Embarking on the sacred journey of Umrah is a profound deed. It carries numerous rewards in the eyes of Allah. There are many ways to perform Umrah, however, the most convenient is to do so through all-inclusive October Umrah packages. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is reported to have mentioned the benefits of Umrah numerous times. He has said on occasions that with every step a person takes in quest of performing the Umrah, his sins get erased and Allah raises his rank with every step he takes.

On other occasions, he has mentioned the reward for praying in the Grand Mosque of Makkah and Madinah. He is reported to have said that praying in the Grand Mosque of Makkah that surrounds the Kaaba from all sides is equal to 100,000 prayers elsewhere.  And the reward for praying in the Grand Mosque of Madinah which is also called the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) mosque and is the burial place of the Prophet (PBUH) is equal to offering 10000 prayers elsewhere.

Both holy cities of Makkah and Madinah are of significant importance for Muslims. These two cities are the birthplace of Islam and where the Prophet (PBUH) spent most of his life. He belonged to Makkah and his extended family and the first verses that were revealed to him were in this city. Due to the oppression and disregard of the people of Makkah toward the Prophet’s (PBUH) teachings, he was forced to migrate to Madinah with his early companions who were also among his first followers. In Madinah, the Prophet (PBUH) and his close companions were able to freely practice and spread Islam. Moreover, the Prophet (PBUH) in Madinah was not just a religious leader but also a political leader who united the divided tribes of Madinah.

All-inclusive Umrah packages

Those who make an intention to visit the holy cities and thus perform Umrah, go for one or another type of package. Most packages cover the visa fee, transportation (both airfare and local transportation in Saudi Arabia), and accommodation. However, certain packages are all-inclusive. These packages cover all things related to Umrah, even the food and sightseeing. These packages usually come in groups to make them reasonable and of utmost convenience. This type of package has a dedicated guide that is well-versed in information related to how to do Umrah, what are the places of Islamic significance in both holy cities, and as well as things to avoid or be careful of while on the journey to Umrah.

Visa

By choosing an all-inclusive package, you eliminate the need to arrange documentation, submission procedures, and follow-up. The agent takes care of everything. The visa fee will be included in the cost of total packages which stands between $1500 to $2000 depending on the location from where a visa is being applied.

Transportation

The agents in an all-inclusive Umrah package have prearranged transportation. Their airline tickets have been booked and done so in groups to make the cost reasonable. Moreover, the local transportation in Saudi Arabia which includes the pick from Jeddah or Madinah (the two gateways to Umrah) and the transportation between two holy cities as well as the visit to the religious sites, all is included in the package. Transportation is usually by new and air-conditioned buses that take care of all transportation needs of the pilgrim, taking out every hustle in this regard.

Accommodation

The accommodation is also of good quality. In a group arrangement, the rooms are shared with at least 4 individuals segregated based on gender. This significantly reduces the cost of accommodation. The rooms are clean and air-conditioned least to say, and have all the conveniences that pilgrims are looking for. Most hotels are within walking distance from Haram, however, those even a little far away have dedicated shuttle buses to carry pilgrims to Haram right before every prayer.

Food

In a separate Umrah package, pilgrims have to walk from their accommodation to the main streets to find restaurants where they can have their breakfast, lunch, or dinner. However, in an all-inclusive arrangement, daily three times meals are offered to the pilgrims. These meals can be in the form of joint breakfast in the hotel eating area, it can also be buffet style dining in a hotel for lunch or dinner, or packed meals given to pilgrims at the time of their needs. In some arrangements, Umrah guides or agents hire home chefs in both holy cities to prepare food for the pilgrims in bulk.

Guided tours and other assistance

In an all-inclusive arrangement, every group is attached to an expert guide for Umrah. These have all the knowledge regarding the rituals, traditions, and historical significance of sites present in both the holy cities. They give adequate information on how to perform Umrah and about the sites that pilgrims visit. They also caution pilgrims about what to avoid like the luggage and cash restrictions among other things.

Conclusion

An all-inclusive Umrah is a new and convenient approach to Umrah. If the month selected is October, then the all-inclusive October Umrah packages are the best way to depart on this holy journey. This is due to the harsh summers where temperatures can cross 50 degrees Celsius. Umrah itself is a physical exercise and do not stay indoors all the time. They have to get out of their accommodation for prayers in Haram, food, site visiting, and shopping. All these things to do will be of utmost convenience in October.

Lastly, the real benefit of an all-inclusive Umrah lies in its ability to relieve any logistical, administrative, or other types of burdens. It also results in time savings and lower cost of the journey. An all-inclusive journey is meticulously planned and managed by experts which results in tremendous peace of mind for pilgrims. The resultant relaxation and freedom can be devoted to the cause of remembering and worshipping Allah.