Back from Hajj

This trip, by far, has been the most interesting trip of my life. From the minute I set foot in Saudi soil until I left, it has been one interesting thing to the other. No matter what you read about Hajj or what you hear, experiencing it is something totally different.

Prior to my spiritual journey, I decided not to take my camera or my blackberry. I know if I did, I would spend a lot of time taking pictures, replying to emails, answering work related calls and searching for the latest news from Libya. I really wanted to disconnect myself from the world and take advantage of every second I was there. So, unfortunately, I have no pictures to share but I do have many stories to tell.

We spent 3 days in Al Madina before heading to Makkah. Anyone that has been to Al Madina will completely agree when I say Al Madina is magical. The spiritual atmosphere, the peaceful lifestyle and the calmness of your mind are what make Al Madina so special. I personally believe a few days in Al Madina are good for reflection before going to Makkah. The days spent there, I literally spent in Al Masjid Al Nabawi, I even took naps there so I didn't waste time walking from and to the hotel, I lived on zamzam water and Al Madina dates (Al Madina dates win the  best dates in the world award). During the 2nd day, I visited Al Rawda, where the prophet (pbuh) is buried. They had two timings for women, after salat al fajr and mughrib. I went after salat al fajr, you had to pray in Gate 25 if you wanted to make it to the Rawda before they closed the doors. It was full before the prayers even started. The minute you walk in they ask you want your nationality is and based on your nationality they tell you where to go. One thing I noticed is that there were no Libyans in Al Madina, I usually can spot Libyans from the way they dress, especially the women. The Jalabeyat and the long scarfs. I heard that the 7,000 Libyans that were going for Hajj this year were going straight to Makkah first then after Hajj is over, will spend a week in Al Madina. So when I said I was Libyan, the women on the gate thought for a second and then said, go join the Egyptian group, the minute she said that I re-considered even going in. I quickly told her that I live in Oman so I think it's best I join the Khaleej group, she nodded with agreement or nodded just so I could get out of her way and told me where to go.  I followed her instructions and found myself in the Egyptian group, there was no way out so I accepted reality and just sat with the group, squashed between two women. They sat us down until each country before us went inside the Rawda, prayed 2 rak3ahs and left, there were atleast 7 groups in front of us. One of the Saudi women in charge was giving out some advice using the microphone like don't push and shove, dont zaghrit inside the rawda, dont move until its your turn, don't start any fights, etc. She kept repeating it over and over again and I thought that was a bit odd because she literally repeated herself to the same group over 50 times. Its only after we were inside the Rawda that I understood why that women kept repeating herself, everything she was saying NOT to do, everyone was doing. I saw fights where women were hitting, pulling or slapping each other :| I heard hundreds of women zaghrit, everyone was shoving and pushing. It was crazy. I kept my arms tight on my sides so just in case there was a wave of movement, I wouldn't hurt the person beside me with my elbows. Regardless of the precautions I took, the wave movement pushed you in all different directions. I was literally holding myself down just so I didn't get carried away. The women on my right grabbed my arm and was like "why did you freeze, start moving or they will kill you", the women on my left was wishing the prophet (pbuh) a good morning by verbally repeating "Saba7 el kheir ya rasool Allah, saba7 el ful" over and over again. It's like war of survival. The strongest person wins and the weakest gets squashed.

On the 3rd day there, I spent the afternoon buying gifts and stuff so I didnt have to do any of that while I was in Makkah. My brother went to visit Jabal Uhud, Masjid Quba and Thil Qiblatain while we were there, I opted not so since I visited them last year during my Umrah trip and preferred to spend my time in the masjid.

We were part of a group or 7amla as they call it, as Saudi Arabia does not allow you to perform Hajj unless you are associated with a specific group. We didn't meet the people in our group until we were leaving Al Madina. They lined up 3 buses in front of the hotel for us to travel in and that's when we were all introduced to each other.

To be continued...................... Tweet