Finally the much anticipated pictures. I'm sorry it's been taking so long, i've had so many pictures i had to sift through to choose the best ones. I've also had to partake in a friend's wedding this weekend. S/O to Nimo on her Marriage and may Allah make her union a means of gaining his pleasure and Jannah. Ameen. Baraka Alahu lakuma wa baraka Alakuma wa jama bainakuma fi khair! <3
Insha'Allah i will post all the pictures then share my experience with all of you in another blog post. They say pictures tell a thousand words, but not even pictures can do any justice to the experience of first laying your eyes of the Kabah.
Ever since i got back everyone has been asking me about my trip, i know my words will never do it justice so i just smile and say it was amazing lol. I truly have no words to explain it, you have to really experience it to know what it feels like.
My Allah give everyone the opportunity to visit His house in our lifetime, and make hijrah to the land of the muslimeen bithni laa talaa. Ameen
 |
| Checking in my bags at YYZ, toronto airport |
 | ||
| Arriving in Istabul, Turkey. -Via turkish airlines Usually when one is travelling on a muslim airline, they mention the point of ihram (the meeqat- specific area where ihram is made) for the people performing umrah on the plane so you can make your Niyaa for your ihram. However, we were shocked to find out turkish airlines does not do this so we entered our ihram at the istanbul Airport. The rites of Umrah begin by entering the state of Ihram. For men, they have a specific garment they must wear, but women are allowed to wear whatever they want. A person only enters the state of Ihram once the Niyah has been uttered from their lips. "Labayk Allahumma Umrah" Oh Allah, here I am performing Umrah [Muslim: 1251] For all of you planning to perform umrah/hajj in the near future, i sincerely sincerely sincerely advise you all, to really sit down and educate yourself about the steps and rituals of performing umrah before embarking this journey. Likewise, try your best to learn the hikmah and history behind each act.. this will make your experience that much more memorable. Before i left, i went to Habib Bookstore and picked up and amazing book called "The Ultimate Guide to Umrah- By: Abu Muneer Ismail Davids". I read it during my plane ride, and by the time i got there i knew everything i was doing Alhamdulilah. I knew the duaa's to say while making tawaf, Sa'ee (safaa & marwaa), etc, and all the steps required. Since we did not go with a group, it was crucial for me to know what i was doing rather to rely on my brother every step of the way lol. That would be annoying right... having to ask him "so what do we do now?" every 2 seconds was something i didn't want to do lol. This book is very detailed, it tells you everything step by step. It even tells you which bank machines are best withdraw money from, which simcard company is the best if you are to purchase a sim while your there, sunnah acts, food spots, etc. There are many prohibitations while you are in the state of Ihram, For ex: one must not cut their nails or cut their hair. For one who misses an action or transgresses a hajj or umrah law, they must pay fidyah (expiation). However, the genereal rule if if a person commits an act out of ignorance there is no scarifice required. This is some serious stuff. Again i advise anyone planning to leave soon to not leave and be left wandering blindly while performing umrah, but to go with firm knowledge of exactly what your performing.
Istanbul Airport The original plan was for us to stay in turkey for a day and to go see the blue mosque and Taksim Square, however there was some complications with the visa (Did you know you need a visa to enter turkey lol ?!?) . Insha'Allah next time. I took some photos of the airport: |
 |
| Turkish Ice cream |
 |
| Bazaar |
 |
| Beautiful China with calligraphy hand drawn on them |
 |
| Decor |
 |
| Lamps |
 |
| The musalla inside the airport. Alhamdulilah took a nice nap in here while waiting for my flight |
 |
| One of the busiest airports i've been to. I've been to airports all over the world and this one takes the hat! |
Finally Arrived in Jeddah.
The flight from Turkey to Jeddah was about 3 1/2 hours. Alhamdulilah the nice thing about Turkish Airlines is that you can listen to Qur'an on their radio.
 |
| Finally arrived at Jeddah airport around 4am. |
 |
| Jeddah airport waiting area |
   |
| Hoyo (mom) getting ready to head to Mecca |
 |
| The taxi driver. My first near death experience in a taxi cab in saudi. This guy was combing his hair with one hand, and texting with the other. lool |
 |
| Finally arrived at Mecca around 6 am, checked into our hotel - Al Shohada Hotel (5 star) |
 |
| Walking to the harram from our hotel to perform our umrah |
 |
| Umrah group from indonesia. They put flowers on the back of their hijabs just incase they lose one another. ( you see this often in umrah). Mashallah they were so beautiful. |
 |
| Finally arrived in the harram & my Umrah began, i didn't take any pictures while performing my umrah. However, i took pictures the days after i will post them shortly. |
Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Makkah - blessed and a guidance for the worlds. [3:96]
2 comments:
Mashaa'allah that's really cool ukthi! Your photos are really inspiring! May Allah give us all the ability to perform hajj and umrah! #Ameen!
All of your photos are stunning and appreciatable i would like to suggest you cheap umrah packages by which you can perform umrah again and again through easier process.
Post a Comment