I had been dreaming for the last few years to go for Umrah with my family. I had always dreamed of traveling to the sacred cities of Makkah and Madina, but life, with its never-ending obligations and responsibilities, kept putting off my plans. The desire to see the House of Allah and the Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) final resting place, however, never diminished.
It was in November 2024, during the last week, that a sudden inspiration struck me. A voice within urged me to stop postponing and take this spiritual step. A special person finally convinced me to act. “Don’t overthink,” they said. “Book it now, or it will remain a distant dream.” After consulting my parents, it was decided that my brother and I would go together.
I contacted a travel agent, and by Allah’s grace, we got a departure slot for December 11. What followed was a journey packed with emotion, spiritual enlightenment, and amazing events.
The journey begins
The day finally came, and we set out on the morning of December 11th. After a short stop in Delhi, we changed into our Ihram and started to feel the spiritual weight of our mission. The flight from Delhi to Jeddah took six hours, and halfway through, at around 1:30 AM, a travel agency guide woke everyone up to perform the Niyyah (intention) for Umrah. The recitation of “AllahummaLabbaik, Labbaik” filled the cabin with feelings I had never experienced before.
We took a bus to Makkah after arriving in Jeddah around 2:00 AM. The air itself appeared to change as we got closer to this sacred city, filled with a sense of divine presence. We arrived at our hotel at about 3:00 am in the morning. Even though I was physically exhausted, my heart was pounding, longing to see the Kaaba for the first time.
The First Glimpse of the Kaaba
After the Fajr prayer, we finally made our way to Masjid al-Haram. At around 7:30 AM, I saw the Kaaba for the first time. Words fail to capture the emotions of that moment. My heart was overwhelmed with gratitude, awe, and a deep sense of peace. Tears flowed freely as I stood before the House of Allah. Alongside my brother, I performed the Tawaf and completed the rituals of Safa, Marwa, and Halq.
The Moment of Halq (Shaving the Head)
When it was time for Halq (shaving the head), I experienced a profound moment of submission to Allah’s will. In my daily life, I had never shaved my head. I didn’t even cut my hair short it was something I had never imagined doing. But there, standing in the sacred land, I didn’t think for a single moment about whether I would do it or not. The thought of bowing down to Allah’s command and completing this Sunnah overwhelmed every other consideration. This act of shaving my head was a symbolic gesture of humility and surrender. It was a reminder that, in front of Allah, we let go of our egos, our preferences, and our attachments. We submit entirely to His will, trusting in His wisdom and mercy.
Seeing Makkah’s Sacred Sites
We spent our days in Makkah touring important Islamic locations, such as JabalThawr, which provided refuge to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) during the Hijrah, and Jabal al-Noor, where Prophet Muhammad (SAW) got the first revelation. In addition to being physically exhausting, climbing these hills taught us a lot about the sacrifices made by our beloved Prophet (SAW) and his companions in order to propagate Islam.
The Holy City of Madina
We took a bus to Madina after spending 12 days at Makkah. There was a lot of excitement and anticipation during the trip. I felt a great sense of humility and shame, that how could I face Roza-e-Akdasbut I also yearned to arrive in the wonderful city where our Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is buried. How could the holy Roza-e-Akdas see me, a sinner? Though I begged for Allah’s mercy and hoped that my visit would be a means of spiritual refreshment, the weight of my shortcomings weighed heavy on my heart. But I had an unimaginable calm as soon as we arrived in this beautiful city. There seemed to be serenity in the air itself. It was quite moving to visit Masjid al-Nabawi and stand in front of the Roza-e-Rasool (SAW).
The first mosque In Islam, Masjid Quba, Masjid Qiblatain, where the Qibla was miraculously moved from Masjid al-Aqsa to the Kaaba, and JabalUhud, the scene of the well-known battle where many of the Prophet’s (SAW) companions were killed, were among the places I had the honour of seeing in Madina.
The Experience of Riyazul Jannah
One of the most important events in Madina was our appointment to enter Rawdah (Riyazul Jannah), which is defined as a section of Jannah where a believer’s Jahanam becomes haram if they pray two rakats. Only once a year is this appointment given, making it a unique privilege. Unfortunately, two of the twenty men in our group were unable to join us since one of them became unwell and the other had urgent work to do. An hour ahead of our scheduled arrival time of 3:30 pm, at 2:30 pm, we reached Masjid al-Nabawi. Two random men came up to our guide while we were waiting and inquired about any open slot. Our guide let them join since we had two slots available.These two men were sobbing as we walked inside Riyazul Jannah, thanking us and telling us that they had been trying for a week to get an appointment but had failed. Their statement, “This was Allah’s will,” struck a profound touch. Through you, he summoned us. It served as a poignant reminder that only Allah’s will can provide access to such holy places.
An Important Reminder: Avoid Excessive Shopping
Prioritizing ibadat over worldly diversions was one of the most important lessons I took away from my journey. We spent all of our time in Makkah praying and meditating instead of shopping. This relieved us of the burden of worldly worries and enabled us to totally immerse ourselves in the spiritual atmosphere. But we made the decision to go shopping in Madina, and it clearly affected our ibadat. Shopping took up time that may have been used for prayer, which was later regretted. I advise all pilgrims to minimize worldly distractions and concentrate on their main goal, ibadat. The opportunity to establish a close relationship with Allah in these holy sites is priceless, but shopping can wait.
An Astonishing Crowd, Yet Perfectly Managed
The huge number of individuals on this journey was among its most astounding features. There are literally lakhs of people in Madina and Makkah at any given time. The Saudi administration manages things so effectively in spite of this massive crowd. Despite the large number of visitors, I was amazed at how clean Masjid al-Haram and the surrounding area are. Thousands of people use bathrooms every day, and they are kept in perfect condition. Masjid al-Haram’s grounds are so spotless that anyone can sit there without thinking twice. The crowd control, general organization, and cleanliness are all just amazing. I finally understood why Allah selected this holy location for the Kaaba.
Choosing the right travel agency
Selecting a reliable travel agency is one of the most crucial parts of this journey. During Umrah, a number of difficulties may occur, such as problems with accommodation, transport, to and from Masjid al-Haram and Masjid al-Nabawi, and meal plans. I firmly believe that travel agents should be open and truthful with their customers. This is a sacred journey, and it is crucial not to deceive people.
Alhamdulillah, I was fortunate to have chosen a reliable travel agency, and I am deeply grateful to them for making this journey smooth and memorable.
Conclusion
The journey was a spiritual awakening as much as a physical one. It brought to mind the great benefits of faith and the sacrifices made by our Prophet (SAW). Alhamdulillah, I will always be thankful of this transformative event. I encourage everyone who aspires to see the holy cities to take action now and make their dream a reality. May Allah approve our efforts and allow all Muslims to travel to Madina and Makkah. Ameen.
The writer is a Medical Officer at the PHC Shargole
Dr Fazal Ul Haq Wani
wa*******@***il.com