Umrah Package Deals Help Pilgrims in Visiting Sacred Sites

by Safeena Rahman Travel Addict

A couple of decades ago, the Muslims residing in countries situated at greater distances from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had to depend on their nearest travel agent to get their pilgrimage of Umrah arranged. Usually, during those times, the costs involved in making the journey to the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia made it unaffordable for many and they kept postponing their plans of performing the pilgrimage. Today, with so many tour operators and travel companies offering these tours at considerably lower costs, it has become easier for Muslims to fulfil their dream of performing Umrah.

The Umrah package deals that most of the tour operators or travel companies come up with during certain times in a year have been of great help for the prospective pilgrims. Such deals reduce the cost of packages to a great extent. The savings that are made while booking these packages can be utilised by the pilgrims during their time spent in the holy city while shopping for souvenirs or visiting the most sacred Islamic sites in and around the holy city. Among these sites are the three mountains that are visited by plenty of pilgrims arriving in the city for their pilgrimage from different corners of the world.

One of these sacred mountains is Jabal al-Noor, which is a mountain located in the region of Hejazi near the holy city of Makkah. The name of the mountain translates as 'Mountain of Light' and is home to the renowned 'Cave of Hira'. Both the mountain and the cave are of great significance for Muslims around the world, as Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had spent a considerable amount of time in deep contemplation inside the cave. It is the place where he received his first revelation of the Holy Quran from the Archangel Jibreel (A.S), which consisted of Surah Al-Alaq's first five verses or 'ayats'.

Yet another mountain of great importance is Jabal al-Rahmah, which is also called Mount Arafat. It is located in the plain of Arafat, which is about 20 kilometres to the east of central Makkah. The name 'Jabal al-Rahmah' translates as 'Mountain of Mercy' and refers to an event in the life of Prophet Adam (peace be upon him). After his fall from Heaven, he was united with Hawwah (peace be upon her) at this place. It is also the place where the first prophet was forgiven by Allah for his sin. The exact spot where it happened has been shown in recent times by a pillar erected for the purpose. This is also the spot where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had delivered his famous 'Farewell Sermon'.

Pilgrims who are in the holy city can also visit a mountain of considerable significance, called Mount Abu Qubais. This mountain is located in Makkah's eastern frontier and is believed to have been known as 'Al Amin' when pagan Arabs resided in the region. According to the Islamic tradition, this is the place where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had shown pagans the miracle of the 'splitting of the moon'.