Umrah means a lot of walking: tawaf, sa’i, trips to the mosque. See your doctor, bring prescriptions and enough medication, and fill in the health sheet in your client area. Vaccines required or recommended by Saudi Arabia change with the season: the agency confirms them.
Educational guide. If in doubt, ask your guide or a scholar.
Supplications
اللَّهُمَّ عَافِنِي فِي بَدَنِي، اللَّهُمَّ عَافِنِي فِي سَمْعِي، اللَّهُمَّ عَافِنِي فِي بَصَرِي
Allāhumma ʿāfinī fī badanī, Allāhumma ʿāfinī fī samʿī, Allāhumma ʿāfinī fī baṣarī
O Allah, grant health to my body; O Allah, grant health to my hearing; O Allah, grant health to my sight.
Abu Dawud 5090 (supplication for health)
Common mistakes
- Brand-new shoes never worn: blisters from the first tawaf.
- Forgetting to drink; heat dehydrates quickly.
- Hiding a health problem from the guide.
What if…
I have difficulty walking?
Wheelchairs and carts are available at the mosque (paid service). Tell the agency before departure.
I am pregnant?
Get written medical advice and tell the agency; some airlines restrict flying.
Checklist
- ☐ Medical advice if under treatment
- ☐ Medication + prescriptions in hand luggage
- ☐ Health sheet and emergency contact filled in
- ☐ Vaccines confirmed with the agency
Sources
- Saudi Ministry of Health (health requirements, check each season)
- Abu Dawud 5090 (supplication for health)
All steps
- 1Forming your intention
- 2Documents and formalities
- 3Health and fitness
- 4The pilgrim’s suitcase
- 5The journey and arrival
- 6Ihram at the miqat or on board
- 7The talbiya
- 8Entering Makkah and the Sacred Mosque
- 9Tawaf: 7 circuits around the Kaaba
- 10Prayer behind Maqam Ibrahim and Zamzam water
- 11Saʿi: 7 laps between Safa and Marwa
- 12Halq or taqsir: leaving ihram
- 13Madinah: the Prophet’s Mosque and visits
- 14The return