The spiritually best time is Ramadan (when Umre equals Hac in reward), while the most comfortable and cost-effective period is November through February when weather is mild and crowds are moderate.
Best Time to Perform Umre: Season, Month & Spiritual Guide The spiritually best time is Ramadan (when Umre equals Hac in reward), while the most comfortable and cost-effective period is November through February when weather is mild and crowds are moderate.
Umre can be performed at any time of the year, unlike Hac which is restricted to specific days. However, certain times offer distinct advantages depending on your priorities — whether you seek maximum spiritual reward, comfortable weather, smaller crowds, or lower costs. From a purely spiritual perspective, the best time for Umre is during the month of Ramadan. Hz. Peygamber Muhammad (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) said: 'Umre during Ramadan is equal to Hac' — meaning it carries the equivalent reward. The last ten nights of Ramadan, when Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Power) falls, are particularly blessed. However, Ramadan is also the busiest and most expensive season, with massive crowds in the Haram and hotel prices at their annual peak.
For comfortable weather and manageable crowds, the months from November through February (roughly Rabi al-Awwal through Jumada al-Akhirah in recent years, though Islamic months shift annually) offer the most pleasant conditions. Temperatures in Mekke during this period range from 20-30 degrees Celsius, making outdoor rites like Say much more comfortable. Crowds are moderate, and prices are reasonable compared to Ramadan and summer school holidays. The months of Rajab and Sha'ban (the two months preceding Ramadan) are also spiritually significant — Hz. Peygamber used to increase his acts of worship during these months — and they offer a good balance of spiritual merit and practical comfort.
Summer months (typically June through August) bring extreme heat to Mekke, with temperatures regularly exceeding 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). While this is the cheapest time for Umre packages and flights, the heat can be physically challenging, especially for elderly hacilar, those with health conditions, and families with children. If you choose a summer Umre, plan your outdoor activities for early morning and after Isha namaz, stay well hydrated, and take advantage of the air-conditioned facilities. Note that during the actual Hac days (8th-13th Dhul Hijjah), Umre visas are generally not issued, and the Haram is reserved for Hac hacilar.
Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) said to a woman from the Ansar: 'When Ramadan comes, perform Umre, for Umre in Ramadan is equal to Hac.'
Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) said to a woman from the Ansar: 'When Ramadan comes, perform Umre, for Umre in Ramadan is equal to Hac.'
Source: Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Fath al-Bari, commentary on the hadith of Umre in Ramadan
Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) said to a woman from the Ansar: 'When Ramadan comes, perform Umre, for Umre in Ramadan is equal to Hac.'
Sahih al-Bukhari #1863 (sahih)