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Purpose of life in islam

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Purpose of life

Purpose of life in islam

Islam is the response to humanity’s search for meaning. The purpose of life & creation for all men and women for all times has been one: To know and worship God.
The Qur’an teaches us that every human being is born conscious of God: “(Remember) when your Lord extracted from the loins of Adam’s children their descendants and made them testify (saying): ‘Am I not your Lord?’ They said: ‘Yes, we testify to it.’ (This was) in case you say on the Day of Judgment: ‘We were unaware of this.’ Or you say: ‘It was our ancestors who worshipped others besides God and we are only their descendants. Will you then destroy us for what those liars did’?” (Qur’an, 7:172-173)
In Christianity, the Purpose of life is rooted in faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, the proposition is not without serious problems.
First, if this is the purpose of creation and the precondition for eternal life, why was it not taught by the prophets to all the nations of the world? Second, had God turned into man close to the time of Adam all mankind would have had an equal chance to eternal life, unless those before the time of Jesus had another purpose for their existence! Third, how can people today who have not heard of Jesus fulfill the Christian purpose of creation? Naturally, such a purpose is too narrow and goes against divine justice.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) teaches us that God created this primordial need in human nature at the time Adam was made. God took a covenant from Adam when He created him.
God extracted all of Adam’s descendants who were yet to be born, generation after generation, spread them out, and took a covenant from them. He addressed their souls directly, making them bear witness that He was their Lord. Since God made all human beings swear to His Lordship when He created Adam, this oath is imprinted on the human soul even before it enters the fetus, and so a child is born with a natural belief in the Oneness of God. This natural belief is called fitra in Arabic.
Consequently, every person carries the seed of belief in the Oneness of God that lies deeply buried under layers of negligence and dampened by social conditioning. If the child were left alone, it would grow up conscious of God — a single Creator — but all children are affected by their environment. The Prophet of God said, “Each child is born in a state of ‘fitra,’ but his parents make him a Jew or a Christian. It is like the way an animal gives birth to a normal offspring. Have you noticed any young born mutilated before you mutilate them?” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)
The Arabs would cut the ears of camels and the likes as a service to their gods in pre-Islamic times.
So, just as the child’s body submits to physical laws, set by God in nature, its soul submits naturally to the fact that God is its Lord and Creator. However, its parents condition it to follow their own way, and the child is not mentally capable of resisting it.
The religion which the child follows at this stage is one of custom and upbringing, and God does not hold it to account for this religion. When a child matures into an adult, he or she must now follow the religion of knowledge and reason.
As adults, people must now struggle between their natural disposition toward God and their desires in order to find the correct path. The call of Islam is directed to this primordial nature, the natural disposition, the imprint of God on the soul, the fitra, which caused the souls of every living being to agree that He Who made them was their Lord, even before the heavens and earth were created, “I did not create the jinn and mankind except for My worship.” (Qur’an, 51:56)
According to Islam, there has been a basic message which God has revealed through all prophets, from the time of Adam to the last of the prophets, Muhammad (peace be upon them). All the prophets sent by God came with the same essential message: “Indeed, We have sent a messenger to every nation (saying), ‘Worship God and avoid false gods…’.” (Qur’an, 16:36)
The prophets (peace be upon them) brought the same answer to mankind’s most troubling question, an answer that addresses the yearning of the soul for God.
What is worship?
Islam means ‘submission’ and worship, in Islam, means ‘obedient submission to the will of God.’ Every created being ‘submits’ to the Creator by following the physical laws created by God, “To Him belongs whosoever is in the heavens and the earth; all obey His will.” (Qur’an, 30:26)
They, however, are neither rewarded nor punished for their ‘submission’, for it involves no will. Reward and punishment are for those who worship God, who submit to the moral and religious Law of God of their own free will. This worship is the essence of the message of all the prophets sent by God to mankind. For example, this understanding of worship was emphatically expressed by Jesus ((peace be upon him), “None of those who call me ‘Lord’ will enter the kingdom of God, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.”
‘Will’ means ‘what God wants human beings to do.’ This ‘Will of God’ is contained in the divinely revealed laws which the prophets taught their followers. Consequently, obedience to divine law is the foundation of worship.
Only when human beings worship their God by submitting to His religious law can they have peace and harmony in their lives and the hope for heaven, just like the universe runs in harmony by submitting to the physical laws set by its Lord. When you remove the hope of heaven, you remove the ultimate value and purpose of life. Otherwise, what difference would it really make whether we live a life of virtue or vice? Everyone’s fate would be the same anyway.

Article by: arabnews.com

Method of Umrah step by step

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Method of umrah

Method of Umrah

All the praises and thanks be to Allah alone, and peace and blessings of Allah be upon the last and seal of the Prophets, and upon all his family and companions.Now we are starting Method of umrah step by step.
1-Method of umrah If the one who wants to perform umrah  reaches the miqat (the assigned point where ihram (consecration) takes place), it is recommendable for him to have a bath and wash himself .Women also do the same even if she is in menses or childbed. But she does not perform circumambulation until she becomes purified and has a bath. A man perfumes his body, but not the consecration clothes. If taking a bath in the miqat is not possible, so there is nothing wrong for him. It is recommendable to take a bath upon arriving to Mecca, before circumambulation, if possible.
2-A man takes off all his sewn clothes and wears a below-waist cloth and an above-waist cloth, they are better to be white and clean, and he is to uncover his face. As for women, they are to concentrate in their ordinary clothes, which are not of fame or adorned.
3- He then intends starting the ceremonies in his heart, and says by tongue: “labbayka umrah (Here I come for umrah)”, or “labbayka allahuma umrah (O Allah here I come for umrah)”. If a muhrim (a man in a state of ihram) is afraid that he may not be able to complete his ceremonies, that he is ill, or that he is afraid from an enemy or the like, it is lawful for him to stipulate upon starting the ceremonies and says “If a stopper confines me, so I will finish my ceremonies where You stop me”, for the Hadith of Dubâ’ah bint Az-Zubair, may Allah be pleased with her, in which she said, “O Messenger of Allah! “I want to perform pilgrimage and I feel sick”. He, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, said: “Intend to perform pilgrimage and stipulate that “I will finish my ceremonies at any place where You stop me”, [Agreed upon its authentication]

«يا رسول الله ! إني أريد الحج، وأنا شاكية. فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: حجي، واشترطي أن محلي حيث حبستني» متفق عليه

 He then recites the talbiya loudly such as the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, that is: “((Labbaika Allahumma Labbaik, Labbaika la sharika Laka labbaik, Inna-l-hamda wan-ni’mata Laka walmulk, La sharika Lak) which means: here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am. You have no partner. Here I am. Surely all praise, grace and dominion is yours, and you have no partner.))” [Agreed upon]

 «لبيك اللهم لبيك، لبيك لا شريك لك لبيك، إن الحمد والنعمة لك والملك ، لا شريك لك» متفق عليه

 He increases saying the talbiya as well as the remembrances and supplicates to Allah Almighty much. When he arrives to the Sacred Mosque, it is a Sunnah to enter first by his right leg and says: “In the name of Allah, and prayers and peace of Allah be upon the Messenger of Allah. I seek refuge with Allah the Great, with His noble Face and His old sovereignty from the expelled Satan. O Allah! Open to me the gates of Your Mercy”, such as all other mosques. He is then to be occupied with talbiya until he reaches the Ka’abah.
4- Upon reaching the Ka’abah he stops talbiya. He then goes to and turns his face to the Black Stone. He receives it by his right hand and kisses it if possible; he should not harm people by crowding. He says upon receiving it: “bism-allah wa allahu-akbar (In the name of Allah and Allah is the Greatest)”, or: “allahu-akbar (Allah is the Greatest)”. If it is difficult to kiss it so he can receive it with his hand, a stick or the alike and kiss what he receives it with. If it is difficult to receive it, he points to it and says: “Allah is the greatest” and he does not kiss what he points with. The terms of right circumambulation: A circumambulator must be purified from both kinds of impurities (the greater and the minor), as circumambulation is like praying, however, speaking is permitted.
5- He is to make the House to his left side, and to circumambulate seven times around it. If he is parallel to the Yemenite Corner, he is to receive it by his right hand, if possible, and says: “In the name of Allah and Allah is the Greatest” and does not kiss it. If it is difficult to receive it, he is to leave it and to continue his circumambulation, without pointing to it or saying Allah is the Greatest, because this has not been mentioned about the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him. As for the Black Stone, whenever he is parallel to it he is to receive and kiss it and to say “Allah is the Greatest” – as we mentioned before- or he is to point to it and say “Allah is the Greatest”. Pacing is preferable- that is: to walk quickly with close steps – in all the first three rounds of the arrival circumambulation, especially for men.
It is preferable for a man to put the middle of his above-waist cloth under his right shoulder and its ends over his left shoulder in the arrival circumambulation, in all rounds. It is preferable to increase remembrances and supplications with whatever easily comes to mind in all rounds. There is no special invoking or remembrance in circumambulation. He is rather to invoke and remember Allah by whatever easy of remembrances and supplications. He is to say between the two corners, {Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!} [Surat Al-Baqarah 2:201]

{رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ} البقرة: 201

Transliteration: rabbana atinafee alddunya hasanatan wafee alakhiratihasanatan waqina AAathaba alnnari
In each round, because this is proven from the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him. He is to end the seventh round by receiving and kissing the Black Stone, if possible, or pointing to it and saying Allah is the Greatest, according to the aforementioned details. After finishing circumambulation he is to wear his above-waist cloth by putting it over his shoulders and the two ends over his chest.
6- He is then to pray two prayer units behind the Maqâm (place of Ibrâhîm) [or the stone on which Ibrâhîm stood while he was building the Ka’bah], if possible. If he is not able, he can pray at anywhere in the Mosque. He is to recite in them after Al-Fâtiha: {Say: (O Muhammad to these Mushrikûn and Kâfirûn): “O Al-Kafirûn (disbelievers in Allâh, in His Oneness, in His Angels, in His Books, in His Messengers, in the Day of Resurrection, and in Al-Qadar)!} [Surat Al-Kâfirun], in the first prayer unit,

 {قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ} الكافرون: 1

 Transliteration: Qul ya ayyuha alkafiroona
and, {Say (O Muhammad): “He is Allâh, (the) One} [Surat Al-Ikhlâs] in the second prayer unit.

 {قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ} الإخلاص: 1

 Transliteration: Qul huwa Allahu ahadun
This is the best, but if he recites others, so there is nothing wrong in that. After finishing the two prayer units, he is to go to the Black Stone to receive it with his right hand, if possible.
7- He is then to get out to as-Safâ to ascend or stand at it, but ascending is better, if possible. He is to recite in the beginning of the first round the words of Allah Almighty, {Verily! As-Safâ and Al-Marwah (two mountains in Makkah) are of the Symbols of Allâh.} [Surat Al-Baqarah 2:158]

 {إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ} البقرة: 158

 Transliteration: Inna alssafa waalmarwata min shaAAairi Allahi
It is preferable to turn his face to the qiblah above as-Safa. He is to praise Allah and says Allah is the Greatest and says, “There is no god but Allah”, and “Allah is the Greatest. There is no god but Allah alone. He has no partners. To Him belongs dominion, and to Him belongs all praise, and He is Over all things Competent. There is no god but Allah alone, He has fulfilled His Promise, and has granted victory to His servant, and has defeated the parties Alone.” He is then to invoke Allah with what is possible while raising his hands. He is to repeat such remembrance and invoking (three times).
He is then to descend and move to al-Marwah, until he reaches the first flag, so he is to walk quickly, until he reaches the second flag. As for women, it is not lawful for them to walk quickly, as they are not to be exposed. He is then to walk and ascend or stand at al-Marwa. Ascending is better, if possible. He is to say and do over al-Marwa, as what he said and did over as-Safa, except reciting the mentioned verse, as this is lawful upon ascending as-Safa in the first round only, as a following to the Sunnah of the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him. He is then to descend and walk in the place of walking, and hurries in the place of hurrying, until he reaches as-Safa. He is to do that seven times, as his going is a round and his returning is a round. If he performs these round riding, so there is nothing wrong in that, especially when necessary. It is preferable to increase remembrance and invoking during his walking with whatever easily comes to his mind, and to be purified from both kinds of ritual impurities. If he walks while he is ritually impure so it is satisfactory.
8- When he finishes walking, he is to have his hair cut or shaved, but shaving is better. If his coming to Mecca is near the time of pilgrimage, then cutting is better for him, to have the rest of his hair shaved in pilgrimage. A woman collects her hair and cut a hairbreadth or less. If a muhrim fulfils that, so his umrah is complete. All praises and thanks be to Allah. Everything which was forbidden for him due to consecration is now lawful.
May Allah help us and all our Muslim brothers to understand and adhere to His religion, and may He accept from all of us, He –the Almighty- is Generous.
Prayers and peace of Allah be upon His Slave and Messenger, Muhammad and upon all his family and companions and all his followers to the Day of Resurrection.

Article by: en.islamway.ne

 

The Kaba the Sacred House of God

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The Kaba is the sacred House of God situated in the middle of the Holy mosque in the city of Mecca, in Saudi Arabia. The black cube shaped box is familiar to people of all faiths due to the images that come out of Saudi Arabia every year at pilgrimage time. Usually when people see these images, their attention is focused on the black box being circled by hundreds if not thousands of worshippers. This box is the Kaba.
{God has made the Kaaba, the Sacred House, an asylum of security, Hajj, and ‘Umrah (pilgrimage) for mankind…} [Quran 5:97]
{جَعَلَ اللَّهُ الْكَعْبَةَ الْبَيْتَ الْحَرَامَ قِيَامًا لِّلنَّاسِ…} [المائدة:٩٧].
Transliteration: Jaala Allāhu Al-Kabata Al-Bayta Al-Ĥarāma Qiyāmāan Lilnnāsi …
The Kaba is the holiest site in Islam, and it is the qibla, the direction Muslims face when praying. It is called the Kaba because of its shape; cube in the Arabic language is [I]ka’b[/I]. Sometimes the Kaba is called Al Bait Al Atiq, or the emancipated house, Prophet Muhammad said that this name was used due to the fact that God has protected the Kaba from coming under the control of tyrants.
The Kaba is made from granite taken from the hills near Mecca, and stands 15 meters (49 feet) high, the sides measure 10.5 m (34′) by 12 m (39′). Today the Kaba is covered by a black silk cloth decorated with gold-embroidered calligraphy known as the kiswah.
On the southwest side of the Kaba is a semi-circular wall, this represents the border, or al hatim. Entrance to the Kaba is gained through a door, 2.13 metres of the ground, on the north-eastern wall. Inside, the floor is made from marble and the walls are clad with marble up to the halfway point between the floor and the ceiling.
Amongst the traditions of Prophet Muhammad we learn that his beloved wife Aisha asked about the wall and the door. She says, «I asked the Messenger of God about the wall and whether it was part of the House [the Kaba]. He said, ‘Yes.’ I asked, ‘So why is it not incorporated into the House?’ He said, ‘Your people ran out of money.’ I asked, ‘What about the door? Why is it high up?’ He said, ‘Your people did that so they could let in whomever they wanted and keep out whomever they wanted. If it were not for the fact that your people are still new [in Islam] and too close to their time of ignorance , and I am afraid that they would resent it, I would think of incorporating the wall into the House and bringing the door down to ground level.’»
Verses from the Quran are written on tablets inset in the marble and the upper part of the interior wall is clad with green cloth decorated with gold embroided verses. Lamps hang from a cross beam; there is also a small table for incense burners. Caretakers perfume the marble cladding with scented oil, the same oil used to anoint the Black Stone outside.
The Black Stone, an ancient sacred stone, is embedded in the eastern corner of the Kaba, one and a half meters above the ground. Prophet Muhammad 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»
The scholars of Islam have differed on who built the Kaba. Some say that it was built by the angels. Others say the father of humankind, Adam built the Kaba but over many centuries it fell into disrepair and was lost in the mists of time, to be rebuilt by Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael. All agree that the Kaba was either built or rebuilt by Prophet Abraham.
{And (remember) when Abraham and (his son) Ishmael were raising the foundations of the House (the Kaba at Mecca), (saying), ‘Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily, You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower’} [Quran 2:127]
{وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ} [البقرة:١٢٧].
Transliteration: Wa ‘Idh Yarfau ‘Ibrāhīmu Al-Qawāida Mina Al-Bayti Wa ‘Ismāīlu Rabbanā Taqabbal Minnā ‘Innaka ‘Anta As-Samīu Al-Alīmu
Since then the kaba has been rebuilt several times. By the Amalekites, the tribe of Jurham, Qusayy ibn Kilaab, the tribe of Quraish and several times after the advent of Islam. Shortly before prophet Muhammad’s mission began the Kaba was built from stones, without mortar and it was not much higher than the height of a man, people had stolen treasure from the Kaba so the Quraish decided to rebuild it and add a roof.
Each tribe collected building materials and worked cooperatively until it came time to replace the black stone. Because of the prestige involved with placing the stone arguments broke out. Abu Umaiyah ibn al Mughirah one of the most senior men said, “O Quraish come to an agreement over that which you are disputing. Let the first man who enters through the gate decide the matter for you”.
The first man, was Muhammad, at that time known as al amin (the trustworthy one). He suggested that they carry the black stone to its place in a cloak, each tribe holding an edge so that the prestige was distributed equally. The black stone reached the Kaba in this manner and Muhammad then placed the stone in its place The Kaba consists of four corners. Finally, it is important to understand that Muslims do not worship the kaba or the surroundings. It is simply the qibla, the direction in which Muslims face to pray, therefore it serves as a focal point.

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Article by: en.islamway.net

Umrah Plus to be launched soon

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DAMMAM: The Umrah Plus program would be launched soon to allow foreign pilgrims .To visit some of the Kingdom’s most attractive cultural and religious landmarks.The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH) announced recently.
Abdul Aziz Al-Hussain, the SCTNH’s director general in Riyadh, said preparations are almost complete. Umrah companies are currently tying up partnerships with tour companies in the Kingdom.
Meanwhile, the Travel and Tourism Pioneers Forum was launched recently in Riyadh with 35 companies from around the world participating.
Nasser Al-Hamdi, Egypt’s ambassador to the Kingdom, said the country is prepared to receive Saudi tourists. About 430,000 tourists visited Egypt in 2013 and 2014, he said.
Prince Saif Al-Islam bin Abdul Aziz said the travel and tourism sector in the Kingdom has grown significantly.Now made up 5 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. The plan is to ensure annual growth of 10 percent over the next five years, compared to 6 percent last year and 4 percent in 2014.

Article by: arabnews.com

Hajis saved from baggage check-in formalities

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hajj-passengers
JEDDAH — Companies in charge of accommodation of pilgrims will also be made responsible for shipping their luggage to their destinations. Haj Minister Bandar Al-Hajjar has said:
“This is a new mechanism which has been initiated to facilitate swift and smooth departure of pilgrims,”. He said.
Under this mechanism pilgrims will go to the airport without any luggage. They will no longer have to wait at the counters to check-in their baggage.
The minister said the licensed accommodation companies in Makkah and Madinah will transport the luggage to the airport and complete the shipping procedures.
Concerning Zamzam water, which pilgrims are keen to take back home, the minister said it will be shipped onboard the aircraft flying back home after dropping pilgrims.
“Pilgrims will receive their quotas of the blessed water on their arrival in their home countries. They will no longer have to take Zamzam water with them as accompanying luggage when leaving the Kingdom after Haj,” he said.

Article by: saudigazette.com.sa

Purpose of life: Reason and revelation

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What is the meaning and purpose of life?’ Throughout the ages, philosophers have considered it to be the most fundamental question. Scientists, historians, philosophers, writers, psychologists and the common man all wrestle with the question at some point in their lives.
Is the reason a sufficient guide?
Why do we eat? Why do we sleep? Why do we work? The answers we would get to these questions would be similar. I eat to live. I sleep to rest. I work to support myself and my family. But when it comes to what the purpose of life is, people are confused. We see their confusion by the type of answers we receive. Youths may say, “I live for fun and frolics.”
The middle-aged professional might say, “I live to save enough for a comfortable retirement.” The old man would probably say, “I’ve been asking why I’m here most of my life. If there’s a purpose, I don’t care anymore.” And perhaps the most common answer will be, “I really don’t know!”
How, then, do you discover the purpose of life? We basically have two options.
The first is to let ‘human reason’ — the celebrated achievement of the Enlightenment — guide us. After all, the Enlightenment gave us modern science based on careful observation of the natural world. But have post-Enlightenment philosophers figured it out? Camus described life as “absurd”; Sartre spoke of “anguish, abandonment, and despair.”
To these Existentialists, life has no meaning. Darwinians thought the meaning of life was to reproduce. Will Durant, capturing the predicament of postmodern man, wrote, “Faith and hope disappear; doubt and despair are the order of the day… it is not our homes and our treasuries that are empty, it is our ‘hearts’.”
When it comes to the meaning of life, even the wisest philosophers are just guessing. Will Durant, the most noted philosopher of the last century, and Dr. Hugh Moorhead, a philosophy professor at Northeastern Illinois University, both wrote separate books titled ‘The Meaning of Life.’ They wrote to the best-known philosophers, scientists, writers, politicians, and intellectuals of their time in the world, asking them, “What is the meaning of life?”
Then they published their responses. Some offered their best guesses, some admitted that they just made up a purpose for life, and others were honest enough to say they were clueless. In fact, a number of famous intellectuals asked the authors to write back and tell them if the purpose of life was discovered!
If the philosopher has no definitive answer, perhaps the answer can be found within the heart and mind that we ourselves possess. Have you ever looked at the open sky on a clear night?
You will see an incalculable number of stars. Look through a telescope and you will see gigantic spiral galaxies, beautiful nebula where new stars are being formed, the remnants of ancient supernova explosion created in a star’s final death throes, the magnificent rings of Saturn and the moons of Jupiter. Is it possible not to be moved by the sight of these countless stars in the night sky shining like diamond dust on a bed of black velvet? Multitudes of stars beyond stars, stretching back; becoming so dense that they appear to merge into delicate wisps of sparkling mist.
The grandeur humbles us, thrills us, inspires a craving for investigation, and calls for our contemplation. How did it come into being? How are we related to it, and what is our place in it? Can we hear the heavens “speak” to us?
“In the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day, there are sure signs for all who are endowed with insight, who remember God when they stand, and when they sit, and when they lie down to sleep, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth: ‘O our Lord, You have not created this without meaning and purpose. Limitless art You in Your glory’.” (Qur’an, 3:190-191)
When we read a book, we accept that an author exists. When we see a house, we accept that a builder exists. Both of these things were made with a purpose by those who made them. The design, order, and complexity of the universe, as well as the world around us, are evidence of the existence of supreme intelligence, a perfect designer. All the heavenly bodies are controlled by precise laws of physics.
Can there be laws without a lawmaker? Rocket scientist Dr. von Braun said: “The natural laws of the universe are so precise that we have no difficulty building a spaceship to fly to the moon and can time the flight with the precision of a fraction of a second. These laws must have been set by somebody.” Paul Davies, a professor of physics, concludes that man’s existence is not a mere quirk of fate. He states: “We are truly meant to be here.” And he says regarding the universe: “Through my scientific work, I have come to believe more and more strongly that the physical universe is put together with an ingenuity so astonishing that I cannot accept it merely as a brute fact. There must, it seems to me, be a deeper level of explanation.” The universe, the earth, and living things on the earth all give silent testimony to an intelligent, powerful Creator.
If we were made by a Creator, then surely that Creator must have had a reason, a purpose, in creating us. Thus, it is important that we seek to know God’s purpose for our existence.
After coming to the realization of this purpose, we can choose whether we want to live in harmony with it. But is it possible to know what is expected from our left to our own devices without any communication from the Creator? It is natural that God Himself would inform us of this purpose, especially if we are expected to fulfill it.
This brings us to the second option: The alternative to speculation about the meaning and purpose of life is a revelation. The easiest way to discover the purpose of an invention is to ask the inventor. To discover the purpose of your life, ask God.

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Article by: arabnews.com

Saudi authorities approve electronic Umrah system

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Saudi authorities have approved electronic Umrah system, which will organize the sector to get rid of the brokers.
It will also save between 10 and 15 percent of the cost of hotel accommodation for those performing Umrah, according to the chair of the national committee for Haj and Umrah for Umrah Affairs, Abdullah Omar Qadhi.
The Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry held a meeting in the presence of representatives of Umrah service companies and Sajjil, the company responsible for running the electronic system, Saudi Gazette reported on Friday.
The company also explained the method of registration in the system and how those performing Umrah could book hotel rooms.
Qadhi said he expects a 25 percent increase in the number of Umrah performers this year against 6 million last year.
He said owners of Umrah companies and hotels in Makkah and Madinah would benefit from the new system.
All hotels will come under the new system with the objective of facilitating hotel bookings by Umrah companies.
The relationship between Saudi Umrah companies and hotels will move to electronic formats as bookings that used to take 24 hours can now be carried out in a few seconds, he added.

Article by: aaj.tv

These our umrah packages:

1.25m Umrah pilgrims a month from next year

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1.25m
JEDDAH —

A new Umrah system and its executive bylaws will be issued soon with a view to increasing the number of Umrah pilgrims every year. Haj Minister Bandar Al-Hajjar has said.
He told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that starting next year. 1.25 million pilgrims are expected to arrive every month compared to the present number of 400,000.

Hajjar said the new system is aimed at increasing the number of pilgrims. The government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques so as to fully utilize the gigantic projects implemented.
The minister said he would soon meet Umrah company owners to discuss plans for the Umrah season of 1437H which will begin in mid-November.
He called for deeper coordination among all agencies to provide excellent services to Haj and Umrah pilgrims.
Hajjar said the ministry will continue to use.

e-portal

Its e-portal under which procedures to issue visas will not take more than a few minutes.
“We are going online as an ambitious plan to double the number of Umrah pilgrims during the next five years,”.The minister said.
, five million Umrah visas were issued in 2013 and six million each during 2014 and 2015.

Hopefully,10 million visas to be issued in 2016 and 60 million in  2018
Meanwhile, about 600,000 Haj pilgrims had left the Kingdom for their home countries until Sunday. onboard 2,282 flights which took off from King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah.
Turki Al-Deeb, director of the airport’s department of information and public relations, expected about 900,000 pilgrims to depart from the airport until late October.
Many other pilgrims will depart from Prince Muhammad Bin Abdul Aziz International Airport in Madinah. This is in addition to those leaving by sea and land. About 1.4 million pilgrims had come from abroad for this year’s Haj.

Article by: saudigazette.com.sa

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How to perform Umrah (Minor Pilgrimage)

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Holy-Kaaba-(view-from-Makkah-Royal-Clock-Tower)
Umrah  (Minor Pilgrimage)

·Preparation for Ehraam :

Before making intention for Ehraam take two white cloth sheets, one sheet around the lower half of the body and another over the shoulder. Must wear this before entering hadde Haram. Those who are traveling directly from their countries must wear this before boarding the flight. 
After wearing the clothes : 

  • Recite two Rakats of Nafil Salat
  • During reciting salat cover head with the cloth
  • No sooner you finish salat by saying salam ,remove the sheet over the head (for men only)and then MAKE INTENTION (Niyyat) for Umrah. Now a person is in Ehraam.

INTENTION  (Niyyat)
 “ `O` Allah, I make intention for Ehraam to perform Umrah to please You. Please make the things easy for me and guide me to perform Umrah in the most right manner. Please also accept it with all your kindness “
Then recite Talbiyah loudly for three times :
 لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، انَّالْحَمْدَ، وَالنِّعْمَةَ، لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لا شَرِيكَ لَكَ

Transliteration :

Labbaik Allah humma Labbaik ! Labbaik Laa sharika laka Labbaik ! Innal Hamda Wan Nemata Laka wal Mulk ! Laa Sharika Laka !

Translation :

I respond to Your call O Allah, I respond to Your call, and I am obedient to Your orders, You have no partner, I respond to Your call All the praises and blessings are for You, All the sovereignty is for You, And You have no partners with you.
Immediately after this Talbiyah the person is in Ehraam . As a matter of fact this Talbiyah is a reply to the call of Prophet Ibrahim as he called the people by the decree of Allah to perform Hajj.

The things restricted after the person is in Ehraam are as under :

  1. Stitched clothes (for men only )
  2. Covering head or face with a cloth (for men Only)
  3. Wearing a shoe which hides the back of foot’s bone
  4. Going for haircut or plucking any hair of body
  5. Nail cutting
  6. Applying scent
  7. Doing the things which enhances your hormonic activity which leads to some sort of sexual satisfaction
  8. Hunting the animals or killing of head louse
  9. Sharing bed with the wife
  10. Quarrel with other people

For Women :
The Ehraam of women is like men only with only three exceptions .

  1. They can wear stitched clothes
  2. They have to hide their heads with scarves
  3. They should keep their faces exposed
  4. TheyShould not share bed with their husbands 

Border of Haram : 

20 KM ahead of Mecca there is a big arched gate, on the top you will find one huge structure resembling a stand (Rahel) of Quran. From here the border of Haram Sharif starts and very near to it there is a place where the Mushrekeen of Mecca had stopped the Prophet (saws) to proceed to Mecca for Umrah in 6 AH . This is a place where the agreement of Hudaibiyah was signed.

As soon as you reach here,  recite a dua :
“ `O` Allah ! This Haram belongs to You and Your apostle. I Pray that the blazing fire to be forbidden on my flesh ,on my blood ,on my skin and on my bones. “
 When you enter Mecca bring inert feeling of love and respect for this sacred city  and recite a dua :
“ `O Allah ! I am your slave and came here to perform and seek your kindness and blessings. Please open all the doors of blessings and forgive me and help me to complete my Umrah in a perfect way.
.Attendance in Masjid e Haraam and Tawaaf :

  • Enter the Masjid with your right leg first .
  • When you see the K`abatullah for the first time ,recite the following : 

          اللّهُ اَكْبَرُلآ اِلهَ اِلّا اللّهُ، وَ اللّهُ اَكْبَرُ
Translation :
“ Allah is the Greatest ,There is no God except Allah ,Allah is the Greatest .”

  • Make another dua :

Translation :
“ O `Allah you are the peace and the peace is from you only. O` Lord Keep us alive peacefully and O Allah enlighten the respect, honour and the dignity of this house of yours and give reward to those who are paying respect to this house. I seek refuge of the owner of this house from any borrowings , poverty and from punishment in the graves.

TAWAAF :

  • TAWAAF : Now you are ready for doing tawaaf. Tawaaf means taking a round of any fixed object. Completing seven anti clockwise rounds makes one tawaaf of Ka`aba .

Method of doing Tawaaf

  • Before tawaaf you must make intention (Niyyat) as under :

“ O` Allah I am doing this tawaaf to please you and seek your help to make this tawaaf easy for me. “
 After making intention , one has to do Izteba (One end of the sheet of Ehraam should be under the right arm and another end should be put over the left shoulder ). If possible, go straight to Hajre Aswad (Black stone) which is embedded in one the corner of the holy Ka`aba, then kiss it (This action is known as ISTELAAM ). If you are not able to reach Hajre Aswad then on the opposite side of Hajre Aswad there is a green light, you be in the line of that light, face your both palms towards Hajre Aswad and do Istelaam and make this dua :
“ Bismillahe Allaho Akbar ! Laa ilaha illallaho ! Wa lillahil Hamd.”
Then kiss your both hands and start the Tawaaf.

  • Care should be taken to avoid facing chest towards Ka`aba during tawaaf.
  • During first three rounds of tawaaf the men should do the Ramal,which means make your body stiff and raise shoulder and walk quickly. In rest of the four rounds there should be a normal walk.
  • Please bear in mind that no sooner you start the tawaaf reciting of talbiyah comes to an end.

VII . ONE IMPORTANT THING
 There are no specific dua in tawaaf however, it is better if you make dua at different spots and While making various dua you should use your own language so that you can understand them and can concentrate.

DUA IN TAWAAF :
 1. When you start encompassing (tawaaf) and when you reach in line with the door of Ka`aba , then recite :
 “ O ` Allah ! The peace is only from you therefore please save me from the punishment in the Hell with your mercy.”
2. When you reach infront of Place of Ibrahim ( Muqaam e Ibrahim), then you make this dua :
“ O` Allah ! This is the place of your Ibrahim, Please restrict the fire to approach my body and my flesh.
3. By the time you finish the above dua, you reach the first corner of the Ka`aba which is known as “Rukne Iraqi “here you can make the following dua :
“ O` Allah, I seek your refuge from the doubts and from any association with you of any partner.
4. In the meantime you will reach infront of “ Meezabe Rahmat “ this is a place where water from the roof of Ka`aba falls in Hateem through a pipe. You make a dua here :
“ O`Allah ! I seek nearness to your apostle in his Paradise ( Jannatul Khuld). O` Allah ,I also seek your shadow in the day of judgement. That day ,none will be there except You . Please offer me drink from kausar so thereafter I will not feel thirst.
5. When you reach the next corner of the Ka`aba which is known as “Rukne Shaami “
then make the following dua “
“ O ` Allah ! My Umrah should be great, please accept my labour, forgive my sins. Yaa` Aziz, Yaa` Ghafoor “
6 . You will be reaching at the third corner Which is known as “ Rukne Yamani ” here you can make the following dua “
O ` Allah Please forgive me and also relax me, in this world and also in the life Hereafter
7 . From here you move towards hajre Aswad and while walking you recite
o رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Transliteration :
“Rabbana Aatena fid duniya hasanatau wa fil aakharate hasanatau wa qena azaaban naar “
Translation :

“Our Lord! Give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter and save us from the torment of the fire!”

8.. You will reach back at Hajre Aswad means one round is completed . This is known as “ Shooth ” When you complete seven shooths then one tawaaf is finished.
9 . Please remember that Taawaf can be performed without reciting anything .
VIII.  Reciting two rakats of Wajib salat :
1. After completion of the tawaaf you recite two rakats of wajib salat possibly at the place of Ibrahim otherwise recite it wherever you get place in Mataaf (Space around Ka`aba). After reciting these two rakats you seek Allah’s blessings, make dua for best reward in the life Hereafter, request Allah for forgiveness and for life long and real faith,and finally for welfare of your children and other relatives and friends.
IX.  After dua, if possible you can go to Multazim (this part of Ka`aba is between Hajre Aswad and the door of Ka`aba) and make dua. If it is not possible to go near the Multazim then you may keep yourselves in line with Multazim in mataaf and make dua from there itself. While making dua, you request for Jannatul Firdous, Mercy from Allah, relief from blazing fire of Hell, forgiveness from all the sins, Welfare for your children, relatives, friends etc.
X . Zamzam Sharif
After Multazim you come near the taps of Zamzam, recite Bismillah then face ka`aba and drink zamzam in three instalments. Then make following dua :
“ Yaa Allah ! Help to increase my knowledge, give sustenance and give me relief from all diseases. “
 
XI . Sa`i
Safa and Marwa are two hills near the Masjide Haram. The literal meaning of Sa’i is to run. To make seven rounds between Safa and Marwah, is called Sa’i. This action is observed as a memorial of Hazrat Hajra, the wife of Hazrat Ibrahim and mother of Hazrat Ismail. The Sa’i is ‘Wajib’ both in ‘Hajj’ and Umrah. You must keep in mind that one round is complete when you run from Safa to Marwa , and second round is finished when you run from Marwa to Safa.
How to Perform Sa`i
It is to be performed after Tawaaf ,if it is performed before Tawaaf it will not be valid. It is not necessary to perform a Sa’i immediately after Tawaaf, though it is a Sunnat to do so, but there is no harm if there is a pause in between on account of any human necessity. Although Sa’i is ‘Wajib’ to be performed on foot but in case of some excuse the person is allowed on wheel chair. If someone performs Sa’i on a wheel chair without any valid reason ,he will be liable to give Dum .i.e. offering a sacrifice.
1. After Tawaaf ,when you drink Zamzam Water you are ready to go for Sa’i. You have to go again to Hajr-e-Aswad ,if possible kiss it . In case it is not possible then face both your hands towards hajre Aswad ,kiss them and proclaim.
“ Yaa Allah ! I am making this sai to please you, therefore You make this easy for me and approve my action.
2. Lift both your hands as you do in dua and recite :

لا الهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيْكَ لَهْ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَ لَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْى وَ

يُمِيْتُ بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ وَهُوَ عَلى كُلِّ شَئ ٍ قَدِيْرٌ

Transliteration :

“ La ilaha illal-laho wahdahu la šharika lahu lahul-mulko wa lahul-hamdo yohi wa yumito be yadehil-khayr wa howa ala kulle šhayin qadeer. “

Translation :

There is no God but Allah. He is only One. He has no partners. For Him (is) the Kingdom. And for Him (is) the Praise. He gives life and acuses death. In His hand (is) the goodness. And He has power over everything..

While doing sai, which ever dua you have in memory you can make and along with it remember Allah also. When you reach the green pillars, you are to start running and keep running upto the other green pillars. (for men only) Then again you have to walk with normal speed . When seven rounds are completed then to offer two Rak’ats of salat by the side of ‘Mataaf’ (where Tawaaf is performed in the Haram). 

Now all the restrictions pertaining to Ehraam of Umrah have come to end .

After being free from Sa’i you may shave your head or at least have hair cut equal to a finger’s joint (about an inch) in length. For women the hair cut is equal to one fold of hair over the finger. You have now completed Umrah therefore the Ehraam formality has ended.

Article by: islamforamal.com

 
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Hajj and Umrah for disabled pilgrims

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Hajj and Umrah are physically demanding and should be done only by those who meet the physical and financial requirements. The Holy Quran clearly states that Hajj is obligatory to only those who are physically and financially able. Umrah is similar to Hajj and poses a lot of physical challenges. Many Muslims have some physical or medical disability but still wish to perform Hajj and Umrah. If adequate preparations are made they can fulfill their religious obligation. These preparations can be discussed with us before the booking so that we can notify the local handlers about the requirements of the pilgrim.
At the airport there are several facilities for the disabled. The Hajj and Umrah flights land at the Jeddah and Medina airport and all kinds of necessary arrangements like wheel chairs, escalators and ramps are available so that the disabled pilgrims can move about easily. All these facilities are free of charge but your travel agent should notify the airport management about your needs. Wheel chair assistance can also be requested to the airline and they are happy to provide wheelchair assistance on the basis of passengers mobility, starting from passenger can walk to the seat to “passenger needs to be lifted to the seat”.
Local transport of all kinds is available in Makkah and Medina during the Hajj and Umrah season. Buses are not equipped to handle wheel chairs. Disabled pilgrims must ensure that their travel agents have made arrangements with private transportation and taxi firms in Makkah and Medina so that they can properly be dealt with. Making necessary arrangements in advance will ensure that the disabled pilgrims can perform their religious duty with full concentration.
Accommodation during Hajj and Umrah is usually at hotels. Hotels in general are equipped for the disabled with lifts and wheel chairs. Certain hotels can also be requested to provide passenger with rooms that have toilets designed specially for the special people. It is also recommended that the hotels you choose when accompanied by a special person is as close to the Haramain as possible. This will save you loads of time and effort during your visits to the hotel. The Grand Mosque in Makkah is well equipped for the disabled. It has escalators and ramps to enable wheel chairs to move easily from one level to another. Wheel chairs are provided free of charge and can be acquired from the management at any time. If the pilgrim is accompanied by someone to push the wheel chair then it is good otherwise you can ask someone to push your wheel chair, the pusher may charge for his service. Although wheelchair is easily available as stated above, it is best to take a fold-able one with you right from home. This will save you time looking for one or requesting for one.
It is the wish of every Muslim whether disabled or not, to perform Hajj and Umrah. Some people can bear the financial cost of Hajj but are unable to meet the physical requirements. These people can also appoint someone else who is physically fit to perform Hajj in their place. This facility is provided to the Muslims by Allah (SWT) so that every Muslim can perform their obligation. If a disabled Muslim still wishes to perform Hajj and Umrah, they can do so by making prior arrangements with their travel agents.
We as an agent specialize in making these arrangements on the basis of individual and family circumstances. Please let us know the details of disability of the passenger and leave the rest to us.

Article by: umrahpackagesuk.co.uk

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Packing List and Tips for Hajj & Umrah

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When you travel for the holy land of Mecca & Madina is great journey that is not only far off but is also a journey that reminds us of after life and our duties to the people behind us.
According to Islam you should clear all your liabilities and pay off all your dues before the spiritual journey. You are also bound by Islam to write a Will before you leave.
Download a Sample of Islamic will for you and print it.
Following is a check list of items to be carried for the pilgrimage you may need more things it is always better to prepare the list so at last moment you do not forget any items which you might need.

  1. Ahram
  2. Towel
  3. An Umbrella
  4. Pair of Sleepers
  5. Tooth Brush, Tooth Paste mouth wash if necessary
  6. Shampoo & Soap
  7. Few packs of biscuits and other dry food items
  8. Packet of tissues and Toilet Tissue Roll
  9. Alarm Clock
  10. Basic Medicines Disprin, Ponstan, Strepsils, Cough Syrup, Immodium
  11. Face and hands washing soap, Detergent of cloth washing Soap
  12. One or 2 Cups and glasses
  13. Few pairs of socks
  14. Nail Cutter
  15. Scissors
  16. A small Knife for cutting fruits (Keep this in your big luggage not in hand Luggage)
  17. Camera and Sufficient batteries take extra batteries (Keep this in your big luggage not in hand Luggage)
  18. A prayer mat if needed.
  19. One or two Extra Travel Bags this is for when you go to some place for a longer period or for bringing gifts on way bak.
  20. Some Extra Packed Juices of soft drinks they are available but its better to have one or two in your bag as well.
  21. Face cream or cold cream or Patroleum Jelly Its very hot but due to Air-conditioning its also very dry.
  22. A Travel Iron
  23. Tea Bags and Water Heater for making tea

Some of the other things you need to make sure you know.

  • Attend the hajj seminars and workshops conducted by your Hajj tour company (tour-operator)
  • Make sure you have all the travel documents necessary before you leave for Hajj These Items are
  • Your Passport
  • Your Identity Card
  • Your Airline Ticket
  • Hotel Vouchers
  • Transport Vouchers or tickets
  • Although most airlines flying out from Jeddah allow hajj passengers to carry zam zam water on board in addition to the maximum weight allowance it is better to find out when you arrive at airport when you arrive about carrying zam zam
  • Allow some flexibility in your departure schedule as it may not be possible for you to depart on scheduled dates due to some unforeseen circumstances  particularly for women if the have to delay tawaf of hajj (tawaf-ziyarah) due to menstrual cycle
  • For women they may want to should consult with their doctor and take proper medications to delay or differ the menstruation cycle during the Hajj or Umrah
  • All the flights to Jeddah airport cross the miqat before they land in Jeddah therefore you must be in the state of Ihram when landing in Jeddah airport
  • If you are traveling direct to Jeddah, you will assume Ihram before you board the plane other wise you enter Ihram at any transit stop enroute to Jeddah.  Your group leader will advise you about it.  You will have lots of help from your fellow hajjis, or your group leader who accompany’s your group.

Some of the other things you need to make sure you know.

  • Develop an understanding, the respect and love for the prophet Muhammad (s) and his mission for mankind
  • Develop humility and the highest degree of patience.
  • Dont shout Do not liter at airports or spill water in Toilets or try to impose to other that you are VIP In Allah’s house everyone is VIP.  Some of these old humble poor people around you may be a lot closer to Allah than your royal highness.
  • So become a kinder, gentler person at during hajj and umrah and try to keep the same spirit forever.
  • Once you are there, do not yell, do not be overly demanding or rude with your Hajj group leader or staff performing
  • Always Say Please and wait for your turn
  • Reduce your expectations regardless of what you may have paid for your hajj package and of what you were promised for this journey.  Even if you felt cheated and if you did not complain and remain patient Allah surely will compensate you insha Allah
  • This journey is may be different from any other journey you may have ever taken.  Tour operators and their associates however, may try to fulfill their promises, but may not able to do so because situations will arise in which they have no control over
  • Once inside Saudi Arabia, expect delays from the airport to your hotel and do not look or feel frustrated, angry and take it out on your group leader.  He has no control over the local entrants no matter what you paid.
  • Perform 2 rakats of Salaat-al-Tawbah (repentance of the past bad deeds).  Be conscious of doing good deeds always. Understand tawheed and behaviour in it.
  • Follow the sunnah of the Prophet Muhummad (P.B.U.H)
  • Be regular in five daily prayers while you are on this journey and also when you return
  • Read Quran with meaning to understand and practice sincerely
  • People from all over the world and different backgrounds will be there. Do not engage in meaningless arguments and quarrels.  Give others preference over yourselves.  Seek forgiveness immediately should you hurt or offend anyone.
  • If you wish to express your dissatisfaction write a detailed letter to your tour operator and make suggestions on how to improve services.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE YOUR HOME

  • Plan to do hajj with the intention of obeying Allah ‘s command while avoiding riya
  • Pray two rakahs salah and seek help from Allah and pray for a safe journey.  Ask Allah for His help and protection from the harm of evil.  At the departure gate, take taqwa with you and leave behind your heartfelt duas’ for your family so that they may remain in Allah’s protection
  • Check all your travel documents (i.e. passport, airline tickets and all relevant coupons, verify with airline yourself)
  • Make extra copies of your passport, visa, tickets and the traveler’s cheques.  Take one set with you and place it in a separate location along with a couple of identification photos.  Leave an extra set of documents at home.
  • Take only one good bag/suitcase
  • Take one with wheels so that you can pull it.  Tie some good rope firmly b/c in some cases, the baggage may fall and burst open scattering the contents
  • Make a few personalized identification tags or marks that you can spot from a distance
  • Your carry on bag should contain survival items for 2 to 3 days, just in case your main bag gets lost
  • When loading and unloading to and from bus or taxi, be sure to check your baggage.  Make sure that what you pack belongs to you
  • If you break away from the group, you are on your own, don’t put the blame on your tour operator for leaving you behind
  • Get to know your travel companies and your group leader before hand, in order to understand the schedule and one anthers expectations
  • Learn Arabic: at least a few words and phrases will be helpful.  Most of the locals understand some English and other eastern languages rather well

MONEY MATTERS

  • Traveller’s cheques are not recomended as they hard to cash since you won’t be carrying your passport, which will be taken from you just before boarding in Jeddah or at madinah airport.  You will receive your passport upon your return at Jeddah airport for the flight back to your home country

  • Carry US Dollars or Pounds or Euros larger bills of 100 or 50 dollar bills or pounds.  You can exchange Dollars every where in Saudi Arabia into Riyals

  • Do not carry all your money with you; place your money at different locations on yourself.  This is a precautionary measure.
  • Take approximately 1000.00 dollars per adult for miscellaneous expanses or emergency needs.  This amount is in addition to all other hajj related expenses

REFUNDS

  • Should be obtained at the airport before returning home or any unused travel coupons attached to your passport

 Special Note: In case your tour operator has arranged for private buses for transportation during the entire trip, you should be refunded for all your transport vouchers attached in your passport before you leave Jeddah Airport.  Ask your tour operator about it.  Nobody can cash it for any reason or pretence except you.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME FOR THE AIRPORT

  • Call the airport beforehand to find out the status of your departure flight.
  • Be on time at the airport as instructed by your group leader. If you miss your flight, you are responsible for costs incurred
  • Leave your home early enough to arrive to the airport on time for your flight. Consider the weather, road conditions, and traffic laws
  • Check all your travel documents once again before you leave your home

DURING THE FLIGHT

  • Use the washroom as soon as you feel the need. Do not wait too long
  • If you are in Ihram, do not use cologne/perfume products available on the flight
  • When you come out of the washroom, make sure you leave it very clean, with no water on the floor, or used tissues in the sink or wash basins

JEDDAH AIRPORT – HAJJ TERMINAL

  • Upon arrival, your group will be received the staff of ministry of Hajj. They will help you process the travel documents
  • You will be waiting in the arrival halls until your turn comes.  These halls have no facilities except washrooms, wudu areas and drinking water. It is going to be approximately a 4-6 hour wait, depending on the date and time of arrival. Eat the snacks you have packed in your carry-on.

AFTER CUSTOMS

  • Your baggage is your responsibility. Work on a baggage supervision plan with your group. Stay together.
  • Next – you will show your passport for the removal of the Hajj fee. Cashiers cheques, and bus travel vouchers will be stapled to your passport. Before you move on, check these items and your passport for accuracy
  • Your group will then move into the waiting area platforms, opposite of the terminal halls. There will be restaurants, banks, ministry offices, prayer areas and airport malls where you can buy hajj related items. By this time, you may be exhausted and hungry
  • Always keep your passport in your possession. Go to the bank (cubicles) and convert your money into Saudi Riyals. Eat and rest, sitting watching your luggage.  You may shop for your needs in these malls.
  • Your group leader will collect passports to make arrangements for the bus to Makkah or Medina according to your travel itinerary
  • When the bus arrives at the platform, enter your bus and sit in your seat.  Luggage will be handled by the airport porter and loaded into the bus.
  • All your passports are with the bus driver.
  • Before the bus leaves the terminal platform, a passenger count will be taken by cross referencing with the passports by Ministry staff or driver and your group leader
  • According to your travel itinerary, the bus will travel to Medina or Makkah. Upon arrival, before entering the city, you will pass through a reception centre, where your passports will be registered in the data centre and your Muallim’s office.  If you leave your bus to go to the washroom or any other reason, make sure you note your bus number and isle number so you may return to your respective bus
  • When you enter Medina, the bus goes to the Muallim’s office where your passports will be deposited and receipts will be given to your group leader. Every Hajji will receive a wrist-band and the Muallim’s address card.
  • Next, your bus will go to your hotel for accommodations according to your Hajj package.

YOUR ACTIVITIES IN MAKKAH

  • Once you have unloaded your luggage, assigned your rooms, rested and refreshed, you are ready to do Umrah.
  • Your group leader or accompanied religious scholar will brief you on how to perform Umrah. You will then be lead to the Masjid Al-Haram.
  • When you get to the 1st sight of the Ka’aba, Stop, and make takbir and recite dua
  • Complete a one tawaaf of Umra with Idtibah and Ramal and Sa’ee
  • Men will cut their hair at a barbershop near the doors of Marwah while the ladies will be waiting near the door of Marwah
  • After that, you will go to your hotel rooms and help in cutting the ladies’ hair (approx. 1 inch of hair in length)
  • After this, come out of Ihram, take shower and change into regular clothes. At this point, your Umrah is complete
  • From now until the 8th of Dhul Hijjah, you are free to do any activity
  • During your stay in Makkah:
    • Attend 5 daily prayers in Haram –Ka’aba
    • Do as many nafil tawaaf as possible
    • Do extra Umrah’s if you wish
    • Consult your religious scholar at all times for any/all religious matters
  • According to your itinerary, if your are visiting Medina before Hajj, follow the instructions of the group leader about packing luggage for traveling and departure to Medina either by Saudi Air or by bus

VISIT TO MEDINA

  • After arriving to your hotel room, freshen up, eat some food if hungry and leave for Masjid-e-Nabawi.
  • In the masjid, pray 2 rak’ah Tahayyah-tul-Masjid and recite durood on the Prophet (saw).
  • Walking with humility & respect, join the existing line, walking towards the grave site (rowdka) which will be on your left side.  As you come closer, facing the screen, say a sincere Salaam to the Prophet Muhammad (saw) “As Salaam Alaikum ya Rasulullah”
  • Do not raise your hands in front of the grave site for a du’aa
  • Avoid all forms of shirk (4:48)
  • Next, move onwards to your right and say your salam to Hadrat Abu Bakr (R) and then to Hadrat Umar (R)
  • Next to the marked pillars area called Riyaz-ul-Jannah and prays at least 2 nawafil and without hurting or disturbing anyone. Pray and make your dua’a here, sincerely for this is a high place of acceptance.  This is part of Jannah as it is narrated in a hadith
  • Spend as much time as possible in this masjid to do Salah, durood-e-Ibrahim, dhikr of Allah (swt) and study the Quran.  Additionally, you may offer salaam (if possible after every salah) and durood.
  • Your group leader will arrange a guided tour of the historical and religious sites in and around Medina that include a visit to Masjid Quba

START OF HAJJ

  • Pack your small carry-on bag, provisions for 5 days and nights. You will be staying in crowded dusty camps. Mentally prepare yourself for such an experience for which you have traveled so far to get mercy and blessings from Allah (swt)

8th OF DHUL HIJJA – HAJJ STARTS TODAY

  • If you are in Makkah, take a shower and put on Ihram and make the intention for Hajj and say Talbiya as you did for Umrah, observing the restrictions of Ihraam.
  • Those coming from Mina, enter the state of Ihraam in Medina or Dul Hulaifa making intention for Hajj. Say Talbiya and start observing Ihram restrictions.
  • All hujjaj in ihram from Medina, Makkah or from anywhere proceed to Mina arriving before noon on 8th of Dhul HIjjah.  You will stay over night in Mina.
  • During your stay in Mina, do Ibaadat – avoiding all worldly conversations
  • Be helpful to the needy

9th OF DHUL HIJJA – DAY OF ARAFAH

  • After Fajr prayer, proceed to the tents in within the boundary of Arafat with your group
  • Remember to stay with your group at all times
  • Remember that you came all the way here for today’s event – i.e.  The day of Hajj you will stay here from noon to sunset during which you pray Zuhr, Asr shortened and combined with one adhan and two aqama
  • Some pilgrims may do these prayers at their respective times. Do not get into arguments. Follow your imam.
  • After Zuhr and Asr prayers, eat lunch get some rest and start waqoof Arafat.
  • Today is the climax of Hajj for the Hujjaj. It is the day you came here for physicality and spirituality. You must do some taubaa and istigfar, reciting words of Tawheed. This the day of the largest gathering of all Hujjaj, when everyone is and should be begging from the one and same Master his Majesty, Allah (swt)
  • All will stand in the same location, with the same address, uttering the same words, asking for the same requests and following the protocol He invited to come there and to ask questions. You must produce Khuzoo, Kushroo, Taqwa and Rija’a (hope) – expect only good from Allah (swt) regardless of how meager but must be sincere).
  • He answers all prayers. Today is the best day for acceptance of your dua’a
  • The biggest loser amongst us is one who does not ask for nor has Rija’a (hope)
  • Observe the waqoof from late afternoon to sun down. Remember to pray for your parents, family, relatives, friends and those who helped and assisted you to prepare for this important journey

LEAVE ARAFAT FOR MUZDALIFAH

  • Follow the group leaders instructions
  • Upon arrival in Muzdalifah, after sunset, first pray Maghrib and Isha Salah. Combined and shortened.
  • Combine 49-70 pebbles to throw at Jamarat on 10, 11, 12 & 13th.
  • Stay in Muzdalifah. Pray Fajr early at the starting time and engage in dua until day break
  • After sun rise, leave for Mina tents with your group

10th OF DHUL HIJJAH

  • This is the day of Sacrifice
  • First, go to Jamarat site with your group, throw stones at the last Jamarat only and return to the tent.
  • If you have purchased Qurbani vouchers, assume Qurbani is done. Shave your head.
  • Discard Ihram, take shower and come out of Ihram. Put on regular clothes.
  • After that, go to Makkah, with your group leader. Perform tawaf of Hajj followed by Sa’ee and return to Mina and spend one night in Mina.

On 11th, 12th throw pebbles on the three Jamarat – 7 pebbles each, any time after zuhr salaat until late evening.
If you are in a hurry, you can return to Makkah on the evening of the 12th day.
Otherwise, stay until the 13th. Leave Mina after throwing pebbles after Zuhr salat.  When you have returned to Makkah, perform a farewell tawaf before returning to your country.
If you have not yet visited Medina, this is the time to go to Medina after farewell tawaf.
Your hajj trip has come to an end. May Allah accept your Hajj

Article by: travel-culture.com

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Saudi high-speed railway to dramatically improve Haj, Umrah travel

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Saudi Arabia’s new high-speed railway is expected to transport more than three million passengers a year and rising numbers of Haj and Umrah pilgrims, an official statement of the Haramain Highspeed Railway project said.
“It will bring about a dramatic improvement in the Kingdom’s transport system,” the statement said.
ASuccessfulexperimental operation of the railway was held last month. “It will be launched next year,” the statement said without giving a specific date for the inauguration.

An unnamed railway project official was quoted by Saudi Gazette as saying that the trains would transport 20,000 passengers every hour. There will be trains between Makkah and Jeddah every 10 minutes while trains between Makkah and Madinah would be available every 30 minutes.
In addition to stations in Makkah and Madinah, the 480-km railway has five stations located in Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport and King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh.

The railway will operate seven trains per hour to and from Jeddah, two trains between Makkah and Madinah and four between Makkah and Rabigh. Each of the 35 electric trains, which were manufactured by Talgo, a Spanish manufacturer of intercity, will have 13 carriages and will run at a speed of 300km per hour.

“There will be a two-line railway between Jeddah and Makkah with a length of 78-km, reducing the distance between the two cities to less than half an hour,” the statement said.

The unnamed project official also said that the project, which is estimated to cost SR63 billion, would achieve 90 percent of its revenue in 12 years.

 In addition to separate arrival and departure lounges, a mosque, a helipad, a civil defense center, a lounge for VIP passengers, shops and restaurants at every stop, the project also includes construction of 140 bridges and 860 rainwater drainage systems.
Article by: arabianbusiness.com