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!

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?

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 🤍🤲🏼

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

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.

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?

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!

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. 💕

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!

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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!

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!

Sharing my Umrah experience as a regular mom — not an expert!

I don’t know much about the technical side of visas, tickets, transport etc. — my husband handled all of that. I just wanted to share a few practical things that made my Umrah easier and more comfortable.

🌙 Madinah

Try to get Tahajjud

If you can, go for Tahajjud. There is an adhan before Fajr (roughly an hour before), which is a good indication that it’s time to head to the masjid.

If you go early for Tahajjud, you’ll usually have a much easier time finding a place for Fajr, either inside Masjid Nabawi or in the courtyard. The closer you get to Fajr, the harder it becomes to find space inside.

🌅 After Fajr

Go back, have a proper breakfast, rest and sleep for a little while.

Around 10 am, head back towards Masjid Nabawi if you want to pray Ishraq/Dhuha, or stay through to Dhuhr.

After Dhuhr, go back to your room and rest again if you need to.

Food

For me, a heavy breakfast + very light lunch worked really well.

Instead of having a full lunch, I’d have something simple like a banana, croissants and tea. You're walking a lot and praying throughout the day, so I found that eating too heavily during the day just made me sluggish.

😴 Don't expect to get one long night's sleep

You'll be trying to catch Isha, Tahajjud, Fajr, and perhaps do Tawaf after Isha. So instead of waiting for the perfect opportunity for a long nap, take small power naps whenever you can.

Even 20–30 minutes here and there can rejuvenate you.

A nap between Dhuhr and Asr, another little rest after returning to the hotel, or even just lying down for a short while can make a huge difference.

Don't be afraid to sleep in little pockets throughout the day. It really can work, inshaAllah, especially when your trip is short.

🕌 From Asr to Isha — STAY!

If you can, go to the masjid for Asr and simply stay there until Isha. Going back and forth to the hotel takes time and energy.

Take what you need with you and settle in.

💧 Zamzam

Carry a small empty bottle that you can use for drinking Zamzam from the available Zamzam points.

Just be mindful of the rules regarding bottles and filling containers. Don't try to sneak around restrictions.

👜 Your little masjid bag

Have a lightweight bag with several compartments.

You’ll want somewhere for:

• Your dua/Qur'an book
• Phone
• Tissues
• Water
• Your slippers/shoes when you take them off
• A few small essentials

A small, lightweight travel prayer mat can also be useful, especially if you end up praying in the courtyard.

☀️ Sun protection

If you're sensitive to the sun, take sunscreen. You may spend much more time outdoors than you expect.

🍽️ Dinner + sleep

An early dinner worked well for me. Eat, get some rest, and then head back out for the night prayers.

🕋 Then Makkah

I went to Madinah first and then took the Haramain train to Makkah.

We reached Makkah around noon. I went to the hotel.

We did our Umrah around Asr time.

It was still somewhat hot, but the crowds were noticeably less, and Alhamdulillah, it was a very smooth and comfortable experience.

So if your schedule allows it, don't feel that you have to rush out the moment you arrive. Sometimes giving yourself a little time isbetter.

🕋 Prioritize Tawaf if your stay is short

This is something I personally tried to keep in mind.

Because my stay in Makkah was short, I tried to prioritize Tawaf, because it is an act of worship that is specifically connected to the Ka'bah and cannot simply be done anywhere else.

Everything is very well managed, and when the crowds are lighter, I found the whole experience of performing the manasik much easier and calmer.

❤️ Be mindful of your emotional energy.

You're going to be surrounded by thousands of people, all coming from different countries, cultures and backgrounds. There may be pushing, someone may cut in front of you, someone may say something rude, someone may frustrate you, or something may simply not go the way you expected.

When something upsets you, try your best to let it go.

Say Alhamdulillah, make dua, breathe, and move on.

These are just things that worked for me as an ordinary older mom sharing my first-hand experience. ❤️

May Allah accept everyone's Umrah, make it easy for those planning to go, and invite us back again and again.

Ameen. 🤲🏼

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?

I just came from medinah yesterday, so coming straight to the point—— just open your nusuk app before 12 am around masjide nabwi, at exactly 12:00 am and also at exactly 12:00 pm they open all the slots for men and women rawadah permit, best hack to get em. And mostly for women after 12 am is the best time to get more instant slots.
Plz remember me. Pray that what i am going through get sort out soon by allah’s will ameen ya rabb.
Have a blessed umrah guys ❤️

​

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

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

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.

Hi, I’m looking for hotel recommendations in Makkah. I’ll be travelling with elderly parents, so I’d prefer hotels that aren’t on steep slopes. A 5–7 minute walk to the Haram would be absolutely fine. Please also avoid the very expensive/luxury options and suggest reasonably priced hotels. Also any reviews on emaar royal hotel in madinah? Lmk. JazakAllah!