Assalam Alaikum, my wonderful readers! It’s Shabana Mukhtar here, and today, I’m thrilled to share my thoughts on the daily prompt
If I won two free plane tickets, I would go to…
Without a moment’s hesitation, my answer is clear – I’d choose to embark on a journey to the blessed cities of Makkah and Madinah for the ziarat of Harmain Shareefain. What could be more profound and spiritually fulfilling than visiting the holy cities?
It’s been less than a year since I had the extraordinary opportunity to perform Hajj 1443. The memories and emotions from that life-changing experience are still fresh in my heart.
Incidentally, last year, I brought in my birthday in Makkah, a day before leaving for Madinah. Here are some memories from my birthday last year.
Around 1:35 AM, I grew a year older inside Al Masjid Al Haram.
And then, in the evening, we went to Al Masjid Al Ayesha to intend for another Umrah, last one for our stay in Makkah.
And, this was the dress I wore. I don’t celebrate birthday, but I do try to wear a new outfit to thank Allah for his infinite blessings on me. Alhamdulillah!
The crowd in the sehen of Haram Shareef as the new ghilaaf was being taken out of the vehicle.
Yep, it was that night the yearly cover-change routine was performed. We were going to witness an event that generally took place on the day of Arafat. We were so lucky and blessed to experience it. After nearly two hours, cover for the first side was changed.
The atmosphere of peace, devotion, and unity that enveloped the sacred sites left an indelible mark on my soul. To stand before the Kaaba, the house of Allah, and offer prayers amidst millions of fellow believers is an unparalleled experience. The feeling of being surrounded by people from all corners of the world, all united in worship, is simply awe-inspiring.
And then there’s Madinah, the city of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). To visit his resting place and feel the serenity of the Prophet’s Mosque is beyond words. It’s a spiritual journey that fills the heart with immense gratitude and love for Allah and His Messenger.
Despite having recently returned from Hajj, I find myself yearning to return to the holy cities once again. The pull of their sanctity and the longing to bask in their spiritual aura is irresistible. So, if I were to win two free plane tickets, I would undoubtedly choose to embark on another Umrah journey soon.
In the meantime, I cherish the memories of my previous visit and the valuable lessons it taught me. I am reminded of the importance of gratitude, humility, and unity as I continue my journey of faith and self-discovery.
As Muslims, we are blessed with the opportunity to perform Umrah throughout the year, outside the Hajj season. It is a privilege that we should never take for granted. My heart is filled with hope and anticipation for the day when Allah grants me the opportunity to perform Umrah once again.
Until then, I will continue to cherish the memories of my Hajj journey and strive to embody the spirit of devotion and humility that I experienced during that sacred pilgrimage. May Allah make it easy for all of us to visit the blessed cities of Makkah and Madinah and grant us the opportunity to perform Umrah soon. Ameen.
Thank you for joining me on this reflective journey, my dear readers. Keep your faith strong, your prayers sincere, and your hearts open to the blessings that Allah showers upon us each day.
Assalam Alaikum and Allah Hafiz!
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Shabana Mukhtar