Spirit Of Islam: A Trip Down The Memory Lane....... - Spirit Of Islam

I had this written down in a diary when I visited the Haram pak for the first time during Ramadan last year. This one is for you sister bwol, your words have moved me greatly, compelled me to speak more and its hard to turn down a request from such a pure heart.

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Labaik Allahuma labaik - its simply amazing how these words can be a life changer. Arrived at Jeddah airport while reciting tehleel along the way. Allah has been generous to this slave of His for blessing me with such an auspicious journey and an opportunity of a lifetime by rewarding me the shades of His house. The house where the dua on first sight is granted to the visitor - konsa mezban itna Raheem hoga, konsa mehman itna khush naseeb hoga? (Rhetoric: No host can be this merciful, no guest is this lucky)

As I had to wear ihram before boarding the flight, people had been really kind and supportive on the way. Upon reaching Jeddah and collecting my luggage, I took a small break just admiring things around me and took that time to enjoy a cup of tea. Not the ideal start but know that a cha addict can't help it..keeps me awake !

With just 2 hrs left till fajr azan, I boarded a taxi to Mecca along with a gentlemen in his 50s and his wife. My plan was to reach the hotel and have something to eat over there but may Allah reward that passenger for getting me dates and water when we stopped at a filling station even though I hadn't asked him for it. By the time we reached Mecca, the traffic was so horrible that I wouldn't have had anything to eat if I had sticked with my original plan. All I can say is Alhumdulillah and i managed to get there in the end. Dropped off my luggage and off to Harem.

First sight of the Pillars

Simply mesmerizing ! My heart spoke a different language this time. You cannot relate any experience to this one, the massive pillars just enchants the onlookers. And your like, "Is this for real?". With slow steps, I made way to Abdul Aziz Gate, admiring the gigantic structure and scanning the surroundings. With a lowered gaze, you enter the gate and walk towards the centre .......

First sight of the Ka'bah

When the view is clear, slowly raise your head and there it is ...... its like a picture being taken through your eyes focusing on Ka'bah with everything in the surrounding blurred and this whole setting gets imprinted into your heart. Your eyes remains transfixed, nothing matters at the moment. Its just you and the ka'bah. We see it in pictures, we see it on tv but the sweetness of the first grasp from this close is incomparable. The 'jalal' of the black cover but yet the sense of peace and tranquility it emits just leaves you in awe. I moved inside, closer to the kabah while focusing my intention to make the tawaf. Upon reaching the Hajre Aswad and reciting the dua, the dance begins and in each circle you recite as much as you can, in whichever language you prefer. You can do your wazaifs, just know that there is nothing holding you back from your Creator - its just you and Him in this picture and the cameras are rolling.

With so many enthusiastic individuals around you from different background, cast, creed and gender gathered together to show reverence to this Holy site built by Khaleel Allah alaihi salam. To some it is a set of rituals needed to be done, to some it is a moment of life needed to be captured, to some it is an achievement to make it here and a dream come true, to some its nothing but shear ecstacy but there all here together - for a common purpose. May Allah accept our coming to His house and forgive our mistakes that took place in this sacred place.

Moving on, I finished the 7 circles around Ka'bah and as it was my first time, I didn't dare touch it yet .... thats just me. Need to familiarize myself and get the feeling of acceptance first ! Prayed the two obligatory nawafil after finishing Tawaf just behind Maqame Ibrahim and then moved towards safa to perform sa'ee, i.e. running 7 times between safa and al-marwa. As I reached safa, away from the crowd, I found a spot for myself and faced the Ka'bah again. It is said that at this spot the duas are accepted (?) and its best to make as much dua as you can and for as many people as you can.

And then the race begins. After making niyah for sa'ee I started making way towards marwa and ran inbetween the green lights (you'll know once you get there). Mind you, its not easy with ihram on. With every run you recall the story of Prophet Ismael alaihi salama and his mother, especially the hardship she endure for her child.

Finished my umrah in positive energy and faith. Their was no sense of hunger but pure joy. Went to my room for sleep and then came back later on to break my fast infront of the ka'bah. Everything happened for the first time and those memories will never fade away...... "