the effort of Umrah and fasting at a time. So, it's inevitable to avoid this effort. But many pilgrims delay their rituals all because they are looking for the perfect time to perform them without any hassle. It's a big mistake as there's nothing like a perfect time to perform Umrah without any effort. Though there are some bonus hours during daytime and night in Ramadan, but these are not as calming as pilgrims expect to be. As a result, pilgrims delay other worship acts too while extending the restrictions of ihram. So, the spirituality of the Umrah rituals in Ramadan doesn't remain the same.
How to avoid it?
Delaying Umrah rituals is fine if you do it to take rest or to avoid heavy crowds in Haramain during fard prayers. It's especially fine with families but don't delay rituals for too longer. Instead, start your Umrah if it's not the time of congregation ahead like hours after Fajr, Zuhr prayer or taraweeh. Perform rituals calmly and consider frequent breaks between rituals. It's the best way to live your Umrah journey and reflect on it without getting overwhelmed.
11. Arguing Over Space
Ramadan is a peak time of pilgrimage in Haramain. So, it's the time when crowds are bigger everywhere and it's hard to avoid them. Not finding space for offering prayers and even performing rituals comfortably are common issues at that time. But many pilgrims don't really have an idea about crowd difficulties. While others don't consider it as an issue while planning Umrah in Ramadan. So, they all end up getting angry over other fellows and argue over small things. As a result, they ruin the purpose of both the fasting and Umrah journey which is to develop patience and be kind to others.
How to avoid it?
Be already prepared for heavy crowds during Umrah and try to stay calm in every situation. Engage yourself in supplications and dhikar constantly to avoid anger. Try to help fellows in performing rituals or guide them politely. It's the best way of practicing patience and getting even more blessings.
Final Words
The list of such mistakes goes on and on that pilgrims commonly make during Umrah in Ramadan. But proper planning of your days and nights in Haramain and better understanding of challenges of Ramadan Umrah are the only ways of avoiding these mistakes. There's less chances of making mistakes when you have clear Ibadah goals and balanced dedication for each and every thing. If you want to book a Ramadan Umrah, visit Alhaq Tours. A trusted, reliable Hajj & Umrah company in the USA.
