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.

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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