Guide to Umrah with your spouse: choosing a room, a schedule for two and balancing the budget

Can a husband and wife hold hands during Umrah?

During Umrah, whether in ihram or out of it, there is no religious objection to a husband and wife holding hands so as not to lose each other in the crowd and to support one another. The prohibitions of ihram do not prevent spouses from helping each other, in spirit and in body; walking hand in hand during tawaf and sa’y ensures safety and order.

Practical details to keep in mind in the tawaf and sa’y areas:

• Managing the crowds: In a dense flow of people, holding hands or walking arm in arm is extremely practical so that spouses do not lose each other.
• Integrity of ihram: What must be avoided while in ihram is behaviour of a sexual nature; supporting your spouse, stopping them from falling or making way for them does not fall within this.
• Worship areas inside the mosques: In Masjid al-Haram and the Prophet’s Mosque, the women’s and men’s rows are separate at prayer times. Agreeing on a shared meeting point at the courtyard entrance before prayer makes things easier.

What is the minimum number of days for an Umrah visit with a spouse?

For an Umrah visit with a spouse, the ideal and minimum length to plan is 7 days. This is usually arranged as 3 nights in Medina and 4 nights in Makkah; it lets you complete your acts of worship without rushing, shake off the fatigue of the flight and spend calm time together.

Options to consider when planning your time:

• Balanced 7-day programme: It fits perfectly into work or family leave windows. Starting the trip in Medina and ending in Makkah eases the flow.
• Flexible 10–12 day programme: Ideal for couples who want to spend more time in the mosques, have their fill of the Kaaba and spread city visits into the cool of the evening.

How much does an Umrah visit cost for one person and for two?

For an Umrah visit, staying in a double room is much more economical per person than using a single room. The budget for a package for two is set per person according to the hotel’s distance from the Haram, the type of direct flight, and the visa and transfer options.

The main items that balance budget and comfort for couples:

• The advantage of a double room: Because the room difference paid in single rooms (the single supplement) disappears, staying in a double room optimises the total budget.
• Closeness to the Haram and budget: Choosing a hotel within walking distance of the Haram instead of waiting for shuttles with your spouse lets you plan your day flexibly and return easily to the room to rest.
• Transport: High-speed train tickets, which give comfortable travel between Medina and Makkah in 2 hours 20 minutes, and visa fees are the main components of the budget.

Does someone who goes on Umrah count as having performed Hajj?

A person who goes on Umrah is called a “mu’tamir”, not a “hajji” in the religious sense. Hajj is an obligatory act of worship that takes place in Dhul Hijjah and includes the standing at Arafat and the duties at Mina; Umrah is a voluntary (nafl/sunnah) visit that can be done at any time of the year by entering ihram and performing tawaf and sa’y.

The spiritual side of the act of worship:

• Spiritual value: Even though it does not bring the title of hajji, Umrah is a very precious act of worship that is held to expiate sins and bring spiritual renewal.
• Travelling together as spouses: Worshipping together with your spouse in the holy cities adds deep peace, shared prayers and an unforgettable spiritual memory to the marriage bond.

Plan your Umrah on your own calendar

You do not have to fit this special journey with your life partner into bus timetables set by others, crowded hotel lobbies or restricted sightseeing programmes.

With Zair, you can decide every detail according to your own budget, from your departure and return dates to the room type you will stay in with your spouse, from choosing a level-access hotel close to the Haram to high-speed train tickets and the visa process. You focus on your worship with your spouse, and Zair takes care of the operation.