There is no better spiritual reward than a Ramadan Umrah. The rewards for every good deed are magnified many times over with the blessings of this month. Hence, the rewards of the most sacred of all the pilgrimages are unmatched. Every year millions come to Makkah during Ramadan to experience this surreal and rewarding pilgrimage. Every UK Muslim planning this pilgrimage could ask themselves about the best time to perform Umrah in Ramadan. If any of you are, here is the perfect guide for you.

Many people wouldn’t know that the Ramadan Umrah isn’t the same throughout the month. The first, middle, and last 10 days of Ramadan offer different atmospheres, crowd levels, and practical considerations. Hence, before booking the Ramadan Umrah packages from the UK, you will have to decide which of the times of the month you’d prefer. Only you can decide what is best for you by considering your expectations and budget and who you are travelling with. Here is a comprehensive guide on everything you need to know about the first, middle, and last ten days of Ramadan in the pilgrimage sites.

First Ten Days of Ramadan: A Quieter Start of the Month

Even though the whole month of Ramadan attracts millions of pilgrims to the pilgrimage sites, the first ten days of the month are relatively quieter. So, if you want to avoid some of the most intense crowds that the last ten nights of Ramadan come with, this might be a great time for your Ramadan Umrah. 

Advantages of the First Ten Days

One of the biggest advantages of the first ten nights of Ramadan is that the crowds are quite manageable. This can make it easier to move around Masjid al-Haram, although Makkah remains busy throughout Ramadan. 

If you plan to travel during the first part of the month, you will have many advantages, including more time to settle into your accommodation, adjust to fasting, and establish a comfortable worship routine.

It may be particularly suitable for:

• First-time Umrah pilgrims
• Elderly travellers
• Families with children
• Pilgrims who prefer a less intense schedule
• Those who want to spend more time exploring Makkah and performing additional acts of worship
• Travellers looking for potentially more affordable Ramadan travel options

Potential Disadvantages 

If you plan to travel during the first ten days, you might miss the exceptional last ten days in which Muslims search for the most blessed night, Layla-tul-Qadar. Pilgrims travelling home earlier may therefore miss the unique atmosphere of the final part of Ramadan. Some pilgrims also feel they miss the spiritual atmosphere that builds in Makkah and Madinah as Ramadan progresses. 

Middle Ten Days: A Balanced Option 

If you want a more balanced option, the middle ten days of Ramadan will be perfect for you. Since it is the middle of Ramadan, everyone is accustomed to fasting, the Ramadan routine, and the demands of performing Umrah. Also, the peak crowds expected to arrive at the pilgrimage sites in the final ten nights might not be there yet, which keeps the sites much quieter. 

Advantages of the Middle Ten Days 

There are numerous benefits of going for an Umrah in the final ten days of Ramadan. The middle period can work well for pilgrims who want a strong Ramadan atmosphere without necessarily staying until Eid. 

It is also a great time for pilgrims who cannot commit to the busier final ten nights because of limited annual leave, family commitments and responsibilities, or other such things. The middle 10 days may suit:

• Couples
• Families
• First-time pilgrims
• Travellers with fixed holiday dates
• Pilgrims who want a balance between worship and practical convenience

Potential Disadvantages of the Middle Ten Days 

The middle ten days of Ramadan also have disadvantages, in addition to the perks. Keep in mind that crowds can be substantial during this time, too. Taraweeh prayers, Friday prayers and busy evenings can attract large numbers of worshippers. 

Demand for flights and accommodations will also start increasing during this time, raising the cost of Ramadan Umrah packages. 

Last 10 Days of Ramadan: Maximum Spiritual Atmosphere 

The final ten days of Ramadan are the most spiritually significant. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would devote himself especially to worship during the final 10 nights. Aisha (رضي الله عنها) reported that when the last ten nights began, the Prophet ﷺ would tighten his waist-wrapper, stay awake at night and awaken his family. 

The last 10 nights have additional significance because Muslims seek Laylat al-Qadr, which Allah describes as better than a thousand months in Surah Al-Qadr.

Allah says:

لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ

Laylatul-Qadri khayrun min alfi shahr

“The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.”
— Qur’an 97:3

Advantages of the Last Ten Days of Ramadan 

No spiritual motivation is greater than spending these blessed days at Masjid al-Haram, the most sacred site in Islam. Pilgrims may spend their nights:

• Performing Tawaf
• Praying Taraweeh
• Making dua
• Reading the Qur’an
• Performing Tahajjud
• Giving charity
• Remembering Allah
• Seeking Laylat al-Qadr

The atmosphere during these days is truly unmatched. It gets intense as pilgrims increase their acts of worship and become more immersed in the remembrance of Allah Almighty. This is also when pilgrims prepare for Eid. 

The Challenges of the Last Ten Days of Ramadan

The same reasons, which push pilgrims to visit the shrine, make this period challenging. You may expect large crowds of visitors at the places of interest during these days. Moreover, on odd nights, Muslims gather to look for Laylat al-Qadr.

The place close to the shrine is in high demand by the last ten days of the event, so it is highly recommended to book it before the start of your journey. It also takes more time to get to the pilgrimage sites nearby because of heavy traffic.

People should be aware of their limits when visiting during this time and avoid the rush if they travel with older folks, youngsters, or those who do not cope with crowds and long walks.

Summing Up

Choosing the best time to perform Umrah in Ramadan matters. Choose based on your budget and preferences. Not everyone knows that the best time to perform Umrah in this blessed month isn’t the same for everyone. Everyone has different spiritual goals, health, travel dates, budgets, and tolerances for crowds. If you still can’t decide which time is perfect for you, contact Bismillah Travel now, and we can help you through the process to give you the most seamless and memorable Ramadan Umrah experience.