This year, I performed the Hajj pilgrimage with my mother and sister. Our journey lasted 16 days, during which we performed Umrah (the minor or lesser pilgrimage) and visited Madinah. Although visiting Madinah and performing Umrah are not technically part of the five main days of Hajj, it is common for Hujjaj (pilgrims) to visit Madinah and perform Umrah as a part of the pilgrimage. In this article, I am going to highlight my journey in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarrah and performing Umrah in the blessed city of Makkah.
When I first entered Madinah, the feeling of tranquility enveloped the atmosphere. The sight of a flock of pigeons, their flight patterns seemingly orchestrated, filled the air with a sense of barakah (blessings). They moved in such a synchronized fashion; it was as if they were part of a divine symphony.
Our hotel was directly in front of the brothers’ area, but the sisters’ areas were on the right and left wings of the Al-Haram (Al Masjid An-Nabawi). As we made our way to the sisters’ area, we passed beneath large green and cream striped arches, adding to the grandeur of the surroundings. The diversity of people was astounding – pilgrims from every corner of the world, representing all nationalities, gathered in one place. We went there at 2AM local time, as we went to pray tahajjud prayer (optional late-night prayer), which the adhan (call to prayer) for that was around 3AM and Fajr salah (dawn prayer) was shortly thereafter. During Hajj, most days we slept only 2 to 4 hours, on average. Despite the lack of sleep, we felt an exponentially high level of spiritual energy, which prevented us from feeling fatigued and allowed us to maximize our ibadah (worship).
We visited the Noble Rawdah (one of the Riyadhul Jannah, Gardens of Paradise), which lies between the tomb of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his minbar. When I entered the Rawdah, I felt a profound heaviness in my heart and was overwhelmed with emotion. It was awe-inspiring to be in a place so deeply connected to the origins of Islam. Reflecting on the stories of how Islam began and contemplating the immense sacrifices of the Prophet (peace be upon him) for Allah (SWT) and for the religion was an incredible experience. We also visited Masjid Quba, which was historically the first masjid built by Prophet SWS after his migration to Madinah.
Throughout Madinah, cats were a common sight, and a friend I made on the trip would buy canned tuna to feed them. It was heartwarming to witness the kindness and generosity of the people in our group, which reminded me to be more mindful of the opportunities in life that I might otherwise overlook.
After three days in Madinah, it was incredibly tough to leave the city, but we then traveled to Makkah to perform our Umrah. The Umrah comprises of seven circuits around the Kabah, and then Sa’ee (walk) comprises of 7 circuits between Safa and Marwah (the two hills). This manasik (rite) commemorates the story of Hajar (AS), the wife of Ibrahim (AS), searching for water for her baby son Ismail (AS). In response to her efforts, Allah (SWT) caused the spring of Zamzam[1] to flow. Zamzam water, considered holy, is ubiquitously available in both Makkah and Madinah.
The majority of our group was performing Hajj tamattu[2], and the men wore their ihram (a two-piece white garment) to the train station. We took the bullet train to Makkah and arrived in the late afternoon. That night, our tour guide led a group of pilgrims to the Kaaba. The first dua (supplication) made upon seeing the Kaaba is guaranteed to be accepted, so we all reserved our duas for that moment. Seeing the Kaaba in person was surreal, especially in such a crowded area. We quickly lost our group, as it is hard to stay together when the Mataaf (open white area around Kaaba) area is full.
During the time of Tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba) and Sa’ee, my tongue was constantly engaged in the remembrance of Allah (SWT). I had organized all of my duas into themes—for myself, my family, the Ummah (Muslim community) at large, and others—specifically for the Tawaf.
My Hajj pilgrimage this year with my mother and sister was a life-changing and transformative experience. Prior to the days of Hajj, the serene and blessed atmosphere of Madinah, combined with the awe-inspiring sight of the Kaaba in Makkah, evoked profound emotions and deep reflections. The journey allowed us to connect deeply with our faith, immerse ourselves in worship, and feel the unity of the Ummah. Performing Umrah and visiting significant Islamic sites reinforced the immense sacrifices and dedication of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions. This journey was not just a pilgrimage but a reminder of the universality of Islam, and a dress rehearsal of the Day of Judgment, when we will be left with our deeds in front of Allah SWT.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Water, considered to be holy by Muslims around the world based on the story of Hajar’s (the 2nd wife of Prophet Abraham) search for water for her son, Ishmael, after Prophet Abraham left them alone in the dessert.
[2] “Tamattu’ means performing ‘umrah first before subsequently entering ihram for hajj” (You may visit Dar-alifta.org for details on Hajj tamattu)
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Mayesha Awal received her B.A. in both Psychology and Government from Georgetown University, and her M.S. in Healthcare Management from Indiana University-Bloomington. Prior to working as an Analyst, Mayesha has contributed extensively to international and domestic experiential-learning trips related to public health. She has also worked in a large hospital system, in its continuous improvement department. Overall, Mayesha has developed skills in research, data analysis, project management, and field experience, in her experiences as an intern.
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