December 2014 UMRAH.

06 December: Forty two (42) excited Jemaah were already at KLIA eagerly waiting for the flight to Jeddah. The Passports were handed to the Saudi Airline check in counter and the luggage, individually tagged and lined up for checking in. Due to some technical hiccup, seven (7) Jemaah was restricted to board the plane by Saudi Airline ground staff. I was in dilemma to explain to the dejected Jemaah and did upmost effort arranging alternative options to postpone their umrah travel. Several phone calls were made and pleading Saudi Airline but to no avail.

Finally only thirty five (35), all in ihram was cleared for boarding. The group was the last to board and the plane took off destined to Jeddah at 1515 hrs local time.

I was moody and feeling upset throughout the flight thinking of the seven (7) Jemaah that was rejected by Saudi Airline.

About an hour before landing at Jeddah International Airport, I reminded all the thirty five (35) Jemaah to solemnize their niat for umrah.

Landed in Jeddah at 1930 hrs local time and the Saudi Arabia Immigration were thorough and meticulous with youth below 40. All ten (10) fingerprints and photograph were recorded. As Tour Leader I had to ensure all the Jemaah passed through Immigration. I hate another hiccup.

The Local Representative met all of us and we boarded the bus destined for Mekah. Just before the Haram border, we stopped at a Mosque for solat jamak takhir of Maghreeb and Isyakh.

For the first timer Jemaah, they were excited to set foot in Mekah. At 2300 hrs the bus finally arrived at Nawhrat Sham Hotel at Misfalah area, just behind Mekah Hilton and Masjidilharam was within sight.

The Jemaah were ushered to have their dinner and mean time their room allocation sorted out.

07 December: At 0030 hrs, assembled at the Hotel Lobby and lead by the Local Mutawif, the Jemaah were chaperoned to Masjidilharam. I stayed at the tail end to ensure no one dropped out off the group. Since it was just the beginning of the umrah season, Masjidilharam was not crowded and the group completed the full umrah ritual at 0330 hrs. Most Jemaah stayed back in Masjidilharam for subuh prayers. I accompanied Samseri Ahmad, a first timer and we performed subuh prayer in front of the Kaabah. I felt great to be back again in Masjidilharam. The last time in Masjidilharam was July 2014 during Ramadan.

The Jemaah had their breakfast and rested till zohor prayer. They were now on their own performing their normal routine prayers and will assist and advise them if they were any queries and doubts arise.

After asar I had to get myself organized. I got the Saudi Arabia sim card and changed my Alfajar wrist watch battery.

At 2230 hrs, another group of thirty eight (38) Jemaah headed by Ustaz Kamal arrived at the same Hotel and assisted them on the check in.

08 December: My group boarded the bus after breakfast and we headed for Jabal Thur – the place where the Holy Prophet (pbuh) started the Hijrah to Medina. We then went to Arafah, Mina and Mudzalifah. This gave the first timer Jemaah an insight of the places involved pertaining to Haj rituals. The Mutawif was Ustaz Ali, a local resident from Kedah. Final stop was Jairanah Mosque for miqat to perform an umrah. I changed to the ihram and recited my niat to perform an umrah for my late kampong friend, Ismail bin Haji Ibrahim who recently summoned by Almighty Allah. I took pity on him as he was on dialysis and unable to perform Haj or umrah. The umrah on his behalf was the best present (sedekah) to him, insyaalah.

Outside Mekah Tour.

Ustaz Ali and Samseri.

Back at the Hotel I had lunch with Ustaz Ali and straight to Masjidilharam with Samseri Ahmad to perform the umrah ritual. While performing the saie ritual, Mekah was drizzling. Its Allah blessing, the last time in Mekah during Ramadan it was a down pour.

The rest of the day, checking on the well being of all the Jemaah and attending to their welfare. Any small question had to be answered.

09 December: After breakfast Ustaz Kamal Group did similar tour outside Mekah as we performed yesterday. Mid morning, I took Samseri Ahmad and Immanul Agos for a familiarize tour at the various nearby Shopping Complexes.

Ustaz Ali joined me for lunch after the guided tour of Ustaz Kamal Group.

After Isyhak, another sixty two (62) Jemaah checked in from Medina headed by Ustaz Dzar and Ustaz Aziz. We have now 135 jemaah in total in the same Hotel and we had the Dining Hall at Floor 1 to ourselves.

Ustaz Dzar & Puan Sarina.

10 December: After breakfast my Group and Ustaz Kamal group was taken for a tour around Masjidilharam. The main place visited was the site of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and Siti Khadijah’s house. The site where the Holy Prophet was born is now a Library and Siti Khadijah’s house remained only the site.

The Jemaaah performed their routine prayer at Masjidilharam and in between the free hour, some sneaked out to venture Mekah and its surrounding. They seem to know where to get things for their folks back home.

11 December: Ustaz Dzar and Ustaz Aziz group went for outside Mekah tour. At 1400 hrs I led the group with Ustaz Ali to Hudaibiyah and The Holy Mosque Museum. Some Jemaah performed their miqat at Hudaibiyah for umrah.

Holt Mosque Museum in Mekah. 

At Hudaibiyah.

After isyakh, I skipped dinner as I was invited for Arabic “nasi mandy” dinner at Aziziyah with Ustaz Dzar and Ustaz Aziz.

Restaurant Nasi Mandy at Aziziyah.

12 December: Its Friday. My good friend Hj Adenan, Mekah local resident, came down from his resident up the hill to join me for Friday prayers. He brought along a box full of doughnut as sedekah to the group. It was great to meet Haji Nan again.

I had an important mission tonight and after asar, went looking for torchlight at Ben Dawood Shopping Complex.

After isyakh and dinner we took the van to the foothill of Jabal Noor. Jabal Noor is the place where the Holy Prophet received the first wahyu from Almighty Allah.

We started climbing the steep and narrow hill. The torchlight came handy and I took a break after several steps and enjoyed Mekah night sceneries. I was determined to get into the Cave at whatever cost at my own pace. I was left behind alone and at midway some was already descending. Alone in the dark, I slowly thread the steep narrow uneven steps assisted by my torchlight and a walking stick. I was amazed I was not the least scared, perhaps Allah gave me the courage.

 

13 December:  Past midnight, I finally reached the summit and my companion who had reached earlier applauded my arrival. Pakmus, made it, a 69 year old man. I was the last to arrive and I made it. It was not finished yet, I sat down to recollect my breath, rested for a while, had tea and I had to ascend the hill to the Cave. My companion was so excited with my arrival and they volunteered to guide me to the Cave. The entry to the Cave was really challenging as I had to squeeze my clumsy body between two (2) narrow boulders. Determination overrides my fear. Finally I made it to the Cave. Syukur Alhamdullillah. I had been to Mekah umpteen times before and this was the first time I reached the Cave. I felt extremely great and thankful to Allah.

At Jabal Noor.

I performed two (2) rakaat of “solat sunat” and “solat hajat” in the Cave, raised my hands to the Almighty Allah thanking Him for the strength, patience, courage and tolerance endowed unto me to reach the Cave.

The whole group then made our way down Jabal Noor and I was given special attention by Faizal, Samseri, Amar Haniff and Muqri Haniff. Those young men held me by the arm as my legs were beginning to stagger.

It was about 0200 hrs we reached the starting point and mission accomplished.

Back in Mekah, we had coffee and kebab at the nearest Café.

   

Dinner after Isyakh – Almukminin Travel organized an Arabic cuisine. Pre dinner Ustaz Kamal lead the tahlil ritual.

The Tahlil in Mekah.

Two (2) Groups would make their hijrah to Medina, 475 kilometers away, the following morning. Instructions were given to have their luggage ready at the Hotel Lobby latest by 0800 hrs.

14 December:  At 1000 hrs my group and Ustaz Kamal group in two (2) busses left for Medina. Midway we stopped for lunch and zohor prayers. Reached Medina before asar and checked into Soufrah Hotel.

All the Jemaah especially the first timers were excited to enter Masjid Nabawi.

Dining was a major problem at this Hotel as there were hundreds of jemaah from other Travel Agencies crammed into the same Hotel Dining Hall. Unlike in Mekah we had the Dining Room to ourselves. To some jemaah they found it odd and again I had to explain. The best answer was “sabar” as Allah had destined us to be this way.

After isyakh, I took Faizal to Raudah and the Holy Prophet’s Makam. Ustaz Kamal took the rest. The Ladies went by themselves.

15 December:  Visited Quba Mosque, Date Farm and Jabal Uhud. Ustaz Andika was the Mutawif. We missed the Koraan Factory at it was already late.

Ustaz Andika & Me.

At Masjid Quba, Medina.

Back entrance of Masjid Nabawi, Mekah.

Al Shoufrah Hotel, Medina.

At 2000 hrs, the group from Istanbul headed by Jalil Suboh arrived and I assisted to sort out the room allocation. Since the Hotel was fully booked, I had to make several adjustments with the Muasasah Rep.  Jalil Suboh had to scout in my room, for a night.

16 December: After zohor  Ustaz Kamal group left for Jeddah and to KLIA. Finally after isyakh, I got Jalil Suboh a room. I requested for one (1) but the Muaasasah gave me two (2). That’s what I call crazy.

After isyakh prayer, some Jemaah went to the Date Market but Samseri and I opted for the nearby shops. I also had to ensure all the Jemaah make their way back to the Hotel.

17 December:  It’s my 69 Birthday. After breakfast, Haji Mansor* accompanied me to Saudi Airline Office to get the boarding passes for tonight flight home. Haji Mansor was my Medina acquaintance.

I briefed the group to perform the widaq after zohor as immediately after asar we would be leaving for Medina Airport.

At the Airport, it was chaotic. Luckily I had obtained the boarding passes earlier for the thirty five (35) passengers. Even though there was several staff at the Check in Counter, I noticed each and every one expecting the other to do it.  Our luggage seems to be the last to be checked in and without proper luggage tagging. They requested me to adjourn to the Departure Lounge immediately and I had to rely on Ustaz Andika and Jalil Suboh, (who accompanied us to the Airport) to ensure the group luggage were checked in.

I was laughing to myself as I was the only passenger in the spacious transit bus to the awaiting plane. That mean I was the last passenger to pass through Immigration.

I sighed with relief as the plane SV 828 took off for Riyadh/KLIA at 2140 hrs. I still did not know what happened to the group luggage and zam zam water only hoping and doa to Allah that the luggage were checked in.

18 December:  Landed at KLIA at 1325 hrs. All luggage and zam zam water arrived safely. Syukur Alhamdullillah. If any luggage was missing I could not do anything as I did not have the tagging duplicate.

Note:

The new regulation by Saudi Arabia, only five (5) liters of zam zam water are allowed to be taken home instead of the normal ten (10) liters.

The Hotel and transport in Mekah and Medina is now being controlled by the Muaasasah. (Saudi Haj Ministry).

*A week later, a friend told me, Haji Mansor passed away due to heart attack. I was so sorry for him as on 17 December morning I was with him, healthy and jovial as usual. We had coffee at the Hotel Café. I am glad Haji Mansor was buried d at Baqiq Cemetry.

Alfateehah.

The kids that came along for Umrah.