Where is Hajj held?

Hajj is performed in Saudi Arabia, and in the holy city of Makkah. Many muslims across the world honor the obligation and carries out the religious duty. It all depends on the individual’s capabilities, some do it once and some do it more than once, the latter with a strong financial background who can afford to do so. Looking at the Hajj, it can be understood that the Islamic pilgrimage is one of the biggest gathering promoting universal brotherhood of the Muslim community. It is a time where people come from various status, nations, speak different language, lives a completely contrast culture from one another and leave everything worldly, to be one with one another.

How to Select the right Hajj Package from USA?

To search for Hajj packages which would be affordable & feasible, you may check online. One would find many travel agents and tour operators online, waiting to help you. Nothing can be better than planning to pay your respects and offer prayers to the Almighty. You may travel individually or with family or maybe with a large group, there is always a package or deal available which would best suit your needs.

If you have no prior knowledge about these hajj packages, it could be tough and time consuming  for you to check and find the best package. Therefore it would be wise for traveller to check on the various Hajj packages around, and compare prices, costs and services. When making a choice to select the right one from the so many out there, there are a few things to bear in mind;

1. Do your thorough research as to know which of the agencies online would be the best to speak with. You need to have someone whom you can trust, especially in the online world where so many scams occur. We would ask you to check carefully and learn about the services that offer specials and group discounts too. Remember, it should be all inclusive package for the price you pay, which means, although you are on Hajj pilgrimage, you still need your relaxation time and hassle free journey while travelling.
2. Check if the travel agents would give you value added benefits while booking your Hajj plans. There are some that come with a complimentary Ziyarah or a day to tour & shop, check and see which plans would suit your needs the most.

We hope you find the best Hajj tours and packages to perform the holy obligation this season. May Allah keep us in good health.

The post Selecting the right Hajj package appeared first on FLYNSAVE TRAVELS.

The first thing we need to know who is a Mahram. A Mahram is a male relative with whom a female is permanently forbidden to marry because of blood ties, breastfeeding or ties through marriage. This includes several relations other than her husband, father, brother, son, grandfather, grandson, uncle, nephew, father-in-law, son-in-law, stepfather, stepson and any male with whom she has shared a mother’s milk are Mahram for a woman according to Islamic Shari’ah.
There are mixed opinions about women going to Hajj and Umrah with or without a Mahram. Some scholars are of the view that Hajj is not obligatory for a Muslim woman if she does not have a Mahram, even if she can afford the journey. Some scholars believe that women who do not possess Mahram and are able to afford the expenses, and then they should sponsor someone else to do Hajj in their place.

As per the Kingdom of Saudi Arabian government’s current rules and regulations a women under the age of 45 years cannot go for Umrah unless she is accompanied with her Mahram. Complete details of the relationship between the two should be provided with the applications. If a woman is 45 years old or older then she can go without a Mahram only if she is travelling with an organized group or family and she submits a notarized No Objection Certificate from her Mahram. There are certain instances when it is not allowed for a women to even leave Kingdom of Saudi Arabia without a Mahram. The rue of thumb in this case is, how their visa is issued. If the visa is issued with a mahram’s name on it, then she can not leave Saudi without that Mahram. This can happen in instances where flights are scheduled differently or the lady in question and her Mahram are planning to leave for two separate destinations. Kindly consult us before booking your flights and making your package arrangements before travelling. The minimum age for a mahram is 17 years to accompany any blood relative lady. If your Mahram is not in the country of your departure, you can book indirect flights to get together at a certain point before entering Saudi. Please remember again, that you need to leave together as well. The visa process in such cases is also complex.

There is also a prevailing unscrupulous arrangement some agents are engaged in and that is “arranging a mahram”. This includes stapling the lady with a family completely unknown to her. This can not only result in legal trouble, but also can ruin the very essence of the ibadah one is going for. So please avoid trying to dupe the regulations and stick to legal and shariah guidelines always. You can always call us at 1-833-359-6728 for more details. We will be happy to assist you with more information on the subject and discuss your specific requirements with you. We can also make special arrangements or recommendations if your Mahram is in a different country. You may have a look at our Umrah Packages from U.S.A

The post Who is a Mahram and its rules for women performing Hajj and Umrah appeared first on FLYNSAVE TRAVELS.

Umrah Rituals:

The basic rites of umrah are putting Ihram, after taking bath and (Muslim brother) perfume their selves. After entering the great mosque pilgrim recite Talbiyaah (“Labbayk, Allahumma Labbayk. Labbayk. La shareeka laka. Labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-n’imata laka wal-mulk. La shareeka lak.“) till starting the Tawaf.

Tawaf must be start after kissing the Black stone or if one cannot kiss so just raise his/her hands toward black stone and kiss them. Circumambulate Kabaah seven times for Tawaf.

After Tawaf offer Two Rakat Prayers near the Station of Ibrahim (A.S).

Pilgrim will quench their thirst with ZamZam and then go for Sa’ee on Safa and Marwa. Sa’ee is going back and forth for seven times between the two mountains.

It starts from Mount Safa and ends on Mount Marwah. When the pilgrims done with sa’ee they shave their head or trim their hairs and put off their Ihram because they are done with their Umrah.

Flynsave travels offer hassle free umrah packages from USA, have a look at our VIP 5 Star, Delux 5 Star, and Economy 4 Star Umrah Packages, we have carefully designed packages to suit your preferences such as convenient Hotel location near haram, private transportation, Ziyarah and more.

Forms of Hajj:

The three forms of Hajj are Tamattu’, Ifraad and Qiran.

Tamattu’: In this form of Hajj, pilgrim wears Ihram only for Umrah in the month of Hajj. It means on the arrival of pilgrim in Makkah, he/she perform Tawaf and Sa’ee for Umrah. After Sa’ee the pilgrim cut their nails, trims their hairs or shaves their head and put off the Ihram. On the eight day of Zil-Hajj (The day of Tarwiya), pilgrim put their Ihram only for Hajj and perform their Hajj.

Ifraad: Ifraad is another form of Hajj in which the pilgrim wears Ihram only for Hajj. When pilgrims arrive in Makkah they perform tawaf and sa’ee for Hajj. Pilgrims does not shave or trim their hairs because they are still in the state of Ihram. They remain in the state of Ihram until they stone Jamrah on Eid day.

Qiran: It means that the pilgrim wears Ihram for Hajj and Umrah both. Obligations for Qiran are same as performing Ifraad. Expect slaughter is mandatory for the pilgrims who perform Qiran but one who performs Ifraad is exempted from this.

The post Rituals of Umrah and Hajj appeared first on FLYNSAVE TRAVELS.

While Turkey’s tourism industry is sure to face setbacks as a result of last week’s decision by the Turkish government to stop issuing visas to U.S. travelers, the rest of the Middle East and North Africa is in the midst of a boomlet that operators in the region expect will continue into 2018.

“Americans are shifting the conversation from apprehension to understanding and are openly exploring destinations in the Middle East, where tourism is booming,” stated Jamee Lubkemann, vice president at American Express Travel, which last month released a fall trends report showing that bookings for are up 150% for Beirut and 148% for Tel Aviv.

That is in line with what the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reported for the first half of 2017, during which tourism growth was strongest in the Middle East, up 9%, followed by Europe, up 8%, and Africa, up 8%, Asia and the Pacific, up 6%, and the Americas, up 3%.

Even though destinations throughout the Middle East and North Africa have been challenged by security threats and unrest over the past several years, destinations such as Egypt, Israel, Jordan and even the Palestinian territories and Iran are starting to attract greater interest from travelers.

According to the UNWTO, for the first half of the year, Palestine was the world’s fastest-growing destination, having experienced a 57% jump in visitors between January and June.

The growing awareness and acceptance for traveling to and within Palestine prompted Sami Khoury, president of the Holy Land Incoming Tour Operators Association, to visit the U.S. last month in an effort to communicate to the travel trade the region’s increasing tourism potential.

Following off-and-on periods of unrest between Israelis and Palestinians, “it has been very calm recently,” said Khoury. And consequently, the association, which represents about 90% of Palestine’s inbound travel industry, has seen a surge in demand.

Khoury acknowledged that most visitors to the Palestinian territories are still mostly faith-based travelers. But he said that, slowly, the culturally curious want to explore the region more as well, and religious travelers are looking for a greater diversity of products and experiences on the ground beyond just religious monuments and historical sites.

Thus, association members that are inbound operators are developing new experiences, such as incorporating more hiking and outdoor activities into their itineraries.

Itineraries that include Palestine are indelibly linked with travel to Israel and sometimes with Jordan, destinations that are all seeing growing interest. Khoury said he recognized that their continued growth was reliant on relative stability, something he said he is “cautiously optimistic” about.

Leigh Barnes, director of North America for the Intrepid Group, said the company was experiencing a 70% increase in bookings to the Middle East. “There’s definitely an appetite to get out and explore that part of the world,” he said.

G Adventures, too, has seen greater demand for the Middle East; it recorded 36% year-over-year growth in bookings in 2017, which prompted it to add a tour to Oman to its Middle East and North Africa destination portfolio for 2018.

Oman is “a trending destination,” said Jeremy Brady, G Adventures’ U.S. sales manager. He said the company’s No. 1 destination last year was Morocco, which consistently ranks among its top three destinations. Moreover, Egypt, which had been limping along for years following the Arab Spring uprising in 2011, has climbed back into the top 10 destinations for G Adventures.

Abu Dhabi was the fastest-growing destination city in the Middle East and Africa, and the fourth-fastest-growing destination city worldwide, according to the 2017 Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index.

Saif Saeed Ghobash, director general for the United Arab Emirates’ Department of Culture and Tourism,said, “With the recently announced launch of the much-anticipated Louvre Abu Dhabi and cultural exhibitions such as Hajj: Memories of a Journey, the capital’s reputation as a destination of distinction continues to grow.”

Abu Dhabi welcomed 4.4 million visitors in 2016, and it is on track to meet its target of hosting more than 4.9 million visitors in 2017.

Original Post can be viewed at Travel Weekly News

The post Travel News | Demand up for Middle East destinations appeared first on FLYNSAVE TRAVELS.

STEP 1

Starting From your Origination:

Do Ghusl (Complete body wash). Trim your nails and remove your pubic hair (if necessary). Perform Salah (Namaz, Prayer) of the time. Recite 2 rakats of Travelling Salah (Prayers) before you begin.
When stepping out, say the following words:

In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, and there is no might nor power except with Allah.

‘Bismillahi tawakkaltu ‘alallahi la hawla wala quwwata illa billah’

Read Du’a of Travelling, while sitting in your car or transport vehicle:

Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, How perfect He is, The One Who has place this (transport) at our service, and we ourselves would not have been capable of that, and to our Lord if our final destiny.

Allahu'Akbar Allahu'Akbar Allahu'Akbar

‘Subhanallazi sakhara lana haza wama kuna, lahoo muqreneen, wa ina ila rubbina la munqalibun.’

During your journey engage yourself in the remembrance of Allah (do zikr, make dua, read Quran…etc). This is the start of your journey to the House of Allah (SWT), and you have been given an invitation, so Praise and Glorify Him.
Once you are a traveler (having left your area of residence), and the next Salah is due, you can combine and shorten them as this is a concession from Allah.
Dhur (2 Rakaats) & Asr (2 Rakaats) together. Maghrib (3 Rakaats) & Ishaa (2 Rakaats) together. Read as many sunnah/nawafil as you like, there is no restriction.

STEP 2

Meeqat – (The place from where the Umrah starts and the pilgrims enter the state of Ihram). Men to get changed into their Ihram (2 pieces of white cloth), preferably after one of the 5 daily prayers Make niyyah (intention) for Umrah

Here I am O Allah making ‘Umraah.
If one fears that they are likely to be subjected to illness or anything else that might obstruct their Umrah, one may add the following, by doing so if one cannot complete the Umrah for whatever reason; then they simply cut their hair and do not have to pay the ransom.

I come out of the state of Ihraam from the place You prevent me from continuing.
Recite the Talbiyah (men should raise their voices and women in hush tones)  until you reach the Kaba and start your Tawaf

Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am. You have no partner. Here I am. Surely all praise, grace and dominion is yours, and you have no partner.

STEP 3

Entering Masjid Al Haram – (in Makkah, Saudia Arabia). Enter with your right foot first. Recite dua of entering the Masjid

In the name of Allah! O Allah! Exalt the mention of your Messenger. O Allah! Forgive my sins, and open the gates of Your mercy for me.

STEP 4

Tawaf (7 rounds around the Ka’bah) – You must be in Wudu (ablution)
Men to leave their right shoulder bare during the Tawaf, this is called Idtiba’a, after the Tawaf men need to cover both shoulders.
Start at the Hajar-e-Aswad, kiss it if you can, if not touch it with your right hand, if not face the Black Stone and point at it with your right hand
Say Bismillah, Allahu Akbar (just before kissing it/or just before or whilst touching/pointing)
For men, to Raml (hasten/briskly walk) during the first 3 rounds of Tawaf and walk normally during the other 4 rounds.
Once you reach the Yamani corner, either touch it with your right hand (do not kiss it), and say Bimsillah Allahu Akbar, or if unable, then continue without gesturing or saying anything
From the Yamani corner to the Black Stone recite

Our Lord, grant us good in this life and good in the hereafter and save us from the punishment of the Hellfire. [Quran; 2:201]
Once you return back to the Black Stone, you have completed 1 round, and you need to repeat the above steps 6 more times.
There is no specific duaa’s that must be read during the Tawaf. Make as many supplications from your heart, for that which will benefit you. Recite whatever you wish, supplicate to Allah by asking for good, recite the Quran, anything you wish.

STEP 5

Proceed to Maqaam-e Ibraaheem – (Prophet Ibraaheem’s station) after completing Tawaf
Recite this verse:

And take you (people) the Maqaam (place) of Ibraheem as a place of Prayer. [Quran; 2:125]
Pray two short Rak’ahs, as close as conveniently possible behind Maqaam-e Ibraheem. If it is not possible then you can pray them anywhere in the sacred mosque.
It is preferred to recite during the first Rak’ah (after Surah Al Fatiha), Surah Al-Kafiroon and during the second Rak’ah (after Surah Al Fatiha) Surah Al-lkhlaas

STEP 6

Go to Zam Zam Well
Make dua before drinking the Zam Zam Water
Pour water over your head
Return to the Black Stone touch it with your right hand (as before), if it is not convenient do nothing, and proceed to do Sai.

STEP 7

Sai (7 circuits) – having wudu is highly recommended, but not compulsory
As you leave the boundary of the Masjid, you can say:

(In the name of Allah, and prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, I ask You from Your favour. O Allah, guard from the accursed devil.
Upon approaching Mount Safaa, the following ayaat (verse) is recited

Verily, As-Safaa and Al-Marwah are from the symbols of Allah. So it is not a sin on him who performs Hajj or ‘Umrah of the house (ka ‘bah) to perform the going (tawaaf) between them. And whoever does good voluntarily, then verily, Allah is the All-Recognizer, All-Knower. [Quran; 2:158]

Indeed Safa and Marwah are from the places of worship of Allah…’ ‘I begin with what Allah began with.

Then ascend upon Mount Safaa, face the Qiblah, raise your hands and recite 3 times:

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.

There is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, Alone. He has no partner, To Him belongs the kingdom, & all praise belongs to Him, & He has power above all things, There is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, He fulfilled His promise, Granted victory to His servant, And alone He defeated the allied army.Then you Praise Allah, Send Salaam upon Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and then make as much personal Du’as as you like.Then descend from Mount Safaa and go walking towards Mount Marwah,When you reach the green sign, men are to hasten their walk for a while, but do not run. Then return to your normal phase of walk at the next green sign.
Upon reaching Mount Marwah repeat the same procedure as when ascending Mount Safaa (face the Qibla, raise your hands and repeat what was said on Mount Safaa.) This completes one circuit.
Continue and complete in total 7 circuits, ending the last one on Mount Marwah. Enjoy the process. You’ve come all this way, open your heart in glorification and Dua to Allah!
There are no particular supplications to be recited between Safaa and Marwah. It is up to the worshipper to praise Allah or supplicate Him in his own words, or he may recite portions of the Our’an.

STEP 8

After Completing Sai, Trim/shave your hair. It is recommended for men to shave all their hair, but they can trim it all the way round. Women are to shorten their hair by a finger tip.

Alhumdulillah your Umrah is now completed. May Allah (SWT) accept your Umrah, Ameen!

Disclaimer: Please consult with an Islamic Scholar and review the above Umrah method before you do it.

The post How to Perform Umrah appeared first on FLYNSAVE TRAVELS.