My health prevents my Umrah pilgrimage. My doctor’s letter was received and ‘approved’ by the Malaysian tour group. Chatted with Alina, who was to be my Umrah companion.
Me: I have a copy of the letter sent by my doctor to the tour group. I will show it to you when I see you . He described the problem I am facing very well. It made me feel old. Hahaha
Her return message filled me with such comfort, and peace and actually hope.
She: Remember I had earlier updated EJ Yusoff the Umrah team leader about you being on the tour? Well, I had also updated him on the withdrawal due to a medical issue and how much you were looking forward to the Umrah, even leaving your luggage with me. He called to say that he was really looking forward to meeting you but all is as Allah wills it to be. He says to convey to you that Allah rewards you for your Umrah intentions and that Allah knows best.
Me: Such a blessed message! Please express my gratitude to him, that his message brought me peace.
I have done research and wrote about pilgrimages. It may be found on this blog site, under the section My Calling. A partial version of my writing will now be ‘aired again’ at this time and place.
“A necessary first step prior to writing My Calling was to gain an understanding of pilgrimages, I began this search with no knowledge, with no comprehension as I had been an atheist my for most of my life. Readers may be in a similar situation so decided this would enlighten all.
The Two Holy Mosques are magnets for pilgrims.
First, let us define what a pilgrimage is, and why the faithful undertake the often arduous trip. Google describes the process in the following manner. “A pilgrimage is a sacred journey, undertaken for a spiritual purpose. Pilgrims are different from tourists: they travel for spiritual reasons, not just to relax or for fun. Pilgrimage is a search for meaning, purpose, values or truth.” I see pilgrimages as jump start for a believer’s faith. One thinks of jump starting a car but used in this context it means to start or improve something more quickly by giving it extra help.
The Islamic Faith both requires, and encourages, special pilgrimages. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and all able-bodied Muslims are required to perform it once in their lifetime. The Hajj is seen as a chance to wipe clean past sins and start afresh.”
Subsequent to the writing of My Calling, which unfortunately is not dated, I had read M. Alghazali’s Muslim Character with words of wisdom, I had not seen elsewhere.
This book is no longer in print, and seems irreplaceable. I had given, at his request, this precious, one of its kind, books to Shamir for his birthday. I asked if I could borrow it back for a day or so. He teasingly said he would charge me rental fees – perhaps he was serious but he did receive payment and the book is in my hands. Hahaha I fooled him.
This title appears on page 4 Hajj is a Compulsory Pilgrimage to Weaken the Love for the World.
“ Sometimes man thinks that to travel to the holy places and to perform pilgrimage, which has been made compulsory for every rich Muslim, and which is included in the five pillars of Islam, is merely a form of worship that has no relation to the world of of morality and character. This is a clear misunderstanding. Giving command about this compulsory worship, Allah states:
The months of Hajj are well known In these months whoever intends to perform Hajj should not indulge in sexual act, wicked act, and fighting during the Hajj. Whatever righteous act you will perform will be known to Allah. Take with you provision for the journey (for Hajj) and the best provision is righteousness. So fear me, O men of understanding. “ -Baqarah: 197
In other words one does not have to travel to the holy places to preform the pilgrimage. I have been uniquely and unusually blessed, spending three months living in Medinah, right next to the Prophet’s Mosque. It did provide a vision, not seen by others. It was not exactly a pretty sight as I explained in the undated My Calling
“Why do these people that surround me, go on pilgrimages? It if extremely stressful, does not sound like a lot of un to me. Nor is it conducive to worship – spending time with Allah (SWT). The Creator seems to be the last thing on the mind of even these, the affluent tour group members.
I was not altogether aware of the circumstances of ‘masses’ at the Prophet’s Mosque, in the beginning go my stay. Would wonder, often out loud: “Why are you so unhappy, not smiling? You are in Medina, the place so treasured by our Prophet (Peace be Upon Him)? He words: “O Allah! Make Al-Madinah beloved to us, as we love Makkah – or more”
Later I was to learn why the misery, hearing of the conditions under which they lived and attempted to worship, the working conditions of those employed within this hallowed place, even the rampant thievery. For example, shoes must be removed, For some reason nothing is protected or guarded, lockers are not provided. Visitors for the day, their shoes missing, not wanted, would emerge bare footed and are forced to buy footwear at an exorbitant cost in the stores surrounds the Mosque. Learning all of this during my October 1- to December 23, 2023 residency wrote: ‘I live next door to the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. Chaos and confusion, disorganization and mismanagement reign. It is unbelievable, it is a travesty and a desecration but the truth of conditions are well kept secret. Well up until now.”
I have been rescued from all of that. In the words of the tour group leader Allah will reward me for my Umrah intentions and Allah knows best.
I returned to Paradise – more specifically to my apartment in Rainbow Paradise Beach Resort. First to the peace and serenity found, living by the sea with unparalleled views from my patio. You will see three of them following the blog. The first was the sunrise that greeted me the first morning. I was in conversation with Shamir, speaking of its glories. I sent the first with the following caption to all of my WhatsApp folk:
Me: Good morning. I have returned to Paradise. Alhamdullah
Aline: Alhamdulillah Good morning.
Me: Alhamdulillah Good morning. It is a blessed morning. I am loving the peace and serenity. You are my first greeter of the day. Going to the Floating Mosque this morning.
Yasmin responded.
She: Good morning. I am here at work. Can I come and give you the ring now if you are at your place.
Me: Yes. Come on up.
She arrived. She was replacing one of the stones which has fallen from a precious ring purchased in Medinah. The ring is now more beautiful than ever before. Perfectly polished. Absolutely pricelessly beautiful. She took a photo to send to her daughter. It shall follow the blog.
Then sent it to my driver Din with the following message.
Me: The Lebanon Restaurant Is open at lunch. I just checked.
He: Good Alaa. I will pick you up at the Floating Mosque st 12:30 and we will go to lunch from there.
Me: Great news. See you then.
I went to the Floating Mosque, catching GRAB. I once thought I could walk there along the beach but that will be impossible with my knee problems. No problem as GRAB is only six RM.
I had a a blessed time at the Floating Mosque and an absolutely delicious lunch at Lebanon which you will hear about tomorrow.
Sunset was also absolutely spectacular\. Sent my WhatsApp folk a photo which will be shown at the conclusion of the blog.
Me: My sunset! Look what you are missing!! Hahaha
Shamir: Wow. Mashallah.
Me: I know. It is as if Allah said, she is back I am gonna lay on a spectacular sunrise and sunset,
He: 100 percent. U know the song Stand by Me
Me: I think so. I will do you a favor and not sing it for you. But I can get it on Apple Music.
He: I think it is a song from Allah to humans.
Me: A perfect song. I am listening to it now. A version by Ben King. It is SO inspirational. Seriously I am listening to the song,, sipping halal beer which Din brought me and speaking to you in a neighboring country. This is indeed Jannah on earth.
Shamir went to Thailand on his Vespa. He had sent a photo from the border, which shall also appear at the conclusion of the blog.
The next morning sent he and others a photo of today’s sunrise.
Me: Good morning. Almost not a sunrise this morning but so quietly and subtly stunning.
To Shamir added the following message.
Me: Seems as if he said yesterday that he would send me an absolutely spectacular sunrise and sunset. But today a very pale sunrise version. And she how she reacts. But here is the good news. I passed another test. Hahaha I saw the absolute beauty in it, worshipping His wisdom, his beauty, his plan for this world. Alhamdulillah
To Alina sent another message.
Me: Long long long ago from my teenage summer camp days I remember a morning greeting. “God has created a new day, silver and green and gold. Live that the sunset may find us. Worthy his gift to behold. Allah is indeed the One God, making this a poignant and profound message for today.
She: Good morning Alaa.
Me: Good morning my precious friend and Muslim sister. I am at peace here. Alhamdulillah
She then sent me a photo, a gift I had made of a gift I received. You shall hear about that in a subsequent blog.
Yasmin returned the greeting as well.
She: Good morning I just finished my prayers.
Me: I have the great privilege of seeing you today.
She then sent me a rather mind blowing reel showing the majesty of Allah, I do hope I can attach it and send it to you. If not possible the message at the conclusion of the reel will appear as a photograph. .
Me: What an amazing message. All praise to Allah for sending it to me. I will send to others.
Get ready to view the photos and hopefully see the reel Yasmin sent to me.
