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!
Arafah, being the
essence of Hajj, signifies the Day of Resurrection. Imagine a day where the
Creator is so proud of His slaves and a day the Satan feels so belittled. I
tried to make the most of it by making maximum amount of supplication and
sincere taubah, seeking for His forgiveness and mercy.
After Asr, with a friend, I had taken a spot close to a tree,
near some fences and an open gate.
The chairs under the tree were all occupied. Contented with standing, I started
my conversation with Him. I had written my supplications or du'as down, and I had a few lists of
du'as from my children, sisters, nieces and nephews. I had marked several
excellent supplications in a book, and I read (and cried) my heart out. In actual fact,
the surrounding was not entirely conducive - with men smoking by the side, people
shouting and some engrossed in conversation. Yet, I was able to shut the noise
out and indulge in a world of my own, Alhamdulillah.
I could have stayed there another hour and a half,
making du'a in repentance. Never had I felt that close to Him. Perhaps it was
being in the open air. Or maybe because I had read and dreamt so much about
being there on such an auspicious day. There was just so much to ask from Him:
His mercy, His blessings, His guidance, rezq, taufeek & hidayah. For me, for my
family, for my friends, for my forebears and for the entire ummah.
Embrace Arafah as it is a lifetime opportunity. May
Allah accept our ibadah and grant our du'as
