Hajj 1431

10 days after returning from Hajj and the feeling of longing to be back there just gets stronger. As one who is quite well travelled, never have I missed a place as much as I do Makkah and Madinah. When I finally fall asleep I drift back to life in the tent at Mina or sleeping out in the open at Muzdalifah, and spending my days in the mosque with my brothers and sisters from all over the world.

The amazing part of Hajj is really the meeting of people from all over the world, verbally most of us can’t communicate beyond Assalamualaikum (May peace be upon you), despite that we look upon each other with love and remind each other that La’ilahaillallah Muhamaddan Rasullulah bonds us, we communicate with language from the heart, within minutes we hug each other like long lost friends and clasp each other as we walk away not wanting the other to leave. This was my experience almost everyday at the Masjid Munawara in Madinah.

My teacher gave us very good advice before we left, he told us to be of service to everyone on our journey, he said at Hajj everyone is poor. This is truly the best advice & one I saw practised everywhere. Every time a person tripped or fell, people rushed to help. If someone looked lost at the side of the road, numerous people would stop to help. If someone looked thirsty, people would stop and share their water. Food was shared around, people rushed to share their prayers mats with other and the list goes on. It was amazing to see humanity at its best. No one was to busy to stop and help a fellow brother or sister.

We were lucky enough to be given to opportunity to be of service to our fellow Hujjaj, one such experience led us to pushing an older lady in a wheel chair in search of her hotel. Different directions being given by various people led us on a bit of a wild goose chase. It was quite an adventure with a happy ending as the look of complete relief that overcame the lady as we finally located her hotel. Another time I ended up buying a whole Kilo of fresh dates, when I only needed a few, nevertheless, the reason for my purchase became evident as I walked though the Haram grounds and noticed many hungry people eyeing my bag of dates. As the dates got passed around, I realised that I was meant to buy those dates and share it around. Than there was a time when we were stuck in the crowd in the Haram when the Azaan went off, our recently filled water bottle came in really handy to cool and calm some sisters who felt a little dizzy and faint from the sudden rush of the crowd. There are so many stories to share, mine and from others, if only I had enough time to type it all out.

The last thing I would like to share are the highlights of my journey all of which took me to emotional highs beyond that which words could explain.

1. In Madinah, the most amazing thing is the feeling of closeness and connection to Rasullullah saw. Sending salutation upon Rasulullah saw standing only metres away from his abode. The entire city is illuminated with love for our beloved Prophet, May Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him. Leaving Madinah is difficult and indeed I pray to return someday soon.

2. The first sight of the Kaabah, especially looking up at the house of Allah from the courtyard is a moment to remember forever, it was that moment that it finally sank in, I was actually there, Allah swt has invited me and all of us there and allowed me to visit his house.

3. The heaviness of the real meaning behind dawning the Ihram for Hajj (completely different to Umrah only a week earlier). The first Labbayk uttered and the meaning behind what is being offered to Allah swt.

4. The final moments at Arafah watching the sun setting standing before Allah swt… words cannot explain what that feels like.

5. Travelling by foot from Muzdalifah onwards and performing all my Hajj rites on foot with close companions. There is something immensely spiritual about walking and striving, walking with millions of others, all with the same purpose and desire to seek Allah swt.

6. The feeling and sense of renewal, relief & revival at the completion of every Hajj right, especially to share these moments with my husband and other close companions.

7. The beautiful, much needed warm shower and clean hair on release of Ihram.

8. Staying in Mina, no I am not crazy, Mina is a special place, it has to be, I still dream about being there. Look beyond the toilet queues and the experience is transformed.

9. Completing the final Jamarat on the last day with my husband and trustee Hajj companions, a sense of wonder that I have actually made it… Is still can’t believe it!

10. Finishing my farewell tawaf on the roof, along the railing. Staring at the Kaabah, with a heavy heart knowing I have to leave, trying to capture my last few moments in this sacred place. My last attempts to photograph what I see before my eyes… unfortunately no camera can capture the beauty of what it really is. May Allah return me to his house someday soon.