Umrah 2019 (Bhg. 4) | Ziarah Mekah, Membeli-belah dan Makan-makan

A  pakah yang dilakukan selama berada di Mekah? Selain melakukan solat, berzikir dan beriktikaf di masjidil Haram, kami  mengerjakan umrah lagi, menziarahi kota Mekah dan membeli-belah.

Ziarah Mekah

Kami menziarahi Jabal Thur, Jabal Rahmah, Arafah dan Mina. Dalam perjalanan kami dapat melihat bangunan dan pemandangan kota Mekah. Kali ini, tanah di Mekah nampak hijau dan kurang gersang.

Kehijauan di sekitar Mekah

Bangunan yang dibina sepanjang jalan di Mekah

Arafah dan Mina

Bas kami melalui Arafah yang padangnya terbentang luas. Kelihatan banyak khemah-khemah dibina di atas padang Arafah. Tetapi tiada sesiapapun di situ. Ia sunyi kerana khemah-khemah ini digunakan pada musim haji sahaja. 

Ketika ini saya teringatkan sembilan tahun lalu, saya pernah berada di sini ketika mengerjakan haji tahun 2010.  Pada 9 Zulhijjah tahun itu saya sudahpun berada di sini bersama jemaah-jemaah lain. Kami berkumpul di sini dan bermalam di dalam khemah. Aktiviti ini dipanggil berwukuf. Di sini kami melakukan ibadat seperti solat, berdoa dan berzikir. 

Khemah di Mina.  Kawasan khemah ini akan dibanjiri manusia pada Musim Haji

Mina adalah tempat jemaah haji melontar jamrah pada 10 Zulhijjah hingga 13 Zulhijjah.

"Pada musim haji, tempat ini penuh dengan manusia. Tempat ini hanya sesak 3 hari sahaja dalam setahun," cerita saya pada anak-anak saya.

Saya pernah berada di Mina pada tahun 2010 mengerjakan haji. Ketika itu terlalu ramai jemaah membanjiri Mina untuk melontar jamrah. Saya tidak lupa berjalan kaki melalui terowong-terowong di waktu malam menuju ke Jamrah yang berada kira-kira 3 km jauhnya. BACA kisah saya itu di entri yang lalu DI SINI.

Ketika kami melalui Mina pada musim sejuk 2019 ini, kami lihat khemah itu masih berdiri kukuh. Khemah-khemah itu kosong dan tiada sesiapa pun di situ kerana di luar musim haji.

Jabal Rahmah 

Sebuah lagi tempat yang kami pergi ialah Jabal Rahmah. Jabal Rahmah adalah sebahagian daripada tanah Arafah.

Jabal Rahmah adalah tempat pertemuan Nabi Adam A.S dan Siti Hawa. Ramai orang menaiki Jabal Rahmah melalui anak-anak tangga yang dibina ke puncak. Ramai juga yang mengambil kesempatan untuk memohon kepada Allah mendapat jodoh yang baik di sini.

Jabal Rahmah 

Membeli-belah di kaki Jabal Rahmah

Di kaki bukit terdapat ramai peniaga berniaga pakaian, tudung, sejadah dan tasbih. Harganya amat murah berbanding dengan tempat lain. Suami saya membeli 40 helai sejadah di sini dengan harga 10SR. Sejadah itu kemudiannya dihadiahkan kepada semua jemaah yang ada di dalam bas rombongan kami. Semua jemaah sangat gembira mendapat hadiah yang tak diduga itu.

Pembeli mengerumuni penjual di kaki Jabal Rahmah untuk membeli tudung yang dilambakkan

Miqat

Sebagai jemaah kami boleh melakukan umrah berulang kali. Untuk melakukannya, kami perlu keluar dari tanah haram (kota Mekah) dan pergi ke kawasan miqat yang terletak di tanah halal untuk berniat umrah. Kemudian masuk semula ke tanah haram (kota Mekah) dan mengerjakan tawaf, saie dan tahalul. Antara miqat itu ialah Bir Ali (Zul Hulaifah), Tanaim, Hudaibiyah, Jaaranah, Qanul Manazil, Yalamlam dan Al Juhfah.

Sebagaimana tahun lalu, pakej umrah TH Travel memberi dua tambahan umrah kepada jemaah. Untuk melakukan umrah tambahan ini TH Travel membawa kami ke dua miqat: Jaaranah dan Hudaibiyah untuk memasang niat umrah.

Miqat 1- Jaaranah

Jaaranah terletak kira-kira 26  km dari kota Mekah dan memakan masa 30-60 minit perjalanan bas.

Di Jaaranah terdapat sebuah masjid yang berwarna putih. Di situ jemaah mengambil wudhu, memakai ihram, solat sunat ihram dan berniat ihram. Ketika musim Haji, jemaah terlalu ramai, jadi perlu kesabaran untuk menunggu giliran menggunakan bilik air dan solat. Tetapi ketika musim umrah, jemaah tidaklah terlalu ramai.

Di luar Masjid Jaaranah

Membeli-belah di Jaaranah

Di luar kawasan masjid terdapat ramai peniaga yang berniaga pakaian, buah-buahan segar, buah-buahan kering, kekacang dan peralatan sembahyang. Harga di sini jauh lebih murah berbanding dengan harga di kota Mekah atau yang berdekatan dengan Masjidil Haram. Jadi saya mengambil peluang ini untuk membeli buah kurma segar sebanyak satu karton besar dengan harga 25 SR. Kalau di Mekah, harganya dua kali ganda.

Kurma banyak dijual di luar Masjid Jaranaah. Di sinilah kami membeli kurma segar yang murah harganya

Kekacang, buah-buahan kering dan segar di perkarangan Masjid Jaaranah lebih murah harganya berbanding di Mekah

Miqat 2- Hudaibiyah

Untuk umrah tambahan kedua, TH Travel membawa kami ke Hudaibiyah. Di sini, jemaah boleh memakai ihram, solat sunat ihram dan berniat ihram untuk mengerjakan umrah. Ia terletak lebih jauh dari Jaaranah.  Lebih kurang 45 minit menaiki bas.

Hudaibiyah mempunyai sejarah yang mana Rasulullah S A W. Melakukan perjanjian Hudibiyah dengan kaum Quraish. Dalam perjanjian itu Rasulullah tidak dibenarkan mengerjakan umrah pada tahun itu dan banyak syarat- syarat ke atas umat Islam dikenakan yang menunjukkan Rasulullah lebih banyak mengalah. Walaubagaimanapun perjanjian itu membawa kebaikan kepada umat Islam selepas itu kerana genjatan senjata yang dikenakan kepada kaum Muslimin menyebabkan ramai orang memeluk agama Islam.

Di Hudaibiyah kami dapat melihat bangunan lama yang didirikan semasa perjanjian Hudaibiyah.

Masjid di Hudaibiyah

Membeli-belah di Hudaibiyah

Terdapat sebuah masjid di situ dan peniaga berniaga di situ. Antara barangan yang dijual ialah hiasan dinding, sejadah, tasbih, key chain, fridge magnet dan lain-lain lagi. Saya sempat membeli 10 helai sejadah yang tebal dan berkualiti dengan harga 15 SR sehelai. Yang menggembirakan saya ialah saya dapat membeli sejadah kosong, yang tidak ada gambar atau corak. Sejadah kosong ini sudah lama saya cari. Baru kini saya menjumpainya.

Saya dapati banyak kawasan solat di Masjidil Haram yang tidak berkarpet, masih bersimen kerana masih direnovasi. Ramai juga jemaah yang solat atas simen. Memandangkan Islam menggalakkan kebersihan ketika solat  sejadah-sejadah itu saya sedekahkan kepada jemaah yang solat di Masjidil Haram tanpa sejadah.

Suami saya pula sempat merembat 2 dozen key chain unta yang comel dan beg isi pensil bergambar bangunan di Mekah untuk diberikan hadiah kepada cucu-cucu saudara. Harganya jauh lebih murah berbanding dengan Mekah.

Peniaga di perkarangan Masjid Hudaibiyah tersenyum apabila saya membeli 10 helai sejadah daripadanya.

Makan-makan di Mekah

Kami sekeluarga memang suka makan. Ketika di Mekah kami gemar makan buah-buahan segar, jus manga, jus delima, laban, kerepek kentang, gula-gula, ais krim dan nasi Arab. Kami membelinya di kedai-kedai yang berdekatan dengan hotel atau di gedung beli-belah di hadapan Masjidil Haram.

Kami berhenti makan di sebuah medan selera yang terletak di sebuah Mall di hadapan Masjidil Haram. Kami makan nasi  berlaukkan daging kofta, ikan dan satu- sayuran. Sangat sedap rasanya, sehinggakan habis semuanya.

Kebab dimakan dengan nasi

...bersambung.
Baca sambungannya:  (akan disiarkan tak lama lagi)

Baca kisah sebelumnya di sini: 

Umrah 2019 (Bhg. 3) | Mekah Musim Sejuk, Hotel &  Masjidil Haram

Umrah 2019 (Bhg. 2) | Ziarah Madinah Musim Sejuk

Umrah 2019 (Bhg. 1) | Pengalaman Menaiki Kapalterbang Khas ke Madinah

Baca juga: 

Naik Haji (1): Wukuf di Arafah dan Mabit di Muzdalifah

Naik Haji (2): Dugaan di Mina, Berkorban dan Melontar

Naik Haji (3): Umrah Ziarah dan Membeli-belah pada Musim Haji di Mekah
Umrah 2017 (Bhg. 6) | Beribadat dan Ziarah di Mekah 
Umrah 2017 (Bhg 7) | Makan-makan di Mekah

Umrah 2019 (Bhg.3) | Mekah Musim Sejuk, Hotel & Masjidil Haram

A  pabila sampai di Mekah dari Madinah, hari sudah malam. Sudah masuk waktu isyak.  Ada yang sudah solat jamak dalam perjalanan tadi, tapi ada juga yang menjamakkannya di Mekah.

Tarikh kami sampai di Mekah ialah 28 Januari 2019. 

Cuaca di Mekah ketika itu sangat baik. Walaupun masih dalam Musim Sejuk, ia tak panas, tak sejuk. Waktu tengaharinya macam cuaca petang di Malaysia. Jadi kalau anda sukakan cuaca begini, eloklah buat umrah pada hujung bulan Januari hingga awal bulan Februari.

Hotel Al Shohadah

Hotel Al Shohadah adalah pilihan TH Travel kali ini. Pada umrah 2017 mereka beri kami Hotel Ramada yang letaknya di seberang jalan, belakang sedikit dari Al Shohada. 

Semua jemaah dalam rombongan telah diberi kunci bilik. Beg masing-masing dihantar terus ke bilik oleh pekerja hotel. Setiap ahli keluarga kami duduk sebilik berdua.

Bilik saya dan suami mempunyai dua katil, menghadap jalan dan mempunyai tingkap yang boleh dibuka. Kalau menjenguk keluar memang nampak jemaah berjalan ulang alik ke Masjidil Haram. Nampak jelas, setesen bas dan Menara Jam yang berdiri kukuh di seberang jalan. Azan dari Masjidil Haram teramat jelas kedengaran di dalam bilik.

Televisyen, kerusi, meja, cerek elektrik, peti sejuk, pengering rambut dan kemudahan lain disediakan. Lantainya berkarpet dan bersih.

Bilik Al Shohada Hotel untuk dua orang

Tandas dalam bilik Al Shohada Hotel berlantaikan marmar dan mangkuk tandasnya ada dua. Bersih, luas dan selesa.  Di sebelah kirinya adalah bilik mandi hujan.

Sarapan pagi, tengahari dan malam disediakan di dewan makan dengan menu masakan Melayu, Indonesia dan Arab. Menunya sama setiap hari. Rasanya sederhana sedap.

Hotel Al Shohada menyediakan teh Arab dan kurma percuma kepada penghuninya di pintu masuk

Teh Arab dan kurma  ini diberi percuma kepada saya. Saya menikmatinya di lobi hotel. Campuran teh yang sedikit kelat dan kurma yang manis menjadikannya enak diminum.

Setelah berehat sebentar di hotel kami sekeluarga pun berjalan menuju ke Masjidil Haram. Kami sudah beritahu mutawwif kami supaya tidak menunggu kami kerana kami hendak melakukan umrah sekeluarga bersendirian. Ini disebabkan kami sudah berulang kali mengerjakan umrah sebelum ini, jadi tak perlu perkhidmatam mutawwif untuk itu.

Hotel Al Shohada letaknya 300 meter dari Masjidil Haram. Berjalan kaki ke Masjidil Haram memakan masa lebih kurang 20 minit, bagi orang yang berjalan perlahan. Tetapi kalau orang muda, berjalan lebih laju, mungkin boleh sampai dalam 10 minit. Sepanjang jalan menuju ke Masjidil Haram terdapat hotel, kedai, stesen bas dan sekolah.

Kedai-kedai dan hotel-hotel yang berdekatan dengan Hotel Al Shohada

Sebagaimana sebelum ini, hati tetap berdebar-debar dan teruja untuk melihat Kaabah lagi. Lebih-lebih lagi anak bongsu saya yang baru pertama kali ke tanah suci.

Masjidil Haram dan Kaabah

Kawasan muslimah di dalam Masjidil Haram

Jemaah lelaki sedang beriktikaf di dalam Masjidil Haram

Syukur alhamdulillah kami dipanggil lagi dan dapat melihat Kaabah dan beribadat. Kami mengangkat tangan berdoa melihat Kaabah.

Orang terlalu ramai mengelilingi Kaabah. Saya menunjukkan kepada anak bongsu saya bahagian-bahagian Kaabah seperti tempat permulaan tawaf, Hajarul Aswad, Hijr Ismail dan Rukun Yamani supaya dia dapat melakukan tawaf dengan betul.

Kami berjanji untuk berjumpa di bawah lampu hijau tempat permulaan tawaf sekiranya terpisah dalam jemaah yang ramai. Kami pun berniat tawaf, bergerak menghampiri Kaabah menuju penjuru Hajarul Aswad yang sentiasa dikerumuni manusia, beristilam dan memulakan tawaf. Kami sekeluarga berjalan rapat-rapat dan memegang di antara satu sama lain supaya tak terpisah. 

Zikir, doa dan ayat-ayat Al-Quran dibaca semasa tawaf. Zikir, doa dan ayat-ayat yang dibaca telah dirancang oleh suami saya sejak di tanahair lagi dan kami sama-sama bersetuju membaca zikir yang sama pada setiap pusingan. Antaranya "Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar," "Robbana atina fi dunia hasanah wa fil akhirati hasanah wakina azabannar," dan "3 Qul."

Pelbagai bangsa, warna kulit dan usia berkumpul di sini mengelilingi Kaabah. Di sebelah kiri kami, kami nampak seorang lelaki buta menggunakan tongkat tawaf bersendirian dan seorang lelaki yang tidak berkaki tawaf bersendirian tanpa menggunakan kerusi roda tapi hanya menggunakan tangannya sebagai ganti kakinya yang tiada. Kami kagum dengan kegigihan mereka mengelilingi Kaabah walaupun tidak sempurna anggota badan serta deria.

Kawasan yang sesuai untuk solat sunat selepas tawaf ialah di belakang makam Nabi Ibrahim A.S.

Setelah habis mengelilingi Kaabah 7 kali, kami solat sunat di belakang Makam Nabi Ibrahim dan  menghadap Kaabah.  Kami solat berdekatan. 

Setelah solat, kami minum air zam-zam yang terdapat di dalam tong air di dalam masjid menuju jalan ke Bukit Safa.

Bukit Safa dan Marwa

Jemaah sedang Saie, iaitu berulang-alik dari Bukit Safa ke Bukit Marwa

Setelah itu kami mengerjakan saie dengan berulang-alik dari Safa ke Marwa. Bacaan kami juga sama.

Cabaran dihadapi setiap kali mengerjakan umrah dan saie. Kali ini ada yang terbatal wudhu. Ada yang tiba-tiba semput dan terpaksa berjalan perlahan-lahan. Maklumlah ahli keluarga kami ada yang muda remaja, ada yang sudah mencecah 6 series. Jadi terpaksalah menunggu dan mengikut rentak setiap ahli supaya dapat melakukannya bersama-sama.

Setelah selesai saie, kamipun menggunting sendiri rambut di Bukit Marwa. Maka, selesailah umrah kami. Kami sangat bersyukur kerana telah dapat menyelesaikan satu umrah. Umrah yang seterusnya akan kami lakukan pada hari lain. 

Pakej TH Travel menyediakan 2 kali umrah tambahan dengan bermiqatkan Hudaibiyah dan Jaaranah.  Manakala untuk menambah umrah lagi, kami perlu pergi sendiri ke miqat dengan menaiki teksi atau bas. Miqat yang terdekat ialah Tanaim.

Kami singgah makan ais krim setelah selesai umrah dan saie

Renovasi Masjidil Haram

Orang terlalu ramai. Masjidil Haram pula masih melakukan renovasi dan banyak laluan disekat dan laluan sehala. Jadi kalau masuk satu haluan belum tentu dapat keluar mengikut laluan yang sama. Kadang-kadang terpaksa mengikut laluan 'maze' yang jauh. Ini sangat memenatkan.

Renovasi di dalam Masjidil Haram masih dilakukan

Belalang dan Cengkerik Hitam

Oleh kerana musim sejuk, banyak belalang dan cengkerik hitam migrasi ke Mekah. Cengkerik dan belalang itu datang dalam kumpulan yang banyak. Penuh di luar Masjidil Haram itu dengan serangga ini. Oleh kerana jemaah juga terlalu ramai, maka tak kurang juga serangga ini mati terpijak.  Cengkerik yang berterbangan dan merayap pula tidaklah membahayakan jemaah, lagipun pekerja di masjdil Haram sentiasa menyapu bersih serangga itu.

Kita jumpa lagi dalam entri akan datang.

...bersambung

Baca sambungannya: 
Umrah 2019 (Bhg. 4) : Ziarah Mekah, Membeli-belah dan Makan-makan

Baca kisah sebelumnya:
Umrah 2019 (Bhg. 2): Ziarah Madinah Musim Sejuk

Baca juga:

Backpack ke Madinah dan Mekah (Bhg 3): Baitullah Oh Baitullah, Ku Sampai Jua

Mekah Setelah Tiga Tahun

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

Umrah 2019 (Bhg. 2) | Ziarah Madinah Musim Sejuk

Setelah check in hotel, kami tak sabar-sabar hendak ke Masjid Nabawi, kamipun bersiap-siap  lalu berjalan kaki ke Masjid. Yang lelaki ke bahagian lelaki. Saya bersama kakak saya solat di ruangan wanita. Pada masa itu sudah pukul 10 malam, kami solat di luar sahaja iaitu di bawah payung/khemah. Di situ terdapat karpet terbentang dengan banyak. Nampaknya pekerja-pekerja di situ sudah mula menggulung karpet, ini bermakna tempat itu akan ditutup. Tidak ramai jemaah wanita yang ada di situ  kerana hari sudah malam.

Luar kawasan Masjid Nabawi pada waktu malam musim sejuk

Kami nampak banyak cengkerik hitam di situ.  Belalang juga banyak. Ada yang sudah penyek, mati terpijak. Ada yang merayap-rayap di lantai. Ada yang memanjat badan jemaah yang sedang solat di kawasan luar masjid. Tetapi tidaklah sampai menggigit mereka.

Belalang di Masjid Nabawi

Sebagaimana kebiasaannya kami menziarahi makam Rasulullah S.A.W. Memberi salam kepada baginda S.A.W. dan sahabat-sahabatnya menjadi kemestian. 

Makam Rasulullah S.A.W. dari luar

Jemaah berjalan menuju ke makam Rasulullah S.A.W

Pagar ke makam Rasulullah S.A.W

Jumaat di Madinah

Istimewanya kunjungan kami kali ini jatuh pada hari Jumaat dan dapatlah kami solat Jumaat di Masjid Nabawi. 

Jemaah wanita di dalam Masjid Nabawi

Jemaah menunggu solat Jumaat di dalam Masjid Nabawi

Pagi itu saya membawa anak-anak saya ke perkuburan Baqi iaitu tempat persemadian keluarga dan sahabat-sahabat Rasulullah S.A.W. Letaknya bersebelahan dengan Masjid Nabawi. Perkuburan itu dipagari dengan tembok tinggi dan hanya kaum lelaki sahaja yang dibenarkan masuk. Oleh kerana anak-anak saya semuanya lelaki, mereka semua dapat masuk ke dalam kawasan perkuburan itu, saya dan kakak saya menunggu mereka di luar sahaja.

Perkuburan Baqi' tempat persemadian keluarga dan sahabat Rasulullah S.A.W

Ke Raudah

Bezanya pada kali ini, orang terlalu ramai. Untuk ke Raudah memerlukan kesabaran kerana ruang untuk wanita adalah terhad. Menanti giliran untuk masuk ke Raudah juga lama, sekurang-kurangnya perlukan masa sejam-dua untuk menunggu. Saya masuk ke Raudah bersama dengan kumpulan jemaah wanita TH Travel yang dipimpin oleh seorang mutawiffah. Lama juga kami menunggu giliran untuk masuk ke Raudah.

Apabila tiba masanya, kami pun dibenarkan masuk ke Raudah. Kami bergilir-gilir solat sunat dua rakaat di atas permaidani hijau yang menjadi tanda kawasan Raudah. Apabila semua jemaah kami selesai solat di situ kami pun disuruh keluar. Semasa itu saya dan kakak saya berdiri dan bersandar pada sebuah tiang di Raudah sambil berdoa. Kami tidak keluar bersama-sama mereka, kami terus berada di situ. Polis wanita yang berada di situ membiarkan sahaja saya dan kakak saya di situ, malahan dia menepuk-nepuk bahu saya supaya berada di situ selama mana yang saya suka. Setelah puas beribadat di situ, barulah saya dan kakak saya keluar.

"Bak sini kamera tu," kata pegawai polis di Raudhah kepada anak saya

Untuk mengetahui dengan lebih lanjut tentang cara-cara untuk ke Raudah sila baca entri berikut:

Umrah 2017 | Panduan ke Raudah

Membeli-belah dan Ziarah di Madinah

Oleh kerana kami datang sekeluarga, ke mana-mana kami mesti bersama-sama. Apabila pulang dari masjid kami singgah di kedai-kedai membeli-belah. Barang yang dibeli ialah jubah, shawl, baju, kurta, seluar, tasbih, sejadah, buah kurma dan cokolat.  Barang-barang yang dibeli itu ada untuk diri sendiri, ada yang dihadiah kepada saudara-mara dan ada yang diberikan kepada jemaah umrah.

Anak sulung saya memberi makan kurma di luar Masjid Nabawi kepada jemaah yang lalu lalang

Laluan ke hotel kami ada kedai ais krim, kami suka makan ais krim itu. Tak perlu tunggu makan di dalam bilik. Duduk di atas bangku yang ada di tepi jalan, kami makan ais krim itu sambil lihat jemaah lalu lalang.

Kami sekeluarga makan ais krim di atas bangku di tepi jalan Madinah

Pada hari Sabtu, TH Travel membawa kami menaiki bas ke Masjid Quba untuk melakukan solat sunat sebagaimana yang dilakukan oleh Rasulullah S.A.W. Ganjarannya bagi sesiapa yang memelihara wudhu dari tempat kediamannya dan mengerjakan solat sunat dua rakaat di Masjid Quba, akan mendapat pahala satu umrah.

Tapi malang bagi saya kerana wudhu saya terbatal sebaik-baik sahaja sampai di perkarangan masjid itu. Saya lalu ke bilik air dan mengambil wudhu sekali lagi lalu solat. Oleh kerana itu saya telah terlambat sehingga jemaah lain terpaksa menunggu saya.

Jemaah solat sunat di dalam Masjid Quba pada waktu pagi

Pada keesokan harinya, suami saya membawa saya ke Masjid Quba sekali lagi. Tapi kali ini kami menaiki teksi ke situ dan meminta pemandu teksi itu menunggu kami sehingga kami selesai solat. Syukur, kali ini wudhu saya tidak terbatal sehingga selesai solat.

Selain daripada itu, kami dibawa TH Travel menziarahi Bukit Uhud, Masjid Qiblatain dan ke pasar kurma. 

Membeli-belah di pasar kurma

Keluarga saya menyaksikan kesan sejarah perang Uhud

Baca entri saya yang lepas tentang ziarah saya di Madinah:

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?

Hujan Lebat yang Lama 

Setelah tiga hari berada di Madinah kami pun ke Mekah mengerjakan umrah. Tetapi pagi itu sebelum kami berangkat, hujan turun dengan lebatnya. Hujan turun agak lama, lebih kurang 4 jam. Kota Madinah dibanjiri hujan. Inilah pertama kali saya mengalami hujan lebat yang lama di tanah suci. Menurut peniaga-peniaga di Madinah, hujan begini sudah  bertahun-tahun lamanya tidak berlaku.

Hujan lebat di Madinah

Ku Lihat Hijau

Semua jemaah memakai pakaian ihram dan memasang niat apabila tiba di miqat Bir Ali. Bas tidak berhenti di Bir Ali, kami cuma melafaz niat ihram dan bertalbiah di atas bas sahaja.  13 pantang-larang ihram perlu dijaga ketika ini supaya tidak dikenakan dam.

Perjalanan dari Madinah ke Mekah kali ini menarik kerana tidak pernah saya melihat pokok-pokok hijau dan sungai mengalir dengan banyak di sana. Kali ini tanah suci ini kelihatan hijau.

Sungai mengalir dan tumbuhan hijau kelihatan dalam perjalanan di antara Madinah dan Mekah

Air bertakung dan tanah basah

Berhenti Rehat di Perjalanan

Perjalanan ke Mekah memakan masa lebih kurang 6 jam. Kami dijangka akan sampai pada pukul 8.30 malam.

Bas berhenti dua kali untuk jemaah membuang air, minum dan solat.  Kami duduk minum teh dan cucur bawang Arab di salah sebuah tempat rehat. Oleh kerana terdapat 13 buah bas yang dibawa oleh TH Travel, maka tempat rehat itu segera dipenuhi orang. Maka untuk ke tandas perlu beratur panjang.

Air bertakung di atas tanah di kawasan rehat 

Berhenti makan cucur.

Sebagaimana yang dijangkakan, kami sampai ke Mekah pada pukul 8.30 malam. Apakah yang berlaku di Mekah?  Nantikan sambungannya dalam entri akan datang.

...bersambung

Baca sambungannya:

Umrah 2019 (Bhg. 3) : Mekah Musim Sejuk, Hotel & Masjidil Haram

Baca kisah sebelumnya: 
Umrah 2019 (Bhg. 1): Pengalaman Naik Kapalterbang Khas Ke Madinah