Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Recommended Books

• Hajj

By Dr. Ali Shariati

• Hajj Manasek

According to the Fatwa of:

Ayatullah al-Odhma - Sayyid Ali Husayni Seestani

Translated by Hajj Mortaza Lakaha

Reviewed by: Ayatullah Dr. Seyed Fadhel Milani

•Adabul Haramain

By Sayyid Jawad Husayny Shaharudy

• Rahnuma al-Hujjaj

According to the Fatwa of:

Marhoom Ayatullah Abul Qasim El-Khouei

Compiled by Hujjatul Islam Wal-Moslemeen

Alhaj Seyed Ali Abid Rizvi

• Pilgrims’ Guide: Selected Supplications

Translated by Dr. Liyakatali Takim

• Mafatih-ul-Jinaan

• Tofatul-Zaireen

• Ziyarat - of the 14 Masoomeen

Compiled and written

By Hadi Husayn Sayyid

Printed by Peermohamed Ibrahim Trust, Karachi.

All above books are available from:

Mehrab Publishers & Distributors (Canada)

17 Kevi Crescent, Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 3C8

Telephone # (905) 731-6920

Fax number (905) 886-3430

E-mail: devji@ican.net

Hotels

In Saudi Arabia, Jordon, Syria, Iran & Iraq

Saudi Arabia - Jeddah

Albilad Hotel Movenpick, a five Star Hotel on the Cornish Drive, excellent dining room with open buffet. Fax # 011-966-2-654-7098.

Sheraton Hotel, a five Star Hotel on the Cornish Drive, excellent dining room with open buffet.

Fax # 011-966-2-699-2660

Helnan Red Sea Palace Hotel, a five 5 Star Hotel at the City Centre (Balad), excellent dining room with open buffet. Fax # 011-966-2-642-2395.

Medina Munawara

Sheraton Hotel, a five-star Hotel - 7 km from the Holy Haram - excellent dinning room with open buffet, shuttle service and a rest house near available for the use by Hujjaj near the Holy Haram, Fax # 011-966-4-846-0385.

Medina Oberoi, a five-star hotel - two-minute walk to Masjid al-Nabawee, Medina. Fax #011-966-4-826-3155.

Green Palace Hotel - a four-star hotel - four-minute walk to the Holy Haram. Fax # 011-966-4-824-2666

Al Attas Hotel - a three-star hotel - a minute walk to the Holy Haram. Fax # 011-966-4-8233-0285.

Madinah Reem Hotel - a four-star hotel - 3 minute to the Holy Haram - The Masjid al-Nabi as well as Jannatul-Baquee can easily be viewed Fax # 011-966-4-825-5725

Makkah

Hilton Towers - a five-star hotel; a minute walk to the Holy Haram, Fax # 011-966-2-537-6500.

Kindah Palace - a five-star hotel, two-minute walk to the Holy Haram, Fax 011-966-2-574-3535.

Ajyad Makkah Hotel - a five-star hotel, six minutes walk to the Holy Haram. Shuttle bus service available - excellent dining room buffet style. Fax # 011-966-2-574-6061.

Syria

Damascus

Ebla Cham Palace - a five-star de-luxe hotel with excellent dining room with open buffet. It is about 15 minutes drive to Bibi Zainab AS’s Raudhah.

Fax # 011-963-11-223-4805.

Other Five Stars Hotels

Semiramis - Meridien - Sheraton

Cham Palace

Jordan

Amman

Five-star hotels

Intercontinental - Forte Grand - Marriot

Rooms are with attached English Style bathrooms.

Al-Quds

Jerusalem - West Bank

The Seven Arches - a four-star hotel.

Islamic Republic of Iran

Tehran

Azadi International Hotel - a five-star hotel - rooms with attached English style bathrooms. Excellent dining room with open buffet, Fax # 011-98-21-2073038.

Homa Hotel - a five-star hotel - Rooms with attached English style bathrooms. Excellent dining room with open buffet. Fax # 011-98-21-8773021.

Mashad

Laleh Hotel - a five-star hotel - acceptable dining room with open buffet. Telephone #011-98-51-894845, 9 lines. Few rooms with attached English style toilets.

Homa Hotel, a five-star hotel - Rooms with attached English Style bathrooms. Excellent dinning room with open buffet.

Republic of Iraq

Bagdaad

Al-Rashid Hotel - a five-star hotel - Rooms with attached English Style bathrooms. Acceptable dining room with limited menu.

Sheraton Hotel - four-star hotel - Rooms with attached English Style bathrooms. Acceptable dining room with limited menu.

Karbala’

Makki’s Rest House - to be considered as two Star guesthouse across Hazrat Abbas A.S. Raudhah; few rooms with attached English Style bathrooms.

Hotel Zainabiya - a two-star hotel few kilometers away from the Holy Haram. You need a bus to visit the Holy Haram.

There are many new hotels in Karbala’ but their standards are low and to be standard considered as two-star hotel. Most of them do not have English Style Bathrooms.

Najaf

The only popular hotel is Zam Zam Hotel, again to be considered as a 2-star hotel. Only a few rooms have attached English Style bathrooms.

Embassies for Visas

Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Hajj & Umra Visa.

In Canada

The Consular Section, 99 Bank Street, Suite # 260, Ottawa, Ont. K1P 6B9, telephone # (613) 237-4100 Fax # (613) 237-0567

In the United States

New York, The Consular Section

866 United Nations Plaza, Room # 480, New York, NY 10017, Telephone # (212) 752-2740.

Washington. The Consular Section

601 Newhamshire Avenue North W., Washington DC 20037, Telephone # (202) 342-3800.

Houston. The Consular Section

5718 Westheimer, Suite # 1500, Houston, TX 77057, Telephone # (713) 785-5577.

Los Angeles. The Consular Section

10900 Wilshire Blvd., Suite # 830, Los Angeles, CA 90024, Telephone # (310) 208-6566.

Jordan

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

In Canada

100 Bronson Avenue, Suite # 701, Ottawa KAR 6G8

Telephone # (613) 238-8090

Syria

The Embassy of The Syrian Arab Republic

In Canada

111 St. Urban, Suite # R06, Montreal, Quebec, H2Z 1Y6

Telephone # (514) 397-1891 - Fax (514) 397-6801

In the United States

2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DCV 20008

Iran

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran

In Canada

245 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2K2

Telephone # (613) 235-4726

Iraq

The Republic of Iraq

In Canada

215 McLeod Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 0Z8

Telephone # (613) 236-9177

Flights for Umra & Hajj

Jeddah

The King Abdul Aziz International airport has three terminals; one for foreign airlines, one for Saudi Airlines and one is Madina-tul-hujjaj, which is in operation only during Hajj season.

During Umra if you fly into Jeddah by any airline other than Saudi Airlines you will disembark at the International airport. If you are intending to fly to Medina then you will have to go to another the terminal; you will have to take a taxi to take you to the Saudia terminal because all domestic flights depart from the Saudi Airlines terminal only.

You will not have to change terminals, however, if you are going straight to Makkah you will take a taxi to Makkah via Masjid al-Johfa (our Meeqat) to put on your Ihram or if it is very late then you may spend the night at a hotel in Jeddah.

During Hajj season, it does not matter which airline you fly. All Hujjaj are transferred to Madina-tul-Hujjaj and from there they either fly to Medina or if they are going to Makkah, then they will enter Makkah via Masjid al-Johfa.

During Hajj season tickets for Jeddah/Medina purchased outside Madina-tul-hujjaj are not honoured so you will have to buy your ticket from the Saudi Airlines office at Medina-tul-Hujjaj. Therefore it is highly recommended that you ask your travel agent to book for you the flight Jeddah/Medina and obtain a print out showing the PNR numbers, without this PNR # you cannot get a seat to Medina.

Normally if you fly by Saudi Airlines from New York, you arrive in Jeddah at about 4:30 PM and it takes anywhere between 6 to 8 hours to clear Immigration and customs. It is therefore, recommended that you book your flight to Medina early next morning and spend the night at Madina-tul-hujjaj.

Transportation during Umra

If you are not flying to Medina from Jeddah then you can take a white limo from the airport, which will cost you about SR500/SR600 and can accommodate four passengers and your baggage. It will take approximately four to five hours to reach Medina.

If you decide to go to Makkah from Jeddah then you can take a taxi stopping first at Masjid al-Johfa, our Meeqat, where you can do your Niyyat of Ihram and then proceed to Makkah. It will cost you about SR300/400 and can accommodate four passengers and your baggage. It will take between four to five hours to reach Makkah.

Preparation for Umra

It is very important that all Hujjaj prepare themselves mentally, physically and spiritually, months before their departure from North America. They should bear in mind that they are going to visit the Holy Cities and are NOT going for a holiday to visit a tourist attraction.

Information for Umra Visa

The head of each family proceeding for Umra is requested to write and enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, nearest to their city of residence and request them to send enough Visa Application forms for his family. From time to time the Saudi Government amends the rules, so please refer to the enclosed instructions with the application form.

When applying for the Umra Visa you will be required to send the Saudi Embassy the following documents:

• Passport valid for a minimum six months

• A duly completed Visa application form

• A vaccination certificate against Meningitis

• A vaccination certificate against Cholera

• A copy of your marriage certificate if husband and wife are travelling to-gether

• A Mahrum certificate completed and signed by an Islamic Center

• A confirmed round trip air ticket

Please note: All Hujjaj are advised to carry with them a photocopy of their passport which shows their personal information.

American Hujjaj with green card should make sure to carry their green cards in their wallet and a copy of this card should be kept separately in a safe place.

Health Guide

• You should get a complete medical and dental check upto two months prior to your departure.

• You must start walking between 3 to 5 miles daily two months before your departure.

• Pre-travel inoculation is an effective way of reducing or eliminating the risk of several serious infections. Our doctors have recommended that all Hujjaj must take the following vaccinations which are available at all travel clinics in North America or see your family doctor.

Vaccination

• Maningococcal (Spinal Meningitis) - Compulsory

• Cholera - Compulsory

• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Polio (DTP) - Optional

• Yellow Fever - Optional

• Hepatitis A - Optional

When applying for the Umra Visa you will have to enclose certificate of vaccination against Meningitis and Cholera with your application form otherwise you will be denied Umra Visa.

For Ladies Only

Women should contact their family doctor well in advance to prescribe the necessary medication to avoid menstruation during the trip. Ladies in menses cannot enter any Masjid or any Haram of Masoomeen A.S., but they can recite Ziyarat from outside.

Other Useful Information

Insurance

Hujjaj are recommended to take out Medical and Accidental Insurance coverage by Blue Cross or similar kind in other Provinces and USA for the entire trip as per their own personal needs.

Travelers Cheques

Hujjaj are advised to carry American Express Traveler cheques in US Dollars; they are accepted in stores in Saudi Arabia.

Currencies

Hujjaj are recommended to carry a minimum of US $500 in large bills (US $100 bill, which will fetch a better, rate than smaller bills and is easy to cash). The bills should not be dated prior to 1990. Please take more if you intend to do some shopping. Utmost care should be taken in hotels, whilst travelling and particularly in the Haram.

One person in a family should not keep all the money. It is advisable to make special zipped pockets on the inside of garments for safe keeping of money and valuables.

All five-star hotels in Medina and Makkah offer safe deposit boxes and are available to you at no charge unless you lose your key, then it will cost you US $1000.

Credit Cards

All major credit cards are accepted in most of the stores.

Video Filming

Video filming and photographing in Saudi Arabia is prohibited, especially near the Holy Harams both in Medina and Makkah. It is better not to take with you Video or camera equipment with you.

Weather

In Saudi Arabia the temperature will vary between 20 to 248 degrees Celsius during December and January. It is particularly hot during Dhohar time. Nights in Medina are a little cooler.

Electric Current

The electric current is 220 Volts so please make sure you carry a travel adapter if you are planning to take any electrical equipment (kettle, iron, electric razor) with you an electric kettle to use on the trip.

Baggage

You must try to travel as light as possible. All baggage must be tagged with your name, full address both inside and outside and should also be locked for security purposes. The size of the suitcase should be limited to 28 inches maximum.

Laundry Facility

All hotels offer laundry facilities, which are reasonably priced. There are also many dry cleaning stores at every corner of the city and much cheaper than the hotels.

ID Card

Each person must carry an ID card showing his/her name, photograph, passport number and nationality plus some medical information and telephone numbers of the hotels they will be staying.

Respect of Holy Places

Respect and dignity of the holy places should be maintained especially while performing various rites of Ziyarat. Care should be taken to see that other Hujjaj are not inconvenienced. You are also advised not to occupy a certain place for a long time where others would like to pray. Calmness should be maintained in the Holy Haram and worldly talks and arguments should be avoided. While in Haram, Holy Quran, Salawat, Tasbih,Dhikar, Duas and Istighfar should be recited as much as possible.

Religious Books

Hujjaj wishing to carry duas and A’amaal books i.e. Mafatihul-Jinan and Tohfatul Zaireen etc. may do so by making photo copies to avoid to take the originals. Those who cannot read Arabic, you will find many Ziyarat in English in this booklet, which have been compiled with the assistance of other compilers.

Hijab

Women must wear Hijab at all times and avoid make-up during the Umra trip especially in Medina and Makkah.

A’adab

It is recommended for one to perform Ghusl (Mustahab) and be in Wudhu all the time when going to the Holy Haram.

Meeqat

Any person (not present in Makkah) who wishes to come from far to perform Umra, will have to put on the Ihram from any one of the following Meeqat (places appointed by Sharia). There are about six Meeqat if you are coming from outside of Saudi Arabia, but we will discuss only two as these are the only two that concern the pilgrims coming from North America.

• Masjid al-Shajara: This is the Meeqat, used by pilgrims who first go to Medina. It is about 7 klm from city of Medina on the way to Makkah.

• Masjid al-Johfa: Pilgrims who are going straight to Makkah from Jeddah use this Meeqat. It is about 115 Km from Jeddah on the way to Medina.

Items to take with on Your Umra Trip

Some Hujjaj have the tendency to take many unnecessary items with them. We, therefore, have prepared a list of items to be taken. Some of these items can be shared between couples and friends.

List of Items

01) One bottle of unscented Shampoo and soap.

02) One can (unscented) of dusting powder.

03) One tooth brush and toothpaste.

04) One hair brush or comb.

05) One travelling money pouch for safekeeping.

06) Four shirts, two pants, two pajamas and some undergarments for men.

07) Four sets of Shalwaar Kurta or long dress and some undergarments for women.

08) One Janamaaz (Mussalla) made of straw available in Medina. You are not allowed to use openly Sajdagha (Mor) when saying your Salaat

09) One travelling alarm clock.

10) One pair of rubber slippers and one pair of very comfortable shoes for the daily wear.

11) You should take enough prescription medicine to last you during the entire trip and you should carry them in your hand luggage. It is also advisable to carry a prescription of all your medication in case you have to buy them. Also please make sure to take some Tylenol and cough drops like ‘Bradasol’ for sore throat.

12) If you wear prescription glasses then it is highly recommended to carry an extra pair with you.

New York/Jeddah

During Umra season, it is advisable to fly by Saudi Airlines from New York which flies non-stop to Jeddah and arrives at about 4:30 PM. This will give you enough time to clear immigration and customs and catch your flight to Medina which departs from Jeddah at about 8:30 PM.

Once you arrive in Medina and have collected your baggage, you will go outside the terminal and take a taxi to your hotel, which will cost you approximately SR40.

Medina

If you are staying near the Holy Haram then every morning at about 4:30 AM you should go to the Holy Haram for Salaat al-Shab also called Salaat al-Lail. Two Adhaan are given in the morning and one Ehkaam for the Fajr Salaat.

If you wish to pray inside the Haram then you should carry (with you) the straw mat because you will be able to do your prostration on it.

Also there are many small places in the Haram where there are no carpets so you can pray at these places.

After morning Salaat men proceed to Janat-ul-Baquee. The ladies will stay outside Masjid al-Nabawee waiting for the Masjid to be opened for them for Ziyarat, which is normally at about 7:00 AM.

You should try and return to your Hotel for breakfast and rest during the day and if you wish to go for Salaat at the Masjid during Dhohar and Asr, you may do so.

The Holy Haram is closed after Isha Salaat.

Salaat

Hujjaj who are required to pray ‘kasar’ under normal circumstances, are recommended to pray full Salaat in Makkah and Medina, if you are staying in a Hotel near the Holy Haram.

It is highly recommended that when entering any Masjid for the first time then 2 rakaat Salaat be offered with the "Niyyat of Tahiyyat al-Masjid"

Masjid al-Nabawee

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was born in Makkah on 17th Rabi-ul-Awwal. He was born an orphan and when he was five years old, his mother Amina Binte Wahab died. His grandfather Abdul-Muttalib who also passed away when the Prophet was only eight years old and then his uncle Abu Talib, became his guardian then brought him up.

At the age of 25 he married Bibi Khadija who was a widow of forty years of age.

When he was 40 years old, revelation came to him from Allah (SWT) ordering him to ‘read in the name of Allah’ and the first to know about this was Bibi Khadija and his cousin Imam Ali A.S.

During his last pilgrimage to Makkah, the Holy Prophet of Islam proclaimed at Ghadeer al-Khum that Imam Ali A.S., would be his successor, in accordance with the wishes of the Almighty Allah.

The Prophet of Islam passed away on the 28th Safar in 11 AH and is buried in the Masjid al-Nabawee.

If you follow the sketch of the Masjid al-Nabawee as shown on Page 27 you will notice that there are many pillars and places of importance, which will be explained briefly.

Bab al-Jibra’el

This is the door through which Jibra’el used to come to the chamber of Janabe Fatimah Zehra A.S.

Maqam al-Jibra’el

Whenever Jibra’el came to the Prophet of Islam with a Wahee ‘revelation’, he came through this door.

Stage of Suffa

The poor new Muslims who use to come to Medina from different parts of the world use to stay at this stage till they found their own shelter.

Riyadhul Jannah

The Prophet of Islam was heard saying that a piece of Jannat is between his mimber and his Zaree. Some historians say that Bibi Fatima A.S. is also buried here.

It is also said that the Prophet of Islam was heard saying that this piece of land would be raised to meet Jannat on the day of Quiyamat.

Mimber al-Rasul

This is the same mimber that the Holy Prophet (SAW) used to give khutbas from.

Mehrab al-Nabawee

Just before the mimber is the Mehrab al-Nabawee. It is from this Mehrab that the Prophet of Islam used to conduct Salaat al-Jamaat.

Pillars in Masjid al-Nabawee

Pillar of Hannaana

Adjoining the Mehrab al-Nabawee is the pillar of Hannaana. The Prophet of Allah used to lean against a date palm tree and give Khutba. After the Mimber was built, however, the Prophet (SAW) used the mimber for giving khutba. The date palm tree complained and cried because of loneliness. The Prophet of Islam reassured the date palm tree that it would accompany the Prophet in Jannat.

A pillar was erected where the pillar of Hannaanaa was.

Pillar of Aisha

It is narrated that the Prophet (SAW) was heard saying that there was one place in this Masjid where to say Salaat was great thawab but he did not say where the place was. After his death, Aisha pointed out this place where the ‘Pillar of Aisha” now stands.

Pillar of Tawba

The pillar that is right in front of Kabre Mubarak is the Pillar of Tawba. It is narrated that Abu Labbaaba spied on the Prophet of Islam and went and told the Jews that there was a plan to kill them.

Abu Labbaba then repented for this mistake and he came to Masjid al-Nabawee and tied himself to a date tree, crying desperately for forgiveness.

One day when the Prophet of Allah was resting in the hujra of Umme Salma, Jibra’el came with the ayah of Quran which mentions the forgiveness of Abu Labbaaba. The Prophet untied him and gave him the good news that Allah had forgiven him. Here the Pillar was erected, it is recommended that one should try to pray two rakaats Salaat and ask for forgiveness at this pillar.

Pillar of Mahras

This pillar stands where Imam Ali A.S. used to stand guard over the Prophet of Allah when he slept at night.

Pillar of Wufood

Whenever people from outside Medina came to visit the Prophet (SAW), he would receive their delegation here.

House of Imam Hassan A.S.

When you come out through Bab al-Jibra’el and look straight towards the Qibla, you will see a white dome (silver) but now it is turned into a library and known as ‘Maktab al-Sheikh-Arif Hikmat’

House of Abu Ayyub Ansari

This is the famous hadith that when the Prophet of Allah first arrived in Medina, several Ansars wanted to be his host. It was difficult for the Prophet (SAW) to decide which Ansar to choose so he announced that he would stay wherever his camel stopped.

The camel stopped in front of the House of Abu Ayyub Ansari. This is the first house in Medina where the Prophet (SAW) stayed. The house has been demolished and (now stands) in it’s place the ‘Court of Justice’.

Jannatul Baquee

This is the general cemetery in existence since the time of the Prophet of Islam. Here many Ashab, Momineen and Shohada al-Ohad have been buried. Also the graves of the following members of the Ahlul Bayt can be found there.

Janabe Fatima Zehra A.S.

According to some historians she is buried here.

Imam Hasan A.S.

He could not be buried next to the Prophet in Masjid al-Nabawee.

Imam Zainul Abideen A.S.

Imam Muhammad Baqar A.S.

Imam Jafar Sadiq A.S.

Janabe Fatima Binte Asad

Ummul Baneen

Wife of Imam Ali A.S. and mother of Hazrat Abbas A.S.

Janab al-Halimah

The wet nurse of the Prophet.

Janab al-Safiya and Janab al-Atika

Paternal aunts of the Prophet of Allah.

Janab al-Ruqayya, Umm al-Kulthum and Zaynab

They are the adopted daughters of the Prophet A.S.

Juwara, Saudah, Aisha, Hafsa, Umme Habibah, Umme Salma, Safiyyah & Zainab

The wives of the Prophet of Allah (SAW)

Hazrat Abbas

Uncle of the Prophet (SAW).

Janab al-Ibrahim

Son of the Prophet of Islam and brother of Bibi Fatima Zehra A.S.

Hazrat Ismail A.S.

Son of Imam Ja’far Sadique A.S.

Outside Ziyarat

If you have not joined any group and you are on your own, then you can hire a taxi to take you to all the outside Ziyarat and it will cost you approximately SR50/SR70 for four passengers.

Masjid al-Shams

It is narrated that the Prophet (SAW) fell asleep on the laps of Imam Ali A.S. just before Dhohar time till nearly Maghrib.

Imam Ali A.S. said his Dhohar and Asar Salaat sitting down. Near the time of Maghrib, the Prophet woke up and pointed his finger at the setting sun, which came up and the Prophet (SAW) prayed his Dhohar and Asr Salaat.

In Iraq there is another Masjid called Masjid-Radus-Shams which has got its name on a similar kind of story.

Masjid al-Zul Qibltayn

Our previous Qibla was Bait-ul-Muqaddas. The Jews used to taunt the Holy Prophet (SAW) that his followers did not have their own direction for Salaat.

One day when the Prophet of Allah (SWT) was leading the Salaat al-Dhohar, a revelation came to him after the second Rakaat to change his direction of Salaat, from Bait-ul-Muqaddas to the Ka’aba.

Masjid al-Quba

This was the first Masjid that the Prophet of Allah (SAW) built on his arrival from Makkah. It is narrated that the Prophet of Allah was heard saying that if you say two Rakaats Salaat in this Masjid you will get the Thawab of one Umra.

The Saba Saba Masjids

This was the place where the battlefield of Khandaq was fought and these Masjids were erected thereafter. There are 5 Masjid near each other. The name Khandaq was given because Salman al-Farsee dug a very big trench during this battle so that the army of the non-believers could not jump over the trench. This was the battle strategy used in Iran where Salaman al-Farsee’s native country.

Masjid al-Fatah

This Masjid is situated on the hilltop. It is narrated that the Prophet of Islam stayed (in this tent) for three days in his tent and prayed for the success of the Muslims.

Masjid Salman al-Farsi

This Masjid is just at the bottom of Masjid al-Fatah. It is said that at this Masjid the tent of Salaman al-Farsee was erected.

Masjid al-Ali A.S.

This Masjid is on the hill opposite to Masjid al-Fatah where

Masjid al-Bidi Fatimah Zehra A.S.

This Masjid is at the bottom of Masjid al-Ali A.S. that was used by Bibi Fatimah Zehra A.S. Unfortunately this Masjid is now closed - (when we visited in December 1997).

Ohud - Hazrat Hamza A.S.

The lion of Allah, Hazrat Hamza A.S. the uncle of the Prophet of Islam is buried with many Shohada of Ohud here.

The Prophet (SAW) was heard saying that whoever does his Ziyarat and does not do the Ziyarat of his uncle Hamza has been unfaithful to the Prophet.

This is the place where the second Islamic war took place. At the beginning of this war the Muslims were winning, but a group of archers who were stationed at the entrance of the mountain to block the army of unbelievers, left their position to go and loot the belongings of the running away soldiers of the unbelievers, inspite of strict instructions not to leave their position, thus the battle was almost lost.

It is also narrated during this battle Jibra’el brought the sword ‘Zulfiqar’ from heaven because Hazrat Ali A.S. had broken many swords.

During your stay in Medina, you should spend as much time as possible at Masjid al-Nabawee and Jannat-ul-Baquee.

Medina/Makkah

Our experience tells us that it is advisable to depart Medina after Dhohar so (you arrive in Makkah) between Maghrib and Isha you arrive in Makkah.

If you have not joined a group and you are on your own then you will have to hire a taxi which will cost you approximately SR500/SR600 to take you to Makkah via Masjid al-Shajarah, our Meeqat, to do the Niyyat of Ihram.

You must also make sure that the limo has a permit to take Hujjaj from Medina to Makkah or else you will be turned back to Medina from the checkpoint.

You are recommended to do Sunnat Ghusl of Ihram sometime in the morning.

Niyyat: “I am doing Ghusl for the following, Sunnat

Qurbatan Ilallah”. You cannot use scented soap when doing this Ghusl

1. for wearing Ihram for Umra al-Mufradah

2. for entering into the Haram (Sanctified boundaries around Makkah)

3. for entering into the city of Makkah

4. for entering into the Masjid-ul-Haram

5. for doing Tawaaf of Khan al-Ka’aba