Factors that Make Ramadan Extremely Special for Umrah

Fasting is an essential element of Islam as Muslims are obligated to observe this Ibadah. But imagine following this obligation in Makkah, it would be so nurturing for the soul and spiritually fulfilling. That is what attracts Muslims to spend their Ramadan in the holiest place on earth. Although Muslims have to perform Hajj in a different month, but circumambulating the Kaaba heals the soul and brings peace to the hearts of Muslims. This is why the Prophet Muhammad introduced Umrah, an act of worship that is similar to Hajj and can be performed at any time of the year. It is the desire of every Muslim to perform Umrah in Ramadan to purify their souls. Modern pilgrims prefer to take this journey through a travel agency because they offer Ramadan Umrah packages which allow them to take advantage of the discounted rates they offer.

Umrah in Ramadan is a divine act of worship as it is mentioned in Bukhari and Muslim that the Holy Prophet said performing Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to Hajj. That is the biggest reason that this pilgrimage has a special place for Muslims and thousands of them take this journey every year. Of course, it does not mean that a Muslim is discharged of the duty of performing Hajj. But many Muslims, due to unfortunate circumstances, are not able to perform Hajj, so they strive to perform Umrah to get mental and spiritual satisfaction. In this article, you will learn some of the factors that make performing Umrah during Ramadan special for Muslims.

Factors that Make Umrah in Ramadan Special

Ramadan is a month in which Muslims offer prayer more than usual and it is not that they avoid eating food and drinking water, but it is a practice they have to perform to learn patience and discipline. And when Muslims practice this in Makkah while performing Umrah, it recharges their soul and multiplies the blessings. There are so many factors that make Umrah in Ramadan special, but some of them are as follows.

1.      Devotional Activities

You name any form of Ibadah, the purpose of each act of worship is to get closer to Allah. Muslims observe Ramadan for the same reason and not just fasting, they increase prayers and read the Holy Quran a lot in this month. The purpose of Umrah is the same as performing Tawaf, which cleanses a Muslim’s soul. Performing these same acts while fasting has a profound effect on Muslims as they become more devotional and perform more acts of service for their fellow human beings to please Allah. Performing Umrah while fasting is demanding as it tests the faith of a Muslim because the rituals they have to perform become harder. It also tests their patience and how they act in these conditions which strengthen their belief and it doubles the reward.

2.      Embracing Cultural Sensitivity

The culture in Saudi Arabia is different from that of every other Muslim country. Although there are similarities in cultural norms of Saudi Arabia and neighbouring countries but Makkah and Medina are the two holiest cities in the world for Muslim and whenever Muslims enter these cities, they become more humble and careful about their actions. Fasting in these cities makes Muslims act in the most humble way because it is an essential requirement of Islam.

So, the Saudi administration and locals also follow this and help their fellow Muslims in performing Umrah who have come from different parts of the world. It develops a sense of mutual harmony between people who came from outside and the people of Saudi Arabia. If you are planning to perform Umrah in Ramadan, do remember that you need to submit your application at least 6-7 months before Ramadan starts. The best way is to choose a travel agency because they offer Ramadan Umrah packages which allow you to secure your slot for Umrah in advance and you can also get some exciting discounts on flights, accommodations, and other things.

3.      Seeking the Night of Blessings

In Ramadan, there comes a night which is considered the “Night of Blessings” because Allah opens the door of forgiveness on this night. Allah also mentioned this night in the Holy Quran and asked Muslims to seek this night in the last Ashra of Ramadan. Performing Umrah at this time satisfies Muslims in a great many ways as they are performing an act of worship that Allah’s most beloved Prophet introduced and they are observing the most important element of Islam, fasting. This night makes Muslims emotional and they pray the entire night and if they are present in front of the Kaaba, it has a more spiritual effect on them. They pray for their forgiveness and salvation the entire time which makes this whole experience truly special.

4.      Practicing Itikaf

It is a special kind of Ibadah in which a Muslim has to stay separate for 10 days from others. And during this time, they perform different Ibadah such as offering Nawafil and reading the Quran. This act of worship is observed during the last Ashra of Ramadan and it is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad. At this time, Muslims increase Dhikar (Remembrance of Allah) and Tahajjud while they avoid talking to others except when it is necessary.

But doing all these things in Makkah renews the spirituality in a Muslim as these acts of devotion help Muslims to get closer to Allah. If you want to observe Itikaf in Makkah, you need to book your slot because it can get tricky, as so many Muslims apply for this slot. The most efficient way is to employ the services of a travel agency because they can book your spot easily. You can also book one of their Ramadan Umrah packages to get exciting deals and privileges. Also, you can book your place for Itikaf at a good spot in the Holy Mosque so you can perform your prayers easily.

Final Thoughts

Umrah is a special kind of worship and it is the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad which makes this Ibadah even more special for Muslims. And performing it in Ramadan fills the hearts of Muslims with utmost spirituality and devotion, and it cleanses their souls. Ramadan is a month that is very important in Islam, and Allah loves those who observe fasting in his name. Fasting helps them become patient, and it builds a resistance power in Muslims to avoid any kind of sin. Performing Umrah while fasting multiplies the blessings of Ramadan as Muslims in this time ask Allah’s forgiveness and recharge their connection with their religion. But there is a problem that many people might face which is that getting a slot at this time might be difficult due to a higher number of applications.

So, it would be better for you to hire a travel agency that can do the hard work for you. These agencies not only arrange your flight and accommodations, but they also fill out your application form and help you out with the visa process. Not just that, these agencies also offer many Ramadan Umrah packages in which you can get incredible deals on a lot of things such as flights, hotel stays, transportations, and you can also get a travel guide depending on your package. If you are the one who has not performed Umrah in the month of blessings, may Allah create ease for you and call you to perform this sacred act to renew your spirituality and cleanse your soul.