Hajj and Umrah are Islamic history’s most essential and blessed religious duties. Muslims worldwide aspire to perform them. It is considered a religious obligation for those with the financial means to perform these sacred duties.
We understand that the cost of travel can be a challenge for many, so we’re excited to list a range of cheap Umrah packages from the UK to make this sacred journey accessible to everyone. So, let’s dive in and discover Hajj and Umrah’s rich history and spiritual significance!
Difference Between Hajj and Umrah
Hajj is an annual pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, considered the holiest city in Islam. It is performed in the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, from the 8th to the 13th. As one of the five pillars of Islam, Muslims must do it at least once if they have the physical and financial capacity to do so.
On the other hand, Umrah is a less significant pilgrimage to Makkah and can be made at any time of the year except during Hajj. While Umrah is not a mandatory religious duty to be completed by Muslims, it is still a Sunnah.
(Sunnah is the words, actions and tactics of the Holy Prophet PBUH, which Muslims for rewards and blessings should follow).
Islamic History Behind Hajj
The Hajj pilgrimage is one of the most significant events in the Islamic calendar. It’s a time when millions of Muslims worldwide come together to fulfil their obligation to Allah and perform one of the five pillars of Islam. But do you know the Islamic history behind Hajj?
The history of Hajj dates back to the time of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), who Allah commanded to build the Kaaba in Makkah, the holiest site in Islam. The Kaaba is believed to be the first house of worship ever built and has been a centre of worship for Muslims for centuries.
Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his son Ismael (peace be upon him) were instructed by Allah to perform Hajj, and they did so by following the rituals that are still performed today. These rituals include walking seven times around the Kaaba, running between the hills of Safa and Marwa, and praying on the plain of Arafat.
Eventually, Ka’ba became a religious site for idol worshippers until 630 A.D, when the Holy Prophet PBUH led a group of Muslims to perform the first Hajj. On this journey to the Ka’ba, all idols inside were destroyed, and the site was re-dedicated in the name of Allah.
Islamic History Behind Umrah
The Umrah ritual began in 628 AD when the Prophet PBUH had a vision of Muslims performing it. Under the leadership of the Prophet PBUH, Muslims travelled to Makkah from Madinah.
However, the Quraysh tribe refused to let them enter. The Holy Prophet PBUH did not want to enter it with force out of respect for the Ka’ba. Therefore after negotiations, the two parties formed the treaty of Hudaibiyyah.
The treaty stated that there would be no hostilities between the parties for the next ten years, and entry into Ka’ba for three days annually would be allowed.
Therefore, in the following year, the Prophet PBUH and 2000 Muslims visited the Ka’ba to perform Umrah.
Importance of Hajj and Umrah
1. Wipes out all sins
Hazrat Abu Hurairah reported that the Holy Prophet PBUH stated that Hajj washes away your sins. It makes your slate of deeds as pure and clean as a newborn baby’s.
Similarly, all the sins you may have committed after performing an Umrah will be eradicated when you complete it again.
2. Purifies Soul
The practice of Hajj & Umrah motivates Muslims to do good deeds and have a refined moral sense. It reinstates the virtues of honesty, integrity and purity in Muslims, creating a positive Muslim society.
3. Builds Character
A Muslim may experience several challenges and problems when adjusting to a new environment while on a journey to the holy city of Makkah.
Every Muslim who performs Hajj and Umrah sees their character grow. From the perseverance needed to finish the difficult ritual to the act of submission that calms and composes the soul, all aspects strengthen your character.
4. Social Benefit
From a social perspective, every year, pilgrims from all over the world travel to perform either Hajj or Umrah. Many worldly things divide these people, but Islam is the single thing that unites them. Everyone performs the rituals in the same way, demonstrating equality, togetherness, purity and hope, despite their inequalities in wealth and appearance.
The Ihram reinforces Muslim identity by eradicating distinctions between nationalities and social classes. It stands for the truth that, in the eyes of Allah SWT, every Muslim is equal.
5. Reward of Jannah
Jannah (Paradise) is the reward promised to Muslims by Allah for performing Hajj.
“Hajj Mabrur has no reward except Paradise.”
(Bukhari and Muslim)
6. The reward of Jihad for Women
Jihad refers to the struggles and fights in the name of Islam against the enemies of the religion. The Holy Prophet PBUH stated:
“The best jihad (for women) is Hajj Mabrur.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hajj, 595)
Conclusion
If you are considering performing Hajj or Umrah, you may wonder how to do it. Thankfully, many cheap Umrah packages are available from Islamic travel agencies in the UK. These packages typically include
- Flights
- Accommodation
- Transport
Making it easy and stress-free to perform the pilgrimage.
