Hajj Metro Train Report 1437

Haj Metro was on track last season, report finds

Some 311,000 pilgrims used the Haj Metro last season, with zero technical malfunctions and a high level of satisfaction with the system, an official report has said.

Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal received a Makkah Development Authority evaluation of the operation of the Mashaer Railway, known as the Haj Metro, covering last year’s busiest pilgrimage season.

It found there were no malfunctions in the systems, trains or equipment at stations during Haj, which took place in September.

The report also said that the Haj Metro transported all passengers holding tickets, numbering around 311,000, according to a Saudi Press Agency report.

The Haj Metro links the southeast of Arafat, southwest of Mina and Muzdalifah. The track includes nine stations, each 300 meters long. Each train accommodates about 3,200 passengers, helping eliminate the use of many small vehicles and buses.

The report suggested the continued development and more investments to implement other train lines in the area, the SPA report said.

It noted efforts to distribute information pamphlets on how to use the train, as well as awareness films in three languages (Arabic, English and Urdu).

Makkah Development Authority assigned German TÜV SÜD Rail to inspect and evaluate the operation of the Haj Metro and compare the findings with results of studies over the past six years.

The company conducted field meetings with passengers and service providers and surveys of camps, tracks, stations and facilities, in addition to photography, video and scientific analysis of the data.

Passengers at stations were questioned on their satisfaction with the equipment, sanitation and hygiene services, with 74 percent saying they were very satisfied, 18 percent saying the services were average, and 7 percent saying they were unhappy.

The general satisfaction of users of the Haj Metro stood at 97 percent of respondents. With regard to equipment inside the train, customer satisfaction reached 95 percent, the survey found.

For next year’s Haj season, the German company has proposed the necessity for calibrating all the operating systems. The company urged the authorities to continue to prevent irregular access to the train areas and stations, and to prevent unauthorized pilgrims from accessing the railway areas.

It also said that pilgrim guides should comply with the grouping schedules put in place, and stressed the necessity of covering the station paths and slopes from direct sunshine, and to install cold water sprays to reduce the temperature.

Saudi Increase Haj Quotas in 1438

 Saudi Arabia’s move to increase Haj quotas this year has been welcomed, after the number of pilgrims hit a 10-year low in 2016.

King Salman on Thursday approved a proposal to increase the number of pilgrims from inside and outside the Kingdom during this year’s season, which starts in late summer.

Mohammed Shahid Alam, consul of Haj and deputy consul general at the Indian Consulate in Jeddah, said restoring the quotas is good news for pilgrims.

Last year, around 136,000 Indian pilgrims came to perform Haj, down from 170,000 in 2012 after the government reduced the quota by 20 percent. The figure for this year is set to be declared after a ministerial meeting to be held later this month.

Sajid Yousfani, Pakistan’s director general for Haj, told Arab News that the news of restoring of quota is positive for the whole Muslim Ummah, or global community, and those waiting to perform Haj this year.

Authorities in Saudi Arabia imposed a 20 percent cut in the quota for foreign pilgrims, and a 50 percent cut for domestic pilgrims, to ensure safety during the expansion of the Grand Mosque.

The number of pilgrims will be gradually increased and restored to what it was five years ago, according to an official statement.

Meetings with heads of the Haj ministries across the world have been scheduled to discuss Haj 2017 preparations, and the number of pilgrims for this year from outside the Kingdom will be announced later.

Last year, 1,325,372 foreign and 537,537 domestic pilgrims performed Haj, making a total of 1,862,909 pilgrims. This was the lowest number of pilgrims recorded in the last 10 years.

More than 2.4 million Muslims performed the Haj pilgrimage in 2007, according to reports.

Crowd management at the Grand Mosque was the focus of a recent discussion at The Haj Research Institute of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Umm Al-Qura University.

Hamza Ghulman, the university’s dean, said that the meeting strengthened the relationship between research institutions and agencies working in the field of crowd management at the Grand Mosque and surrounding areas.

The participants discussed ways of developing mechanisms to control the movement of crowds and providing better services to guests during their stay in Saudi Arabia.Saudi Increase Haj Quotas in 1438

Ghulman said that several proposals, derived from observations made during the past Umrah and Haj seasons, were explored at the meeting.

Operational strategies to manage the flow of pilgrims in key areas were also activated, he said. The strategies focused on the safety of pilgrims’ on the roads leading to the Grand Mosque, inside the mosque, at entrances and gates.

Modern techniques in crowd management and ways of boosting coordination between teams on the field were also discussed the meeting, said the dean.Saudi Increase Haj Quotas in 1438

He called for effective cooperation between relevant authorities in enabling the research teams to monitor and analyze the crowd movement inside and outside the Grand Mosque and at the holy sites.

Saudi Increase Haj Quotas in 1438

Hajj1438 Quota Raised to Indian

Indian pilgrims’ Haj quota raised to 1,70,025

Saudi Arabia and India signed the Annual Bilateral Haj Agreement for Haj 2017 here on Wednesday.

The Indian delegation was led by Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and the Saudi delegation was led by Minister of Haj and Umrah Mohammed Saleh Bantan.

Naqvi expressed gratitude to the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah for increasing the quota of Indian Haj pilgrims from 1,36,020 to 1,70,025 for Haj 2017. 

During the discussion with the Saudi delegation,  the Indian minister conveyed appreciation for the Haj arrangements for the Haj 2016 and assured full cooperation for the success of the  Haj 2017.

The meeting was attended by Ambassador of India Ahmad Javed, Consul General of India Md. Noor Rahman Sheikh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs Jan-e-Alam, Deputy Consul General and Consul(Haj) Mohd. Shahid Alam, and Deputy Secretary, MOMA, Aftab Alam.

Member of Parliament and Chairman of Haj Committee of India (HCOI) Choudhary Mehboob Ali Kaiser; Chief Executive Officer, HCOI,  Ataur Rahman; General Manager, Air India, Rajneesh Duggal; and a representative from Private Tour Operators were also present during the signing of the Bilateral Haj Agreement 2017.

Iran Invited Hajj 1438

Iran invited for this year’s Hajj 1438 (2017)

Iran, which boycotted last year’s Haj after refusing to sign an agreement organizing the fifth pillar of Islam, has been invited to send its pilgrims to perform Haj this year.

Iranian officials acknowledged the receipt of the invitation letter and said they were willing to discuss all Haj-related issues with the Kingdom.

A source said the Kingdom reiterated that it welcomes all Haj and Umrah pilgrims regardless of their race or religious sects. He said that Haj regulations equally apply to all pilgrims, including Iranians, without any disparities.

The source said the ministry has sent similar letters to its counterparts in 80 countries asking them to send their representatives to the Kingdom to discuss Haj arrangements for their pilgrims.

Iran last year refused to sign the document on the organization of Haj and asked that its pilgrims be allowed to organize gatherings and demonstrations which the Kingdom totally refused. Iran subsequently prevented its more than 60,000 pilgrims from proceeding to the Kingdom for Haj.

However, more than 700 Iranians living in the US, Europe and other countries came for Haj last year and were warmly welcomed by Saudi officials.

Source: http://saudigazette.com.sa/saudi-arabia/iran-invited-years-haj/

Top 10 Reasons Pilgrims Get Lost in Makkah

Reasons why pilgrims get lost in Makkah

Old age, language problem, getting separated from group are some of the reasons why pilgrims get lost in the Grand Mosque and the central area around it. 

Makkah Arabic daily has put together a list of the top ten reasons. Usually, pilgrims try to find those who speak their language or police officers to ask for direction to their hotel. This becomes a real problem when a pilgrim is unable to communicate with authorities or when he or she is unaware of the name or location of his or her hotel.

“You also need to take into account the age of pilgrims and their social and cultural backgrounds,” said supervisor of Turkish pilgrims Ahmad Halabi, who stressed that the Saudi Ministry of Haj pays special attention to lost pilgrims and make sure that they reach their destination.

He cited a number of reasons and factors why pilgrims get lost, which include old age. Elderly pilgrims find it difficult to remember the doors through which they entered the Grand Mosque. “The Grand Mosque is big and the streets and roads around it are confusing. Some insist on leaving their hotels alone and refuse to stay with the group. That’s when most of the accidents happen,” Halabi said.

“Some pilgrims refuse to carry wrist bands, which contain their names and location,” he said.

The Makkah Municipality is working to develop an indicative map of Makkah and major important sites in the city, he said.

1. Old age

2. Language problem

3. Unfamiliarity with maps

4. Not knowing the name and location of accommodation

5. Not knowing the name of the office for pilgrim affairs

6. Unfamiliarity with the name of the street or neighborhood

7. Not paying attention to nearby landmarks

8. Ditching the group

9. Removing the wrist band

10. Going to the Grand Mosque from one road and leaving from another.

Source : http://saudigazette.com.sa/saudi-arabia/reasons-why-pilgrims-get-lost-in-makkah/

Workshop on Hajj 2017 Plan

A workshop on Haj has suggested construction of auxiliary roads between the Grand Mosque in Makkah (Haram) and Mina, where the pilgrims stay for at least three nights during the peak of the pilgrimage.

The workshop, in which about 130 experts from 45 government and private departments participated, suggested that the support roads should extend to the northern expansion areas of the Haram.Workshop on Hajj 2017 Plan

It also proposed to limit the daily intensity of the road between Makkah and Madinah to a maximum of 50,000 pilgrims.

It suggested the use of modern technology for cleaning of the Holy Sites and said untraditional methods should be considered for keeping the sacred places perfectly clean, especially during the Haj season.

The workshop called for air-conditioning of all tents in Mina before the upcoming Haj season and said traditional tents in Arafat be replaced by fire-resistance ones or permanent buildings.

It called for adopting measures to avoid the late arrival of pilgrims in the Kingdom and said Dhul Hijja 5 should be the deadline for the arrival after which no pilgrims from abroad should be received.

The recommendations of the workshop will be submitted to Emir of Makkah Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, who is the chairman of the Central Haj Committee.

The participants discussed a number of Haj-related subjects including

accommodation, sustenance, transport, reception and send-off, grouping, enlightenment of the pilgrims and others.

It said the Mashaer train stations should be developed to facilitate the embarking and disembarking of pilgrims.

The participants recommended improving the guiding methods in Mina so that pilgrims do not lose their way.Workshop on Hajj 2017 Plan

They also said the roads leading to the train stations and the Jamarat Bridge should be shaded to protect the pilgrims from the scorching heat.

The workshop said the sprinklers used to refresh the air in Arafat, Mina and the pedestrian roads should be increased and made more effective.

It called for obliging the Haj companies to contract big national firms to supply food to the pilgrims.Workshop on Hajj 1438 Plan

It said the pilgrims should have the freedom to choose their own means of transport to go to the airport according to their own wishes and needs.

The workshop asked the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) to take the necessary measures to prevent crowding by departing pilgrims at airports.

Workshop on Hajj 2017 Plan

The Virtues Month of Dhu Al Hijjah

• Importance of First 10 Days of Dhu Al Hijjah
• The Takbeeraat of Tashreeq
• Fasting on the day of Arafah(9 Dhu Al Hijjah)
• Qurbani / Udhiyya

IMPORTANCE OF FIRST TEN DAYS OF Dhu Al Hijjah

The first ten days of Dhu Al Hijjah are among the most magnificent days in Islamic calendar. The Messenger of Allah, Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said: "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." (Hadith -Bukhari)

Almighty Allah Ta'ala says, (By the dawn; by the ten nights) (Quran-Al-Fajr 89: 1-2). Ibn `Abbas, ibn az-Zubayr, Mujahid and others of the earlier and later generations are of the opinion that this refers to the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. Ibn Kathir said: "This is the correct opinion." (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, 8/413)

The Messenger of Allah, Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, has said, "One fast during these days is equal to the fasting of one complete year, and the worship of one night during this period is equal to the worship of "Lailatul-Qadr".(Hadith-Tirmizi)

Every Muslim should avail oneself of this wonderful opportunity by performing as much Ibadah (acts of worship) as he or she can during this period.

THE TAKBEERAAT OF TASHREEQ

  It is Wajib (incumbent) for every adult Muslim male to recite the Takbeeraat of Tashreeq after every Fardh Salaat-performed with Jamaat or individually from the Fajr of the 9th of Dhu Al Hijjah to the Asr of the 13th of Dhu Al Hijjah. The Takbeeraat should be recited once only. The words of the Takbeeraat of Tashreeq are as follows:

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُ وَاَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ

Transliteration: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar laa ilaha illallahu wallahu akbar. Allahu Akbar walillaahil hamd.

Translation: “Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no deity besides Allah and Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest and all praises belong to Him Alone.”

NB. Men should recite this Takbeer audibly whilst females should do so softly.     FASTING ON THE DAY OF ARAFAH (9 Dhu Al Hijjah) It was reported from Abu Qutaadah that the Messenger of Allah(peace be upon him) was asked about fasting on the Day of 'Arafah ( 9 Zil Hijjah). He said, "It atones for the sins of the previous year and of the coming year." (Hadith-Muslim)

QURBANI / UDHIYYA

Hazrat Zaid bin Arqam (R.A.) reports that the Companions of Rasulullah (Sallalaho alihe wassallam) asked him:

" Oh Prohpet of Allah (pbuh), what is this sacrifice?" He said: "It is the way of your forefather Ibrahim(AS) ." They asked:"What (reward) is for us therein?" He replied: "There is a reward for every hair (i.e. the reward for meat and useful parts of the animal's body will be very lofty in merit, but there will also be a great reward for the parts which are useless and thrown away such as the hair)." They asked: "For the wool, Ya Rasulullah?" He replied: "There is one reward for every strand of wool." (Hadith:Ahmed, Ibn Majah) 

The Best Good Deed in These Days is to Offer Hajj

Go to Hajj, if you are physically and financially able to perform it. If not, try to offer a sacrifice (qurbani)  if you have the means. By doing this you are commemorating the story of sacrifice of both prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail (peace be upon them). The poor and the needy have a share in the sacrifice and feeding them is one of best deeds that can be done on the day of `Eid.

I pray to Allah to accept our good deeds in these days of Dhul-Hijjah and throughout the year. When our good deeds are accepted by Allah Ta'ala, we will be admitted to Paradise, by His Mercy.

On the merits of the first ten days, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." The people asked, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?" He said: "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight, giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing." (Al-Bukhari)

In what follows are suggested ideas on how to make the best use of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah:

Repent to Allah

Make a sincere repentance to Allah Ta'ala and promise Him that you will not do bad deeds again. This may be your last chance. You are not sure if you will live till next year.

Pray at the Mosque

Try to perform the five daily prayers in the mosque. If you have time after Fajr prayer, try to sit in the mosque, read a juz' (part) of the Quran, make duaa, or recite someAdhkar (remembrance of Allah). Then offer two rakahs before you go home. If you do so, you are reviving a tradition that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to do, a tradition which these days has been neglected by many Muslims.

Observe Fasting in the First Nine Days

Abu Sa`id al-Khudri said: I heard the Prophet saying, "Indeed, anyone who fasts for one day for Allah's Pleasure, Allah will keep his face away from the (Hell) fire for (a distance covered by a journey of) seventy years." (Muslim)

Do not observe fasting on the tenth day because it is an `Eid day and it is prohibited to fast that day.

Good deeds are rewarded abundantly in these first ten days; and as fasting is a good deed, it is recommended to fast these nine days.

Do not Miss Fasting the Day of Arafah

On the day of Arafah, non-pilgrims are highly recommended to maintain fasting. It is reported that the Prophet was asked about fasting on the day of Arafah, whereupon he said: "It expiates the sins of the preceding year and the coming year." (Muslim)

He also said: "There is no day in which Allah frees a greater number of His slaves from the Hellfire than the Day of Arafah." (Muslim)

Make a Lot of Supplications (duaa) on the Day of Arafah

The Prophet said: "The best supplication is that of the Day of `Arafah, and the best thing that I and other Prophets before me said, is: La ilaha illa allahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahu al-mulku wa lahu al-hamdu wa huwa `ala kulli shai'in qadeer (There is no Allah Ta'ala but Allah alone. He has no partners. To Him belong the sovereignty and all praise. He has power over all things.) (Al-Tirmidhi)

Try to Do Something New this Year

If you used to recite a part of the Quran last year, try to finish reading the whole Quran this year. Try to pick some verses everyday and check the books of Tafsir(exegesis of the Quran) to reflect on their meaning in order to derive lessons from them in your daily life.   

Maintain your Family Relations   

Visit your relatives even for a few minutes. If they live far away, give them a call. Do not forget your parents. Be kind to them, visit them, and attend to their needs. Some new Muslims think that after their conversion, they should cut off their family members. Allah Ta'ala orders Muslims to be kind to their parents even if they are non-Muslims. This occasion might be a good opportunity to talk about Islam to your non-Muslim parents. 

Give to Charity

Make it a daily habit to help the needy. Look for humanitarian organizations in your neighborhood and help them in any way you can. 

Don't Miss Offering at Least Two Rakahs of "Tahajjud" at Night

Offer many extra prayers, as much as you can. Allah Ta'ala promised a great reward for offering extra acts of worship. The Prophet said: "Allah said, 'I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshipper of Mine. And the most beloved things with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (praying or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him, so I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, and his sense of sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he grips, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me, I will give him, and if he asks My protection (refuge), I will protect him; (i.e. give him My refuge) and I do not hesitate to do anything as I hesitate to take the soul of the believer, for he hates death, and I hate to disappoint him." (Al-Bukhari)

Reciting the Takbir

It is an act of Sunnah to say "Takbir" (Allah is the Greatest) in the first ten days.

The "Takbir" should be pronounced as much as possible in the mosque, at home, in the streets, etc. It is reported that: "Ibn `Umar and Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with them) used to go out in the marketplace during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, reciting Takbir, and the people would recite Takbir when they heard them." (Al-Bukhari)

There are many forms of Takbir, but the most common one is: Allahu akbaru, Allahu akbaru, Allahu akbaru, la illaha illa Allah, Allahu akbaru, Allahu akbar, wa lillahi al-Hamd.

In another version of the Hadith mentioned above on the merits of the ten days, there is this addition: "… so increase saying Tahlil (saying la-illah illa Allah), Takbir (sayingAllahu akbar), and Tahmid (saying Al-hamdullilah)" (Ahmad) Therefore, these kinds of "dhikr" should be recited day and night.

The Best Good Deed in These Days is to Offer Hajj

Go to Hajj, if you are physically and financially able to perform it. If not, try to offer a sacrifice (qurbani)  if you have the means. By doing this you are commemorating the story of sacrifice of both prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail (peace be upon them). The poor and the needy have a share in the sacrifice and feeding them is one of best deeds that can be done on the day of `Eid.

I pray to Allah to accept our good deeds in these days of Dhul-Hijjah and throughout the year. When our good deeds are accepted by Allah Ta'ala, we will be admitted to Paradise, by His Mercy.

source: www.eislam.co.za

Indian Man Travels on Foot to Perform hajj

Rahmathullah Khan is walking all the way to Macca, an estimated distance of 7,000km. Khan, 56, commenced his journey on February 5th 2016.

Mohd Rahmatullah Khan, 60, began his trip from Bangalore on February 12,2016 travelling through Iran, Iraq and Jordan on foot. 

He stayed at a Masjid at Yakutpura in Hyderabad, Hyderabadis gave him a grand welcome.

Mohd Rahmathullah Khan of Bengaluru, an electrician by profession and out on his first Hajj, is attempting the pilgrimage with a difference – he is walking all the way to Mecca, an estimated distance of 7,000km. Khan, 56, commenced his journey on February 5. He reached Adilabad town on Tuesday evening.Indian Man Travels on Foot to Perform hajj

Speaking to this newspaper, Khan said he has applied for permission from the ministry for external affairs for his padayatra across national borders for Hajj; he also wrote letters to Prime Minister and Union minister Sushma Swaraj requesting consideration of his case.

He applied for permission four months ago, reminding the external affairs ministry again on January 31. He is waiting for permission. Khan said that he is meanwhile walking 50-60 km from 6 am to 6.30 pm daily.

He hopes to reach Mecca by August-end. Members of various Muslim organisations and leaders of Congress and MIM welcomed Khan at Mavala grampanchayat on the outskirts of Adilabad and gave him a send-off  after a brief halt for lunch.

Khan said that he would reach Delhi via Nagpur and his final destination in Saudi Arabia  covering nearly 7,000 km as part of his pilgrimage on foot.

Seethagondi (Adilabad): Bengaluru Electrician, Mohd Rahmathullah Khan (56) is making an attempt to go for Hajj pilgrimage. His trip to Makkah and Madinah would be a different one. He plans to walk all the way to Makkah which is 7,000 km from his place.

He started his journey on 5th February. He reached Adilabad yesterday. Talking to newsmen, he told that he has approached Ministry of External Affairs to grant him permission for his “Padayatra” across national borders for Hajj. He also wrote letters to PM Modi and External Affairs Minister Ms. Sushma Swaraj.

He walks 50-60 km every day from 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. He hopes to reach Makkah by the end of August.

பெங்களூர் to சௌதி அரேபியா...!

புனித யாத்திரைக்கு அல்லாஹ்வின் ரஹ்மத்தை வேண்டி நடந்தே செல்லும் ரஹமதுல்லாஹ் !

Indian Man Travels on Foot to Perform hajj in Tamil Language

The Virtues of Hajj and Umrah in English

“Whoever performs Hajj and does not indulge in obscenity or transgression will come out as sinless as a newborn child (just delivered by his mother).” (Al-Bukhari 1820)

Hajj is one of the greatest and best righteous deeds that pleases our Lord. Abu Hurrairah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated:

“The Prophet (PBUH) was asked, “Which is the best deed?” He said, “To believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad, PBUH).” He was then asked, “Which is the next (in goodness)?” He said, “To participate in Jihad in Allah’s Cause.” He was again asked, “Which is the next?” He said, “To perform Hajj-Mabrur.” (Al-Bukhari 1519) (Hajj-Mabrur is the accepted Hajj or Hajj that is free from vices and defects)

The reward of Hajj-Mabrur is nothing but Paradise. Abu Hurrairah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said:

“(The performance of) Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous one. And the reward of Al-Hajj Al-Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing but Paradise.” (Al-Bukhari 1773)

The pilgrim and Mu‘tamir (one who performs Umrah) are the delegates or the guests of Allah (Wafd Allah). Abu Hurrairah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said:

“The guests of Allah are three: The Gahzi (the warrior who fights in Jihad), the pilgrim and the person performing Umrah.” (An-Nisai 2626)

These three are the special guests of Allah because their long journey is purely for the sake of Allah. They are, as it were, going forth to meet Allah, the Most High.

* The Prophet (PBUH) said: “From one Umrah to another is expiation for what comes in between, and ‘Hajje Mabrur’ brings no reward less than the Paradise.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

* The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Perform Hajj and Umrah consecutively, for they remove poverty and sin as the bellows removes impurity from iron, gold and silver.” (Tirmizi, Ibne Majah)

* The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Those who perform Hajj and Umrah are the guests of Allah. If they pray to Allah, He accepts it, if they ask for His forgiveness, He forgives them.” (Ibne Majah)

* The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Umrah during Ramadan is equal to Hajj.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

In another tradition, The Prophet (PBUH) said: “To perform Umrah during Ramadan is equal to performing Hajj with me.” (Muslim)

Virtues of Umrah in Ramadhan

O visit the Holy Lands in Saudi Arabia in the month of Ramadhān is praiseworthy. 

 The Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam said, “Umrah in Ramadhan is equivalent to Hajj (in reward).” (Ibn Hibbān)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) then told her: “When the month or Ramadan arrives, go for ‘umrah, because `umrah in Ramadan is like accompanying me on Hajj.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (1764)]