Friday, February 12, 2016

So You Want To Travel ~ Top 5 Memorable Umrah Journey Experience

I must confess, until this day, more than a month after our Umrah journey, I still feel like Mekah and Madinah are not that far away. I still have this dream I will be back there very soon. Need to work harder and also not spend our money unnecessarily. May Allah grant us with His blessing to perform Umrah again.

Apart from this shocking experience, we had many good great memories in the Holy land. Too many to mention, so I keep it short to the best 5.

1. Nothing can ever beat the feeling of seeing Kaabah for the first time. Technically, this is my second time, but I feel the first time doesn't count. I was only 16 and may not have a good sense of appreciation of Kaabah. For this round, both my better half and I automatically cried the moment we saw Kaabah. It's indescribable feeling, not right words can even describe that moment. I felt so blessed and thanking Allah for allowing me to be His guest. As I am typing this, I miss Kaabah so much and still holding on to doa and hopes I will return and able to perform my prayers right in front of Kaabah

2. Another indescribable feeling is when I visited Masjid Nabawi, specifically at Raudhah or an area which Nabi Muhammad s.a.w said is a garden from paradise. How do we know we are in Raudhah? The area is covered with green carpet whereas the rest of the mosque in red. I was blessed to be allowed to perform solat sunat there. The moment I did my final sujud, automatically I cried. I know I have not been a good muslim, I pray for Allah to continue giving me the hidayah and, guide me to be a better muslim Insyallah. Though female jemaah can't go near the makam Rasulullah saw, being under the same roof with his makam is already a huge blessing. Same wish as Mekah, for Allah to grant us with the blessing to come again.

3. There's this famous food joint called Al-Baik. We get to enjoy that couple of times in Mekah. In Madinah, Baby wanted that again, however we just couldn't locate the nearest restaurant. So, this one time after Asar prayers, we were walking around areas near Masjid Nabawi and found a family enjoying Al-Baik. I wanted to ask them where is the restaurant, however, Alhamdulilah, rezeki Baby, the father gave Baby a pack of chicken from Al-Baik. He just gave that away. We were shocked, however very happy Baby got to enjoy her favourite fried chicken. Moga Allah murahkan rezekimu dan keluargamu, wahai saudara. Thanks so much for the chicken.


4. My main worry of this whole Umrah trip is Isyraf. Will he behave and let us perform our umrah and prayers. Will he throw tantrum when we perform our tawaf and saei. What if he wants feeding and wants to sleep in the middle of prayers. How do I pray with him wanting me to carry him all the time. Alhamdulilah, Isyraf made the whole journey easy. When performing tawaf, I was carrying him with the carrier attached to my body. He slept throughout the 7 rounds. When performing saie, he was carried by my better half. Despite being awake, he kept quiet and just observed. Many of the jemaah was impressed on how well behave he was, many put their hands on his head and pray for his well being. Alhamdulilah....

5. My better half got to celebrate his birthday in Madinah, coincidentally same day as the Prophet's birthday. Though there's no usual makan2 or outings, he said it was the best birthday gift ever, nothing can come close to this. Alhamdulilah....

I pray and pray and pray for Allah to allow me to go again. Somehow, rasa tak puas. I want to perform prayers at the 2 mosques, I want to recite Al Quran there. I know this can only happen if Allah allow it to happen.

Insyallah, I will get the opportunity again....


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