My Journey to Muslim Sacred Places

Al Haram, Makkah

It is an honor to every Muslim to visit Sacred Places like Makkah and Madinah Al Munawarah. I am very thankful that I was given an opportunity to visit such places. It was a dream came true for me considering that since my childhood I am dreaming to reach those places. Before, I have just seen it in the photos and it was totally amazed me.  Perhaps, it is my inclination also to take photos.

My first visit was in Al Haram, Makkah to perform Umra. Umra is a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, performed by Muslims that can be undertaken at any time of the year. It is not compulsory but voluntary for those physically and financially capable. Some rituals will be performed in Umra. First and foremost, one must be totally cleaned hygienically. And should perform abdus(ablution), washing some parts of the body as prescribed. Wearing Ikram(white cloth) is much more exciting, I feel so comfortable whenever I wore that. It was so excited for me since that was my first time.

 When I arrived in Makkah Al Haram, I was amazed of different people I saw. There were black, white, brown, tall etc. Perhaps, they perform umra also and they are from different part of the world.

Inside Al Haram, you can see the Ka’ba. Ka’ba was constructed by Abraham and his son Ishmael, after Ishmael had settled in Arabia. Ka’ba is surrounded by a building called Masjid Al Haram. Ka’ba is also the the Qibla(direction) that all Muslims must face during prayers wherever they are in part of the world.

In performing Umra, Tawaf or circumambulating Ka’ba seven times is required. Offering two sunnah raka’a prayer behind the station of Abraham is being performed. After that, pilgrim must proceed to Al Marwa and Al Safa( Al Safa and Al Marwa, are two small mountains) to perform Saee, traveling back and forth seven times in the two mountains as part of the ritual.

Since that was my first time to perform, I should bald my hair completely. It is required for first timer since it symbolizes that one is like a new born baby.

Madinah Al Munawarah

There are a lot of Muslim holy places also located in Madinah Al Munawarah. Mosque of Prophet Mohammed(PBUH) is located in Madina which visited by pilgrims also. The Mosque is also called Al Haram.  Inside the mosque is also the grieve of the Prophet Mohammed(PBUH).

 The feeling is so different when you are in the place So sacred and peaceful. Something that is you can not explain. To be totally honest, when I was inside the mosque I feel so much comfortable like I am free from everything. Like your mind and heart are purified from all aches and tears. I can’t imagine but to come up and ask my mind “is this extension of the heaven?”

Aside from Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, there are also a lot of sacred places that are visited by Muslims all over the world. Like the Masjid ul Quba, the Seven Mosques, Masjid ul Kiblitin, the Grave Yard, the Mount Uhod, etc. All places are full of history as far as Islamic and Muslims is concerned.

Hajj

The most exciting for me is the Hajj. It is being participated by million of billions people in the world. Hajj is also being performed once in a year, unlike of the Umra that anytime in a year. It is an obligatory for those physically and financially capable to complete the five pillars of Islam.

Visiting sacred places and performing some rituals is being required in Hajj.

I was totally amazed when I was there. People are walking boundless like the flow of flooding river. They are uniformed. Men are on white cloth. Women are wrapped by white or black cloth. In there, you can observe the equality…no matter what your position is and wherever you came from in the world.

Alhamdulillah… I was given an opportunity to visit those places and so much appreciate my religion. All Praise is to Allah…