How to Maintain the Spiritual High After Returning from Umrah

Umrah, often called the "minor pilgrimage," can certainly be one of the most spiritually rewarding journeys a Muslim could undertake. Performing Umrah would induce a sense of peace and purification and, most importantly, closeness to Allah. For many, the journey to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina will permit him or her the luxury of experiencing a deeper level of devotion, worship, and self-reflection. Meanwhile, on the pilgrimage, acts of worship like prayer, supplication, and Dhikr are performed by an intending Umrah, thereby elevating the spiritual state and drawing him or her closer to Allah.

Once the Umrah is over, however, another challenge that presents itself is how to remain at that spiritual high sustained by the pilgrimage amidst the distractions and routines of an everyday life. The sense of peace and fulfilment gained during the pilgrimage may dissipate once pilgrims return to their accustomed environments. This becomes a perennial concern, whereby the great closeness to Allah and heightened sense of spirituality starts feeling so far out again, once life resumes.

To maintain spiritual highs after returning from Umrah, it is important to implement any lessons or practices learned during the pilgrimage into everyday life. Consistency in spiritual practices and habits that fortify a person's relationship with Allah, like prayers, Dhikr, and readings of the Quran, is key. Practice an attitude of gratitude, mindfulness, and compassion in everyday interactions, embracing the lessons of change achieved through Umrah. Incorporating these into daily life ensures one continues to draw sustenance from the spiritual ascension achieved during Umrah and earnestly seeks to live a life of faith, purpose, and devotion.

Here are some tips on how to maintain the spiritual high after returning from Umrah.

 
1. Consistent Prayer: All connection of a Muslim with Allah goes through prayer, or Salah. On arriving back from Umrah, it is important to offer the prayers on time, sincerely, and humbly. That involves the obligatory five daily prayers and also Sunnah prayers, amongst which Tahajjud is also worthy of mention.

The tahajjud prayer in the still hours of the night is very much endowed with power. It has been highly urged by the Prophet (PBUH) and provides the opportunity for an intimate connection with Allah. Offering prayers in the days following Umrah is one way to keep the connection you felt with Allah during the pilgrimage. It strengthens the grateful and humble spirit with which you will continue your everyday life.

2. Recite the Quran Daily

 Set Aside Time Every Day for Reading the Quran: It is the Quran that is called the Guide for Muslims, and its recitation is a source of blessings and peace. During Umrah, many pilgrims find joy in reciting Quranic verses within the blessed precincts of the Haram. Upon returning home, keep reciting the Quran daily, if only for a few verses at a time.

This maximizes the upkeep of the spiritual height while reinforcing insight into Allah's words. Dedicate time for meditating over the meanings of these verses and their applicability to your life; do your best to establish a reading schedule of the Quran as much as possible, along with ongoing search for Tafsir throughout your journey to gaining knowledge and comprehension of the Quranic message.

3. Spend Time in Dhikr:

Dhikr or remembrance of Allah is another major endeavor through which you can sustain spirituality. Maintain your Dhikr during the day, saying, "SubhanAllah" (Glory be to Allah), "Alhamdulillah" (All praise is due to Allah), "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest).

According to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Dhikr is the purification of the heart and protection against the distractions of this world. So incorporate Dhikr into your daily routines as you walk, drive, or work; this will keep your thoughts connected to Allah and remind you of His greatness and mercy.


4. Make Dua
Dua is the most important part of worship; it communicates to Allah what you need and want. Make Dua regularly after the return from Umrah for guidance, forgiveness, and blessings for yourself, family, and the community.

Dua intends to be done daily, asking Allah for goodness with hands raised after obligatory prayers or mere asking at any time during the day. It is the Prophet (PBUH) who said that Dua is the weapon of the believer and considered an essential path to keeping the relationship with Allah. When you make your Dua, ask Allah to give you the strength to lead a good life, follow the straight path, and be saved from all worldly temptations and distractions.

5. State Bismillah Before and Alhamdulillah After
An extremely powerful way of maintaining an attitude of spirituality throughout the day is to articulate the phrase "Bismillah" (In the Name of Allah) before practically any undertaking. An affirmation of the fact that an action becomes an act of worship purely through intention rests on this simple act.

Conversely, saying "Alhamdulillah" (All praise is due to Allah) after every act keeps you in a grateful disposition for having been able to do the task, acknowledging Allah's blessings, and remaining humble. Whether eating, working, studying, or resting, these minor yet weighty practices go a long way in keeping alive the spiritual feeling you derived from Umrah.

6. Shun Bad Habits and Foster Good Ones
A key learning attained in Umrah is the prospect of starting life afresh. The pilgrimage engenders very deep moments of reflection that should, therefore, use that opportunity to abandon bad habits and engage more in good habits. It does not matter whether you divert others by smoking or gossip out of procrastination; at Umrah, the opportunity for purification is free for the taking.

Use the momentum provided by your pilgrimage to rid yourself of negative behaviors that create obstacles toward your relationship with Allah. Replace these negative habits with good practices such as extra charitable deeds, community service, or healthy living. Fostering your good habits will put you on track for your spiritual development. These encourage your relationship with Allah and help you to improve upon your character and relationship with others.


7. What Behaviours Should One Adopt as a Result of This Transformation
The spiritual transformation offered by an Umrah pilgrimage should be reflected in an applicant's conduct every day with regard to their relationships with family, friends, and the broader community. Show kindness, patience, and forgiveness in all dealings with others. Allah loves those who offer kindness to others as an act of worship.

Act humbly, give thanks, and fill your heart with love for all of Allah's creation. When Allah's help is needed, help with charity and strive toward being good to others. The great spiritual rewards from Umrah will remain with you as long as you keep exhibiting the behaviour of good Muslims.

8. Influence Others and Share
One of the best means by which to sustain the Umrah spiritual high is to share the experience with others. Describe the deep impression Umrah left on you and persuade those around you to take the journey of the spirit. This helps establish a connection between you and the pilgrimage but also enables you to cast the ripples of that experience into the lives of others.

Sharing the story of transformation and spiritual growth can be a motivating factor for others to strengthen their faith and seek their connection with Allah. Your words and actions can sow the seeds of change in others, nurturing a community of believers striving to help one another in their varying spiritual journeys.

9. Offer Thanks to Allah
Above all, never forget to offer thanks to Allah for having enabled you to perform Umrah. It is a great opening that would usher you into His sacred house, and giving thanks for such noble acts of worship is the best means of maintaining the spiritual connection. Thank Allah for the experiences had, for knowledge gained, and for the purification that follows as a result of performing such a heavy-duty act of worship.

While bus Umrah or air Umrah is performed, the trip proves to be transforming in further bringing the believer closer to Allah; days of Mecca and Medina are laden with prayers and internal purification which one wishes to preserve much after returning home. Realization, however, is an uphill task.

Conclusion

Whether you perform Umrah by bus or Umrah by air, the journey itself is a deeply spiritual experience that brings you closer to Allah. The days spent in Mecca and Medina are filled with devotion, prayers, and a sense of purification that many wish to hold onto even after returning home. However, maintaining this spiritual high requires conscious effort and dedication.

Notably, reflecting on one's Umrah experience and relating it with family and friends can serve as a kind of motivation, helping them cement their faith. Were umrahs performed by bus, with fellow believers accompanying you on a bus journey where you saw long roads and deep thoughts, or by air, enabling you to reach quickly and via air but with the same devotion as the first scenario, the conclusion still remains: Umrah is just a kind of reset spiritually and that should get one to effect changes that run through the years.

Every effort must therefore be regularly mounted in order for some semblance of spiritual high after Umrah to be maintained, along with deep sincerity for the desire to be in Allah's presence. As you practice these behaviours learned from the pilgrimage in your daily life, spiritually you will keep growing and walking the road to righteousness. May Allah aid and strengthen us to maintain the spiritual upliftment gained through Umrah.