Makkah Al Mukarramah also known as the Mecca ana Makkah. This is the main city for Muslims and famous as a sacred site for umrah or Hajj. This city became famous in Islam for being the birthplace of the Prophet(s.w) and surrounding the Kaaba. 

In this blog we discuss the valuable things to do here and places to visit including best umrah packages which helps you to plan your visit to the most sacred city in better manners.

Umrah at Masjid Haram

This is the most important activity to do in Makkah. Every year millions of Muslims plan to do umrah in the grand mosque-Masjid Haram. Umrah includes the main four Rituals. 

• Entering In Masjid Al Haram: It is the first step, in this Muslims where ihram and enter the state of ihram. Men wear two plain white unstitched clothes but women wear modest and simple clothes like hijab. They see the Kaaba which is present in the center of Haram. At the first sight they feel a great emotional connection with it. 
• Tawaf: After entering ihram, Tawaf starts. In this process, they circle around the kaaba seven times and make du’as.
• Sa’i: After tawaf, sa’i starts. In this Muslims circuit between the safa and Marwa hills. Which memorizes the struggle of Hazrat Hajra.
• Halq and Taqseer:  This is the last act. Men cut or shave their hair, but women cut a small piece up to one inch of their hair to complete the state of ihram.

Pilgrims perform these rituals with pure intention and calm heart to get the pure essence of this journey. 

Visiting Spiritual Places in Makkah

Makkah is not only famous for performing umrah. There are also many spiritual places where Muslims can pray and connect deeply with Allah. Plus, they grow their spirituality and see religious Islamic places.

• Mount Arafat (Jabal ar-Rahmah): Muslims visit this site in Hajj. It consists of many mountains like Jabal ar- Rahma and Jabal Saad.
• Cave of Hira: This cave has a great importance because our last prophet  ( s.w) received his first revelation of the Quran here. In this way, Muslims visit this to strengthen their faith.
• Masjid Aisha (Taneem): Sometimes Muslims visit this Masjid to refresh and renew their ihram clothes to perform another umrah.

These sites have a great importance in the history of Islam. After visiting, Muslims experience the historical depth of Islam.

Important Spots in Makkah

On your trip to Makkah, there are many other important spots which can help you to learn about the history and culture of Islam. There are following important spots in Mecca.

• Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower: This is the tallest building in the world, which shows the Islamic art and history. You can do shopping and dining here.
• Makkah Museum: This is present in the Al Zaher Palace. In this you can explore the rich history of Makkah and the early rise of Islam.
• Jabal Thawr: This is the cave, where Prophet s.w and Hazrat Abu Bakar take refuge for three days and nights when they secretly migrate from Makkah to Madina.

This is the best way to know about the deep Islamic history. 

Top Things to Do in Makkah

On your trip to Makkah, you can also do many activities to make your journey memorable.There are the following best things to do in Makkah- the holiest city in Islam.

• During umrah pilgrims pray in Haram, which increases the spiritual value and brings them close to Allah. 
• Muslims recite Quran and do Dhikar to get the mercy of Allah. Plus in this way, they connect with spirituality.
• During Umrah and Hajj you can do charity which increases the spiritual reward of your journey. 
• After Performing Umrah you can also visit the local markets to get religious items like dates and souvenirs.
• During your visit, you will see that some mosques arrange talks, you can participate in these Islamic lectures to boost spirituality and get the mercy of Allah.

All these things make your whole visit a transforming journey and you can feel this change even after returning home.

Practical Umrah Travel Tips

Pilgrims in Makkah need simple planning to make the journey calm and meaningful. Always try to book a place near Haram which helps you to save time and keeps energy for prayers. The city is very hot so drinking enough water keeps the body ready for rituals. Following rules and timings at the holy sites brings safety and peace for everyone. Wearing light clothing makes moving around easy and helps focus on prayers. Guidance from a Islamic travel agency provides support for travel and accommodations. 

Conclusion

Makkah Al Mukarramah is the most sacred place in Islam which has a rich Islamic history and modern culture to support pilgrims during their visit. During performing umrah or Hajj, there are many spiritual places to visit which can help you to boost your spirituality. By proper planning, and with the help of amazing sacred Islamic places, you can make your visit unforgettable and fully rewarding.