Embark on a Meaningful Umrah and Charity in the Haram
Umrah Series - Part 1
I am delighted to the share personal narrative of my Umrah journey, with the hope that my experiences extend beyond my own reflections to offer valuable insights. Whether you are a first-timer venturing to Tanah Haram or a seasoned visitor, my Umrah series blog aims to share my heartfelt reflections. Join me as I recount the awe-inspiring moments and the deep spiritual growth that marked my journey.
Our Umrah Journey
I went to Umrah with my whole family. Our journey began with a non-stop flight from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Madinah (MED) aboard MH158. The flight, lasting 9 hours, was operated by an Airbus A330-200, which can accommodate 268 passengers. We were fortunate to experience an unusually low occupancy rate of just 20% passengers. This allowed us to move freely once the seatbelt sign was off, and we each occupied an entire row of four seats, transforming our travel into an incredibly comfortable and memorable long-haul flight.
Arrival and First Impressions of Madinah
As we neared our destination, I gazed out of the airplane window, the sky revealed a clear half-moon, shining brilliantly. Below, the distinct housing patterns of Saudi Arabia came into view : square-shaped homes with cement fences and flat roofs, typically arranged in blocks of four to six. The landscape was dominated by desert, with paved roads primarily seen in the city center. It was a captivating introduction to the land we were about to explore.
We landed at Medina Airport around 10pm local time. At the immigration checkpoint, I saw a woman wearing a Burka (refer image below) that covered everything except a small part of her eyelids, allowing her just enough vision to see the path ahead. I was truly amazed. I had thought that the women in Malaysia wearing niqabs represented the highest level of modesty, but this experience showed me that there is always something beyond what we have seen, something even more profound.
The feeling of stepping out of an airport in a new country is indescribable, with that refreshing moment when foreign air fills my lungs. Our journey continued at 10:40pm with a short 25-minute bus ride from the airport to Province Al-Sham Hotel. During the ride, I caught my first glimpse of the magnificent minarets of Masjid Nabawi, beautifully illuminated by green lights. In Madinah, I found myself continuously reciting Selawat, offering blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.
Upon our arrival, we made our way directly to Masjid Nabawi Gate 333. We greeted the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w and our mutawwif, guided the newcomers through the entrance for the Fajr prayer. After this serene experience, we checked into our hotel and took some much-needed rest.
Experiences at Masjid Nabawi
Despite having only three hours of sleep, we rose early to prepare for our first obligatory prayer at Masjid Nabawi, the Subuh (Fajr) prayer at 5am. After the prayer, I witnessed a profound moment that left a deep impression on me. I saw a woman sitting quietly with her eyes closed, deeply immersed in the memorization of the Quran. It humbled me and reignited my determination to strengthen my efforts in memorizing the Quran. While on the other side, there was a group of people gathered in a halaqah, collectively dedicating themselves to the same noble endeavor. These two sights left me in contemplation; they not only humbled me but also rekindled my determination to strive harder in my own memorization, deep understanding and internalization of the Quran.
After breakfast, around 8am we moved to the courtyard of Masjid Nabawi for an usrah session by our mutawwif. Where he shared insights about Telaga Ha and the story of Saidina Abu Talhah.
Who was Saidina Abu Talhah?
He was one of the strong companions who fought in the path of Allah SWT. His full name was Saidina Zaid bin Sahl al-Ansari, also known as Abu Talhah al-Ansari.
According to Sahih Bukhari, Abu Talhah r.a. donated this well as soon as he heard Allah's command in
Surah Al-Imran, verse 92 : “You will never attain righteousness until you give of what you love.”
However, Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. recommended that the well be returned to Abu Talhah’s family. The well no longer exists, but its site can be seen in the northern part of Masjid Nabawi (at the back), near Gate 21, as shown in the picture above.
Providing water by building a water well in vulnerable communities is your chance of Sadaqah Jaariyah that will continuously earn you rewards till the hereafter. As the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. said:
“The best charity is giving water to drink.”
Building a well in Islam, is one of the most valuable acts of Islamic charity.
The Miraculous Power of Charity (Sedekah) : A True Story
Our mutawwif shared an inspiring story about a woman in his past Umrah group who had a terminal illness. During her Umrah journey, she donated a large sum of her assets. Upon returning to Malaysia, she was miraculously fully recovered.
The Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. emphasized the importance and benefits of charity. He said,
"Treat your sick by giving charity" (Hadith narrated by Al-Bukhari)
Another hadith states,
"Charity does not decrease wealth. No one forgives another except that Allah increases his honor, and no one humbles himself for the sake of Allah except that Allah raises his status" (Muslim)
These hadiths reinforce the profound impact of charity, not only in aiding those in need but also in bringing about personal healing and blessings. Raise your ranks in the eyes of Allah by giving charity in His Way.
While donating money is a common and valuable form of sadaqah (charity), there are other profound forms of amal jariah (continuous charity) that can leave a lasting impact on the lives of others and earn ongoing rewards in the Hereafter. Other ways is by donating mushaf (copies of the Quran), wheelchair and folding chairs to be used inside the mosque. However, they only accept specific type, so we simply fill out a form and pass the donation to the Mutawwif, who, along with the local organizers, will ensure that the appropriate items are provided. This is the current rate for donations as of October 2023 :
1. Small Mushaf Madinah : 35SAR = RM50
Large Mushaf Madinah : SAR50 = RM60
2. Wheel Chair : 240SAR = RM280
3. Folding Chair : SAR30 = RM40
All in all, from the amazing flight experience and captivating views of Madinah to the profound encounters at Masjid Nabawi, every experience left an indelible mark on my heart. Stay tuned for the next Umrah series, where I will uncover more layers of the profound beauty that Madinah offers in Part 2.
I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences — please share them in the comment section below :) Thanks