Umrah is a religious pilgrimage for Muslims. Throughout the year, Muslims travel from across the globe hiring Umrah packages from UK and other countries. They arrive in the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia to offer the holy rituals of Umrah in Makkah.
Umrah is a minor form of Hajj pilgrimage in Islam. Though it is a sunnah pilgrimage of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) and not obligatory for anyone, Muslims offer it because of the higher spiritual status and rewards it holds. Umrah is such a pilgrimage that is not necessary to offer for any believer, even if he/she has the financial and physical means for it. Therefore, the performance of the minor pilgrimage is completely voluntary.
When it comes to the performance of Umrah rituals, some periods are considered to be more highly rewarded than others because of the religious, historical or spiritual significance associated with them. Among those, the month of Ramadan is a prominent one.
Here’s what you need to know about Umrah in Ramadan; its top benefits and spiritual rewards.
Best Time for Umrah:
The month of Ramadan is the best time to travel for Umrah rituals because it is the holiest month of the Islamic lunar calendar. During this month, Allah Almighty increases the reward for every good deed performed by the Muslims as they are fasting throughout Ramadan.
As a result, the rewards of Umrah’s performance are also multiplied. It is narrated in the hadith of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) that, Umrah’s performance in the month of Ramadan is equivalent to Hajj in reward.
However, a common misconception should be avoided that Umrah in Ramadan suffices for one’s obligatory Hajj pilgrimage. Rather, it is the reward that is equivalent and performing Umrah during Ramadan would not substitute for the obligatory Hajj pilgrimage of a believer. If he/she has the means for it, Hajj remains obligatory on such a person and not performing it is a sinful act.
Peak time for Umrah:
Considering the higher rewards associated with the Umrah pilgrimage in Ramadan, it is also the peak time for the holy rituals. The month of Ramadan brings millions of Umrah pilgrims to Haramain. As a result, it is the busiest as well as expensive time to travel for the pilgrimage rites.
Flight tickets, hotel accommodation, ground transportation, visa services and pilgrimage travel overall become pricey during Ramadan due to the high demand and lesser availability of services. Yet, worth every single penny spent extra!
Rewards of performing Umrah in Ramadan:
Umrah in Ramadan is highly favourable keeping in view the equivalent status it holds to Hajj in its rewards.
Greater Rewards in Ramadan:
The reward for every good deed, including Umrah, gets multiplied in Ramadan. As a result, the spiritual heights achieved during Umrah in this holy month are also greater.
Spiritual Renewal:
Both Ramadan and Umrah serve as powerful means for seeking forgiveness from Allah Almighty and purifying the soul. Therefore, when a pilgrim engages in these acts together, it not only intensifies the purification process but also grants a renewed perspective of this worldly life.
Deeper Connection:
When a pilgrim is offering the holy rituals of Umrah while fasting in Ramadan, it intensifies self-awareness and develops a deeper connection with Allah Almighty.
Unity and Brotherhood:
Dressed in simple white clothes, pilgrims offering Umrah rituals together portray an exemplary picture of Muslim unity and brotherhood. They stand before Allah Almighty without any discrimination of colour, race, caste, social status or ethnicity.
Sacred Journey:
Performing Umrah is a sacred journey and doing so in the holy month of Ramadan undoubtedly grants a pilgrim with a spiritually uplifting journey for personal growth.
Considerations for Umrah in Ramadan:
- Prebook your travel at least three months before your intended departure date to get the best deals.
- Stay in accommodations close to Harman to save on extra transportation costs and navigate through the huge crowd easily for the holy rituals in Haramain.
- Consider getting travel insurance that covers your medical emergencies, lost baggage as well as trip cancellations and delays because these problems are very common during the peak time of Ramadan.
- Prefer hiring all-inclusive Umrah travel packages for your pilgrimage journey. So that you can spend most of your time spiritually in the region while leaving all of the management hassles to your travel agent.
These are among the top benefits and spiritual rewards associated with Umrah in Ramadan with your all-inclusive halal holidays UK.
