Umrah Importance and Benefits In The Light Of Hadiths

Umrah is a sacred pilgrim that we are guided to perform at least once in our life if one can’t afford Hajj. It is also from one of the sunnah of our beloved Prophet (Peace and Blessing Be Upon Him). Millions of pilgrims book cheapUmrah packages every year to perform the pilgrimage. Umrah is very important for every Muslim. Its importance is described in the following hadiths of our beloved Prophet (PBUH).

Award of Being the Guest of Allah Almighty (SWT)

Abu Hurairah (RA) said: Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “The guests of Allah are three: The Ghazi (i.e. the warrior who fights in Jihad), the Hajj (i.e. the pilgrim who performs Hajj) and the Mu’tamir (i.e. the pilgrim performing Umrah).” – Hadith No. 2626, Book of The Rites of Hajj, Sunan An-Nasa’i, Vol. 3.

The above hadith clearly describe the benefit of performing Umrah. Being the guest of the whole creature is not a little thing for a Muslim. Every Muslim performs the pilgrim at least once in their life to achieve the blessings from Allah (SWT).

Removal of Poverty and Financial Stability

No Muslim should fear about the expenses of Umrah journey rather one should always be willing to perform the pilgrimage. Spending money on Umrah journey will not affect you financially rather this sacred pilgrimage will be the cause of removal of poverty as described in hadith.

Ibn Abbas (RA) said: Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Perform Hajj and Umrah consecutively; for they remove poverty and sin as bellows removes impurity from iron.”

Redemption of Past Sins

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah (RA) said: Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “From one Umrah to another is expiation for what comes in between, and ‘Hajj Al-Mabrur’ brings no reward less than Paradise.” Hadith No. 2630, Book of The Rites of Hajj, Sunan An-Nasa’i, Vol. 3; Hadith No. 2888, Chapters on Hajj, Sunan Ibn Majah, Vol. 4.

If one is capable of performing Umrah every year then he/she must perform the pilgrimage. It causes the removal of sins from the blessings of Allah Almighty that He (SWT) has bestowed to its creations.

Rewards of Jihad for Specific Category of Muslims

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah (RA) that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Jihad of the elderly, the young, the weak and the women, is Hajj and Umrah.” – Hadith No. 2627, Book of The Rites of Hajj, Sunan An-Nasa’i, Vol. 3.

The reward of Jihad can be obtained by performing the minor pilgrimage. This reward is specified for the specific Muslims as described in the above hadith. Umrah has many benefits that can’t be described in a single blog post. However we have summed up a little.

15 Expert’s Umrah Travel Tips after 15 Umrah Performances

Taking travel decisions may seem lighter but any wrong turn can direct you to the wrong destination. If you are travelling for Umrah for the first time read the travel tips that I acknowledged after 15 Umrah performances. The most important is to grab the best Umrah packages all inclusive.

Some others are listed below:

1. Be Flexible in Your Dates

Patience is the most vital key for a pro traveller. You need to be patient if your transfer dates are delayed naturally. Sometimes you may find a cheaper price rather than your decided dates.

2. Make a List of Essentials

Make a list of necessary things that you can’t forget during travelling. You are advised to do this at least a week before your departure.

3. Learn Some Common Arabic Phrases

Words like “thanks”, “please”, “I’m sorry”, and some other common name of stuff that you may need from a local shopkeeper. This can help you widely.

4. Always Buy a Travel Insurance Plan

It is not only for Umrah rather you should buy an insurance plan for each of your abroad trip. Nowadays you can get travel insurance by paying just £ 40 or $ 45 with your Umrah visa.

5. Always Make Duplicates of Your Essential Documents

You would have to pay a penalty or face deportation if you get any of your essential documents lost. Situations may vary. You are advised to make photocopies of your documents carry one pack with yourself and leave one at home.

6. Separate your source of money

Never take your credit/ATM cards and cash in the same pocket or in the same wallet. Always separate your cash and cards. Make a backup plan for cash for any misfortune.

7. Tell Your Travel Plans at Your Home

It is also sunnah according to the quotation of our Prophet (PBUH) to make a wasiah (Legacy) if someone is travelling for more than two days. You should also tell about your plans at your home.

8. Be Open-Minded

Muslims come to Saudi Arabia from all over the world. So, don’t judge other people and customs in a negative way. Be respectful of everyone.

9. Book Early for Cheap Flights

You should always book three to five months prior to your planned dates. In this way, you will get cheap flights and you may also get some amazing discounts.

10. Apply Sunscreen Lotion

Saudi Arabia is famous for its hot climatic nature. If you are travelling from western countries like America and Europe don’t forget to have this for your Umrah stay in Makkah and Madinah.

11. Avoid Entering Passwords for a Public Wi-Fi

Don’t enter any your bank details like credit card number or password while you are trying to logging into a public Wi-Fi. This is mostly happening at the airport.

12. Save Your Room Number and Hotel Name in Your Mobile

It has a great chance that you forget about your hotel name in the cluster located in Makkah and Madinah. Save your hotel name and your room number on your mobile phone.

13. Ask About Price before Using Any Public Vehicle

To avoid any misunderstanding during your travel by a public mean of transport enquire about price before taking the service. All reputable agencies can arrange your transport in your Umrah package.

14. Carry Basic Medication

You can also buy these things in Makkah and Madinah easily. But having all of these in your luggage will save your time and money. Carry all those medicines that you are used to.

15. Pre-Plan Your Dress Code

Last but not least. Everyone is aware of the Saudi rules and regulations about dressing at public spots. Women should dress modestly at public points in Saudi Arabia. You can’t wear shorts at any public point. So, plan your outfits before you leave from home.

These tips will help you in travelling without any difficulty in Saudi Arabia. You should perform Umrah with full of your intention to gain maximum rewards from Allah (SWT). To make your journey successful always contact approved Hajj Umrah agents UK. It will save your money and time both.

How to Perform a Perfect Umrah Trip with Kids?

Are you one of those who are going to perform Umrah with kids for the first time? It can be a little problematic for you to handle your child for Umrah performance if not guided properly. Here I will mention some of the most useful tips.

I learned there through Umrah performance within my 7 years old daughter. These tips will help you in your Umrah performance without any hassle along with your infants. Grab Umrah packages 2020to perform Umrah with your beloved family.

1. Start Preparing for Umrah

As soon as possible, start planning for Umrah. You are advised to book an Umrah package, not for too early dates. Give a gap between your departure date and your Umrah booking date. Teach your child about Umrah performance and its duas. Ask them to learn duas for Umrah.

2. Review the Behaviour of A Child for Travelling

Parents are well aware of the behaviour of a child. How do they react to waiting at the airport? How do they manage travel anxieties? How do they react to hot or cold weather? Prepare yourself for all of these circumstances. Carry some toys or anything else you like to make them busy.

3. Support Each Other During Travel

Everything that irritates you the most in travelling prepare and plan ahead for that. Support your partner in every situation and be honest towards each other. You should also help each other in managing your child in Umrah rituals.

4. Pack Right and Light

You should pack only the things that are most necessary during your stay in Makkah and Madinah. Don’t carry to much stuff like diapers, food items, etc. in your baggage. You can easily buy the stuff like that in both Makkah and Madinah. Make your packing list shorter and easier.

5. No Stroller

It is not too hard to manage your infant, especially in Makkah. You can either get a wheelchair for your child by providing a form of ID or you should carry a strong baby carrier if your child can’t walk on his/her foot. In Madinah, you can enter with the stroller.

6. Think Ahead for Your Daily Routine

Every Muslim wants to spend most of the time praying in both sacred cities in Umrah. Prepare a lightweight bag that contains necessary things like your basic medication, prayer mat, water bottle, and everything you think necessary.

Carry a prayer mat because it can help you in both praying and your child to lie down because the marble becomes hot in the summer season.

7. Flights and Accommodation

Book your flight that doesn’t have a long stopover during your fly to Saudi Arabia. Prefer to book the hotel that is near to women entrance in Makkah and Madinah so that your partner could easily walk to the mosque without any difficulty. Also, fix a meeting point after your exit from Haram or Masjid-al-Nabawi to reduce waiting time.

8. Set Your Spiritual Goals

During your, Umrah doesn’t waste your time by staying in your hotel after Umrah performance. Set your spiritual goals and perform them in your stay as think feasible. Perform maximum prayers that you can in the sacred cities and make a lot of duas from Allah Almighty.

9. Vaccination Checkup Before Umrah

Double-check about the Umrah vaccination certificates before you go. It may vary depending upon your country of travelling. If they are not up to date consult a doctor and get them done with an updated certificate to prevent any misfortune.

10. Sunscreen and Lotion

Take sunscreen or lotion that suits to your little baby’s skin. Saudi Arabia has a very hot climatic nature. To prevent the soft skin from burning sun apply the sunscreen lotion. It is also advised to carry a hat and glasses to prevent from the direct sunlight.

11. Diaper Changing

This can be a big concern during your Umrah performance. As ladies bathroom are little far from the entrance to change the diaper of your baby before leaving for the mosque from your hotel. Be prepared to go back to your hotel during prayer timing if required.

12. Plan Your Timing for Umrah Performance and Other Prayers

You can either do your Umrah with your baby by carrying him/her in a baby carrier. You can also do Umrah at the night time after the prayer of Isha leave you, baby, in the hotel while slept. At night the temperature will be mild as compared to day time.

13. Try Not to Bring Your Baby to Rawdah

Rawdah is the place that every Muslim must visit in Umrah performance. There is a huge number of Umrah pilgrims at all day. You are advised not to carry your baby to Rawdah with you. If you want to carry your baby do it after the Isha prayer.

14. Expect a Lot of Hugs and Kisses Towards Your Child

Muslims are very friendly towards each other, especially towards children. In Umrah performance, a lot of people may come to you for a hug or kiss to your child. Some may offer snacks, chocolate, or candies to your child. So be patient to accept all of these.

15. Enough Basic Medication

Carry the basic medication and a thermometer in your bag during Umrah. Instead of looking for a chemist or pharmacy you are advised to carry the medication that you are used too.

Umrah with your child would be a great memory for both of you. It will last the best memories on your child’s mind forever. I hope these tips will help you to perform a perfect Umrah in 2020. All you have to do is just book a suitable Umrah package that fits your budget.

6 Amazing Benefits of Umrah Performance in Ramadan

Every year millions of pilgrims perform Umrah, but why you see so many pilgrims in Ramadan. An accepted Umrah has a lot of benefits, especially in Ramadan. Almost 10.30 million pilgrims performed Umrah in Ramadan last year. That’s why you will find Ramadan Umrah packages a bit costly as compared to other months.

Rewards of Umrah in Ramadan

Allah Almighty knows about the rewards that He will give to any person who performs Umrah. Here are some of the awards that are described in hadiths by The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) which includes:

• Being the guest of Allah (S.A.W)
• Financial stability
• Removal of past sins
• Equals to jihad for specific persons
• Strengthens your faith about Islam
• Equivalents to Hajj 

Guest of Allah (S.A.W)

You will be guests of Allah Almighty during your Umrah performance. You can ask forgiveness and make prayers from Allah Almighty about anything right. Allah Almighty will reward you by His eternal resources. Never miss such a chance in your life.

Ibne Umar (R.A) narrates that once the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said that,” The warrior in the cause of Allah, the pilgrim and the one who is performing Umrah are all the delegation of Allah. He called them, and they responded, and they will ask of His bestowals, and He will give it to them.” (Ibne Majah)

Financial Stability 

From the great companion of Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H), Ibne Masood (R.A) said that the ProphetProphet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) once said, “Follow up the Hajj and Umrah, because they certainly remove poverty and sins as fire separates the impurities from iron, gold, and silver.” (Tirmidhi)

Removal of Past Sins

Umrah is also one of the sources to remove your previous minor sins. Abu Hurairah (R.A) narrates that our beloved Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said, “An Umrah to another Umrah will be the redemption of sins for whatever (minor) occurs between them.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

Equals to Jihad for Specific Persons

Abu Huraira (R.A) narrates that he heard the Prophet (P.B.U.H) saying, “The Jihad of the elderly, weak and the woman is undertaking the Hajj and Umrah.” (Nasaai)

Strengthens Your Faith

No doubt, Umrah and Hajj strengthen your inner faith in Allah Almighty and Islam. You may see people avoid doing any bad thing after performing Hajj or Umrah. If you ever get a chance to perform Umrah, you will feel your revolution about thoughts in Islam.

Equivalents to Hajj

Umrah performed in the month of Ramadan is equals to Hajj. It is also described in a hadith by Ibne Abbas (R.A) that the Prophet (S.A.W) once said, “Umrah performed in the month of Ramadan will equal (in rewards) to that of Hajj or Hajj performed with Me (S.A.W).” (Bukhari, Muslim)

Ramadan Umrah

Umrah has many great benefits, especially when performed with your full intention in the great month of Ramadan. You should start planning prior to others and book your online Umrah packages. So you can get the best hotels and lower prices in Ramadan.

A Short and Comprehensive Guide to Performing Umrah

Umrah is an optional pilgrimage, but still, it has become more popular among Muslims as compared to Hajj. Behind the fact, it has many reasons like affordability, physical ability, travel issues, etc. Most people prefer to perform Umrah rather than Hajj because Umrah packages will cost you less than Hajj packages. Let’s have a bird’s eye view on Umrah.

The origin of word Umrah is the Arabic language. In which, it means ‘to visit a populated place.’ When we think about Umrah two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah comes into everyone’s mind. Absolutely, this pilgrimage takes place in the sacred city of Makkah. Even a single day is more than enough to perform a complete Umrah.

Umrah Rituals/Components

Umrah consists of three components Tawaf, Sa’i and Halq (taqsir). Before starting your Umrah procedure, you have to enter in the state of Ihram. Some also considered it as a ritual; in fact, it is a condition for Umrah performance.

Tawaf:

It is a process in which both men and women pilgrims take seven rounds around the holy Kaaba in such a way that their direction of rotation is anti-clockwise. Pilgrims are ordered to take Hajr-e-Aswad (Black Stone) as their initial point to start Tawaf. It is not advised to stop during Tawaf unless you called for prayer or you need a serious short break.

How to perform Tawaf

For Men:

Men can’t start Tawaf unless one had entered in the state of Ihram by taking a ‘ghusl’ a cleansing shower (you can just do wudhu if you don’t have an availability for a bath) and wearing two white plain unstitched sheets. Remember your Ihram should not cover your right shoulder and your ankles.

Men initiate their Tawaf by either kissing or touching the Black Stone. One can point his hand towards Black Stone if he is unable to reach due to the crowd. Men should perform the first three rounds of Tawaf at a faster speed than walking but not running. The remaining rounds will be performed at a mild rate.

For Women:

Women are not required to enter in any specific clothes. Although, most of the women wear an abaya over their usual dressing to cover their body properly. Women can’t cover their hands and face in the courtyard of Holy Kaaba. The starting process of Tawaf is the same for both men and women.

Only women should perform Tawaf while walking at an average pace. Women should not get to closer to the crowd as it is discouraged in Islam. After the completion of Tawaf, it is the sunnah of our prophet to offer to rakats prayer at Maqaqm-e-Ibrahim. You can offer this prayer at anywhere in the greater mosque.

Sa’i:

It is the procedure of walking quickly between the two hills of Safa and Marwah seven times in to and fro motion. This process reminisces about the event, when Hazrat Hajra (R.A), mother of Prophet Ismail (R.A), ran here and there in search of water for his baby.

After that, Allah Almighty started the flow of water from the point where the heel of Prophet Ismail (R.A) was placed, which is known as well of Zamzam water. The water has never stopped flowing out from earth since then.

Halq or Taqsir:

Umrah pilgrims pass through this process after the completion of previous steps. In this process, men shave their head entirely, and women are just required to cut their hair equal to the length of their fingertip. After this, one can exit from Ihram clothing.

Furthermore, Umrah rituals need some special conditions that you can read at our blog. This is a complete and short guide that will let you know entirely about Umrah and its parts. The main difference between Hajj and Umrah is about their performance. Hajj is obligatory for enable persons according to Islamic Shariah.