2017 13th Umrah: 05 Makkah/Tannaim

“Evil originates not in the absence of guilt; but in our effort to escape it.” - Shannon L. Alder

(Ready to perform our next Umrah)

Day 05:

15 March 2017 - Wednesday
Hilton Suites, Makkah

After Fajar prayers we took a taxi to Tannaim to miqat for our second Umrah. It cost us SR40 return trip. The taxi driver waited for us to perform our sunat prayers and recite the niat for our Umrah then sent us back to Masjidil-Haram.

(Masjid Aishah at Tannaim)

(Our favorite mosque for miqat)

Masjid Tannaim is a mosque about 7 km away from the Holy Kaabah, acts as miqat for people living in Makkah. This mosque is also known as Masjid Aishah.

(Not so many people in the morning)

(Performing the sa'ei at the lower ground)

We completed our second Umrah by 11:00 am. We had early lunch of KFC. After Asar prayers we had roti canai at D'Saji Restaurant situated at 2nd floor of the Safwa Tower.

(The crowd after Asaar prayers)

(Having early dinner at Safwa Tower)

(The Hilton Towers, our lodging in Makkah)

       2017 13th Umrah: 06 Makkah/Ja’aranah👉

👈2017 13th Umrah: 04 Madinah/Bir Ali/Makkah

2017 13th Umrah: 06 Makkah/Ja’aranah

“The spiritual journey is one of continuous learning and purification. When you know this, you become humble…”

(Hilton main lobby, ready in our ihram)

Day 06:

16 March 2017 - Thursday
Hilton Suites, Makkah

Today we went for a half-day tour of Interesting historical places around Makkah and had our miqat at Jaaranah for our 3rd Umrah. Places visited were Jabal Thur, Arafah and Jabal Rahmah, Mudzalifah, Muassim and Jabal Nur.

(Jabal Thur, at an altitude of 1,405 m)

Jabal Thur is the mountain where the cave in which Rasulullah and Saidina Abu Bakar sought refuge for three days and nights from the Quraish as they left Makkah and emigrated to Madinah.

(The crowd at Jabbal Rahmah at Arafah)

(Climbing the steep slope of Jabal Rahmah)

Arafah is a plain about 20 km from Makkah. Jabal Arafah or Jabal Rahmah is a granite hill in Arafah reaching about 70 m in height and is also known as the Mount of Mercy, which is a meeting place between Adam and Eve after being exiled from heaven. There is a monument made ​​of concrete rectangular on top of Jabal Rahmah and the scenery of Arafah is beautiful from the top.

Jabal Rahmah is also a place for the historic journey of Rasulullah. It was there that he received the final revelation and delivered the Farewell Sermon to the Muslims who had accompanied him for the Hajj towards the end of his life.

(A walkway for the pilgrims during Hajj season)

(Tents at Muassim for the pilgrims) 

Masjid Jaaranah is situated approximately 24 km Masjidil-Haram and is one of the places where pilgrims miqat for Umrah. It was here Rasulullah camped a few days after the Battle of Hunain and entered into the state of Ihram and then proceeded to Makkah.

(Newly renovated Masjid Jaaranah)

(The Cemetery of Ma'ala)

Jannat al-Mu'alla, also known as the Cemetery of Ma'la and Al-Hajun, is a cemetery to the north of the Masjidil-Haram. It is the place where Rasulullah's wife Khadijah, grandfather, and other ancestors are buried. Muslim pilgrims who died in Makkah will be buried here

We performed the tawaf and saie on our own and completed our Umrah by 2:00 pm. We bought rice and some dishes from D’Saji and eat our early lunch in the hotel room.

We rested our tired muscles the rest of the afternoon. We performed our prayers in Masjidil-Haram.

(Pilgrims taking a rest at the corridor of Zam Zam Tower)

2017 13th Umrah: 07 Makkah/Ta’if👉

👈2017 13th Umrah: 05 Makkah/Tannaim

2017 13th Umrah: 07 Makkah/Ta’if

“Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact...” - William James

(Masjid Abdullah Ibnu Abbas in Ta'if)

Day 07:

17 March 2017 - Friday
Hilton Suites, Makkah

This morning, by 3:30 am we were already at the lobby of Hotel Saraya Iman. Our group of 16 was going for a day tour in Ta’if for SR150 per person. Ta’if is 120 km from Makkah. Ta'if is a city in Makkah Province at an elevation of 1,879 m on the slopes of Sarawat Mountains. It has a population of 1.2 million people and is the unofficial summer capital. The city is the center of an agricultural area known for its grapes, pomegranate, figs, roses and honey.

(A picnic by the roadside)

(Roti and dhal curry for breakfast)

We stopped for Fajar prayers at a mosque on the way. After prayers the driver bought bread and dhal curry and we picnicked by the roadside and had our breakfast at al-Hada.

We later visited the scenic area by the cable car station. Al Hada Mountain is a large nature reserve. Al Hada means tranquility and it is also a good location to catch the sunset over the mountains. 

(Cable car station at al-Hada)

(Cable car Station next to Ramada Hotel)

(A 30-minute ride for a distance of 9 km)

(A winding road through the mountainous terrain)

Ta'if is also known as City of Roses. The rose gardens and factories are mostly located in the cooler Al-Hada, Al-Shafa, Al-Dahia, and Al-Ghadeerain areas. Together, they produce around 233 million roses and comprise 34 factories for the plantation of roses and production of 19,000 bottles of rose essence.

(One of the famous Rose perfume factory)

(Watching video on the process of perfumery)

(A garden of strong scented Ta'if roses)

(The distillers to extract Rose Water)

Later we visited the famous three historical mosques, Masjid Qantara, Masjid Siku and Masjid Addas. We also visited Masjid Abdullah Ibnu Abbas and his maqam.

(Masjid al-Qantara with its unique minaret)

(A humble prayer hall)

Masjid Al Madhoon is an ancient mosque also known as Masjid Al Qantara. It is famous for its azan minaret which looks like a cylinder and ends with a spherical peak. The Masjid was built of stone and gypsum it is rectangular in shape and has an inclined ceiling. This Masjid probably dates back to the end of the Ottoman Empire.

(Masjid Al-Kou or Masjid Siku) 

(A small prayer area of Masjid Siku)

(The rock where Rasulullah rested his elbow)

Masjid Al Kou or Masjid siku is thought to be built on the approximate spot where Rasulullah stood and rested his elbow to leave a mark on a rock when he first came to Ta’if. This Masjid was built by the end of the Ottoman era and has been recently renovated.

(Minaret of Masjid Addas) 

(The prayer hall of Masjid Addas)

(Fruits gardens around Masjid Addas)

Masjid Addas is the place where Rasulullah rested after being assaulted by the crowd. Addas, a slave of Utbah bin Rabea brought grapes for the Prophet at his master's command.

(Masjid Abdullah Ibnu Abbas)

(The cemetery next to Masjid Ibnu Abbas)

Masjid Ibnu Abbas houses the tomb of Abdullah bin Abbas, the paternal cousin of Rasullullah. He is revered by Muslims for his knowledge and was an expert in Tafsir, as well as an authority on the Islamic Sunnah.

(The fruits and vegetables souk)

(Varieties of local fruits)

After visiting the four famous mosques, we bought fruits from the fruit stalls selling varieties of fruits. Later we went to the top most point of Jabal Dakkar for a scenic view of Ta’if and surrounding areas.

(Bikers riding the mountainous road of Ta'if)

(Sheep rearing on the mountain)

(The panoramic view from the top of Mt Dakkar)

(High altitude of Mt Dakkar)

(The naughty baboons of Ta'if)

We performed our Friday prayers at a mosque in al-Hada. We descended the hilly road and stopped at Qarnil Manazil as some jemaah wanted to miqat for their Umrah.

(Fruit juice and smoothies on a hot day)

(Beautiful fruit decorations)

(The three Jamraat from far)

On the way back to the hotel we visited the three jamra’at and a last minute carpet shopping. We arrived back in Makkah just after sunset.

2017 13th Umrah: 08 Makkah/Hudaibiah👉

👈2017 13th Umrah: 06 Makkah/Ja’aranah

2017 13th Umrah: 08 Makkah/Hudaibiah

“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, or worn. It is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace & gratitude...” - Denis Waitley

(Another place to miqat)

Day 08:

18 March 2017 - Saturday
Hilton Suites, Makkah

Today the group boarded the bus to Hudaibiah to miqat for our umrah. On the way we stopped at the Museum of the two holy cities but were not allowed to enter as we did not have a permit.

(A brief tazkirah on Sirah Rasulullah)

(A large crowd outside the museum)

(Only those with permit were allowed to enter)

Hudaibiah is where the treaty between Makkah Quraisy and Muslim from Madinah took place which lead to the conquest of Makkah. Masjid Hudaibiah was erected at the place where Rasulullah offered prayers during his stay. This mosque is located about 20 km away from Makkah on the old road leading to Jeddah. The remains of the ancient mosque are located behind the existing mosque.

(The miqat for our 4th Umrah)

(A glimpse of Makkah city)

(A slight accident on the road)

We completed the tawaf and sa’ei for our Umrah early and waited for Zohor prayers before we went back to our hotel to rest..

       2017 13th Umrah: 09 Makkah/Tannaim👉

👈2017 13th Umrah: 07 Makkah/Ta’if