Towards Haramain

CHAPTER 2 - Preparations and Feasts

I began massaging my head, applying some coconut oil. I'm extremely tired. I feel relaxed after the oil gave it's best results to me soothing my scalp. Now I need something to eat. Too hungry. These exams are taking all my energy away. I'm obviously preparing for my 2nd PUC midterm exams or you can say 12th grade exams. After munching down an apple and cookies, I offered my prayer and went to sleep.

Why do we care when it's Sunday and you have made some efforts to arrange few supplements for your approaching journey. My sister is checking out the list she has made and I'm trying to arrange things.
"Dude, can't we carry this. It's going to get too heavy...''
''I think we better arrange stuff according to our sense, later it will obviously be finalize by Abbu and Mama.''
''Right!'' I responded.
Last time we forgot to take an extra pair of socks for each of us, so we need to make sure we include that. Okay?
I nodded my head.

We decided to carry six suites for each of us keeping our luggage minimal.

Just a little bit more of work and we were done for the day.

''Which classroom are you allotted in?'' my classmate Sandra asked me ''2C!''. ''Good for you dude! Mine on 4rth Floor in 2nd HEBA. I need to climb all the way long.'' ''Good luck!'' was all I could say.

Today was my first day of exam and I had Chemistry and it went good. The next day is a holiday for Physics which is day after. Tomorrow my family are going to attend a feast for the fact that my family is going to Umrah. But! The sad notification is that I will not be going. Although mother dear is insisting to join them but I need to study for my next exam. I'm sure I would be rewarded for that as well. There is another feast ahead which I must assuredly attend. So this one needs to be terminated.

Honestly, I did not know days would go ahead rapidly, and I would be left with only three days for my journey. My last English exam was yesterday and today we all are set for another feast held by my Maternal Grandparents. Everyone are arriving to the place which includes my Uncles, Aunts, Cousins etc. On the way I'm practicing a Nasheed or Nazm, Naat, Hamd in Urdu to sing there in the program.

''I welcome you to this beautiful gathering. Firstly, this gathering is held to please The Lord of The Worlds, Our Creater, The Magnificiant, The Merciful. It is he whose Rahmah has made us assemble here. Secondly, we all are together as one lucky family among us all have been accepted to embark on an soulful journey of Umrah. They are indeed fortunate to be blessed that Allah has accepted them once again. May Allah accept there journey, may Allah forgive us for our shortcomings and accept us all. "

''I call upon Fazal Ahmed to recite Qirath to began this auspicious occasion''. ''I further invite Mohammed Hammad and Aliya Amber to sing a Hamd with their melodious voice.'' After a couple of hamds, naats and nazms on umrah came my turn. ''I called Siddiqa to grace this occasion with her mesmerizing Voice" my Uncle said. Alhumdulillah I'm blessed with voice which makes me praise my Lord and Prophet saw. I began singing in Urdu a remix of few Ash-aar which I had been practicing.

تیرے حرم کی کیا بات مولا
تیرے کرم کی کیا بات مولا
How great is your Haram O My Lord
How great is your nobility O My Lord

تا عمر کر دے آنا مقدر
رب مجھ کو بلائے گا
میں کعبہ کو دیکھوں گا
Destine us to come forever
The Lord will surely call me
I will surely see the Ka'aba

مدینے والے سے میرا سلام کہنا
الله الله آخر ہم مدینے چلے
سیکھنے زندگی کے قرینے چلے
Send my salutations to the prophet of Medina
By Allah, we finally go to Medina
To learn the essence of life

ذائرے کعبہ روزے پے جا کر
تو سلام میرا رو رو کے کہنا
O visitors of Ka'aba, when you go to Medina
Send my salutations with heart of remorse

Everyone had tears in there eyes, It was a very special moment. I was blessed with a gift beyond words. This is not something easy. Allah calls to house to selected and chosen individuals. Some people think it is not a big deal flying over and going to a place. Yes! It's not a big deal in terms of flying and visiting a place. But to go to these sacred places one needs the call of the lord. It is whom Allah wills answers the call to his house, to Medinah, the place of beloved Mohammed saw. There are many people in the world who fly to thousands of countries and enjoy their journey but fail to go to Makkah and Medinah or never consider it in their list. It is all what Allah wants.

After Abbu finished his Bayan and the majlis concluded with Dua leaving everyone teary eyed. The next came the flower garlands in trays with Attar(Perfume) and shawls for the men and a pair of clothes for each one of us. As the flower garlands where put in our neck, children threw flower bits on us and everyone began congratulating, hugging, requesting their prayers, and conveying their salam to the prophet saw. We ate the delicious Biryani, Kebabs, deserts, sweets and juices as the laughter spread the entire house. We will be spending the night here with all families together. This day ended all well. Alhumdulillah!

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