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This is a question that there is no correct answer to. Like many things in life, deciding to go for Umrah alone or in a group has its pros and cons.
Umrah with a group – pros
1. If it’s your first time performing Umrah, going in a group can be beneficial. The group leader should guide you on how to perform the rituals of Umrah and how to visit the Prophet’s (peace be upon Him) grave in Madinah with the correct etiquette. You’ll feel a level of satisfaction that you’ve completed everything properly.
2. When you visit historical places, having a guide (especially if it is a scholar) will enable you to learn the history and significance of these places. This is in contrast to taking a historical tour with a taxi driver, a mistake people tend to make, where you’re often given only a brief few words about each place.
3. If the guide is a proficient scholar, they will help you feel a sense of spiritual upliftment from your Umrah journey, which can be difficult for some people to achieve when travelling alone or with family.
4. You won’t have to worry about arranging transport or other bits that you could end up having to do yourself.
5. You’ll get to meet new people that you might click on with and form long-lasting friendships.
6. For some people, the hesitancy of going with a group is having to share a room with strangers. You can always ask the travel agent for a separate room for yourself and your family (do note this may increase the cost of your package).
Umrah with a group – cons
1. Let’s be honest, you can come across some very nice people in your travels, but at the same time, you can come across some that can be rather irritating…
2. You will have to stick to the hotel that the tour operator offers. Often this is a 5 star or 4 star, but if it isn’t, you’ll have no choice in the matter.
3. You have to keep by the itinerary. This could mean waking up at 9:00am to visit a museum or some historical sites.
4. Your group may have elderly people or people with special needs. This may slow you down while travelling, performing Umrah and visiting sites. Patience is a virtue, but can be difficult to exercise amidst large crowds and rush.
Umrah alone or with family – pros
1. You can pick your own hotels and travel dates.
2. You can do everything in your own pace and as you please.
3. Not everyone prefers travelling in a coach or van. Going alone or with family means you can choose to travel via the Haramain rail or private transport.
Umrah alone – cons
1. The Prophet (Peace be upon Him) said, ‘Allah’s assistance is with a group’ (Tirmithi). In light of this Hadith, it is better to travel with other people.
2. If it’s just you going by yourself, without family, it can be a very lonely experience. Some people may prefer this, but for others, the feeling of loneliness can really kick in after a few days.
3. If you are going by yourself, your hotel cost will be much more. If you take two or three people along, this cost will be divided among everyone. The same principle applies to the cost of taxis during your trip.
4. If you have a question related to the Umrah rituals or anything else, you may find difficulty getting an answer (the guards and workers in the Holy Mosques are unable to speak fluent English).