Packing for Umrah

So you are going for Umrah. What do you need to pack?

Source: Google image

Since it's my first time going on my own, I was searching blogs to prepare for the trip, but couldn't find much. Although we were given a list of what to pack by the travel agency, it was just a guide. I'm hoping that my list will help other first timers.

Here's the list we were given by the travel agency. I crossed out the items we didn't use.

Men:

Ihram (2 pairs)
Tali pinggang (1)
Baju biasa (2)
Baju Melayu (2 pasang)
Singlet berlengan (4 helai)
Seluar panjang (2 helai)
Kain Pelikat (3 helai)
Tuala mandi (2 helai)
Tuala kecil (1 helai)
Stokin (2 pasang)
Selipar Getah (1 pasang)
Kasut biasa (lembut)


Hubby wore mostly jubah over there. So he didn't really needed to pack the rest of the items.


Women:

Telekung sembahyang (2 pasang)
I needed at least one for every day that I'm there. I used them for solat, Umrah, sunat tawaf - I practically lived in them. I will talk about doing laundry there in a another post which hopefully will be helpful for you to decide how many to bring for yourself.

Mini telekung (2 pasang)
I did not find a need for these. Some people may prefer to use these, though.

Baju kurung (3 pasang)
Baju maxi (2 pasang)
I find that wearing a jubah is very convenient for me. Further, the charge for laundry is cheaper for a jubah than it is for baju kurung :)
Laundry takes a day to be ready. So the number of pairs you need depends on how often you want to send your clothes for laundry.

Baju tidur & seluar panjang (2 pasang)
Just bring whatever you usually wear to sleep. You may also want to bring comfortable clothes for when you hang out in your hotel room.

Stokin (3 pasang)
I lost count of how many I used. Depending on your itinerary, you can adjust this amount to suit you.
Since I don't wear the bottom part of the telekung there, I used a pair of socks during solat.
Considering the number of people there, you can expect the floors to be rather dusty. You can be assured you'll definitely need to change to a new pair after tawaf.

Sarung tangan (1 pasang)
Find a good fit - make sure it doesn't slip. This is to be used during Umrah, specifically the tawaf.

Tuala mandi (2 helai)
Tuala kecil (1 helai)
I did not find a need to bring these as the hotel provided them. I'm not sure the reason they included towels in the list. Maybe some accommodations don't provide them? You may want to confirm with your agency as these take up a chunk of luggage space.

Selipar getah (1 pasang)
Any shoes will do, water-proof is probably better.

Kasut biasa (1 pasang)
These are to be used when you are doing your visits.

I brought a shoe bag as I was advised to take my shoes everywhere with me since I won't know for sure which part of the mosque I may end up praying.

I think that's about it. Will update in case I think of anything else :)

Umrah 2013

Alhamdulillah hubby and I finally had the opportunity to perform our first Umrah together. I haven't been here in a long while. My parents took my siblings and I here when we were younger. It has taken me all these years to set foot on the Holy land again. tsk.. tsk..
But, Alhamdulillah, I am really grateful to want and to be able to go again.

It's humbling to be surrounded by so many people from different parts of the world who made the effort to visit the holy land to perform the Umrah - especially those who are disabled and in wheelchairs. Witnessing their determination and motivation, puts me to shame of how little I have done. It is a powerful reminder of how I should do more to strive to be a better Muslim.

It was really nice to not have to think about anything else but only our ibadah while we were there. I urge those who have the means to take the time to take this trip. It is an enriching retreat, I promise.

We had a wonderful experience. We just loved being there. Insya Allah we'll get invited over and over again. Amin.

Fruits and Vegetables

To get the minimum:

1. Aim to have at least 3 servings of fruits by 10 AM.

First serving: I usually keep a container of cut papaya or dragon fruit at the beginning of the week. This should lasts for about 3 mornings, shared with the husband.

Sometimes we'll have cherries or some type of berries, depending on what's available at the market. These are easy fruits because they only require some washing and they're ready to be popped into your mouth.

You don't want to go through a lot of trouble as this is what hinders you from getting your daily intake.

Second serving: I'll peel another type of fruit such as apple or pear for each of us for breakfast.

Third serving: We'll usually have a banana each.

2. Then get a serving of vegetables each at lunch and dinner.

For additional servings:

• I'd usually try to eat another fruit as mid morning snack. 
• I like to finish my lunch and dinner with oranges.

If that seems like a lot of work, then blend them and make a smoothie. I do this when I have to rush in the mornings - I have something to enjoy when I'm stuck in the morning traffic. 

What's in my smoothie? 

It usually depends on the type of juice I have in the fridge. When I go grocery shopping I match these with the yogurt that I'll get.

For example:

Orange juice + mango/peach flavored yogurt + banana + papaya 

Berry juice + berry flavored yogurt + banana + blackberries/strawberries

Of course, you can always go with plain yogurt and fruits too, if you really want the healthier option. 

Mushroom Mania

I received this image from a reader. Thank you :) 

All the more reason to consume mushrooms! 

Breaded Mushrooms

I'm a huge fan of mushrooms. This is my mid-morning snack for today :)

Ingredients:
White button mushrooms
1-2 eggs (depending on amount of mushrooms)
Garlic
Other seasoning (optional)
Bread crumbs

1. Beat the eggs. Add garlic along with other seasonings.

2. Add the mushrooms into the mixture & let them sit for a couple of minutes.

--- I used brown button mushrooms since that's what I have in my fridge today.  

3. Dip the mushrooms into breadcrumbs. 

--- I didn't have any. Instead, I crushed water crackers and toasted the crumbs.

4. It's now ready to be fried. 

--- I used my trusted air fryer. It doesn't require much oil. Just drizzle some olive oil over the mushrooms. Set it to 180 degrees C for 10 minutes. 

5. Voila! Serve it with some salad and your favorite dip. 

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Quote

Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you are a good person is a little like expecting the bull not to attack you because you are a vegetarian.

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