Travels - Saudi Arabia

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As'Salaam'Wa'Alykum

Disclaimer: This whole blog itself aren't for those who may cringe when reading anything with grammatical errors. Sadly I suffer from Dysgraphia Dyslexia and there's nothing I can do about it. When I read things, they seem correct to me but really aren't. So best you stop here. ALSO IT'S LENGTHY!

Recently I went on a very sacred and personal trip to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  to perform Umrah. For those who aren't aware what Umrah is; it's the lesser pilgrimage. 

One thing I have definitely learn is to share my knowledge about Islam more, I know I am not a perfect Muslim, not even close but one thing I know is the knowledge I do have about my religion someone else may not have. I always prevented myself from talking about Islam because I was scared of being a Hypocrite, we automatically assume that one must be pious to give Dawah actually in fact this is wrong. Some think it's tedious but I think this is one thing I will be working on is sharing what I know and back it up with authentic quotes from the books. When I do give "Dawah" please do support me rather than just being mean and saying "Oh but you do this that this that" Sometimes someone is trying to get better step by step rather than a whole. My belief is something truly close to me and I was being selfish by not sharing and just doing what is Far'd but I can't anymore. Death is close and the flames of Jahanam is closer, when I cross the Pul-e-Siraat if me giving Dawah saves me from falling then for the sake of Allah (SWT) I will give Dawah (Only what I follow, I will in'sha'allah refrain myself from giving Dawah with something I don't do myself)
 (Please note you won't see or hear a drastic change, I need to educate myself this is a very delicate matter) I will blog more about other stuff rather than business (Not my personal life as this is inappropriate) Please support me on this journey by making Du'a for me. My name is Sheuly Begum and I am proud Muslimah striving for more! 

I was lucky enough to be invited to the Lord's house. It started with my parents wanting to go for a very long time but whenever we planned one thing or another came up however few months back my mum said no matter what we are going and we are booking. She booked the tickets and voila we are here. 

It didn't hit me to be honest, was shoppping and packing still didn't hit me. I was thinking of it as a holiday and wasn't really emotional as many say they are before they go. I think because my family lives there it was more concentration on them which is bad but it's something I couldn't help. After 22years I am seeing my family. 

So the day finally came and you know doing the usual, packing praying and calming down! Patience really gets tested here, especially with me and my family we always laugh or fight about small things then makeup within 2mins. 

Boarded the plane. Landed in Jordan, we came via Royal Jordanian plane and let me tell you not very royal at all. But better than Biman so Alhumdulilah. We had a three hour wait in Jordan, the crew couldn't tell us where the Meeqat was as they weren't directed to as we went to Jordan so In'sha'allah Allah (swt) granted our intention as we started our Ihram from Jordan. Our flights to Jeddah, travelling to Mecca then Madina. 

Umrah itself; 

SubhanAllah! Seriously it is such an amazing oh gosh writing about it gives me the chills! I won't go into depth about it because I'd keep the feeling between me and Allah (SWT) but it was an emotional one! I felt like I was at the gates of Heaven! It was surreal I can't explain, if you haven't been you won't understand the feeling till you're here! 

Umrah starts of with the Tawaaf. Once your at your hotel just freshen up and just carry the following stuff for an easier experience: Money, Phone and a book which is a guide on what to do. Either have a wasit bag or over the shoulder bag. Having a backpack whilst doing Umrah can be heavy but will recommend this to those who may have children. Avoid carrying things because then in the mist of the crowd ur hand maybe somewhere and body elsewhere so it's best to avoid this. 

So performing the Tawaaf was Alhumdulilah good. My parents got to touch the Yemini corner, we got pushed away so we stayed put. Do not rush, remember there is not time limit to finish it all, yes your adviced to start as soon as you're here so you can leave the state of Ihram but when performing try not to rush. 

We finished our Tawaaf and went to the nearest ZamZam well! I love the story behind this! Delicious water! Purlease don't even compare anything else to this sacred water! 

Then we started the Sa'ee, okay maybe it was me reading very old books about the Hills: Safaa and Marwa but I was expecting real hills even though they were real just a bit more convenient to perform the 7rounds but it was broken and glassed within the Masjid so walk here was a bliss Alhumdulilah. Imagining not to have this facility in the heat, people etc this would've weakened our states of Ihram. 

Khalaas after that my father and brother went to cut their hair (was gonna say head there!!) and we did ours. Subhanallah and please make du'a that Allah (SWT) accepted our Umrah and prayers! The whole of the Ummah is what I was thinking about throughout! I really make du'a we all reunite in Jannat'ul'ferdoush Ameen. 

When your completeing these steps do not talk about the Dunya just submit yourself. I know some aspect will amaze you like it did to me but I put the questions on hold till I completed it as I will not be getting this experience back, even if I perform again and again 1st time is always a shell shock. 

This book I would highly recommend anyone to buy if you want something easy to read whilst performing Umrah. 

16/02/2015: 

This day we went to see the rituals people perform when completeing Hajj. We visited Mina and Arafat. Our tour people were not that great, they made us see most stuff from the bus which was annoying as we were ready to climb Mountain Hira (Where our beloved prophet went to for few days to seclude himself from the world) 

Then we went to Arafat, oh what a beaut! To think that I stood on the grounds where Adam (Aly'salaam) first laid his feet on was beautiful! 

Then we went home. We saw most of the parts of Mina/Arafat. 

That night when we went to the Hotel after Asr I just got my things and went to do Tawaaf alone. I prefer to do things alone or in small groups as when in big groups it actually wastes more time when waiting. I experienced something different that day, I don't know what happened to me but I was like that's it gonna attempt to touch the Black Stone; Failed, then the gates of Hatim was open and I went in and prayed! Hatim is other words the Kabah itself, so praying in the Hatim is equivalent to praying in the Kabah! Imagine that! 

I went home at 11pm and was so excited to tell my family this! My parents were so proud and said "Whatever you prayed in the Hatim I hope Allah (SWT) accepts it without any questions"

17/02/2015 

We were all keen to perform Umrah again before leaving Makkah. So my brother took us to the nearest Meeqat and we performed it again. This time I left my parents and just me and my sister performed it alone. When I told few friends this, they said it's forbidden to perform Umrah withour Mahram. I'd like to correct those who think this that it is not correct. When your travelling you need a Mahram however to perform the pilgrimages you don't. Please do read up about this for your own satisfaction, I would've put the link here however I am actually writing this on the plane! 

Then that same night we went to our family home in Jeddah and returned at Fajr to sleep and then say our Goodbyes to the Kabah and Makkah. 

When we performed our last tawaaf I made my sisters and brother to pray in the Hatim. This time I guarded them so no one trembled on them, I tell you some broke their prayers to scream and shout at people. 

18/02/2015

We boarded the coach at 11am and came to Madinah by 4.30pm. 

This mosque was were we prayed when we took a pit stop 

We stayed at Hotel Al-Madinah Mövenpick and this was our view; 

This day we really prayed and explored the place we stayed in. 

19/02/2015 

Our tour guide (Pardon me but never book through Packages through any tour guiders that are bengali, they really make you boil) We went to Mosque Quba, the Kibla Mosque and where the Battle of Ouhd took place. Really read up on the stories behind these, seems so magical! 

Here are some images; 

That night we went gift shopping (the downside of having too many sisters!!!)

Street markets in Madinah is way better and I'd advice for you to go Madinah at the end. Really affordable and really fun to shop! 

Then after Isha we went to the other side of the Mosque, the part where our beloved prophet and companions are buried. I will be summarising this part; 

-Ladies are worse than men, I got punched and pinched by a lady because I was holding my sisters hand and it stopped her from going in

-They don't care, as long as they pray on the stone sent from Heaven then it's fine

We did pray on the stone! We were like an army, three pray and three protect then swap and out! 

When I came out, I felt like I just fought in some what Battle! It was that bad, I've never witnessed such crazy ladies in my life. Many ways it's good were not allowed in Grave Yards! Would've probably woken up the dead with the amount of stampede that will take place. 

20/02/2015 

Last day, we did all our prayers in Masjid Al-Nawab and it was Jumah! 

I spent most of my money on books, as I don't wear Abaya's it didn't really attract me. Should last me 3 months at least! 

That's the end of my beautiful journey and experience. I'm not sorry if I rambled, I'd write this over and over again about this magical experience! 

I'm just going to put points of advice. It's all mixed no particular order: 

• Book a hotel near the Kabah anything far may prevent you to come here everyday as walking in the heat can be a put off 
• Whenever you travel by foot travel light. Avoid taking unnecessary things! 
• When performing Umrah itself don't take photo's. You get too busy you actually end up loosing your experience. You will always have time after! 
• Have a Prayer Mat with you as even though it's clean it's better to have one incase you can't find space you will have to do it on the street 
• Bottle of water! ZamZam preferably 
• At the Airport they maybe people selling Sim, get however many and credit yourself. This comes useful when you want to go your seperate ways etc If your going in a big group honestly each of you buy a £20 phone and sim. It's better, you're more likely to travel around alone/with one person than be scared to.
• Arabs here are really ignorant and rude! Be patient 
• If you have low patience try and avoid what makes you boil or read du'as (Make this one du'a as patience is so important in life in general) 
• Food here is so bland and nasty, you wouldn't want to rely on fast food everyday so if you want you can get noodle packs etc (Even being a Halal country I know right!) 
• Have a list of du'as with you, especially those who have given you certain du'as. 
• Don't be too consumed with returning to hotel for wifi etc, make use of the place Allah (SWT) has sent you as this maybe you last chance to visit this holy place! I really avoided with turning on my wifi during the day. Only did it at night before I went to sleep. 
• You will probably get 3-4 hours sleep (Depending on how you submit yourself) I know it's hard and you will probably fall ill but when Allah (SWT) knows you are struggling to please him, to devote yourself to him then imagine how happy he will get. 

On a whole my experience is indescribable, I loved it! Even though the food is bland and people are stuck up I think it tested my patience and gratefulness on what I have in UK. 

People assume when you return from Umrah or Hajj you need to have a drastic change, for me personally I think it's important to have a change within yourself rather than 'oh she went Umrah yet she's not wearing the full Hijab' 

Why shall one wear ione if I personally am not ready, for me the Hijab is more than just a cover up, it's the way you are and the way you present yourself to young girls who will look up to you as a role model. Its best to say that this experience will change your thoughts slowly and always make Du'a Allah (SWT) changes you for the best and takes you on the path to Jannat. Forget people, concentrate on yourself and find that Inner Peace you thought you never had! 

Okay I think this is it for now! Jazak'allah Khair for reading my lengthy blog and do email me on hello@thatpersonalphotographer.com if you have any questions! 

-Sheuly Begum -