If you are lucky enough to embark upon this journey of a lifetime, you must be preparing yourself now mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. If you’re still a little lost about Hajj/Umrah rituals etc., you can go through this link and have a clearer view and the following points will serve as a quick tip-sheet for packing before you board your flight for Hajj/Umrah.
If you’d like to rather order online and support Muslim business along with that, please refer to this post – https://ayeina.com/muslim-businesses-hajjumrah/
Things to take along: Must-haves
When I was going for Hajj, I had to research a lot to get specific items on my list (after researching many Hajj lists). Especially unscented items. Even pharmacists had no clue as to which products were actually scent-free plus alcohol-free and which were not. So I will list down the recommendations that benefited me and based on the research I did, but feel free to research yourself and choose any product/brand you like. These products are primarily to serve as a reference.
I will divide the list into three parts: must-haves, better to have and extra nice to have. You can then pick according to your budget and requirement as to which items suit your individuality.
1) Documents:
(Keep all items in this category in a light sectioned document folder so they don’t get lost).
*Passport.
*ID card. – you can print out a free printable design for safety ID card HERE.
*Airline ticket.
*Hotel booking receipt.
*Travel/transport vouchers.
*Vaccination record.
*Health Insurance Certificate (if you have one).
*Relationship Certificate (if you’re a woman traveling with a spouse/any other mahram).
*Passport size photos.
*Bank drafts of Hajj payment.
*Saudi riyals or ATM/credit card for emergencies. (keeping cash is better because finding ATM or money exchange centers can be a daunting task. Let alone the long queues you may find once you get there).
*Phone numbers/addresses (especially of your family/group members and agent**/hotel information (written in English and Arabic both), following numbers should be jotted down for emergencies as well:
Police – 999
Fire services – 998
Ambulance service – 997
*Shahadah certificate (if you are a revert to Islam from a non-Muslim country, you may be asked to provide proof of being a Muslim. This can be obtained from your local Imam).
*Islamic will (a copy of which should be given to family member(s) too before leaving – and keep one copy with you as you never know about life) – I personally wrote an email to my sister giving her all the passwords and telling her where I left my will which was meant to be opened only if the situation demands. And since that day, I have revised my will multiple times as changes in my life happen because it is an important task. Don’t forget this. Know the rules of will-writing here. (Sample)
*2-3 copies of all important documents.
2) Islamic Resources:
This is the most useful material you will take with you. No matter how much prepared you go, you do get lost in the grandeur of it all (even when it’s not your first time). So consider keeping a quick guide with you. A small book or a pamphlet helps. If you carry a bulky book, you may get pushed around amidst the crowd while searching for pages you’re looking for. If you do intend to carry the detailed book along, 
color coding the pages will help you pick a specific page quickly. So bookmark them like this:
*Mini Umrah/Hajj guide
(Recommendation: English, Urdu)
(They have an app as well: Android, iOS)
*Duas from the Hadith and Quran
.
{(Recommendation: Qur’anic and Masnoon Supplications
(It is available as an app as well: Android, iOS)}
Either print these out or better to buy the books from their branch (address given on their site in case you live nearby). These recommendations are not sponsored. They just immensely benefited me. Or you can buy online from Dar-us-Salam (as they publish authentic knowledge only – as far as I know).
*List of your own duas and duas of those who asked you to pray for them. (Note down their duas so you don’t forget. You will have loads of time to make dua even after you’ve made duas for yourself and your loved ones. Do that on the day of Arafat. Remember! Whatever you ask for others, Angels ask for you) – and please keep your dua diary as small as possible as you’ll probably be carrying it everywhere.
*Pocket Qur’an (preferably with translation so you understand what you’re reading – though the Qur’an is available there as well but in case you’d want to recite it during Tawaf (circumambulation) or Sa’ee (Running between Safa and Marwa) then a compact version would be preferable. Reciting from what you have memorized is your best shot at this. You don’t bump into people much and you don’t become the meat in a stampede either.)
*Useful Islamic pamphlets/mini guide/cards etc. to distribute around as many people do tend to get lost and they will ask others about what to do next. So instead of explaining it all only to miss your precious moments and overloading them with information all at once, simply hand them the pamphlet or a tiny book as a quick guide. (if you wish – not necessary though).
3) General must-haves:
**Medication (As a general rule, you can simply buy a first aid kit and subtract things that you don’t find necessary. It will cover up most of the items below.
But if you want to pack items individually, consult your doctor for antibiotics in case you get ill. Instead of needing to find a doctor and waiting in line, you can have your medicines with you. Especially if you are going with kids, meds at hand are crucial. Following are the ones that may work best for you in different categories:
*General painkiller (Painkillers are indispensable for headaches (paracetamol, ibuprofen/aspirin (only for 18+), muscle pains etc.)
*Anti-diarrhea medication (loperamide (Imodium))
*Cough and cold medications (Nyquil, acetaminophen (Tylenol))
*Laxatives for constipation (Fiber tablets like Fiber-Lax, Benefiber, Equilactin, Fibercon and stimulant laxatives, such as bisacodyl, and senna).
*Antacids (Epicogel, Nexium)
*Anti-allergy (antihistamine (Benadryl))
*Personal medications (based on whatever medical condition you may have).
Etc.
(Remember these are just examples. Not all medicines suit everyone. Especially if you’re already taking prescription medicines. Kindly consult your doctor first).
*Band-Aids (It’s a long journey and you may need one or more…)
*Rehydrating packets of salts (like ORS, powdered Powerade/Gatorade) – a lot of walking means a lot of sweating. Plus Makkah is a hot city. Keep a light water bottle with you at all times.
*Small fold-able Scissor (so you can follow the sunnah of cutting hair from tips after sa’ee and not have to ask people around. Sometimes for one tiny scissor, there is a long line of contestants.)
*Miswak
It’s better to pack light and just stick to a stick (Miswak). Not only would it save you from the hassle of finding water for toothbrush etc. but also lets you gain extra reward as Allah is pleased with it. Miswak before every prayer is a Sunnah. Plus in ihram, scented things aren’t allowed. So definitely use miswak there. You will find plenty of miswak stalls outside al-haram (the sacred mosque).
*Plastic/rubber shower-slippers (so you won’t have to ruin your shoes or wait for them to dry after a trip to the bathroom) BUT don’t wear slippers for a long walk (sa’ee/tawaf etc.)
*Comfortable walking shoes/sneakers/trainers (the pair you regularly use when walking/jogging, without getting your feet hurt/bruised) – don’t try to do Umrah in some fancy shoes/sandals or new shoes that you haven’t tried much already. BAD idea. Men should find a comfortable footwear that doesn’t cover their ankles. 
*Towels (they may be available in your hotel room but better to pack your own – pack travel towels if you could. They are light, compact and super absorbing – regular towels take a lot of time to dry).
*Unscented wipes (used as wet tissues) – this will be used for so many things so don’t pack this item light. You may not have water available 24/7 so this will be super useful.
Flushable version: 
*Socks (wear shoes WITH socks! otherwise you definitely welcome blisters) – but if you’d think it’s too hot for cotton socks even, then you can skip them too since tawaf and umrah don’t take THAT long. Well, approximately they do take 3-4 hours. Suit yourself here. Again – no fancy socks; simple light cotton would do. Sometimes the floor is really hot and you might want to wear a thicker pair of socks.
If they are with skid protection, even better. Since there’s a lot of manhandling. Again, ankle covering socks/shoes aren’t allowed for men in ihram.
*Unscented tissues/small tissue packs (eg: Scott, kleenex)- (you and people around you tend to need loads of them every now and then). Take a tissue in your hand especially during your dua moments. Sometimes you get snotty in the middle and all you have are your clothes then (blowing into your ihram/scarf – not cool). Keep 1 roll of toilet paper as well.
*Unscented Sunscreen/Sunblock (unscented and not water-resistant (so you can do ablution over it too)). I had a hard time searching for one. Either it was scented and not water-resistant or it was unscented but water-resistant.
*Unscented Soap (if you don’t want to pack shampoo/shower gel etc. A soap would suffice for all perhaps).
*Unscented Petroleum jelly. (Vaseline – Works for so many things. Men, women, babies – works for all.
*Prayer mat (preferably a thicker one so if you have to pray on any rough terrain, the thickness would help you prostrate easily). You can sleep on it too in Muzdalfa.
*Travel bag with wheels (so carrying it around every time you travel so it doesn’t become an ordeal).
*Mobile Phone (preferably without a camera – especially for ladies who are planning to go to Madinah as well. Phones with cameras are not allowed inside the ladies’ section of the Prophet’s mosque in Madinah, so it is best to take an extra phone with you on the trip. Or just one cam-less phone. Some women do tend to sneak in the cameras, but your best bet is the safe bet plus even if you lose your mobile in such rush, you won’t be lamenting for long).
Specifically for women:
*3-4 Cotton Scarfs/Hijab
*1 (or maybe 2) Outer cover(s)/Abaya (preferably plain) – (no extra things are needed for ihram – since for women, ihram is just the normal covering they do while praying – some wear hijab and abaya (long cotton/rayon/georgette/jersey coat you can say). Some (usually Indonesians and Malaysians) wear a long white skirt with a long white head scarf. Some (usually Irani) wear big chaadar (cloth draped around their body from head to toe) – anything would do as long as it covers you properly and modestly while keeping you cool).
*4-5 Hijab under caps (so you wouldn’t be fidgeting with your scarf all the time. Under caps secure the hijab nicely).
*Hair tie-backs/ Clips (for hair manageability).
If you have long hair. Then just braid them and pull them into a bun before putting on a scarf. Otherwise, people would be coming to you from all corners telling about your hair peeking out in all their glory.
*Small bag/purse for on-hand essentials (don’t take along a very fancy one – a simple light bag with good sectioning would do) – (for small tissue pack, mobile, dua book, your ID etc.)
*Sanitary napkins/pads (even if you have taken meds to stop your menstrual cycle – you never know).
*Simple comfortable clothes (it’s preferable to keep loose cotton shirts and cotton trousers to wear under abaya – and please keep the abaya that is bling-free and light in weight (no extra layers for you to handle in drastic situations)).
*Pins (to secure hijab in case it tends to get slippery (which is why cotton ones are preferable as they don’t budge much)).
*Good amount of Comfortable Cotton Undergarments (preferably the ones you can dispose off after use (especially panties – some people do suggest taking powder detergent along for washing undergarments/clothes but ain’t nobody got time for washing).
Specifically for men:
*Ihram (two pieces of unstitched cloth – one for upper body and one for lower – pack an extra one as well. Ihram doesn’t have to be a towel-like material. Any fabric would do. Light Cotton is your best pick (make sure it’s not see-through)).
*Simple comfortable clothes to wear after ihram is off. (preferably cotton). Try keeping one or two long-sleeved shirts as well because Madinah may be cold and Makkah witnessed hail the other day.
*Ihram (Waist) belt/ belly bag/ Waist pouch (for mobile/ID/money etc.) – belt has lesser space while bag has more so suit yourself, but it’s important to keep your most important documents etc. at hand.
*Good amount of Comfortable Cotton Undergarments (remember that men are not allowed to wear stitched clothing while in Ihram).
These are generally available items (mentioned for your ease), but if you can support Muslim businesses, then please do so – the list has been compiled HERE.
Next Parts: 2) Better-to-Have Packing List
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Thank you Samina for the very thoughtful tips you have listed. I am planning to go for Umrah with my family inshAllah and will definitely refer to your recommendations while preparing and packing.
My pleasure Rehana 🙂 may Allaah make your journey towards Him full of blessings.
Thanks for your write ups very educative. Please l have a relation in London presently going through a difficult time with one of her kids who is going through depression and moving towards mental case since at times she threatens killing herself.please can we have addresses of where they can go for assistant. Thanks
jazakAllah khair.
I can recommend IOU solace. They provide online help and counselling. They can also guide you better about this. Following is the link
http://islamiconlineuniversity.com/counseling/counsel.php
They are not like any secular psychologist. They will inshaaAllaah aid you with deen and the psychology both…
Hope that helps. may Allaah help them through this difficult time.
It’s really a nice and helpful piece of info. I’m satisfied that you shared this useful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
JazakAllah khair
أخت ثمينه
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
ماشاءالله تبارك الرحمن
وفقك الله في الدنيا والآخرة
والى الأمام دائماً
أختك في الله مريم.
وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته – وإياك ❤
Insha Allah planning to perform UMRAH soon. Half of my job is done. Thanks a lot !! Since I’m in Saudi Arabia I can opt out the documents section,
Yes. Perks of Living in Saudi Arabia ❤ alhamdulillah.
MahsahALLAH ! very important aspects for the Pilgrims of Umrah and Hajj ,that how to pack and things to carry with them..
Alhamdulillah! Glad that you found it helpful
MashaAllah 🙂 You are very lucky brother,
And thank for sharing this photos.
May Allah bless you fulfill all your wishes.
Ameen
This is a wonderful list and most useful, also! May Allah reward you plenty for putting in so much effort! This is a must have list for those who embark on this one in a lifetime journey, cause we want to focus on making dua and completing the rituals, not standing in line waiting to resolve something that could have been avoided.
This year they dropped the rule with no cam phone for women in Medina, they still control us, but they do not say anything about the phones. The exchange issue was always troublesome during the past years, but this year there were more exchange offices in the malls (3 at Zamzam Mall, plus in the souq in the left) and a lot more vendors accepted the foreign currencies (euro and dollars mostly)
Ameen! Yess.. Planning and prepping your trip makes it easier to reap full advantage of this beautiful opportunity.
Really appreciate your wonderful effort and help putting up a list of items to bring.
May Allah reward you for helping others.
Thank you very much.
Ameen. BarakAllahulak!
Explanations and guidelines that are complete enough to carry out Umrah and Hajj, thank you sister
BarakAllahulak!
Alhamdulillah,
Glad you have covered small-small things we should have to carry while traveling to Umrah.
Shukran
Mashallah,
You covered everything from pin to plane which most of the people do forget while packing their bags enruote to umrah. Very exhautive must have list and detailed one. Thanks you for taking your time and putting across here.
Very nice information given for those going on Hajj covering all aspects.