Performing Umrah in December is Truly a Wonderful Experience

by Safeena Rahman Travel Addict

Umrah, often referred to as the 'lesser pilgrimage' or the 'minor pilgrimage', has special importance in Islam and provides tremendous spiritual benefits for the one who performs it. Owing to such spiritual rewards, many Muslims residing in different parts of the world embark on a journey to the holy city of Makkah to accomplish this pilgrimage. Every year, numerous Muslims living in the United Kingdom also make their journey to Makkah for performing their Umrah. Most of them visit the holy city during December as this time of the year offers certain benefits for them.

An Umrah in December is preferred by many of the Muslims residing in the UK, especially the last two weeks of the month, for visiting Makkah to perform their lesser pilgrimage. This is the time when the offices and educational institutions in the country are closed for the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Muslims of the UK can also utilise this opportunity to take other members in the family along with them to accomplish their Umrah. This would allow them to introduce the young members in the family to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the rituals associated with the lesser pilgrimage. They can book the packages for this month well in advance to have greater savings.

The climate in the UK is extremely cold in December and by visiting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Muslims of the country can escape this harsh weather of their home country. Makkah's climate during this time of the year would be extremely pleasant for them, contrary to the harsh climatic conditions in Saudi Arabia during summers. December is also the time when there are relatively lesser crowds of pilgrims in the holy city as compared to other times of the year, although there would not be a significant difference.

December is also a wonderful time to get around in Makkah and explore some of the famous Islamic sites in the holy city. One of them is Jabal al-Noor, which is a mountain located near Makkah in the Hejazi region. The name translates as 'Mountain of Light'. This mountain is visited by numerous pilgrims as it houses the renowned 'Cave of Hira', where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had spent a significant amount of time in deep contemplation. It was this cave where he received his first revelation of the Holy Quran from the Archangel Jibreel (A.S).

Yet another sacred mountain that the pilgrims can visit during their time spent in the holy city is Mount Arafat, which is also known as 'Jabal al-Rahmah'. The name means 'Mountain of Mercy' and refers to the event, in which, the first prophet Adam (peace be upon him) was forgiven by The Almighty Allah for his sins. Today, a pillar has been erected at the spot where the event had taken place. It is also the place where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had delivered the famous 'farewell sermon' towards the end of his life to all those who had accompanied him for the pilgrimage of Hajj.