My Hajj Experience - 2009 AD/1430 AH

[sarfaraz]

Auzu Billaahi Minash Shaitaanir Rajim
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

Let me first start off by saying a few things.

Firstly, I must say that there are no words in my possesion. Infact I don't believe the english language has such words to portray the magnificance, marvel and splendor of the places that I've visited and will write about. I will do my best to explain the places to the best of my ability but in all honesty, only if you lay your eyes on such places in person will you understand what I mean about the above.

Secondly, this diary won't go into the intricates of what I prayed where but more of the physical and mental side of things.

I'll do a day or two at a time as it's quite long I just hope you all enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed the experience. I also hope it inspires some of you who haven't been to try and make the journey as soon as possible, you will not be disappointed that's for sure.

[Sanam1]

salaam

Look forward to reading it brother

[sarfaraz]

Day 1, Thursday Nov 19th

Hajj Day Minus 6

We woke up at 2:45 AM to get ready to go. Prayed 2 rakaats Nafl before we left. My children were asleep, we made sure we said goodbye the night before as I didn't want to wake them that early. Hasan used to keep saying we're not allowed to go alone and we have to take him with us but the day before he gave us permission to go by ourselves. Zainab doesn't know what's going on and I'm sure doesn't care

Taxi picked us up at 3:45 AM to take us to the airport. We live in Hounslow so the trip was around 10 mins. We got into the airport terminal around 4 AM only to find out that our flight was actually an hour later than what was written on the ticket... We sent our luggage in early so we could get rid of our trolley. We didn't have much, only one suitcase and 2 hand luggage.

We saw other Hajis sat in the terminal and met a Syrian couple, didn't know at the time that they were Syrian or that they were even in our tour group. After a while of waiting we asked which group they were with and as they said they were in ours we told them to check in as it's been open for ages but they thought they had to wait for the group leader.

We went into the terminal early so my Father could go back home as it was early. The plane was meant to take off at 8 but it ended up leaving at 9. We had a stop over in Athens and got there at around Midday. We then set off from Athens after an hour of refueling. People kept saying you'll need patience on your trip so I was prepared to wait etc. What no-one told me is that we'd need patience on the plane as well During our stop at Athens they didn't let anyone use the restrooms so once the plane took off around 40-50 people got up wanting to use them. There were around 200 passengers and only 2 restrooms!!!

Suffice to say the line kept increasing and when we needed to use them it took us around 45 mins waiting time, lol. The line never ended and it was impossible for the attendants to push the food trolleys down the aisles to serve food due to the amount of people waiting. The line was literally the whole length of the plane...

Anyway we landed in Madinah at 7:15 local time. Taxied to the terminal which took about 15 minutes. Immigration took less than 20 mins, a far fetch from what people say it takes at Jeddah. In less than an hours time from landing we even had our luggage. Boarded the bus shortly afterwards but it took the workers quite a long time to get the luggage on the bus so we actually set off to the hotel in Madinah at around 9 PM. Still it's much better than the supposed 6-12 hours in Jeddah so I was happy.

There was a bit of traffic going into Madinah but not a huge amount. We got to the hotel and waited in the lobby. We weren't staying in the tours hotel as my wifes parents were already in Madinah and we were going to stay with them so my wife could spend some time with her parents. They live in India so she only gets to see them once every few years (if that) and this Hajj co-incided with theirs so we took advantage of it

At around 11 PM we got to their hotel and relaxed a little then went to sleep.

[sarfaraz]

Day 2, Friday Nov 20th

Hajj Day Minus 5

Everyone woke up around 4 AM, Fajr was still an hour or so away so I went back to sleep I woke up a bit later for Fajr but decided to pray in the hotel as I needed a shower first. After that my wife and I had some breakfast and then spent some time with her parents.

At around 7:30 we got ready to go to the Roza Mubarack for the first time. I made sure I took the print out with everyones duas on it. It took a few minutes to get there and we went in from the north side, we made sure we took off our slippers before we entered the outer courtyard even though most other people seemed to go in with their slippers, we couldn't disrespect the place by walking around in our slippers. This mean the green dome was all the way around at the other side so we couldn't see it. We first off decided to listen to some Salaat-O-Salam that I had downloaded on to my phone. We both put a headphone earpiece in so we could listen at the same time.

It was cold that early in the morning and I started shaking, but this wasn't due to the cold, it was due to the place we were in. Normally after a few minutes of standing I get tired and my legs start to complain but I was able to stand the whole time without any problems and listen to the Salaat-O-Salaams in peace.

Once we had done we decided to go round to the other side of the Masjid to see the green dome. We kept our eyes on the floor all the way round. It's amazing how big the Masjid is. It doesn't feel big when you see it both in person or in pictures but once you start walking the distance soon adds up. We got closer and I could feel something inside, I wanted to look up but we made sure we were in the right place first. My parents told me where you can see it from and I also checked on maps to see which side you can get the best view from.

I also had my GPS switched on so I knew exactly where we were Once we were in position I told my wife to look up when she was ready. We both looked up at the same time and were just stunned, there's no words that can describe the feeling when you first set eyes on the dome. I said my duas and once I had finished those I read the duas that everyone on the forum had asked me to do. I read everything, even if people said read it at Makkah I thought I should read it here too.







It was now time to go inside. I wasn't sure exactly how to get to the right place. There was a big gate in front of us so assumed I could go in through there. I was wrong It was blocked off by what I later discovered was the Womens path to the back of the Roza Mubarack.

I came back out and went in the right way. I prayed 2 rakaat Nafl but wasn't sure where I should pray it so prayed anywhere I got space thinking it was the right place. I then walked by the Roza offering Salaams to the Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam, Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddique Radi Allahu anhu and Hadrat Umar Radi Allahu anhu. There was a heck of a lot of crowd close up so I walked by further away.

We then went to Jannat-ul-Baqi but it was closed at the time so we gave Fatiha from outside. Decided to head back to the hotel to get some more sleep. Wife was obviously excited at meeting her parents so she didn't sleep

After Asr my wife decided to go shopping with her parents as they wanted to buy her some things so I said I'll go to Masjid Quba myself instead of shopping as I wouldn't have gotten insanely bored ;D I walked all the way around the Masjid and while walking towards Masjid Quba I found that I was outside by Jannat-ul-Baqi. I looked to my right to be greeted by a view of the whole place, I stumbled upon this by accident (or rather was taken there for a reason) and found it a much better place for my wife to view the place that from the other side with all the pushing, shoving and crushing.

The walk to Masjid Quba took around 1 hour 30 mins as I went round the wrong way of Masjid-e-Nabi. I reached there about 5 mins before the Maghrib prayers so first offered my Maghrib prayers then prayed 2 rakaats Nafl which is apparently the same reward as an Umrah. After that I set off back to Masjid-e-Nabi which took about an hour this time which included 2 stops in other Masjids to offer 2 rakaats Nafl prayers in each.

A picture of Masjid Quba



It got to just before Isha time and my right leg especially was in trouble. My walking speed had dropped considerably and I reached the Masjid to find that my wife wasn't at the place she said she'd be waiting for me. So I did a full lap of the Masjid in the outer courtyard but didn't see her. The Isha prayer had started so I had to join the lines and once completed continued my search. I wasn't able to find her so I decided to head back to the hotel to find that my wife had been there since Maghrib!!! because she thought I'd come back to the hotel so wanted to make sure someone was there.

That was pretty much it for the day, spent some time with the wifes parents at the end of the day. Today was the beginning of the troubles of my foot, more on that later.

[fatma]

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

nice to share your diary with us and i for a fact know that you can write diaries if your letters from india are anything to go by ;D

it's been very enjoyable to read it and i can't wait to read the rest i hope some of the shopping was for me though!!! ;D

it truly is a breathtaking experience viewing the blessed mosques with your own 2 eye's nothing can beat that feeling.

so hurry up and finish this diary i want to read all about your foot troubles

[Sister Nomee]

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

ASALATU WASALAMU ALAYKA YA RASULLALLAH Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam

MashAllah first of all jazakAllah or sharing your personal experience with us all

Its wonderful to read about the blessed city of Madina Shareef sure have bought back pleasant and wonderful memories of my journey

The pictures have topped it up. I see the work near the Gumbad e Hazra has been completed.

SubhanAllah your wife is lucky to be able to do ziyarah of the blessed city and to get to spend quality time and do khidmah of her parents.

The night view of Masjid Quba is sensational, we always went after fajar time.

I look forward to reading more of your diary inshAllah.

Ps Sister Fatma is glad to have you back really regardless of her wanting gifts off you after all she is your ONLY sister and no she has not bribed me to type this ;D

Wa'alaykum 'Assalam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

[asif trying 2 b rabbani]

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

mashallah brother a superb diary can't wait to read more.....

mashallah the photo's were exceptional... imagined i was there ...brother you made my day with this wow and jazakallah khairin for sharing

[sarfaraz]

Glad you're liking the diary, it's bringing back memories writing about it. I really wish I could have spent more time in Madinah. Anyway back to the diary.

Day 3, Saturday Nov 21st

Hajj Day Minus 4

After Fajr we went to the Masjid-E-Nabi. As we were told Jannat-ul-Baqi opens shortly after Fajr we decided to go there. Unfortunately the womens viewing area was cordoned off so my wife had to wait outside while I went inside and gave fatiha. It's so much more different to what I expected. It's huge, it doesn't seem like it's too big but once you walk around the area it hits you as to just how big it is. People say there are 20,000 Sahaba resting there.

While I was walking around inside I noticed a strange mist in the air. It wasn't anything I've ever seen before and it wasn't dust as far as I could tell as you couldn't feel anything while walking. It was also not outside the area it was confined solely to Jannat-ul-Baqi. I can't quite explain it well enough but it was something special that much I'm sure of. Something stopped me from taking a picture, I didn't quite feel right inside taking a photo so didn't take one.

Once I had given fatiha and walked around quietly I came out and my wife decided to go inside to the Roza Mubarak today as the womens entrance was open. Apparently they sit Indian and Pakistani women in an area and make them wait up to 2 hours before letting them in while letting others through a lot quicker. It was a good job my wifes Mother told us this so I made sure my wife spoke in English if she was told to sit with the Indian/Pakistani group.

As was told when she got the guards they told her to sit down with the Indian and Pakistani people. She said "I'm from the U.K." and the guard apologised and let her through. She still had to wait a while though as there were loads of people inside. After a good while the guards let her and a number of others through. I told my wife to remain patient and not disrespect the place by rushing and pushing/shoving other people. She did so and prayed her 2 rakaats Nafl far from where she thought she should have. When she finished she walked slowly over to the area just behind where she thinks the Roza MUbarak was, she wasn't sure as she couldn't see it properly due to the blinds.

While she was walking there one of the guards assumed that she still needed to read her 2 rakaats Nafl and so she grabbed my wifes hand and moved her right to the front and my wife says she got to pray as close as is physically possible from the womens side. She came out absolutely gleaming as she couldn't believe her luck. We were sure this was a blessing from the Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam due to the respect she showed for the place. I was very happy she got to pray where she did. We were told bad things about the guards from other people but these same guards treated my wife with great respect and even gave her the best possible position to pray.

While I was waiting outside I listened to Salaat-o-Salaam again and then did duas. Again I offered everyones duas on the forums as I had a lot of time while waiting for my wife. I was taught a lesson by an old lady today. While I was waiting for my wife I started becoming anxious as she was taking a long time and I started looking at women as they came close to see if it was my wife (my eyesight isn't great!). While doing so my eyes met with the eyes of an old women and she gave me the dirtiest look I kept my eyes on the floor for a good few minutes after that.

Once my wife came out we headed back to the hotel. I tried to get a little sleep but wasn't able to. After Zohar we decided to go to Ohud. We grabbed some food first then grabbed a taxi. The taxi driver didn't speak english or urdu but we managed to communicate and say we wanted to go to Ohud (knowing arabic is such a massive bonus when visiting Saudi Arabia).

When we got there I was quite surprised as to how low the mountain was but realised that it's probably been worked around to make the ground higher and therefore the mountain appear lower. We first went to the graveyard and gave salaam and fatiha. We then walked towards the mountain and took off our slippers before walking on the mountain barefoot. I later read that this is a mountain from Jannat so I was extra glad we took off our slippers. While at the top we did duas and I again read everyones duas on the forums.

Here's some pictures from the top of Uhud Mountain.

A view of the resting place of the Shaheed-E-Uhud including the Uncle of the Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam Abu Hamza Radi Allahu anha:



A view of the Masjid-E-Nabi, you can't really make it out unless you view the original photo and zoom in:



A view of part of the mountain behind:



And another view of the resting place:



Once we finished from there we went over to Masjid Qiblatain, the Masjid where the direction of prayer was changed. We got there at Asr time and prayed Asr then prayed 2 rakaats Nafl. We couldn't see where the old direction was but when we got back to our hotel people said that you can see it. While I was there I looked left and right but didn't look behind us which is apparently where the direction was before.

When we got to the hotel we checked with our tour operator and found out that we were setting out for Madinah tomorrow. I was annoyed as we were originally told Monday which meant we had an extra full day in Madinah, never mind though. Whatever happens, happens for a reason. While back at the hotel I tried wearing Ihram for the first time, was quite strange but I needed to get used to it quickly.

[MadniMunna]

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

Just seen the photos they are really beautiful I wish I was there too

I will read and reply to your diary when you finish writing all of it ok

[Sister Nomee]

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

Great continuation brother sarfaraz.

I remember the queuing and waiting us women had to do in order to portray our salaam near the Roza Mubarak, I also joined whichever queue was shorter ;D Pakistani, Indian, British, Iranian, Indonesian and got away with it it was just the eagerness to get inside inorder to express my love and gratitude towards our beloved Rasool Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam.

First time I went to masjid Qiblatain the two qiblas were easily visible but I have never seen them since.

JazakAllah for the crystal clear pictures.

Wa'alaykum 'Assalam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

[sarfaraz]

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

I'm surprised at how many of you seem to find the photos good quality! I personally think they're really poor due to the fact it's a phone camera, with a proper digital camera I'm sure I would have gotten much better quality.

Anyway I'm back at work now so the next few installments will be later this evening. They start to get a little longer now, hope you're not too bored reading already ;D

[Saalik]

Dec 9, 2009 8:46:17 GMT sarfaraz said:

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

I'm surprised at how many of you seem to find the photos good quality! I personally think they're really poor due to the fact it's a phone camera, with a proper digital camera I'm sure I would have gotten much better quality.

Wa'alaykum 'Assalam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu


Brother Sarfaraz, had you not mentioned about phone camera I would have always thought it's with a digital camera that the pictures were taken. Your phone camera is of good quality then.

[Sanam1]

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

A very good diary so far madina paak is so beautiful thx for the pics yes they r gud quality what phone do u have??

Your journey is so good and you have done so much in few days lots of ziyrahas mashallah.

Thx bro for sharing.

[sarfaraz]

It's a Nokia 6220 classic, has the same camera as the Nokia N95 (5MP):

europe.nokia.com/find-products/devices/nokia-6220-classic

[Shiraz Ashrafi]

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

Subhanallah, excellent pictures, will read in full when I get the time, Jazakallah for posting

[sarfaraz]

Day 4, Sunday Nov 22nd

Hajj Day Minus 3

Woke up and prayed Fajr then I went to Masjid-E-Quba with my wife this time. Took a taxi as I needed to rest my foot somewhat after all the walking yesterday ;D Once we both prayed our 2 rakaat Nafl prayers we set off back for Masjid-E-Nabi. Wife went inside again so I also went in knowing she's going to take a long time and prayed 2 rakaat Nafl in what I thought was the Rawda (I was wrong). Once I came out I put on the Salaat-O-Salaam again, while listening I looked to my right and noticed that Jannat-ul-Baqi was open so I quickly headed there.

I went in only to find the guards starting to move people out as they were about to close. I quickly read fatiha and gave salaams and headed back out to the Masjid and put on my Salaat-O-Salaams again. Did what I thought was going to be the last duas in Madinah. Once my wife had come out we headed quickly over to our hotel as my wifes parents were leaving for Madinah shortly and we had to pick up our bags.

We checked on our tour hotel and saw that the bus was leaving after Zohar so we quickly headed back to the Masjid again. We were given 2 Qurans to take with us by my wifes parents and drop them off in the Masjid. Once I dropped off the Qurans I headed to where my wife was waiting and we listened to Salaat-O-Salaams again. While we were listening to Owais Raza Qadris recitation of Eh-Saba Mustafa seh keh dehna we were both in tears as this was our last view of the green dome and we wouldn't be able to come back after the Hajj. We said our final duas (or rather, again what we thought was the final duas) as I had a bit more time I also said everyones duas from the forums.

After Zohar we set off back to the tour hotel to wait for the bus to Makkah. On the way I had a small argument with my wife as she pulled out a Ziyarat book now, when it was too late to do anything. I asked her to take it out previously but she didn't do it at the time. It turns out I didn't pray in the right place (what I thought was the Rawda) which is why I was angry. Anyway we got the hotel and waited for a while and while waiting I suddenly got up to check the time of the bus and realised that it wasn't 14:30!!! it was 1430 (the Hijra date). We quickly asked someone when the bus was leaving and they said after Asr.

So again we headed off back to the Masjid. I am 100% positive this was a calling from Nabi Paak Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam as I hadn't prayed in the correct places and now I knew where to pray. When we got to the Masjid I went inside to try and pray in the right place. I heard the blinds that sheild the womens area being taken down. I saw the crowd in the area I needed to pray in was too much so I headed back out and let my wife know I'll go back in 15 mins later as the blinds should be down by then and there may be more room.

Instead of waiting 15 mins something made me get up 30 seconds later and go back in. As I stepped foot in the Masjid I heard lots of people run. I thought to myself I missed my chance to pray by about 10-20 seconds and was a little upset. Regardless I walked slowly over to behind the Roza Mubarak and saw people sat there praying on a slightly raised platform behind. I knew I probably wouldn't get an opportunity like this again so I looked for an open space and found one in the front line (there were only 2 lines). I walked slowly over and noticed enough space for two people but someone had just got in and was about to pray right in the middle meaning only one person could pray instead.

As no-one else went up to him I decided to go and just tapped him on the shoulder and he moved over giving me enough space to pray. I prayed facing the kaaba and did sajda and my head touched the Roza in line with where I believe the blessed Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam chest would be and Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiques Radi Allahu anhu face would be. This is just my opinion and I can't guarantee that. I was ecstatic as I was sure this was a perfect place to pray. Once I finished praying I quickly left the area. I didn't offer duas there as I know there's loads of people wanting to pray their namaaz there so gave others a chance.

On my way out I reached the door then just as I was about to leave I suddenly turned around and noticed that the left hand side of the Roza was almost completely clear. I then stepped back and tried to peer into the Roza, I couldn't see much due to the lack of light so I decided to walk out again. Again I was stopped and turned around to take another look. This time I concentrated a little harder and I was able to make out slight outlines of where Hazrat Umar Radi Allahu anhu would be. I couldn't believe what I was seeing and it was really hard to make out but I then went outside and told my wife all about it.

I then offered final duas (yet again!). Once done we set off back to the bus as it was after Asr time. We met the Syrian couple we met at the airport again and asked them if we could use their room to change into Ihram. They let us so before Maghrib we changed into Ihram. Isha time came, still no bus... Todays incident with the bus reminded me of by bosses saying "When you go to Hajj make sure you take 1 suitcase of luggage and 10 suitcases of patience"

At 21:30 there was still no bus so they offered us a room to rest in. We went out to get a Jubba for my wife and then came back and rested. We took this as a sign of "the next few days you'll be getting no rest so here, rest in this place and get some energy for the days ahead).

[sarfaraz]

Day 5, Monday Nov 23rd

Hajj Day Minus 2

The bus that was meant to come yesterday after Asr finally arrived today at 9 AM. We got on the bus but it actually left after 11 AM... Prayed Zohar in Meeqat Mosque in Madinah and also prayed my 2 rakaats for wearing Ihram and intention of Hajj. We were doing Hajj-E-Qiran, the one where we keep Ihram on from start to until after the Qurbani.

We arrived in Makkah at around 7 or 8 PM. I don't remember the exact time. It took a fair while longer to actually get to the tours hotel so we actually reached there around 10 PM. We found out that they were going to head over to the Haram at around 4 AM which was too late for us as we still had to find my wifes parents hotel to get some of our stuff for Mina.

We headed off the Haram after eating some food. The syrian couple also wanted to go early so we decided to share a taxi. We were told by people that it's taking up to 2 hours to get to the Haram so I called my cousins who were in a hotel very close the Haram that we were heading over and needed somewhere to drop our bags while we did the pre-Hajj Umrah.

[fatma]

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

just reading the latest installment had the hair on the back of my neck raised i'm very happy for you and you do seem lucky most of the time when i was there i didn't know what was going on but you were called back again and again. (i hope to see some change in you ;D )

[Sister Nomee]

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

ASALATU WASALAMU ALAYKA YA RASULLALLAH Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam

SubhanAllah this is a great encounter brother Sarfaraz MashAllah great to know that you got so close to the Roza Mubarak the feeling is eccentric so peaceful and calm.

Hajj is surely all about patience, delays with coaches/buses is the norm.

Look forward to further Installments inshAllah.

Wa'alaykum 'Assalam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

[Sayyad Ayaz]

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

Brother Sarfaraz.. Subhan Allah Very Nice Pictures.. Thanks For Including all Of us in ur duas at the darbar of sarkar-e-do aalam........


May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala Give all of us the opportunity to Do HAJJ / UMRAH with Our Parents, Family Members Every Year. Ameen.