Umrah 2019 (Part 2) | Visiting Medina in Winter

A fter  checked in to the hotel, my family and I were eager to go to the Masjidil Nabawi, the mosque of the Prophet, quickly we got ready and made it to the mosque.

"Tell me this is not a dream," said my excited youngest son as we were walking. I pinched his cheeks to make him realized that this was for real.

Then the men went to the gents praying section, while my sister and I went to the ladies section.  It was 10 pm. We performed our solah (prayer) under the canopy which was outside the mosque. The floor was spread out with carpets. The workers have started rolling in the carpet, indicating that the place would be closed soon. Not many female pilgrims were there because it was almost late night.  

The compound of Masjidil Nabawi in winter night

We saw many black crickets and grasshoppers there. Some have been crushed accidentally by men's feet and dead. Some of them were crawling on the floor. Some of them were climbing up on the worshipers who were performing their prayers. However, the insects did not bite them.

Grasshopper at Masjid Al Nabawi

As we used to do before,  we visited the Prophet's (PBUH) tomb, where the body of our beloved Prophet (PBUH) lies. We offered Salawat Nabi to him by his graveside. We then greeted the Prophet  (PBUH) on behalf of those who asked us to do so. 

Next to his blessed grave are his companions' graves ~ Abu Bakar as-Siddiq and Umar Ibn al-Khattab are buried next to each other in what was then the room of Sayidatina Aishah. Greeting the Prophet (PBUH) and his companions is a must for us as they deserved to be praised.  

The Prophet's (PBUH) tomb from the outside of the mosque, it is characterized by the big green dome

Pilgrims walking to the Prophet's (PBUH) tomb

The Prophet's tomb is enclosed to avoid possible shirk

When we got back to our hotel, my youngest son told me that it was quite an emotional experience to enter the mosque, and to connect with the early history of Islam, which he had only read in books and learned in religious classes. 

His first glance on the grave of our beloved Prophet (PBUH) brought him to tears. It was something his eyes had never seen. He got goose bumps when he did his solah in Raudah which is closed to his graveside.

Friday in Medina

The uniqueness of our visit this time is that it fell on Friday and we could perform the Solatul Jumuah (Friday midday prayer) in the Prophet's Mosque.  

Women spending time in iktikaf or in sitting in the Masjidil Nabawi 

Waiting for the Friday prayer in the Mosque of the Prophet

On that Friday morning, I took my sons to the Baqi' cemetery which is the resting place of the families and companions of the Prophet. The cemetery is located just next to the Prophet's Mosque.  The cemetery was encircled by high brick walls and only men were allowed to enter. As my children are all males, they  were able to get to the cemetery, while my sister and I waited for them outside the walls.

Baqi' Cemetery, the resting place of the Prophet's (PBUH) family members and his companions

To Raudah - The Garden of Paradise on Earth

There were many people in Medina. Another place in Masjidil Nabawi where every pilgrim wants to go into is Raudah, which is one of the gardens of Paradise. Raudah is an area of the mosque between the Prophet's pulpit and his house. 

The women section of Raudah is a little different from the Raudah of men's section. To get into Raudah requires patience because the space for women in Raudah is limited and cramped. It opens for a short time for women. The time waiting to get into Raudah is very long ~ at least an hour or two is needed.  I went to Raudah after 9.00 pm, with the TH Travel group led by a mutawiffah (a guide appointed by the TH Travel responsible for the needs and well-being of pilgrims). We were waiting quite long with hundreds of women waiting to be granted an entry. 

When the time came, approximately at 12 midnight, we were then allowed to go into Raudah. We didn't have to be aggressive to find a spot to pray because our mutawiffah was there to help us. We took turns to pray two rakaah on the green carpet which is the mark of the Raudah area. Each person was fenced by our mutawiffah who held hands making a semicircle, blocking other people from her way, so that she could perform her solah. So, every body in the group was given the chance to pray there.

When all the women have done their prayers they leaved the place. My sister and I were standing and leaning on one of the pillars in Raudah. We did not go out with them. We endeavored to spend a couple of minutes in there. The police women who were there let us stayed in as long as we liked. Perhaps the reason why our stay was permissible is that we were the last batch of the day. We took the advantage of the stay to recite the surah (verse) of Yassin and made supplications. My sister and I only leaved the place once we were satisfied with all the prayers, supplications and recitations that we have made. Praise to Allah, we were given ample time in there.

But for the men they did not have difficulty to get into Raudah. My sons and my husband could get closed to the tomb of our beloved Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). The place for them to perform the solah is sufficient and not cramped with people. The place is always open for them.

"Gimme the camera," said the policeman in Raudah to my son

For female readers who want to know more about how to get into Raudah, please read my previous entry:

Umrah 2017 | Panduan ke Raudah

Shopping and Visiting Around Medina

As we came with family members, we were always together and stayed connected. Upon returning from the Masjid to our hotel, we stopped by at the shops for shopping. We bought many stuffs such as  bisht (a long cloak), ghutra (a wide square of cotton shawl with checkered pattern), kurta (a long loose shirt for man), abaya (a long gown for woman), hijab (veils), prayer beads, prayer mats, wall hangings, dates and chocolates. We bought them for ourselves and relatives. And some were given to the pilgrims who were passing by. The prices got cheaper as we moved farther away from the Masjid al Nabawi. All the shops were selling the same items for the most part, so we walked 2-3 streets away and bargained for a better deal.

My son is distributing dates to the pilgrims passing by outside Masjidil Nabawi 

There was an ice cream parlor in the lane to our hotel. We liked ice cream. We did not have  to carry it to the hotel. We sat on the bench in the lane, ate the ice cream and watched people passing by. A mix of vanilla and mango is our favorite. It was smooth and tasty.

We ate the ice cream on a bench at the street of Medina

On Saturday morning, TH Travel took us by bus to Masjid Quba to perform a prayer as done by the Prophet (PBUH). The reward for those who keep their ablution and perform two rakaah of solah in the Masjid Quba is like performing an umrah. So, I took my ablution properly at my hotel and kept it from being voided by skipping my breakfast.

When we arrived at the compound of Masjid Quba, all of a sudden my ablution was voided.  I then took again my ablution at the ablution room which was located outside the mosque. Then I went to the second floor of the mosque to do my solah because the first floor was completely full. Because of the time taking the ablution in the room which are always packed I was late and the rest of the pilgrims have to wait for me.

The pilgrims are performing their two rakaah prayer in Masjid Quba in the morning

My husband felt sorry to what has happened to me. The next day, he took me to Masjid Quba again. But this time we took a taxi there and asked the taxi driver to wait for us until we were done with our prayers. We paid him 50 SR for the trip. There were not many people in the mosque. I had ample time there. I praised to Allah that this time my ablution was not voided until the end of my prayers.

Because of the goods are a lot cheaper outside the mosque than elsewhere in Medina we took the opportunity to shop for some chocolates, drinks and snacks there.

Beside that, while in Medina, we were taken by TH Travel to visit the many historic sites of Mount Uhud, Masjid Qiblatain and other places.

Mount Uhud has a small bazaar with very cheap goods. So, we also took the opportunity to buy dates, figs and nuts there.

My family witnessing the historical site of Uhud Battle

We then went to a dates market in a dates plantation. This was not our first time shopping at the dates market. We knew the price in the dates market is more expensive than elsewhere in Medina. So, we didn't buy any dates there. We bought dates from shops closer to Masjidil Nabawi, at the compound of  Masjid Quba and Jabal Uhud. We got best bargain price as there were many shops over there.

Shopping in dates market

Please read my previous entries about my visits to Medina:

Backpack ke Madinah dan Mekah (Bhg 2): Apa Ada Di Madinah?

Naik Haji (5): Ziarah Madinah Pada Musim Sejuk

Umrah 2017| Ziarah di Madinah

Umrah 2017| Apa Yang Patut Dibeli Di Madinah?

Long Heavy Rain 

After three days in Medina, we traveled to Mecca to perform our umrah. But before we left the Holy City of Medina, we visited the Prophet's grave and bade him farewell. It was heart breaking for us to leave the place.

But that morning, after bidding farewell to our Holy Prophet, all of a sudden, the rain fell.  It was very heavy, long and lasted for about 4 hours. Medina was flooded with rain.  This is the first time I witnessed heavy rain in the holy land. "We never have heavy rains like this for many years," said the traders in Medina. 

Heavy rain in Medina

I Saw Green

All the pilgrims were donning their ihram and declared their intention to perform umrah upon arriving at Bir Ali which is the miqat  or the place  fixed for taking on ihram. The bus did not pull over at Bir Ali,  but just passing by, we only uttered our intention to perform our umrah and recited the talbiah in the bus. As soon as the pilgrims entered the state of ihram, the 13 forbidden acts should be maintained. Penalty or expiation for missing out a ritual of umrah or committing an act which is forbidden during ihram will be paid by the pilgrims. 

The journey from Medina to Mecca was very interesting because I have never seen so many green plants grew and creeks flowed in the holy land before this. 

Streams and greens all the way from Medina to Mecca

Water and wet along the journey

Rest Stops in Our Journey

The journey to Mecca took about 6 hours. We expected to arrive there at 8.30 p.m

The bus pulled over for rest stops during the journey to let the pilgrims used the toilet, drank and performed solah. We sat down, drank tea and ate fritters at one of the rest stops. As there were 13 buses with TH Travel, the rest area was full of people and we have to comply with a long toilet queue. While queueing, I chatted with my student whom I met in the same journey. She told me sadly that she could not perform the umrah because she just got her menstrual period today.

The rain-drenched rest area on the way from Medina to Mecca

We stopped eating this fritters

As  expected, we arrived in Mecca at 8.30 p.m. What happened in Mecca?  Please read the story in my next entry. 

...to be continued

Umrah 2019 (Part 1) | Experiencing the Special Chartered Flight to Medina

I  t has been a  while since my last post... No lack of effort or enthusiasm on my part, but it is fair to say that things have been a little busy in the real world lately, most of my times are devoted to my career. Thus,  I have put my travel notes aside. 

Despite my busy schedule, I was given by Allah to perform umrah again. Unlike before, this time, I could go with my family. My husband, my children, my sister and her husband were joining the pilgrimage.  For me, this is a special invitation from Allah. It was always a dream of mine to perform the umrah and observe the pilgrimage in the holiest cities of Islam ~ Medina and Mecca ~ with my whole family. I was grateful to Allah for bestowing countless blessings upon my family with the precious gift. 

Since last November I have made some preparation to perform the umrah. Although it was not my first time, careful preparation was my priority especially it involved mental and physical strengths.

Because I am getting into my dotage, I need stamina to perform tawaf and saie. I need to ensure that I fit to do the activities. For that, my husband and I took  a three-month cycling challenge, 12 km for every cycling. Beside that, I checked my children's knowledge on umrah thoroughly. Although they are all grown-ups now, I wanted them to do their umrah correctly.

This time I used the service of TH Travel Services Sdn Bhd. Check out my previous entry that I have written two years ago about TH Travel, HERE.

This time I had the opportunity to take the Malaysia Airline (MAS) charted Airbus booked under TH Travel. The flight flew out directly to Medina. The airbus could accommodate up to 500 pilgrims. I was told that 45 percent of flights from Malaysia landed in Medina while the rest landed in Jeddah with pilgrims then heading straight to Mecca.

Once on-board, the flight attendants who were in their senor years greeted us politely. Meanwhile, the stewardesses looked sweet wearing hijab. (For your info, on other MAS flight, the stewardesses do not wear hijab).

"Sometimes we took the Indonesian pilgrims. Almost every day we fly to Medina," said the MAS steward when I asked him about their service.

That explains how many pilgrims from the Southeast Asia region go to the holy lands daily.

All the passengers in this flight are pilgrims to the holy lands

It was a completely different flying experience this time, it was full of worshiping and remembrance of Allah.

"Subhanallazi saqoro lana haazaa wamaa kunnaa lahuu mukrinin wa inna illa robbina lamun qolibuun," echoed a soft voice reciting the supplication for protecting the journey before taking off,  probably the pilot.

When it was time for prayer, the azan was called out by the muazzin, summoning for the worshipers to perform their prayer. It was broadcast over speakers of the flight cabin. Followed by a tazkirah ~ a piece of  advice~ issued across the vast flight cabin by a visiting Ustaz. This reminded me of my Hajj back in 2010. Check out my experience back then, HERE.

Only, I humbly request this charted flight to kindly provide a prayer room in the cabin as provided by Saudi Airlines. Check out my experience using the prayer room in Saudi Airlines, HERE.

Rice with meat for lunch

MAS normally serve a selection of hot food for lunch, but on this flight, they had run out of chicken as I requested with the exception of meat. I have to admit I can understand why. Nothing particularly unusual about the food, the quality was just OK. I had nasi lemak for breakfast but I think I like the nasi lemak at my workplace cafeteria better.

Rice with chicken for lunch

What are  the cool stories to tell to my readers? Every journey has its own story to tell, I found out that each of this story is unique although I have visited the same place repeatedly. (FYI, including this, I have been to the holy lands for 5 times).

My family and I recent visit to the holy lands was in winter 2019, it was at the end of January to early February. Of course the cold weather was a challenge to us. Our nephew who just came back form his pilgrimage told us that the weather there was very cold and windy. "You can't bear with the freezing and windy weather without winter jackets, socks, gloves and shoes," he warned us showing his pictures covered with winter clothing which he took three days ago in Medina.

I understand his feeling because I had experienced the coldness of winter in Medina during my visit in 2010.  It was very cold especially at night and before dawn. Check out my experience there, HERE.

The journey from Kuala Lumpur to Medina

Although I have made a careful preparation, I left my winter jacket in my wardrobe at home. Woe is me! Winters in Medina can be freezing. I was worried sick that I couldn't withstand the cold. Oh, my! What should I do, if the weather is under temperature?

Regrettably, I decided to throw my money away on a new winter jacket once I got there.

But luckily, when we landed in Medina, we found out that the weather there was SO NICE. Praise to Allah. We didn't have to wear the winter jacket. And it was such a relief that I'd never felt more grateful.

We landed in Medina International Airport at 4.00 pm (Medina time). This was my second time landed in this airport. Before this I had landed in Jeddah many times, either headed straight to Mecca or Medina after that.  I was so happy that I was in Medina again.

Medina is considered the second most holiest place in Islam after Mecca.

Although I realized that my sons were holding the handbooks of how to perform the umrah, I kept reminding them what to do.

"When you first see the city of Medina, raise your hands in doa," I reminded them as we were landing.

"There are only two places in the world that Dajjal will be unable to enter, and that places are Medina and Mecca," I told them.

The pilgrims at the baggage claim in Medina airport

A bus was waiting as we disembarked and drove us to our hotel. The ride from the airport to the hotel took half an hour.

The most excited person was my youngest son. It was his first travel to Medina. He kept staring out of the window watching the scenery throughout the journey.

"Subhanallah, this is such a beautiful sight," he cited several times.

Saja Al Madinah Hotel

We were given Saja Al Madinah Hotel which is located behind the Movenpick Hotel which I used to stay during my umrah in 2017.  This hotel is also located close to Masjid Al Nabawi and the entrance is gate #15. So we didn't have to walk much. The hotel is a shopaholic's paradise as the hotel is connected to supermarkets, shops and close to all the others.

To be connected with family and friends in Malaysia, the pilgrims could get prepaid SIM cards from service provider STC (Saudi Telecommunications Company) at kiosks within the hotel by just producing their identification tags.

But my family decided not to take the offer as we would be together all the times. We just used the Whatsapps to stay connected with our family and friends back home.

Out room at Saja Al- Madinah Hotel. We have three beds for two people.

The bathroom in Saja Al-Madinah Hotel

We had spacious rooms for two equipped with amenities that we needed.

What did we do once we got into these comfortable-decent hotel rooms? Resting? Sleeping? Shopping? Went to the Mosque?  Do follow my travel in my next entry.

...to be continued