Allah has made Umrah a very important aspect of the pilgrimage that Muslims perform to seek the closeness and nearness of Allah. Unlike Hajj, which is in the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, it can be done any time of the year. However, many people often ask, how long is Umrah closed after Hajj? If you are planning to contact your Umrah trip, it is crucial to know the timing and regulations and the opening of the Umrah season post-Hajj, most especially for the year 2025.
This blog covers Umrah after Hajj timing and answers common questions to help you plan your pilgrimage.
How Long Does Umrah Take?
First, before going into when Umrah will begin after Hajj, let’s understand the basics of the process of performing Umrah. The time taken for Umrah varies from person to person and according to situation. It usually takes anywhere between 3 to 6 hours. Let’s break this down into some activities:
- Ihram: Before entering Makkah, pilgrims wear the Ihram to signify purity and readiness for worship.
- Tawaf: Pilgrims perform Tawaf, which involves walking seven times around the Kaaba in a counter-clockwise direction.
- Sa’i: This is the walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah, performed seven times.
- Shaving/Cutting Hair: Male pilgrims will shave their heads, while female pilgrims will cut a small portion of their hair.
In summary, while the actual acts of Umrah are short, pilgrims should prepare for a physically demanding experience. The time needed for Umrah is relatively short compared to Hajj, but it offers a chance for immense spiritual growth.
When Will Umrah Start After Hajj 2025 in Saudi Arabia?
For all Muslims, the opening of Umrah after the Hajj season is an important event. However, after the end of Hajj, Umrah begins again in Makkah and Madinah.
Hajj will occur sometime between June 28 and July 3, 2025, according to the Islamic Lunar calendar. Umrah will begin again as soon as Hajj will be concluded. According to Saudi authorities, normally, it reopens within a few days after the end of Hajj rituals, which is usually in mid-July. However, there may be a variance of dates depending on official announcements of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
Besides, the Saudi government controls the number of pilgrims during Umrah to avoid bottlenecks. However, as infrastructure rapidly develops and health protocols improve, experts assume that Umrah will be more accessible in 2025, even for hopefuls arriving from overseas.
How Much Time Does It Take to Do Umrah?
As I mentioned earlier, Umrah is a relatively short and spiritual experience, and it takes around 3 to 6 hours based on various factors. The length depends on such things as…
- Crowd Sizes: During peak seasons, like the days following Hajj, there may be large crowds, extending the time it takes to perform Umrah.
- Distance to the Haram: Depending on where you stay, your proximity to the Grand Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) will affect how quickly you can complete the rituals.
- Personal Pace: Each individual can perform perfect Umrah at their own pace, and some may choose to take more time for prayer and reflection.
Performing Umrah is a short act that may take a few hours but these pilgrims spend a whole day or longer characterized in Makkah and Madinah to say more prayers and worship. The timing flexibility enables the pilgrims to deeply immerse themselves in the spiritual atmosphere.
Key Factors: How long is Umrah closed after Hajj
However, in 2025 when there will be more people performing Umrah, there are a couple of factors that are able to influence the time taken to complete Umrah. These include:
- Time of Year: If you’re planning to perform Umrah during off-peak times, like after Hajj or during the winter months, you may find shorter queues and less crowded spaces. However, during Ramadan or immediately following Hajj, the crowds tend to increase, which could affect your total time spent.
- Health and Mobility: Some individuals might need additional time due to physical limitations. Pilgrims who need assistance can find special services at the Haram to help them with the performance of rituals.
- Transport: The availability of private Umrah transport, as well as the location of accommodations, plays a role in how efficiently you can perform the rituals of Umrah. In 2025, experts expect modern transport systems to make the process more streamlined.
Conclusion
After Hajj, Umrah is one of the most awaited periods for Muslims who throng to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah to perform this religious pilgrimage. Umrah is likely to open in 2025, sometime in mid-July, after the completion of Hajj, and the Saudi authorities will announce the exact dates. Moreover, Pilgrims need to know that normally, Umrah takes 3 to 6 hours to complete; however, the time required may change due to different reasons, i.e., the crowd size and personal walk.
If you intend to do Umrah, you must keep yourself in line with the official guidelines for Umrah visit and organize your trip properly to allow you to make the best out of your pilgrimage visit.
FAQs
Experts usually expect Hajj to fall in June in the year 2025, specifically from June 28 to July 3, and Muslims normally perform Umrah after completing Hajj rituals. The season for Umrah is expected to commence in 2025 from around mid-July. Despite this, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah will officially announce the actual date of the opening. The exact date is the Saudi government’s official announcement that pilgrims should focus on.
It normally takes 3 to 6 hours to complete Umrah. Ihram, Tawaf (circumnavigation of the Kaaba), Sa’i (walking between Safa and Marwah) and shaving or cutting of hair are some of the rituals. However, the time for Umrah varies. It depends on crowd size, personal speed, and waiting times at different locations. However, some pilgrims may take longer. They spend more time in prayer and reflection. This is especially common during off-peak times.
There is no fixed time for performing Umrah. It depends on the person’s preference and the purpose of the pilgrimage. Mid-July to October 2025 is ideal for a peaceful, less crowded Umrah. But if you want to do Umrah during the peak months, you can plan it around Ramadan or after Hajj. However, be prepared for heavy crowds. You may also face longer wait times at the mosque.
As a matter of fact, you can do Umrah even if you did not take part in Hajj in particular. Pilgrims can perform Umrah at any time of the year right after completing it. After the Hajj season ends, authorities allow non-Hajj pilgrims to enter Makkah. They can perform Umrah while following travel and health measures.
With the recent global health concerns, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah have set various health and safety protocols that pilgrims have to observe. In 2025, local and international pilgrims will continue to observe the measures adopted by the authorities. Suppose you are a pilgrim planning to participate in Umrah. In that case, stay informed about the latest mandates by Saudi authorities. This includes new health and safety protocols or travel restrictions.
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