Some people always start their stories with how they felt when they arrived in Medina or Mecca and the effect it had on their soul.

However, with me, my story of Umrah starts a couple of months before even going to the holy cities.

I’m in my ihram, with the group and the shaykh is leading us to the mataf in Mecca. I see the sunlight glaring off the ihrams, the cold floor on the soles of my feet. It wasn’t too hot nor chilly, it was just right. We were shouting “La baik Allah, humma la-baik” and I was smiling.

We’re at the airport, with my amijee on the wheelchair. We’re at the passport control going into Medina. It’s a small dingy room. We’re smiling and relieved at the fact we have arrived.

I’m walking towards the Kaaba. I see the Kaaba and behold it within my eyes. The sunlight dancing around the kiswa, the embroidery shimmering on the corner of the Kaaba. There’s a cool breeze that embraces my face. I feel the warmth of the air on my face and shoulders, the sounds of dhikr start to become audible, like someone turning the volume from 0 to 100 slowly. The smell, the smell of the kiswa greeting nose and I’m sent into ecstasy. I wake up, smiling, my heart purring with warmness and satisfaction.

Some people always start their stories with how they felt when they arrived in Medina or Mecca and the effect it had on their soul. However, with me, my story of Umrah starts a couple of months before even going to the holy cities.

I feel that my soul journeyed to Mecca before I physically went as when I was physically present in Mecca and Medina, I wasn’t overwhelmed by the sight or people. I felt like I was greeting an old friend, you know, that one friend you have that you only see once a year or two and when you do meet, you embrace each other with love and thankfulness that you finally met.

I felt that love, sakina and shukr whilst walking , talking and worshiping through the masjids, streets and people of Mecca and Medina. Allah bless those wonderful souls who reside in these blessed cities.

 

“He who loves Me, knows Me,
and He who knows Me, finds Me.”
– Traditional Sufi saying

“Longing is the core of mystery.
Longing itself brings the cure.
The only rule is, Suffer the pain.

Your desire must be disciplined,
and what you want to happen
in time, sacrificed”

• – Rumi