Hajj Packages / Hajj Travel / Hajj Programs / Hajj Tours / Hajj Trips to Darelsalam

Al-Hafiz says: "Among the Shafi'ite scholars the most commonly accepted opinion in this regard is that a woman may travel with her husband, or one of her Mohrem relatives, or a group of trustworthy women, or even one such (trusted) woman companion. According to one view, reported by Al-Karabisi and recorded as sound in Al-Muhazhib, a woman may travel by herself provided the way to Hajj is secure and safe. This applies to both Hajj and 'Umrah.

It is reported in Subul as-Salaam: "A group of scholars hold that an old woman may travel without being accompanied by any mohrem relative."

This permission for a woman to travel without a mohrem in the company of trusted companions or when the journey to Hajj is safe is supported by what is reported by Bukhari from 'Adi ibn Hatem, who says: "I was with the Prophet (peace be upon him) when a man came to him and complained of poverty. Another man complained about highway robbery. Thereupon the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'O 'Adi! Have you seen the city of Hira in Iraq?' I said: 'No, but I have heard about it.' The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'If you lived long enough you will see that a woman will travel from Hira and will perform Tawaf round Ka'bah, and she will have no fear except that of Allah."

This opinion is supported by the fact that 'Omar gave permission to the wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to perform Hajj while accompanied by 'Othman and Abdur-Rahman ibn 'Awf. 'Othman would announce them to people telling them to avoid looking at them or coming close to their camels.

If, however, a woman fails to abide by this provision and performs Hajj alone - without being accompanied by any mohrem - her Hajj would still be valid.

The author of Subul as-Salaam says that Ibn Taimiyyah said: "Hajj of a woman without a mohrem is valid, and likewise of a person who is financially not able to perform it."

In brief, those for whom Hajj is not compulsory due to sickness, poverty, fear of highway robbery, or in the case of a woman because no mohrem is available to accompany her, if these people nonetheless perform Hajj, it will be credited to their account. Some of them try their best (and exert themselves to the utmost) like those performing Hajj on foot, while others are guilty of sins, such as those who beg others to help them perform Hajj, or a woman that performs Hajj without a mohrem male companion. Notwithstanding their valid excuse, if any of these people perform Hajj, it will be quite valid, for their sin relates to their (choice of unlawful) means and has no bearing on the objective as such.

It is reported in Al-Mughni: "If a person, not obliged to perform Hajj because he is unable (financially) to do so, should seek to perform Hajj, suffering hardship, traveling on foot and without necessary provisions, his Hajj will be quite valid and acceptable."

2. I live outside of the United States. Is it possible to go with your company to Hajj or Umrah?

Pilgrim International is based in the United States with offices in several major US cities, as well as in Amman, Jordan. We currently offer "Land Only" Packages for brothers and sisters from outside of the United States (except for Jordan), or those who are not at least US Citizens (or Green Card Holders - i.e. Permanent Residents of USA).

Land Only Package simply means that you buy one of our Hajj or Umrah packages and deduct the Airfare portion of the Package as well as obtain your own Hajj or Umrah Visa from the Country that you live in (unless you live in the United States, then we still provide you with the Visa). This is the case because we are not able to obtain your Visa from USA unless you hold and American Passport, a Green Card or if you residing in the United States on a Work Visa.

If you are interested in one of our "Land Only" Hajj & Umrah packages, simply select the Hajj & Umrah Package that you like from our list of Hajj & Umrah Packages, then deduct USD $1100 (Airline Amount) from that price to find out how much your Land Only hajj & Umrah Package would cost. We may also be able to sell you an Airline Ticket separately, but we are unable to provide you with the Hajj & Umrah Visa from your country at the current time (if you live outside the united States and Canada). in the near future, we plan to open offices in the UK, UAE, and Turkey.

P. S. All US and International Customers (living outside of USA) are responsible for all shipping and handling fees for our FREE IHRAM KITS/PACKS that are given with every paid reservation.

3. When is your Hajj Deposit Due?

Your $1,500 Hajj Deposit is due immediately after you submit your Hajj Application. The remaining balance is due before the last day of Ramadan. If you want to confirm your seats, you must take action immediately. We cannot guarantee that application will be accepted if we do not receive payment on time. Also, free IHRAM Gifts are given to the first 100 paid reservations, and are not guaranteed if deposit or final payments are not received on time. View Hajj Registration Instructions

4. When are all my required documents, and full payment due?

All required documents and full payment (including all fees, and add-on amounts) must be received no later than the last day of Ramadan. Anyone that registers after the end of Ramadan will be doing so at his own risk, subject to strict availability rules and must submit all payments in full as well as all required documents with their Hajj Application. View Hajj Registration Instructions

5. Are workout facilities provided?

No, no workout facilities are provided in most local Hotels in Makkah and Madinah with the exception of some 5-star Hotels that are run by International Hotel chains. Jeddah Hotels tend to be an exception as they cater to all types of customers (not only Hajji's - i.e. they usually do provide workout facilities for brothers only).

6. Are any group discounts or Commissions for Sales Agents offered?

Group Discounts are available for groups of 10 people and more. We also offer commissions for Sales Agents and Travel Agents within USA and Canada. You can see the discounted rates by clicking here.

7. I have three friends traveling with me, and we all want to stay together. When you say four per room, do you really mean it? I have had several friends who have gone to Hajj, and had 6 or more people in their room!?

Unlike what many other Hajj Companies do at Hajj, when we say 4 people per room, we actually mean 4 (not 5).. etc.

8. Who do you have designated to accompany the Hajj Group? Is it an Imam, Is it a representative? Is it a volunteer?

The Imams that will be guiding our Hajj Tours are leading Imams here in USA and in Saudi Arabia. These are brothers who are very knowledgeable in the Qur'an and Hadith and some are also "Hafez" of the Qur'an. They are also eloquent speakers in Arabic, English and Urdu. Most of these Imams have been guiding Hajj tours for many years and have a lot of experience doing that. We also have very strong ties with the Saudi Department of Hajj and Islamic Affairs, who works closely with us during the Hajj Season in providing Imams to join some of our own in guiding our Hajj Programs.

9. By when do I have to submit all my documents for Hajj Travel?

By the last day of Ramadan, we expect to have received all of your required documents, as well as the remaining balance due. If you are registering for Hajj after the end of Ramadan, all documents and the full balance are due immediately with your Hajj application.

10. I am having a problem obtaining my "Meningitis" Vaccination before the last day of Ramadan deadline. What can I do?

We recommend obtaining your "Meningitis" vaccination immediately after you make up your mind to make Hajj in order to avoid the rush that occurs every year immediately after the end of the month of Ramadan. Please do not delay you vaccination in order to avoid unnecessary delays in processing your Hajj Application and the process that we follow to obtain your Visa from the Saudi Embassy or Consulate. Please make sure to have your original vaccination certificate stamped with the official seal of the issuing clinic. The saudi embassy will reject any photocopies, and will also reject any originals that are not stamped. The date of the vaccination and type of the vaccination must be clearly indicated on the certificate. The original vaccination certificate will be returned to you with your passport after the hajj visa has been issued.

11.What happens if I register for Hajj Late? Basically I will only know if I can go to Hajj about two weeks before departure. is it too late by then?

All late Hajj Applicants and new applicants must submit their applications including all documents and full payment before the end of the month of Ramadan. However, we will still accept new Hajj Applications beyond the deadline date subject to strict availability rules. Applications received within 1 month of departure have a very low chance of getting accepted and are subject to strict availability rules as well as late Processing Fees (between $50-$250 or more if necessary) to cover Administrative Costs for Express Processing *.

We will return all passports to the Hajj Applicants within 1 week of departure. In some rare cases, passports will be handed over to their applicants at the Airport in the city of departure (i.e. New York, or Chicago).

* These Applications will be submitted in person which means that we will have to fly someone to the Saudi Consulate to submit the Passports by Hand in order to guarantee processing of the Hajj Visas, and the return of passports to Hajj applicants in a timely manner. In other cases, we will use our agent in Washington D.C. who charges between $200-$300 for every hajj application submitted to the embassy by him during crunch time.

12. When will I receive the Trip Confirmation with the Itinerary?

It will take at least 24-48 hours from the day we receive your deposit payment before we can send you the initial trip confirmation. If you provided a credit card to pay for your airline tickets, it will NOT be charged until we have prepared your itinerary. Please be assured that we would block enough Airline seats for you and your party for the dates of your Hajj Package upon receipt of your credit card information or your deposit.

13. When will I receive my passport and Free IHRAM KIT?

Within the last 2 weeks of departure you can expect to have your Free IHRAM Kit delivered to your door. Please make sure that you provide us with the correct delivery/shipping address in order to avoid delays in receiving your Free Gift. We will send all Passports with Approved Visas to you within the last week before departure. This is due to the order that Saudi Consulates follow when processing their Visa Applications. So please be patient and your Visa will arrive in due time. Failure to provide correct mailing and shipping addresses will result in unnecessary delays as well as additional Processing, Shipping & Handling Fees that will be charged to you. No Exceptions. We are NOT responsible for problems caused by shipping, delivery or courier companies or if incorrect addresses or zip codes are provided.

14. Do you have a list of Sales or Travel Agents who can sell your Hajj Program?

We do not publish our Agents information online. Please call our main number Toll Free at 1-888-247-4233 or any of the local phone numbers published in our contact page, and a Sales Agent will be assigned to you if requested.

15. How do you match roommates at Hajj in Makkah & Madinah? Can I choose who I stay with? What if I do not like who I am staying with.

We have no set guidelines to follow in assigning people to rooms, but we do take into consideration Age, Location, and Profession. The brothers are separate from the sisters. If you have any special requests let us know when you are applying (i.e. if husband and Wife want to stay together and have booked the right type of package)

16. What is included with the FREE Hajj & Umrah IHRAM Kits?

Our Free Hajj & Umrah Ihram Kits/Packs contain a wide-range of the essential items needed to perform Hajj and Umrah. The Premium All-in-One IHRAM Kit includes a quality Ihram Towel Set, extra-large Garment Pins, a secure and rugged Money Belt, a folding Umbrella, the Hajj & Umrah Guide From A to Z, two combination Padlocks, an insulated Water Bottle and optical quality Sunglasses & Clip-on Lenses.

The Basic Kits include a subset of the items listed above. For a complete and detailed description of the items included in these Kits/Packs, please our Hajj Products website at www.hajjproducts.com

Quality, convenience and value are among the many reasons that make this Premium Hajj & Umrah Ihram Kit a must for every traveler. This translates into peace of mind for everyone before and during Hajj and Umrah.

17. Do you process Hajj visas or is there a charge?

No we do not process Hajj Visas alone. You have to buy a Hajj Package to get Visa through us.

18. Is the hajj draft and Qurbani included in the price?

Hajj Fee is NOT included in our Package price. Please add $300 for the Hajj/Visa Fee. Add $100 for Zabiha / Qurbani (Sacrifice). Compare All OneHajj 2006 Packages

19. How far are the hotels to Al-Haram Al-Sharif in Makkah and Madinah?

Depending on which program you select. Our Super Deluxe Hajj Program A (A-4, A-3 & A-2) Hotels are located within 0-1 minute walk to Al-Haram in Makkah as well as in Madinah. Our Premium Hajj Programs B (B-3 & B-2) and C (C-3 & C-2) Hotels are located right at Al-Haram in Makkah (Program C only) as well as in Madinah (Programs B & C). Compare All OneHajj 2006 Packages

20. Are buses government buses or private buses??

We provide Upgraded Super Deluxe Private Air-Conditioned Buses in all of our A, B & C programs. These buses are late models and are very comfortable. We always pay more to give our Hajj customers the best that we can provide during Hajj. Also, our buses are dedicated, meaning that they stay with us throughout the duration of your Hajj Journey, unlike other Hajj companies who use the government "rotational" buses which pick up as many people as they can in Mina & Arafat before having to make a second or third round (or as many rounds as needed) to pick up the rest of the passengers. This means more waiting, more confusion and more frustration for you. Our "dedicated" buses mean less waiting, more comfort, and more peace of mind for you. However, traffic congestion during Hajj days may cause even our buses to be a late depeding on traffic and road conditions (i.e. accidents, construction, closed tunnels or bridges, ..etc.)

21. Do you provide Transportation for Tawaf Al-Ifadhah?

Yes, we provide transportation to Haram for both Tawaf Al-Ifadhah on the 10th of Thul-Hijjah, as well as Tawaf Al-Wada' on 12th of Thul-Hijjah (because everyone will be doing "Ta'ajjul Fee Yawmain"). Transportation will be in our Upgrade A/C Private Buses as usual. Our Premium Plus (VIP ONLY) Hajji's will be taken to Al-Haram in special A/C GMC SUV's as this is their method of ground transportation throughout their Hajj trip.

22. Do Alims (Scholars) / Medical doctors Accompany The Group?

Yes. Imam Guides and several doctors accompany our programs, Al-Hamdu-Lillah. This is what sets us apart from many other groups which take you without guidance. We will guide you and give you directions from the very first day you arrive in Saudi Arabia until the day you leave, In-Sha' Allah.

23. How far are the tents in Mina from the Jamarat?

All of our programs provide Private Tents that accommodate 8-10 people per tent within 100-120 meters from Al-Jamarat. These Air-Conditioned Tents are furnished with special chairs that convert into comfortable Mattresses (beds). We provide you with bathroom and shower facilities that are far better than what others get in the distant tents that are normally designated for North America and Europe. Our private tents cost about $1000 extra per Hajji and are part of our standard service in all of our programs. Compare All OneHajj 2006 Packages

24. Who pays for shipping the Free Gifts and for shipping our passports back to us?

You, the customer, are responsible for all Shipping and Handling fees when sending you the free gift(s) as well as your passport and other important documents.

25. Why should I choose Pilgrim International? I mean what sets you apart from the rest?

Pilgrim International has dedicated itself from the beginning to serve Allah (SWT) and all the pilgrims that we take for Hajj and Umrah. Our dedicated Imams and Group Leaders share the highest standards in Islamic Values, Ethics, Integrity and Quality of Service. We treat you like we want to be treated. Our mission is to provide you with nothing but the best in Hajj & Umrah Travel Packages and Services. Year after year, we learn from our past experience and strive to work harder and smarter to improve the quality of our Hajj & Umrah programs, and to maintain our reputation as the most reliable source for Hajj & Umrah travel. In 2005 our customer satisfaction rate topped the 90% which is something practically unheard of at Hajj. M