On 14th January, 2015, we embarked on a religious expedition – Umrah, it was a long held desire of my parents to take us along on an Umrah. I believe, heading towards the journey to perform Umrah, is more a call from Almighty Allah, than a personal discretion. Nonetheless, one ought / can only be assertive to such a call.
I prayed to Almighty Allah for a spiritually uplifting, physically soothing and intellectually ameliorating Umrah. Prayers / virtuous deeds get multiplied in the Holy places of Makkah and Madina. So, the priority should be to do, as good as possible. When I got my booking confirmed for Umrah, I thought, am I not too young for this religious responsibility? But what I witnessed was: the plane had a significant presence of kids, adolescents, nascent adults, and even sticks’ relying golden-agers.
I had my diary along, on which I jotted down all the happenings, things, which interested or intrigued me, in anyway. Below is the essence/excerpt of what I wrote during my brief stay – in order to make it look abridged, I’m going to publish it in two parts: Part A will cover the Makkah pilgrimage, and part B will pertain to Madina.
Part A
Makkah, Saudi Arabia
15th January, Thursday: Started the day with Fajr Prayers in the outer area of Masjid Al-Haram, Makkah. We prayed to Almighty Allah to make Umrah easy for us, and accept our prayers and Umrah. After Fajr Prayers, we all started to perform Umrah, the Masjid was huge, and the people were attending en masse. It was a challenge to find a place for prayers inside the precincts of Holy Masjid.
We performed all the prescribed duties, required to accomplish Umrah, under the patronage of an expert person, who was accompanying us, to ensure its perfection.
The experience of Umrah is beyond any human description or definition; can I elucidate its beauty – I cannot, maybe I’ll understate with my limited access to words, even attempting seems hair-raising. Subhan Allah
We thanked Almighty Allah for making the procedures easy and smooth for us, may Almighty Allah accept our Umrah, Prayers.
Empyrean aura of Makkah is unequivocally out-of-this-world. Almighty's house in front of our eyes is an ultimate source of absolute contentment. Circumambulation and embracing the Holy Kaa'ba provides one with a great deal of self-actualisation, exhilaration and completeness. Allah’s divine power enveloping everyone and everything: ensuing in contentment, happiness, and satisfaction of highest order.
The way in which the one who leads the congregational prayers recites the Holy Quran with tears rolling down his cheeks and a shattered voice, creates the equal if not more, ripples in the listeners heart. Indeed, spiritually uplifting and divine.
16th January, Friday: Early dawn, Fajr Prayers – Windy morning in Makkah, cool breeze piercing my body. Normally, it’s enough to make my torso numb, but at this revered place it was rejuvenating my soul.
We went to the premises of Holy Masjid Al-Haram to offer the congregational Friday prayers. Time of the prayer is 12:45 PM, we entered the campus at 10.30 AM, because we wanted to ensconce within the internal contours of Masjid, near to Ka’aba. We had never thought or imagined, that we’ll witness such a crowd of people at that time; it was still two hours away from the prayer time. Nevertheless, we made it to the internal precincts. Thanks to Almighty. Subsequently, all the doors to the internal premise were closed down, to avoid over crowdedness inside the Masjid. I extol the persistent enthusiasm and sanguinity of devotees.
On the same day, we performed circumambulation – seven rounds make one Tawaf. We embraced and kissed the Holy House of Allah, doorsill and Rukn Al Yamani. Self-actualisation, contentment, inward satisfaction, and peace of mind – was deeply felt. The moment translated an emotion of completeness to the erstwhile incomplete spirit.
17th January, Saturday: We were supposed to travel to various religious sites. The places of religious prominence in Makkah, but that got deferred to the next day.
18th January, Sunday: It was 2.00 AM in the night / morning; I was sitting in front of the Holy Ka’aba. I thought it would be easy for me to kiss the Hujra Aswad in the night. Contrarily, I found a negligible difference in the number of people visiting in the day/ night. It’s amazing to witness such a number of people, irrespective of day or night. The stern belief, fondness and enthusiasm with which people approach the house of Allah, Ka’aba – irrespective of day, night, time, is over and above the palpable contours of wisdom.
People were in large numbers, ergo, translation of my intention into action became an arduous task. Nonetheless, I was successful in accomplishing my intention. I forced myself into the congested bunch of people, who were also trying to do the same, and after a great deal of pushing, pulling, holding – I & brother did it.
Thanks to Almighty Allah.
As per the pre-described agenda, we were to visit the Holy Places of Makkah on the same day; following are the places, where we went, and the description:
Jabal Thawr (Mount Bull): Prophet (SAW) at the time of migration to Madina spent some three days in Ghar al-Thawr (Cave of the Bull), situated on the top of Mount Thawr; They (SAW) took refuge in the cave, as persecutors were chasing him.
Mina: Massive congregation at the time of Hajj takes place in Mina. Prophet Ibrahim was enjoined by Almighty Allah to sacrifice his son in mina. But, then a lamb was provided as a substitute from Allah – the practice that we still follow, on the eve of Eid ul-Adha. Kudos to Prophet Ibrahim, he had the courage and an utmost sense of obedience to Almighty Allah. More than 100,000 air-conditioned tents provide temporary accommodation to visiting pilgrims during the Hajj time.
Arafat: Last verse of the Holy Quran was ordained in Arafat to Prophet (SAW). Masjid Nimra is situated in the middle of the vast expanse of Arafat. Prophet Mohammad (SAW) gave the farewell sermon to the mankind from the same place, more specifically around the Mount of Mercy (Jabal ar-Rahmah). Prayers in Masjid Nimra take place only during the time of Hajj, led by Imam Kaa’ba. 
Wall - Aqueduct: After the death of Caliph Haroun Al-Rasheed, Queen Zubaydah travelled to Makkah to perform Haj. Makkah was facing water shortage; she returned to Baghdad and called on expert architects and engineers of the time to address this problem. After surveying the area, the initial report suggested that the construction of a Qanat (tunnel) would be a difficult task. When Queen was asked, she said, "Construct a Qanat at any cost, even if I have to give a dinar in exchange for every single stroke of spade." It is a masterpiece of engineering and an enduring symbol of the golden era of Arab culture. 
Jabal al-Nour (The Mountain of Light): Prophet (SAW) used to pray in the Cave of Hira, housed on the top of the hill. First verse of Holy Quran: Iqra – Read, was ordained to the Prophet Mohammad (SAW) in the Cave of Hira via Archangel Gabriel. Mohammad (SAW) was conferred Prophet-hood in the same Cave. It used to be the place of worship and meditation for Prophet (SAW); he has stayed in the cave for weeks together.
Nowadays, train connectivity has been set up for the devotees making the travel more convenient and easy, on the pilgrimage route, during the busy Hajj days. All praises to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
At last, we went to the place, where at the time of conquering Makkah, Prophet (SAW) hoisted the Islamic flag. There used to be a tree which on Prophet’s (SAW) arrival moved from its place to greet Mohammad (SAW) – Subhan Allah.
19th January, Monday: A schedule of prayers duly complied. Local markets and malls are an attraction but it’s a bit costlier than expected. I don’t even bargain because it’s futile to do so, apparently most of the commodities have a fixed price – you buy: good, you don’t: walk away.
20th January, Tuesday: The positive energy of people drives you; the fervour and enthusiasm with which the followers of religion pursue the faith is phenomenal. Definitely, it provides the impetus to everyone; it also reasserts ones faith in the unfeigned truthfulness of a religion.
21st January, Wednesday: Farewell Tawaf – As we are leaving to Madina, we did / performed a farewell circumambulation, as prescribed. Holy house of Allah is mesmerising, it’s difficult to separate yourself, but did it with prayers and emotions.
May Almighty Allah accept our prayers, and give us the privilege of coming to this Holy Sanctuary, time and time again. Ameen
Thank You
Yasir Reshi
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