Inspired by the emotional and spiritual reflections shared in What to Expect After Umrah and Hajj: Anticipating and Facing Life’s Trials, this guide is for pilgrims looking to build on their transformative experience and make lasting, meaningful changes.
Returning home from Umrah or Hajj is a profound moment. The pilgrimage is life-changing, yet transitioning back to daily routines can feel overwhelming. How can you ensure that the spiritual growth and connection you experienced remain part of your everyday life?
This guide offers 21 practical tips to help you maintain the momentum, nurture your spirituality, and stay steadfast in your faith. Remember, growth is a gradual process. Focus on small, consistent changes that you can sustain over time.
Contents:
- Morning and Evening Adhkar
- Start or Maintain a Halaqa / Ilm circle or Study Group
- Tajweed and Quran – Get yourself 1:2:1 Quran Teacher
- Memorise More Qur’an
- Enrol in a Tafsir Class
- Incorporate Tahajjud (Night Prayer) into your week
- Give Charity / Sadaqah Regularly
- Re-evaluate your Goals
- Review Your Dua List
- Share Your Experience
- Seek Forgiveness and Reconcile
- Plan for your Next Pilgrimage
- Stay Connected with Other Pilgrims
- Continue Dressing Modestly
- Fast Mondays, Thursdays and the 3 White Days
- Learn more about Allah SWT’s Names and Attributes
- Study the Seerah
- Practise Gratitude Daily
- Start a Daily Fitness / Exercise Routine
- Start a Creative or Artistic project
- Make time to be in Nature regularly
1. Morning and Evening Adhkar
Keep your daily fortress of protection intact by reciting your morning, evening, and sleep adhkar. These powerful supplications shield you from unseen harms and nurture your connection with Allah SWT.
Resources to help you stay consistent:
You can find these daily adhkar on the apps and book below:
- Life with Allah
- Dhikr & Dua App
- Fortress of the Muslim – Book – for those who prefer hardcopy.
2. Start or Maintain a Halaqa / Ilm circle or Study Group
Join or start a local study group to continue learning about Islam. If in-person gatherings aren’t possible, form a virtual group with friends. Schedule weekly Zoom sessions to watch Islamic series on YouTube or study together.
Tip: Set a specific time and topic to stay accountable and consistent.
3. Tajweed and Quran - Get yourself 1:2:1 Quran Teacher
Enhance your Quranic recitation by committing to regular lessons with a qualified teacher. This investment in your spiritual growth will deepen your connection with the Quran.
For inspiration and resources read:
- Five Verses for Five Years – A Life Changing Affair
- From Eid to Ramadan: A Reading Schedule to Complete the Quran
Tajweed for Children
Help children start their tajweed journey with The Ultimate Tajweed Workbook by Al Qasas Learning who also have lots of free resources and a membership club for children which makes the journey really fun!
If you’re unsure where to start, check out: A Parent’s Guide to Teaching the Quran
4. Memorise More Qur'an
If your tajweed is solid, take the next step by memorising verses. Reflect on their meanings to deepen your spiritual connection.
Tip: Start with small, consistent portions—like 2-3 lines per week—and gradually increase your capacity.
Resources:
5. Enrol in a Tafsir Class
Understanding the Quran’s meanings through tafsir enriches your connection with its message. Look for online or local classes that fit your schedule.
Focus area: Consider starting with surahs that resonated with you during your pilgrimage.
6. Incorporate Tahajjud (Night Prayer) into your week
Tahajjud, a pre-dawn prayer, is a serene way to reconnect with Allah SWT. Begin by waking up 30 minutes before Fajr once a week, then increase gradually.
Tip: Use this time to make heartfelt duas, just as you did during your pilgrimage.
7. Give Charity / Sadaqah Regularly
Continue the acts of kindness you practised during your journey. Sadaqah not only helps those in need but also protects you from calamities.
‘Adi ibn Hatim reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Guard yourself against the Hellfire, even with half of a date in charity. If one cannot find it, then with a kind word.” [Bukhari 6540, Muslim 1016]
Resources:
How to Start:
- Set up a monthly donation to a cause you’re passionate about.
- Volunteer locally at food banks, the mosque or community centres.
8. Re-evaluate our Goals
Take time to reflect on your priorities. Ensure your goals align with akhirah-focused intentions and adjust them accordingly. What do you want for yourself and your family?
Inspiration:
9. Review Your Dua List
Now that you’re back, don’t forget about your dua list. Try to revisit it regularly, keep writing, editing and developing it and most importantly keep making those duas, trusting in Allah SWT’s wisdom and timing. Doing this exercise will also help you to share your duas with others going for Umrah or Hajj if requested.
10. Share Your Experience
Tell family and friends about your pilgrimage experiences. Sharing helps reinforce the lessons and serves as inspiration for others. Seek out opportunities to share tips with others (like sharing our blogs!) and other resources that you found beneficial while you were there. Encourage others to embark on the journey if they haven’t already been.
11. Seek Forgiveness and Reconcile
Maintain a pure heart by resolving lingering conflicts and seeking forgiveness from others. This effort mirrors the spiritual cleansing of your pilgrimage.
12. Plan for your Next Pilgrimage
Having another trip to the blessed lands in your plans keeps the spirit alive. Begin saving or make a commitment to return, insha’Allah. Encourage others to go and motivate them with your experiences. Having another trip to look forward to can really help you stay positive and motivated once you return.
13. Stay Connected with Other Pilgrims
The bonds you formed during Hajj or Umrah are special. Keep in touch for mutual support and motivation.
14. Continue Dressing Modestly
If your attire changed during the pilgrimage, try to continue dressing modestly as a daily reminder of your journey. It is a great time to begin your hijab journey and explain to others who might not understand that this is a commitment you have made to please Allah SWT upon your return.
15. Fast Mondays, Thursdays and the 3 White Days
Fasting these days, especially in winter, is an easy way to maintain discipline and mindfulness of Allah SWT. If you still have Ramadan or pregnancy fasts to make up, this is also a great time to start working through those inshaAllah.
16. Learn more about Allah SWT’s Names and Attributes
It is really important to know WHO Allah SWT is through deepening your understanding. You can find many online courses on the 99 Names and Attributes of Allah SWT or great books to begin this journey.
Resource:
17. Study the Seerah
Returning home from Madina especially makes the heart yearn to know more about our beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH. Keep building on your knowledge of his life and try to implement new sunnahs into your routine.
Enrol on a live course if possible as this is the most engaging way to benefit and have discussions around all aspects of the Prophet PBUH’s life.
Resource:
18. Practise Gratitude Daily
Begin or end each day with a moment of gratitude for what Allah SWT has blessed you with. This keeps your heart grounded and focused on blessings.
19. Start a Daily Fitness / Exercise Routine
Caring for your physical health is part of your deen. Begin with small, consistent efforts like a 20-minute walk or joining a local fitness class.
20. Start a Creative or Artistic project
Explore Islamic calligraphy, journaling, or other artistic pursuits. These activities offer reflection and relaxation while fostering mindfulness. You can make the intention to gift your creations and bring joy to others too!
Resources:
21. Make time to be in Nature regularly
Spend time outdoors reflecting on Allah SWT’s creation. From walks in the park to trips to the seaside, being in nature is a powerful way to recharge. Observe Allah SWT’s magnificent variety of creation and reflect on how Al Hadi guides them all, whether it be to hunt, fish, fly or camouflage.
Final Words
Returning from Umrah or Hajj is not the end of your journey—it’s the beginning of a new chapter in your relationship with Allah SWT. Use these tips to stay on the straight path, inspire those around you, and keep the barakah flowing in your life. May Allah SWT bless you and keep your heart steadfast and continue to invite you to His House again and again. Ameen
Which of these tips will you try first? Let us know in the comments or share this post with others to inspire their journey insha’Allah!
