A Family Umrah Journey: When the Call Finally Comes
By Mumtaz Moosa
When the call came
People often say that when your calling comes, you will know. Sometimes it arrives quietly through the voices of your children. For most of the year, my kids kept asking when we would go for Umrah. My answer was always the same: not now, it’s not possible. We plan, but Allah plans better, and this journey proved that in more ways than I expected.
One evening we sat browsing do-it-yourself travel options, convinced that booking everything ourselves would be cheaper. That same night, a friend of my husband called to say a travel agency had a special running. In a time where most people avoid agents, we nearly ignored it. Instead, we listened. The quote came back with mostly five star accommodation at close to the same price we were finding on our own. It was the first of many reminders that guidance sometimes comes through people.
Advice started pouring in
The moment you mention Umrah, advice starts pouring in. Messages with duas, packing checklists, and warnings arrive from every direction. Some are helpful. Others are overwhelming. One list even suggested bringing large bottles of detergent and shampoo. That was when I decided to simplify. Take the essentials and trust the rest.
Packing
We packed light. Warm clothes for Madinah and lighter clothes for Makkah. Traveling with teenagers is its own exercise in negotiation because they believe they need endless outfit options. I set firm limits. Two large suitcases for the family and one medium bag each. Since we planned to use the train as well, managing luggage mattered. I packed only basic medication for common issues and kept snacks small enough to fit into a backpack. The long lists were set aside.
Allah is the Best of Planners
Our route changed more than once. We were initially booked to land in Jeddah, but our travel agent, who is also a scholar, advised against it for our situation. Entering from there would mean the men remaining in ihraam longer than necessary. My teenage son was already uneasy about the restrictions. Adjusting our entry point made things easier for everyone and allowed us to begin with more comfort and focus.
Because of our arrival time, we spent the first few hours at Voco Hotel. It turned out to be an excellent choice for families, spacious and comfortable after a long flight. Later that day we moved closer to the Haram to Jabal Omar Hyatt. Construction across the city means short distances can take much longer than expected, so flexibility is important.
Our room was not ready on arrival, so instead of waiting, we decided to proceed with Umrah. With our notes in hand and our children beside us, we entered the Haram. No amount of preparation compares to the first sight of the Kaaba. My fifteen year old said quietly that it looked nothing like the pictures. He was right. There is a presence and beauty that cannot be captured by a camera or screen.
The crowds were heavy, and during tawaf my daughter and I became separated from my husband and son. With limited connectivity, we could not reach them. We completed our circuits and moved where directed by the guards. I remembered advice given long ago: when you are lost, make dua first. We stepped aside, made dua, and moments later spotted them across the barrier. Relief came quickly and gently.
We began before Asr and completed just before Esha. Umrah is completed in a day, but it should not be treated like a race. We paused for prayer, rested when needed, and continued steadily. That slower pace made the experience more meaningful, especially for the children.
Practical lessons followed. There are designated places for hair trimming, but first time visitors may not know where they are. Kind strangers helped guide us. Small acts of assistance appear everywhere in the Haram.
Food in Makkah
Food turned out to be easier than expected. Many warned that meals would be costly and queues long. In reality, prices were similar to takeaway meals back home. We followed a simple routine: a good breakfast, light snacks, and dinner purchased later. Busy areas like the Clock Tower are crowded, but nearby centres are more manageable. Seating is often harder to find than food, and sometimes the simplest solution is best. We shared meals on nearby steps and carried on.
The farewell to Makkah was emotional. Not reaching close to the Kaaba at first weighed on my heart. Then one early morning, before the crowds built, I returned and was able to enter the lower area and go close. Moments like that cannot be scheduled. They are given. You arrive thinking you planned the journey. You leave knowing you were invited.
Practical Tips for Future Umrah Travellers
Break in your Umrah shoes before you travel. Walk in them for a few weeks. Your feet will get tired and they will swell. We averaged close to twenty thousand steps a night, so start walking regularly as soon as you make your intention to go.
Carry essential medication from home for emergencies. Basic treatments for stomach issues, flu, and infections are useful to have on hand, as medication can be more expensive there.
Food in Makkah is generally affordable, and you will also find many people distributing meals as sadaqah inside the Haram area.
Shopping in Makkah is often cheaper than in Madinah, so plan accordingly if you want to buy gifts.
Take your own Musallah
Take your own musallah with you. You will use it often, especially in upper levels and overflow areas.
Expect construction and crowd control measures throughout the Haram precinct. Access routes change, and sometimes upper floors or the roof level are more comfortable for salah.
The ground level near the Kaaba is typically reserved for those in ihraam, so plan your prayer spaces with that in mind.
Travel light where possible. Managing luggage across hotels, trains, and busy walkways makes a real difference.
