MECCA: THE LAND OF MIRACLES


About 3 years ago I felt a nudge in my heart. For some reason memories of the Holy Land came to my thoughts and I started to miss Mecca a lot. I was last there in 1999. I silently wished in my heart that someday I would go there again.

Turns out I wasn't the only one who felt that way. Recently, Mum contacted numerous travel agents and they told her the words she dreaded. "Fully booked and it's too late". The only available Umrah trip for us would be in January 2010. Mum pleaded to the final travel agent she spoke to until the lady gave in and said she'd submit our passports but there would be no guarantee that our visas will be granted. Mum chose 22nd December as her preferred date to travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It seemed impossible because it was only 2 weeks away but Mum was set on late December. We didn't have much hope but 'you have to be in to win', right?

Last week we received a phone call from the travel agent. She told us the good news. We managed to get our visas! Apparently there were people who applied a month before we did and they didn't get theirs. It's instances like these that make me believe in fate. My silent prayer was answered, mashaAllah. But we were so unprepared! We had less than a week to arrange our travels and to organise everything that we need for Umrah.

Then I realised  I have nothing to wear! We have a few abayas left over from the last trip but surely I need some new ones that will fit the 22 year old me. I managed to borrow some beautiful abayas from my friend and her mum (thank you!). I'll get some new ones in Medinah, apparently they're really nice and cheap compared to what we have in KL. I went shopping for some hijabs, plain and simple ones in black or white. For the first time in a very, very long time... being fashionable isn't a priority. It's gonna be tough because I love my colours. It'll be like fighting what nature intended! Having said that, my favourite colours are black and white so I honestly don't know what my problem is. Okay, okay, with all seriousness being fashionable won't be a priority because going for Umrah is about getting closer to God. And God doesn't care what style or colour I wear so I'm going to be focused and have my intentions right.

Tomorrow afternoon I will be flying to Jeddah, inshaAllah. Then we'll travel to Medinah, Mecca and Taif. It feels too good to be true. The last time I went was 10 years ago. I'm older now and hopefully, I will be able to experience Mecca and other parts of Saudi Arabia with a much deeper understanding. It's winter over there at the moment so it will be quite cold. I still can't believe that we're leaving tomorrow! I don't know why but God never fails to make me feel like the luckiest girl in the world. My head's spinning around with all kinds of questions. Why does He keep blessing me? Do I really deserve all that was given to me? What is His plan for me?

These are some the questions that I hope will be answered when I'm in the land of miracles. Isn't it wonderful that just the fact that we are going is by itself a miracle? I hope this will be the journey of a lifetime, both physically and spiritually; and I pray for a safe return, inshaAllah. I'll be back in 2 weeks which means I'll spend New Year's there. How cool is that? It's like starting the year on a really, really good note.

I won't be blogging until then so HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! I'm gonna miss you guys... keep updating your blogs so I'll have heaps to read when I get back. Ciao bellas!

Comments

starry eyed said…
have a save trip sha. i will pray for your safe return. and pls do send my regards to Rasulullah S.A.W. Cant wait to hear all about the trip. xx
Anonymous said…
Assalamu alaikum Shahirah Elaiza :),

I'm so enjoying reading your posts later,even though I didn't have the time to comment.Oh,but this post is really nice and so full of hope.I wish you the best of times and I hope you'll post some pictures of this great trip.I also want to wish you a very happy New Year!Ohhh...you'll enjoy it so much.Strong hug and many kisses :)!
XO
Babush said…
Sha Bells, Have a safe trip! May Allah S.W.T kabulkan all your doa's! Selamat beribadat Shabells! Lotsa love. P/s: Think of me when you wear the jubahs okay. Hehe.
Maryam said…
MECCA! The land of miracles. Why didn't I guess that. I was totally off. lol

Lucky you! I'd love to go visit someday.

Alhamdulillah everything worked out for your trip. InshaAllah you will have a safe and enjoyable journey.
poshnmodest said…
Aslkm, yes it is meant to be that you are going, something similar happened to me and my family and Alhamdulilaah we were chosen to go even though there were other people who applied before us. We are going via Istanbul and staying in Madinah and then on to Taif and then on to Makkah. Wishing you all the best and May Allah accept all your duas and ibadaah inshallah Ameen!
zahra said…
alhamdulillah shahirah thats wonderful news! i wish you feel and gain everything you hoped for and more :) have a safe and blessed trip!
wkm said…
Sha, wishing you and ur family a safe & barakah journey. my salam to our beloved RasululLah SAW. May Allah SWT grants all ur wish. wassalam.
Anonymous said…
Salaam Shahirah :),
I'm thinking of you in Mecca and I want to wish you all the best in the year 2010.XO
Shahirah Elaiza said…
Thank you so much everyone!
Palendia said…
Salam.

I think your blog is really great. I hope you have the time to look at mine