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 #20: Sadaqah

Do as much charity (sadaqah) as possible; monetary or physical(smiling included :)). Yet, it is important that we give sadaqah for the pleasure of Allah as the reward is for the hereafter and not for human acknowledgement or worldly rewards.

And do not favour others in order to receive more.

 (Al-Mudathir: 6)

 In actual truth, I had begun to practice the art of giving sadaqah more frequently approximately eight months before performing my hajj. It included giving sadaqah to those I felt uncomfortable with, such as the beggars who walked up to my house gate every month, or those who stopped me as I approach my car with an excuse of a donation. Issues such as scams and the eligibility of the person making the pledge often cloud my mind. Slowly, I was able to push all negative thoughts aside and just focus on the act of sadaqah itself.  

In terms of the amount we give, it is often said that giving RM1 is better than nothing.  However, I am of the opinion that when giving, if it won't even feel a pinch, then why not raise the bar?  This, however, must be done in istiqomah and ikhlas.  For me, I raised both the frequency and amount.

 Now, imagine being able to give sadaqah in the holy lands - MasyaAllah! I tried hard to make it a habit there, to give sadaqah to the cleaners in the holy mosques and in the streets, on a daily basis. There were also opportunities to tip any mutawif, and even fellow hujjaj, Alhamdulillah. Every time I reached my own target at something, such as completing an umrah or reciting the whole Quran, I ensured I gave more as a form of appreciation and gratitude to Allah swt.

 Ergo, after a month of this amazing process of purification, I came home wanting to tip everyone who crossed my path! SubhanAllah, I notice that I have become more generous and definitely less calculative (especially with my children!).

 O Allah, I beseech You for sustenance (rezq): abundant, good and lawful-from the sustenance You own.

 NB: May Allah forgive me for my sins and protect me from any form of evil or feelings of riya' for sharing a very personal practice of mine

Hajj Reflection #18: Istiqomah

Continuing to be consistent or istiqomah is perhaps a bigger challenge than performing a whole month of pure ibadah. After going on an ibadah vacation for a month, where you indulge in nothing other than pure submission to the Almighty, we all come back to the real world which awaits us with various kinds of responsibilities that attempts to rob us away from our 'new' ibadah routines.

In aiming for hajj mabroor, it is essential to be consistent in ibadah as far as possible. For instance, we must be istoqomah with the amount of solah sunat, quran reading and sadaqah we carried out over there. If not as rigorous, perhaps at a more realistic and practical level?

It isn't easy. Well, at least it isn't for me. We are surrounded with worldly obligations and temptations that entice us away from our newly found routine. Difficult, but not entirely impossible! At this point, friends play an important role in reminding us on the beauty of ibadah, the rewards that He has promised, and maybe also share tips on how to maintain istiqomah.

May Allah help us be istiqomah in our ibadah and thus strengthen our Imaans