Jennie JamesImagine standing in front of Ka’abah, crying your heart out, and praying for yourself, your loved ones, and the whole Ummah in the holy month of Ramadan. This is a dream come true for billions of Muslims devoted to Allah and His orders. If you feel like that’s your calling, then pray to Allah and start searching for Ramadan Umrah packages that suit your budget and travel needs. Get in contact with travel agencies to help you prepare documents and reserve tickets to make your dream of Ramadan pilgrimage come true.
What to Look for in Ramadan Umrah?
Performing Umrah in Ramadan is a blissful and spiritually uplifting experience. Only in 2024, over 8 million Muslims performed Umrah in Ramadan, which shows their sheer desire to relish this holy journey. However, it can be a chaotic and tiring trip as well due to the high strength of pilgrims and facing severe heat while fasting and performing Umrah. Keeping the external factors aside, let’s focus on the amazing experiences pilgrims expect in Ramadan Umrah:
1. Taraweeh Prayer
Standing in Taraweeh every night and listening to the heavenly voice of the Imam is an experience to remember. It’s a wish of Pilgrims to perform Umrah with their loved ones, and praying Taraweeh in Ramadan fulfills this desire. It is a night prayer performed during Ramadan in sets of 2 until conclusion at 8 or 20 rakats.
As per a Sahih hadith of Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H., praying in the nights of Ramadan with hope for reward, washes off all the previous sins of a believer. What better way to wipe out your sins than listening to the soulful voice of the Imam in Ka’abah? Pilgrims can expect pleasant a surprise on some nights when the chief Imam of Ka’abah, Al-Suddais himself leads the prayer. He is known for his soulful voice that moves the listeners and penetrates their hearts. Even those who don’t grasp the meaning of the Arabic dialect, get emotional as if they’re understanding every word.
2. Itikaf
Itikaf is an Arabic word that literally translates to ‘isolate oneself and adhere to something.” It is an Islamic practice in which a Muslim retires to the mosque for as many days as he wishes. It is usually carried out for ten days in Ramadan following the practice of the Prophet P.B.U.H. who also did the same for 20 days in His last year before departing.
As per another hadith, the Prophet P.B.U.H also performed Itikaf in Shawwal which shows it can be done any time of the year. However, performing It in Ramadan is Sunnah and is considered Nafl when done in any other month. Muslims have to pray, recite the Quran and Tasbeeh, read Islamic books, and refrain from evil at this time. Pilgrims opting for Ramadan Umrah packages can fulfill their wish to practice Itikaf in the Holy Mosque of Haram and earn major rewards. Performing this Sunnah in the most blessed place on Earth certainly uplifts the spirit.
3. The Night of Qadr
Qadr literally means ‘power’ but is typically understood as ‘divine decree’. But, let’s grasp its meaning in the light of the verses of the Holy Quran. In Surah Qadr, Allah explains that the night of Qadr is better than a thousand months. It’s the night in which the Quran was revealed and the spirits and angels descend in this time by Alalh’s approval for every matter. The last verse states that there is only peace during this time until the dawn emerges.
Now, imagine praying in the Mosque of Haram in the last ten days of Ramadan seeking the night of Qadr. There is no alternative to this experience and it certainly nourishes the soul of the believer. With Ramadan Umrah packages, pilgrims can fulfill their wish to perform Umrah in this holy month and ask for Allah’s mercy while pursuing this blessed night.
4. Reward Equal to Hajj
As stated before, performing Umrah in the state of fasting, while facing severe heat can be exhausting. That’s why the believers will attain a reward equal to Hajj on the Day of Judgment. As per a Sahih hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas R.A., Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H. asked an Ansari woman why she didn’t perform Hajj with others. She stated her reason upon which the Prophet P.B.U.H. told her to perform Umrah in Ramadan for it is equal to Hajj.
This is one of the most profound reasons that compel Muslims to reserve their spots and perform Umrah in Ramadan. The amazing rewards and benefits pilgrims acquire are the reason that Ramadan Umrah packages remain one of the most preferred packages to date.
Tips to Perform Umrah in Ramadan
While pilgrims desire to soak the blessings of Umrah during Ramadan, certain outside factors can make this spiritual journey hectic for them. The reason is that KSA is a desert country with 8 months of severe heat that exhausts pilgrims. This becomes even more difficult when pilgrims assume this holy journey while fasting. Thus, it becomes vital for pilgrims especially elders, patients, and people with special needs to follow these tips and make their Umrah as peaceful as possible:
1. Avoid Large Crowds
This tip is only for pilgrims performing Umrah while fasting and works well to a certain degree. Pilgrims can schedule an ideal time for pilgrimage when there is less crowd in Mataaf. As per the Hajj and Umrah Ministry, from 7:30 am to 10:30 am and 11:00 pm to 2:00 pm, Mataaf is the least crowded. Most pilgrims go to rest in their hotels which gives pilgrims a chance to perform Umrah in relatively less crowd.
2. Take Breaks
Don’t forget to take breaks between rituals to revitalize and gain energy for performing other rituals. Taking breaks between and during each Umrah ritual is permissible for pilgrims. However, they can’t leave the mosque vicinity during this time. Eat, drink, take a bath, and relax for some time, and then continue performing your rituals.
3. Avoid Heat
To ward off heat, pilgrims can perform Umrah at night, or they can do the task during the day right after the Fajr prayer. The reason is that pilgrims feel energetic during this time while the heat severity is also less. They can sport loose clothes, and wear hats and shades to ward off intense heat during the day. Pilgrims can keep some fruits, water, and refreshing drinks at all times to gain energy when feeling lethargic.
There is no better time of the year to perform Umrah than Ramadan. So, if you’re an intending pilgrim passionate about embarking on this holy journey in Ramadan, then contact Muslims Holy Travel. We offer Ramadan Umrah packages with luxury lodging and comfortable travel facilities that make your journey worth the money. Travel with us this Ramadan and bask in the blessings of the holy sites.
