Medina, Saudi Arabia

Landed. The airport is huge. Took us quite a bit to travel from the plane to the terminal via the bus.

All the cleaners here seems to be part time sim card agents.

Just left the terminal at 11.22 pm. Arrived at the airport around 7.30pm.

Now bus stopped n the person next to me got off n into a cab. Hmm...

The bus ride was long. Saw a bus burning along the way. We reached the hotel very close to Subuh. Checked-in n proceeded to do my subuh prayers in Masjid Nabawi. My first impression, this place is huge. In order not get lost, I went to the nearest door, kept the slipper at the rack n prayed on the next area. After hearing stories about missing slippers, not taking a chance.

We had very little sleep. Only time we slept was on the bus which was not too comfortable. After Subuh, we had to gather for ziarah dalaman. Poor mother I had to rush her thru breakfast n go down. But everyone only left around 7+.

Mother could not walk fast n was left behind the group. I was watching her n when I turned to my group all of them went missing. Astagfirullah, how can one whole group just went missing. I knew that this was my instant punishment for chasing my mother. I look n look I could not find my group. Despaired, somehow I managed to arrive at Raudah, 4 attempts to get in all failure. There was so much pushing n shoving, it thought I would be stomped. So i said, i need to get out of here, all the sudden, someone pushed me in front. Took a while, suddenly there was an opening to either pray or exit. I had to exit. It really depends on ur niat. Since I said I wanted out, out I go. I walked pass Makam Nabi, said my Salam n to his two other sahabats.

I went around looking for my mom n sis, couldn't find them. I decided to do some shopping. Bought a few Jubah, but I don't think I negotiated well.

Later during Friday prayers, got a SMS from my sister. They are back to hotel. I was at the mosque around 10.30am for Friday prayers, by 11.00-11.30, the place was getting crowded. Soon the big space I had now is cramped. After the prayers as usual there will be sembahyang jenazah. Coming out of the huge mosque was a task by itself. Never have I seen such a huge congregation of people. Everywhere people till the eyes can see.

I returned to the room, my mother said he managed to get into Raudah. Wow.

I was frustrated that I couldn't get into Raudah. By maghrib I was a bit edgy n missing home. What a thing to say when ur at a place where everyone wants to be at.

I was still exhausted n legs were too tired. Prayed Isya in the room. Sleep n pasang niat to wake up around 12 am.

Got up around 12.30am, and headed to the mosque around 1.40am. Alhamdulliah, there was Raudah opening that I can even pick my place. Part of the reason it was available because the women section is open now. God has answered my prayers. Prayed n ask all my doas. Back to room now, awaiting subuh.

The first visit was to Masjid Quba where the first mosque was built by Rasullah SAW. There was already a massive crowd outside with lots of tour busses.

We got down to pray sunat tahyatul masjidi n solat Duha.

Here I need to share something that happen a day before.

On day 2 a sudden feeling of sadness was upon me. I was feeling lonely, sad and claustrophobic for some reason. Maybe I was home sick. I doa to God to provide me happiness has I am in your land which many wish to be here. After the doa, i was still kindda sad. But after walking out from the mosque, the feeling was gone n happiness descended on me. Alhamdulliah. The next day I met 2-3 nice ppl who helped me a lot during this journey. Ask and you shall receive.

So back to the story. I done my prayers and I followed my new found friend back outside of the Masjid Quba. I waited for my mother quite a while and she didn't show up. After a while I got a bit worried. Calling my sister's mobile proves using "Zain" network is useless. Its almost one hour now from the initial 15-30 minutes from the time that we were told to spend here.

Another friend from the army (Ltd Kol) came to help to look too. I prayed n prayed that I would find them, after about 10 minutes of searching I found them standing at a spot that I passed many times. We were the last to board the bus. Is it a test? Allah Wahlam.

Because of the delay, we had to skip some ground trip. We went to see Uhud, Khandak and masjid 7. Can't remember the rest. But we were back in time for Zuhur.

After lunch I took my sis n mom for some shopping. Sister bought 2 black Jubah n mom just bought one. Will get more from Mecca.

It's just amazes me from the mosque is full for Fardu prayers. People be running to the mosque. I had to go in at least an hour early to get a good spot but 30 minutes before prayers ur good spot it's not good anymore.

After Isyak, went back to start packing n I was dead tired. Thought of midnight prayers, cancelled. Big day tomorrow. Need energy.

I have this negative thought that Raudah is always tough to get in. I told today why not after subuh let's try. Done my subuh, and just walked over and there was a crowd but no that much. After about 10 minutes was in Raudah but the last row n managed to do a solat. It's amazing that I managed to get in. This is a holy land that niat it self is good enough. Alhamdulliah. Watch your thoughts here.

Spend the rest of the morning packing stuff and we will be doing our umrah later of the day. Regret that i spend much time in the hotel room instead in the mosque but it gave me time to read about Prophet's life story. It's a book called Biography of Muhammad Bin Abdullah. Absolute page turner. I could related more to Medina now after reading the book and the pain that Muhammad SAW had to go thru.

I managed to wear my ihram. Transferred all the bags to the bus safely. If I had some muscle it would nice to show off to the Arab girls. Bad bad thought.

We stopped at Bir Ali mosque for our Ihram sunat prayers. Surprisingly mother was already in the bus. So no delay this time. As I headed out to Mecca, I am taking the path of the prophet when he brought 1400 ppl to perform the first umrah from Medina. I see the hills, desert, black rocks and wonder how did they ever managed to travel 430 km on horses and camels? Amazing.