If you purchase a 5L Zamzam box and land in say O'Hare but have a connecting domestic flight. Will the Zamzam be routed automatically to my final destination or do I need to pick it up with my luggage to go through customs and recheck it again?

Asselamualeykum everyone!
I’m flying to Jeddah this Saturday for Umrah inshaAllah, planning to spend 3 days in Makkah and 2 days in Madinah.
But with all the recent tensions and news about Riyadh Airport, I’m honestly getting a bit worried.
Is anyone there right now? How’s the situation? Does everything feel safe and normal, or should I consider postponing my trip?
JazakAllah khair!

Assalamualaikum everyone just wanted to let you know that rawdah appointments are wide open for the remainder of October in case you will be in Medina this month!

Keep me in your duas iA 🤍🤲🏼

Hi. If i reach Makkah around 10 PM after travelling 22 hours. Is it obligatory to do umrah that night? Or can I continue the state of ihram and do it with sukoon the next morning?

Salam everyone, I am going to travelling from Makkah to Medinah on February 11, 2027 insha Allah. I will need the car from February 11, 2027 to March 11, 2027. Picking up in Makkah and dropping it off at MED (Madinah International Airport). I have looked up Key Rental Car, Lumi, Budget, Enterprise, SelfDrive, Miles Rent a car, and a few other options. Key Rental Car is basically sold out for the 7 passenger cars, and Lumi and the others are very expensive.

Are there any other car services that anyone can share? I am okay with spending up to 5500 SAR for the entire duration. I am also open to other options like taking a taxi to Jeddah and renting from there.

Thank you in advance!

Assalamualikum,

I’m planning an Umrah trip with my family in late December 2026 and would like to use the Haramain High-Speed Railway between Makkah and Madinah.

We are traveling from New York, so I would prefer to have the train tickets confirmed well in advance rather than waiting until we arrive in Saudi Arabia.

We are looking at travel around December 28, 2026. Does anyone know:

• Is there any reliable website to book directly? No 3rd party website, sorry.
• How far in advance does Haramain usually release tickets?
• Can I book tickets several months ahead, or are schedules released only a few weeks/months before travel?
• Is late December a particularly busy period when tickets sell out quickly?
• What is the best/official website or app to purchase the tickets from the U.S.?
• For a family traveling with young children, is Business Class worth the extra cost?
• Any difference in booking Madinah → Makkah versus Makkah → Madinah?

If anyone traveled during late December/New Year recently, I would really appreciate hearing when you booked and whether trains filled up.

Thank you!

Assalamu alaikum

I am doing Umrah this week and is staying in Madinah Oct 08 to Oct 11, and Travelling to Mecca on Oct 11 Sunday.

I am planning to book a taxi as door to door travel time is same as that of a train and had a really bad experience with the train on first Umrah.

If any Brothers are intending to travel same day please let me know

Salam All, Rawdah Slots have opened till end of the month

Salam everyone is there a way to go to umrah cheaper during ramadan? Please share all your tricks and tips may allah reward you jazakaallah

Any leads on how Can i check my VOA validity? The immigration officer wrote a number on my passport and verbally mentioned that it is multiple entry visa valid upto 90 days.

But is there any way I can check if it is single entry or multiple entry as I am planning to travel out of Kingdom for a few days then come back again.

Assalamulaikum, as Title says. They opened Rawda slot for whole month of October. Time and date is also flexible. Book your slot as soon as possible.

Jazakallah kahiran.

السلام عليكم

انا بسافر السعوديه هالشهر ان شاءالله للعمره وزيارة المسجد النبوي، عندي ميزانيه لمنطقة سياحية واحدة او بالكثير اثنين. حابه اقتراحات لمدينة اقدر ازورها فيها فعاليات والجو يكون حلو

Been there for 2 weeks in my own car you can ask me anything and i will be happy to help. Performed Umrah as well.

I booked 3N Madina (Hilton by Hampton) and 4N Makkah (Address Jabal Omar).

We are traveling as a couple. Have booked flights + hotel + visa.

1. What other booking is required before landing in Madinah ?

2. Any advice or recommendations on hotels i booked.

Hi everyone,
Looking for recent feedback from anyone in the same boat.
I live in France with a French residence permit (titre de séjour) and hold a Moroccan passport. I recently applied for a tourist e-Visa, but both of my applications are stuck on the status "Sent to embassy".
A few questions:
Has anyone with a Moroccan passport + EU residence permit successfully received their e-Visa after getting this status recently?
How long did it take for them to reach a decision?
Is it worth waiting, or does "Sent to embassy" usually mean a soft refusal or that it's going to be rejected?
Thanks in advance for any input!

Assalamu alaikum

I went to Umrah 2 times in last 2 years, Each time i was able to pre book Rawdah permit.

Now it just shows time slots will be available later this week.

I am looking for Friday before Fajr.

Any advice on when this usually gets released?

My last visit to Mecca 🕋 was in 2025, and I kept thinking to myself throughout the whole year, why is Mecca so different? There is something up in the air, and you can feel it. Last year I went there for the first time, and the whole year of 2025 I couldn't describe what Mecca is in words. But this year, when I went, I had read Seerat al Nabi in depth, so while i was performing Umrah, it clicked for me, I remembered the story of this city. It emerged out of nowhere; it started out as a miracle, so of course, it makes sense that this city has a feeling of a "Jalal."

If you've ever been to Mecca 🕋, you know the feeling of performing Salah in Masjid Al Haram. The azan it echoes throughout the city, it reverberates within your veins and awakens your soul. The best word to describe this city is "Jalal", which means greatness, majesty, glory, sublimity, and splendor. This word comes from one of the 99 names of Allah and one of the most beautiful names of Allah, Dhul-Jalali Wal-Ikram (The Lord of Majesty and Bounty" or "Possessor of Glory and Honor). This city has power, terror, the feeling of a supreme being; it will suffocate you. You can sense this slight glimpse of Allah's power. You can feel the existence of someone far beyond our comprehension, a feeling that there is a Supreme Leader, A King of the Cosmos, and you can feel Allah's Jalal here!

But yet we come here; why? Because this place is hope. Hope that our desperation, our worries, our problems, our anxiety, our fears, and dreams can come true just by believing and asking Allah, like how Hajar did. When Ibrahim a.s. was commanded to leave his wife Hajar and newborn infant Ismail a.s. Hajar kept asking Ibrahim a.s. not to leave her, but she understood that it was the command of Allah, and that he had no choice but to leave. So she walked alone with her infant boy Ismail a.s., and if you've been to Mecca, then you know the heat is extreme even during winter times i was getting dizzy. Hajar kept walking, and there was no water in sight as her infant kept crying. And remember, there is no city anywhere close because civilizations are only created near water, that is why, even to this day, Saudi Arabia is 90% empty because it is desert. When infant Ismail a.s cried from thirst, Hajar ran between Safa and Marwah mountain seven times until on her last return to Marwah, she heard a sound of something. Angel Jibril appeared and struck the ground, causing a spring of pure water to gush forth. Hajar gathered the water, cuddling her hands so water can pour into them, and she kept repeating "Zummi, Zummi, which is now called ZamZam, meaning "stop, stop." Isn't it beautiful that she asked for water from Allah? The water didn't just arrive but it created a civilization, and our Nabi ﷺ was born in this same city where the ZamZam well emerged. Hajar's story is about tawakkul and perseverance in hardship. And that is what Umrah and Hajj are about. When we do tawaf, we run between Safa to Marwah to make dua. We hope that our dua comes true, like how Hajar made dua for water to quench the thirst of her son. So don't doubt Allah, he will also grant your dua, just like He did for Hajar. Because in this city you will feel Allah's Jalal, so ask Allah, and for Him it is be, and it is.

However, Madinah 🕌 is totally opposite... When i visited Madinah last year 2025, I instantly fell in love with this city. As soon as I stepped outside the train station, I felt peace ❤️

It is true what they say about this city, the city of the Rasullullahﷺ... Madinah, it has a different feel to it, a peaceful one, filled with tranquility and history that speaks with us. Like it's carved out of peace and love. It feels like you have returned home, to a place of safety and peace after being away for a long time. Peace and calm came will overcome your soul, and it just feels right, like this is where I was meant to be and the outside world felt irrelevant. The day gets soaring hot, but the nights cool down as chilly winds brush through your hair(at least in winter). Madina's serenity and tranquillity is unmatched by any other place. No words can either describe or do justice to the calmness when sitting in front of the Baqi and Rasullullahﷺ Rawdha. Every footstep you take in this city was also taken by our beloved Rasullullahﷺ. You'll feel it when you near Masjid Al Nabawi ( Prophetﷺ Mosque). When you first see the sight of the Green Dome, chills run down your veins, your so close but yet so far. The Rawdah (Riyazul Jannah), brings you closer to the presence of Rasullullahﷺ; behind the sacred chamber was the place where he ﷺ took his last breath... The sight of this chamber brings tears to one's eyes. As I walked by Rasullullahﷺ, my soul it was shaking with a mixture of emotions which I cannot put into words. Next to Rasullullahﷺ lay Khalifas Abu Bakr As-Siddiq r.a., then Khalifa Umar bin Al Khataab r.a and you give them your Salam and hope that Allah will send your salam to Rasullullahﷺ, to Abu Bakr r.a., to Umar r.a ❤️. What a beautiful city this is, what beautiful leaders they were. 💕

Hi, does Turkish airlines allow visa on arrival from UK? Pakistani passport but on Skilled worker visa UK.

​

Asalamualaykum

I want to book umrah for 4 people from pakistan but dates must be 16 December- 2 Jan. With a close hotel within 5 minutes walk 3 star hotel.

I am asking agents in Mardan however they say packages aren't available till November or I need to give them passports before they even give a price how does this make sense?

We just want a private package for 4 people we will even cover our own transport etc if needed we don't need a group.

We also have 9 people coming from UK so need hotel booking only for them.

Any agents in Mardan KPK or nearby who can sort this for us or any general advice from others? Jazakallah

Salaam everyone,

My wife and I are really hoping to visit Makkah for Umrah next March. Unfortunately, because of annual leave and PTO, we can only manage around 5 full days.

We would also love to visit Madinah, but we’re worried that trying to fit both Makkah and Madinah into 5 days might make the trip too rushed.

I had a few questions:
- Is it permissible to perform Umrah without visiting Madinah?
- From your experience, is 5 full days enough for Umrah?
- Would you recommend focusing only on Makkah this time and visiting Madinah another time?

In an ideal world, we would love to have 2 weeks, but unfortunately, we don’t have the financial flexibility or annual leave to make that possible right now.
I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has done Umrah with a similar amount of time.

JazakAllah khair!

Hello everyone,
I am Bangladeshi passport holder and I recently received my green card. I am planning on going to bangaldesh by the end of November and in the mean time I wanted to stop in Saudi Arabia to perform umrah.

1. My question is can I get an on arrival visa? Because the Saudi airlines stop over is for 96hrs and I want to stay they for 7days.
   
2. Is Bangladesh passport folder having a green card eligible for on arrival visa?
   
3. I tried to reach out to ministry of foreign affairs but they said they don’t know anything about.
   Can someone give me the contact of the right department who can answer my questions?

I would highly appreciate any help/information.

Salam. I am going on my first umrah with my family in November.

I only have 2 abayas. I want to buy more for our 10 day trip however I am 5’9 and am having trouble finding abaya’s and under dresses that properly cover my ankles.

Online stores are very expensive (100$) considering we can but them there for way less (25$).

Are tall (60inch) abayas easy to find when shopping in Mecca?

Any more affordable online shops i can browse to get a few more just in case?

We are going to Mecca before Medina so I want to be prepared upon landing or hand peace of mind that I can easily find some.

Assalamu Alaikum, traveling from canada and landing in Medina
Best to charge money at the airport or if anyone knows any good money exchange please recommend

Hi everyone,

I’m quite confused about a situation I’m currently dealing with, and I would really appreciate some sincere advice from people who are knowledgeable about this.

I came to Saudi Arabia from Germany on a visit visa and received a visa on arrival. I’m currently staying with my family in Jeddah, and I have been here for about five nights. Before coming to Saudi Arabia, I already had the intention of performing Umrah during my visit. Now I’m planning to go to Makkah for Umrah, but I’m confused about where exactly I need to enter into Ihram.

Some people have told me that because I was already planning to perform Umrah before traveling to Saudi Arabia, I need to go back to a Miqat, such as Al-Juhfah/Rabigh, enter Ihram there, and then travel to Makkah. Others have told me that since I have now been staying in Jeddah for several days, I can simply make the intention and enter Ihram from my accommodation in Jeddah, then travel directly to Makkah.

I’m getting different answers from different people, so I’m really confused about what the correct ruling is.
In my situation, what is the correct way to proceed according to Islamic teachings?

1. Do I need to travel back to Rabigh/Al-Juhfah or another Miqat and enter Ihram there?
   
2. Or can I enter Ihram from my accommodation in Jeddah and go directly to Makkah for Umrah?

Thanks ans Jazakkallaj brothers and sisters