Spiritual preparation and departure

Give yourself a few quiet minutes. Recall, one by one, the sins you know you have committed. If you are still doing something wrong, resolve to stop. To ease your heart, you can start with these simple words: “Astaghfirullaha wa atubu ilayh.”

Repentance means more than regret for the past; it means turning back to Allah Most High. Set out on this journey with remorse in your heart, istighfar on your lips and the intention of a purer beginning ahead.

If you have left someone hurt, a debt unpaid, something entrusted to you unreturned or an injustice unaddressed, today is a good opportunity to put things right. If you have hurt someone, apologise. If you owe a debt, try to repay it; if you cannot repay it immediately, speak openly and make a plan. If you have been entrusted with something, return it to its owner. If you have violated someone’s rights, do not simply say, “Please release me from any claim you have against me”; if possible, also make amends for the harm.

When describing the pious, Allah Most High praises those who restrain their anger and forgive others. Our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also tells us that the better of two estranged Muslims is the one who offers salam first. The hadith of the “bankrupt person” is also a powerful warning about the seriousness of violating others’ rights.

Your phone is already in your hand. Perhaps this journey that Allah Most High has granted you is a precious opportunity to take that first step you have put off for so long. Call now. If calling feels too difficult, write a message. Your nafs may say “later”, but do not put off doing good.

If you wish, you can begin like this: “Allah willing, I am setting out for Umrah. If I have hurt you, knowingly or unknowingly, I apologise. If you have any claim against me, I ask you to release me from it. I also release you from any claim I have against you.”

Allah Most High commands believers to send blessings and peace upon our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Our Prophet also said that whoever sends blessings upon him once will receive blessings from Allah Most High ten times.

Amid the rush of preparing to travel, set aside a few minutes for salawat. Do not see it merely as a task of keeping count. Let it nurture your love and remind you whose ummah you belong to as you travel to these sacred lands.

Prepare for the journey with salawat on your lips and love for our Prophet in your heart.

Allah Most High tells us that prayer is an obligation prescribed for believers at set times. Our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) likens the five daily prayers to a river flowing past a person’s door in which they bathe five times a day. He explains that just as no dirt remains on that person, Allah Most High wipes away faults through the five daily prayers.

During these days of preparation, arrange your schedule around prayer times as much as possible, rather than adjusting prayer times to fit the rush of travel. If you are unsure about another fard duty or religious responsibility you have, clarify it before your journey by asking the UmrahAi Assistant.

As we wait to reach the Holy Kaaba, let us not neglect the duties of worship our Lord has placed upon us today. Let a stronger commitment to fard duties enrich our preparations for Umrah.

After performing ghusl, put on clean clothes, finish your personal grooming and calmly review your final preparations. Starting your journey clean, rested and composed will be good for both your body and soul.

Before stepping out of the door, pause for a moment and remember where you are going: you are setting out for the Sacred House of Allah Most High. See this cleansing as part of preparing for that great encounter.

In the first rak'ah, recite Surah al-Kafirun after Surah al-Fatihah. In the second rak'ah, recite Surah al-Ikhlas after Surah al-Fatihah. After the prayer, make dua to Allah Most High for the safety of your journey and for ease and acceptance of your worship.

Your suitcase may be packed and your ticket may be in your pocket; now prepare your heart too, and set out. Spend these few minutes in peace, not in a rush.

Recite the dua for leaving home, reflecting on its meaning. Remember that you are setting out in the name of Allah Most High, placing your trust in Him, and that true power and strength come only from Him.

Your preparations are now complete. Take precautions, trust in your Lord and set out on this blessed journey in peace.