Umrah, considered the most uplifting Sunnah according to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is an act of spiritual worship. Millions of pilgrims go to Mecca to perform Umrah throughout the year. Those who perform this spiritual ritual with pious purpose will receive the rewards and benefits of Umrah. Muslims ask forgiveness for their deadly sins and pray to Allah for blessings. Therefore, entering this sacred path to conduct Umrah will bring peace and happiness. Furthermore, Umrah is the only Sunnah that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) performed twice in his life.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF UMRAH?
The purpose of it is to seek the blessings of Almighty Allah, pray for forgiveness, and renew faith in Islam. Pilgrims receive the blessings of Umrah Sawab or Umrah after the end of the pilgrimage. Regarding the benefits of Umrah Packages 2023 there are many things that Muslims can achieve.
1. HAVE THE ALMIGHTY AS YOUR HOST
The most delightful benefit of Umrah is the good fortune of being a guest of the benevolent Allah Himself. Pilgrims often speak of a strange stillness that envelopes them when they enter Mecca. In Hadith number 2626, Abu Hurairah reports that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “The guests of Allah are three:
Ghazi (meaning warrior fighting in Jihad), Hajj (meaning pilgrim performing Hajj), and Mu’tamir (meaning pilgrim performing Umrah).
2. FORGIVE ALL SINS
It’s greatest benefit is the ability to ask forgiveness for mortal sins. Here one can purify one’s soul by performing Umrah piously. In Hadith No. 2630, Abu Hurairah recounts that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:“From one Umrah to another is expiation for what comes in between, and ‘Hajj Al-Mabrur’ brings no reward less than Heaven.”
3. POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Another benefit is that one can get is poverty alleviation. It is said that Allah gives wealth to the pilgrims as a reward for the money they have spent on this arduous spiritual journey to Umrah. According to Ibn Abbas, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Perform Hajj and Umrah continuously; for they remove poverty and sin like a basin that removes impurities from iron.
4. EQUIVALENT TO PERFORMING JIHAD
Jihad is undoubtedly one of the most sacrificial and noble acts one can perform in Islam. According to Hazrat Aisha, wife of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the Prophet said: “Whoever leaves his house just for the sake of Hajj or Umrah and he dies, nothing will be given to him, and he will have no responsibility on the Day of Judgment, and he will be told, enter Jannah.
5. STRENGTHEN THE DEVOTION
Another important benefit is strengthening Iman. Performing it reaffirms the pilgrim’s faith in Almighty Allah. According to a hadith, Ibn-e-Maajah explained that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said – “Those who perform Hajj and Umrah are representatives of Allah Almighty. If they call on him, he will answer. And if they ask him for forgiveness, he will forgive them.
WHEN PEOPLE’S FAITH IS TESTED
The invisible is immersed in the essence of the Islamic faith. It has a special status in man’s knowledge about God and his environment. The invisible is integral to man’s true faith and submission to Allah.
The Messenger (P.B.U.H)˹firmly˺ believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and so do the believers. They ˹all˺ believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His messengers. ˹They proclaim,˺ “We make no distinction between any of His messengers.” And they say, “We hear and obey. ˹We seek˺ Your forgiveness, our Lord! And to You ˹alone˺ is the final return.”
Al-Israa’ and Al-Mi’raj give us a lasting lesson in trusting that Allah is the All-Knowing of the Unknown – a world is hidden from us and a powerful sign of Allah’s creation, especially for Humans. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that he knows nothing of the unseen, for it is a special matter for Allah. In the Quran it is mentioned (Say, “I have no power to benefit or protect myself, except by the Will of Allah. If I had known the unknown.
The Prophet himself was transported from the earthly world to (the lote-tree of the utmost boundary)(An-Najm 53:14), and he was exposed to various programs in a completely invisible world. He then came to speak these views to the believers to impart the moral lessons behind these views and test the correctness of their beliefs. So, what is invisible on the lucky occasion of Al-Israa’ and Al-Mi’raj is the yardstick to test people’s faith.
BENEFITS OF PERFORMING UMRAH DURING RAMADAN
If you are planning for Umrah during Ramadan, it is important to understand that there are two types of Umrah that pilgrims can choose from – Umrah-al-Tamattu and Umrah-al-Mufradah. Pilgrims can perform Umrah-ul-Tamattu during the month of Ramadan. Remember that there is no difference in the spiritual practice itself. Umrah during Ramadan is performed the same way it is done during the rest of the year. Moreover, the benefits of Umrah during the month of Ramadan are many.
A hadith of Ibn ‘Abbas says that the Prophet Muhammad himself (PBUH) said – “Perform Umrah in the month of Ramadan, (for it is equivalent to hajj or hajj to me (as a reward).”
Here, the reward for performing itduring Ramadan is considered to be similar to Hajj. However, it is essential to note that this is in no way a substitute for the obligatory Hajj. Other benefits include increased happiness, satisfaction, and blessings due to the sacred nature of time and place.
The pilgrimage is very rewarding and beneficial for all Muslims worldwide. Every year, millions of pilgrims head on a religious journey and seek blessings and forgiveness from Almighty Allah. In addition, the Umrah journey revives an individual’s faith in Allah and Islam.
