How Performing Umrah Has Become Easier for Muslims Today

Posted by Safeena Rahman on November 20th, 2019

Umrah, also known as the 'lesser pilgrimage' or the 'minor pilgrimage' is one of the greatest Sunnahs of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and brings some spiritual benefits for the pilgrim who performs it. This is why millions of Muslims from different corners of the world visit the sacred city of Makkah located in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from their home countries to perform their lesser pilgrimage. It can be performed at any time during the year in contrast to Hajj, the major pilgrimage, which is performed in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah. Another feature of the minor pilgrimage is that it involves lesser numbers of rituals and can be completed within a few hours.

The Muslims who live in countries that are quite far from Saudi Arabia have to make a long journey to Makkah, which involves a certain amount of cost. Some time ago, many of them who dreamt of accomplishing their Umrah had to keep postponing their plans owing to the costs involved. Over the years, many tour operators or travel companies specialising in the Islamic religious tours have come up in different corners of the world. This increase in the numbers of travel companies or tour operators has brought down the cost to a great extent. As a result, more numbers of Muslims are making their journeys to the sacred city of Makkah to perform their lesser pilgrimage.

Almost all these tour operators or travel companies have their websites, where they advertise the packages available for performing the minor pilgrimage. These packages are available for different months or seasons of the year, which the prospective pilgrims can choose depending on their preferences. As the major concern for most of them is cost, they can also choose the packages based on the price. Today, almost all the websites have been made mobile-friendly, which means that a person wanting to perform the lesser pilgrimage can go through the packages online using his or her smartphone and choose the desired package on the go.

One of the best ways to lower the cost involved in the journey to Makkah is to make comparisons between the packages available online. The prospective pilgrims can start by searching on any of the popular search engines for their desired package. In the search results, they would see a wide range of options in packages offered by several tour operators or travel companies. Before they go ahead and book the package, they must ensure that the travel company or tour operator they are booking with has been authorised by the Hajj Ministry of Saudi Arabia.

Muslims who are planning to perform their Umrah have another great option to lower the cost of their package. Most of the travel companies or tour operators provide a considerable amount of discount on the packages that are booked in advance. The ones wanting to go on their lesser pilgrimage can decide their date of departure and the amount of time they wish to spend in the sacred city of Makkah. Once they have decided the dates, they can go ahead and book their desired package at a discounted cost.