One of the things many concern themselves with while or before going on holiday is what souvenirs of gifts to bring back from the destination. Makkah and Madinah are no different, quite arguably it is something that needs even more consideration due to the special cities that they are. This post will identify some of the best gifts to bring back from these blessed cities when you go there for Umrah.
Zamzam water
This is an obvious one. If you’re not bringing back Zamzam water, did you even go? Right? Anyway, for those unaware, Zamzam water is blessed water that dates back to Isameel (the son of Ibraheem) peace and blessings be upon them both and his mother Haajar’s time. The famous incident is a lengthy one and one that worth reading up, but in summary Haajar was running between two mountains (Safa and Marwa) looking for water to quench the thirst of her child, Isameel, when suddenly Allah sent angel Jibreel to hit the ground and bring out gushing water, which is known as Zamzam.
Books
One of the best gifts you can give someone is beneficial knowledge. So, why not take this opportunity to bring back some good books and gift them. So, they can benefit from them in a more deeper manner. If you want a Mushaf (copy of the Qur’an), you can actually get a free copy from the Qur’an printing complex, which is actually an amazing day trip in and of itself.
Perfume
The Arab countries are known for their perfume and Saudi Arabia is no different. They have some amazing perfumes you can bring back in a variety of different forms and a variety of different price ranges. The different forms you can get perfume gifts of souvenirs in include in the form of wood chips (that you will burn using an incense burner), oil or a traditional spray perfume. Wood chips and oils are very distinctive to this region, so it makes sense that you pick up one or both of these forms. The different price ranges you will find can vary from under £1 to over £30 for a small bottle of oil. When buying oils you may find the variety a little overwhelming, so ask for Milk or Oud as these two are probably the most popular and most distinctive and unique to the region. Misk is on the sweeter side and Oud is very potent and something that smells better over time. I personally like to combine the two for an immense fragrance! You’ll see numerous touristy perfume shops everywhere and these are the cheaper types. If you’re after something a little more special and are willing to spend, then you need to check out these three legendary shops: Al Majed – for their Oud oils, Abdul Samad Al Qurashi – for their Misk oils and Arabian Oud – for their Kalemat perfume or their oud wood chips. These are probably the three most famous and longest running perfume shops in the country. You will not be disappointed with their offerings.
Miswak
The miswak is a natural toothbrush that is supposedly the oldest documented “toothbrush” or any form of dental hygiene. It is extracted from the roots and branches of the Arak tree. The prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used and encouraged the Muslims to use the miswak in a variety of different situations. Again, something worth researching and reading up on. The World Health Organisation even recommend it as a healthier alternative to the traditional toothbrush! It is natural, environmentally friendly and cheaper too. Be sure to pick up the ones they cut up for you in front of you as opposed to the pre-packed ones. When you feel the freshness on your teeth and mouth, you’ll know why!
Dates
Saudi Arabia is the country of dates, so of course you’re bringing back dates. I’d strongly suggest getting your dates in Madinah and specifically from a shop that is near the Qiblatayn mosque and they supposedly get their dates from the well of Uthman. They deliver to your hotel too, if that suits you better. Choosing the right date cane be overwhelming as the variety is insane. The most famous and the one narrated in Hadith is the Ajwa date, so most will be after this when in Madinah and rightfully so. But my personal favourite is Sukkari. It is my absolute favourite and has been for a number of years now. It comes from the al-Qaseem region of Saudi Arabia (close to Riyadh) and I was first exposed to it during my time spent out in Riyadh. The Arabs absolutely love it and it is almost a staple that is found in every single household and is served along with Arabic coffee. It is sweeter than its counterparts and that is why it works so well with the infamous bitter Arabic coffee. They are very soft and caramel-like in taste. As with all dates, they are packed with health benefits, but this has that added natural sweetness. I personally like to refrigerate them too before consuming – sooo good!
