Umrah can be performed in minimum three days but if you perform the Ziarats which are an optional thing, it takes seven days. Most of the Muslims from United States book the 7 days Cheap Umrah Packages which are much cheaper as compare to the other Packages. Pilgrims spend four nights in the Mecca while three nights to be spent in the Madinah. Most of the Umrah Travel agencies in the United Kingdom including Islamic Travel provides the Quad type room sharing in the Mecca and Madinah Hotel accommodation services. Umrah is a non-obligatory pilgrimage which can be performed at any time of the year except the Hajj period. Because Hajj can only be performed in the Hajj period. Hajj is performed on some specific Dates of Last month of Islamic Lunar Calendar. While Umrah Can be performed in any month. Hajj is obligatory for wise and adult Muslim who can bear the expanses of Hajj Pilgrimage while Umrah is a pilgrimage Sunnah of our beloved Prophet PBUH. Millions of Muslims from round the world book Umrah Packages to perform the Umrah Pilgrimage.Â
Umrah Preparations:
Umrah Preparations includes the getting all the amenities which includes the Umrah VISA, Umrah Flights, Hotel Accommodation, and Transportation Services. It also includes the preparing mentally for the Umrah Pilgrimage. Niyyah or Intention is one of the most important step for the Umrah Pilgrimage. In the first stage you have to apply for the Umrah VISA. Umrah VISA can be availed from the Embassy or through the online means. Because VISA is one of the preliminary thing for which you have to apply first. It is suggested by the Umrah travel experts to purchase the travel insurance from any authentic company which will beneficial for you during this holy journey. You have also to purchase the modest clothing for yourself for the journey. You have to visit the Book depots as well to purchase the prayer books which will help you during the Umrah journey. Self-Care essentials also be packed firstly. Electronic essentials including charging cables, new local SIM card, and Power Bank should be purchased firstly. You should also visit the Medical Stores to purchase the light medicines and adhesive bandages for unexpected light injuries during the Umrah Journey.
Day 1 – Arrival in Mecca:
Most of the Umrah Travel agencies including the Islamic Travel offer the Umrah Flights for UK pilgrims which land at Jeddah International Airport of Saudi Arabia. They also provide the transportation services which carries them from Airport to the Mecca hotel. At the very first day you have to take the complete rest in the Mecca Hotel. We provide the Hotel Accommodation in the Mecca which nearer to the Holy Haram because it provides ease and comfort for the pilgrims in performing the rituals of Umrah and visiting the holy Landmarks in the Mecca. Mecca is one of the important cities in the History of Islam. It was the haram for the Hazrat Ibrahim A.S and our beloved Holy Prophet PBUH was born in the holy city of Mecca.Â
Days 2-5 – Rituals of Umrah:
Umrah is non-obligatory pilgrimage which can be performed at any time of the year except the Hajj period. Rituals of Umrah includes the Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i and Halq o Taqseer are the rituals of Umrah. The people who have performed the Hajj using the Hajj Packages earlier, need no guidance regarding the Umrah. Because Rituals of Hajj and Umrah are similar. Anyhow, firstly you have to wear the Ihram from the Meeqat points appointed by the Saudi Government. Most of the people who came from the Mecca, Masjid Ayesha is the Meeqat point for them. Then you have to move towards the Kaabah Sharif for the performance of Tawaf. Tawaf is second most important rite of Umrah in which Pilgrims circumambulate the Kaabah seven times. During the circumambulation they try to touch of kiss the Black Stone. Because Kissing the Black Stone is also a Sunnah of Prophet PBUH. Then you have to move towards the Mountains of Safa and Marwah. These are two mountains between which pilgrims ran seven times in the remembrance of Hazrat Hajirah. When she A.S was finding the water for her son Ismael A.S. Last rite of Umrah is done in Mina where head of the men pilgrims are shaved to disgust from their physical appearance. But for the woman, it obligatory to cut at least an inch of hairs.Â
Day 6 – Ziarats to Islamic Landmarks:
Ziarats are important source of Knowledge and it must be visited either these are in Mecca or Madinah. Some of the most important Ziarats in Mecca are The Kaaba, Maqam Ibrahimi, The Black Stone (Hajar Al-Aswad, the Well of Zamzam, Mina, Arafat, Muzdalifah, Cave of -Hira, Masjid UMERHA and Masjid Ayesha R.A, Masjid AL-Jorana and the Well, Jannat ul Muala, Sulah Hudaibiya, Masjid AL Ejabah, and Masjid Jin. We also offer the Madinah Ziarats as well which includes Masjid Ali Nabwi, Jannat Al-Baqi, Quba Mosque, Uhud Mountain, Masjid Al-Qiblatain, The Baab-As-Salaam, Mosque Al Ghamamah, and Battlefield Of The Trench (Khandaq). Islamic Travel does not include Ziarats in their Umrah Packages. You have to pay the extra amount for the inclusion of Ziarats.Â
Day 7 – Departure from Mecca:
7th day is the last day of the Umrah on which you can purchase the Gifts for your Beloved ones from the Madinah. You can also purchase the Holy Water or Zamzam water from the Madinah as well. You have to as last ritual of Umrah is Halq o Taqseer, so you have to depart from the Mina from the Sixth day. While Halq o Taqseer can be done from the Mecca and Muzdalifah as well. You have to depart for the Jeddah hotel on the last day. You have to contact the Islamic Travel if you have booked the Transportation services with the Umrah Package. They will call the Taxi or Car according to your Transportation Service included in the package. It is preferable choice to book the return Umrah Flights while booking the on the way flights. Because there may be the chance of increasing the airfares on the way back.Â
Final Thoughts:
Umrah is a Pilgrimage which can be done in the Seven days and how it is possible, all is explained in the above article. We have divided the Umrah Trip into three sessions. First of all, you have to prepare for the Umrah Journey and complete the things which you are needed during the Umrah journey. On the first day you have to take rest. Because you have traveled a long journey from United Kingdom to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. From the second day to the fifth day, you have to perform the Umrah rituals including the wearing Ihram, perform the Tawaf of Kaabah, Perform Sa’i by running between the Safa and Marwah, and lastly perform the Halq o Taqseer. After performing these rites of Umrah you have to visit the Ziarats. Although Ziarats are not obligatory but should be visited to seek knowledge about the landmarks of Islam. On the Seventh day you have to come at Jeddah International Airport for the Return flights. We always pray for All the Pilgrims that May Allah Accept their Umrah who have done by using their Time and Money. (Ameen)
