Our 2nd Umrah

 

I was blessed with the opportunity of visiting the Ka’ba AGAIN last year with my parents and husband. I was 61/2 months pregnant and this added to the challenge undoubtedly. Many people including my husband advised me against it. “The crowd is too much; It’s dangerous for the baby; you wont be able to take the stress… etc etc. but something deep inside me wanted me to go. May be it was because I wanted to perform Umrah again with my husband this time. So if you know me I’m not someone who can easily be convinced not do something I want to do… so we went.

 

We joined my parents for the last 15 blessed days of the Holy month of Ramadhan… Fasting in the heat of the desert was miraculously easy. We did our Umrah after breaking fast so it wont be too hard on the unborn baby. Mum, Dad and Bru had to be my armour as I walked slowly seven times around the Ka’ba and 7 times between the two mountains – sa’fa and marwa in memory of Hajara – (May peace be upon her) and her thirsty child Ismail (May peace be with him).

 

When I saw the Ka’ba for the second time my eyes filled with tears. Half in happiness and half because I never thought I’d be able to make it there in such a short span of time and against all odds. Alhamdulillah it was like a dream come true.

 

We spent as much time as possible in the mosque asking for dua and forgiveness. And when the sun set masses would sit together for breaking the fast. In a desert land that produces no vegetation or fruit it is amazing to find foods of all kinds everywhere. People distribute everything from Pizza hut to shawarmas, samusas and biriyani to apples, bananas and oranges. And when it was time to pray everyone quickly rises up, dusts their mats and stand in straight lines to pray. The wonder of it is the miraculous feeling that runs through your mind and heart when the prayers are being recited.

 

People everywhere as far as the eyes can see.. all dressed alike… all - there for one and the same cause! Now my thirst for Haj increases every single time I hear of people going there. I’m hoping and praying that Insha Allah, Allah will invite me soon… It’s not easy… you need the good health, the money, the piety and a baby sitter. So Insha Allah let us pray that we are all go there on day cos no pictures, nor words can explain that feeling that runs in your heart when you first see the Ka’ba and any dua that you ask at that moment will be answered!

Aameen