How To Prepare Physically And Spiritually For Your First Umrah

Published: 25 Nov 2025

Umrah has the power to change your life and return you to the right path by strengthening your connection with Allah Almighty. You will feel many things during this pilgrimage, including hope, love, and excitement. This might make you wonder how to prepare physically and spiritually for your first Umrah. It is truly a life-changing experience. If you are going on this spiritual retreat for the first time, start preparing yourself for this transformative journey.

Thousands like yourself from the UK and from around the world arrive in Makkah every year for the most rewarding act of worship. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) taught us how to perform this pilgrimage and guided us about its endless blessings and rewards. If you have been blessed to find Umrah packages from London and will be going for Umrah soon, it is time to start preparing. Physical and spiritual preparation is reasonably necessary, and we are here to guide you through it.

Table of Content

Understand the Significance of Umrah
How to Physically Prepare for Umrah?
How to Spiritually Prepare for Umrah?
Final Thoughts

Understand the Significance of Umrah

You can only prepare yourself for the pilgrimage perfectly if you understand the significance of this pilgrimage first. Taking a moment to reflect on why you are going on this pilgrimage will change your perspective and surely motivate you. The profound spiritual impact of this pilgrimage cleanses your soul and gives you a chance to seek forgiveness for your past sins.

As you enter the blessed cities of Makkah and Madinah, you will feel the spiritual atmosphere touch your soul. There can be nothing more surreal than following the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the early Muslims as you walk in the streets of Makkah and Madinah. Preparing for this spiritual retreat well can help you make your pilgrimage much more meaningful.

How to Physically Prepare for Umrah?

Although Umrah is much more than a physical journey, you will have to prepare yourself physically, too. Therefore, you must be in your prime health as you embark on this spiritual retreat.

Build Your Walking Stamina

As mentioned earlier, you will have to walk long distances during your pilgrimage. The pilgrimage rituals involve a lot of walking to and from the pilgrimage sites, and while performing Tawaf and Sa’i. Therefore, building your walking stamina is very crucial. You should start walking more a few weeks before your Umrah journey.

You must walk 30 to 45 minutes daily for at least three to four weeks before your Umrah trip. Start slow and try to increase your pace gradually. Walk in the same shoes that you plan to take for your Umrah. It will help you get used to the shoes and build your stamina to walk for longer.

Strengthen Your Legs and Back

You will surely thank yourself for strengthening your legs and back beforehand. This makes your Umrah a lot easier and smoother. Light exercises can make a significant difference, making you much stronger and increasing your stamina. Exercises like squats, leg and back stretches, and gentle yoga and mobility practices can help gradually build endurance.

A little effort you put in before your Umrah journey will make your pilgrimage much smoother and more memorable. So, make sure to take some time to strengthen your back and legs through mild exercises.

Stay Hydrated and Improve Your Diet

As you might already know, Saudi Arabia has a hot and dry climate. This desert region is warmer even in winter. Therefore, make sure to stay hydrated before and throughout your Umrah journey.

Also, improve your diet and ensure you get all the vital nutrients to stay energised for longer. Try to avoid caffeine and sugary foods as much as possible. Add fruits, nuts, and dates to your diet. Also, eat lighter but nutritious meals.

How to Spiritually Prepare for Umrah?

Spiritual preparation is also very crucial for Umrah. Here is how you can spiritually prepare yourself for the pilgrimage.

Renew and Purify Your Intention

The spiritual retreat starts with intention. Renewing and purifying your intention will set the tone for your transformative spiritual retreat. Ask yourself why you are performing this pilgrimage, what its purpose is, and how to make the most of this incredible opportunity. And then make your intention clear that you will be performing this pilgrimage to prove your devotion and submission to the Almighty only.

Learn the Umrah Rituals

Every Umrah ritual has a deeper meaning and a divine connection. Learning how to perform this pilgrimage and its significance will surely motivate you for this journey. It also increases your faith and prepares you for the spiritual journey.

Recite the Quran and Increase Dhikr

Your spiritual preparation starts long before you arrive in Makkah for your pilgrimage. You will surely benefit from increasing your acts of worship before your journey. Try to recite more of the Holy Quran, reflect on its messages, and increase dhikr and remembrance of the Almighty. It will prepare you for an increased act of worship during your pilgrimage.

Prepare a Dua List

Making duas is one of the most prominent parts of Umrah. You can make a dua list not only to prepare yourself spiritually but also to ensure that you remember every dua you want to make at the most sacred sites in Islam.

Final Thoughts

Umrah is the most faith-reviving journey for a Muslim. Every Muslim yearns to be at the pilgrimage sites, pour their hearts out, and ask for the forgiveness of Allah Almighty. And whoever gets a chance to do it makes sure to put in maximum effort and prepare perfectly for this spiritual retreat. So, if you are going for Umrah soon, start preparing physically and spiritually.