Ramadan

Last Ramadan was a very special one for me, I had decided to go to Saudi Arabia for Umrah. All my friends have been telling me how enjoyable it is, which made me even more excited to experience that feeling. However, I was very keen to be there during the last 10 days of Ramadan.

My flight was on the 24th of Ramadan, immediately after Iftar. I was very excited to go that I forgot my ticket at home, nevertheless I only realized when I reached the airport. Lucky enough, I had the online ticket number with me and it was easy to access the ticket from the counter. My journey started and I had such a pleasant feeling that I have never had before. Despite the fact that I was very tired, I still took the effort to go to a far away mosque for Taraweeh prayers.

I had an overwhelming experience, and I am sure that I would do it again sometime.

The Hajj Process

The Hajj is central feature of Islam and the duty of every capable Muslim to perform this ritual at least once in their life. The pilgrim changes into Ihram in the prescribed manner and proceeds to Mina soon after the Fajr Prayers. The distinctive dress of the male pilgrim worn during Hajj or Umrah. It consists of two pieces of white, un-sewn and plain cloth. For ladies, their ordinary and modest clothes of everyday wear constitute their Ihram.
The dedicate act of walking seven times between the Safa and Marwah. The pilgrims repeat the following words: Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik. Labbaik La Sharika Laka Labbaik. Innal-Hamda, Wan-Ni'mata Laka wal-Mulk. La Sharika Lak.
The Pilgrim goes to Mina anytime after Fajr prayer but before the afternoon time. However, the 4 Rak'ahs prayers must be shortened to 2 but must not be combined together. The pilgrim must stay overnight in Mina, perform the Fajr prayer and leave after sunrise. After leaving Mina, the pilgrim heads towards Arafah through Muzdalifah, the desert location between Mina and Arafah.

Thereafter, the pilgrim walks to the nearby hills, and collects about 70 pea-size pebbles for throwing, preferably before midday. Stoning the pillar symbolizes stoning the devil; the pebbles must touch the inside of the Jamrat's fence. The pilgrim stones the first Jamrah, then the Middle, and finally the Big one in the same following order, after midday on all three days.
The pilgrim may now shave/trim the hair, shower, to perform Tawaf al-Ifadah after taking off the Ihram and changing into everyday clothes and before returning to Mina for pebble throwing.
After completing the prayer at Maqam Ibrahim, the pilgrim may visit Zamzam area and hence drink from the water.
Nevertheless, the minimum stay in Mina should exceed most of the night, otherwise, the pilgrim is required to make a sacrifice. The pilgrim may return to Makkah after throwing pebbles on the 12th of Thul-Hijjah to perform Tawaf al-Wada. The pilgrim should stay in Mina minimum from Fajr until Midnight. Furthermore, the pilgrim may return to Makkah after throwing pebbles on the 12th of Thul-Hijjah to perform Tawaf al-Wada. This completes the Hajj journey.

The pilgrim also asks Allah to accept the rituals and promises to follow the divine commands. The yearly event is a major concern for the Saudi government. Saudi authorities must take precautions to prevent disasters such as plague and disease. However with careful planning, the event is a major success for most.