What is the Ideal Age to Perform Umrah?
Umrah is a sacred worship that holds huge importance in the heart of every Muslim. It is a Sunnah of the holy prophet (PBUH) and a confirmed way to refresh one’s faith and seek Allah’s blessings. One of the most important questions many people ask before planning their Umrah trips is, what is the ideal age to perform Umrah? This post will answer this question in detail. Along with discussing the best age to perform Umrah, we will also explain other Umrah rules. In case you are planning to perform Umrah with kids or toddlers, we suggest you look for the best All-inclusive Umrah Packages, as they include all the essential amenities required to successfully complete Umrah.
Umrah Age Rules
If you are travelling alone, you must be 18 years old in order to get an Umrah visa. Pilgrims that are under the age of 18 will only get an Umrah visa if they are accompanied by a parent, guardian, or an adult sibling aged 18 or above. As far as the acceptance of one’s Umrah is concerned, a pilgrim must have reached the age of puberty. Although you can perform Umrah before puberty as well. Even an infant of 6 months can go for Umrah. When it comes to the right age for performing Umrah, there is another thing that you need to consider. That is what to do if the child is below the age of discernment. In Islam, the age of discernment is when a child no longer needs to rely on adults for basic needs such as eating, dressing, and hygiene. Most Islamic scholars consider this age to be 7 years old.
If you are traveling for Umrah with a child that has not yet reached the age of discernment, his parents or guardian should make the intention (niyat) with some rules. This must be done after dressing him in Ihram and keeping him away from things that are not allowed while wearing Ihram. The rules, as explained by Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him), say that the parent or guardian must say that the child has entered the Ihram and not that he or she has not entered the Ihram on the kid’s behalf.
As you see, performing Umrah with little kids can be quite challenging; this is why it is better to look for Family Umrah Packages because such deals are specifically designed to provide maximum convenience to pilgrims. Many people also ask about that can the little one’s wear diapers while Umrah. Yes, diapers are allowed for little kids. It is considered a form of loose clothing, and it is okay to wear in case of necessity. However, please keep in mind that a fidya is due as well.
Umrah Rules for Ladies
The age rules for women are the same as explained above. However, the women going for Umrah must be in a state of purity (not menstruating). The dress code is simple; they must wear simple and modest clothing with a hijab and ensure that every body part is well-covered other than their hands, feet, or face. Moreover, if a woman is in Iddah, she cannot go for Umrah. One more important thing to know is that women can go for Umrah now without the company of a male Mahram. A mahram is a blood relative or husband of a female. The Saudi government lifted the restriction a few years ago to help women without a Mahram to fulfill their wish of performing Umrah or Hajj. For all such ladies, booking an Umrah package for ladies is an excellent option. These packages are often group-based with only female participants.
Things Forbidden During Umrah
In order to ensure that your Umrah is accepted by Allah, you must know about the things that are not allowed while wearing Ihram. We have made a list of all such things so you can keep them in mind.
- Using perfumes or cosmetics
- Women covering their hands or face
- Man covering their head with a cap or wearing stitched clothing
- Trimming nails or cutting hair
- Getting married or engaging in sexual activity
- Killing insects or animals other than vipers, snakes, scorpions, or mice
- Cutting trees
- Taking drugs or smoking
- Fighting, swearing, or backbiting
Physical and Mental Readiness
As it is evident from the above discussion that there is no ideal age to perform Umrah. However, as we know, Umrah is a physically challenging worship, especially the Tawaf and rounds between Safa and Marwa hills. Hence, the right age to perform Umrah is when you can manage such activities easily. Younger people in the age of 14-50 can easily manage all the Umrah rituals. Elders, above 50 or 60, may need some support from the younger ones accompanying them. In addition to this, your mental readiness and willingness to go for Umrah are also important. Although Muslims wish to go for Umrah whenever they want, the right time is when you are mentally prepared and get Allah’s call to visit His home.
Financial Stability
Embarking on an Umrah journey requires some financial resources. A pilgrim must not only arrange for a smooth and hassle-free trip but also provide ample means for his dependents he is leaving behind. Hence, you must plan accordingly. To cater to people belonging to different financial classes, travel agencies typically offer Umrah packages at varying prices.
With all these rules in mind, you will be able to perform all the Umrah rituals without any issues. When traveling with kids or adults, booking Umrah deals is the right option, as you don’t have to worry about visa processing, booking flights and hotels, meals, and on-ground transportation. When it comes to booking Umrah plans in the UK, no travel agency is better than Muslims Holy Travel. They offer a wide range of affordable Umrah packages catering to pilgrims with different needs.
