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 #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 #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 #7: The vacation

Hajj is an ibadah vacation - you do not have to cook, clean, drive or worry about family and work. Sleep has to be sacrificed and reprogrammed, as reminded by my dad. Alhamdulillah, I had no problems with the food served or the distance between hotel and mosque.

Allah willed me the health and strength to carry out my main objectives: hajj, umrah, solat sunat, quran reading, sadaqah and i'tikaf at the holy mosques. I aimed to do as much as possible, as best I could. He also opened doors for other forms of ibadah which weren't so obvious such as helping the elderly.

This particular doa helped.

 
And say: O my Lord, let my entry be by the Gate of Truth and Honour, and likewise my exit by the Gate of Truth and Honour: and grant me from Thy Presence an authority to aid (me).
(Al-Isra': 80)

Carpe diem, sieze the day! Hajj does not come by every day and I reminded myself repeatedly that in the holy lands, everything else was secondary.

May Allah accept our ibadah and make us better Muslims.