Performing Umrah with parents is the desire of every Muslim, but only a few get this opportunity. May Allah SWT grant you this unique chance to perform Umrah with your parents!
The performance of rituals during Umrah is the same for every pilgrim, whether a child, a young person, or an older one. But the time it takes for each pilgrim to perform Umrah may be different. By the way, the standard that ritual performances take can be between 4 to 6 hours. It won’t take all day to worship. However, elderly pilgrims can take more time to perform Umrah than average. Their performance time totally depends on their health status and age.
As a solo pilgrim or a young one, you may know how to perform Umrah step-by-step and correctly. Conversely, if you are travelling with your elderly parents, do you know how to perform Umrah with them? How to take care of their health, which should be your top priority? So, this article will relieve your tension, and you can perform Umrah with your parents comfortably.
Pay Special Attention to the Proximity of Hotels
When you are going for Umrah with the elderly, you have to pay special attention to the distances of hotels from the Haram boundaries. Its main purpose is only to reduce the pain and time for walking. As you know, walking is also one of the major issues for older pilgrims. They frequently face knee or joint pain.
Keep in mind that the closer the hotel is to the Holy Kaaba, the easier it will be to walk through Ihram. The nearest hotels to Masjid al-Haram are Pullman Zamzam, Swissotel Makkah, Fairmont Makkah, and Hajar Tower. When you are about to book all inclusive Umrah packages from a travel agency, make sure to book the nearest hotel to Haram for your parents’ convenience.
The closest hotels may cost you more than the farther ones. Most nearby hotels come under the five-star category. No doubt, these hotels will provide comfort services to your family with good room size, bed quality, 24/7 service, and premium facilities. Moreover, one of the major benefits of hotels’ proximity to Haram is that the elderly can move everywhere easily and prevent falls or injuries.
Get Your Parents’ Health Checked
To start planning Umrah with your elderly parents, first of all, prepare them medically. This first step is necessary to be done if your parents are often sick. To have a health check-up done for your parents, consult with a doctor. Meet with your family doctor or any general physician. Take a fitness certificate after confirming with a doctor that your parents are physically and mentally fit to perform Umrah. If there are any minor issues, address them timely manner. Also, check if necessary vaccinations are required, such as a flu shot or meningitis vaccine.
Elderly parents often need medications on time. So, medicines should never run out during an Umrah trip. Keep the original prescription and the official letter of the doctor in your handbags. Carry common ailments always with you, such as for minor aches, pain, upset stomach, or colds. If your elderly have chronic illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease, then keep all reports and treatment with you.
Important Note: According to a recent rule, if you have any chronic illness, you are not allowed to perform Umrah without being medically fit. Therefore, make sure to have a medical fitness certificate that will show that you are in good and perfect condition.
Arrange Wheelchairs for Elderly Pilgrims
Wheelchairs are used instead of walking while performing the rituals of Umrah, such as Tawaf and Sa’ee. After Umrah, you can use wheelchairs if your parents are unable to walk or have some issues. During travelling, older pilgrims need a wheelchair at the airport or boarding, so you should arrange in advance when booking your Umrah tickets online. In some areas of Masjid al-Haram and Masjid an-Nabawi, wheelchairs may not be allowed. Remember that there is a considerable distance (around 2.8 km) to cover for performing Tawaf and Sa’ee.
Hence, walking in crowds can be dangerous for older people, and wheelchairs protect them from shocks and falls. Additionally, your parents can concentrate fully on worship. Inside Masjid al-Haram, you can access either manual wheelchairs or battery-operated small vehicles. These are official and approved, so you are allowed to use them inside the Haram building. A small fee will be required for this service; costs may vary over time, so you can ask from working staff there.
Perform the Rituals of Umrah with Ease and Patience
Elderly pilgrims need time to perform the rituals of Umrah with ease and patience. So, perform Umrah with them patiently. For the very first, wearing the Ihram is essential. Be in the state of ablution, and your parents should also be in it. Men have to wear two white items of clothing for both the upper and lower body. Women can wear any modest covering as an Ihram, such as an Abaya. Make an intention to start Umrah.
Now, you will perform Tawaf around the Holy Kaaba, starting from the Hajar-e-Aswad corner. It’s difficult for the older pilgrims to navigate around the Holy Kaaba. So, use a wheelchair and sit your parents for Tawaf. Ensure to be on the first or second floor of the Grand Mosque, where crowds are lower.
After the second step, Sa’ee is the third main ritual of Umrah. Again, this includes seven times walking or running between the two hills: Safa and Marwah. The building of Sa’ee is fully air-conditioned and spread over multiple floors. Escalators and lifts are available so that parents do not have to climb stairs. There is a specific area in the Sa’ee area where walking fast or running is Sunnah. Allow the elderly parents to move comfortably in this area, or take them in a wheelchair at a normal pace.
The last step of Umrah is shaving or cutting the hair, which is mandatory to do. This step is also known as Halq or Taqsir. Halq is only for men, while Taqsir is for women (males can also do it in some specific conditions). By doing this last step, you are free from the restrictions of Ihram and your Umrah is completed with your elderly parents.
In conclusion, Umrah with elderly parents means only giving priority to your blood relations. The key is to walk at their pace, and if they get tired, give them a rest. Try not to be angry over small things. Remember that you are serving them in pilgrimage, and there is a great reward in serving your parents, especially during Umrah.