Are you planning to leave for Makkah and perform the sunnah of Umrah with your children? You are at the right place. Early preparation for this spiritual journey is very important as it ensures a smooth Umrah journey for adults and children. If you want to choose the All-inclusive Cheap Umrah Packages Bradford or any other deal as per your convenience, make sure to read this blog till the end to find out about the ways you can prepare your children for the Umrah journey.
Let’s get you straight into it!
Explaining Umrah in Simple Terms
The foremost part of preparing your children for Umrah is to tell them its background and importance simply and easily. You should invite them for a storytelling session and expose the significance of Makkah and Madinah. Explain the rituals of tawaf and sa’i in an age-appropriate manner so they understand and memorise them later as well. Parents should use visuals like pictures, videos and books to illustrate the explanations.Not only this, but also teach them the duas and their meanings. You can use different apps for this purpose that offer transliteration, translation and correct pronunciation. Inform them about the difference between Hajj and Umrah to avoid any confusion.
Spiritual Preparation Before the Journey
There is enough time before the pilgrimage when children can learn short prayers daily. Teach them the Umrah duas step by step so they can remember easily. Share the stories of the Kaaba, the last Prophet SAW and Prophet Ibrahim AS. They will be thus excited to visit the House of Allah Almighty. Teach them about the importance of patience and respect while in the holy place. Another thing is to inform them about the role of intention and niyyah before starting the pilgrimage of Umrah. They will thus commit themselves fully to the spiritual preparations after learning about the rewards and blessings of Umrah.
Emotional Preparation
The process of Umrah can be quite challenging for children who are performing the ritual for the first time. Keep them motivated when they are tired or bored during the rituals. Tell them the story of Hajar (wife of Prophet Ibrahim AS). Inform them about consistency by telling how she trusted Allah and continued the search for water for her son. Prepare them for waiting in long queues and praying while surrounded by a crowd. Teach them about maintaining good manners, discipline and respecting others while in Haram. Children might get scared of the crowd, so advise them to stay with their family and avoid panicking in case they get lost.
Physical Preparation
This is another very important part of preparing the children for Umrah. Parents should ensure the required vaccination and medical check-ups for their kids for a smooth visa processing and verification after reaching the Saudi airport. As Umrah can be a very exhaustive process so the children should be prepared well before the pilgrimage. Make it their habit to walk daily for a short time so they can build stamina and perform the process of Umrah without stressing about extensive walking amid the crowd or in hot weather. Teach them about the importance of hygiene like washing hands, using masks and hand sanitisers.
Packing Tips for Children
Packing wisely is very important for Umrah, especially when you are taking kids along with you. If we talk about the clothing, then the weather of Saudi Arabia is hot most of the year. However, if you are coming during winter, then make sure to pack the right clothing. Kids’ clothes should be comfortable, modest and suitable to the weather. Ihram should be two unstitched white pieces of clothing for boys and any simple clothing for girls that must cover their body and head except hands and face. If you are taking an infant, then keep sufficient wet wipes and diapers. Remember to pack snacks, juices and easy-to-carry food items. Extra footwear and socks are also among the packing essentials. Pack a lightweight prayer mat and small reusable water bottles.
Do not forget to buy an identification bracelet with the children’s parents’ names and contact information written on it. On top of that, pack the copies of their passport and visa documents along with the original documents.
Encouragement During the Rituals
While you teach all the ritual steps to your children at home, it is also important to explain each step again right before performing. Assign them some responsibilities like carrying a water bottle or holding a tasbeeh. Also, motivate them to keep reciting respective duas during rituals. It will keep them motivated and engaged all the time. Also, keep them close and under your supervision at all times. If your kid is too young, then keep a stroller with you. Although a stroller is prohibited in the Haram, you can take it to the upper floors of Masjid al-haram. Buy a baby carrier or sling in which you can carry your infant during tawaf.
Besides that, take small breaks during the rituals so your children can recharge before continuing the ritual. Tell them to respect the mosque and refrain from indulging in any mischief or annoying other pilgrims.
Accommodation and Food Planning
Planning the right type of accommodation is very crucial, especially when you are travelling with children. You can choose any hotel offered by Umrah packages Bradford or other deals. Keep in mind to choose the family-friendly hotels that are close to the House of Allah Almighty. It allows easy access to the haram without draining one’s energy and wasting time on travel. Most of the resorts or hotels offer an in-house meal option that allows families to eat within the hotel vicinity without searching for nearby restaurants. Many hotels offer child-friendly meals or kids’ buffet, so choose your residence carefully. Make sure that the drinking water is filtered and safe to drink. Parents should also carefully consider the food hygiene.
Family-friendly hotels have a facility for interconnected rooms so that parents can keep an eye on their kids. You can also arrange nap or rest schedules around prayers and rituals.
Wrap Up
Taking your children to Makkah for their first Umrah journey can be challenging. However, following the above tips can make things convenient for parents and kids. From teaching duas to ensuring comfort, small efforts can make a huge difference. Parents can ensure a hassle-free journey with careful preparation and by booking convenient All Inclusive Umrah Deal. Choose Muslims Holy Travel and embark on the most memorable Umrah journey with your family.
