العمرة — دليل

النبي Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) told a woman from the Ansar who had missed الحج with him: 'When رمضان comes, perform العمرة, for العمرة in رمضان is equivalent to الحج' — and in another narration, 'equivalent to الحج with me' (Bukhari and Muslim). This extraordinary hadith has made رمضان the most popular month for العمرة worldwide. The combination of fasting, الصلاة, القرآن recitation, and performing العمرة rites creates an intensely spiritual experience that many الحجاج describe as life-changing. The atmosphere at المسجد الحرام during رمضان is unlike any other time — millions of worshippers fill every available space, taraweeh الصلوات extend late into the night, and the collective devotion is palpable. For those who can manage the physical demands of fasting while performing الحج rituals, رمضان العمرة represents one of the most rewarding spiritual experiences available to a Muslim.

Performing العمرة rituals while fasting requires careful energy management. الطواف and السعي together involve several kilometers of walking, often in warm conditions, which is physically demanding even without fasting. The wisest approach is to perform your العمرة rituals either immediately after Fajr الصلاة (when energy is still high from suhoor) or after Maghrib (when you have broken your fast and eaten). Many الحجاج choose to break their fast at the Haram with a light iftar, then perform العمرة rituals in the evening when temperatures are cooler and energy is restored. Eat a substantial, balanced suhoor (pre-dawn meal) heavy on complex carbohydrates, protein, and hydrating foods like watermelon and cucumber. During non-fasting hours, drink copious amounts of water and electrolyte drinks to compensate for the fluid lost during the day. Elderly الحجاج, those with diabetes, and pregnant women should consult their doctor about the safety of fasting while undertaking the physical demands of العمرة.

رمضان brings the largest non-الحج crowds to المسجد الحرام, and managing these crowds is essential for a safe and spiritually fulfilling experience. The Haram reaches peak capacity at every الصلاة time, with the most extreme crowding during Taraweeh الصلوات and on the nights of the last ten days when الحجاج seek Laylat al-Qadr. To minimize crowd stress, consider performing الطواف on the upper floors or rooftop level, where there is more space even though the circuit is longer. Arrive at the مسجد well before الصلاة times to secure a comfortable spot. For السعي, the upper level of the Mas'a (the السعي corridor) is typically less crowded than the ground floor. Avoid the gates and corridors immediately after الصلاة times when the flow of people entering and exiting creates dangerous congestion. Women and elderly الحجاج should be particularly cautious in crowd situations and may benefit from performing rituals during less popular hours such as mid-morning or mid-afternoon.

Breaking the fast at المسجد الحرام is a profound communal experience. Charitable organizations and individuals spread plastic sheets across the marble floors of the مسجد courtyards before Maghrib, laying out dates, water, yogurt, bread, and simple meals for thousands of fasting worshippers. Pilgrims are welcome to join any of these communal iftars — it is considered a great deed to feed fasting people, and there is no shortage of generosity. For a more controlled iftar, bring your own dates and water and find a spot inside the air-conditioned مسجد. During the last ten nights of رمضان, many الحجاج perform itikaf (spiritual retreat), remaining within the مسجد grounds continuously for worship, القرآن recitation, and الدعاء. The odd nights of the last ten (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th) are particularly sought, as Laylat al-Qadr is most likely to fall on one of these nights. Hotels near the Haram charge their absolute highest rates during the last ten nights, and availability can be booked months in advance.