Makkah Diary 2013

Day 1 - 21/5/13

Bismillah,

Alhamdulilah, on my way to board my flight to Jeddah! InshaAllah, can't wait! My first time in Saudi and my first 'Umrah bi'ithnillah. Feel so blessed. Indeed all praise is due to Him.

Day 2 - 22/5/13

SubhanAllah, where do I even begin? I'm truly lost for words. It's my second day in the holy land of Makkah. I am sitting at the haram with the Kaa'bah in full view and just taking in the extremely beautiful atmosphere.

Yesterday was a day I will never ever forget. My first 'Umrah experience and my first time visiting Makkah. Words cannot describe how you feel when you see the Kaa'bah for the first time. I still remember how I would watch thousands of people performing tawaaf on TV, and my heart would yearn to be in their place. I would dream of seeing the Kaa'bah in reality and there I was, standing right in front of it. A dream come true. The feeling you get is indescribable!  I remember walking down the steps which lead to the inside of the masjid where the Kaa'bah is. I held my mother's hand tightly. My heart was pounding. Is this real? It was when my sight fell upon the Kaa'bah that my world just froze. My heart filled with peace and contentment. Everything made so much sense. Yet.. everything still seemed like a dream! All worries and stress were left behind me and my heart was filled with awe.

A dream I held for so long wasn't a dream anymore. Allah gave me a huge blessing. He made me amongst His delgates. He invited me to His house. I felt special. He brought me here and He accepted my Du'aa.

I felt as though I was finally home. The Kaa'bah I pray towards everyday, was now literally a few inches away from me. Incredible.

Tawaaf was spiritually uplifting.  I loved it. You forget everything else ans your ultimate focus is on your Tawaaf and performing it as best as you can. Asking Allah to grant you all that is good in this life and the hereafter.

Safa and Marwa was a killer but so so so worth it! Your feet ache and your drained but you just keep going because you are reminded about Hajar (as) and how it must have been 10 x tougher for her. SubhanAllah, 'Umrah teaches you beautiful lessons. It trains you to be patient and thankful for the many gifts Allah showers you with. Allah is truly Al-Kareem.

Day 3 - 23/5/13

I found my favourite spot at the haram today! I absolutely love it here! Feels so homey. :) My favourite spot is at the right of the Kaa'bah. I have a pretty clear view of it too. Fans are hovering above me and it's so nice to sit there and reflect. I guess the most memorable part of today was praying Salaah behind Sheikh Khalid Ghamdi. He cried so much. It was a very emotional Salaah. May Allah grant us all soft hearts that cry out of love and fear of Him.

The constant walking around the haram, to and fro the hotel and then the Wudhu trips caused my feet to become bruised and blistered. Yet that's what made everything so much more special. It is only then that you begin to appreciate the luxury you are indulged in on a daily basis. The striving and struggling increases you in nothing but strength.  You just tell yourself, which of the favours of your Lord can you deny?

Day 4 - 24/5/13

Waiting for breakfast!

Maaaaan I miss the haram so much when I'm in my hotel. :(  Hate leaving it. :( I could sit there all day and all night. The peace you feel and the joy you get is something else. It's spiritually uplifting. Love this place to bits and pieces. ♡

Allah grants one so much strength here. He gives you so much energy. Allahu Akbar. Makkah is a city that never sleeps. Your eyes fill with tears when you see thousands of worshippers around you,  praying, making tawaaf, reading Qur'an - ever so humbling and beautiful.

I literally dragged my brothers out today when they were gonna take their nap. I was adamant that they take me to the haram.  My favourite time (yes, I have a favourite time too lol) was around midnight. The air was cool and it was not as busy. You could find yourself a nice spot in front of the Kaa'bah and just watch the tawaaf people are performing and sink into deep thought . It's a nice time to relax and reflect and just have some time to yourself in thought and solitude.

Day 5 - 25/5/13

My first and last (for this trip inshaAllah! ) Jumu'ah at the haram. Absolutely jam-packed. And probably the hottest day since I arrived here. Was a lovely experience. Except that I was a bit sad that I couldn't understand the Khutbah.  Really want to learn Arabic :( Ya rabb faciliate for me a way to learn the language of your book! Ameen.

Haven't prayed behind Maher or Sudais yet. *eagerly awaiting the moment* :)

Day 6 - 36/5/13

Wow. Today was packed with some very beautiful moments. Alhamdulilah, finally got to read behind Sheikh Sudais and Maher. These Sheikhs I was brought up listening to ever since I was a little girl. I used to always dream of the moment I could pray behind Sudais. SubhanAllah, and again Allah made my dream come true. Wallahi, Allah has showered His mercy on me. He is so so Merciful. <3

He is Al Wadud - the Loving, Ar-Razaaq - the one who provides for His 'Abd,  He is also Al-Kareem - The Generous. He gives more than you can ever ask for. How can you deny such a loving, caring and merciful Lord?

As I was walking to the haram today, I began to look around me. You are literally surrounded by thousands of worshippers. The streets are packed. Each step a Slave takes towards His Lord will be a reward for him. With each step make your intention sincere, so that with each step you are being raised in rank in the hereafter by the will and permission of your supreme Lord. Easy rewards - sometimes you just need to think. How can you turn everything you do into worship? And how can you gain more reward? #think

Day 6 - 6/5/13

Wanted to share some reflections today...

1) Cleaners - Don't you just look at them and think they have the best job in the world? There must be something about them and their hearts that Allah chose them to clean the most grand masjids of all! They work for peanuts but their reward with Allah is so great. SubhanAllah. May Allah raise them in rank in this life and the next. Ameen.

2) Zam Zam - The miracle of Zam Zam is evident before our eyes. The water that never ends! It's amazing. One glass of zam sam water totally refreshes you and gives you this sudden energy you wouldn't get even if you drank red bull! It's so special and I wish I had tanks of Zam Zam in my room so that I could drink it all the time. It's the most refreshing and cool drink you could ever have and in it lies great Shifaa too SubhanAllah. Because of one woman, thousands of worshippers are able to drink the water and use it for the benefit of themselves.  Amazing.

3) Niqab - My first time wearing a Niqab. You hardly see women here without it. As a matter of fact, you NEED to wear it here. I know many say it's much easier wearing the veil in 'Islamic' countries because the majority wear it...but it is actually, in my opinion harder due to yhe fact it's hotter, burning. But SubhanAllah YOU make that step and intention to wear it, and no matter where you are, Allah will make it easy for you. I admit,  the first few days were hard but gradually it became easy. Now, it's part of me, my identity and my lifestyle (InshaAllah!)

4) Cone-zone - After a bit of thought I have come to the conclusion that cone zone ice-cream wins over icestone gjelato :) anyone who visits Makkah - its a must try!

Day 7 - 27/5/13

I love Makkah. I love its atmosphere, its people, and everything about it. You meet people from all walks of life. Thousands of worshippers all walking towards the same goal and purpose. All your worries are left behind and your ultimate focus is on the purpose of your creation. Each time you lay your eyes on the Kaabah your heart cries out of happiness and you can't help but feel at peace, at home. This is the home of Islam afterall, a place our kids need to witness and need to be a part off, a place that fills our hearts with joy and reminds us of the reality of life.

O Allah grant me your acceptance and your forgiveness. Mend my broken heart. Let each tear that falls from my eye be an expiation of a sin and allow me to return to your house again. O Lord of the Kaabah allow me to change for the better, soothe my burning heart with the coolness of faith and grant victory to the Ummah. Indeed you hear the call of the caller when he calls, so accept my call and my hearts plea! Ameen.

#leavingMakkah #heartbroken

Off to the land of the Prophet (Salallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam). Extremely excited!