Should I take my kids for Umrah?

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Published by Halaal Travels

Guest Writer: Anonymous sister from Cape Town

Last updated: 1 November 2022

If the question should you take your kids for umrah has ever crossed your mind, then this is an article you need to read.

Jazakallah to a sister from Cape Town that had taken the time to share her experiences with the Halaal Travels readers.

Many families find the thought of taking kids for Umrah quite daunting. And for many, planning an Umrah trip with kids does not even make it on the list as we assume it will be difficult and not manageable. We perceive that we as mothers will not have enough time for our own Ibadah as we will be too busy looking after or entertaining our kids, and as such we think that the experience of going for Umrah can be postponed until our kids are older.

By sharing this sister’s experience we hope that it benefits our readers and allows us to see that it is possible to go for Umrah with our kids. It is with this aim and intention we would like to publish this article on the Halaal Travels website. We make dua that Allah grants you and all of us the opportunity to visit these Blessed Lands with our kids many times Inshallah.

We make dua that Allah blesses this sister with Khair and Aafiyah always for taking the time and writing this article for us. Inshallah this article is beneficial and inspirational to you as much as it has been to us.

When did you leave for Umrah?

We left for Umrah during the 2022 term 3 school holidays (South African school holidays), which happened to be in the middle of both of our birthdays and as a bonus this coincided with the 12th Rabbil Awwal in Madina, Alhamdulillah.

Tell us a little about yourself

I’m born and raised in Cape Town, and reside in Claremont. I have 4 kids, ages 12, 9, 4 & 3 years old. In 2018 when we left for Hajj, I left behind my then 3 kids of which the youngest was 11 weeks old. Postponing going on Hajj to the following year was never an option because I knew in my heart that Allah’s timing is all perfect, and that I had to love the Giver of the gift more than the gift (my daughter). With that said, while on Hajj, I missed my kids at home terribly and made dua that I don’t leave them behind again if I don’t absolutely have to. It then led me to making a specific dua that Allah must please invite myself and my husband in the year that we turn 40 to celebrate this milestone purely out of gratitude to Him, together with our children. Alhamdulillah, all of which He in His infinite generosity, kindness and mercy afforded us in October 2022.

How did you prepare your kids for this journey?

Without realising, some of the bed time stories that I would read to the younger two included prophet stories. This is where a lot of questions came about and conversations about who the Prophet Sallalaahu Alayhiwassalam was.

My older two kids had exposure from nursery school, home, madressah and our previous journeys to Makkah and Madina which brought about conversations and insights. We also had the older two draw up specific dua lists for themselves but made them make the dua lists appropriate for where they are currently at, as well as for their Akhirah. Leading up to the Umrah, we had the kids watch YouTube videos about Umrah so that they could familiarise themselves with the journey that lay ahead. This was also done so that it would be easier for them to orientate when we got to Makkah and Madina.

I also printed the umrah route, so they would know what it entailed and what was expected from them. My older daughter also completed the Seerah and the book titled Muhamed so that she could appreciate visiting Madina more.

In terms of preparing your kids before the trip, in retrospect, would you do anything differently based on the experience that you now have?

I think we should have maybe had more discussions about other cultures and nationalities and what the kids could expect from them. I feel like they thought we are the only muslim people in Cape Town. Upon arrival, my older two were pleasantly surprised to see Chinese, German, British, Australian to name a few nationalities and then also the behaviour that some nationalities displayed which they couldn’t understand and required some explanation from our part.

What did your preparation as a mother entail prior to the trip?

I made a lot of dua and so did my husband. We made a lot of Astaghfar, Salawat and something more specific that I read daily was a poem called the “most wholesome drink” from the Khulasa, by Sheikh Habib Umar. I know it’s no coincidence but the book titled “the Kabah, it’s past and future, By Sheikh Ismail Londt was released two weeks before our departure and so it gave me a better sense of understanding and appreciation for Makkah too.

My kids were also gifted a lovely book titled “My first Umrah “ with various colourful illustrations by Suhayla kids. They were also gifted the book “The call to Hajj” by Salwa Isaacs – Johaardien, which I read to them. It included beautiful bright pictures and explanations for them to understand.

Did you travel to Makkah or Madinah first? And which would you say is better to do?

We travelled to Makkah first, which we did previously before and I would definitely recommend this route. Personally we all left with much enthusiasm, good health and excitement and I felt performing the Umrah first was imperative since it was the main obligation for the visit so getting the most important objective completed first was crucial. Celebrating 12th of Rabbil Awwal in Madina was unforgettable and very special, duas that we can return again Aamin.

How was your experience in Makkah with the kids?

Makkah was very full as always 😊 and I was anxious about the crowds and the heat and the physical intensity that would be required of us, but Alghamdulilah it was as if Allah just wanted us to hand it over to Him. According to my husband, my 4 year old felt like a feather and amazing, kind-hearted souls within our group came out of nowhere and carried my 3 year old giving us breaks during the Sai. None of the kids complained about the heat or the crowds. A lovely older aunt hooked my daughter in and took her under her wing and performed the Sai just ahead of us. I loved that we could all perform Salah together and that we weren’t split up from each other. I packed in play dough, crafts, colouring books, and snacks, a lot of snacks lol, (Barbie dolls or any dolls aren’t allowed) and so that kept the younger two occupied between Waqts

How was your experience in Madinah with your kids?

Madina was amazing too, Alghamdulilah the kids were very happy to see where Prophet Muhammad Sallalaahu Alayhiwassalam was buried after all the conversations about him being Allah’s favourite. The 3 and 4 year old however weren’t impressed to learn that they couldn’t enter the inside of Masjied Nabawe. I had to be very creative and fast and explain that Allah knows how much they love running and playing so He made the outside available to them and that they’ll still get rewards in their book of deeds. Ice creams after salah often made up for them not being able to enter too. They loved feeding the birds and the older two appreciated all their Madressah theory a lot more after the various Ziyarah sites that we visited. The practical side of their theoretical knowledge just made the puzzle fit.

Did you carry any snacks or activities with you to the haram for the kids? If yes, and if you don’t mind sharing, what kind of snacks or activities did you carry with you?

A big yes for snacks and activities ! Snacks were often their favourite things, like chocolate pretzels , yoghurt and chocolate rice cakes, Biltong, energy bars, mango strips, dried fruits and then gums galore sweets. They enjoyed activity books, sticker books, colouring in books, fidget spinners & sensory gadget toys for my then 8 year old. We would also purchase sweets and treats and have them distribute it in the haram to both other kids and the helpers who keep the haram clean, reminding them about the rewards that would be multiplied at these holy sites for giving out sadaqah, only to teach them ways that could possibly earn Allah’s pleasure, Aamin.

If you carried activities/ snacks with you to the haram, do you think it was necessary and was it helpful?

Carrying activities and snacks with to the haram was definitely helpful and necessary, it allowed me to do more and focus less on the kids since they were occupied.

Any advice you would like to share with any parents that are scared to travel for Umrah with their kids?

Personally I feel that as parents I would recommend performing Umrah without kids first. This allows for orientation, what to expect, what to do. The journey is a lot to take in emotionally, physically and spiritually. Going without kids would also allow you to have a more focused connection spiritually and allow you to utilise your time maximally. Hereafter, I would highly recommend taking kids, making multiple intentions for them and yourself and then for the journey itself and then allowing Allah to take care of everything else and gifting you a beautiful experience. Be patient and merciful and don’t make the trip too intense. Listen to the needs of your kids, make them comfortable and you will be less stressed knowing that Allah sees your efforts.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with the readers of the Halaal Travels website?

One of our intentions for taking the kids was for them to have the love of Makkah and Madinah instilled in their hearts. Having been before, our focus was on them to have a good experience and build fond memories with the niyyah that they would love it so much, and would want to return again. With that said, we were fortunate enough to have my parents in law join us as well and our focus was thus on helping them have a good experience and seeing to their needs. Anything else that we received spiritually was a bonus.

Alhamdulilah upon return, they all only had good to say and a longing to return. We also didn’t keep it too intense, and rather light hearted, adding in that they may each choose a toy item post umrah explaining to them that Allah was happy that they performed their umrah, and that they took time to visit Allah’s most Beloved. We told them that Allah has gifted them some money to choose a gift for their efforts, Bin Dawood to the rescue. Going with a group was a huge bonus and I would highly recommend it to anyone who went previously or who will be going for the first time with or without kids.

We opted to go with Hafiz Mahmood Khatieb and Imam Ahmed Tahir from Madina institute. Both were very knowledgeable and humble. They included my kids in the trip and recited praises that my kids were familiar with and made it fun and enjoyable. Both my husband and I also learnt new gems from them despite previous visits. The group offers an itinerary which both motivates you, reminds you and/ or inspires you to reach new spiritual goals which I don’t feel we could have attained on our own.

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Have you been for Umrah with your kids? And how was your experience?

Have you been for umrah as a kid, how was your experience of going for Umrah as a kid?

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