Of a hajj story..
The feeling of being there is indescribable, totally
incomparable.
All I can say is that anyone should definitely strive to go and experience it on their
own, by all means.
Worth every single second of your life, trust me.
Day 1 : Went there by road. Left home with 40 other Malaysians staying in Jubail. As we reached our Miqat(Taif) it was wee in the morning. There, we put on our ihrams, did some supererogatory and such, and headed for Mecca after Subuh prayers. All the way we were reciting talbiyah - the "battle" begins. While entering Mecca, we could see that it was already crowded with people. As usual, no matter how many times you've been there at the Holy Land, you will still feel overwhelmed like you felt during your first time. Yes, that gush, it never changes.
Our mushrif gave us 5 hours to perform tawaf Qudum & lunch.We already bought food earlier, so we thought it would be better to perform sa'ie right away. Could save us some time during Tawaf Ifadah later. By mid day, went to our camps in Mina, which happens to be our home for the next 5 days.
Day 1 : Went there by road. Left home with 40 other Malaysians staying in Jubail. As we reached our Miqat(Taif) it was wee in the morning. There, we put on our ihrams, did some supererogatory and such, and headed for Mecca after Subuh prayers. All the way we were reciting talbiyah - the "battle" begins. While entering Mecca, we could see that it was already crowded with people. As usual, no matter how many times you've been there at the Holy Land, you will still feel overwhelmed like you felt during your first time. Yes, that gush, it never changes.
Our mushrif gave us 5 hours to perform tawaf Qudum & lunch.We already bought food earlier, so we thought it would be better to perform sa'ie right away. Could save us some time during Tawaf Ifadah later. By mid day, went to our camps in Mina, which happens to be our home for the next 5 days.
Day 1: After performing Tawaf Qudum & Sa'ie
Day 1: There were still many people in Mecca though lots have moved to camps in Mina
Day 2 : It's Arafah day. Personally, this day was my favorite. From moving towards Arafah, to settling there (Wuquf) till coming back safely. Mom told me countless times that Arafah day is an exceptionally special day and one who experiences it should make the best out of it. So did I. I extremely cherish those sacred moments. It was the highlight of my hajj memories because I felt it all in that one day. After Maghrib we took the train back to Mina and again left to Mudzalifah hunting for pebbles.
I was given the honor to be the pebble-counter & QC-ing while mom & dad searched for pebbles. 210 pebbles for the three of us!
Day 2 : The LRT train that carries locals to Arafah
Day 2 : Waiting to board from Mina 3.
Day 2 : Buses carrying non-locals to Arafah
Day 3 : Its Eidul Adha. I haven't really got the chance to celebrate this particular day for the past 7 years in Russia. My Eid will always be like waking up early, going to prayers at hostel No.5 and calling a cab to class to save me from being late. So, this year, it is definitely something big for me. Especially celebrating it in such way. Alhamdulillah for the opportunity. Went out to Jamrah but this time on foot. Due to some circumstances, they shut down the train operation on that day for a while. Most of us in the group decided to just walk together rather than waiting for it to resume operation. It was quite a stretching journey but it was worth the experience. Honestly, everything there was totally worth the moment. I could see millions of people walking together beside, behind and below, all to the same direction. After stoning the pillars at Jamratul Aqabah we headed to Mecca (also walking) to perform Tawaf Ifadah so we could remove our Ihram upon completing the 1st part of Hajj on that day itself.
Day 3 : At Aqabah, Level 4
Day 3 : The crowd on Eidul Adha
Day 3 : Alhamdulillah, completed part I
Day 4: On the next day, we, the ladies started on a mission to complete reading the Quran as a group. We were divided into groups of 6 people and each group were subdivided with 3 pairs each. Every person was assigned with surahs to read. We read in pairs (ie: while one reads, her partner will listen & correct if necessary). So basically the whole day was spent in our camp and we went to Jamrat only after Isya'. After throwing pebbles, we did plan to meet some of our family & friends who came from Malaysia, however, we unfortunately took the wrong route from Jamrat and when we finally found our way, it was already too late. We didn't have much time left or else we would miss the last train back to Mina. Came back fruitless, but there's always a next time InsyaAllah.
Day 4 : Jamratul Qubra
Day 5 : It was our last day in Mina, before leaving tomorrow. So, we had to hold the Majlis Khatam Al Quran tonight. All of us geared up in reading and alhamdulillah we managed to complete it successfully. After Maghrib prayers all the ladies gathered in a halaqah and we started the session. We went to Jamrah a bit late that night. There were less people in Mina as most of them (from Mecca, Jeddah etc) had already left. Of course, that also makes shopping a lot easier - marked down prices, easy to haggle, and less crowded with people.
Day 5 : Majlis Khatam Al Quran
Day 6 : The finale day. We packed up our stuffs early in the morning and right after Zohor prayer, we headed to Jamrah, for the last time. I already felt all emotional & sad inside since last night but I didn't wanna think about it too much. Instead, I put it all in my prayers, hoping for a mabrur hajj & accepted duas.
We left the camp right after Asar and it took us hours to reach Mecca. We arrived there, greeted by athan for Maghrib. Since we did Tawaf Ifadah from the second floor, this time dad suggested to try the third floor. Yes, his suggestion was ideal! Eventhough the circumference is more, but the crowd is less so we managed to finish Tawaf Wida' just in time for Isya' prayer. We completed our seventh round seconds before athan for Isya' was commenced. After that, we drank zam zam and dad gave me a kiss me on the forehead, with a warm hug and congratulations. He even addressed me as "My daughter, Hajjah Aysha". As usual, Dad is always big on these kind of things - achievements, proud moments etc. He never fails to do the small things that means big to me. My hajj journey couldn't end any better!
Day 6 : View from the the top floor
Day 6 : Upon completing Tawaf Wida'
Alhamdulillah for being selected as one of His guests this year.
Alhamdulillah for the ease in the whole process - before,
during and after hajj.
Alhamdulillah for the great health & physical condition during the whole period.
Alhamdulillah for the chance that came at a young age.
Alhamdulillah for the timing that couldn’t be any perfect than it was.
(commitement-free, no study obligations anymore, no job yet, no family/kids to leave behind)
(commitement-free, no study obligations anymore, no job yet, no family/kids to leave behind)
Alhamdulillah for being able to perform it with my parents.
Alhamdulillah for the wonderful people I met, the things I’ve
seen, the values I learned.
Alhamdulillah for still being alive & being able to
share this with you.
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