Alhamdulillah after registering in the hotel, we proceeded to freshen up and head towards the Holy Sanctuary. Anticipation on entering the Haram and setting eyes for the first time on the Kaa’ba filled my heart with mixed emotion and my mind with infinite questions. “Would I love it? Would I be skeptical? Would the umrah itself turn out to be too ritualistic and not spiritually fulfilling for me? Would I feel awkward kissing the Black Stone? How about praying at the Station of Ibrahim?”
All these questions disappeared like the morning dew does in the heat of the day, as I withheld the Kaa’ba with my eyes, heart, and soul. Covered in its black cloak with golden embroidery, the Kaa’ba reaffirmed to me the oneness of Allah, and the unity and equality of its worshippers regardless of gender and race.
We began by performing the Tawwaf, the circumambulation of the Kaa’ba. During the tawwaf, we supplicated for the best of this world and the hereafter, and safety from the hellfire. Moving swiftly through the crowd, we touched the Yemeni corner of the Kaa’ba but were unable to come close to the Black Stone or the multazim (the section between the Black Stone and the door of the Kaa’ba) due to the overwhelming crowds.
After completing the tawwaf, we prayed salat-ul-fajr and proceeded to perform the Sa’i, walking between the hills of Safa and Marwa. During our performance of this rite, thoughts of Haggar, her sacrifice, and the honor Allah bestowed on her, sowed seeds of inspiration and happiness in my heart. I imagined her desperation upon Ismail’s (as) condition and her relief and gratitude when Allah blessed them both with the water of Zamzam, which continues to flow in the land and in our bodies as we drink it.
As we concluded the rites of Umrah, the cutting of a portion of our hair was a reminder of how inconspicuous vanity can be, and how, upon my demise, my hair will be braided in preparation for burial.
All these questions disappeared like the morning dew does in the heat of the day, as I withheld the Kaa’ba with my eyes, heart, and soul. Covered in its black cloak with golden embroidery, the Kaa’ba reaffirmed to me the oneness of Allah, and the unity and equality of its worshippers regardless of gender and race.
We began by performing the Tawwaf, the circumambulation of the Kaa’ba. During the tawwaf, we supplicated for the best of this world and the hereafter, and safety from the hellfire. Moving swiftly through the crowd, we touched the Yemeni corner of the Kaa’ba but were unable to come close to the Black Stone or the multazim (the section between the Black Stone and the door of the Kaa’ba) due to the overwhelming crowds.
After completing the tawwaf, we prayed salat-ul-fajr and proceeded to perform the Sa’i, walking between the hills of Safa and Marwa. During our performance of this rite, thoughts of Haggar, her sacrifice, and the honor Allah bestowed on her, sowed seeds of inspiration and happiness in my heart. I imagined her desperation upon Ismail’s (as) condition and her relief and gratitude when Allah blessed them both with the water of Zamzam, which continues to flow in the land and in our bodies as we drink it.
As we concluded the rites of Umrah, the cutting of a portion of our hair was a reminder of how inconspicuous vanity can be, and how, upon my demise, my hair will be braided in preparation for burial.
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