…first…an amazing aerial view taken by Brother Noushad, (scroll down for larger image here) Insha’Allah more from this grand opportunity he had flying over Madintun Nabi will be soon appear online…

…second…a Muslimah’s account of her recent Umrah…JazakiLlahu khairan katheeran for taking the time for sharing your blessed journey…may Allah Ta’ala return you to our sacred lands again and again, Ameen…(apart for a few minor additions of capital letters the text has been left as was received)

As I begin, I introduce this as a humble attempt in trying to fulfill the mighty request of a blessed individual, a resident of Madinatur Rasool sallAllaahu Alaihi wa Sallam, to write a bit for the blog regarding my trip.

I’ll request her precious Duaas..and those of all the readers, that Allaah ta’aala grants me the dust of Baqee as my qabr..

 (‘May Allaah have mercy on the one who says ‘ Aameen)

I pray Allaah ta’aala accepts this humble effort and makes it a means of immense benefit for all, firstly for myself.

I seek Allaah’s forgiveness for any evil/wrong from my side.

Any good and truth in this is only from the tawfeeq of Allaah ta’aala.

Where to start?

It’s after sunrise right now.. I sit in the city of Jeddah having left the blessed lands yesterday (after Jumuah Salaah) to leave Saudi later tonight, inshaa Allaah al azeez, before carrying on with another journey..

Let’s go through a bit from the beginning.

So this sinner was alhumdulillaah rabbil aalameen given the grand blessing of visiting Haramayn Shareefayn yet again.

Constant Duaas were being made and requested from others also.. the flame within was burning.. The desire was indeed strong.. The yearning was really great.. I badly wanted to go..It was really something different this time.

Attempts were made. We did our part. Alhumdulillaah all went well..

Preparations started.. Things got finalized.

But as always, anything may happen and one is satisfied and only believes after having reached. And then once having been there.. It’s truly too good to be real.. And one only realizes after having left, what a beautiful dream it really was..

This was truly a blessed journey from Allaah ta’aala.. With such ease and aafiyah.. I really cannot begin to think or even try explaining in words.
Alhumdulillaah rabbil aalameen.

Some very ajeeb things happened this time.

One of them being the company of a very dear individual to me…Someone whose companionship to the blessed lands would be nearly impossible and a too-good-to-be-true dream come true.

Very ajeeb was this person’s earlier vision in a dream of the two of us being in Madinah Munawwarah.. And some days later, another dream was seen..

Nothing was sure at all then, not even for myself.. The hopes and Duaas just increased.

Then my stuff was getting planned.. No one ever thought this person would be joining (btw, this is a parent of two young toddlers and a spouse).

Within a week, things were finalized for this individual too. And alhumdulillaah rabbil aalameen everything worked out.

(Imagine getting visas for two countries in a week.. Or even less than!!!)

It was surely taqdeer.. Nothing but the grace and qudrat of Allaah ta’aala..

His practice, when He intends to do something, is no more than He says, “Be”, and it comes to be.

Shukr can never be made..

My Rabb, how can I start to think of thanking you, when my ability to try and thank you is also a blessing from you..

All praises are only for Allaah, lord of the worlds.

Another point to be mentioned was that I knew of certain sisters from home who were to be at the blessed lands around the same time too. Had even contacted them and we had plans to be there together..
And in particular one sister with whom I really wanted to be in Masjid Nabawi sallAllaahu Alaihi wa Sallam with. I believe she is a true lover of Rasool Allaah sallAllaahu Alaihi wa Sallam..I say this for many reasons…

.

This is how I assume her to be. Allaah is the real judge..

**May Allaah ta’aala grant us true love for Him and His Rasool, and make their muhabbah the most beloved thing to us.. Aameen.** 

(All this was before the knowing of the travel partner I mentioned, as I was hoping to have a sister’s company over there due to being alone as a female)

as ajeeb as it was.. Things didn’t work out. We later figured that either we would be at a different city by then.. or one was leaving earlier/later.

Khair had made Duaa that Allaah ta’aala keep me in the company best for me.. I thought maybe Allaah didn’t want me to be with anyone.. Just me to myself.
Khair, made the Duaas and left it to Allaah ta’aala. Alhumdulillaah for the way it worked out.

Excitement building up.. Mixed emotions and feelings.. Couldn’t really feel anything till the actual day of departure.

The flight from home was quite a long one ..+ 13 hours with a transit in the middle for some hours. Pretty long.. But more than worth it, obviously.

Anyway, leaving home was a very different feeling this time. Maybe with everything that had happened/was happening then..

Was somewhat hoping that if khair, and Allaah is pleased, there be no return due to having passed on in Madinah Munawwarah.

Inshaa Allaah al azeez there’ll be a time when that too happens.. When I’m not too filthy for the pure city.. May Allaah ta’aala cleanse me before that.

When greeting my beloved mother/grandmother before leaving, that was pretty much the only thing going through my head: what if I don’t meet you again, and I actually had teary eyes; though I usually don’t.

Then, getting to the airport.. Boarding the flight.. Though a + 11 hour flight.. time really flew. Subhaan Allaah..

Usually, time drags in the plane.. But like mentioned earlier, there was really a LOT of ease in this safr.. Alhumdulillaah.

Time went by very fast. We slept well. Made wudoo for different salaahs..Prayed all salaahs.. Alhumdulillaah.

Usually, making wudhoo in the plane isn’t the most comfortable thing, and I dread it sometimes (my own weakness..) but by the grace of Allaah, it was very very easy this time.. I can’t know why. Alhumdulillaah rabbil aalameen.

Then we reached where we had a few hour stop.. Rested there.. Freshened up.. Prayed.. Ate.. And got ready for the flight to Jeddah.

Again, Jeddah airport isn’t expected to be too pleasant, and a long wait is believed.. Or you’ll unpredictably be taken to Hajj terminal..may wait hours for baggage..etc.

We thought we’d pray Fajr Salaah at the airport and would be lucky to reach the home in Jeddah by 7..But what to say.. Without exaggeration; probably (and may I be forgiven if any) within 30-45 mins we were out with our baggage in the ride, on the way to the place of family. We reached before Fajr, in fact, Adhaan happened while we were there.. Got ready, prayed, ate..
Then we were on the way to the blessed city; Madinah Munawwarah..  May my end be there..

(May Allaah ta’aala have mercy on the one who says, ‘aameen’..)

What to say.. Knowing you’re there.. Finally.. Accepting reality; that this is actually happening!!

Anyway, the way to Madinah munawwarah.. We were quite tired.. So rested a bit during the ride.. Again, this time flew.. And we reached earlier than expected. Alhumdulillaah. My only regret was I should’ve not slept Then.. But this weak one was quite tired.. Inshaa Allaah the right niyyah made that rest also an act of Ibaadah..

As the distance gets nearer..What thoughts and emotions going through.. Salawaat flows from the tongue.. And the heart gets an ajeeb feeling..I’m getting closer to Rasool Allaah.. SallAllaahu Alaihi wa Sallam.. May I die by His Mubarak feet, SallAllaahu Alaihi wa Sallam..

I can’t find words.. The air of Madinah.. The streets of Madinah .. The sky of Madinah.. How blessed a city..

What good fortune yaa ahla Madinah.. May Allaah ta’aala be pleased with you all.

It’s been the practice of our akaabireen and we’ve been advised to not even bargain with the people of Madinah Munawwarah when purchasing items from them, to keep their hearts happy.

Our intention of even shopping in Madinah Munawwarah should be a means of them getting their sustenance.

However, humble advice would be to not use a lot of time shopping around in either of the blessed places. It takes away a lot of valuable time.
Leave the shopping till the end in Jeddah or something..:) inshaa Allaah, it’ll leave less regrets.

Being in Madinah softens hearts I feel. The generosity and unity of the ummah gives the heart such a joyful feeling..  You can ask for anything from a sister in the masjid, and have hopes of getting it if it’s present with her.
Even in the masjid, in the sections wherein there’s just a barrier in partition for men/women, the “aameen” after Surah Fatiha in one loud echo.. Subhaan Allaah, imaan boost on its own!

Then getting sight of Masjid Nabawi sallAllaahu Alaihi wa Sallam.. And that feeling.. Ya Allaah..

The feelings of “.. Yet again.. Alhumdulillaah..” And “I can’t wait to go inside..”

We reached before dhuhr salaah.. Checked in our hotel. While waiting for that, we had called a number I was given of someone who does halaal food catering in Madinah Munawwarah. We ordered lunch.

I’ll stop here and thank our respected sister to providing me with the numbers. What we had was South African food. Alhumdulillaah it was nice. I’d definitely recommend it.. Maybe more costly than others but Very convenient alhumdulillaah; delivery to your hotel room. We had this for lunch and dinner. I’m sure khaala will provide..

So jazaakillaah khairaa khaala Noor. May Allaah ta’aala grant aafiyah and barakah in your life and A’maal. Aameen.

Then we prayed salaatud dhuhr before getting to the hotel room.. (Not in the masjid..)

What we should really keep in mind when doing any good deed is ihtisaab (hope and expectation of reward)..The multiplied amount of reward for reading a single salaah in the blessed place.. 50 000 times more the reward.. ajeeb.

And how none of it is on our accord, only through the Karam of Allaah ta’aala.

Thoughts like these really keep one drowning in Shukar ..

May Allaah ta’aala make us amongst the grateful ones..

About whom He Azza wa jall says in the Qur’aan :

“And we shall soon reward the grateful..”

Got to the room.. Ate.. Went to masjid nabawi sallAllaahu Alaihi wa Sallam for Asr salaah..

That walk in the streets of Madinah Munawwarah.. wow..To see the ummah of Rasoolullaah sallAllaahu Alaihi wa Sallam in hundreds.. All walking in the same direction.. To HIS Masjid..For the same purpose; salaah.. Subhaan Allaah..The feeling of entering.. The cool tiles when entering the Masjid compounds..

Walking to the masjid for salaah, and expecting reward for every step.. Wow.. This is how Brothers of this ummah probably feel for every salaah..

Being a female, living where I live, going to the masjid for salaah isn’t something common at all.. So this was a huge deal for me.

Keeping in mind the masnoon Duaas for entering the masjid.. Making niyyah of i’tikaaf etc. The Refreshing drink of zamzam upon entering..

Getting to the masjid that was quite packed, looking for space.. And just spreading out the musallah anywhere spot is find..

Performing nafl salaah of shukr and tahiyyah.. Then iqaamah was called.. The adhaan/iqaamah is a thing of its own.. What to say! Has the potential to take breaths away and let tears flow from the eyes.. Wow..
Knowing hazrat Bilaal radhiyAllaahu anhu and the other muaddhin sahaaba radhiyAllaahu anhum once upon a time have called out adhaan in the very same blessed land.. And how it has continued since then, and inshaa Allaah al azeez will continue happening till yawmal qiyaamah..!!

And then the first salaah with jama’ah in Masjid Nabawi sallAllaahu Alaihi wa Sallam..Ajeeb.. That feeling. How I crave it..

Anyway, then I believe janaazah salaah.. What a blessing and easy act of Ibaadah with such great reward!

Usually, I don’t go to masaajid for janaazah where I live. I think The only time I’ve performed janaazah salaah is at Haramayn Shareefayn..

And keeping in mind the thawaab is just amazing. One of my favourites is performing the janaazah salaahs in Haramayn.

Nearly after every salaah there was salaah janaazah..
It really makes one ponder.. How we’re so ghaafil (unaware) of death, yet it’s right there.. So big and mighty. And on the other hand, thinking of how fortunate these people are.. To be buried in baqee.. In such proximity of Rasoolullaah sallAllaahu Alaihi wa Sallam.. And what great sahaaba radhiyAllaahu anhum ajma’een ..

Imagine being resurrected soon after Rasoolullaah sallAllaahu Alaihi wa Sallam.. May Allaah ta’aala grant me that..

Khair.. Then returning back for a bit and then it was time for Maghreb salaah.. I remember this clearly. Jama’ah had started already as we were walking to the masjid. It was Shaykh Budair.. One of my favourite voices for Qur’aan. The feeling was one out of this world!!! Performing salaah outside.. That Maghreb cool breeze.. With Shaykh Budair’s beautiful voice.. Tilaawah of Qur’aan being made.. What I’d give for that.. Wow..

I was really desirous to perform many salaahs behind Shaykh Budair.. But as Allaah ta’aala willed, it was only this Maghreb salaah and fajr another day. (What to say about that fajr salaah..!!!! Maashaa Allaah..)

A way I realized to know if it’s Shaykh Budair who will be the imaam, is, after iqaamah.. The last sentence.. Shaykh budair softly says it too .. That’s how I’d know it’s him.

( don’t know if anyone else catches that also..)

When I wouldn’t hear that.. Yes, ill be honest, I’d feel not as happy.. But then just keeping in mind, ” I’m reading salaah is Masjid Nabawi..!! Etc ” would make things better, alhumdulillaah.

The ziyaarah time for ladies was a bit after Esha .. So we went back to the room after Esha.. Ate.. Got fresh once again and then head back to the masjid for ziyaarah..

This is a different feeling all together and words can never justify.. So I won’t go in too much detail. It’s something that has to be felt, can’t be understood otherwise.

Maashaa Allaah, alhumdulillaah The weather was very very beautiful. I loved it.. Especially the walk at 1 am when returning from ziyaarah, and at 4/5 tahujjud time. No words can match that feeling. I always heard.. ” Madinah is cool.. Madinah is cool..” But subhaan Allaah, this time, it was indeed. I think January/February is an amazing time with regards to temperature.. WAllaah a’lam.

Anyway, this was the first visit to the Rawdhah mubaarakah. They usually put the sisters in groups..And take them in one at a time.. Then seat them inside again.. Take a group in for salaam and salaah in Riyaadhul Jannah, and get them out.. And continue this way.

What we do most the time is enter .. Wait till the exact end.. When they’re about to close.. And then go for conveying Salaam and performing salaah. We found, this way, it gives one a good 3-4 hours in the masjid area that’s the closest women can get at least, recite whatever one wishes in this time, and during the end, one can actually pray peacefully in Riyaadhul Jannah, and there’s relatively less of a crowd. (Only sisters will understand the environment there.. As sad as it may be..)

Anyway, entering in.. Subhaan Allaah.. And setting eyes on what’s most visible to us, as the outer part of the net cage of the hujrah wherein lies the best of creation, Rasoolullaah sallAllaahu Alaihi wa Sallam.. (Though a lot is blocked off for the women..)

May my life be sacrificed for that grave wherein thou dwellest,

For therein lies virtue and therein lies generosity and goodness..

(Would advice reading this beneficial post:

http://hameediyyah.blogspot.ca/2013/02/visiting-beloved-sallallaahu-alaihi.html?m=1 )

What thoughts go through the mind and heart.. Feelings mixed with tears, though the heart within is as hard as a rock, This sight can melt it. Just to know, such filth is this close to the most pure human that ever ever put foot on earth.. SallAllaahu Alaihi wa Sallam.

Then, as it’s from the aadaab, to perform sajdatush/ salaatush shukr upon entering.. We’d do that.

I’ll add here, that some humble advice to one about to visit the blessed lands would be to please keep a copy of each of these:

- hazrat shaykh’s rahimahullaah fazaail e hajj..(has an amazing chapter on ziyaarah of Madinah Munawwarah..).

It really blew me away to read with what love our akaabireen worded their words, hence the ash’aars in it. Made me realized and feel how fake And unworthy i probably am..

Though one would/could/should read it before, I’d still suggest repetitions of reading it during the stay in the blessed city.. We’re in all need for reminders and the affects are different and more strong bi idhnillaah..

??

When repetitions are made, it’s made firm in the heart.

I’d recommend this for any and everyone, to read it in their language of best understanding.

However, the following, I’d humbly recommend them more so for Arabic readers, or those who’re blessed bi idhnillaah with the understanding of the Arabic language.. Only because the sweetness is experienced then more and one is enjoying whilst reciting, and it isn’t the whole parrot fashion issue. WAllaahu a’lam.

Regardless, one should be reciting Salawaat with the true feelings. It’s not about quantity, rather the quality..

- qaseeda burda 

(The arabic, along With the translation and bit of explanation in your language)

This was the advice given to me by a dear friend (may Allaah taaala be pleased with her..) To read the qaseedah near the Rawdhah and wAllaah, it has no match. I’d strongly advice anyone to take a copy, WITH the translation and explanation, even if one understands Arabic. That feeling.. Wow.. Has no match, really.

- dalaail al khairaat. 

(With the translation, even if one understands Arabic..)

Making a khatam of this daily near the Rawdhah mubaarakah.. The way it has been compiled.. And what it contains.. Subhaan Allaah! It’s a total different thing reading it from home, and so near to Rasoolullaah sallAllaahu Alaihi wa Sallam.. The Salawaat it has, are beyond my sinful imagination.

I’d just recommend this and wait for any feedback.. Cuz I don’t have words.

- other Salawaat/ masnoon Duaas.. (Hizbul a’dham/munaajaat maqbool etc)
what better place to be reciting the masnoon duaa’s than here..!

Anyway, the waiting here on most nights was probably one of the best times in the entire trip. I really cant put this in to words..

Trying to perform as many different acts of Ibaadah..

(These are tips that were shared with me from others also)

Giving sadaqah to the khaadimaat that are blessed with the chance to clean the masjid of Rasoolullaah sallAllaahu Alaihi wa Sallam.. Saying kind words to them..

We made it a point to have some conversation with these fortunate khaadimaat and find out a bit regarding them. Giving them hadiyyah or anything brings them such joy. One sister I had spoken to told me how she had 5 children back home, and how after coming, she misses none of them.

Subhaan Allaah.. These are two blessed lands wherein no one is missed.

Trying to clean and pick up cups/tissues..
Bringing zamzam water for people..
Buying copies of the Qur’aan sold outside for waqf and putting them in the masjid (one of my ultimate favourites.. Imagine that thawaab.. Subhaan Allaah. May Allaah ta’aala grant us Ikhlaas and acceptance..)

This is all Somewhere you’d never want to leave.. And just hope and beg Allaah ta’aala that the end be here..

Khair, then as the crowd gets less, and it’s almost time to close, getting closer to convey salaam and perform salaah in riyaadhul Jannah.

Sometimes there were chances to actually stand in front and convey salaam, while at other times there wasn’t. Khair, how as a sinner one goes.. Conveys salaam.. And asks through the waseela of Rasoolullaah sallAllaahu Alaihi wa Sallam and requests His shafaa’ah. Feeling as if one is conversing with Rasoolullaah sallAllaahu Alaihi wa sallam. The greatest shame here would be all the negligence and disrespect for sunnah.. May Allaah ta’aala make Rasoolullaah pleased with regards to us..

One feels that no matter how impure I may be.. Your great status by Allaah is a means of a lot of hope for me.. May Allaah ta’aala deal with me according to His mercy and not my sins.

I’ll stop here and share one of the many wonders I learned while listening to this seerah series by Mufti Hussain Kamaani, may Allaah put barakah in his life.

I’d sincerely, humbly request one and all to make it a goal to listen to this entire piece of gold, at least once, if not more.

Here’s the link, hope you too enjoy and benefit, and it be a means of increasing the amount of Salawaat you recite, and the love for Rasoolullaah in the heart..

SallAllaahu alaihi wasallam.

http://youtu.be/YQq7-YMLCOU

Khair, the thing wanting to be shared was that, upon entering riyaadhul Jannah, imaam Abu Haneefah rahimahullaah would more or less say, o Allaah, I’m entering a part of Jannah, and just as one who enters Jannah is never taken out.. Don’t take me out of it either.

Subhaan Allaah. Keeping this in mind was an amazing feeling.

Alhumdulillaah for the opportunities to pray salaahs and make duaa  on the earth called ” a garden from the gardens of Jannah ” by Sayyidul Mursaleen sallAllaahu Alaihi wa Sallam..

May Allaah ta’aala accept and grant many more opportunities, aameen yaa rabbal aalameen.

Eventually the murshidaat (sisters in charge over there- I must admit; I admire them for many reasons.. may Allaah make them His beloved servants!) get everyone leaving and clear up the area for the men as time is almost up.

Leaving this area is quite emotional.. And on the way out, an advice shared was to read salaatut tawbah.. For the many short comings and lack of Adab etc.

If there’s anything I’d feel to be extra careful about, it’d be not causing takleef / inconvenience to anyone in the blessed lands, and doing nothing against sunnah and the pleasure of Allaah Azza wa jall.

Then leaving the masjid and the walk back will always be something to remember.. The cool breeze of Madinah.. How beautiful. Maashaa Allaah.

WAllaah, even Hearing the crickets of Madinah making their noise was also so beautiful.

One desire that was accomplished on this trip bi idhnillaah was to take a walk all around the entire masjid with my travel companion. It was truly out of this world..

Keeping in mind that anywhere this area was where Rasoolullaah sallAllaahu Alaihi wa Sallam and the sahaaba ikraam radhiyAllaahu anhum ajma’een had graced it with their foot steps..Wahi was being sent in these same lands.. Qur’aan was being revealed. Keeping this in mind whilst reciting Qur’aan had an ajeeb affect.

Anyway, then we’d get to the hotel.. Sleep and rise again before fajr. This is the only time I’d “go to the masjid” for fajr. What roohaaniyat.. Subhaan Allaah. No words.. Keeping this Hadith in mind.. And realizing how rare this opportunity is for me (and a lot of sisters..)

 

Give glad tidings of complete noor (light) on yawmal qiyaamah to those who walk to the masaajid in darkness. (Hadith)

Then getting back for breakfast after fajr and a bit of refreshing again, and off to Masjid Nabawi again, for ziyaarah. These were the two times we’d mostly go, and not after dhuhr salaah.

That was basically the routine in Madinah Munawwarah. How the day and night is so perfectly scheduled and right. How no matter how much you walk, you don’t feel the fatigue you’d feel else where. Subhaan Allaah. Truly the barakah of haramayn shareefayn.

We didn’t go for actual proper ziyaarah of Madinah Munawwarah this time, but we did go for salaah in Masjid Qubaa (maashaa Allaah, seen the new post on Quba!) and spent some time near uhud.

What went through the mind was a lot that was learned through the seerah series.. It was very helpful. (But to be honest, no matter however much seerah one may study, it’s really very little.)

Alhumdulillaah for the opportunities..

My companion shared a thought with me later on, that I’d like to share here. She said, how while we were at uhud, how this was going through her mind:
that which sahaabi’s blood must’ve been shed on the earth we were walking on.. Ajeeb.

It was pretty hot and we weren’t there for too long, the most we did was stood and walked, but imagine the men who fought there for hours, had armour on, rode horses, climbed mountains, were facing enemy.. Subhaan Allaah.

Truly, and only men about whom Allaah Azza wa jall, Himself says,

That He is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him.
The ones whom Allaah ta’aala HIMSELF selected for being the companions of Rasoolullaah sallAllaahu alaihi wa sallam..

Having knowledge of the history of these blessed places makes all the difference. And reading isn’t like seeing or knowing.. So I won’t go on here.

Khair.. The last visit to Rawdhah Shareefah was after Esha one night. The leaving walk from there was probably one of the most emotional and hard parts, as was the time after fajr the following day.. The last moments spent in Masjid Nabawi sallAllaahu Alaihi wa Sallam. Guilt ate me up for lack of Adab..May Allaah ta’aala forgive me.

One can just make tawbah when leaving and beg to be brought back again and again till the end be there, inshaa Allaah al azeez.

Made me reflect on how sahaaba radhiyAllaahu anhum ajma’een would possibly feel when Rasoolullaah sallAllaahu Alaihi wa Sallam would bid them farewell when sending them off somewhere.. And they’d sense from His words that this’d be the last meeting.. Can words possibly describe that! Wow..

These were men who lived and died literally for Allaah ta’aala and Rasoolullaah sallAllaahu Alaihi wa Sallam.. Where do we stand next to them.

Khair, as hard as it was.. It happened.

The only way one can feel pacified when leaving one city is by knowing you’re going to the next one. But when leaving from there.. You having nothing but hopes.

I sometimes feel, don’t know how correct,  if one can depart from these lands, surely one can go through any pain in life. May this separation be the biggest sorrow ever for me.. Don’t want to be sad for anything else more than this.

The peace and tranquil feeling of Madinah isn’t something unknown.. This is much different and very missed when at Makkah Mukarramah.

When entering and leaving Madinah Munawwarah, keeping in mind how Rasoolullaah sallAllaahu Alaihi wa Sallam and the sahaaba ikraam made hijrah on foot.. And how they left madinah for Makkah during hajj/umrah/fath e Makkah.. Etc.

We were then to leave for Makkah Mukarramah in a few hours.. We set out and put on ihraam from Zhul hulaifah, where Rasoolullaah sallAllaahu Alaihi wa Sallam and the sahaaba ikraam had done so when going for umrah. This itself was an ajeeb feeling. What a day that must’ve been..

Khair, the feeling of entry into each of the blessed cities is something totally different, yet unique in its own way. The rush and buzz of Makkah Shareef rubs on yourself too and helps put one in the spirit, bi idhnillaah.

Alhumdulillaah we reached and settled in, went to the haram before Asr. Performed salaah, waited for a bit and started off with tawaaf of umrah. Gazing at the ka’bah.. that sight.. one can never get tired.

With all the construction and crowd, it was busy, yet alhumdulillaah there was still ease. Then ajeeb.. Just knowing a sinner like you is making tawaaf of baytullaah.. It’s just unreal.

Another advice was, keeping in mind the reward of umrah and tawaaf while doing them.

How 120 mercies descend, 60 for those making tawaaf.. 40 for those performing salaah, and 20 for those gazing at the ka’bah. Keeping this is mind when performing tawaaf.. To hear the different Duaas and adhkaar different people/groups and reading when making tawaaf.. A lot of new things are learned, alhumdulillaah. It’s just an amazing feeling making tawaaf of baytullaah and knowing everyone with you is doing the same.

There probably never is a minute wherein a single slave of Allaah isn’t performing tawaaf of baytullaah in this world, and so is the case with bayt al ma’moor, the Ka’bah in the heavens, angels circulate it there.

Then praying 2 rakahs after tawaaf, staring at the ka’bah.. And thanking Allaah ta’aala for giving the Chance for being the recipient of 120 mercies,  through His mercy.

Then.. That drink of zamzam.. Subhaan Allaah!! This pretty much goes through the mind every time tawaaf was made.

An extremely important point (for all times, but a lot during tawaaf too), KEEPING THE GAZE LOWERED!!.. As hard as it may be, and though most the time it’s unintentional.. It can just crush the castle of hasanaat built.

The one and possibly only unfavourable aspect in Makkah Shareef esp, would be the ikhtilaat between men and women, and a lot in tawaaf.

That’s why it’s important to keep these things in mind when deciding what you want to do (tawaaf, praying in Hateem, going by ka’bah etc..)

May Allaah ta’aala forgive.

Shows us why it’s so essential to be always making istighfaar, no matter how great of an act of Ibaadah one may be performing.

Anyway, alhumdulillaah umrah was performed.. Got halaal (out of ihraam).. Pretty much rested after Esha.

The routine would be get up, go to haram.. Tawaaf till a bit before tahujjud (gets more crowded then).. Tahujjud adhaan happens.. Salaah/dhikr/Duaa/tilaawah.. Then fajr-Ishraaq.. Dhikr/tilaawah/gazing at the ka’bah. Alhumdulillaah for the days like these.. when pretty much the whole day is dedicated to active ‘ibaadah. No other worries.. no tensions. Just you. Your Ibaadah. Your Aakhirah in mind.

Tawaaf after dhuhr or anytime in the heat also remains a very roohaani experience. There’s coolness in that heat too.

The feeling of performing one of those tawaafs, sweating, coming into the masjid for a drink of zamzam.. To a minor extent, I can probably understand this part of the Duaa of Rasoolullaah sallAllaahu Alaihi wa Sallam;

O Allaah, make your love more dear to me than cold water.
We ask Allaah ta’aala to make His and Rasoolullaah’s muhabbah the most beloved thing to us, aameen.

In Makkah Shareef, we were able to see the mayyit being brought/taken out of the masjid.. Ajeeb feeling during janaazah salaah to have seen the mayyit yourself before salaah. What fortunate individuals.

Sometimes we prayed salaah on the second floor.. Very nice experiences alhumdulillaah.

One very nice one was gazing at the ka’bah from on top.. And seeing hundreds of people going around the Kaabah in tawaaf at one time..

The salaahs in masjid haram were beyond words.. Knowing that the most rewards for a salaah ever is at this very place. The jahri salaahs (fajr/Maghreb/Esha) were extremely beautiful.Alhumdulillaah again, one of my favourite reciters (shaykh khaalid ghaamidi) was leading.. Out of the world feeling. Subhaan Allaah.

Before I end, one of the things I’d make mention of will be fajr salaahs in the mataaf. Among many special things, this too had no match.. Just sitting there from tahujjud adhaan, gazing at the kaabah, till birds chirp beautifully and in SUCH a unique manner.. WAllaah, I haven’t heard the likes of such before.. So loudly and beautifully, I was compelled to record it!

Another thing that blew me away was knowing there are thousands of people gathered in one area.. Yet It’s soooo relatively quiet and calm!! It’s just too ajeeb.
Jumuah salaah was the last salaah we performed we Makkah Mukarramah..Walking to the masjid well before jumuah, and seeing the streets full of the slaves of Allaah.. some already seated and others heading to the Masjid on this great day of Jumuah.. the leader of all days (Sayyidul Ayyaam). One can feel the rooh of Jumuah..
We had performed tawaaf e widaa’ jumuah morning. a very emotional experience.. one begs to be returned.

A few ending points,

- I was requested to take pictures.. But I’ll humbly ask to be excused and forgiven, for this sinner didn’t have the courage to tap the capture button of such sacred places..

- I am no professional in writing whatsoever, so I seek forgiveness for all the wrong in what was written above and stand to be corrected. If any sisters have questions, or i can be of any help inshaa Allaah, feel free to contact me through the comments or anything.

As I end, I’d share yet again some valuable advice that was given to me when requested.

Probably one of the most beneficial advices to anyone going to the blessed lands.

May Allaah ta’aala give ahsanal jazaa to the advisor, and tawfeeq of Amal to myself and all.. Aameen.

“Come with an empty heart…or everything dunya…even expectations…so you return with it filled only with Allah Ta’ala and His Habib…IGNORE all that you may see others doing/not doing…do not be enamoured of the glitz and glamour you may see…keep focus on simplicity of how Haramain would have been at time of our golden past. Keep head in Qur’an, or gaze lowered on Dhikr…excessive dua’..decide you will adopt with istiqama X number of Sunnah in your life that you do not do now but intend to do so upon returning…all conditions are from Allah Ta’ala…so accept as you may be impacted by them, and turn only to Him with Sabr and Shukr..”

Humbly request Duaas, the good in this trip be accepted, the wrongs overlooked, and a return soon, with all khair and aafiyah.

Shukran lakum wa jazaakumullaah khairaa.

…Insha’Allah may all yearning to be called be soon granted this desire, Ameen…

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.  May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.