Why??

Question: Why do you always go to Mekah during Ramadan?

Answer: I can find peace in myself. Moreover when I am there alone, nobody bothers me. I can find new acquaintance and develop “siratulrahim” among Muslim brothers. I totally devote myself to Allah - pray, umrah, fasting, reading the “Alkoraan” and “sedekah”. I have to manage my own life, no wife or children to depend on. I must learn to be alone for in the grave, no one accompanies me except the good and the bad deed I have done during the span of my life. In Mekah, I forget about TV, newspapers, politics, EPL, blogs and the whole world. Every deed is for the sake of Allah and avoiding what is forbidden. I control the usage of the tongue and avoid unnecessary conversation.

Question: You can also devote yourself to Allah even you are in Malaysia?

Answer: Agree…….., but you cannot perform the umrah in Malaysia. Do you know that while fasting and performing the umrah, Allah would bless you an equivalent of performing a Haj? Every time I pray at Masjidil Haram Allah blesses it with 100,000 times and at Masjid Nabawi it is 1,000 times. In Malaysia, if you pray at the mosque with other Jemaah, Allah only blesses you with 27 times. In Malaysia you tend to miss the terawikh but in Mekah it is a big loss if you miss and if you spot on with “Lailatulqadar”, Allah blesses you with 1,000 months of “ibadah”. There is no valid reason you should miss the terawikh in Mekah unless you are sick.

Question: Given the chance what would you change to facilitate Pilgrims to Mekah?

Answer: First of all, the Saudi Immigration formalities must be made simple. During the Visa application at the home country, the Saudi Embassy should thoroughly screen the potential Pilgrims. Details of potential Pilgrims is to be on line with Jeddah Airport Immigration. Upon arrival at Jeddah Airport, the Immigration Officials just browse through the details, comparison check and therefore a smooth and quick clearance.

Saudi Government is filthy rich and they should make a bigger and well equipped with modern facilities Airport. Planes arriving can park direct at the Airport Main Terminal instead of Passengers arriving transported by bus to the Main Airport Terminal. Since the influx of Pilgrims is by the minutes arriving at the Airport, the Immigration Bays should be increased and adequate replacement when the Immigration Officials performing their prayers or taking a break. Do not just abandon the Bay without replacement. The Pilgrims are coming to Saudi Arabia to contribute to the economic well being of the country and they should be treated as VIP.

Saudi Muassah Officials should man the arrival exit and collect the Pilgrims Passport upon arrival. The Passport is immediately scanned, printed and return to the Holder so that the Holder can proceed with their journey either to Medina or straight to Mekah. There would be no unnecessary hold back at the Airport.

Trolleys at the Airport should be easily available for the incoming and outgoing Pilgrims. It should not be in the custody of Airport Porters who charge for a fee for the trolley.

Question: What sadden you most when you are in Mekah?

Answer: I am sorry to see Pilgrims, other than from Malaysia who lacks the knowledge of an umrah. Ihram is a two piece cloth unstitched. Some even have buttons. They even expose their aurat and the belly button could be seen. The “aurat” for a man is from the belly button to the knee. This area should be well covered. If the “aurat” is exposed it is considered as “haram”.

It is sad to see the Pilgrims break all the laws about performing an umrah, the effort and the money spent all goes to the drain. All Pilgrims should equip themselves with the do and don’t about umrah. They must study the minute details. The position of the shoulders, the right place to “istilam” etc etc.

The poor ethics of certain Pilgrims that just cross to the Kaabah knocking off Pilgrims while performing the tawaf.

The mad rush, pushing and elbowing is a norm of certain Pilgrims to kiss the Hijaratul Aswad when the action is only sunat. They hurt other Pilgrims and even get themselves hurt while shoving their way to touch or to kiss the Holy Black stone.

Pilgrims take in their dirty slippers into the Mosque. It should be wrapping in a small bag or plastic.

Some Pilgrims enter the Mosque immediately after a prayer sessions which cause unnecessary blockage at the door. They should give at least fifteen minutes when all have exit.

Sleeping in the Mosque and during the day in Ramadan, the Mosque looks like a war zone, bodies everywhere. This prevents other pilgrims to perform the sunat prayers. The Mosque security should chase them away to their respective dwellings. While sleeping on the carpet with their mouth open, they tend to soil the carpet and this carpet is for praying. Islam is about cleanliness.

Mother taking babies into the Mosque that often cries. That distracts the concentration of a prayer. A Nursery for babies should be built somewhere near the Mosque.

Praying should not be allowed at staircase landings. Once the Pilgrims filled up the landings other Pilgrims cannot proceed to find an empty space to pray. The Security should ensure the landing is not occupied prior to prayer session.

Question: Would you go to Mekah again?

Answer: Are you crazy? Only stupid Muslims do not want to go to Mekah. I don’t care with all the Immigration problems at Jeddah Airport; I will still go through it. That’s the destiny Allah have decides. If Allah wants to make my journey smooth so be it, if not then Allah is testing my patience. The moment I step out from the house for the Holy Land, I surrender myself to the Almighty Allah. My “nawaitu” must just be one. Insyaalah, if the “nawaitu” is sincere, Allah would take care of me.

Question: Can I follow you next year Ramadan?

Answer: Insyaalah, if I am still alive. BUT, I have my own sets of rules that you have to abide. With good health, except Friday we have to perform the umrah. The “nawaitu” is Ramadan umrah, not Ramadan sleeping. Remember…..you can only perform an umrah only in Mekah, not anywhere else in the world, not even in Medina.

Don’t think much about shopping in Mekah. All those items in Mekah are all from China. You can get them at Mydin back home. Only dates and “zam zam” water are Mekah copyrights reserved. Even the dates are from Medina.

If you are missing from the room, I expect you to be in Masjidilharam, 100% devotion and concentration to “ibadah”.

Never mind, it’s your money and it’s up to you how to spend your well earned money. I just give you a guideline. Allah knows what you are doing and the Almighty is always fair.