A traveller's reflection

Saturday, 14 September 2024

05 Umrah: Makkah Free and Easy

“Forgive and give as if it were your last opportunity. Love like there’s no tomorrow, and if tomorrow comes, love again...” - Max Lucado

(Fajar prayers at the roof top)

Day 05: 23/08/24 (Friday)
Route: Makkah Free and Easy
Hotel: Pullman ZamZam Hotel

This morning we performed Subuh prayers at Masjidil Haram roof top. There were construction works at the roof top and the prayer area has become smaller. There was no carpet provided as the weather was unpredictable and it rains on most evenings.

(Taking the escalator to the roof top)

(The Clock Tower viewed from King Fahd Escalator exit)

Breakfast was at the Al Zahra Restaurant. We had a sumptuous and filling breakfast to last till after Juma'at prayers. We were in Masjidil Haram two and a half hours before the azan. It was already nearly full when we arrived.

(Back at the hotel for a short rest)

(Full house at the cafe at 7.00 am)

(Sweet dessert after a heavy meal)

After Juma'at prayers, we had Kembara beef rendang and pilaf rice for lunch plus hard-boiled eggs from breakfast. Later we had coffee and crunchies for dessert.

(Reciting the quran before Juma'at Prayers)

(The ladies section of Masjidil Haram)

(The men's prayer area)

Maghrib and Isya' prayers were performed at Masjidil Haram roof top again where it was cooler and windy.

(Clear sky before sunset)

(Waiting for the Azan for Maghrib)

(The crowd at the roof top)

Dinner was again roti canai and beef curry at the Safwah Tower food court. Earlier before dinner, we purchased several abayas and jubah for the children and grand-children.

(Extra spicy lamb curry with roti canai)

(At our favorite restaurant)

👈Umrah Day 04: Makkah – Ja’aranah - Makkah

Umrah Day 06: Makkah - Hudaibiah👉

06 Umrah: Makkah - Hudaibiyah

“To walk the spiritual path is to continually step out into the unknown...” - Wallace Huey

(Having fun at Museum Kuno)

Day 06: 24/08/24 (Saturday)
Route: Makkah - Hudaibiah
Hotel: Pullman ZamZam Hotel

At 7.00 am after a frenzied breakfast, the group gathered at the hotel lobby for a trip to Hudaibiah. On the way we visited the Abu Bakr Al-Amoudy Museum, an interesting museum which could lead to becoming a potential tourist attraction. The museum is situated just outside the Makkah Haram Boundary. The museum displays an array of models depicting life in Saudi in its early 1900s with displays, photographs and lots of artefacts for visitors to explore. It’s a Saudi Cultural Heritage Museum privately owned by the Abu Bakr Al-Amoudy.

(Our first visit to the Museum Kuno)

(Abu Bakar Al-Moudy Museum)

(A group photo with the jovial Ustaz Iliyas)

(Preserved Saudi heritage and culture)

(Utensils and old metal tools)

(A blend of traditional Arabic cultures and lifestyle)

(Some displays are hilarious)

(Dinosaur skeletons on display)

We miqat at Masjid Hudaibiyah, bought some ladies abayas and tasbih for souvenirs. Back at the hotel we sent our bags to the room then headed to Mataf area for Tawaf and performed Sa’ei at the upper floor. We completed our fourth umrah just before Zohor. This was our last umrah for this trip.

(Completed Tawaf for our 4th Umrah)

Tonight we packed our bags. Tomorrow we would be travelling to Madinah by bus after Zohor prayers.

👈Umrah Day 05: Makkah Free and Easy

Umrah Day 07: Makkah – Madinah👉

07 Umrah: Makkah – Madinah

“Everything that has a beginning has an ending. Make your peace with that and all will be well...” – Jack Kornfield

(Tawaf Wida' - our last day in Makkah)

Day 07: 25/08/24 (Sunday)
Route: Makkah – Madinah
Hotel: Madinah Emaar Elite Hotel

This morning, we had a full leisurely breakfast at the Al Zahra Restaurant.

(A good spread of food)

(Our last breakfast in Makkah)

Although we were not performing our umrah, we had to be in our ihram attire to be allowed to enter the Mataf. The new ruling is that Mataf area is only allocated for those who perform the umrah. Those who desire to perform tawaf sunat need to perform their tawaf on the upper floor. By 8.30 am, we completed our Tawaf Wida early as there was less crowd performing their Tawaf umrah at the Mataf area. Back at the hotel, we had brunch of pancakes with honey and chocolate at Al Zahra Restaurant. And cappuccino and coffee latte macchiato for beverages.

(Less crowded very early in the morning)

(Alhamdulillah, completed our Tawaf Wida')

(Pancakes and maple syrup for brunch)

By 2.00 pm we boarded our bus for a six hours journey to the holy city of Madinah. We dropped off some jemaah at the Makkah Train Station. It is located at Al Rasaifah. This modern transportation hub connects Makkah to major cities like Jeddah, Medina, and Riyadh. The station offers a range of services including a spacious waiting area, ticket counters, baggage handling, and prayer rooms. There is a dedicated platform for the Haramain High-Speed Railway. Only fourteen of us will ride on the bus, the rest will ride on the high-speed train to Madinah. We had the opportunity to travel on the high-speed train from Madinah to Makkah during our Umrah Trip in 2022.

(Goodbye Makkah al-Mukarramah)

(Makkah modern skyline)

We made a comfort stop at a R&R at Khulays. It is a resting station for pilgrims travelling between the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. We bought falafel and fries to fill our hungry tummies.

(The sun is setting on the horizon)

(Waiting for our packed food and drinks)

We arrived in Madinah about 10.00 pm and checked in Madinah Emaar Elite Hotel. Had our late Asian dinner at the dining hall. Performed our Isya'/Maghrib prayers before we retired for the night.

(Madinah Emar Elite Hotel, our lodging for five days)

👈Umrah Day 06: Makkah - Hudaibiah

Umrah Day 08: Masjid Nabawi Tour👉

08 Umrah: Masjid Nabawi Tour

“Re-examine all you have been told. Dismiss what insults your soul...” - Walt Whitman

(Visiting Makam Rasulullah)

Day 08: 26/08/24 (Monday)
Route: Masjid Nabawi Tour
Hotel: Madinah Emaar Elite Hotel

This morning, by 7.00 am everyone gathered at the lobby for a group walking tour to visit interesting places around Masjid Nabawi. First visit was at Saqeefah Bani Sa’edah Garden situated 200 m west of Masjid Nabawi. The Saqeefah garden belonged to the Bani Sa’edah and it was where the Muslims consulted regarding who should be appointed the Caliphate after the demise of Prophet Muhamad.

(Masjid Nabawi's umbrellas protecting worshipers from the sun)

(The interior of Masjid Nabawi, pillars and arches)

(Beautiful interior architecture of Masjid Nabawi)

Next was to Al-Ghamamah Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Madinah, located in the place believed to be where the Prophet Muhammad performed an Eid prayer in the year 631. It is also narrated that Prophet Muhammad offered Salat ul-Istasqa when the city of Madinah faced a shortage of rain. The mosque is one of the historical relics of Madinah.

(A large crowd of visitors at Masjid Al-Ghamamah)

(Masjid Abu Bakar As-Siddiq, one of the oldest mosque)

Abu Bakar As-Siddiq Mosque is one of three historic old mosques whose standing place is closely related to the early history of the development of Islam in Madinah. The location of the Abu Bakar As-Siddiq Mosque is on the southwest side of the Masjid Nabawi. The courtyard of the Masjid Nabawi after the expansion is only a few meters from this mosque.

(The green dome above makam Rasulullah)

We recited the Salam and doa to Rasulullah outside Masjid Nabawi near the green dome. The green-coloured dome was built above the tombs of Prophet Muhammad and Saidina Abu Bakar and Saidina Omar, which used to be the house of Aishah. The dome is located in the southeast corner of Masjid Nabawi. We passed the al-Baqi cemetery and recited the doa. Al-Baqi serves as the burial place for many of the prophet’s relatives and companions, establishing it as one of the two holiest cemeteries.

(Masjid Nabawi Gate 333)

(A row of food kiosks)

(Enjoying a bowl of lontong and a pack of onde-onde)

After the tour we walked along the Walking Street from Gate # 333. The street offered a couple of media social photo opportunities. International cuisines are sold in small kiosks towards the end of the walking street. We had lontong, kueh onde2 and teh-o-limau ais for brunch.

(Window shopping in one of the Shopping Mall)

(Exploring Madinah on foot)

(Bikes for hire)

Tonight we visited the Rawdah, the Garden of Heaven. Rawdah is a tiny spot at Masjid Nabawi where all your prayers and doa will be heard and granted. The Rawdah's borders from the eastern side was the house of Aishah, the pulpit from its western side, the qiblat from its southern side, and a parallel line to the end of Aishah's house from the northern side. There are six pillars or columns inside the Rawdah area within Masjid Nabawi that hold special historical and spiritual significance, with a further two inside the Sacred Chamber. These blessed pillars stand on the exact locations where the original pillars, made from palm tree trunks, stood after Masjid Nabawi was built during the life of the Prophet Muhamad. The Rawdah area is distinguished by its green carpet.