It almost been a week. Alhamdulillah last week my wife and I went to Makkah and Madinah to perform our Umrah. We went there for 12 days with travel package from Rayhar. Well.. technically it was 10 days because our flights were delayed. But at the end of the day we got there, and did get back home safely alhamdulillah, so what more can we ask right?
You know how people always imagine what their ideal or best day would be like. Well for me, my days visiting these two Holy places would by far are the best days in my lifetime ever. Felt like serenity is always in the air. Humility is constantly embracing me. And whenever I did whatever to please Allah, I felt religiously satisfied. Not that I didn't feel any before, but this time it was a whole new level.
Before this, I always hear people say they would definitely come to Haram again and again. Or for the people who are already retired, it's the only place left they would want to go in this world. Now experiencing it for myself, I understand what's the hype is all about :')
In Makkah, particularly Masjidil Haram there were ocean of people. Clearly, it's the most holy place in this world. But you know what? Never did I felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of people in the Haram. In fact, I felt closer to them thinking we're all there for the same reason, finding Allah's pleasure. And I can see people's mouth were uttering praises to Him all day along. The pilgrims, the contractor, the labors, the cleaner of the Masjid. All of them. It was a beautiful sight to see.
Anyway we were at Madinah for 3 days and the remaining days were filled in Makkah. The weather in Madinah is breezily cold. I reckon it was 17-20 degrees. When we're arrived at our hotel, we go on and pray our first prayer in Masjid Nabawi. I felt awe with the size of the Masjid and with its non stop visitors. The next day we're guided by our Mutawif to visit Baqi cemetery and Raudhah. Goosebumps were all over me when Ustaz Hadi guided us in saying salam to Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) We continued with visiting Raudhah. It was full of people because they were fully utilizing their opportunity to pray and make dua in Raudhah as it was one of the place where Allah will accept our dua.
Fast forward and Makkah were our next destination. First thing we did in Makkah was our Umrah. I was actually nervous prior to our arrival, as I didn't know what to expect at the time, since it was my first doing it. We started our Umrah around 2 o'clock in the morning and finished it for like an hour and a half. Alhamdulillah our first Umrah went well. May Allah accept it, Ameen.
There are still so much things to be shared in this journey but I'd continue them in future post as it is now late and sleepy eyes is now very sleepy hehe. In the next post, I'd share my journey on the remaining days on Makkah and what are my thoughts on this trip as a whole. Till the next post, Assalamualaikum.
