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

Hajj Reflection #17: The gift of a smile

Smiling is sadaqah. Amazingly, my hajj experience has taught me how to smile more, and hopefully better. Well, I'm not specifying on the degree you arch your smile or anything like such. It goes on more to the act of smiling to others.

Initially, I must say that I did not know anyone in the group, other than a friend's friend who I looked out for a day prior to departure. As previously mentioned, I had chosen to go to the hajj courses organised by Tabung Haji in Kelana Jaya instead of the ones organised by the agency I was going with. Thus, I didn't know anyone from the courses I had gone to before.

So, on 23rd October, I was placed with a group of 202 other hujjaj/pilgrims who I was to hang around with for the rest of the month. I broke all ego and shyness, and attempted to be as friendly and helpful to others as I could. I discovered that the easiest way to make that work was actually by smiling. I don't care whether you are going to smile back to me, maam, but I will just do it anyway. Neither will I be offended if you don't return my smile, sis, for I am just going to smile all the same. And sir, I am smiling to you lillahi ta'ala, and not because I take a fancy to you. Hence, I smiled my way up the elevator, while queuing for food, while walking to the mosque or whenever I was waiting. I smiled to strangers, to cleaners, and to hujjaj from other packages or countries.

Once, while I was waiting for a friend in the hotel lobby, one of the attendants (of Pattani descendant) made a comment. He said, 'Sis, I can't help but notice that you are always smiling and seem very happy, from the beginning till this very day. You don't appear to have any worries or problems. Alhamdulillah...'

I chuckled. 'Why shouldn't I smile? I am very happy indeed and I am pleased to be here, chosen as His guest in this Holy land!'

In true essence, smiling reflected my feelings: I was happy and in gratitude to the Almighty for allowing me to be there, in the holy land, subhanAllah... It helps to be in good spirits because smiling can be really contagious! So when you make someone feel better, isn't that how it works out as a sadaqah? Spread the happiness by smiling!!

Hajj Reflections #16: Taharah vs Najasah

While Taharah (cleanliness) is undeniably preferred and sought after, Najasah (uncleanliness) is unfortunately what you'd get when there are people who lack hygiene awareness. In the forty years of my life, never had I come across a dirtier toilet than the one in Mina. Grotesque, disgusting and nauseating! The floors were flooded with rubbish: cloth, soiled diapers, used pads, wrappers, tissues, empty water bottles and God-knows-what-else. The toilet bowls were brimming with all things najasah. In all doubt, Alhamdulillah I managed to find a clean cubicle, in which I signaled to the others to use. I was basically traumatised after that visit to the loo. Even the thought of it can make me puke! Apparently, I was later informed that the toilets on the upper floor of the building were clean. However, I am sure there is a lesson to be learnt from that particular experience. Our religion seeks us to be clean both physically and spiritually. We need to educate our ummah about the importance of cleanliness and how to go about making it happen! For a start, it must begin from home. For Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean. (Al-Baqarah: 222) May Allah help us in our struggle to become good servants...

Hajj Reflection #15: The menses

Women's best friend, the menses. Apparently, this gift that Allah bestows onto women is often not appreciated when in the holy lands, none other than the reason that it limits our ibadah. It is, as a point of fact, Allah's test on our imaan; our acceptance of the condition (redha), our patience and our determination in pursuing ibadah in other forms.

During menses, I found a spot outside the mosque at the saie area, overlooking the ka'aba. If I cannot get 60 blessings upon circumambulation of the ka'aba, or 40 for solah in Masjidil Haram, then I should grab the chance to gain at least 20 by looking at the holy ka'aba, shouldn't I? Hence, there I recited the salawats, read the Ma'thurat, Asma'ul husna, istighfars, zikr and my personal du'as. There is certainly no barrier between the Creator and the servant at all!

Initially I had prayed for delayed menses but instead got an earlier and shorter one which enabled me to perform another tawaf sunat (and kiss the hajarul aswad, Alhamdulillah), tawaf wada' and also to enter Masjid An Nabawi which then led me to Raudah.

Grateful? Blessed? Beyond words. Indeed, which of the favours of your Lord will you deny?

Hajj Reflection #14: Covering the aurah properly

Hajj is supposed to make us better Muslims ♥ Before taking on the journey for this holy pilgrimage (hajj), we make preparations in various forms: financial, mental, physical and of course, spiritual. For most, the preparation begins years ahead.

For a start, most take up classes or courses offering on the theoretical and practical framework of hajj. I started mine with Tabung Haji in February 2012. I was blessed to get an ustaz who kept on reminding us on the areas of aurah which we women should abide to; at any time at all: either before, during or after hajj. And that includes everything other than the two hands (up to wrist) and the face (chin area is aurah).

So I was determined to start on early (or so I thought), even before my hajj. I purchased a few pairs of socks and sleeves. However, my imaan was too thin and frail. I made up lame excuses for no one other than my own self, such as a missing sock at times of need and 'it's too hot for sleeves!'  Pathetic, but true. Alhamdulillah, things changed from the moment I donned my ihram on the 23rd of October.

Realising the importance of keeping close attention to the covering of the aurah when in ihram, I held on to the whole concept close to heart. A woman's aurah is to be covered at all times - be it during solah or ihram, or in the presence of any ajnabi men (stranger or non-mahram). No make-up during ihram thus no make-up off ihram either! May Allah help me out on this...

اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهُ حِجًّا مَبْرُوْرًا وَسَعْيًا مَشْكوْرًا ، وَذَنْبًا مَغْفُوْرًا ، وَعَمَلاً صَالِحًا مَقْبُوْلاً ، وَتِجَارَةً لَنْ تَبُوْرَ يَا عَالِمَ مَا فِيْ الصُّدُوْرِ أَخْرِجْنِي يَا اللهُ مِنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّوْرِ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مُوْجِبَاتِ رَحْمَتِكَ وَعَزَائِمَ مَغْفِرَتِكَ وَالسَّلاَمَةَ مِنْ كلِّ إِثْمٍ وَالْغَنِيْمَةَ مِنْ كُلِّ بِرٍ ، وَالْفَوْزَ بِالْجَنَّةِ وَالْنَجَاةَ مِنَ النَّارِ ، رَبِّ قَنِّعْنِي بِمَا رَزَقْتَنِي ، وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيْمَا أَعْطَيْتَنِي وَأَخْلِفْ عَلَى كلِّ غَائِبَةٍ لِيْ مِنْكَ بِخَيْرٍ.

O Allah! Render this Pilgrimage of mine acceptable and successful and a means of forgiveness for my sins. Bless me with honest dealings and a business where there is no loss. O Knower of the state of hearts! Drag me out of the darkness of sins into the light of good deeds. O Allah! I pray for the safe escape from every sin and make me virtuous and enable me to reap its advantages. Make me worthy of Paradise and protect me from Hellfire. O Allah! Grant me contentment for all You have blessed me with, Barakat (auspiciousness) for all that You have conferred on me. O Allah! Compensate me for every sin of mine.

 (Du'a read upon the fourth circumambulation/tawaf)

Hajj Reflection #13: The significance of every minute detail in Masjidil Haram

Islam is beautiful that every single practice has its significance. In Masjidil Haram, before performing the congregational prayers, you will hear this:

  

Istawoo staqeemu wa'tadiloo

 Straighten (your lines), be upright and align yourselves.

Clearly, we are called to stand close to one another, and not allow any gaps in between us when we are praying. Stress is put on straightening the rows; beautifying it and perfecting it. Other than binding the hearts, it gives great merit and reward to each makmum. Similarly, this is how we should stand together in the material world: united and synchronized in everything we do.

However, I was surprised to find that the lines, or saf, in Masjidil Haram often contained gaps that could fit one or two more muslimahs. The situation reminded me of the mosque in my local area here and unlike how it was in Masjidil Haram more than 20 years ago. Back in the 80s, people would squeeze into the slightest gap available. While today, unfortunately, people are more concerned with comfort (not being sat on or squashed).

 I don't know... perhaps if we paid more attention to intricate matters such as this, then the world would, In syaa Allah, be a better place to live in. So the next time we are praying in congregation, I hope we won't forget to be aligned with those on our lefts and rights ♥