And I Am Missing Them Already.........

Pix: Nabawi - Man, Haakem & I; Haraam & construction site on background - Haakem & I in front of Baabussalaam; Haraam Al Fath Gate - Man & Haakem; Hira on background - 3 sisters & Haakem.

Alhamdulillah, we have finally performed our Umrahs. Man, Haakem, my younger sister Angel, my eldest sister (her fourth time plus Haj) and I.

Departing from KLIA at 1940hrs, a group of 23 plus another 12 from a different travel Agent, we took direct flight to Madinah Al Munawwarah (stopping for an hour at Dhammam), arriving at around 2.00 am local time. Temperature 43 degrees, scorching hot but somehow we didn't mind it a bit. My first visit to Masjid Nabawi was a few minutes later to perform Fajr prayers. Later during the day, we squeezed our way to Raudhah. Now Muslimats are no longer able to stand directly in front of Rasulullah's maqam but to be able to perform solat and make du'as within the Raudhah area was really a blessing. Alhamdulillah. I don't deserve a place so holy!!

The next day we were brought to Masjid Quba, Masjid Qiblatain, Date Farm, Date Market and drive around Madinah to see the historical sites. After Zuhr prayer and ziarah wada' we pushed off to Makkah Al Mukarramah. We stopped at Bir Ali mosque (our first miqat) for our first ihraam.

The bus stopped in a middle of nowhere at around Maghrib and most of the passengers got down to get some food and use the toilet facilities (which we were later informed is not worth using). We arrived at our hotel around 10.30 and after checking in, we had our dinner. We cleaned ourselves, took wudhu' and gathered in front of the hotel (not the lobby as it is as big as my workstation) around 11.30pm.

I took my first glimpse of Masjidil Haraam at around midnight. It was hot and dry but I somehow forgot all about that) and we entered through Baabul Umrah. The gate is merely 100m (or it felt like 100m) from our hotel (Pearl Al Hafiz, with pijat in the duvette!!).

My first view of Kaabah was one of the most unforgetable experience!! My sister Angel and I walked around the black box (from far) and tears ran down our cheeks. I took wudhu again with the Zamzam water and we later gathered near Hajaral Aswad to perform Tawaaf, with the group. Later we did our Sai'ee and after the Tahalul (cutting of a few strands of hair) at around 2.30am, we rested on the staircase in front of the Kaabah. My husband and Haakem went back to the hotel while Angel and I found ourselves a cool spot to sleep, until after the first adzaan before Fajr prayer. We woke up at 3.45am, took wudhu', prayed and waited for Fajr prayer time.

From then on, our days revolved around the prayers times. I can't stop counting my blessings. What Allah hath given me, my family and those around me. Alhamdulillah everyone was well despite the scorching sun and the tenperature of 44 degrees. We drank the Zamzam water each and everytime we entered and before exiting the Haraam and of course in between Quran recitals, before, during and after the Sai'ee. We managed prayers at Hijr Ismail but I did not make any attempt to kiss the Hajaral Aswad.

On day 2, we discovered that our return tickets tickets were not confirmed and when they were finally confirmed, they were for the next available flight which was leaving Jeddah on 14th June, arriving in KL on 15th June. We were not complaining though for if we were to go back on the 12th, I wouldn't be able to perform 7 Umrahs. Everything has its Hikmaah and who am I to question the ways of Allah.

We managed to miqaat at Ja'ranah and that was done before Zuhr prayer. Under the blazing sun but we completed it without problem. Haakem was with me for Sai'ee We did not do our Umrah from Hoodaibiyah though as we planned to go later during the night.

And my darling son, Haakem was really amazing. He'd get up from deep sleep for each prayers time. He managed 5 Umrahs (more if we had not advise him not to) and 8 Tawaaf sunat. Allah had answered his wishes and prayers to visit the Haraam, since he was 4 years old.

To all readers, particularly my dearest friends, do go for Umrah and Ziarah. You will not regret it. I am already planning for my next one. Alhamdulillah. Masya Allah, Subhanallah!! I am missing the two mosques and the Kaabah already.... but the feelings for the 2 places are really different. With the Nabawi, it was like being with a lover but with the Haraam, it was daunting, intimidating and I felt so small.