Saudi Arabia opens registration for Umrah pilgrims

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah re-opened applications for Umrah visas on Thursday, because the country marked the tip of Hajj 2022.

The ministry announced that Umrah for foreign pilgrims will begin on July 30.

"We are receiving visa requests to perform Umrah, bearing in mind that issuing permits to perform Umrah from inside and out of doors the dominion, starts on first [day] of Muharram," the ministry said.

International pilgrims can start applying for permits to perform Umrah and to go to the Prophet’s Mosque ranging from Thursday, July 14.

Pilgrims can visit the ministry's official website for more information and details.

Domestic pilgrims can apply for permits through the Eatmarna application.

Foreign companies that aim to supply services for Umrah pilgrims and visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque must register online to be approved by the ministry.

Note: This paragraph is taken from here: https://www.thenationalnews.com/gulf-news/2022/07/14/saudi-arabia-opens-registration-for-umrah-pilgrims/

Umrah: Introduction

Umrah (Arabic:?????), sometimes noted because the ‘lesser’ or ‘minor’ pilgrimage, consists of finishing up a collection of rites within the precinct of Masjid al-Haram in Makkah. It consists of 4 essential practices and may be allotted at any time of the year.

Meaning of Umrah

Linguistically, Umrah means to go to a selected place. In terms of Shariah, Umrah comprises of passing the Miqat within the state of Ihram, performing Tawaf of the Kaaba, doing Sa’i of Safa and Marwa and finishing up Halq (shaving) or Taqsir (shortening) of the hair.

Umrah is performed throughout the year, although it's disliked to hold out the pilgrimage during the times of Hajj which occur between the 9th and 13th of Dhul Hijjah. The rites applied during Umrah also form an integral a part of Hajj itself.

Virtues of Umrah

Although Umrah isn’t an obligation for those who follow the Hanafi and Maliki schools of thought, there is still tremendous benefit and blessing in its performance as mentioned in the following Hadiths:

Abu Hurairah I narrates:

Allah’s Messenger? said, ‘(The performance of) Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed (between it and the previous one). And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise.’

[Narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari]

Abdullah ibn Abbas I said:

The Messenger of Allah? said: ‘Perform Hajj and Umrah consecutively; for they remove poverty and sin as the furnace removes impurity from iron.’

[Narrated in Sunan al-Nasa’i]

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah I that the Messenger of Allah? said:

The pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah are a delegation to Allah. If they call upon Him, He will answer them; and if they ask for His forgiveness, He will forgive them.

[Narrated in Sunan Ibn Majah]

Note: If you want to perform Umrah then book your Umrah Package from a trustable company which is protected by ATOL and IATA