Ramadan is the blessed time of the year when Muslims try to increase virtuous deeds and give up on bad habits in hopes of acquiring infinite rewards from Allah. Doing minor pilgrimage in this month adds to the blessings and rewards as Prophet Muhammad PBUH stated at one instance: “Performing Umrah in Ramadan has reward equal to Hajj.”
One can easily imagine why a large number of Muslims from all parts of the world, flock toward Mecca in Ramadan. UK Muslims are also included in this list of devotees. That’s why several Umrah travel agencies offer special Ramadan Umrah packages from the UK to fulfill their desires. These pilgrimage deals provide all the vital services including ziyarat trips.
Ziyarat tours are important in giving useful insights to Muslims and bringing them closer to Islamic history. Let us share a brief history of major ziyarat sites to let you know why you should visit these spots during your Ramadan Umrah journey.
Significant Ziyarat Spots to Visit During Ramadan Umrah Tour
1. Hira Cave
Situated 2 miles outside Mecca, Hira is a cave set on the top of Mount Jabal al Noor. The Prophet PBUH used to visit the cave and stayed there for a few days, doing meditation and prayer. (Allah Knows Best) Some eminent scholars also share the view that He used to head to the cave to escape the ignorant pilgrimage rituals of idolaters.
The prophet PBUH received the first revelation and the status of prophethood in this same cave. “Iqra”, the first words that Jibrael uttered in this cave, echoes the same message to date i.e., to read and learn.
Update: Pilgrims who intend to do Ramadan Umrah don’t need to worry about how to reach the cave while fasting in intense heat. The KSA government has recently paved a new way up to the cave to make it easy for pilgrims to reach there. People can even take their cars up to a certain limit on the mountain.
2. Badr
The place where the first battle of Islam was fought; Badr is a ziyarat site of utmost historical significance. Badr battle was fought on the 17th Ramadan in which Muslims were only 313 in number while idolaters were around 13000. Muslims achieved decisive victory with Allah’s help. The Almighty Himself called this day in the Quran, ‘Youm ul Fuqan’ meaning, ‘The Day of Criterion Between Good & Evil.’
Pilgrims doing Ramadan Umrah should visit this place to recall the sheer strength of faith that made a small army of Muslims victorious against a giant army of evil opposers. Pilgrims who feel exhausted doing Umrah while fasting can take inspiration from the hardships of the Prophet’s Companions who fought the entire battle in similar conditions.
Side Note: A visit to Badr is not included in a typical Ziyarat package as it is located 503 km away from Mecca. However, it is 180 km from Medina so you can consider booking a private tour of the site while visiting this city.
3. Thawr Cave
Want to experience what true loyalty means? Visit the Thawr cave located 5km outside Mecca on a mountain with a similar name. The Prophet PBUH stayed in this cave with His friend Abu Bakr RA while migrating towards Medina.
Pilgrims can revisit the loyalty of Abu Bakr R.A. while exploring this cave. During the Prophet’s stay, a snake tried to enter the cave through a small hole. He was sleeping with His head on Abu Bakr’s lap. Abu Bakr R.A. didn’t want to move to avoid the Prophet’s sleep so he placed his toe on the hole where the snake bit him. He didn’t remove his toe nor he moved from his place fearing to wake up the Prophet PBUH. The story of loyalty that took place in this small cave gives Muslims a message to stay faithful to each other as a nation through thick and thin.
4. Quba Mosque
The first mosque of Islam, Quba, is situated 15 minutes outside Medina thus, a significant ziyarat site to visit during Ramadan Umrah. The Prophet PBUH built this mosque while migrating from Makkah to Medina and He Himself took part in its construction.
The mosque is not just a place for Muslims to pray but it also serves as a cabinet, madrassa, and a town hall. However, the reward of praying just two Nawafil in this mosque is equal to an accepted Umrah. This is nothing but a big bonus for Ramadan Umrah pilgrims.
Some Off-the-Grid Ziyarat Spots
1. Taif
Visiting Taif City is a must if you want to have a flashback to the most difficult day in the Prophet’s Life. One day, Ayesha RA, the wife of the Prophet asked Him if He faced a tougher day than Uhud. The Prophet PBUH replied, ‘Yes’, and then narrated His account of Taif.
When the Prophet PBUH visited Taif to give Allah’s message to its people, they displayed more malice than the Meccan idolaters. The people of Taif threw stones at Him until He started bleeding. There is a mosque here called Al Modhoun. At the Prophet’s time, there was a garden at this mosque site where He stayed and Hazrat Salman Farsi RA accepted Islam. Other significant sites located here include Bani Saád Village, Al Kaladah Heritage Village, the Grave of Abdullah bin Abbas R.A, and the Alkou Mosque.
2. Khyber Fort
This fort is located around 155 km from Medina, near the battle place of Badr. It is the place where the battle of Khyber was fought in 7th Hijri (628 A.D) and there is a great story behind winning it. Hazrat Ali RA uprooted the gigantic gate of the fort with his bare hands and killed the most valiant warrior of Jews, Marhab.
This is a great Ziyarat spot to visit where pilgrims can get an idea of the difficult war situation and the bravery that the companions showed, still inspiring billions today.
3. The Seven Mosques
There are seven mosques built in the place where the third Islamic holy war took place. This war is known as the Battle of Trenches or Khandaq. You can observe the whole battle area from a distance and also the seven famous mosques including:
- Abu Bakr R.A Mosque
- Umar Bin Khattab R.A Mosque
- Ali ibn Abi Talib R.A Mosque
- Fatimah Al Zahra R.A.
- Mosque of Salman al Farsi R.A
- Sa’ad in Muadh Mosque
- Al Fath Mosque
The month of Ramadan is filled with immense blessings and doing Umrah in this month multiplies the reward tenfold. However, this pilgrimage tour can be more rewarding if Muslims can also visit the significant ziayarat sites, portraying the glorious past of Muslims. If you’re one such devotee living in Great Britain then pay attention. Muslims Holy Travel is offering lucrative Ramadan Umrah packages 2025 from the UK. Apply early and fulfill your dream of doing Ramadan Umrah and exploring ziyarat sites.
