هْلًا وَسَهْلًا (Ahlan Wa Sahlan)
Hadith 2626: “The guests of Allah are three: The Ghazi (i.e. the warrior who fights in Jihad), the Hajj (i.e. the pilgrim who performs Hajj) and the Mu’tamir (i.e. the pilgrim performing Umrah).” [Abu Hurairah]
Do you remember a time when the Muslim world found out that Saudi Arabia wanted to open up its doors and welcome the world to its land through the means of introducing a Tourist Visa? I remember a lot of the people around me at the time (including myself) thinking that it was a outrageous plan. How can the Government of this Holy and Blessed land allow non-Muslims to set foot on it?
But we’ve forgotten actually, that there are many non-Muslims who have lived and continue to live in Saudi Arabia (think expats). Around the time of confusion there were also a lot of misconceptions about non-Muslims entering the Haraam, but I’ve since found out that non-Muslims are still not allowed to enter the Haraam in Makkah. And whilst they can enter the city of Madinah, they cannot be around the area of the Prophet’s Mosque.
The focus on tourism and the issuance of the Tourist Visa plays an important part of Saudi Arabia’s “Vision 2030”, a strategic framework that is going to help lessen Saudi’s dependence on oil as its main source of income, by diversifying its economy and focusing on areas such as tourism, infrastructure, education, foreign investment etc.
When Allah SWT Wills for something to be, nothing will stand in its place. As Muslims, it is our responsibility to look beyond and see the wisdom behind what Allah has Willed. In this instance, there is one wonderful wisdom, benefit and opportunity for us Muslims through the issuance of the Tourist Visa. It means as Muslims, we can now go for Umrah without having to go through a middle person such as a travel agency. This means we have control of our itinerary, we can stay for as long as up to 90 days in Makkah or Madinah, and most importantly, we can save so much more money by planning our own Umrah trip.
In Shaa Allah, maybe this strategy is a good move by the Saudi Government. Not only are they allowing more Muslims the opportunity and autonomy to plan and perform their Umrah by streamlining the process, they are also allowing non-Muslims to experience life in a quintessentially Islamic country; a form of subtle Da’wah perhaps.
If you’ve been thinking about going to Umrah for some time, but you may not have the funds, or you would rather save up towards Hajj due to the exorbitant pricing offered by travel agents, or you haven’t been able to go when the dates are offered because it doesn’t suit your schedule, then perhaps you may want to consider planning your own.
Hadith: Abdullah ibn Umar I narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
Whoever visits me and has no other motive, has a right over me that I intercede on his behalf.
My husband, pre-schooler son and I travelled to Umrah in August 2022 and stayed a total of 20 days in Makkah and Madinah for a total of AUD$8000. This was when our local Masjid and travel agencies were offering Umrah packages starting at AUD$5,500 per person in a shared double room, for a total of only 9 nights. At the time of editing this post, the prices have since increased. The $8000 was the total cost of our return flights, accommodation both in Makkah and Madinah, transport between the two cities and our Tourist Visas.
3ppl + 20 days in Makkah & Madinah = $8000
VS
1 person + 9 days in Makkah and Madinah = $5500
We stayed at reputable hotels near the Haraam (close to the Rawdah in Madinah and in the Clock Tower in Makkah). We experienced taking the Haramain train between Makkah and Madinah, and travelled in luxury coach for our Umrah. Our hotels included buffet breakfast, which meant that we were generally so full until later in the day when we’d have our early dinner to cap off the day. In that Umrah trip, I was able to complete two Umrahs with good rests in between because I had the time and the freedom to schedule my daily activities.
Planning an Umrah trip is so simple, and the steps to take are just like you would when booking a holiday anywhere around the world. Whether you’ve never been to Umrah/Hajj before or you’re a regular pilgrim, I hope and trust that you will find the information useful. May Allah SWT bless and reward you for your intention and for taking affirmative action in increasing your worship and may it be a blessed and easy journey.
If you are ready to learn how to plan the ultimate Umrah trip of your life, click on this link to get started. Bismilllah!