How Umrah Packages in UK Help Muslims Visit Important Places

by Safeena Rahman Travel Addict

For Muslims residing in the United Kingdom (UK), the journey to the sacred city of Makkah for performing their Umrah is quite a long one and involves a significant amount of cost. About a couple of decades ago, many of the prospective pilgrims living in the country had to depend on one of the travel agents to get the journey to Makkah arranged. These travel agents often charged a hefty sum for arranging the journey and many of the Muslims had to postpone the plans of performing their pilgrimage as a result.

Today, this problem has become a thing of the past as many tour operators or travel companies offering Islamic religious tours have come up in various parts of the country. The Umrah packages UK tour operators have been offering since the past few years have been helpful for the Muslims based in the country for fulfilling their dream of performing this pilgrimage. Upon booking such packages several months earlier, the prospective pilgrims can reduce the cost of their desired package to a great extent, which results in greater savings. The amount saved can then be utilised while getting around in the holy city of Makkah and visiting the important Islamic sites.

One of these sites is a sacred mountain located on the eastern frontier of Makkah called Abu Qubays. It is believed that this mountain was known as 'al-Amin' during the times when pagan Arabs resided in the area surrounding this mountain. No one knows the exact origin of the name of this sacred mountain. According to the local legends, this was the very first place on earth where the first of men lived and were buried after their death. The Islamic tradition states that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had shown pagans the famous miracle of the 'splitting of the moon' at this place.

UK Muslims can also visit a mosque located in the Al-Hil area called Masjid-e-Taneem, which is just five miles away from Kaabah. It is a big mosque with some excellent facilities provided for pilgrims as well as those coming for their regular prayers. The facilities are available for taking baths, changing clothes, and performing ablutions. The mosque is also called Masjid-e-Ayesha, as Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) wife Ayesha (peace be upon her) had entered the state of 'ihram' or 'pure state' at this place by wearing the prescribed pilgrim's clothing.

Another mosque located in Makkah, which is considered one of the most important and one of the oldest among the mosques in this sacred city, is Masjid al-Jinn. It is located near an important Islamic site called Jannat al-Mu'alla. This mosque has been built at the spot where a group of 'jinn' had gathered at night once to hear Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) recite a portion of the Holy Quran. The 'jinn' or 'genies' are supernatural creatures. After hearing the recitation, the leaders of the jinn met with the prophet and embraced Islam. This event is mentioned in the Quran's al-Jinn chapter.