The decision to perform Umrah this year has been a spontaneous one. One morning Masood and I were on our way to the office when he casually asks, “Shall we go for Umrah?” I said yes, of course. Three weeks later, I am sitting in an aircraft bound to Madinah, eating cup noodles and writing in my tiny journal. I have already written about my first Umrah experience in great detail before, my second experience was also documented, and I’ve posted pictures here and here. This year, I’m going to just list ten things. Random stuff.
1. It’s Always Crowded
For the past two years, we’d been going to Makkah and Madinah during April, just before we head to India for our annual vacation. This year we thought we’d perform Umrah as soon as the the authorities begin permitting the release of visas. Do not let the picture above fool you; the place is jam-packed with worshipers, subhanAllah! I assume the place is least crowded only from the time the Hajj season is over until the time when Umrah visas become available for the rest of the world. But the good thing is that the weather is extremely pleasant during this time! In fact, during the Faj’r prayers at 5:30 am, the marble floor of the mosque’s courtyard is so cold that I can feel it seep into my bones!
2. Take the VIP Bus
This is probably the most comfortable and safe method of traveling from Madinah to Makkah (and vice versa) and it only costs 90 riyals per person. This is the VIP bus by SAPTCO. We are already content that the seats are so comfortable and that a very friendly staff offered us a bottle of water. So imagine our joy when we discover that there are free apples and newspapers too. Just in time when we’ve finished eating our apples, the staff reappears with lunch! You guys, we are served chicken sandwiches and a bottle of soda! This is like ten times better than the cup noodles from the aircraft. And then we are offered tea and coffee! So if you are planning on Umrah, I highly recommend taking this VIP bus. You can check their timings here. But I think you can’t book online since they need to see your passport.
3. Le Meridien Hotel, Makkah
It costs the same as the 3-star hotel we stayed in at Madinah, except that this one’s a 5-star hotel. I suppose it’s cheaper because it’s not within walking distance from the haram area, but the round-the-clock shuttle service to and fro the masjid makes it so convenient! The 3-minute ride takes one from the hotel, through a tunnel, and right beneath the courtyard of the masjid. You only have to walk a couple of minutes to reach an escalator that leads you up, right in front of Gate 1! We have 2 cups of complimentary expresso, but noticing that we had guests over, the staff brought coffee for all of us for free! Le Meridien is a really lovely hotel with great customer service and good food. We stay for three days, and I look forward to the buffet breakfast each day.
4. People Do Touristy Stuff Too!
Just hire a taxi and he’ll take you around all the must-see places. Most taxi drivers are pretty knowledgeable about the history of Makkah. Be nice and friendly with him, and he’ll show you more places.
5. Comfort and Safety Taken Into Consideration
There are escalators, elevators, cool marble floors, lush carpets, access to wheelchairs, copies of Qur’an throughout the masjid, containers of cold Zam-Zam water everywhere, plastic bag for your shoes, locker for your luggage, wheelchair for the pilgrims, stand-by medics, restaurants nearby…everything done to ensure that everyone has a pleasant time whilst performing the rituals and prayers.
6. History at Each Step
The writing on this wall marks the boundary of two different areas of Makkah. What makes this special is that this stone was placed by the prophet Mohammed (may peace be upon him) himself. There’s a masjid at almost every turn, and each one of this masjid has a history within itself. Every mountain is a witness of the great prophets who lived to spread the word of the Almighty—this includes the prophet Adam, Abraham, Ismael, etc.
7. The Tents Of Mina
This view never ceases to amaze me. Looking down at those white tents takes my breath away every time I look at it! Thousands and thousands of pilgrims from all over the world gather and stay within these fire-proof and air-conditioned tents once a year, specifically during Hajj. Everything is so organized, it’s amazing. There’s access to clean toilets and bath, and each tent has a designated number.
8. The Path to Meeting People Who’ll Touch Your life
You know, when you’re sitting in the masjid next to a complete stranger and begin talking to each other while waiting for the prayers to begin? Despite the language barrier, you manage to communicate successfully through awkward hand movements. And then before you leave, they utter a prayer for you from the bottom of their hearts? Those moments when you offer your own cup of water to a complete stranger, or someone offers you a cup of their tea? Those precious minutes when the person next to you spreads open his or her own prayer mat to share with you, without you ever asking, because you forgot to bring yours? A couple of Masood’s friends and their families visit us and bring us food. When you have kind and loving people around you in a foreign land, you feel right at home.
Shazia, I missed you so much!
9. Asking the Husband to Take Pictures Because You Couldn’t Get Inside
This is taken inside the Madinah masjid, where men have lined up to see the final resting place of the prophet, may peace be upon him. The section is opened up for women too, but there are two things that make it impossible for me to see this place myself: first, some of the women are an impatient lot who have never heard of the word “queue”, and second, a lot of women are so wild you’d think their entire life depended upon seeing this place. So I, along with several other women, appease ourselves by taking a quick glimpse of the place. Hence the need to ask the husband to take pictures so you could see the place up close.
10. I Finally Touched the Ka’aba!
Every pilgrim longs to come really close to the ka’aba and touch it. For the past couple of years, we tried but couldn’t get close because of the crowd. This time, specially after the morning prayers, the crowd thins a bit and we are able to walk easily towards the ka’aba and touch it. Twice! Oh, I can not explain how I feel! There’s this excitement that builds within me as my feet draws me closer to the ka’aba, and when my fingertips first touch the black covering, a strange sensation courses through my veins—like there’s this positive energy that seeps into me. I look up and see a little bird fluttering its wings. I also get to see the footprints prophet Abraham! I press my face onto the glass that encase them, and try to imagine how tall he must have been! You should have seen the silly but happy grin on my face as I walk away afterwards.
Subhanallah! I desperately want to go, I haven’t been since I was a kid. Inshallah some day soon!
Humaira recently posted..Tales from a Temp
May Allah grant you the opportunity to perform Unrah and Hajj soon. Ameen. How’s your father doing, Humaira?
Dear sister Humaira,
I’m wrinting a few words but prior to that I’d like to Thank My wife for that. She just asked me to Decide that I’ll perform Umrah and Leave it to ALLAH SWT & I did it. I was planning to perform from 10 long years. within less than a year we performed Umrah, my wife and 2 kids.
Make Niyah that you will perform UMRAH and leave to Allah SWT and just wait and watch. I’m sure you’ll have the call from Allah to perform Umrah.
Insha Allah I’m travelling tomorrow to perform Umrah in the month of Ramadan I try remembering you (your name) and pray for you so that get the chance of performing Umrah at the earliest.
Nadia this is a great post! So this is where you’ve been
Very useful and informative, thanks!
‘liya recently posted..The Trip of NO Sleep
Thank you, ‘liya! Yes, we’ve been away for Umrah. But it was a short trip. I haven’t been posting mainly because I’m finding it difficult to manage my time lately
But I’m working on it.
Congratulations on touching the Ka’ba. This should be a dream to every muslim in the universe. My father went to Hajj last year and he said he was able to manage his way towards the Ka’ba and touch it. He, too, failed to express the feeling. I can totally understand it. It’s something only the person who feels can feel.
Great photos, by the way. Especially that one in the bus. Sure the bus company wasn’t asking you to use it in their advertisements?
Sajib recently posted..I Just Had the Scariest Nightmare
JazakAllah khair, Sajib! LOL, the bus company has absolutely no idea I even exist
I completely understand what your father must have felt. It’s so true that there are no words to express the intense feelings that go through a person when you’re touching the ka’aba.
Umrah Mubarak Nadia!
I am glad to be reading such a beautiful post. You were missed. I would love to go again and again for Umrah. It’s such an awesome experience. I am glad you did!
JazakAllah khair, Family Cook! Yeah, you never get tired of performing Umrah, subhanAllah. It is such a beautiful opportunity to refresh yourself spiritually.
Congratulations on your Umrah! May Allah (swt) accept your du’a, prayers, and Umrah. Ameen. My husband and I are also planning to go back in the summer IA. Can’t wait! Loved your pictures. And I totally understand the wild impatient women in Medinah. I sat there with a Qur’an and patiently waited for those women to rush in and then went in.
Ameeen, Sipping Chai! LOL, that’s how we dealt with the crowd too – just sat in one corner with a Qur’an and wait until the women were less “excited”
Number 8 made me so teary, I had to wipe my eyes. When I found your email update in my inbox this morning I literally smiled and thought YAY! And reading this just made my soul flutter at your beautiful pictures & words. I feel like this magnet is in Makkah pulling my gut towards it, I miss it terribly & just want to circle around the Kaaba and proclaim “Here I am my Lord!”
Please keep writing your beautiful words, it has become my favourite fix!
Londoneya recently posted..Reflections at Hassan El Sharbatly Mosque
Thank you so much, Londoneya! May Allah grant us the opportunity to perform Hajj soon. Ameen.
hello, nadia,
ahh, this story is long overdue and awaited… ^_^
glad you’re finally able to touch the ka’aba.
35andupcynicismonhold recently posted..Ooops, I’ve been tagged! Lists don’t come easy…
Hey, San! Yeah, I can’t believe I’ve posted after a month! Thank you so much for always being around and for being super supportive
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Assalamu Alaikum, I am a recent follower of your blog and have to say it has become a quick favorite. This post is so beautiful, reading your feelings about touching the Kaaba literally brought tears to my eyes and made my fingers and toes tingle… Insh’Allah hope Allah Swt makes it possible for me to do the same soon.
Thank you for sharing this!
Walaikum Assalam, Tani. Welcome to the blog! I’m so glad this post touched you. May Allah grant you to perform Hajj and Umrah soon.
Lovely post Nadia!! Umrah Mubarak!! Wish I could just be there forever.
Mehmudah recently posted..The Souk
JazakAllah khair, Mehmudah!
May Allah fulfill all your desires….SumAameen
….Bhabhi, please pray for me and Mushtaq to perform Umrah this year and Hajj too with family 
*HUGS*
Ameeennnnnnn. *hugs* Yep, would be great if we could all go together soon, inshaAllah.
Assalamualikum, Nadi,
Masha Allah your trip really sounds awesome. Jazak Allah Khairan for your random tips. Your pics are so clear and awesome ….
Le Meridien, that’s the Hotel where the King’s Hajj guests stay every year, and as a translator for them I get a chance to stay and enjoy the delicious food
…..
Awww I missed you toooo
….. Anyways I pray we do meet next time Insha Allah ….
TC. Hugs
uneekmuslimah recently posted..WOW Legacy …..
Walaikum Assalam Sis! Lucky you for getting to stay and eat at the Le Meridien (and getting paid too)
I love their breakfast buffet!
Please try your best to attend the Peace Conference. I’m making dua that you make it.
Assalamualkium Nadia baji!
and lol toilets are not clean but thats hajj you gotta be patient. When I complained abt unhygienic toilets dad was like "you find this difficult, even though we have so many facilities. We have cars and buses for transportaion and acs in tents and fridges and your complaining. Think about Prophet (PBUH) jab toh yeh sab kuch nai tha. Kitna mushkil daur tha, lekin he didn't complain about it. He went through so much, just for us. He kept going on coz he believed in Allah and did his best to deliver us the message". And that uplifted my spirits and I don't think I complained after that. Alhamdulilah 
Masha’Allah, May Allah accept your Umrah and Prayers. And call you guys soon for Hajj. Ameeen.
I don’t know why but i get this big goofy grin on my face whenever I read something nice about KSA and Saudis and their hospitality. Maybe coz its the place that i call home.
I love Madinah and whenever I’m there this naat fasloun ko takkaluf hai humse agar is played at the back of my mind. And I enjoy walking thinking Prophet (PBUH) walked here,sat here, lived here. No madinah is always full and crowded even during hajj season. Coz most of the families in kingdom come there to celebrate Eid.
Haha Saptco buses <3 Ahh Le Meridien, we usually stay there coz of its proximity to Haram Sharif.
Minaa, in 2010 I was blessed to be there Alhamdulilah
NO. 8- thats such a nice feeling, when they bless you and smile at you.
Acha, I'll stop here before i bore you with my bakwaas.
Take care. Fee Aman Illah.
Walaikum assalam, Hijabi! Ameen to your dua. You never do bakwaas. In fact, your long comments make me happy
Your father is absolutely right, but we’re a generation that complains a lot, lol. SubhanAllah, I have the same feelings as yours when I’m in Madina and Makkah. It’s never easy to return back to the UAE whenever we’re there. Really making lots of dua for hajj.
Mashallah. May Allah accept your umrah.Somehow I couldn’t control my tear when I read your experiance. Inshallah I am planning to go for umrah this December. Please make du’a for me.
Asalamualykum.
Walaikum assalam, Hindya. Ameen to your dua. May Allah make your Umrah possible on December, may He make it easy and rewarding for you.
Nadia! I was wondering where you were. Oh how lovely to see these tips and photos of Makkah. It’s been a while since I went and I would love, love to go there for Hajj soon. May Allah give us that capability soon to go with full family.
And the picture for no. 8, with the clock tower, was that when approaching Makkah? How thrilled must be the heart, when the first glimpse of Makkah is there on the road!
Mezba recently posted..Why I Prefer Chinese Restaurants over Pakistani
Mezba, long time! Ameeen to your dua. You are about to embark on a very special journey in your family life soon (I’m paying close attention to your FB status, lol). Masood and I are so excited for you and your lovely wife.
Subhan’Allah. I literally do not think it’s possible for me to read about or see Makkah without feeling the tears well up in my eyes. It must have felt amazing to touch the kabba… Just reading about it… Alhamdulillah! I cannot wait until I get married and have a mahram to take me, insha’Allah!
Toni Lupro recently posted..!@#$% Travel Bloopers 1
May that beautiful phase (both marriage and umrah/hajj, hehe) come into your life soon! Seeing the kaaba itself is amazing, that is why touching it has been an amazing experience but on a completely different level!
Masha Allah, Nadia. I am so happy for ur Umrah. Mabrook. May Allah paak accept ur Umrah and duas. ameen.
Reading sumone’s account of Umrah takes u back to the times when u had actually seen everything for the first time. Muhe a bhi koi mill aye to tawk about KSA, the stories never end. This place is such a comfort point in heart Alhamdulillah. Allah kareem hum sab ko baar baar bulaye wahan ameen. : )
JazakAllah khair and ameen to your dua, Pervisha!
Oh, happy to know that my comments make you smile.
and if I’m not mistaken 5th picture is of jamarat area right?
Yes, it is!
I love this post! It’s interesting to see another religion through the eyes of a devotee
Learned so much about Islam in my stay here 
Didi recently posted..Here’s to sweet beginnings…
Thank you, Didi!
Ahh, this post is so beautiful. I totally relate to the points, and especially about meeting strangers who will stay in your heart forever. It’s truly amazing…
Thê Talkïng Pïnhêad recently posted..Seal Beach Pier: The Fishermen
Thank you so much, TTP! Almost everyone you meet during Umrah is usually nice and helpful, and it’s very easy to make new friends
A holy place to visit. This place has many tourist’s places to visit. The photos shared are really beautiful and wish to visit sometime in near future. I especially loved the inside photo.
Ariana Lemarr recently posted..Prix lunette de tir
Congratulations on performing your Umrah Nadia! I enjoyed reading every part of your journey and experience. P.S. I miss your blog so much, I have heaps of catching up to do!
Tien! Where had you been?
Thank you so much for reading again! You were missed too
Assalsm u alaykum sister.
MashaAllah you were called once again so happy for you! Brings back memories and I’d agree with a poster who said its hard not to get welled up when we see someone else going.. please make dua Allah swt calls us during ramadan.
p.s you’ve been missed!
*a silent but old reader of yours..
Walaikum assalam, Aminah! Ramadan is a great month to be in the Holy cities. May Allah grant your wish of performing Umrah during Ramadan, ameen!
Mashallah Nadia!
Umrah Maqboola inshallah!
These 10 things you listed are great!
I haven’t been to umrah in many years!
I’ve been to hajj the year before i got married in 2007!
Ameeen and jazakAllah khair, Arwa!
Oh mashaAllah, I pray that we also get blessed with the opportunity to do Hajj soon.
May Allah accept it from you. I’m yearning to go back, but know that until that happens insha-Allah, I need to try to live the lessons and commitments I made from when I was there. It’s a totally different world over there, and being back in environments like these – the Western world – just shows how massive a role your environment can play in your spirituality.
That said, we have to make do with where Allah has placed us, and do our best to strive for His pleasure.
By the way, the Mina toilets aren’t exactly ‘clean’
They do clean them daily during Hajj, but as you can imagine, with the amount of people using them, they don’t stay clean. But I suppose it’s part of the experience – it brings you down and humbles you – having to cope with those kinds of conditions.
Dreamlife recently posted..Hajj Chronicles Part 4: Welcome to Madinah
Ameen to your dua, Dreamlife! I LOVE reading your Hajj chronicles and pray that Allah bless me and my family with the opportunity too. I agree, it’s a totally different world there, specially since we know that we go there specifically to get closer to our Creator and try to improve ourselves.
I don’t think I really mind if the Mina toilets aren’t exactly as sparkly clean as the Dubai airport toilets. Considering the huge crowd, it’s expected
And yeah, hajj and umrah is also about patience.
As Salam Nadia,
I an Anjum from Dubai.Basically from Bangalore,India.I have been visiting your blog on and off over the past 2 yrs.MashaAllah ur a gifted writer.I performed Umrah in 2010. Alhamdulillah I bacame pregnant with twins the same year after a long wait.The article about ur umrah experience immensely helped me.Alhamdulillah.Everything went on smoothly except for the hotel and the travel agent.Please do guide me regarding the ones that are reasonably priced.Do you have any idea regarding Hajj.Would it be better performing it from here or from your home country?
Allah Hafiz
Anjum
Walaikum assalam, Anjum. Thank you so much for reading the blog and mabrook on the twins!
The travel agent we had this year is good, and found us great hotel deal in Makkah. Their office is in Ajman. I can email you their address if you’re interested.
Regarding Hajj. We haven’t done it yet, but we are advised to get the visas from our home country but travel from the UAE.
Salamz
I have been living in Jeddah for ages; my parents moved here back in the late 50′s. I never knew of this “stone; placed by the Pbuh as mentioned under “history at each step”.
Can you tell me exactly how to get to this place ?
ayoub
Jeddah
Walaikum assalam, Ayoub. I believe this is located behind Masjid-e-Nimrah. The taxi drivers should know the exact location if you ask any one of them.
asak
i wanna know will my prayer be fulfilled on the first sight of kaaba?
I mean a thing which seems to be impossible,where i always face disappointment related to that,if i ask help to allah while my umrah,will my wish be fulfilled?
Walaikum Assalam, Sarah. Only Allah knows and has the will to accept dua, so nobody else can tell you for sure whether or not your dua will be accepted. However, don’t despair or lose hope. Keep asking from Him. You never know when your dua will be accepted.
Dear Sister Sarah,
When you make Dua’a; Allah SWT may not provide you what you ask for but for sure your dua will be compensated in three ways either you will get something else instead of what you asked for. Second, you will be saved from any kind of danger to your life and the third one, if you dont get what you asked for Allah provide you in the Aakhirat. As he is the All knower and he knows best what is good for you in your duniya.
With regards to your wish of Umrah – I’m a living example for that. you decide (make niyah) that you want to perform Umrah and leave it to Allah SWT.
Due respects to Sister Nadia for her excellent suggestion or an advice very kind of her.
The Second point on sighting the Kaa’ba – I’d say Yes coz my prayers were answered. Have that faith in him I’m sure you will never be disappointed – Insha Allah…
Sister Nadia,
Appreciate your approach of brining everyone together with the help of this site who want to perform Umrah or HAJJ and share their feeling, views, opinions, experiences and suggestions. May Allah SWT reward you in Duniya and thereafter . summa ameen.
Fida Mohammed
Dear Sister Nadia,
My apologies if I’ve contracdicted your sugggestion/ advices / statement / in anyways knowingly or unknowingly which is not my intention.
This is the first time I’ve ever taken out time (as far as I remember) to be a part of such blogs / sites.
Regards,
Dear Fida,
There is no need for apologies
Ameen to your dua. May Allah reward you for reaching out to your fellow sisters.
There are so many Hajj related pictures, news, articles, blog posts, travelogue and other details of Hajj found in http://www.whatishaj.com. This is a complete guide on Hajj.
Assalamu Alaikum
While searching for the locations of the ladies gates in Madina (to tell a friend that leaves for Hajj today Insha Allah), I stumled upon your blog
) What a pleasure reading about your Umrah. My family (husband, 3 kids, mom, mom inlaw and dad inlaw) and I returned 3 weeks ago from Umrah. We were fortunated to spend the last 10 days of Ramadaan and Eid day in Madina and thereafter 10 days in Makkah. On arrival we first went to Makkah to perform an Umrah in Ramadaan, it was quite challenging with 3 kids (ages 5, 9 and 10) in the midday sun but Shukr all went well. This Umrah was quite emotional as our last trip was 8 years ago for Hajj. The changes were significant.
I just loved reading your Umrah recollections and will ‘pop-in’ again. Allah take us all back to His holy lands over and over again.
Take care.
Sumaya (South Africa)
Walaikum Assalam Sumaya!
Ameen to your dua. You mentioned that you went for Hajj 8 years ago. I can just imagine the changes that must have happened since! In fact, there is still so much going on in an around haram. I just hope they stop commercializing the place so much.
nadia recently posted..Thaddo Dam and Farmhouse, Gadap
In Umrah time in Mecca and Medina there are a great number crowds. So you have to take care of yourself and your dear ones. Due to large crowd it is not easy to perform umrah so select a better place to perform is one of the best priority for any pilgrim who visits for Umrah.
Nadia,
May I know , did u go via travel agent for the umrah or u make arrangement by your own.
FYI i’m planning to perform umrah this year 2013 with my mother. Is it possible to avoid travel agent since i found none of them providing attractive packages. To much emphasizing on profit cause the package standard become to low.
I speak to one of travel agent i.e Tabung Haji Travel, they say normally saudi imigration will only allowed if you come with valid travel agent to perform umrah. Is that true?
Walaikum Assala Abdul Aziz!
Yes, we have always made arrangements through a travel agent, although not the entire package deal. For example, we book our own flights and sometimes our own hotels too (Masood has a friend in Madina who is kind enough to help us each time we’re in the city). It is true that you can not just go and apply for an Umrah visa yourself. You will need to contact a travel agent and apply through them.
Dear Sister Nadia,
Thanks for posting such a great experience. Today on 9 Jan 2013 In Sha Allah am leaving for Umrah by road from Sharjah. This is my first chance to visit for Umrah. While reading your experience i really felt cry and i pray to Allah to take me there as soon as possible. I am very much excited and my heart pounding. May Allah Accept my presence and forgive my sins. Remember me in your prayers and be blessed.
That will be quite a trip, subhanAllah! I pray you have a safe and pleasant journey. Mabrook on your Umrah.
nadia recently posted..Thaddo Dam and Farmhouse, Gadap
Hi,
can anyone guide me…….im not married and want to perform Umrah with my mom…will it be possible? or do I need to have a mehram?
Thanks
what a lovely story here..love to see the pictures and all:)
im planning to go umrah in june, currently im holding a residence visa from uae, can i bring my mother if shes on a visit visa to uae..? we are going for umrah from uae, is it possible?tks nadia
Thank you, leen!
Since your mother is on UAE visit visa, she will not be able to get Umrah visa from here. However, if she already has an Umrah visa issued from her home country, she can go to Saudi via UAE with you.
Hi,
can anyone guide me…….im not married and want to perform Umrah with my mom…will it be possible? or do I need to have a mehram?
Thanks
Freeha, as far as I know it is not possible for you to perform Umrah with just your mom. You need to have a mehram.
Hi
Beautiful and so informative – Thanks for taking time out to put into writing!
My hubby & I are going on Umrah in the 2nd week of Feb – really looking forward to it but a bit nervous in case if we won’t know what to do. Can you kindly advise some important tips – we are from England going to Madinah and then Mekkah – total visit time is 8 days.
Many thanks Allah Bless you and your family xx
Hi Fariha! Ameen to your dua. You may read my other posts on Umrah. I have written about my experiences in detail and hope that you may find the information useful, inshaAllah.
May Allah make your Umrah trip easy yet full of blessings. May you have all the opportunities to worship our Creator in the manner that befits Him. And may He accept all your dua and good deeds.
As Salaam Alaikum,
Tommorow is my flight, i m so happy … may allah accept my umrah and forgive me for my sins.
SYED AZHAR ALI
Walaikum assalam. Umrah mubarak to you!
Simply beautiful! InshaALlah going for Umrah this Ramadan. If there are any web-learning resources (regarding the performance of Umrah) that you found helpful, please do share. Jzk
Saira,
This is the most helpful and easy guide that I use each time. It’s the STEP BY STEP UMRAH GUIDE Compiled by Qamar J.Khan-Malik & Sr. Parveen
We always take a printout of this to use as reference. I hope you find it useful too, inshaAllah.
MashaAllah! I read it twice as i wanna go and its my first time inshAallh!
When are you going for Umrah? May Allah make it easy for you.
Subhanallah. Was so happy reading your article on Umrah. I am planning to go Inshallah this year. I have MS and been very ill with it am praying that this will make me feel better..Jazzak-allah for giving me the opportunity to read your article and make me more addament to go Inshallah..Allah haffiz..
Assalamu Alaikum Farah! May Allah ease your pain and make your affairs easy for you. Ameen.
salaam nadia….first of all would thank to my husband who have read your article n offered me to read it for my information for Umrah…im going for the very first time with two kids. I’m very much excited for that n ur such an informative post made me more excited to go to Holy city n feel the same eternal feeling which u felt…..May Allah give u Jazul kahir for this act.
Wasaallm
Walaikum assalam, Madiha. Ameen to your dua, and jazakAllah khair for your kinds words!
Mabrook on your umrah. May Allah make the journey easy for you and your family, and may you make the most out of this experience.
slm Nadia ….one of your pics show a stone laid by The Prophet at a mosque in Medina ….what is name of mosque and where is it ? Shuran
Walaikum assalam. I believe this stone is behind the masjid in Muzdalifah, if I remember correctly. It was our taxi driver who took us there. I think if you ask any local driver, they will be able to take you to that location, inshaAllah.
nadia recently posted..A Gloomy, Wet, and Cold Srinagar
Insha Allah im leaving for umrah on 1st May!