2013 11th Umrah: Madinah Al-Munawwarah

."The journey is different for many, but the destination is the same, for eternity will await us all, when God calls out our name..."

Madinah Al-Munawwarah
Isyraq al-Madina Hotel
(16 - 18 Apr 2013)
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Our POTO group of 18 lead by Fariz Arami took the Ethiopian Airline flight from KLIA stopped over Bangkok for an hour before en route to Addis Ababa. We transited for almost 12 hours in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and had a half day city tour before we took another flight to Jeddah. The immigration and custom clearance at Jeddah Airport was unexpectedly smooth and efficient.

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(Ishraq Al-Madina Hotel)

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At the arrival hall, we were met by our mutawwif and guide, Ustaz Ahmad Bokhari and took a 5-hour bus trip to Madina. We had breakfast and performed subuh prayer in one of the R&R on the way to Madinah. We checked in Ishraq Al-Madina Hotel and rested well before we went to Masjid Al-Nabawi to perform solat Zohor.
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(A very empty courtyard of Masjid Nabi)

Masjid Al-Nabawi, often called the Prophet's Mosque, is a mosque built by Prophet Muhammad situated in the city of Madinah. It is the second holiest site in Islam next to Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah. It was the second mosque built in history and is now one of the largest mosques in the world.

(A tazkirah at the courtyard)

After Asar prayers, some of us followed Ustaz for orientation and to visit historical places around the mosque. We visited Kubur Baqi’, Maqam Nabi, from the outside and Masjid Abu Bakar.

(A beautiful sunset at Masjid Nabawi)

We stayed around the mosque till it was time for Maghrib prayer. The Masjid Al-Nabawi is most serene and tranquil at sunset. We could see the picturesque silhouette of the 10 minarets and beautiful folded, umbrella-like canopies used to provide shade to the open courtyard of the mosque.

(The jemaah during Magrib prayer)

The mosque was full during maghrib and Isya' prayers, the jemaah very often overflowing to the surrounding courtyard. After Isya’ prayer, led by one Ustazah, the ladies joined the crowd to visit and recite the salam to Rasulullah, Saidina Abu Bakr and Saidina Umar. We had the opportunity to have our prayers and doa at the Raudhah before the area was closed after midnight.

(Blue sky at Masjid al-Quba)

On the second day our group went to visit historical places aroud Madinah. Our first stop was at Masjid Al-Quba, located in the outskirt of Madinah. It is the oldest mosque in the world. Its first stones were positioned by Prophet Muhammad as soon as he arrived on his hijrah from the city of Makkah to Madinah. Those visiting this mosque will perform 2 rakaat of Sunatul-masjid prayers.

"Whoever makes ablutions at home and then goes and prays in the Mosque of Quba, he will have a reward like that of an 'Umrah."

(Masjid al-Qiblatain)

Masjid Al-Qiblatain also known as the Mosque of the two Qiblats is a mosque in Madinah that is historically important for Muslims as the place where the Prophet Muhammad, leading the prayer, is said to have been commanded to change the direction of prayer (qiblat) from Jerusalem to Mecca. Thus it uniquely contained two prayer mihrabs.

(A visit to Jabal Uhud)

We visited Jabal Uhud, where the famous battle of Uhud was fought between the Meccans and the muslims of Medinah. It is located north of Madinah and 4 kilometers from the Masjid Al-Nabawi. The small hill is where Muslim archers were positioned during the Battle of Uhud. Nearby, there is a maqam for all the shuhada who died during the battle.

(Shopping at Kurma Souk)

In Kurma Market the counters were filled with varieties of dates from about more than 200 species, other Arabian fruits and varieties of nuts. Here you can taste the dates for free before you buy them! Of all the dates, the most expensive would be kurma ajwa and we bought a few kilograms to bring back.

"The Prophet said: If somebody eat seven Ajwa dates in the morning, neither magic nor poison will hurt him that day." -Sahih Bukhari

(A long queue to purchase the al-Quran)

King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur'an is a printing plant located in Madinah that publishes the Qur'an in Arabic and other languages. The company produces about 10 million copies a year. It has 1,700 employees. It has published 55 different translations of the Qur'an in 39 languages. Millions of Qur’an distributed freely throughout the world came from this factory. Only men are allowed to visit the factory and will be presented a copy of the Qur’an each.

(Miqat at Bir Ali Mosque)

On the last day in Medinah, we boarded the bus and stopped at Bir Ali Mosque, less than a 15 minute drive from Madinah. It is situated at Dzul Hulayfa and a miqat mosque for pilgrimage heading to Makkah who wish to perform the umrah.

👈👈 2013: Makkah, Saudi Arabia

2013: Hatyai, Thailand 👉👉