Umrah is a Sunnah act of worship that is highly recommended by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). There are many benefits of Umrah and one of the best things about Umrah is you can perform it at any time of the year. Plus, you can perform Umrah multiple times in a single visit. But before you fix a date for your Umrah journey, you should learn about when is the best time for Umrah to have the best Umrah pilgrimage experience and get the most rewards.
So, what is the best time to perform Umrah?
The best time to perform Umrah is Ramadan due to the blessings and rewards this month adds to the minor pilgrimage. But you can perform Umrah at any month of the year and earn great rewards.
Some months are more preferable and favorable than others. The considerations for choosing the best time for Umrah include the weather conditions, pricing of the Umrah package, cost of flight and hotels, and whether or not you prefer quiet surroundings.
While the primary goal is to perform Umrah and please Allah SWT, having a preferable condition can make the experience easier for you. So, keep reading this article to understand what would be the best time to perform Umrah for you.
Best Time To Perform Umrah
One of the most favorable things about Umrah compared to Hajj is that you can go to perform it at any time of the year. Performing Umrah during some months is more virtuous, while the cost and other conditions are favorable in some months. Let’s start the list of the best times for performing Umrah with the most blessed month.
Ramadan
If you are wondering what month can you go to Umrah to gain the most rewards, then it is safe to say, Ramadan. Ramadan is the best time to perform Umrah because performing Umrah in this month is equal to Hajj.
It was narrated from Jabir that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“ ‘Umrah during Ramadan is equivalent to Hajj.”
Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah 2995
In another narration
Ibn ‘Abbas told us:
“The Messenger of Allah said to a woman from among the Ansar: ‘When it is Ramadan, perform ‘Umrah then, for ‘Umrah during it is equivalent to Hajj.”
Reference: Sunan an-Nasa’i 2110
As understood from these Hadiths, the rewards of Umrah significantly increase for the pilgrim during Ramadan. So, if you want to earn abundant rewards for your Umrah, as well as rewards equal to Hajj without performing Hajj, Ramadan is the time you should choose.
Since Ramadan is the most rewarding month to perform Umrah, most striving worshippers come to Makkah to perform Umrah during this blessed month. Pilgrims can earn the blessings and rewards of fasting all day, praying Taraweeh at night, and also earn the reward of Hajj.
Sacred Month Following the Hajj
Muharram is the month after the Hajj. It is a sacred month in Islam and an ideal choice to perform Umrah for those who want a relaxed time at the Holy Kaaba.
Since the Hajj can be performed only during the month of Dhul Hijjah, the Masjid Al Haram is greatly occupied during this time. Once the Hajj season ends, the rush and traffic decrease gradually. The cost of airfares and hotels reduces significantly.
So, if you choose to perform Umrah after the once-in-a-year Hajj, it may be more affordable. On top of that, you will be able to perform Umrah peacefully due to less traffic. If you want to have a relaxed Umrah experience, the month of Muharram could be a great choice.
Spring Time (Mid-March to Mid-June)
The summer days in Saudi Arabia are extremely hot. This climate can make the Umrah experience very hard. That is why many pilgrims prefer to perform Umrah during the spring time in Saudi Arabia, which is about mid-March to mid-June. This is because the temperature in spring is neither too hot nor too cold.
While this is ideal weather for any pilgrim, it is particularly the best time to perform Umrah for those who are not used to too much hot weather. You will be able to take your time during your Umrah rituals and not be driven inside by the temperature.
And since this is an ideal time for any Umrah pilgrim, you may find the Masjid Al Haram busy with pilgrims who are worshipping the Creator Allah SWT.
Summer Time (June to September)
The summer time in Saudi Arabia is scorching hot. It is between June to September. Buzzing of the pilgrims is less in these months due to the extremely hot temperatures.
However, there is an upside to this. The prices of Umrah packages become more affordable at this time of the year and there will be much less pilgrim traffic. If you are looking to perform Umrah at an affordable cost, then this is the best Umrah time for you.
Autumn (Mid-September to Mid-December)
The Autumn season is similar to Spring. The temperatures are between 25 -30 degrees C in the daytime and get much cooler at night. While rain is less common in Saudi Arabia, it can get quite humid. Prices may also be lower at this time. So, if these conditions are ideal for you, you could choose to come to Makkah for Umrah during this time.
Winter (December to February)
Saudi Arabia experiences winter from December to February. Winter is the best season to perform Umrah as the weather is pleasing. The temperature typically ranges from 30°C (86°F) during the day to 18°C (64°F) at night.
You will be able to perform the rituals of Umrah without experiencing the baking hot temperatures. This will make it easy for you to perform Umrah and also give you a better Umrah experience. It is an ideal time to perform Umrah if you are someone who cannot stand hot temperatures.