Hajj Reflection #32: Hajj is wukuf in Arafah!

Who can forget the sight of the tents in Arafah? From the outside, the white spread of tents with small pyramid peaks filled the plains. All the tents looked identical, hence the reminder from our guides to not go wandering lest getting lost. In the inside of the small pyramids, I was surprised to discover that they were lined with warm orange-printed cloth, which reminded me of my sister's patch quilts.
 

We arrived Arafah at midnight, on the night of 9th Dzulhijjah. As we were the last group of Malaysians to arrive the whole of Arafah, space was limited, and we were informed that TH was setting up another tent for us, the group of 203 pilgrims(affectionately known as 'Geng 203'). Meanwhile, we had to make do by squeezing into one tent filled with a sea of sleeping pilgrims. Yes, it reminded me of sardines in a tin! I was afraid I'd step on someone. Some of them shuffled to the side to make room for us.

It struck me then, how 'real' the acts and rituals of Hajj were. This was what Hajj was about - Would you pass the test of persevering the slight discomfort and share what limited space you have with people around you? Are you willing to 'rough it out'? Allahu akbar, it was an indescribable sensation. It was nothing like I had imagined or seen in pictures. Different but nothing unbearable or even negative. I counted my blessings, and in actual fact, was still absorbing the whole idea of already being in Arafah!

I found a spot near one of the opening slits (door), thus slipping in and out of the tent was eased. I marveled at the thick carpets that gave us adequate padding when resting, and served as proper lining against the sand and pebbles of the desert. I remember being awed at this simple, yet 'luxurious' arrangement, definitely absent during the days of our Prophet and sahabah.

These tents gave us shelter before the actual wukuf. We rested in the tents and we ate in the tents. In fact, we were tested when we had a shortage of food during lunch. How did people react when they were hungry and positioned in such cramped areas? Subhanallah, some pilgrims pulled out bread from their bags, while others shared their packets of chicken or beef floss to be eaten together. Alhamdulillah, no one starved.

This was the adventure of our life time. To be in the tents among the millions, and submit ourselves to the Almighty! O Allah, bring me back to the tents of Arafah!

Hajj Reflection #31: Blessings of Dzulhijjah

It's Dzulhijjah, masyaAllah!

This time a year ago, my heart was aching for His mercy. I cried the talbiah, day and night; a cry from within the heart. The talbiah wasn't just a chant, neither was it a ritual. It was a call that seeped through every cell in the body, a proclamation that I was indeed making my way towards Him.

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيْكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ

إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ لاَ شَرِيْكَ لَكَ

"Here I come, O Allah, here I come, there is no partner unto You. Here I come. Definitely praise and glory is yours (for You). The Kingdom is also Yours. There is no partner for You."

Say it like you mean it.

On 1st Dzulhijjah last year, the possibility of me performing my hajj that year had seemed bleak and bleary. Yet, with His grace and through magnificent friends and family, I never lost faith in Him.

The power of the talbiah?

We left KL on the 7th of Dzulhijjah, reached Saudi on the 8th and Alhamdulillah made our way towards Arafah on the night of 9th. It was Haji Ifrad for us, masyaAllah...

So, which of the Blessings of your Lord will you deny?

Hajj Reflection #30: Humility

In my opinion, the best time for one to perform his/her Hajj is when one is able to submit to the Almighty with utter humility.

What is humility? Humility is a combination of being humble and modest. And you can do it either way: to instil the feelings of humility even way before going for Hajj, or to start understanding and embracing the concept of humility once you have decided that it is time to perform your Hajj.

Humility is a concept that should be embedded in every Muslim's soul. Never should we feel anything but humble towards our Creator; hence the significance of wearing the ihram and abiding to the prohibitions while in ihram when performing the Hajj.

I marvelled at the first glance of the kaabah, despite already seeing it 26 years prior. Allahu akbar! I couldn't help feeling so unworthy of His blessings - the chosen one among the thousands, His guest at the eleventh hour. Am I not only a spec of dust, an unappreciative and undeserving servant? Well, He listens. And He has been listening. Each and every one of us has a place in His heart (make your du'as, quick!).

Humility will teach us to be thankful to Allah that we are able to experience Hajar's search for water for Ismail - in a marbled and covered area between Safa and Marwah, or more so, air-conditioned in the basement! Humility should also knock on our senses, when we cramp in tents in millions, in the desert of Arafah; only to seek His mercy. Allahu akbar!

Let us hold on to this concept of humility. You and I are the same. And we are nobody, other than His creations.

"And the servants of the Merciful are those who walk on the earth in humility...." (Al-Furqaan:63)

Hajj Reflection #29: The act of true appreciation.

As year by year goes by, I suddenly remember how it was: the anticipation, the hopes, the promises, the faith... When everything had seemed impossible, He showed His grace and power. He opened closed doors and let us sail through.

Who would have thought anyone would be permitted to go on pilgrimage, after even the Agong had left, normally on the last flight? Who would have imagined Saudi would allow another flight of pilgrims to come in, when all the gates had clearly been closed? It was all beyond the human law but Allah permitted it, so be it!

I am humbled to be among those He gave mercy to, and to be closer to Him. Alhamdulillah... Praises to the Almighty.

Yet, I ponder, to what extent have I shown my appreciation to Him? Have I grabbed the second chance (umpteenth really..) given to me?

Let the ibadah of hajj absorb into every cell in our bodies, so that we become better servants to Him.

Hajj Reflection #28: Increasing supplication to ensure a place for Hajj

This time in 2012, I was among the hundreds who were in great suspense: will I get His invitation or not? 10 months prior to the months of Hajj, I had doubled and tripled my supplications, submitting my total self to Him; seeking His mercy and consideration to be chosen as a pilgrim for the year so that I could be closer to Him.

And of course, He listens... Alhamdulillah

To those who have not yet performed their hajj, focus on 3 specific actions/ibadah you are to commit to. Mine were:
1) Increase my solat taubah
2) Increase my sadaqah
3) Increase my fasts

Verily, which of the Blessings of your Lord will you deny?

Hajj Reflection #27: Download the Quran

Almost everyone owns a smartphone or electronic gadget today.  It is therefore vital to download the Quran into your gadget. A close friend (practically a sister) had reminded me to download the Quran before I left and I am thankful for this valuable tip. In fact, I downloaded a few versions to be on the safe side.

Even though I had the electronic version, it didn't stop me from bringing the hardcopy of the translations, a Pickthall. The one I was using at home was a Tajweed/colour coded translation by Dar-Al-Maarifah, slightly bigger in size ergo not entirely practical for travelling. The need for a hardcopy is essential simply because it will never run out of power.

The plan was to purchase a Quran in Makkah for me to read in ease in the mosque as well as at the hotel. I did just that on Day 3. The electronic version, however, served well during two main occasions. Firstly, during in-betweens when I didn't have my Quran with me and secondly, during tazkirah sessions as a point of referral when being quoted. Upon going through these verses from selected surahs, I would bookmark it and come back to it later, as a form of revision. And as long as I have my mobile phone with me any time today, I can still do that!

No more games, no more excuses. Let the Quran help us lead our lives as better Muslims♥

Having said all these, just double check that the version you are downloading is genuine.

Hajj Reflection #26: The cemeteries in Haramain

Never forget to pay your respects to the martyrs, companions and solehins by visiting the Ma'ala and Baqi' cemeteries in Makkah and Madinah respectively.  Cemeteries are not places of worship, but are places that humble us and remind us how fragile life really is.


In Ma'ala, we were pointed out Saidatina Khadijah's burial spot, where a tree could be seen growing next to it. No one admitted planting the tree there, thus it must have grown on its own; as if to shade Saidatina Khadijah's burial ground - MasyaAllah!

At that very spot, I was moved, thinking that approximately 150 metres away from me laid the remains of one of the most honourable women in the world.  She was and will always be my idol - of whom my father had named me after, as I was given birth on Maulidurrasul, 12th Rabi'ul Awal.  This was the woman who stayed true to her husband at all times and believed in him (a prophet) when no one else did! May Allah provide me with the strength He presented her with.  

In Madinah, we walked to the Baqi' cemetery which wasn't far from Masjid An-Nabawi. Here, we were told of a hadith by Tirmidhi:

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever can manage to die in Madinah, let him die there, for I will intercede for whoever dies there.”

Upon returning home, I related the hadith to my children and how I long to die in one of the two holy lands. My youngest son (10) was quick to say that despite it being the most honourable place, he'd be very sad if he wasn't with me when I was on my death bed.  I coaxed him into believing that the ultimate is in His hands and we live only to seek His mercy and guidance. With that, he nodded, smiled and leaned to kiss me, an indication that he no longer resented (I hope!).

In retrospect, while it is ideal to die in the holy lands, we should mainly aim to die in husnul khotimah (a good ending). A useful supplication, perhaps, is the one read by Prophet Yusuf:

 
فَاطِرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ أَنتَ وَلِيِّي فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ ۖ تَوَفَّنِي مُسْلِمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِي بِالصَّالِحِينَ
(O Thou Creator of the heavens and the earth! )Thou art my Protector in this world and in the Hereafter. Take Thou my soul (at death) as one submitting to Thy will (as a Muslim), and unite me with the righteous.
(Yusuf: 101)