Tag: Hajj

The History of Haj

And those who kneel and bow. (Verse 26 of Chapter 22)

Prophet Ibrahim would visit Makkah to perform Haj once a year after constructing the Kaaba, and after his death, his son carried on this tradition. The purpose and structure of the Hajj packages ceremonies were altered over time, but, gradually.

Before Islam, the Kaaba was surrounded by idols, and during the annual pilgrimage season, people from Makkah and other places would go to visit the Kaaba. According to Shibli Nomani, the Arabs of that era neither congregated at Arafat nor strolled between the hills of Al-Safa and Al-Marwah. However, they used to spend a day in a rural location outside of Makkah before returning and circling the Kaaba.

In the pre-Islamic era, Haj served as a venue for a number of festivals and events, including poetry contests, the winning verses of which were displayed on the Kaaba walls. There were also more offensive behaviours and acts throughout the Haj.

For about 2,500 years, this depressing situation persisted. But after this lengthy interval, everything changed.

The Prophet Muhammad developed the current Haj procedures and customs (peace be upon him)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Muslims returned to Makkah from Madinah in 630 AD and annexed the city. The Kaaba was purified and all idols were destroyed by the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the Muslims.

The Prophet’s companion Abu Bakr led 300 Muslims to perform the Haj in Makkah the year after. In his address to the crowd, Ali ibn Abi Talib described the updated Haj rituals. No unbeliever or naked man, he said, would be permitted to circle the Kaaba beginning the following year.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) performed his one and only Haj with a big group of Muslims in the tenth year following Hijrah (632 AD), and he instructed them in the Haj procedures and proper conduct.

The Farewell Sermon, also known as the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) famous speech, was delivered to the crowd gathered in the plain of Arafat.

On this day, I have fulfilled My favour with you, polished your faith, and granted you permission to practise Islam. However, if someone is driven by extreme hunger and has no desire to sin, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. (Verse 3 of Chapter 5)

In order to go to Makkah, pilgrims used to congregate in caravans in the major cities of Syria, Egypt, and Iraq during the Islamic era and the Middle Ages. Tens of thousands of pilgrims travelled in caravans. For the purpose of protecting, securing, and caring for pilgrims, military units and medical professionals accompanied Haj caravans. All of these measures were made to safeguard the caravan from any natural risks, perils, or criminals and to make sure the pilgrims had access to the services they required.

Muslim explorers like Ibn Jubayr and Ibn Battuta noted that the Hajj caravans travelled over well-known routes known as Darb al-Hajj in Arabic (pilgrimage road).

The Haj scenario has changed in the present. We observe a wide range of resources offered to pilgrims for support and treatment. In Mena and Arafat, hospitals are set up both permanently and temporarily. The pilgrims’ journey from Makkah to Mena is sped up by the train, which is now being extended to Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah. 24/7 service is provided by hotels and eateries to pilgrims. Can you picture what life was like in the past?

Top 6 Best Cheap Hotels In Madinah For Hajj & Umrah Stay

The most important thing for your Umrah or Hajj trip is to pick the right hotel. What will you do on the ground if your place to stay isn’t comfortable or doesn’t have the basics? So, be very careful when choosing where to stay for Umrah. But not all of our clients can afford to stay in a luxury hotel. For our Umrah pilgrims on a budget, we have some of the best Cheap Umrah Packages from UK and cheap hotels in Madinah with great facilities and services. If you want to stay in a cheap hotel in Madinah, you might want to consider one of the following.

1. Madinah Hilton

It is close to Masjid e Nabawi and is one of the most affordable places to stay in Madinah. The Green Dome, Al Baqi Health Center, and many other beautiful places are just a few steps away from the beautiful hotel. The hotel is known all over the world for its friendly staff and high-quality services.

Guests will have access to everything they need, like free WiFi in public areas, safety deposit boxes, a car park, 24-hour room service, and a concierge, to make sure they are as comfortable as possible.

The well-known hotel is a smart choice for travellers because it’s a place where you can stay relaxed and worry-free during your Umrah trip.

 2. Anwar Al Madinah Movenpick Hotel

The Anwar Al Madinah Movenpick Hotel is in the middle of the business district and is close to the Prophet’s Mosque. When you have more women with you, the hotel is a good choice because it is closest to the Ladies Prayer Entry. Because it is close to the airport, the hotel is the best place for travellers to stay. The Anwar Al Madinah Movenpick Hotel is the largest hotel in Madinah. It has a wide range of services and amenities for its guests. You’ll have the best stay whether you’re alone, with a group, or with your family.

3. Intercontinental Madinah Dar Al Iman 

The Intercontinental Dar Al Eiman Hotel is in a great place in the middle of the city of Madinah. From the hotel, it’s easy to get to many places, and the hotel is close to Masjid e Nabwi, which makes it easy for pilgrims to stay there. Stay at the Intercontinental Madinah Dar Al Eiman to get high-quality room service, including a mini-bar, a coffee/tea maker, fast Internet access, a desk, and a TV. There are a lot of fun things to do at Dar Al Eiman, so you’ll have plenty to do during your stay 

4. Hotel Pullman Zamzam Madinah

The Pullman Zamzam is in the holy city of Medina, just 150 metres from the Bab al-Islam entrance to the Masjid al-Nabawi. The whole Pullman Zamzam Madina hotel has free Wi-Fi. All 835 rooms and suites have a mix of modern Arabic and French elegance. Each room is air-conditioned, has free WiFi, a flat-screen TV, and tea and coffee making facilities. Some rooms have sofa beds and places to sit. In the bathroom, there is a shower.

5. Hotel Crowne Plaza Madinah

The hotel Crowne Plaza is on King Faisal Street and offers both modern comfort and traditional hospitality from the city of the Prophet. The beautiful resort looks out over the Haram of Prophet’s Mosque, which makes it easy for pilgrims to get to Masjid e Nabwi. They can walk or take a free shuttle that goes straight to the female and male entrances. The hotel’s 506 large, comfortable rooms and suites are designed with a mix of classic and modern styles.

The beautiful courtyard of the Prophet’s tomb can be seen from rooms with a spiritual view of Haram Sharif. Guests can use the free WiFi in all rooms and public areas. During Hajj and Ramadan, which are the busiest times of the year, cellar parking is a good choice. 

The hotel’s concierge can tell guests where to go, what the best places to eat are, and where the best shopping markets and malls are in Madinah. Even though Crowne Plaza Madinah has so many luxurious services and facilities, it is still affordable for many. Choose this beautiful hotel to stay in comfort during your holy trip.

6. Shaza Al Madinah

One of the best places to stay in Madinah, where old and new styles come together. Shaza Al Madinah is right next to the Prophet’s Mosque and is a great place for poets, artists, and calligraphers to work together. All of these things make up the heart of Shaza and offer guests hospitality that can’t be beat.

The walls were decorated by Soraya Sanders, who is known for her traditional Arabic designs, and the interior is filled with light from Egyptian lanterns that were made just for the space.

All of the rooms had a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, and a minibar, and they were built in a way that made them feel peaceful. Each room has its own collection of Turkish tea and homemade candy. For the first time in Madinah, the luxury hotel has features like the Wellness Center and the Kids Club that make it stand out. It has great ideas for where to eat and a sofa that is a signature.

You can book any of these hotels based on your needs, whether you want to book cheap Hajj packages or Umrah packages. Compared to other hotels in Madinah, all of these hotels have very reasonable prices, even during peak season.

Main Differences Between Hajj And Umrah

Difference between Hajj and Umrah

Hajj and Umrah are both trips that Muslims take. Even though many of the things done in Hajj and Umrah are the same, there are a few things that are different.

One of the most important parts of Islam is the Hajj. Every Muslim must do it once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially able to do so and can take care of their family while they are gone. According to the Islamic calendar, Hajj is done during a certain month. In the month of Dhul-Hajjah, pilgrims go to certain places in and around Mecca to fulfil their Hajj duties. On the eighth day of Dhul-Hajjah, it officially begins. But if you can afford the Hajj expenses then you can book the online umrah packages.

Before doing Hajj, pilgrims spend the ninth day of Dhul-Hajjah (the day of Arafat) in Arafat. They stay there all day to pray and show their devotion. When that happens, they move to Muzdalifa at night and stay there all night to pray. From then on, they would throw seven rocks at the devil when they went back to Mina. After that, they would sacrifice a camel, cow, or sheep and give the meat to their friends, family, and poor people. Do you know that Ihram is a part of the Hajj Package for 2023?

The fifth part of Islam is Hajj. It gets rid of all the sins the pilgrims have done in the past. Hadiths say that the only reward for a successful Hajj is heaven.

The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Whoever performs Hajj for Allah’s pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife and does not do any sin, then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew.” (Hadith # 596, Sahih Bukhari, Narrated by Abu Huraira)

Muslims can go on an Umrah pilgrimage to the Kaaba whenever they want after getting an Umrah Package to clean themselves and see holy places. The Umrah’s main parts are:

Ihraam Tawaf: Going around the Kaaba

Sa’y: Going quickly back and forth seven times between the slopes of Safa and Marwah.

Men’s heads are shaved when they get taqsir or halq.

Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “A person may be forgiven if he goes around this House (the Kaaba) seven times and prays the two Rak’at Salat (of Tawaf) in the best way possible.”

Both are Islamic journeys, but the main difference is in how important they are and how they are recognised.

Every Muslim must go to Hajj once in their lifetime if they are healthy and have enough money.

Hajj is done during a specific Islamic month. Umrah, on the other hand, can be done at any time of the year

One of the five main parts of Islam is the Hajj.

At first, both seem to be about the same thing. Umrah can be done in less than two hours, while Hajj is more step-by-step and has more traditions.

Hajj is the most important pilgrimage, and Umrah is one of the smaller ones. From a religious point of view, the importance of Hajj is bigger than that of Umrah. But if you do Hajj or Umrah, you should always do it with the right intentions so that Allah will accept it. Now, there are a lot of companies that offer cheap Hajj and umrah packages 2023 london, which makes it easier for everyone to do Umrah.