Best Times For Umrah

                   
Umrah is a greatest Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH. It is the religious act that Muslims can perform anytime or best times in a year without any time restrictions. It is one sacred form of worship that every Muslim wish to perform at least once in their lifetime. However, if you want to go on this holy expedition, you cannot just turn up and do it. Umrah requires full preparation, accommodation and perfect planning. So what is the best time to go for Umrah?

Month of Ramadan

When it comes to rewarding, then performing Umrah in the month of Ramadan hold the greatest reward. Ibn Abbas narrated that the Prophet of Allah, Muhammad PBUH said:

“Perform Umrah in the month of Ramadan, as its (reward) is parallel to having a hajj performed with me.” –Bukhari

That is why Muslims wish to perform Umrah in Ramadan and rush to book hotels in Makkah and Madinah. Many travel agencies come up with special offers in this month to attract customers ranging from budget-friendly to luxury five-star Ramadan Umrah packages.

Grand Months

Umrah is not about packing, travelling, visiting and returning to home rather it requires absolute focus and devotion to Allah SWT. Therefore, people chose the Grand months to perform Umrah with its true spirits. 

These are the months that come right after Hajj season ends; Muharram and Safar. This is the best time of the year to perform Umrah as the rush of people cut’s down to half and prices for hotels and accommodations get reasonable. Pilgrims can have hustle free and relaxed time to perform rituals of Umrah correctly.

Mid-Year Vacation

Some prefer to perform Umrah with their family. Individuals are busy in their studies or jobs whole year except for mid-year vacation. If you want to go on this holy expedition with family or friends, then choose mid-year and book your tickets in the start of the year as many people wish to avail these vacations to go on Umrah trip.

Spring Time

The weather is extreme in Saudi Arabia, where days are scorching hot and nights are biting cold. For this reason, some prefer to travel in the mild weather that comes with the spring season. This is the best time to perform Umrah rituals and rights with ease.

Umrah in December

When you want an Umrah trip with family in the best weather of best times the year, then go for December packages. The Weather in December is reasonable enough to perform all Umrah services without any difficulty and collapse. As Hajj and Ramadan season is over the place is free of the oceans of travellers and overcrowded conditions. You can easily get a residence close to Al Haram and enjoy reasonable prices for hotels and accommodations.

Right after Hajj ends.

As the hajj completes, it’s the opening of the Umrah season (from 1st of Moharram). Pilgrims that came for hajj return and not so many people are coming for umrah as it’s the start of the season. 

People in Haram are few in number as compared to other months. Hotel accommodations are present at half or even 30% of the actual price. Flights are discounted. Thus, remains one of the most peaceful time for Umrah performance.

                                                                                                                                                                                    dawntravels.com/

Hajar al-Aswad (The Black Stone)

The picture above shows the Hajar al-Aswad (The Black Stone), which is set in the eastern corner of the Kaaba. Tawaf begins and ends facing this sacred stone. Throughout the ages, countless people including many of the Prophets (upon them be peace), the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) himself, the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them), pious personalities and millions of Muslims who have performed Hajj and Umrah have placed their blessed lips on it.

The Hajar al-Aswad was brought from Jannah

The Hajar al-Aswad was brought from Jannah and presented to Ebrahim (upon him be peace) to be placed on the corner of the Kaaba. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The Black Stone came down from Paradise and it was whiter than milk, but the sins of the sons of Adam turned it black.” [Tirmidhi]

Du’as are accepted at the Hajar al-Aswad and on the Day of Judgement, it will testify in favour of all those who kissed it. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “By Allah! On the Day of Qiyamah, Allah will present the Hajar al-Aswad in such a manner that it will have two eyes and a tongue to testify to the Imaan (faith) of all those who kissed it.” [Tirmidhi]

The Wisdom Prophet (ﷺ)

When the Quraysh demolished the Holy Kaaba in order to reconstruct it, a dispute arose when the building reached the level of the Black Stone. They differed on the issue of who was eligible to restore the Black Stone to its original place. A civil war was about to break out.

 Banu Abdu’d-Dar brought a bowl full of blood and all of the tribes inserted their hands in it, which meant that they had made up their minds to fight one another. But Abu Umayya Ibn al-Mugheera, their elder, asked Quraysh to agree on the judgement of the first person to come through the Bani Shaibah gate and 

they all agreed on this suggestion.

The first to come through this gate was the Prophet (ﷺ). This was five years before his mission. He put the Black Stone in the middle of a piece of cloth and asked a representative of each tribe to hold one of the edges of the cloth and raise it close to its place. Then the Prophet (ﷺ) picked it up with his own noble hands and restored it to its original place. This was how the Prophet (ﷺ) prevented a war from breaking out among the Quraysh by a supreme demonstration of wisdom.

Ibn Abbas (RA) Describe

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet (ﷺ), while leaning against the Ka’bah said:“The Hajar al-Aswad and al-Maqam (Ebrahim) are two jewels from the jewels of Paradise. Had Allah (ﷻ) not concealed their radiance, they would illuminate everything between the East and the West.” [Tirmidhi]

Hazrat Umar (RA) said 

Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) once kissed the Hajar al-Aswad and said, “I know well that you are just a stone that can do neither good nor harm. Had I not seen the Prophet (ﷺ) kiss you, I would not have done so.” Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) made the statement because there were many people who were newly converted to Islam and he did not want them to get the impression that Muslims also revered stones as the Arabs revered and worshipped stone idols during the Period of Ignorance. Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) made it clear that he was following the Sunnah practice of the Prophet (ﷺ) and that although the stone is blessed, it can do neither harm nor good.

The Hajar al-Aswad was stolen

The Hajar al-Aswad was stolen from the Kaaba around 930 CE by Qarmatian warriors who were an Ismaili Shia sect. They ransacked Makkah, desecrating the Well of Zamzam with Muslim corpses and carried the Black Stone away to their base in Ihsaa, in medieval Bahrain. According to the historian Al-Juwayni, the stone was returned in around 952 CE and restored to its original location.

The Hajar al-Aswad pieces

The Hajar al-Aswad was originally a complete stone but due to various historical incidents now consists of eight pieces of varying sizes affixed to a large stone and encased in a silver frame. The silver frame was first made by Abdullah bin Zubair (may Allah be pleased with him) and replaced by later Khalifas as the need arose.

Six (additional) pieces are claimed to be in Istanbul, Turkey. One is displayed in the mihrab of the Blue Mosque, one above the entrance of the tomb of Sulaiman the Magnificent and four in the Sokullu Sehit Mehmet Pasa Camii mosque (one over the mihrab, one below the lower pulpit, another is above the upper pulpit and the last is over the entrance door). The authenticity of these additional pieces has been questioned, although the Turks did rule over what is now Saudi Arabia for many years and hold many historical Islamic relics. And Allah (ﷻ) knows best.

Note that

Note that when kissing the Hajar al-Aswad, one should neither push people nor harm anyone because while kissing the Hajar al-Aswad is Sunnah, causing harm to people is a forbidden act (haram). When the area is crowded, it will suffice to merely point towards the Hajar al-Aswad with one’s hand or a stick while reciting the Takbeer and then to kiss the hand or stick. Although the Prophet (ﷺ) kissed the Hajar al-Aswad directly, he also pointed towards it when the area was crowded, it is therefore clear that both kissing it and pointing towards it are Sunnah.
                                                                                                 www.islamiclandmarks.com

Umrah is a Delightful Spiritual Experience for Every Muslim

There are two pilgrimages that Muslims living in different corners of the world perform by embarking on a journey to the holy city of Makkah from their homes. One is the major pilgrimage of Hajj, which is among Islam’s five pillars and an obligation for every Muslim who has the physical and financial capability to perform it.

The second is Umrah, also called ‘lesser pilgrimage’ or ‘minor pilgrimage’. It is not obligatory for Muslims, but since it is the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), it is given significant importance and has some spiritual rewards in store for the pilgrim who performs the pilgrimage.

About two decades ago

About two decades ago, many of the Muslims living in countries far from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had to depend on their nearest travel agent to have their journey to Makkah arranged. This involved a certain amount of cost, which was not affordable for many of the prospective pilgrims.

Over the past few years, many tour operators specialising in the Islamic religious tours of Hajj and Umrah have come up in various parts of the world. This has considerably lowered the costs involved in performing the lesser pilgrimage as the tour operators have reduced the cost of packages for attracting maximum bookings.

Due to modern technology

In recent times, the internet has become more accessible than ever before owing to its decreased cost and increase in the usage of smartphones. Today, those intending to perform their lesser pilgrimage can simply browse the website of a tour operator and go through the packages that have been made available on them.

Upon browsing through the packages, the prospective pilgrims can choose the one best suited to their available budget. They can also get the package booked immediately by calling up the tour operator on the number given on the site.

Best administration

Muslims residing in countries that are located at greater distances from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia can also reduce their package cost for performing Umrah by booking one of the cost-effective packages well in advance. However, there are certain things they need to keep in mind before going ahead with their booking.

One is to decide their date of departure and the number of days they would be spending in the holy city of Makkah. They must also make their booking in advance without any delays, as the cost would increase with every passing day. As soon as they decide their dates, they must make their booking immediately to get their chosen package at a discounted cost.

Packages system for hajj and umrah

Some of the prospective pilgrims may not be concerned about the costs at all and would want to have the best accommodations in elegant 5-star hotels of Makkah. For such pilgrims, the tour operators offer packages that are often categorised by most of them on their websites as 5-star packages.

Upon booking any of such packages, these pilgrims would get the chance to stay in one of the elegant hotels with the latest facilities located close to the Masjid al-Haram. This would also give them greater convenience in getting to the holy mosque and performing all their rituals with complete peace of mind.
                                                                             safeenarahman.wordpress.com/

People to Whom Zakat is Paid

   

People to whom Zakat is paid are those that are entitled to it, and these are the eight categories of people that Allah Almighty mentioned exclusively in His statement:

 “As-Sadaqah (Zakah) are only for the Fuqara’(poor), and Al-Masakeen (the needy), and those employed to collect (the Zakah), and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined towards Islam, and to free captives, and for those in debt, and for Allah’s cause (i.e. for those fighting in holy battles), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise.” (At-Taubah: 60)

1-The poor

Definition: The plural of a faqir, a person who does not have anything with which he can fulfil his basic needs and that of his family i.e. food and drink, clothing and shelter.


He is given from Zakah that which is enough to sustain him and his family for a complete year.

2-The needy

The plural of miskeen, a person who possesses half or more of his needs e.g. a person with one hundred but needs two hundred. The balance he needs is given to him and his family for a year.

3- Its administrators

Those who have been appointed by the authorities to gather Zakat and monitor its distribution to those who need it. -They are given from the Zakat fund an amount equal to the wages they get for their work, even if they are rich, for the collectors have devoted themselves to this work unless they are paid wages or salaries from the state and then they should not be given from the Zakah. The collectors are those who work in collecting Zakah, recording it, guarding it and giving it out to its beneficiaries.

(I) Settling the administrators of Zakah.

A Zakah administrator and a debtor-even if they are rich-are paid from the Zakah. This is also the case of a person capable of earning a living if he is fully engaged in seeking knowledge of the Shari’ah but does not have money - because seeking knowledge is (a form of) striving in the cause of Allah.

(II) The fighter in the cause of Allah

Also included in these categories is the fighter in the cause of Allah and those whose hearts are inclined towards Islam. However, in a case where the one capable of earning is a worshipper that left his work to fully devote himself to optional aspects of worship, he is not paid from Zakah, because the benefit of the worship is restricted to the worshipper, as in contrast to knowledge.Allah Almighty said:

Allah Almighty said: “O you who believe! Spend of the good things which you have (legally) earned, and of that which We have produced from the earth for you, and do not aim at that which is bad to spend from it, (though) you would not accept it save if you close your eyes and tolerate therein. And know that Allah is Rich (Free of all wants), and Worthy of all praise. Shaitan (Satan) threatens you with poverty and orders you to commit Fahsha (evil deeds, illegal sexual intercourse, sins etc.); whereas Allah promises you Forgiveness from Himself and Bounty, and Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.” (Al- Baqarah: 267:268)


4-Those whose hearts are inclined towards Islam

Those whose hearts are inclined towards Islam
Respected leaders, for whom it is hoped, by giving them Zakah, that they will either accept Islam, refrain from evil, have their faith strengthened (if already Muslims), or defend the Muslims against an enemy.

They are given from the Zakah an amount that results in their hearts being inclined towards Islam, God willing.

5- The Slaves

The slave and the partial slave (who is the slave who is trying to buy himself from his master) are given from the Zakah what is enough for them to free themselves completely.


Zakah can be paid to them so that each one of them is able to become a completely free man and a useful member of the society and be able to worship Allah, the Highest, in the best manner. Paying the ransom for Muslim prisoners of war is also included in this category.

6- Debtors

Debtors (Al-Gharimoon)
The plural of gharim: The one in debt.

Debtors are of two types:(I) - A person who incurs a debt to fulfil his personal needs; he is given from Zakah an amount to pay the debt if he is poor.

(II) - A person who incurs a debt as a result of reconciling two groups of Muslims; he is given from Zakah an amount to pay his debt, even if he is rich.

7- For Allah’s cause for Allah’s cause

Those who are fighting in the cause of Allah.

They are given an amount that will suffice them in fighting in the cause of Allah. Also included in this category are numerous da’wah activities that are counted as striving in the cause of Allah, if such could not be sponsored or sustained through non-obligatory alms (Sadaqah).

8- The wayfarer wayfarer

A traveller who is stranded and has no money with him.

He is given from Zakah an amount that ensures his safe delivery to his country of residence, even if he is rich in his own country.

Warning

(I)- Zakah can never be given to any other than the eight categories of people mentioned, even if it is for a good and philanthropic cause e.g. the building of Mosques, schools, hospitals, and other charitable causes which are eligible for alms.

(II)- It is not a condition to cover all of the eight categories mentioned; rather, it suffices if any of them is given the Zakah.

                                                                                                         www.al-feqh.com/

What Are the Five Pillars of Islam?

The Five Pillars of Islam are the framework of the Muslim life. They are the testimony of faith, prayer, giving zakat (support of the needy), fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the pilgrimage to Makkah once in a lifetime for those who are able.

(1)The Testimony of Faith:

The testimony of faith is saying with conviction, “La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadur Rasool Allah.” This saying means “There is no true god (deity) but God (Allah),1 and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of God.” The first part, “There is no true god but God,” means that none has the right to be worshipped but God alone, and that God has neither partner nor son. This testimony of faith is called the Shahada, a simple formula which should be said with conviction in order to convert to Islam (as explained previously on this page). The testimony of faith is the most important pillar of Islam.

(2) Prayer:

Muslims perform five prayers a day. Each prayer does not take more than a few minutes to perform. Prayer in Islam is a direct link between the worshipper and God. There are no intermediaries between God and the worshipper.

In prayer, a person feels inner happiness, peace, and comfort, and that God is pleased with him or her.  The Prophet Muhammad said:

{Bilal, call (the people) to prayer, let us be comforted by it}.

Bilal was one of Muhammad’s companions who was charged to call the people to prayers.

Prayers are performed at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and night. A Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories, or universities.

(3) Giving Zakat (Support of the Needy):

All things belong to God, and wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The original meaning of the word zakat is both ‘purification’ and ‘growth.’ Giving zakat means ‘giving a specified percentage on certain properties to certain classes of needy people.’ 

 The percentage which is due on gold, silver, and cash funds that have reached the amount of about 85 grams of gold and held in possession for one lunar year is two and a half per cent. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a small portion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.

(4) Fasting the Month of Ramadan:

Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from dawn until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations.
Although the fast is beneficial to health, it is regarded principally as a method of spiritual self-purification. By cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry, as well as growth in his or her spiritual life.

(5) The Pilgrimage to Makkah:

The annual pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah is an obligation once in a lifetime for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. About two million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe. Although Makkah is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj is performed in the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar. Male pilgrims wear special simple clothes which strip away distinctions of class and culture so that all stand equal before God.

The rites of the Hajj include circling the Kaaba seven times and going seven times between the hillocks of Safa and Marwa, as Hagar did during her search for water. Then the pilgrims stand together in Arafa5 and ask God for what they wish and for His forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Day of Judgment.

The end of the Hajj is marked by a festival, Eid Al-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers. This, and Eid al-Fitr, a feast-day commemorating the end of Ramadan, are the two annual festivals of the Muslim calendar.
                                                                                                    www.islam-guide.com

Important Issues That May Happen in Hajj and Umrah

 Using roofed vehicles in the state of Ihram in the nights or from dawn until sunrise or completely cloudy days that shade has no use for protection from sunlight or rain, is permitted.

Tawaf

It is not necessary that Tawaf is performed in the distance between Maqam of Ibrahim and the house of Ka’ba (about 13 meters); Tawaf is permitted in all of Masjid al-Haraam (especially at the time of congestion of the crowd) but it is better not to exceed from the foresaid distance if it is possible.

 It is not necessary that left shoulder remains parallel to the house of Ka’ba all the time, but it is enough to circumambulate Ka’ba in a normal manner.

Crowd problem

When there are lots of people performing Tawaf in the way that the crowd pushes the person forward by force it does not harm Tawaf, and it is enough to make the intention from the beginning that he/she goes among people for performing Tawaf.


Performing the prayer

The place for performing the prayer of obligatory Tawaf is behind Maqam of Ibrahim, but it can be performed more distant from there if the crowds are so much congested; the pilgrim should not insist on performing the prayer behind Maqam, specially when performers of Tawaf are so much that they reach behind Maqam of Ibrahim and some acts that others perform and disturb performers of Tawaf are not correct (but the prayer of Mustahab Tawaf can be performed anywhere in Masjid al-Haram).


Safa and Marwah

Performing Sa’y of Safa and Marwah is not permitted in the upper level, unless congestion of crowd is too much that performing Sa’y in the lower level causes severe hardness.
It is enough to climb part of Safa and Marwah and it is not necessary to reach the bare part of the hill and but the feet on that part (covered ascent in Safa and Marwah is a part of the hill).


Sitting has no problem

Sitting has no problem during performing an obligatory Tawaf for removing tiredness, but it is a precaution not to lose the sequence and the distance becomes very long; but sitting during performing Sa’y for removing tiredness or like that has no problem and it can be as much as it takes, if it is in Safa, in Marwah or between them.


Ramy al-Jamarat

Performing Ramy al-Jamarat (hurling pebbles to the places of Jamarat in Mena) is permitted in the upper level, and those who cannot perform Ramy in the day can perform it the night before or after that.


Performing Sacrifice

Performing Sacrifice is permitted in any of available places of sacrifice, although they are out of Mena.It is better to perform Zebh (ritual slaughter) of the sacrifice in the day of the Eid, but it can be delayed until the thirteenth day.

The animal is pure and Halaal

It is not necessary for the person who performs Zebh to be Shiite, but any Muslim whom his/her sacrificed animal is pure and Halaal is permitted to perform Zebh. Performing Zebh of animals for sacrifice or any other purpose by steel knives of other metals is not a problem.


Sacrifice

The pilgrim can perform Zebh on animals of sacrifice personally or give the deputyship to any reliable person, and it can be the manager of the caravan or the organizer of your Hajj or some of the friends (the only condition is being sure about the act of proxy). And it is not necessary for the proxy to know the name of the owner of the sacrifice, although saying the name is better. But it is not correct to perform a sacrifice on behalf of another person without being his/her proxy.


Method of Sacrificing

Muslims should do something that meats of sacrifice do not become corrupted or useless in order that they do not have to bury to burn those meats because this is israaf (wasting) and haraam. If no person could be found in Mena who deserves the meat, then it is necessary to bring the meats to other Islamic countries and towns and give them to poor persons and believers and if this act has costs, these costs should be paid by Muslims and Islamic government.


Sacrificing should be performed in Mina 

Sacrificing should be performed in Mena until it is possible in there to prevent meats from being corrupted, but if Hajjis become sure that there is no way of using the meats of sacrifice after necessary tries and the meat will surely be corrupted, then they should stop performing sacrifice temporarily and keep its money in order to perform sacrifice in their hometowns after returning (in that month of Dhu’l-Hijjah or the month of Dhu’l-Hijjah of the next year) and then consume the meat according to the order that we have said about the meat of sacrifice.


Using machinery

Using machineries is permitted for performing sacrifice. But the conditions of Islamic Zebh like being face to Qibla and saying “بسم الله” and other conditions are observed (the explanation is available in the book of rulings).It is better to renounce Mustahab Tawaf when the crowd is congested and leave the place for those who are performing obligatory Tawaf.


Miqat

Miqat for the Ihram of Hajj al-Tamattu’ is in Mecca and it is enough to be in any place of Mecca and there is no difference between old and new Mecca, even Ihram can be worn from places that today has been advanced
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Umrah Visa Fees for 2019-2020 Season

Umrah Visa Fees for 2019-2020 SeasonThe Umrah season is now open, but what a mess if I may say!

It was supposed to open on the 1st of September but got delayed because Saudi style they wanted to implement a totally new system last minute.

It is still early days, as of writing this article there are still changes which I am monitoring.

The repeat Umrah visa fee is removed, this means that those who have been to Umrah last year won’t pay to go now. Many people are winners on this.

However, as with everything there are also losers. Up until now, the Umrah visa from Saudi Arabia was free for all pilgrims, this meant the visa price you used to pay of £80 (which back then seemed a lot to many) was simply agent fees and processing.

Now, Saudi has introduced a fee for the visa of about 300SAR /£80 and then has introduced some other taxes on hotels, transfers and VAT soon, this takes the cost of the visa up to
The 2000 SAR fee is removed!

around £250/ £300 per person depending on your agent. Even for children.

This is a lot of money for a visa especially because it went from around £80 to £280 in a year.

People who are going for the first time to perform Umrah are actually losing and those who visit every year actually save about £150 per visa.


In short from this Umrah season 2019 -2020 onwards Saudi Arabian Umrah visas will cost around £250 to £300 per person.
Prince Visa who I recommend as a reliable agent offers a discount for MuslimTravelGirl’s readers from the UK. Just make sure you mention our site when you call them for details.

I will announce the discount rate once we have settled into the new system.

We don’t receive a cut from this but with thousands of people reading the site on advice for Umrah, it is a great sadhana.

We always appreciate duas though. 🙂
New Umrah E-Visa

The Umrah E-visa which is a great new system and makes things much easier is still being implemented so you won’t need to send your passport to your agent in order for them to issue you the visa.

However, the processing times which were 24hrs before have now increased to about 10 days due to the new regulations.
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