Umrah Packages Provide Greater Savings for UK Muslims

by Safeena Rahman Travel Addict

Umrah, also called the 'minor pilgrimage' or the 'lesser pilgrimage' is performed by Muslims by embarking on a journey to Makkah from their place of residence and performing all the rituals involved. Hajj, which is one of the five pillars of Islam and a major pilgrimage involves more rituals and takes five to six days to accomplish. Umrah, when compared to Hajj is not an obligation. However, it is the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and has its own rewards for the pilgrim who performs the lesser pilgrimage.

Muslims living in the United Kingdom (UK) can make their journey to the holy city of Makkah from their hometown in the country to perform their minor pilgrimage with any of the Umrah packages offered by a reliable travel company. Such packages are usually aimed at reducing the travel costs involved in getting to Makkah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from the leading cities of the UK. Over the years, they have helped numerous Muslims in fulfilling their dream of performing the lesser pilgrimage. As Muslims residing in the country can choose a package according to their preferred months and dates, they can plan their travel much in advance and get attractive deals for booking early.

The Umrah deals lower the overall cost of packages to a great extent. Savings thus made can be utilised by Muslims of the UK during their time spent in the holy city to buy souvenirs and to visit the important places of Makkah. Among them is the Jannat al-Mu'alla, a cemetery located to the north of the holy mosque, where many of the relatives of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) were buried before his migration to Madinah in the year 622. Over the years, many structures and domes have been built over the graves of great prominence.

Another famous place that Muslims of the UK can visit with their cheap Umrah packages is the Masjid-e-Taneem, which is popularly known as Masjid-e-Aisha. It is a ‘meeqat’ or the place where people living in Makkah enter the state of 'ihram'. The state of ihram is the holy state that pilgrims get into by wearing the prescribed clothing. This mosque is considerably large with facilities for taking baths, performing ablutions and changing. The name 'Masjid-e-Aisha' comes from the fact that Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) wife Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) had once entered the state of ihram at this place.

Located near the Jannat al-Mu'alla is one of the oldest and the most important mosques in the holy city called the Masjid al-Jinn. It has been built at the spot where a few 'jinn' or genies had gathered to hear Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) recite a portion of the Quran at night. They gave their oath of allegiance to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and embraced Islam after he met the leaders of the genies. This mosque is also called the Masjid al-Haras or the Mosque of Guards as the guards of Makkah patrolled up to that point.