20 Amazing Tips For Hajj Performance

Hajj is a very important part of Islam because it is mandatory for all Muslims. Hajj is one of five pillars of Islamic building. It is as worship in which nobody can perform it at their homes, cities, and countries but it is only performed in Saudi Arabia.

Therefore Millions of Muslims travel towards Saudi Arabia in the last month of Islamic Lunar Calendar. Hajj can be performed at a specific time and it consists of the 5 days which starts from the 8th day and ends on the 12th day of last month. The name of last month is Duhul Hijjah.

When the Hazrat Ayesha (RA) asked from Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) about the Jihah that a woman can take part in Jihad. Prophet of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) described Hajj as the Jihad for women.

A beautiful Hadith about Jihad for women. Hazrat Ayesha (RA) said:

O Prophet of Allah, us women consider Jihad to be the best of actions.

 Should we not perform Jihad?

He (PBUH) replies: No Rather, the best form of jihad is Hajj mabrur.

Because in this you may face some difficulties. Hajj is not essential for all Muslims while it is only mandatory for those who are able to bear all expenses of Hajj.

The first suggestion here to perform Hajj is that you should contact with the best travel agency so that you perform Hajj easily. Most of the time the Agency provides Cheap Hajj Package. You may face many issues when you want to perform Hajj but Best Travel Agency resolves all problems which can be possible.

Best tips for Your Hajj Journey:

1-            Photocopy the all official documents which are required.

2-            Get the knowledge about each and every aspect of Hajj because it is compulsory to worship.

3-            You should learn the basic supplications which are recited during the Hajj.

4-            You should keep both currencies of your country and Saudi country.

5-            You should study the Seerat ul Anbiya, How Muhammad (PBUH) and Abraham (AS) passed their lives.

6-            It is best for you that you can learn the Arabic vocabulary and phrases so in this way you can easily communicate with the others during the Hajj. You can easily read the Arabic board there.

7-            You can take two pairs of slippers and shoes which are comfortable for you.

8-            You should keep a spare Ihram so that you can change it when first Ihram will be dirty.

9-            You can take a damp towel which you will energize and fresh when you feel some tiredness.

 

10-          You can take empty bottles to fill the Zamzam water in Al-Haram Mosque which will vanish your thirst there.

11-          You should keep a lightweight prayer mat which helps you to offer the prayers.

12-          You take a lightweight umbrella which will work as a shield to save you from the Sun.

13-          You should take sunglasses.

14-          You can take some medical face masks which preserve you from the dust.

15-          You should take Vaseline which will keep your legs save to rubbing from each other.

16-          You should take some basic medicines which are essential for any journey.

17-          If you are a woman then you should take a pair of scissors so that you can cut your hair at the end of Hajj.

18-          You should take a mobile which battery time is long because you may not charge in Muzdalifah and Arafat.

19-          You should take liquid soap rather than a bar.

20-          You should take a mini Holy Quran.

You should concentrate to perform the Hajj because it is a good chance for you to seek Allah forgiveness. When you perform the Hajj with all aspects and if your Hajj is accepted then your place in the world will be as a newborn baby who has no sins. This change is not available for every person and if you will get this chance then you will perform Hajj with full intention.

What Is Tawaf And Its Types? | Types Of Tawaf

Hajj is mandatory for every Muslim (male or female) if he/she has the capability to perform it. While Umrah is not mandatory for Muslims. Umrah can be performed at any time of year, but Hajj can be performed at the fixed time of year which comes at the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The name of last month is Dhul Hijja.

If you go to perform Hajj then you should know about all rituals, which are very important for you, therefore, you should go to any trustable travel agency, so that, it will provide best services, which are included in your Hajj and Umrah Packages.

A very important rite of Hajj and Umrah is Tawaf and in the Arabic language, its mean literally going about. Pilgrims perform this right, walk around the Kaaba (House of Allah) seven times in the direction of anticlockwise. Pilgrims start their circumambulating around the Kaaba from the point of Black Stone (Hajjre Aswad).  All rites of Hajj are very important but we briefly discuss How to perform a Tawaf and Types of Tawaf here.

How to Perform a Tawaf:

During the Hajj and Umrah, You walk around the Kaaba 7-times in direction of anticlockwise. Your first circle start from the Hajjre Aswad, which is fit on the corner of Kaaba.

There is a lot of crowds of Pilgrims during the Tawaf, if it is possible for you, then you should start your first circuit around the Kaaba, after the touch and kiss of Hajjre Aswad. You should repeat this activity after completing each circuit.

But if It is not possible for you, then you can start your every circuit, to simply point or hold up your hand to the Hajjre Aswad on each circuit.

For male, it is suggested, to do the 1st three circuits in a hurried pace, and other 4 circuits in a leisurely pace.

After completing the 7-circuits, you should offer two rakts (nafls) in front of Maqam e Ibrahim and then you should drink water (Zamzam). So in this way, you will complete this great rite of Hajj and Umrah.

Types of Tawaf:

There are seven types of Tawaf which names are:

1: Tawaf al-Qudum

2: Tawaf al-Ziayarh

3: Tawaf al-Wadaa

4: Tawaf al-Nafl

5: Tawaf al-Umrah

6: Tawaf al-Nazr

7: Tawaf al-Tahiyaah

Tawaf al-Qudum:

When a Muslim arrives at the city of Makkah in any reason such as Umrah, Hajj, visit, and business, then he/she can perform it. You can understand such as A Welcome Tawaf. It is Sunnah for those Muslims who are not residents of the city of Makkah and who performs Hajj Qiraan or Hajj Ifraad. But it is not Sunnah for those Muslims who are performing Umrah or Hajj Tammatu even if they are resident of the city of Makkah.

As a Hadith in Al-Bukhari in which Hazrat Ayesha (RA) stated:

“The first thing Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) did on reaching Makkah, was the ablution and then He (PBUH) performed Tawaf of the Kaaba and that was not Umrah but Hajj e Qiran”.

Tawaf al-Ziayarh:

Tawaf al-Ziyarah is also called Tawaf al-Hajj or Tawaf al-Rukn. It is an essential Tawaf for any Muslim who is performing any type of Hajj. If any pilgrim does not perform it for the given period of the timeframe during Hajj days, so his/her Hajj will be invalid. The time of this Tawaf when you can perform it is from dawn of 10th Dhul Hijja to 12th Dhul Hijja.

Tawaf al-Wadaa:

It is also called Tawaf e Sadr and it is a farewell Tawaf or final Tawaf. It is performed before leaving the Makkah. It is the last ritual of Hajj but it is not mandatory, it is wajib (less mandatory than Fard).

Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said:

“Let none of you leave Makkah before making a Tawaf around the Kaaba, as the last ritual of Hajj”.

Tawaf al-Nafl:

It is an optional Tawaf but there are great rewards for those who perform it, and it is a great opportunity for those people who live in the city of Makkah or Saudi Arabia. The residents of Makkah and Saudi Arabia perform it any time of year.

Tawaf al-Umrah:

It is an essential part of Umrah if one does not perform it then his/her Umrah will be invalid. It is the 2nd part of Umrah. Umrah is a lesser pilgrimage but it is a little bit expensive for everyone these days. There is the best way for you if you want to perform the Umrah then you should select a Package from different Cheap Umrah Packages 2022 which is best for you.

Tawaf al-Nazr:

We often promise to Allah that if we get and success in anything then we offer some religious duty. Similarly, if you promise to Allah for performing Tawaf and if your desire is fulfilled by Allah (S.W.T) then this type of Tawaf is known as Tawaf al-Nazr.

Tawaf al-Tahiyaah:

When a person enters in Al-Haram then he/she can perform it and it is Mustahib.

Tawaf is a great part of Hajj and Umrah activities and it goes back to the time of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ismail (AS). Allah is so merciful, who gives an opportunity to get the rewards by performing the Tawaf, although, we are resident of Saudi Arabia or any other country. We should visit the site of Kaaba and we should feel that how over beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) performed his Tawaf during the four Umrah and one Hajj.

The Story Of Eid-ul-Adha- History Of Eid-ul-Adha

Eid ul Adha is an amazing festival and is also known as a Great Eid and Festival of the Sacrifice. It is the most important Islamic holiday. It comes at the 10th date of Dahul Hijjah. It marks the end of Hajj, the holy pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah. Hajj is compulsory worship and it starts at the date of 8 and ends at the date of 12 in last month (Dahul Hijjah) according to Islamic Lunar Calendar.

Hajj is a last pillar of Islam and Allah says, it is not obligatory for those who are not able to perform it (Physically and financially).  The date of Hajj changes in the Gregorian calendar but it is not changed in the Islamic calendar.

Travel agencies provide you different Hajj Packages so that you can perform Hajj easily and they arrange the animals to sacrifice on Eid ul Adha because this is an essential part of Hajj.

Different Names for the Festival of Eid ul Adha:

                                      Name                                                                        Country

                              Kurban bayrami                                                            Turkish

                             Hari Raya Haji                                                      Singapore & Malaysia

                                  Tasbaski                                                                West   Africa

                            Hari Raya Aidiladha                                                    South East Asia

                        Eid ul Adha, Idu’z Zuha                                                           India

                       Eid ul Azha, Id al Aha                                                          Bangladesh  

                  

                       Eid ul Azha , Eid ul Adha                                                        Pakistan                                                         

The Background of Eid ul Adha:

Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) was a beloved Prophet of Allah. One night, Hazrat Ibrahim saw a dream in which Allah told him to sacrifice Ismail. Ismail was the son of Hazrat Ibrahim (As) and He was also a Prophet. The second night, Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) seen the same dream. Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) then came to realize that this was a real message from Allah.

Hazrat Ibrahim was a special human because He (AS) was a Prophet. Yet Ibrahim (AS) took his son (Ismail) to Mount Arafat along with a knife. Upon reaching there, Ibrahim (AS) told his son about his dream and what Allah had ordered him to do. Hazrat Ismail (AS) was an obedient son and Prophet. Therefore Prophet Ismail (AS) immediately obliged. Ismail (AS) said to his father that you covered your eyes with a cloth so that you do not hesitate.

Ibrahim (AS) did as Ismail (AS) had said. Ibrahim (AS) did as Allah had asked of him. When Ibrahim (AS) took the blindfold off, to his surprise, he saw the body of a dead ram in front of him. Ismail (AS) was completely unharmed. So in this way, Allah accepts this Qurbani. Allah makes it essential for the Muslims who are able to do and this day is called Eid al Adha.

Therefore, Muslims from around the world perform the Qurbani on the event of Eid al Adha. Muslims only sacrifice Halal animals (goat, sheep, cow, ox, camel, and buffalo).

How is Eid ul Adha celebrated?

In the Holy Book Allah says that “Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you”.

According to Islamic rules, the animal must be an adult and good health. Popular dishes of Eid al Adha are Kebab, Haleem and Biryani.

USA and Europe:

In USA and Europe, Muslims usually skip breakfast and go to the local mosque for Eid prayers and the Eid sermon. Then they return home for a meal with family, friends, and neighbors.

In Uk:

Eid ul Adha is an important celebration for Muslims but there are no bank holidays. There is a rule for sacrifice, animals must be killed in an official slaughterhouse.

Egypt:

Eid ul Adha is more commonly known as Eid el kibr in Egypt. The day of Eid ul Adha starts in a largely traditional way, with prayers and a sermon followed by a large family gathering. People will meet their friends and loved ones and wish one another Kol sana wa inta tayeb which means I hope every year finds you well.

Everyone wants to perform the Hajj but nowadays it is a little bit hard because the expenses of Hajj are increasing with the passing time, therefore, He/she performs it with using the Cheap Hajj Package.

                           May Allah accept our previous and upcoming Hajj of all Muslims.

Five Pillars Of Islam

Islam is a great religion and it consists of 5 things. The 5 pillars of Islam (five things) are the foundation of Muslim life.

Five Pillars of Islam:

. Shahadah

. Salah

. Zakah

. Sawm

. Hajj

Shahadah:

Shahadah means the declaration of faith. It is the most important pillar in Islam.

Declaration of faith means, There is none worthy of worship except God (Allah) and Muhammad (PBUH) is the Messenger of God (Allah). The importance of this declaration is the belief that the only purpose of life is to serve and obey Allah, and this is achieved through the teachings and practices of the Last Messenger, Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

Salah:

Salah means prayer which is performed 5 times a day and it is obligatory for every person. 5 times prayers create as a direct link between the worshipper and Allah. Allah gifted the 5 times prayers to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the night of Sahbe Miraj. Therefore, Muslims are expected to pray 5 times a day. Muslims pray in the mosque and it is not necessary but they are obligated to pray towards Kaaba.

Salah is performed at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and night.

Zakah (Zakat):

All things belong to God (Allah), and wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The original meaning of the word zakah is both growth and purification. Giving zakah (charity) means giving a specified percentage on certain properties to certain classes of needy people.

Each Muslim calculates his or her own mandatory charity individually. This involves the annual payment of 2.5% of one’s capital, eliminating such items as primary residence, car and professional tools.

Sawm:

Sawm means fasting, it comes every year in the ninth month of Islamic Lunar Calendar, all Muslims fast from dawn to dusk during the month of Ramadan.

Ramadan is a Holiest month, therefore, Muslims perform Umrah in this month with Ramadan Umrah Packages because they get different ziyarats and many gifts in these packages.

It is mention in Quran:

Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain piety- (2:183)

During fasting, Muslims abstain from 3 key human needs as the drink, food and sexual relations. It is obligatory on every physically and mentally capable adult Muslim.

Some important benefits of fasting:

1- Scientifically proven health benefits.

2 -A means of learning self-restraint and patience.

3 -Promotes spiritual self-purification and growth.

4 -Forgiveness of sins.

Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said: He who fasts Ramadan with faith and hoping for reward, then his past sins are forgiven.

Hajj:

And Hajj to House is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, for those who can afford the expenses.   (3:97)

The pilgrimage to Makkah is compulsory only for those who are physically and financially able to do so. Almost, over 2 million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the world providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations to meet one another.

The Hajj starts in the 12th month of Islamic lunar year and the name of this month is Dahul Hijja.

Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) said, whoever performs Hajj and doesn’t utter obscenities or commit sin, will come back just like the day when his mother bore him.

Muslims search Cheap Hajj Package so that they perform Hajj easily and many travel agencies give comfortable hotels, transports, Qurbani, and many things in this cheap package for the ease of the pilgrims.

How to get Umrah Visa?

Umrah Visa:

When can Muslims perform Umrah?

Umrah can be performed at any time of the year. Because it is a Holy and Great Journey for every Muslim. As Hajj is an obligatory and compulsory and it is only performed at least one time in life. But Umrah can be performed at any time in life.

Everyone should apply for Umrah visa through an approved Umrah travel agent.

Umrah Visa Requirements:

Visa: It is a document issued to a person or a stamp marked on the passport of a person who wants to visit another country.

1:  A completed original Umrah visa application form. Firstly, you should carefully read the visa application form before the sign and after signed (a visa application form by post, send a large, self-addressed envelope to your nearest Saudi Country’s Consulate).

If anyone has a non-Muslim name, then he or she should submit a certificate from a mosque or an Islamic center stating that the applicant is a Muslim.

2: For Visa, One recent passport size picture with a white background should be attached to the application form. The photograph must be a full-face view is accepted whereas side or angle views are not accepted.

3: A most important point to get the visa is that passport should be valid for at least six months from the date of submission of the application form.

4: Verified and non-refundable airline ticket. Departure from Saudi Arabia should be written 2 weeks from the date of entry.

5: Women and children must be accompanied by husband/father or a male relative (Mahram). Proof of relationship is required as a marriage certificate for a wife, a birth certificate for a child. If a woman is forty-five years old or older then she is allowed to go without a Mahram if she travels with an organized group or family. If the applicant isn’t a national of the country she/he is applying from, a valid residency permit must be submitted with the application.

6: A vaccination certificate against Meningococcal Meningitis must be attached. Vaccination certificate should have been issued not more than 3 years and not less than ten days former to entry to Saudi Arabia and it should be valid for 3 years. The certificate of vaccination must be with the applicant on entry to Saudi country.

The validity of Umrah Visa:

Umrah visa is only valid for 2 weeks, within these two weeks you should perform Umrah, making sure your departure from Saudi Country is within 2 weeks of the date of entry.

Important note: The Umrah visa in Ramadan can’t increase the last day of Ramadan. You should leave Saudi Arabia by the end of Ramadan and can’t have Eid-ul-Fitr there.

NOTE: You should easily get Umrah visa with the help of different companies because these companies give Umrah Packages. These Umrah Packages contain many things which included flights, hotels, transportation, etc.

      Allah gives the opportunity of every person to perform Umrah in life. (Ameen)

Brief History of Safa and Marwa

There are 2 famous hills which are located in Al-Haram mosque in Makah. As Safa was one connected to the mountain of Abu Qubays and Al-Marwa was connected to the mountain of Qu’ayqi’aan.

Sa’i between Safa and Marwa is one of the pillars of Hajj and Umrah, Allah says in the Holy Quran:

Indeed, Safa and Marwa are among the symbol of Allah. So whoever makes Hajj to the House of performs Umrah there is no blame upon him for walking between them. And whoever volunteers good- then truly, Allah is Appreciative and knowing.

Safa and Marwa are major rituals of Hajj followed by every Muslims to accomplish their Hajj. This ritual is practiced by running back and forth in the hills of Safa and Marwa. The distance between 2 hills is estimated to be 450 km and it is necessitated for Hajjis to take 7 circuits between the same which makes it a total of 3.15 km.

According to the Islamic traditions, Ibrahim (AS) was ordered by Allah to leave his wife Hajarh (AS) who was princes of King Egypt and son Ismail (AS) in deserts (The place is known as Safa and Marwa). When she wanted to search for water to protect the life of her son because her son felt thirst. She left Ismail in the desert and ascended to Safa, and then she climbed Marwa during the search of water. She repeated this activity 7 times between hills.

Allah sent an Angel to the earth and rewarded Hajarh’s patience by granting her the fresh spring of water to accomplish the thirst for Ismail (AS).

According to Saahi Bukhari (Book of Hadithas) in which of this incident is narrated, said; If she had left the water, it would have been flowing on the surface of the earth.

In light of this hadith, Hazrat Hajarh (AS) said the Zamzam to prevent the water from spreading.

Therefore, every Hajji pays a visit to Safa and Marwa and walks back and forth to honor Hajarh’s efforts and patience.

This was the basic reason which makes 2 ordinary Hills the Holy Places of Muslims. Muslims who perform the Hajj and Umrah must run in the middle portion of the distance between the hills of Safa and Marwa 7-times. There are very rush of pilgrims during Hajj because millions of Muslims from all over the world gather to perform this ritual. Whereas Umrah is also called lesser pilgrimage and therefore, there is less rush in the normal season whereas a rush in peak season. Therefore, to manage your trip with the help of travel agencies who provide the best facilities on the name of Cheap Umrah Packages accomplish with flights, hotels, transportations and etc.

Hajj Visa Requirements For UK Residents

What Is A Visa?

Visa is a simple certification that is given by a country to enter, leave and stay in this country for some time. Most common types of visa are as tourist, student, and work and transit visa.

Hajj:

Hajj is a holy journey and one of the 5 pillars of Islam. Muslims should perform Hajj at least once in their lives if they are capable to bear expenses of Hajj. Many Muslims will perform the Hajj 2019 from all over the world. Therefore they need a visa to complete this spiritual and holy journey.

Visa For Hajj:

All pilgrims need a visa to enter the Saudi country. All pilgrims should apply for a visa through visa agencies authorize to the Royal Embassy of Saudi country. Visitors are not allowed overstaying after the time granted on the visa otherwise they will be fined and deported.

If you are transiting through the Saudi Country then you may need a transit visa. Once the ticket is issued then you should confirm with your travel agency. If you need transit visa then you should be applying for a transit visa through a travel agency.

The Saudi government has declared that all Muslims not holding Hajj visas won't be allowed to enter Saudi Arabia by means of Jeddah or Madina airports amid Hajj. If any non-Muslim travels to these destinations at the same time then he has to explain the purpose of his trip and has to give the evidence of an appointment.

For detailed advice on visa requirement for Hajj, contact the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in London.

Requirements For Hajj Visa 2020:

UK nationals must apply for visas in the UK; EU nationals living in the UK may apply for a Hajj visa in the UK and they can supply proof of residency.

After launching a new electronic system, the old visa getting process is totally changed. Now people should not contact any travel agency for only Hajj Visa because people can get themselves online. But getting help from any Travel Agency UK is not a bad way and if you are feeling that is a little bit difficult for you then you should contact to any source who can help you in this matter.

Applicants should follow these requirements to get the Hajj visa.

Every applicant must have a passport, valid for at least six months and acceptable for entry in both of Saudi Arabia and next destination and passports must have at least two empty visa pages.

One recent passport size coloured photograph (full-face view) with a white background.  Side or angled view of a photograph is not accepted. Here you only require a scanned photograph than a piece of paper, so that you can upload your picture in the given section box of the photograph.

Women are required to travel for Holy journey with a Mahram and must supply evidence of kinship. Father, husband, son, brother, nephew, and grandson are all relatives called Mahram of the woman. Mahram should completely write his information on the application form of his children, spouse or any relative with whom he is travelling.

According to Saudi Law, women above 45 years can perform the Hajj in an organized group if she has not any Mehram. The candidate must be in possession of a non-refundable roundtrip ticket with affirmed reservations.

Pilgrims must receive meningitis vaccination somewhere around ten days before traveling, and provide proof. Acceptance of applications for pilgrimage visas will start on the fifteenth day of Shawwal and the last day for acceptance of applications is the 25th of Dhu'l-Qada in accordance with the Islamic calendar. Hajj visas which are a necessary part of Hajj Package, won't be issued to anyone who has completed the holy journey within the last five years, and Hajj visas do not allow the traveler to work or claim residency in Saudi Arabia.

Note:

The Saudi government doesn’t allow taking any picture, photograph, and poster for any political propaganda, alcohol, drug and other disgusting things. Pilgrims should follow the rules and regulation of Saudi Arabia.