Types of Umrah & Value in Islam

Types of Umrah & Value in Islam

“And (remember) when We demonstrate Ibrahim (AS) the site of the House (saying): ‘Associate not anything with Me, and sanctify My House for those who circumambulate it, and those who stand up (for prayer), and those who bow and make prostration (in prayer).” [Surah al-Hajj: 26-27]
Umrah is the holiest act known as the mini Pilgrimage. A beautiful act of worship, a sacrament that indicates the complete submission to Allah. You can perform your Umrah by taking any which is just suitable for you. There is an extensive wisdom and purpose behind Umrah, which is the obedience of Allah Almighty, to acknowledge that all we own is a dedication that Allah bestowed to us, so we should not affix our hearts to the temporal possessions and should vow ourselves completely to the one and only, Allah. This act of obedience can be easily carried with the help of  Umrah packages offered by different Travel Agencies. They arrange all the requisites which needs for the performance of Umrah, i.e. The transport, Visa, Accommodation and every part of your Umrah.
There are two types of Umrah, Al Umrah Al Mufradah and Umrah Al Tammatu.

Al-Umrah-Al-Mufradah

It is that kind of Umrah which is independent of Hajj.

Umrah-Al-Tammatu

The Umrah which is performed as the vital part of Hajj or in conjunction with Hajj is known as Umrah-Al-Tammatu.

You can choose Umrah as independent or the one with alliance to Hajj. The independent Umrah could be performed at any time during the whole year. The Super Deluxe Umrah Package can be taken any time.  You can choose this Holy voyage at any time when it is suitable for you. Golden Umrah Packages are available with many of the agencies who are liable to manage a perfect Economic Umrah Package

, for their customers, the Holy Travelers.

The convention of Muslim in Makkah for the sake of Umrah clearly depicts the unity of the Muslim Ummah to the whole world. Here in Ka’aba Muslims from different Nations, races and of different languages unite and perform the same acts of obedience and get the chance to socialize with each other, it reinforce the emotions of brotherhood, goodwill and harmony among them. This makes Pilgrims more tolerant and compassionate towards each other. Hence the enthralling journey of Umrah, not only cleanses Muslims spiritually, but also serves to bring the Ummah together, uniting them in a strong bond which is founded on the principles of Islam. The Umrah packages are rescheduled around the year due to fluctuating prices and fares. You can find the Deluxe Umrah Package In December 2015 by switching to a suitable search engine.

Article by: umrahexperts

Saudi Arabia issued over 5.8 million Umrah visas

Image by:flickr

The Foreign Ministry of Saudi Arabia has issued 5,808,675 Umrah visas till Ramazan in this year through its 110 embassies across the world.
Meanwhile, a Jeddah airport official said that things were moving smoothy and that all facilities and manpower were ready for departure of passengers for the Eidul Fitr holidays and return of Umrah pilgrims to their countries.
Prince Khaled bin Saud bin Khalid, assistant foreign minister, said the government, has helped in providing all sorts of facilities to Muslims from around the world to enable them to perform Umrah at ease, Arab news reported.
The prince said that 500,000 pilgrims reach for Umrah at one time, thanks to the group system made possible with the help of the Ministries of Foreign,Interior and Haj.

Article by: aaj.news

Preparing for Umrah: The Mental and The Physical

9017808032_dae69c3d81_oImage by: flickr

In just a few days, Imam Wisam Sharieff will embark on his annual Knowledge Travels Umrah Trip. This year the trip is themed “Umrah with Your Qur’an.” In order to help prepare our group for this year’s Umrah, we’ve created a list of mental and physical actions to do in the days leading up to the trip, and we’d like to share them with you as well:
1. Prepare for tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka’aba) by walking 2,000 steps, approximately a mile, a day. When you make this exercise specifically to prepare yourself for your journey, recite some adhkar (a phrase glorifying Allah) with each step.
2. Become conscious of your spending – literally every penny. Consciousness and awareness now will help you keep focus on the spiritual rather than the material during the trip. This is the same thing that as mindfulness. It starts with focus on things as simple as breathing. Breathe deeply and slowly.
3. Focus on what you are feeding your body and try to purify it. This means what you see, what you watch, what you hear, and what you’re feeding yourself. Of course, if you are able, try to fast for a few days leading up to your trip. This naturally helps the purification process. Another method is to try to have your wudhu intact at all times. Every time your wudhu is invalidated, perform a fresh one, and try to be in a state of wudhu when you lie down to sleep at night.
4. Start talking to Allah NOW – strengthen your relationship with your Lord. It’s natural to head into Umrah preparation thinking solely about logistics – visas, passports, immunizations, tickets, packing, luggage, and the list goes on and on – saving the spirituality for the actual trip. However, Umrah is as much about what we do in the days leading up to our journey as it is about the actual journey itself. We get as much out of our Umrah experience as we put into it.
Whether you intend to perform Umrah next week or sometime later, keep making du’a that it happens for you and that your pilgrimage is accepted. This inculcates love towards the Holy Cities and keeps them in your heart.
Hajj and Umrah can be very comfortable and luxurious experiences for some of us. Even for those who have only heard second-hand stories about the air conditioned tents with plush carpets and the breakfast buffets that would put Las Vegas to shame have a difficult time reconciling the austere history with the modern extravagance. But regardless of how much we pay for our package and what accommodations are arranged, we have to treat the opportunity like the blessing it is. Our Lord has given health, wealth and the necessary time to make this pilgrimage. Our bodies, our faith and our finances have been preserved for all our lives until this point. After those lifelong favors, Our Lord issues us an invitation that comes to our hearts in the form of guidance. How do we repay that favor? And after all His mercies that bring us to the Ka’aba, Our Lord rewards us even more for making the journey.
Wherever you are in life, make Umrah and Hajj a destination for yourself. Tell yourself and promise your Lord that you are beginning your pilgrimage today. Start a modest saving plan strictly to visit Makkah, and every moment between now until you are able to drink water from the spring of Zamzam will be rewarded as an effort towards worship. If you already have your tickets, this still applies to you. If you have already completed Hajj and Umrah multiple times, and have the resources to sponsor someone else who has never completed the pilgrimage, then perhaps there is a different project for you to become involved, even if that means pennies at a time.
The invitation comes from Allah but the rites we perform are learned from Our Prophet (SalAllahu ‘Alayhi Wasalam). Of the many authentic narrations that extol the virtues and benefits of good manners, among them is the Messenger (SalAllahu ‘Alayhi Wasalam) saying, “Verily, I have only been sent to perfect good manners.” If we are blessed enough to walk the streets of Makkah, then we have a responsibility to do so in the manner my Prophet (SalAllahu ‘Alayhi Wasalam) would expect a member of his Community to do so. Whether we are just returned from Makkah, or perhaps are uncertain of ever visiting the Holy City, we must embody the perfection of character and display the best of manners wherever we are.

Article by: www.aqlonline.com

How shall I spend my day in Makkah and Madinah?

2973350299_da494cbed6_bimage by: flickr

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
It is truly a blessing from Almighty Allah if one gets to present himself in the sacred cities of Makkah al-Mukarramah and al-Madinah al-Munawwarah. The virtues, station and sacredness of these lands cannot be over emphasised. Words cannot reflect the merit of these cities.
Endurance, passion and devotion varies from person to person. A Timetable may suit one but not the other. In addition, quality and quantity need to be balanced. We need to do as much as we can yet maintain and progress in the quality of all that we do.
What one can do out of the Hajj season is obviously much more due to the crowds. Plus, the distance of one’s accommodation in the blessed cities plays a very big role in structuring one’s day.
There are certain acts we all need to do in abundance of when visiting the al-Haramayn al-Sharifayn:
1) Tawāf
2) Recitation of Qur’an
3) Dhikr
4) Du’ā’
5) Salawāt on the Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam
There are certain things which one should refrain from altogether:
1) Time wasting
2) Abundance of shopping
3) Gossiping
MAKKAH AL-MUKARRAMAH
Below is a timetable for Makkah al-Mukarramah which may prove to be beneficial for many if not all:
Sleep from 10.30pm-Tahajjud time.
Wake up 30 mins before Tahajjud and go to the Masjid
Stay in the Haram, perform Tawaf and perform Tahajjud
Recite Qur’an from then till Fajr.
After Fajr everyone performs Tawaf. It is very hectic and busy. You may want to do dhikr and Tilawah at this time.
Perform 4 rak’ats Ishraaq salāh and then go have breakfast. After this go to sleep.
Wake up 11am. Go to the Masjid and perform Tawaf and thereafter perform Salah a-Duha /Chasht Salah and engage in Tilawah.
Try to perform another Tawaf. However, at this time of the day it is very hot and therefore one should gauge one’s strength and energy.
After Dhuhr perform one more tawaf and thereafter go for lunch.
After lunch, one should rest for a while before making preparations for Asr.
30-45 mins before Asr, one should prepare to go for Salah.
When reaching the Masjid, try and squeeze in a Tawāf. Thereafter, tilawah and dhikr.
After Asr, sit and recite Qur’an. Let the crowd disperse. After a while perform Tawaf. Thereafter, one may go for a walk and freshen up.
Between maghrib and esha many people perform Tawaf. One Tawaf can take up to 1 hour if not more. Therefore, one may wish to perform Salaah Awwābīn and recite the Qur’an between Maghrib and Esha.
Likewise straight after Esha many people perform Tawaf. You may go and have dinner. If after dinner you can go the Masjid, perform a quick Tawaf and then go to one’s hotel and sleep.
AL-MADINAH AL-MUNAWWARAH
With regards to al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, the objective should be abundance of salawāt upon the Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam. A person travelling to Madinah should aim to attach himself to the Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam and his beloved sunnah. We need to take advantage of the physical proximity we have with the Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam and his blessed Sahabah (companions) by connecting with them spiritually and mentally. Condition the heart, soul and mind to mirror the heart, soul and mind of the Prophet and the Sahabah. Let our desires, aspirations and belief incline towards theirs.
Therefore, whilst in the sacred city of Madinah, everyone should engage themselves in the following:
1) Abundance of recitation of salawāt
2) Reflection and meditation on the sacrifices of the Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam and the Sahabah
3) Spending time as much as possible in the masjid
A good idea would be to set oneself a high target of reciting salawāt daily. For example, one may aim to read 20,000 salawāt daily. This can be any salāh and salām, even merely saying ‘salallahu alaihi wasallam’.
May Allah Ta’ala take us all to the Haramayn over and over again and give us the ability to spend our time productively. Amīn.

Article by: darulfiqh

Items to take with on Your Umra Trip

umrah-3Some Hujjaj have the tendency to take many unnecessary items with them. We, therefore, have prepared a list of items to be taken. Some of these items can be shared between couples and friends.
List of Items
01) One bottle of unscented Shampoo and soap.
02) One can (unscented) of dusting powder.
03) One tooth brush and toothpaste.
04) One hair brush or comb.
05) One travelling money pouch for safekeeping.
06) Four shirts, two pants, two pajamas and some undergarments for men.
07) Four sets of Shalwaar Kurta or long dress and some undergarments for women.
08) One Janamaaz (Mussalla) made of straw available in Medina. You are not allowed to use openly Sajdagha (Mor) when saying your Salaat
09) One travelling alarm clock.
10) One pair of rubber slippers and one pair of very comfortable shoes for the daily wear.
11) You should take enough prescription medicine to last you during the entire trip and you should carry them in your hand luggage. It is also advisable to carry a prescription of all your medication in case you have to buy them. Also please make sure to take some Tylenol and cough drops like ‘Bradasol’ for sore throat.
12) If you wear prescription glasses then it is highly recommended to carry an extra pair with you.
New York/Jeddah
During Umra season, it is advisable to fly by Saudi Airlines from New York which flies non-stop to Jeddah and arrives at about 4:30 PM. This will give you enough time to clear immigration and customs and catch your flight to Medina which departs from Jeddah at about 8:30 PM.
Once you arrive in Medina and have collected your baggage, you will go outside the terminal and take a taxi to your hotel, which will cost you approximately SR40.
Medina
If you are staying near the Holy Haram then every morning at about 4:30 AM you should go to the Holy Haram for Salaat al-Shab also called Salaat al-Lail. Two Adhaan are given in the morning and one Ehkaam for the Fajr Salaat.
If you wish to pray inside the Haram then you should carry (with you) the straw mat because you will be able to do your prostration on it.
Also there are many small places in the Haram where there are no carpets so you can pray at these places.
After morning Salaat men proceed to Janat-ul-Baquee. The ladies will stay outside Masjid al-Nabawee waiting for the Masjid to be opened for them for Ziyarat, which is normally at about 7:00 AM.
You should try and return to your Hotel for breakfast and rest during the day and if you wish to go for Salaat at the Masjid during Dhohar and Asr, you may do so.
The Holy Haram is closed after Isha Salaat.
Salaat
Hujjaj who are required to pray ‘kasar’ under normal circumstances, are recommended to pray full Salaat in Makkah and Medina, if you are staying in a Hotel near the Holy Haram.
It is highly recommended that when entering any Masjid for the first time then 2 rakaat Salaat be offered with the “Niyyat of Tahiyyat al-Masjid”

Article by: al-islam

Tips for umrah

ooImage by: Flickr

These are some things I picked up on my recent trip there. Feel free to email me for anything in particular:
* Don’t be afraid of going on umrah while you are young. There were tons of young couples with the look of passion in their eyes for each other there, sharing themselves with God. It was beautiful
* Bring an extra set of Ihram in case one gets dirty or you sweat too much
* Be careful when wearing the ihram. I was accidentally flashed once
* If you are sensitive to light bring sunglasses as it gets very bright at the kaaba
* A trick to kissing the black stone is to join the queue 10 – 15 minutes before the azan for Asar. The people pushing are shooed away and the line moves quickly.
* for the hijr ismail for Zohor or Asar pray near the entrance and when salat is finished go near the entrance. After the funeral prayer they will open the gate up and it will be straightforward to go in
* Learn the funeral prayer (salat Jenazah). You will pray it 5 times a day, I kid you not.
*The three most happening hotels are the intercontinental (dar tauhid), hilton and Zam Zam suites. Theres a nice shopping mall at hilton with KFC, Hardees (delicious) and burger king. Outsiders can use the internet there (SR50 per hour at the business centre). Zam Zam suite has a high class shopping mall there and the intercontinental is closest to the kaaba
*Dar Firdaus is probably the closest of the other hotels. Used to be called the Grand Makkah Hotel before it was renovated. Rooms are reasonable sized and canteen has Malay food (cook from Penang). Workers are quite friendly as well, and they keep the place clean and efficient. Going out from King Fahd gate of kaaba you cross the bus stop and the hotel is right there. Only just a bit further than the 5 star hotels (it is 3 or 4 star. 3 star by Malaysia standards).
* don’t be put off by the hot weather. Even though it is very hot you really don’t feel it
* there are places for ladies to pray on the second floor of the masjid haram. Near the intercontinental and Zam Zam suite entries there are escalators. It is much more peaceful there rather than at the ground floor.
* Ladies are allowed into the ar raudah section of the prophets mosque in the morning and night for an hour or so. The one at night is a lot less crowded
*If you want to pray near the kiblat for congregational prayers, do sunnah inside first and then go to where people are doing tawaf. People will form lines there just before salat starts.
*Not much food in the airport and it is expensive so if possible bring food and drinks from elsewhere. They don’t check for liquids at immigration.
* Need to pray in the open at the airport so bring a prayer matt
* Follow all the readings and whatnot on the first umrah. After that the second time can do it more from your heart. The first time you try you will be nervous and in awe of the whole situation for your heart to appreciate everything.

Article by: tripadvisor

Umrah pilgrims start arriving from Nov

hajar aswadimage by: aswad.zhiyou

MAKKAH — The first Umrah pilgrims are expected to arrive in the Kingdom on Nov. 13 signaling the start of the Umrah season which begins usually on the first day of Safar and continues until the end of Ramadan.

The last batch of pilgrims, who performed Haj this year, left the Kingdom on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

“Only 15 days separate the end of Haj and the beginning of the Umrah season,”  spokesman of the Haj Ministry Hatim Al-Qadi told Makkah daily on Tuesday.

He said the ministry uses this interval to review its final plans for the season and to inform the Haj companies of any new arrangements.

A total of 1,327,944 pilgrims have arrived and 1,327,751 of them have departed the Kingdom for their respective homes after performing the Haj.

“The ministry avails the lapse of 15 days to go again over its plans formulated as early as September so as to ensure the success of the season and provide pilgrims with the services that will enable them to do their rituals in ease, peace, and comfort,” he said.

Qadi said the new Umrah plans were made after taking into consideration the remarks and observations of the previous season.

He noted that the citizens and expatriates living in the Kingdom usually avail themselves of this period to perform Umrah or visit Madinah as the two holy cities will not be too crowded.

The ministry provides the Umrah pilgrims coming from outside with a package of services beginning with the travel date, the air carrier, location of accommodation and its distance from the Grand Mosque or the Prophet’s Mosque, number of beds in each room, date of proceeding to Madinah, sustenance and the date of final departure.

The Umrah visa is normally valid for two weeks. The ministry also closely watches the service-providing companies ensure that they are committed to providing the pilgrims with the services agreed upon.

Any company which fails to provide excellent services to the pilgrims will be prevented from contracting new pilgrims for the entire season.

Recently, Haj Minister Bandar Al-Hajjar said a new Umrah system and its executive bylaws will be issued soon with a view to increasing the number of pilgrims every year.

He told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that starting next year, as many as 1.25 million pilgrims are expected to arrive every month compared to the present number of 400,000.

Hajjar said the new system is aimed at increasing the number of pilgrims so as to fully utilize the gigantic projects implemented by the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

Hajjar said the ministry will continue to use its e-portal under which procedures to issue a visa will not take more than a few minutes.

According to the ministry’s figures, five million Umrah visas were issued in 2013 and six million each during 2014 and 2015. It is expecting 10 million visas to be issued in 2016 and 60 million by 2018.

Article by: saudi gazette

British haj travel umrah packages here:

  1. Golden Umrah Package
  2. Economic Umrah Package
  3. Umrah Package

Visiting my Creator’s home, the Ka’aba

haramimage by: flickr

When I hear the talbiyah and takbeeraat on TV these days, it brings back sweet memories of last year, when I had the fortune of performing Hajj.
Around three years ago, my beloved husband passed away. With him departed his promises of performing Hajj together. We had performed Umrah together and I hadn’t thought much about Hajj, but when he left, the thought struck me – my mehram was gone.
However last year when I was least expecting it, my maternal uncle offered that my sister and I go for Hajj with him. We jumped at the opportunity. I had led a normal life for the most part, but had just recently gotten close to the divine mission. I had started praying and found the kind of solace in prayer that my relatives’ condolences and support didn’t fulfil.
We were to go for Hajj in a group of twenty five. The organisation that was arranging for these groups said that all slots had already been filled and I lost hope. However, Allah (SWT) was especially kind my sister and I, and even though all slots were taken, the organisation made an exception for us. In their 33 years of making arrangements for Hajj, they had never added extra people in these groups. Had it not been for this miracle, I don’t think I would ever have gotten a chance to visit the house of God. On November 9, 2011, we flew for Hajj.
I have travelled to many countries in my life but this journey was one of a kind. I had seen the Ka’aba on television many times and wondered what it would be like to be some feet close to it and perform tawaaf around it. It worried me a little because I am diabetic and my feet and shins hurt terribly when I walk too much. I also get near-death feverish when I’m exhausted. I wondered if I would be able to fulfil my obligation the way I wished.
Hajj is very different from Umrah in more than just the ritualistic ways. There is a lot of elbowing and nudging during Hajj, and honestly, you don’t get the calmness of contemplating in silence, like you do with Umrah.
We stayed at Mina and our journey to Arafat and Muzdalfa was on foot. We opted to walk the way through because we knew that this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance and we wanted to avail its full potential.
We began walking at Maghrib and reached at Fajr. We were carrying our entire luggage and it was difficult; we even had to sleep on the road a couple of times. It was a more peaceful sleep than I have slept in ages. During our rest breaks, I would see people in their seventies, walking on their old feeble legs with their backs hunched. This motivated me and I’d get up and get going again.
On our way, strangers offered us snacks and drinks. They weren’t workers but people like us, who had travelled from far-off lands. Language barriers didn’t stop us from communicating and no one thought twice when it came to helping others.
When we reached Arafat, all of us began to weep and plead to Allah (SWT). It was a congregation of Muslims from world over, all asking the Lord to forgive them. My dupatta was soaked in tears and my hands rose up in prayer. I naturally thought of my husband and almost everyone I have known and prayed for them individually.
(Pilgrims at Arafat. PHOTO: REUTERS)
I was beginning to realise how little worldly things begin to matter in life. Everything seemed insignificant. When I saw the Ka’aba, my eyes welled up with tears. You only realise your true insignificance when you are in front of the Ka’aba and you fall in prostration when you realise how much He has given to someone as common and unimportant as yourself. He is the Only Friend you have, who despite all your mistakes, forgives and embraces you. He is your Best Friend.
No one was thinking about anyone else, but talking to the Lord. They were in a magnanimous crowd physically, but busy conversing with their Lord as if Allah (SWT) was the only Being there apart from themselves.
One Pathan woman sat reciting something on a rosary. Upon asking her, she told that she was reciting “Bismillah”. I asked,

“Why not something else, like the Kalimah?”

To my surprise, she had never learned the Kalimah. I sat with the woman and her son and taught them the first Kalimah. She wept in gratitude and thanked me by sharing her food with me.
On my way back, I had blisters on my soles. I was also 41 degrees Celsius and I felt like I was going to faint. Inside my mind, I wished I would.
Could there be a better way to die, than at the foot of Allah’s (SWT) house?
I survived. I was glad that I did, because there was so much I was yet to do before I faced Allah (SWT). We dodged death a few times and my sister was almost trampled to death, too.
I found that my journey on foot was the essence of Hajj. It taught me more things that I can mention here.
For everyone performing Hajj, or planning to perform Hajj, I have some advice to sum it all up:
Kissing Hajr-e-Aswad is not obligatory. People don’t know how to behave and you could be squeezed to death attempting to touch the Hajr-e-Aswad. If you are a woman, I suggest that you don’t go near it during Hajj.
(Pilgrims attempting to kiss the black stone, Hajr-e-Aswad. PHOTO: REUTERS)
During Rami (stoning the Satan), I saw people actually swearing at the symbolic devil and even throwing shoes and soda cans at it. This is just a ritual in the remembrance of something. You only have to throw pebbles at it. Remember, it is the devil inside you that you must slay. You don’t have to break this stone figure.

Article by: blogs

How to Perform Umrah for Women

umrah-performImage by: flickr

This blog is to provide the readers with the clear understanding of the rules ordained by Islam for Women when they are planning on performing Umrah. The blog articles discusses the clothing requirements, visa requirements, Islamic requirements and the physical requirements that need to be met to successfully perform Umrah. All females irrespective of the age bracket that are planning on moving forward to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah needs to know the basic steps and procedures to perform Umrah correctly. Little girls are certainly excluded since they are innocent. One of our recommendations is to abide by the men that the women are going with. Basically, the majority of the steps are the same for man and woman. However, there are certain areas where there is a difference.
Let us update you of the main exceptions:

  • Ihram for Men is a stipulated method. however, for women it is not the case. Women only have to be properly covered.
  • Women who are having their menstrual cycles need to abstain from performing Umrah.
  • After the completion of Sa’yi, males have to shave off their heads. This is not the same case for women. Women are only told to cut their hair the length of a finger nail. This is to ensure that the women have also participated in that ritual.
  • Al-Idhtebaa’ and Al-Raml- which are for men only.
  • Talbeeyah- said loudly by men and in a low voice by women pilgrims.
These are the main differences in terms of the approach and method. However, the main activities and performing Umrah remains the same.

What Should Women Wear for Umrah

Ihram basically means covering the main organs. While you are performing the Umrah, it is obligatory to have a sanity and community sense. Hence, the women are allowed to wear decent cloths. The women are allowed to enter the state of Ihram by washing themselves and ensuring that they stay pure and holy during the entire Umrah activity. Any activity that makes the women unclean or impure is not recommended. Any practice like that will break the Umrah for the woman. During Umrah, women cannot wear any type of veil and gloves. These are not permissible under any means. Ihram for women during Umrah is more symbolic. This symbolism identifies the importance of cleanliness and holiness.
In fact, many of the latest Umrah packages from Pakistan and other parts of the Muslim countries now offer real time and even virtual classes for the women prior to taking up the journey to Mecca and Medinah.

Mahram in Islam for Women

Men can perform Umrah on their own. However, this is not the case for women. And there are significant rules and laws that stipulate and provide evidence as to why women should not perform Umrah alone

For your convenience the following is a list of mahram for women:

  •  Father, mother, grandparents, and great-grandparents
  • Brothers and sisters
  • Children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren
  • Uncles, aunts, great-uncles and great-aunts
  • Nephews, nieces, Grand nephews, Grand nieces, great-grand nephews and great-grand-nieces
  • Parent-in-laws
  • Son-in-laws and daughter-in-laws
  • Stepfathers and Step-mothers
  • Stepchildren
  • Rada – Also known as “milk-suckling mahram”

However, there are strict rules for men as well in terms of accompanying their women in Umrah. Men have been bestowed as the guardians of the women. So, during Umrah, the women need to make sure that they are close to their male counterparts and ensure that they are aware of the surroundings. In many of the cases where men take their respected elderly, we highly recommend that the five start services are rendered since the services provide a certain level of ease and comfort.

Importance of Mahram

The principle of mahram is important since it regulates everyday human interaction and clearly demarcates the boundaries of permissible human interaction and social activities. Umrah has millions of people from all across the world. And hence, there is a large stamped of people and activities going on at the same time. Hence, with the current influx of people and communities, it is highly recommend for women to carry along with their respective Mahram. Additionally, a single woman in any place is highly likely to be harassed by men. It is common human interaction. And with that comes Shaitan and all the evils. That is why it is always safe to be with a man that can provide and decrease the chances of any impurity or lawlessness. Honor and chastity of women are also save with their respective men that are leading them. Umrah is a family event and should be enjoyed as such.

Rules of Umrah for Women

  • As discussed above, the women performing Umrah need to be properly dressed and need to be with their Mahram. Additionally, women cannot apply for a Saudi Umrah Visa without being accompanied with a male passport. It will be rejected.
  • Women who are on their menstrual cycle should not participate in Umrah and needs to abstain from it. Women need to be pure and clean during the Umrah activities.
  • Muslims have the luxury of performing Umrah all year round, which is not true of Hajj. Therefore it is advised that women intending to perform Umrah plan their pilgrimage accordingly to avoid any inconveniences.
  • Women needs permission of their husband to wear Ihram. Objective is that nothing should violate the conjugal rights of the husband.
  • There is no special acceptance of Ihram. Women can even wear regular clothing.
  • Very unlike men, women can wear stitched clothing. Silk cannot be worn during Umrah.
  • Jewelry is not permissible during performance of Umrah.
  • Women do not need to cover her face for Umrah.
  • Make up is also not permissible during Umrah.
  • Though, there are certain rules if the menstrual cycles start during any activity of Umrah, it is highly recommended to not perform Umrah during the cyclic period. Women are recommended to abstain from this at all costs.

Article by: hajjumrahtravelpackages

Ziyarat – Holy Sites To Visit

Ziyarat – Holy Sites To Visit

  • Ghar E Hira – First revelation of the Holy Quran was on this holy site, one of many holy sites in Makkah.
  • Ghar E Suhr (the cave where the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) and Harzat Abu Bakr Siddiq rested in this place on the night of hijrah). A must for the ziyarat.
  • Birthplace of beloved Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) ,(now a library). One of the closest of holy sites to haram.
  • Jable E rehmat – Where first prophet Adam and his wife Hawa found one another after being placed on earth.
  • Jannatul Mualla – Graveyard in makkah, the resting place of many of the close family of RasulAllah Sallaahualayhi wasalam including his beloved mother, son, wife, uncles and grandfather.
  • Minah, Muzdalifah, Arafat – Places of the rukns of Hajj
  • Masjid E Nimra (arafat)
  • Makkah Museum – situated about 10 minutes drive away from Haram, on old Jeddah road.
  • Whether on haj or umra, holy sites to visit in and around Madina include:
  • Masjid E Quba – First Masjid built
  • Jannat Al Baqi – resting place of thousands of the companions and family of RasulAllah SallahuAlayhiwasalam.
  • Uhud – place of the battle of Uhud
  • Jabal E Uhud – resting place during battle
  • Masjid E Nabawi Library – located inside the Masjid Nabwi, on the west side wall
  • Badr (about 20 minutes from Madinah) (place of battle of badr)
  • Masjid E Juma (Place where Surah was revealed and first Jummah prayer was read)
  • Masjid E Qiblatain – Where Allah swt ordered for the qibla to change towards Makka

Article by:haj-umra-saudiarabia

Umrah visa’s validity limited to two weeks

The Haj Ministry has decided to limit the validity of Umrah visas to only 14 days because of the ongoing work to expand the mataf — the circumambulation area.
According to a circular sent to Umrah agencies in the Kingdom and Saudi missions abroad two days ago, the new rule becomes effective Monday.
“Yes, we have received a circular from the Saudi Embassy in New Delhi informing us that Umrah pilgrims will only be given 14-day visas from Shaban 1,” said Mohammad Abdul Razzak, a travel agent in Hyderabad, India.
He said it would come as a shock to hundreds of Indian Muslims who visit Makkah and Madinah during Ramadan. “Naturally, everyone who visits Saudi Arabia for religious pilgrimage would want to stay in Makkah and Madinah for as long as they can,” he said. “However, we are told by our counterparts that it is very congested out there in Makkah and that the hotels are heavily booked for the coming two months.”
Rahman Azim, who works for an Umrah operator in Jeddah, said the rule is for all nationalities. “There is a good reason for the decision. It will lead to more people performing Umrah because of the constant movement of foreign pilgrims,” he said.
According to Azim, the new step is being described in travel circles as 14-14-14. “Once the Umrah visa is issued, it will remain in the system for 14 days, meaning it should be stamped within 14 days of the issuance,” he said. “Once it is stamped, the person should travel within 14 days, and then once the pilgrim is in the Kingdom, he should leave within 14 days.”
According to local Umrah tour operators, their quotas have also been slashed by 50 percent. “We were given half of what we used to get in the past,” said Nusrat Javed, an employee at a Makkah tour operator. “This has led us to cancel our hotel bookings which we had done in advance in anticipation of a surge in demand.”
Munir Rahman told Arab News from Lahore that he obtained a one-month Umrah visa last week. “But when we applied for an Umrah visa for my mother two days ago, we were told it would be valid only for two weeks,” he said.

Article by: arabnews

The Virtues of Umrah

virtuesofumra

The Virtues of Umrah

In the Name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful
Allah (swt) says: And complete the Hajj and Umrah in the service of Allah… (Al Baqarah, 196)
Nabi (saw) has stated in a hadith: ‘The performance of Hajj and Umrah increase a person’s life span and eradicates poverty and sins just as rust is removed from the iron when placed in the furnace.’ (Targhib)
For this very same reason Imam An-Nawawi (rah) has written that if Allah (swt) grants the ability and guidance to a servant of His, it is Mustahab (preferred) to perform umrah frequently. (Sharah Manasik)
Hazrat Amar ibn Abassa (ra) relates: ‘Rasulullah (saw) stated that the best of deeds is the performance of Hajj or Umrah.’ (Musnad Ahmad)
It is also related in a hadith: ‘Umrah is the lesser Haj.’ (Duri Manzoor)
Abu Hurairah (ra) relates that Rasulullah (saw) stated: ‘One Umrah is expiation for the sins committed between that and the previous Umrah’ (Bukhari/Muslim)
Meaning that the performance of one Umrah is the means of forgiving the sins and faults that may have been committed by an individual between that Umrah and the previous one.
Allah (swt) has determined for his servants the fact that Hajj can only be performed at its specified time, in the particular days of Dhil Hijjah. It is not possible for one to perform the rites of Hajj outside this time in any way, shape or form. However, Allah (swt) has blessed His servants with the fact that, aside from the 5 days of Hajj, there is no restriction on the performance of Umrah throughout the year.
It is narrated from Abu Hurairah (ra) Rasulullah (saw) stated: ‘The performers of Hajj and Umrah are guests of Allah (swt), if they seek something from Him, He will grant them, if they seek forgiveness He will forgive them.’ (Ibn Majah)
In another hadith it is related: ‘The performers of Hajj & Umrah are the special guests of Allah (swt), whatever they ask for they are granted and what they pray for it is granted to them and what they spend of they are rewarded for it. They are granted a recompense of 1,000,000 dirhams for the sake of 1 dirham spent.’ (Targhib)
It is for this very reason that we should, in the spare time that we have, endeavour to take our families to the blessed House of Allah (swt) and perform Umrah, stay in the blessed vicinity of the Haramain Sharifain and make it a means of attaching ourselves to Allah (swt) and his Prophet (saw), which is the foundation of our deen.
It is with these trips that one’s attention is directed towards the Akhirah and children are given the motivation to do good deeds and strive to improve their understanding of deen.
It is however unfortunate that in this day and age, due to not being aware of the blessings of such actions as Umrah, we prefer to take our families to the seaside where there is nudity and immodesty. The viewing of which removes hayah (modesty & bashfulness) from our wives, children and loved ones.
My friends, take heed, that those for whom you are responsible, who you take to/allow to go to places of immodesty, it is a right upon you that you teach them correct manners and etiquettes, in accordance with the Qur’an & Sunnah. The propagation and calling towards avenues other that those which are permitted in Shariah is against the orders of Allah (swt) and the teachings of his final Messenger (saw).
Allamah Mahmood Aalosi Baghdadi (rah) has related a hadith in his book: ‘On the day of Qiyamah, a few people (on whom the decision of Jahannum will be manifest) will be in such a state that by looking at them, the others will say… ‘these were those who did great feats of worship, but their loved ones devoured their deeds.’ (Roohul Ma’ani)
May Allah (swt) protect our Iman and grant us the guidance to do good deeds, Aameen

Article by: blogspot