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Umrah stay cannot exceed 15 days, says Haj Ministry

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The Haj Ministry has informed 145 Umrah service-providing companies that the maximum stay on an Umrah visa in the kingdom is 15 days.

Abdullah Marghalani, the ministry’s undersecretary for Umrah affairs, told Makkah daily on Wednesday that the instructions were conveyed in writing to all companies.

“Earlier we used to inform the companies of these instructions verbally but now we have conveyed them officially in written form,” he said.

Marghalani, who is also director of the ministry’s branch in Jeddah, said earlier Umrah companies used to turn a blind eye to pilgrims who might extend their stay in the Kingdom to 30 days.

He warned companies that do not abide by the new rules could face sanctions including not receiving any Umrah visas in the future.

He said: “The procedure is aimed at facilitating the entry of new batches of Umrah pilgrims and extending new visa quotas to the companies after the passage of 15 days.”

Marghalani noted a large number of Umrah pilgrims were able to arrive in the kingdom following the implementation of the 15-day stay rule.

“A number of Islamic countries have reacted positively to the new system and have expanded their visa granting procedures,” he said.

He said according to the ministry’s calculations, pilgrims on Umrah visas usually stay eight to 10 days. “Sometimes it is much less than this,” he added.

Marghalani said Umrah companies could be issued with more Umrah visas after 15 days instead of a month, as was the case in the past.

Ahmed Bajaiefer, member of the Haj and Umrah committee of the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, hailed the decision.

Article by: english.alarabiya.net

Difference in Ihram for Men and Women

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Getting into the state of Ihram does not merely mean putting on the clothes; rather it includes getting your body and mind into the specified sacred state with an intention of performing Hajj or Umrah. A Muslim must enter into the state of ihram before he enters the boundary of Miqat.
The Ihram of men is far different from the ihram of women. Ihram of men consists of a two pieced white or any other colour cloth that must not be stitched. One is wrapped around the waist and is tied with the help of a belt or pin. This sheet must be above the ankles.  The other sheet is used to cover the upper body excluding the head, covering both the shoulders and the body. The right shoulder is exposed only at the time of performing tawaaf. It is prohibited for men to cover their head while in the condition of Ihram.  Men can use any shoes as footwear but it should not cover the ankles or toes therefore socks and covered shoes are also not allowed for men in the state of Ihram.
For women, there is no clear prescription. Their ihram consists of stitched clothes that can be white or any other colour It should be in loose fitting covering your body completely including your head. However the hands and the face must be exposed. It is forbidden for both men and women to cover their face and hands during ihram. Women can wear any type of shoes unlike men.
It is restricted for both men and women to wear perfume of any kind or used perfumed soaps while in state of ihram.
It must be noted that you can change your ihram for cleaning purposes if you want to. Some people have the misconception that you cannot change the Ihram clothing after making the intention of it. You can change it as often as you like because in case of hot weather, it may get untidy.
Ihram is a serious matter of concern for all the pilgrims and assistance must be sought to get over any kind of confusions or misunderstanding. Several seminars for the sake of guiding the pilgrims are held in the season of Hajj or Umrah which are recommended not to be missed. Moreover, you may perhaps meet the religious scholars to steer you aright in any queries you might have in your mind. May Allah guide us the best!

Article by: umrahpackagesuk.co.uk

Want To Perform Umrah Then Here Are Important Search Terms for Umrah:

How to Expire Previous Sins by Doing The Umrah

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Introduction

It is encouraged to perform Umrah more than once in the lifetime with the goal that it can go about as a washing of sins from the last time one performed Umrah.

Steps

  • Making the intention of Umrah
  • Assuming Ihram
  • Making Tawaaf
  • Saee
  • Tahal lul

Some Common Errors

  • Ignoring the rules of Ihram
  • Backbiting during Umrah
  • Avoid the rules of Tawaaf
  • Assuming the monuments in Mina as the actual Sattan
  • Throwing particles, i.e., shoe, sandals, bottles, heavy stones, etc, on the Sattan pillars.

Tips

  • Learn the accurate procedure of the Umrah
  • Do not consider that if Umrah in Ramadan amounts same worth in reward as of Hajj, it actually, reimburses the Hajj.

Complete Sourace

According to Sahih Muslim and Bukhari: Umrah is reparation for the transgressions conferred in the middle of it and an alternate Umrah. The demonstration of Umrah is known to purge one’s spirit from past committed sins. It is encouraged to do Umrah more than once in your lifetime with the goal that it can go about as a washing of the wrongdoings from the last time one performed Umrah. The ideals of Umrah ‫‏like Hajj, the demonstration of the Umrah is amongst the best deeds one can perform when satisfying Allah (swt). In the favored month of Ramadan, the prize of performing Umrah is equivalent to that of performing Hajj with the Prophet (peace be upon him). Another awesome righteousness of Umrah is that if one passes away in their voyage of Umrah, the prize for them is Jannah. While embarking for Umrah, the expectation or Niyah, checks first. Cleaning up to wear Ahram and offering of two rak’at Nafal immovable your aim to perform Umrah. Make Ghusl before you set off from home. Whichever Salah, is expected at the time, guarantee it has been offered in full before setting off. Perused two Rakaats of Traveling Salah before setting off. At the point when going out of your home or the hotel, do recite the Dua of traveling.

The demonstration of Umrah is known as the cleans one’s spirit from past sins conferred by him. Hajj and Umrah are journeys to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, taken up by the Muslims. Hajj structures the fifth pillar of Islam, which a Muslim should attempt at least once in his lifetime, while Umrah is viewed as a minor pilgrimage that can be taken up anytime. There is a progression of ceremonies that needs to be taken to finish Umrah effectively. Umrah based on these four columns, Ahraam, Tawa’af, Sa’ee and trimming/ shaving of the head.

After assuming the Ihram, the pilgrim head towards the Makkah. Entering in the Makkah, they take their way towards the Kaaba, which is the sacred house of Allah. Making circumambulations/ rounds around the Kaaba, starting from the black stone/ Hajr e Aswad, the pilgrim performs the first step of the Umrah. After seven rounds, they perform the Saee. Each stage is trailed by the other. The Harram is considered to be the House of Allah. Since making the aim for Umrah to touching base back to your spot, each step is simply brimming with the endowments of Allah. Muslims around the World have a sharp desire to come and perform the Umrah in their lives.

Article by: blog.umrahexperts.co.uk

Want To Perform Umrah Then Here Are Important Search Terms for Umrah:

Mahram Rules for Women performing Hajj and Umrah

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5781003206_213b680f4e_b image by: flickr

Praise be to Allah (SWT).
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is obligatory on every capable Muslim to perform Hajj once in his or her lifetime. Capabilities mean that he must be able to afford Hajj both physically and financially.
”In it are clear signs, the standing place of Abraham. And whoever enters it shall be safe. And to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves – then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds. (Quran 3:97)
According to the above Quranic reference, Muslims who are able to find a way (means are able to afford the journey and accommodation in Makkah and all other related expenses and are able to physically endure the travel) must perform Hajj. Umrah, on the other hand can be performed any number of times during one’s lifetime and is optional. Men and women from all over the world wish to perform Hajj and Umrah once in their lifetime.
Islam is a religion based on mercy and compassion. The teachings of Islam protect the weak and the vulnerable. It has specific intention of protecting the honour of women, their dignity and reputation which is why The Prophet (SAWS) forbade women to travel alone and without someone to protect them. The true intention of this prohibition is safety and protection, women are allowed to travel in a safe company accompanied by elders and reputable Muslim men and women.
The first thing is that who is a Mahram. A Mahram is a male relative with whom she is permanently forbidden to marry because of blood ties, breastfeeding or ties through marriage. This includes several relations other than her husband, father, brother, son, grandfather, grandson, uncle, nephew, father-in-law, son-in-law, stepfather, stepson and any male with whom she has shared a mother’s milk are Mahram for a woman according to Islamic Shari’ah.
There are mixed opinions about women going to Hajj and Umrah with or without a Mahram. Some scholars are of the view that Hajj is not obligatory for a Muslim woman if she does not have a Mahram, even if she can afford the journey. Some scholars believe that women who do not possess Mahram and are able to afford the expenses, and then they should sponsor someone else to do Hajj in their place.
According to the current Saudi rules and regulations a women under the age of 45 years cannot go for Umrah unless she is accompanied with her Mahram. Complete details of the relationship between the two should be provided with the applications. If a woman is 45 years old or older then she can go without a Mahram only if she is travelling with an organized group or family and she submits a notarized No Objection Certificate from her Mahram. There are certain instances when it is not allowed for a women to even leave Kingdom of Saudi Arabia without a Mahram. The rue of thumb in this case is, how their visa is issued. If the visa is issued with a mahram’s name on it, then she can not leave Saudi without that Mahram. This can happen in instances where flights are scheduled differently or the lady in question and her Mahram are planning to leave for two separate destinations. So, please consult us before booking your flights and making your package arrangements before travelling. The minimum age for a mahram is 17 years to accompany any blood relative lady. If your Mahram is not in the country of your departure, you can book indirect flights to get together at a certain point before entering Saudi. Please remember again, that you need t leave together as well. The visa process in such cases is also complex. We ahve covered that in a separate post here.
There is also a prevailing unscrupulous arrangement some agents are engaged in and that is “arranging a mahram”. This includes stapling the lady with a family completely unknown to her. This can not only result in legal trouble, but also can ruin the very essence of the ibadah one is going for. So please avoid trying to dupe the regulations and stick to legal and shariah guidelines always. You can always call us on 0203 743 8188 for more information. Our agents will be happy to assist you with more information on the subject and discuss your specific requirements with you. We can also make special arrangements or recommendations if your Mahram is in a different country.

Article by: umrahpackagesuk

Types of Umrah & Value in Islam

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Types of Umrah & Value in Islam

“And (remember) when We demonstrate Ibrahim (AS) the site of the House (saying): ‘Associate not anything with Me, and sanctify My House for those who circumambulate it, and those who stand up (for prayer), and those who bow and make prostration (in prayer).” [Surah al-Hajj: 26-27]
Umrah is the holiest act known as the mini Pilgrimage. A beautiful act of worship, a sacrament that indicates the complete submission to Allah. You can perform your Umrah by taking any which is just suitable for you. There is an extensive wisdom and purpose behind Umrah, which is the obedience of Allah Almighty, to acknowledge that all we own is a dedication that Allah bestowed to us, so we should not affix our hearts to the temporal possessions and should vow ourselves completely to the one and only, Allah. This act of obedience can be easily carried with the help of  Umrah packages offered by different Travel Agencies. They arrange all the requisites which needs for the performance of Umrah, i.e. The transport, Visa, Accommodation and every part of your Umrah.
There are two types of Umrah, Al Umrah Al Mufradah and Umrah Al Tammatu.

Al-Umrah-Al-Mufradah

It is that kind of Umrah which is independent of Hajj.

Umrah-Al-Tammatu

The Umrah which is performed as the vital part of Hajj or in conjunction with Hajj is known as Umrah-Al-Tammatu.

You can choose Umrah as independent or the one with alliance to Hajj. The independent Umrah could be performed at any time during the whole year. The Super Deluxe Umrah Package can be taken any time.  You can choose this Holy voyage at any time when it is suitable for you. Golden Umrah Packages are available with many of the agencies who are liable to manage a perfect Economic Umrah Package

, for their customers, the Holy Travelers.

The convention of Muslim in Makkah for the sake of Umrah clearly depicts the unity of the Muslim Ummah to the whole world. Here in Ka’aba Muslims from different Nations, races and of different languages unite and perform the same acts of obedience and get the chance to socialize with each other, it reinforce the emotions of brotherhood, goodwill and harmony among them. This makes Pilgrims more tolerant and compassionate towards each other. Hence the enthralling journey of Umrah, not only cleanses Muslims spiritually, but also serves to bring the Ummah together, uniting them in a strong bond which is founded on the principles of Islam. The Umrah packages are rescheduled around the year due to fluctuating prices and fares. You can find the Deluxe Umrah Package In December 2015 by switching to a suitable search engine.

Article by: umrahexperts

Saudi Arabia issued over 5.8 million Umrah visas

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Image by:flickr

The Foreign Ministry of Saudi Arabia has issued 5,808,675 Umrah visas till Ramazan in this year through its 110 embassies across the world.
Meanwhile, a Jeddah airport official said that things were moving smoothy and that all facilities and manpower were ready for departure of passengers for the Eidul Fitr holidays and return of Umrah pilgrims to their countries.
Prince Khaled bin Saud bin Khalid, assistant foreign minister, said the government, has helped in providing all sorts of facilities to Muslims from around the world to enable them to perform Umrah at ease, Arab news reported.
The prince said that 500,000 pilgrims reach for Umrah at one time, thanks to the group system made possible with the help of the Ministries of Foreign,Interior and Haj.

Article by: aaj.news

Preparing for Umrah: The Mental and The Physical

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9017808032_dae69c3d81_oImage by: flickr

In just a few days, Imam Wisam Sharieff will embark on his annual Knowledge Travels Umrah Trip. This year the trip is themed “Umrah with Your Qur’an.” In order to help prepare our group for this year’s Umrah, we’ve created a list of mental and physical actions to do in the days leading up to the trip, and we’d like to share them with you as well:
1. Prepare for tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka’aba) by walking 2,000 steps, approximately a mile, a day. When you make this exercise specifically to prepare yourself for your journey, recite some adhkar (a phrase glorifying Allah) with each step.
2. Become conscious of your spending – literally every penny. Consciousness and awareness now will help you keep focus on the spiritual rather than the material during the trip. This is the same thing that as mindfulness. It starts with focus on things as simple as breathing. Breathe deeply and slowly.
3. Focus on what you are feeding your body and try to purify it. This means what you see, what you watch, what you hear, and what you’re feeding yourself. Of course, if you are able, try to fast for a few days leading up to your trip. This naturally helps the purification process. Another method is to try to have your wudhu intact at all times. Every time your wudhu is invalidated, perform a fresh one, and try to be in a state of wudhu when you lie down to sleep at night.
4. Start talking to Allah NOW – strengthen your relationship with your Lord. It’s natural to head into Umrah preparation thinking solely about logistics – visas, passports, immunizations, tickets, packing, luggage, and the list goes on and on – saving the spirituality for the actual trip. However, Umrah is as much about what we do in the days leading up to our journey as it is about the actual journey itself. We get as much out of our Umrah experience as we put into it.
Whether you intend to perform Umrah next week or sometime later, keep making du’a that it happens for you and that your pilgrimage is accepted. This inculcates love towards the Holy Cities and keeps them in your heart.
Hajj and Umrah can be very comfortable and luxurious experiences for some of us. Even for those who have only heard second-hand stories about the air conditioned tents with plush carpets and the breakfast buffets that would put Las Vegas to shame have a difficult time reconciling the austere history with the modern extravagance. But regardless of how much we pay for our package and what accommodations are arranged, we have to treat the opportunity like the blessing it is. Our Lord has given health, wealth and the necessary time to make this pilgrimage. Our bodies, our faith and our finances have been preserved for all our lives until this point. After those lifelong favors, Our Lord issues us an invitation that comes to our hearts in the form of guidance. How do we repay that favor? And after all His mercies that bring us to the Ka’aba, Our Lord rewards us even more for making the journey.
Wherever you are in life, make Umrah and Hajj a destination for yourself. Tell yourself and promise your Lord that you are beginning your pilgrimage today. Start a modest saving plan strictly to visit Makkah, and every moment between now until you are able to drink water from the spring of Zamzam will be rewarded as an effort towards worship. If you already have your tickets, this still applies to you. If you have already completed Hajj and Umrah multiple times, and have the resources to sponsor someone else who has never completed the pilgrimage, then perhaps there is a different project for you to become involved, even if that means pennies at a time.
The invitation comes from Allah but the rites we perform are learned from Our Prophet (SalAllahu ‘Alayhi Wasalam). Of the many authentic narrations that extol the virtues and benefits of good manners, among them is the Messenger (SalAllahu ‘Alayhi Wasalam) saying, “Verily, I have only been sent to perfect good manners.” If we are blessed enough to walk the streets of Makkah, then we have a responsibility to do so in the manner my Prophet (SalAllahu ‘Alayhi Wasalam) would expect a member of his Community to do so. Whether we are just returned from Makkah, or perhaps are uncertain of ever visiting the Holy City, we must embody the perfection of character and display the best of manners wherever we are.

Article by: www.aqlonline.com

How shall I spend my day in Makkah and Madinah?

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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
It is truly a blessing from Almighty Allah if one gets to present himself in the sacred cities of Makkah al-Mukarramah and al-Madinah al-Munawwarah. The virtues, station and sacredness of these lands cannot be over emphasised. Words cannot reflect the merit of these cities.
Endurance, passion and devotion varies from person to person. A Timetable may suit one but not the other. In addition, quality and quantity need to be balanced. We need to do as much as we can yet maintain and progress in the quality of all that we do.
What one can do out of the Hajj season is obviously much more due to the crowds. Plus, the distance of one’s accommodation in the blessed cities plays a very big role in structuring one’s day.
There are certain acts we all need to do in abundance of when visiting the al-Haramayn al-Sharifayn:
1) Tawāf
2) Recitation of Qur’an
3) Dhikr
4) Du’ā’
5) Salawāt on the Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam
There are certain things which one should refrain from altogether:
1) Time wasting
2) Abundance of shopping
3) Gossiping
MAKKAH AL-MUKARRAMAH
Below is a timetable for Makkah al-Mukarramah which may prove to be beneficial for many if not all:
Sleep from 10.30pm-Tahajjud time.
Wake up 30 mins before Tahajjud and go to the Masjid
Stay in the Haram, perform Tawaf and perform Tahajjud
Recite Qur’an from then till Fajr.
After Fajr everyone performs Tawaf. It is very hectic and busy. You may want to do dhikr and Tilawah at this time.
Perform 4 rak’ats Ishraaq salāh and then go have breakfast. After this go to sleep.
Wake up 11am. Go to the Masjid and perform Tawaf and thereafter perform Salah a-Duha /Chasht Salah and engage in Tilawah.
Try to perform another Tawaf. However, at this time of the day it is very hot and therefore one should gauge one’s strength and energy.
After Dhuhr perform one more tawaf and thereafter go for lunch.
After lunch, one should rest for a while before making preparations for Asr.
30-45 mins before Asr, one should prepare to go for Salah.
When reaching the Masjid, try and squeeze in a Tawāf. Thereafter, tilawah and dhikr.
After Asr, sit and recite Qur’an. Let the crowd disperse. After a while perform Tawaf. Thereafter, one may go for a walk and freshen up.
Between maghrib and esha many people perform Tawaf. One Tawaf can take up to 1 hour if not more. Therefore, one may wish to perform Salaah Awwābīn and recite the Qur’an between Maghrib and Esha.
Likewise straight after Esha many people perform Tawaf. You may go and have dinner. If after dinner you can go the Masjid, perform a quick Tawaf and then go to one’s hotel and sleep.
AL-MADINAH AL-MUNAWWARAH
With regards to al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, the objective should be abundance of salawāt upon the Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam. A person travelling to Madinah should aim to attach himself to the Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam and his beloved sunnah. We need to take advantage of the physical proximity we have with the Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam and his blessed Sahabah (companions) by connecting with them spiritually and mentally. Condition the heart, soul and mind to mirror the heart, soul and mind of the Prophet and the Sahabah. Let our desires, aspirations and belief incline towards theirs.
Therefore, whilst in the sacred city of Madinah, everyone should engage themselves in the following:
1) Abundance of recitation of salawāt
2) Reflection and meditation on the sacrifices of the Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam and the Sahabah
3) Spending time as much as possible in the masjid
A good idea would be to set oneself a high target of reciting salawāt daily. For example, one may aim to read 20,000 salawāt daily. This can be any salāh and salām, even merely saying ‘salallahu alaihi wasallam’.
May Allah Ta’ala take us all to the Haramayn over and over again and give us the ability to spend our time productively. Amīn.

Article by: darulfiqh

Items to take with on Your Umra Trip

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umrah-3Some Hujjaj have the tendency to take many unnecessary items with them. We, therefore, have prepared a list of items to be taken. Some of these items can be shared between couples and friends.
List of Items
01) One bottle of unscented Shampoo and soap.
02) One can (unscented) of dusting powder.
03) One tooth brush and toothpaste.
04) One hair brush or comb.
05) One travelling money pouch for safekeeping.
06) Four shirts, two pants, two pajamas and some undergarments for men.
07) Four sets of Shalwaar Kurta or long dress and some undergarments for women.
08) One Janamaaz (Mussalla) made of straw available in Medina. You are not allowed to use openly Sajdagha (Mor) when saying your Salaat
09) One travelling alarm clock.
10) One pair of rubber slippers and one pair of very comfortable shoes for the daily wear.
11) You should take enough prescription medicine to last you during the entire trip and you should carry them in your hand luggage. It is also advisable to carry a prescription of all your medication in case you have to buy them. Also please make sure to take some Tylenol and cough drops like ‘Bradasol’ for sore throat.
12) If you wear prescription glasses then it is highly recommended to carry an extra pair with you.
New York/Jeddah
During Umra season, it is advisable to fly by Saudi Airlines from New York which flies non-stop to Jeddah and arrives at about 4:30 PM. This will give you enough time to clear immigration and customs and catch your flight to Medina which departs from Jeddah at about 8:30 PM.
Once you arrive in Medina and have collected your baggage, you will go outside the terminal and take a taxi to your hotel, which will cost you approximately SR40.
Medina
If you are staying near the Holy Haram then every morning at about 4:30 AM you should go to the Holy Haram for Salaat al-Shab also called Salaat al-Lail. Two Adhaan are given in the morning and one Ehkaam for the Fajr Salaat.
If you wish to pray inside the Haram then you should carry (with you) the straw mat because you will be able to do your prostration on it.
Also there are many small places in the Haram where there are no carpets so you can pray at these places.
After morning Salaat men proceed to Janat-ul-Baquee. The ladies will stay outside Masjid al-Nabawee waiting for the Masjid to be opened for them for Ziyarat, which is normally at about 7:00 AM.
You should try and return to your Hotel for breakfast and rest during the day and if you wish to go for Salaat at the Masjid during Dhohar and Asr, you may do so.
The Holy Haram is closed after Isha Salaat.
Salaat
Hujjaj who are required to pray ‘kasar’ under normal circumstances, are recommended to pray full Salaat in Makkah and Medina, if you are staying in a Hotel near the Holy Haram.
It is highly recommended that when entering any Masjid for the first time then 2 rakaat Salaat be offered with the “Niyyat of Tahiyyat al-Masjid”

Article by: al-islam

Tips for umrah

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ooImage by: Flickr

These are some things I picked up on my recent trip there. Feel free to email me for anything in particular:
* Don’t be afraid of going on umrah while you are young. There were tons of young couples with the look of passion in their eyes for each other there, sharing themselves with God. It was beautiful
* Bring an extra set of Ihram in case one gets dirty or you sweat too much
* Be careful when wearing the ihram. I was accidentally flashed once
* If you are sensitive to light bring sunglasses as it gets very bright at the kaaba
* A trick to kissing the black stone is to join the queue 10 – 15 minutes before the azan for Asar. The people pushing are shooed away and the line moves quickly.
* for the hijr ismail for Zohor or Asar pray near the entrance and when salat is finished go near the entrance. After the funeral prayer they will open the gate up and it will be straightforward to go in
* Learn the funeral prayer (salat Jenazah). You will pray it 5 times a day, I kid you not.
*The three most happening hotels are the intercontinental (dar tauhid), hilton and Zam Zam suites. Theres a nice shopping mall at hilton with KFC, Hardees (delicious) and burger king. Outsiders can use the internet there (SR50 per hour at the business centre). Zam Zam suite has a high class shopping mall there and the intercontinental is closest to the kaaba
*Dar Firdaus is probably the closest of the other hotels. Used to be called the Grand Makkah Hotel before it was renovated. Rooms are reasonable sized and canteen has Malay food (cook from Penang). Workers are quite friendly as well, and they keep the place clean and efficient. Going out from King Fahd gate of kaaba you cross the bus stop and the hotel is right there. Only just a bit further than the 5 star hotels (it is 3 or 4 star. 3 star by Malaysia standards).
* don’t be put off by the hot weather. Even though it is very hot you really don’t feel it
* there are places for ladies to pray on the second floor of the masjid haram. Near the intercontinental and Zam Zam suite entries there are escalators. It is much more peaceful there rather than at the ground floor.
* Ladies are allowed into the ar raudah section of the prophets mosque in the morning and night for an hour or so. The one at night is a lot less crowded
*If you want to pray near the kiblat for congregational prayers, do sunnah inside first and then go to where people are doing tawaf. People will form lines there just before salat starts.
*Not much food in the airport and it is expensive so if possible bring food and drinks from elsewhere. They don’t check for liquids at immigration.
* Need to pray in the open at the airport so bring a prayer matt
* Follow all the readings and whatnot on the first umrah. After that the second time can do it more from your heart. The first time you try you will be nervous and in awe of the whole situation for your heart to appreciate everything.

Article by: tripadvisor

Umrah pilgrims start arriving from Nov

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hajar aswadimage by: aswad.zhiyou

MAKKAH — The first Umrah pilgrims are expected to arrive in the Kingdom on Nov. 13 signaling the start of the Umrah season which begins usually on the first day of Safar and continues until the end of Ramadan.

The last batch of pilgrims, who performed Haj this year, left the Kingdom on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

“Only 15 days separate the end of Haj and the beginning of the Umrah season,”  spokesman of the Haj Ministry Hatim Al-Qadi told Makkah daily on Tuesday.

He said the ministry uses this interval to review its final plans for the season and to inform the Haj companies of any new arrangements.

A total of 1,327,944 pilgrims have arrived and 1,327,751 of them have departed the Kingdom for their respective homes after performing the Haj.

“The ministry avails the lapse of 15 days to go again over its plans formulated as early as September so as to ensure the success of the season and provide pilgrims with the services that will enable them to do their rituals in ease, peace, and comfort,” he said.

Qadi said the new Umrah plans were made after taking into consideration the remarks and observations of the previous season.

He noted that the citizens and expatriates living in the Kingdom usually avail themselves of this period to perform Umrah or visit Madinah as the two holy cities will not be too crowded.

The ministry provides the Umrah pilgrims coming from outside with a package of services beginning with the travel date, the air carrier, location of accommodation and its distance from the Grand Mosque or the Prophet’s Mosque, number of beds in each room, date of proceeding to Madinah, sustenance and the date of final departure.

The Umrah visa is normally valid for two weeks. The ministry also closely watches the service-providing companies ensure that they are committed to providing the pilgrims with the services agreed upon.

Any company which fails to provide excellent services to the pilgrims will be prevented from contracting new pilgrims for the entire season.

Recently, Haj Minister Bandar Al-Hajjar said a new Umrah system and its executive bylaws will be issued soon with a view to increasing the number of pilgrims every year.

He told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that starting next year, as many as 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 so as to fully utilize the gigantic projects implemented by the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

Hajjar said the ministry will continue to use its e-portal under which procedures to issue a visa will not take more than a few minutes.

According to the ministry’s figures, five million Umrah visas were issued in 2013 and six million each during 2014 and 2015. It is expecting 10 million visas to be issued in 2016 and 60 million by 2018.

Article by: saudi gazette

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Visiting my Creator’s home, the Ka’aba

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haramimage by: flickr

When I hear the talbiyah and takbeeraat on TV these days, it brings back sweet memories of last year, when I had the fortune of performing Hajj.
Around three years ago, my beloved husband passed away. With him departed his promises of performing Hajj together. We had performed Umrah together and I hadn’t thought much about Hajj, but when he left, the thought struck me – my mehram was gone.
However last year when I was least expecting it, my maternal uncle offered that my sister and I go for Hajj with him. We jumped at the opportunity. I had led a normal life for the most part, but had just recently gotten close to the divine mission. I had started praying and found the kind of solace in prayer that my relatives’ condolences and support didn’t fulfil.
We were to go for Hajj in a group of twenty five. The organisation that was arranging for these groups said that all slots had already been filled and I lost hope. However, Allah (SWT) was especially kind my sister and I, and even though all slots were taken, the organisation made an exception for us. In their 33 years of making arrangements for Hajj, they had never added extra people in these groups. Had it not been for this miracle, I don’t think I would ever have gotten a chance to visit the house of God. On November 9, 2011, we flew for Hajj.
I have travelled to many countries in my life but this journey was one of a kind. I had seen the Ka’aba on television many times and wondered what it would be like to be some feet close to it and perform tawaaf around it. It worried me a little because I am diabetic and my feet and shins hurt terribly when I walk too much. I also get near-death feverish when I’m exhausted. I wondered if I would be able to fulfil my obligation the way I wished.
Hajj is very different from Umrah in more than just the ritualistic ways. There is a lot of elbowing and nudging during Hajj, and honestly, you don’t get the calmness of contemplating in silence, like you do with Umrah.
We stayed at Mina and our journey to Arafat and Muzdalfa was on foot. We opted to walk the way through because we knew that this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance and we wanted to avail its full potential.
We began walking at Maghrib and reached at Fajr. We were carrying our entire luggage and it was difficult; we even had to sleep on the road a couple of times. It was a more peaceful sleep than I have slept in ages. During our rest breaks, I would see people in their seventies, walking on their old feeble legs with their backs hunched. This motivated me and I’d get up and get going again.
On our way, strangers offered us snacks and drinks. They weren’t workers but people like us, who had travelled from far-off lands. Language barriers didn’t stop us from communicating and no one thought twice when it came to helping others.
When we reached Arafat, all of us began to weep and plead to Allah (SWT). It was a congregation of Muslims from world over, all asking the Lord to forgive them. My dupatta was soaked in tears and my hands rose up in prayer. I naturally thought of my husband and almost everyone I have known and prayed for them individually.
(Pilgrims at Arafat. PHOTO: REUTERS)
I was beginning to realise how little worldly things begin to matter in life. Everything seemed insignificant. When I saw the Ka’aba, my eyes welled up with tears. You only realise your true insignificance when you are in front of the Ka’aba and you fall in prostration when you realise how much He has given to someone as common and unimportant as yourself. He is the Only Friend you have, who despite all your mistakes, forgives and embraces you. He is your Best Friend.
No one was thinking about anyone else, but talking to the Lord. They were in a magnanimous crowd physically, but busy conversing with their Lord as if Allah (SWT) was the only Being there apart from themselves.
One Pathan woman sat reciting something on a rosary. Upon asking her, she told that she was reciting “Bismillah”. I asked,

“Why not something else, like the Kalimah?”

To my surprise, she had never learned the Kalimah. I sat with the woman and her son and taught them the first Kalimah. She wept in gratitude and thanked me by sharing her food with me.
On my way back, I had blisters on my soles. I was also 41 degrees Celsius and I felt like I was going to faint. Inside my mind, I wished I would.
Could there be a better way to die, than at the foot of Allah’s (SWT) house?
I survived. I was glad that I did, because there was so much I was yet to do before I faced Allah (SWT). We dodged death a few times and my sister was almost trampled to death, too.
I found that my journey on foot was the essence of Hajj. It taught me more things that I can mention here.
For everyone performing Hajj, or planning to perform Hajj, I have some advice to sum it all up:
Kissing Hajr-e-Aswad is not obligatory. People don’t know how to behave and you could be squeezed to death attempting to touch the Hajr-e-Aswad. If you are a woman, I suggest that you don’t go near it during Hajj.
(Pilgrims attempting to kiss the black stone, Hajr-e-Aswad. PHOTO: REUTERS)
During Rami (stoning the Satan), I saw people actually swearing at the symbolic devil and even throwing shoes and soda cans at it. This is just a ritual in the remembrance of something. You only have to throw pebbles at it. Remember, it is the devil inside you that you must slay. You don’t have to break this stone figure.

Article by: blogs