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Religious Plus (Saudi Arabia)

Religious Plus - Kind of Travelers

Muhammad (MHSRIP) was Islam's Prophet and founder. He spent most of his prompt years as a trader. He began receiving teachings from Allah at the age of 40, which provided the basis for the Quran and the foundation of Islam. He had united much of Arabia under a single faith by the year 630. As of 2015, the world's Muslim population is estimated at 1.8 billion people who believe that "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His Prophet."

Hajj (major pilgrimage) and Umrah (minor pilgrimage) are Muslim spiritual travels intended to recognise Almighty Allah and purify oneself of impurities inside. Muslims travel to Makkah to conduct rituals and to Medina because of its connection to Prophet Muhammed (P.B.U.H.), two of the holiest places for Muslims in the Hejaz area of Saudi Arabia.

Makkah

Makkah is formally known as Makkah Al Mukarramah, which stands for Makkah the Honored, also translated as the Holy City of Makkah, and was derived from the term Muqrab, which means a place where people find Taqarrub (nearness to God).

Bakkah was derived from the term Buka, which means sobbing or weeping. Bakkah is frequently used interchangeably with Makkah. It is supposed to be named for the valley in which it is found. Faran/Pharan was another name for Makkah, and according to Arab and Islamic legend, the wilderness of Pharan is Tihaman, and Makkah is where Prophet Ishmael dwelt.

In the holy Quran, Makkah is also known as Umm al Qura (mother of all settlements) and Al Balad al Amin (safety city). Umm Rahm (security), Al Maamun (Mother of Mercy). Al-Rab Bayt al-Rab Bayt al-Rab Bayt (the House of God).

Muslims hold Makkah in high regard since it holds the Holy Kaaba (House of God) and Masjid Al-Haram (the largest mosque built in the world and the first mosque on earth). Aside from the Haram Masjid, Makkah is home to some of the world's most historic mosques, including:

• The Al Khayf Mosque is where Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) gave his sermon during Hajj al-Wida, and it is said that worshipping in this mosque earns you a lot of money.

• Instead of Prophet Ishmael, Allah sent a lamb to oblate at Masjid al-Nahr in Mina.

Makkah

The first pledge of loyalty of the new Muslims of Yathrib (Medina) to the Prophet was taken in Masjid al-Ghanam, and the Hudaybbiyah peace treaty was signed at Masjid al-Shajara. The well's name comes from the word ZamZam, which means "stop pouring," which Hajar repeated throughout her attempt to control the spring water. Pilgrims are expected to walk between the Safa and Marwah during the Hajj and Umrah, and this ceremony represents the celebration of motherhood in Islam.

When Hajar, Prophet Abraham's wife and mother of Prophet Ishmael, was urgently seeking water to quench the thirst of her baby son, the Zamzam well in Makkah was shown to her. The well's name comes from the word zoma zoma, which means "stop pouring," which Hajar repeated throughout her endeavor to control the spring water. Pilgrims are expected to walk between the Safa and Marwah during the Hajj and Umrah, and this ceremony represents the celebration of motherhood in Islam.

Ali, the fourth caliph, was born to Abu Talib and Fatimah bint Asad inside the hallowed sanctuary of Makkah's holy Kaaba. The Black Stone is located in the eastern corner of Makkah's Holy Kaaba. Mim holds it in high regard as a relic that, according to Islamic belief, can be traced back to Adam and Eve. The Black Stone is essential to the Tawaf rite, which involves pilgrims attempting to kiss, touch, or gesture to the Black Stone while circumambulating the Holy Times.

The Hira cave in Makkah is located on the 640-meter-high Jabal Al Nour, where Archangel Gabriel delivered the Prophet Mohammed (PEAL) his first revelation. Makkah is considered sacred in Islam. Only Muslims are permitted to visit there. Muslims undertaking Hajj in Makkah constitute one of the world's most prominent human gatherings.

Umrah

It is a non-mandatory lesser pilgrimage to Makkah that Muslims can make at any time of year, unlike Hajj, which has specific dates based on the Islamic lunar calendar.

In Arabic, Umrah means to visit a populated place and consists of carrying out a set of rites in the precinct of Masjid-al-Haram in Makkah by performing Tawaaf (circumambulation) round the Holy Kaaba (the sacred house of god) and Sa’iy between Al-Safaa and Al-Marwah after assuming Ihram. Pilgrims embarking on this journey go along this path, purging their hearts, minds, bodies, and souls of the sins committed in the past to be apart from everyone on judgement day. Commonly, Umrah is known as a minor Hajj and is a Sunnah.

According to Prophet Muhammad (PB), Umrah is the atonement for all sins and the most enjoyable rite. Every year, millions of Muslims perform this ritual before embarking on a spiritual journey with numerous benefits in this life and the afterlife. The activities performed are a relatively simple process that consists primarily of traditions traced back to the Prophet Abraham and his wife, Hagar.

The criteria that must be satisfied to do Umrah are listed below. These are the exact requirements as those for undertaking Hajj:

The individual.

Must be a Muslim to apply.
Must have hit puberty
Must be mentally sound and in complete control of mental faculties are required.
Must have adequate cash to pay travel, lodging, and other expenses. While the individual goes on pilgrimage, they must have enough money to sustain their dependents. It is not a parousia to be debt-free. Before embarking on Umrah, proper preparations for debt repayment should be established.
Must be physically capable of traveling to Makkah and executing the Umrah rituals. To be able to travel, one must be free of me.
To do Umrah, you must have access to and be able to pay for transportation to Makkah. It only applies to female pilgrims.
A Mahram (a member of the family with whom marriage or sexual intercourse is forbidden, with whom Pundan or body concealment with Hijab is not mandatory and who may act as a lawful escort of a woman during a journey lasting more than a few days) must accompany the female.
Females must be free of Iddah (the period of time a woman must wait after her husband dies or after a divorce).

Preparing for Umrah

The most important thing to do before departing for Umrah is to properly prepare emotionally, physically, and financially for the journey. A pilgrim must organize ahead of time so that the Umrah is stress-free and pleasant, allowing the pilgrim to focus on their prayers and supplications, which is the purpose of the journey. It is suggested that pilgrims prepare themselves by reading about the sacred sites in Makkah and Medina, memorizing supplications, and preparing physically for Umrah. It involves a lot of walking and physical mobility. The prospective pilgrim should begin by performing minor workouts and walking at least a month or two before starting the journey, consuming less food, and making changes in sleep timings.

Hajj

From a Shariah viewpoint, Hajj is the holiest and most sacred pilgrimage to Allah's abode. Hajj is derived from the Arabic verb hajja, which means setting out to a magnificent location. Hajj refers to the act of traveling to a specific area at a particular time to undertake religious actions as mandated by Islam.

For the time being, the location refers to the Kaaba within Masjid-al-Haram and places in and surrounding Makkah, such as Arafat, Mina, and Muzdhalifah. Hajj may only be done during the first ten days of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijja. The Hajj ceremonies of Tawaf, Sa'iy, and Rami al-Jamarat are examples of holy actions.

Pre-requisites for an aspiring pilgrim to undertake Hajj

Must be a practising Muslim who understands the importance of performing Hajj.
Must have hit puberty
The pilgrim must have enough money to support himself and his dependents while performing Hajj. Being debt-free is not a requirement. However, before performing Hajj, plans should be made to pay off any outstanding obligations.
Physically able to travel to Makkah and perform the Hajj rituals. To travel, one must be free of illness or disease.
A Mahram family member with whom marriage or sexual intercourse is forbidden, with whom purdah or body concealment with Hijab is not required, and who may act as a lawful escort for a lady on journeys lasting more than three days.
Females must be Iddah-free (a period of waiting that a woman must observe after the death of her husband or after a divorce, if applicable).

Preparing for Hajj

Pre-departure:

Preparing oneself spiritually: Purification from all forms of shirk (the sin of idolatry or polytheism, i.e., the worship of anyone or anything besides Allah). To get into the appropriate spiritual state of mind, read about and grasp the inner elements of Hajj. Understanding the purpose and perspective of Hajj rituals is essential since it is more than simply a physical journey; it is a profound act of devotion with spiritual significance.

Preparing oneself mentally: Learn about the criteria for completing Hajj and the Hajj rites, anticipating, and setting expectations. Prepare psychologically to face the challenges of the journey ahead, such as being aware of weather conditions in Saudi Arabia, since it is a desert-dry nation where extremes in weather are to be expected, thus bringing a hat and an umbrella, as well as a small handheld fan and towel, would be helpful.

Preparing oneself physically: Hajj entails a significant amount of physical activity, with pilgrims needing to walk kilometres in the scorching heat during the day and endure the freezing desert temperatures at night. To ensure a seamless trip, one must prepare the body for the arduous journey ahead by building endurance and stamina.

Preparing oneself financially: The financial capability to undertake Hajj begins with the prospective pilgrim having the cash to pay the hall expenses while also having the financial capability to sustain one's dependents at home while on pilgrimage. It is crucial to note that Hajj costs must be paid from pure savings.

Hotels in Makkah

Elaf Kinda: The Elaf Kinda Hotel Makkah, a contemporary multi-story structure with 240 premium rooms and suites, is a marvel of subtle beauty and comfort. Blending historic tradition with modern style is a success. Take advantage of the closeness to the Holy Haram, the world's holiest site. Enjoy the unique facilities that come with a strategic position in the heart of Makkah's Holy City.

The Elaf Kinda Hotel is located in the heart of Saudi Arabia, in Makkah, 85 kilometres from Jeddah International Airport, and overlooks the Holy Haram. Enjoy your freshly renovated Art Deco-style guest room with views of the city and the Holy Haram Mosque.

This motel is in a Muslim-only neighbourhood. The hotel's main entrance is just feet away from a large shopping mall with over 500 stores and a food court. The Kaaba and the ZamZam Well are just steps away from the Elaf Kinda Hotel, while other significant Islamic holy sites are less than 5 kilometres away.

Hilton: The Hilton Suite Makkah is located in the centre of Makkah, overlooking the Holy Haram. The hotel is a short distance from the Grand Mosque and the new King Abdullah wing of Haram, and the Al Shubaikah Umrah entrance gate. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi and has a private mosque on the grounds for both men and women.

The hotel is attractively furnished in a modern style and has direct access from Ummul Qura Street to the hotel door. The hotel offers 484 well-appointed rooms and luxury suites, the bulk of which face the Holy Haram and are equipped with a 47" smart LCD screen. To hear Azan from the Haram, all suites and guest rooms are equipped with speakers controlled individually.

The Movenpick Hotel: The Movenpick Hotel has a view of the Holy Kaaba and King Abdul Aziz Gate. The Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Hajar Tower Makkah is a fantastic location with spectacular views of the holy city. The Haram Court and the Holy Kabba are only a few feet away. The hotel is 64 kilometres from King Abdulaziz International Airport and 73 kilometres east of Jeddah.

Le Meridien Hotel: Only Muslim visitors are permitted entrance to the Holy City of Makkah and the hotel. Le Méridien Makkah is located 100 metres from the King Abdulaziz entrance and overlooks the Holy Mosque. Its stunning foyer, which has a tiered ceiling, emanates the famed Arabic friendliness. The hotel's striking façade conceals a world of luxury behind its chic interior.

There are 255 guest rooms and suites in the hotel, all of which are tastefully designed and equipped with well-chosen expensive materials. One Royal Suite, two Diplomatic Suites, 31 Executive Suites, and 221 tastefully appointed guest rooms provide exquisite comfort and a spectacular view of the Holy Mosque outdoors. For Muslims all around the world, Makkah is the holiest site on the planet. It is the site where the Prophet Muhammad (MHSRIP) was born.

Pullman ZamZam: The Pullman ZamZam Makkah is a luxury studio and suite hotel located just a few metres from the Holy Mosque. There's a restaurant here, as well as views of the city and the Kaaba. The Masjid Al Haram is about 100 metres away. Guests may use the hotel's complimentary Wi-Fi in all locations.

Zamzam's apartments are all air-conditioned and well designed. They have a work desk and a sitting area with satellite television. Some accommodations have views of the Haram or the Kaaba. Guests can opt to have breakfast provided to them in their rooms or at a buffet.

Hotels in Medina

Hilton: The Medina Hilton Hotel is in the centre of Medina's commercial district, just a short walk from the Holy Mosque. It has rooms with satellite television.

Each room has air conditioning, and some include a sitting area. In every room, there is a work desk and a minibar.

On the ground level of the Medina Hilton Hotel, there are several stores. In the hotel's Medina Restaurant, guests may dine on traditional Arabian fare while savouring the view of the Holy Mosque. The Medina Hilton also provides room service.

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Religious Plus - Kind of Travelers

Makkah

Makkah

Umrah

Preparing for Umrah

Hajj

Preparing for Hajj

Hotels in Makkah

Hotels in Medina

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