The month of Ramadan comes with countless rewards for Muslims. Believers fast from dawn until sunset, pray regularly, and offer Taraweeh prayers in order to get Allah’s blessings. Some of them also plan to go for Umrah in Ramadan because it is considered equal to performing Hajj in terms of reward. It is the wish of every Muslim to spend as much time as they can in the holy cities of Makkah and Medina during this sacred month and return home after offering Eid prayers.
Owing to the myriad of blessings and rewards, millions of Muslims go for a Ramadan Umrah. For this purpose, they seek the help of the best Ramadan Umrah packages offered by countless travel agencies. These deals include flights, accommodations, visa processing, and on-ground transportation. Some of these extend a few days beyond the month of Ramadan, allowing the pilgrims to spend their Eid ul Fitr in Makkah or Medina.
In this guide, we will discuss the best way to experience Eid in the holy cities of Makkah and Medina.
The Build-Up to Eid in Makkah and Medina
The word “Eid” means festival. It is one of the happiest days in the Islamic calendar and is characterized by wearing new clothes, giving gifts, eating lavish meals, enjoying time with your loved ones, and, most importantly, helping the needy so they can also take part in these festivities.
The build-up to Eid in Makkah and Medina starts during the last 10 days of Ramadan. These are the most sacred nights in the entire month. During these 10 nights, the sacred Laila tul Qadar (night of power) also comes on one of the odd evenings.
Moreover, the Taraweeh prayers in the last 10 days of Ramadan get more magical than the rest of the month. The holy mosques get crowded, and the soothing voice of the imam creates a magical environment.
Other than these, the shopping malls and streets are lined up with special clothes, shoes, and accessories for Eid. People not only pray to the max but also shop around to ensure that they can celebrate this joyous festival in the best way possible.
On the last night of Ramadan, the moon sightings start. Now this is quite an experience in its own. Muslims are not sure about the exact day of Eid unless the moon is sighted. The moon of next month, Shawal, is usually sighted on the 29th or 30th night of the month of Ramadan. In the Islamic calendar, no month can be of 31 days. As soon as the moon’s appearance is confirmed, a layer of joy grips the holy cities. Pilgrims start sharing celebratory messages with each other. Those coming from foreign countries call their loved ones back home to wish them well.
The Morning of Eid
The day of Eid begins early in the morning. On the Eid day, the biggest highlight is the special Eid prayers that are obligatory for every Muslim man and woman. As soon as the Fajr namaz ends, people start to come out of their houses, with men wearing mostly white, women in abayas of different colors, and children dressed in colorful clothes. They are all out for one purpose: to offer Eid prayers.
On the days of Eid, it is customary to recite “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Allah, Allahu Akbar wa Lillahil Hamd” prayers. Muslims recite it loudly while going to the mosque for prayers and after every prayer for the next three days.
In Makkah, thousands of foreign pilgrims and locals gather around the Kaaba to offer their prayers. The Imam gives the Khutba and then leads the two rakat prayers. Once the prayer is over, another Khutba begins, followed by a long dua.
The atmosphere is equally magical in Masjid e Nabwi in the holy city of Medina. The Prophet’s Mosque shines bright in the early sun and offering Eid prayers near the Rooza e Rasool is an experience that can’t be described in words.
Even if you offer Eid prayers in other mosques in the holy cities like Masjid e Nimra, Masjid e Quba, Masjid e Qiblatayn, Masjid e Jinn, Masjid Aisha, Masjid e Jummah, Masjid e Ghamama, or any other, the feeling is quite the same.
Once the dua and khutba are over, Muslims start to hug and wish each other. This is not only an act of embracing each other, it denotes the core essence of Islam, which is equality. The person sitting next to a pilgrim can be from a different ethnicity, culture, or country. They all meet each other as equals and wish everyone prosperity and Allah’s blessings.
Sharing Food, Love, and Generosity
After the Eid prayer, the celebration continues with food, gifts, and sharing. If you have booked all-inclusive Ramadan Umrah packages, your hotel will offer a special breakfast on the Eid morning. That’s not all, the affluent people set up food stalls for everyone where they serve local delicacies like rice, sweets, tea, and dates. People invite their friends and family, even strangers, to eat with them. Everyone plays their part to make this auspicious occasion more special. In order to make Eid a better experience for the needy, Muslims are required to pay a Sadqa tul Fitr before the Eid prayers. The amount collected is used to distribute gifts and food among the poor.
Local Traditions and Festivities
Makkah and Medina are holy places, but there is no lack of festivities when it comes to Eid ul Fitr. As the evening continues, the streets start glowing with lights. The kids and families come out to enjoy the local traditions and have some fun with their loved ones. Kids get new toys, cash gifts, candies, and many more things that keep them busy throughout the day.
The celebrations aren’t loud or fancy, but they are full of love and joy. You will not feel left out even if you have gone for Umrah alone. All the festivities are in line with Islamic teachings and reflect modesty.
Umrah after Eid
Many people return back home in the last days of Ramadan to celebrate Eid with their loved ones. This makes the Masjid Al Haram and Masjid e Nabwi relatively less crowded. As a result, those who stay can perform Umrah peacefully. They can even touch the Kaaba, kiss Hajar e Aswad, and enter Rawdah in Masjid e Nabwi. All of these are quite difficult during Ramadan, as there are millions of people in both Holy Mosques all the time.
Final Words
Umrah in Ramadan and Eid ul Fitr in the holy cities are once-in-a-lifetime experiences. If you ever get a chance to embark on this holy and fulfilling journey, make the most out of it. The number of pilgrims going for Umrah in Ramadan is increasing every year. Considering this, it is better to consult a well-reputed Umrah tour operator to plan your journey. For the UK Muslims, Muslims Holy Travel is the name to trust. They offer affordable Ramadan Umrah packages with outstanding amenities.
