As I plan my next Umrah trip, I'm thinking about whether it would be worth it to choose a fancier way to travel. This time, comfort and ease of use are important to me, especially when it comes to the quality of the hotel and getting around.
I found a Premium Umrah Package that comes with private transportation, 5-star accommodations close to the Haram, and guided ziyarats. Has anyone here ever booked this kind of package? I want to know if the extra cost really makes a difference in the experience as a whole.
Would love to hear your thoughts or ideas on reputable companies that offer top-notch services!
As-Salaam Alaykum.
Unfortunately this forum is not as active as it once was, so you might not get a response to your query.
May ALLAH bless you with ease and guide you to a company that offers the best service ameen.
Dont forget the spiritual and emotional preparation for the Umrah.
Junaid ibn Muhammad Abu al-Qasim al-Khazzaz al-Baghdadi also known as Junaid Baghdadi was born in Baghdad (830-910 AD). He was one of the early Persian scholars and teachers of Islam.
The following story is attributed to him regarding an explanation of the essence of Hajj.
Once Junaid Baghdadi met a man who had returned from Hajj (Hajji). After observing him for a while he asked him, "Have you been to Hajj?"
Hajji: Yes, I have just come back.
Junaid: When you left your home with the intention of Hajj, did you repent from all your sins?
Hajji: I did not think about it.
Junaid: In that case, you did not even depart for Hajj.
Junaid: What about your journey, rest-breaks and stopovers? When covering distances, did you move mentally and spiritually closer to Allah?
Hajji: I was too busy with other details of the journey and did not reflect on that.
Junaid: Then you have not really travelled to the house of Allah.
Junaid: How about while putting on the Ihraam and replacing your usual clothes, did you think about discarding your undesirable habits and attitudes?
Hajji: It did not cross my mind.
Junaid: Alas! You did not even put on the Ihraam.
Junaid: Did you experience the presence of Allah while you were standing in Arafaat as if He was in front of you?
Hajji: No, I did not get that feeling.
Junaid: That means you did not even reach Arafaat.
Junaid: When you went to Muzdalfah, did you think about gathering your your worldly desires and aspirations as you picked up the pebbles so that you can cast them out when you reach the pillars of temptation?
Hajji: I was only thinking about gathering the pebbles.
Junaid: So, you have not even been to Muzdalfah.
Junaid: What about throwing stones at the pillars? When performing that ritual, did you make a pledge to avoid corrupt enticements and cast away your ill deeds?
Hajji: This did not happen either.
Junaid: Unfortunately, you have not performed Ramy (stoning rites) either.
Junaid: How was your Tawaaf (circumambulation)? Did you feel overwhelmed by an ardent attraction towards the perfect Majesty of Allah during Tawaaf?
Hajji: No, I was only counting the number of Tawaaf I was making.
Junaid: It is, then, as if you have not even performed Tawaaf.
Junaid: Perhaps you understood the spirit, wisdom and objective of running between Mounts Safaa and Marwah. Did you think about the struggle of Mother Hajira? Did you think about her faith and devotion to Allah?
Hajji: Not really.
Junaid: In other words, you have not performed Sayee (running between Safaa and Marwah).
Junaid: Tell me about your sacrificial rites. While slaughtering the animal, did you sacrifice for the love of Allah? And did you think about Prophet Ibrahim and his unwavering commitment to Allah?
Hajji: That did not come to my mind.
Junaid: In that case, you have not even offer the sacrifice.
Junaid: Allah is the Most Merciful! You must go back next year and perform the Hajj again with the correct spirit and attitude of becoming God Conscious. You needto reenact the experiences of Ibrahim and contemplate on his example. Remember and reflect on the verse of the Quran that says, "And Ibrahim who fulfilled his commitments." (53:37)
Premium Umrah is the one when we pay for ease of:
1. Offer all 5 salah with jamaath and tahajjud in mataf/masjid al haram
2. spend more time in haram, salah, tilawath, azkaar.
3. Ease to do more tawaaf and umrah.
Many Indian Hajees have started arriving after completion of haj. We hear from them that, Hajees who stayed 7 kms from haram, traveled to haram in 2 bus shuttle services spent more time in aamaal quoted above, more than hajees who stayed in hotels near to haram.
The premium experience is worth it if you want to be relieved from the effort of planning the Umrah. Other than that, I can tell from experience that no matter how premium your pilgrimage trip is, if Allah has ordained it to be a source of salvation for you, inshaAllah, then you will experience hardship, no matter how much you pay and where you stay. If you relish the mujhaida involved in the pilgrimage experience, then choose a non-premium package.
Closeness to Haram will not mean less walking. If you are doing ibadah the best way over there, you will be walking a lot anyways. If you are truly careful about food being haraam or halal, then a 5-star hotel's buffet meals will practically be useless. You will have to search for assuredly halal alternatives yourself.
Transportation is not that big a problem but the comfort of having transportation pre-booked in a premium package can relieve you from the headache of acquiring yourself.
Sometimes the hotel maybe advertised as closer to haram but it could be deep inside or paths around it maybe cordoned off so keep that in mind. If you are from the UK then I could share a whatsapp link to a hajj umrah deals group which has just over 1k members. You could ask on there.
This cannot be undone and I am sure it will be greatly appreciated.
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