Our last visit here was during Ramadhan earlier this year. Not so long ago. Of course nothing drastic change happened since then. Although my perfume shop has gone replaced by some interesting restaurants including an Indonesian, time seems to stand still in Madinah.
In the old part of Madinah towards Quba mosque, many abandoned shoplots can be seen. Business seems slow and isolated. I walked the whole 2 km from Masjid Nabawi to Masjid Quba with only a handful of others. Many others chose to move by bus. The outside of Masjid Quba full with people in transit to or from Makkah.
The morning sun was unforgiving although the time was only around 8 am. We escaped the heat and took refuge inside the air con Masjid Quba. What a relief! But soon the guard came and asked us not to be too comfortable (ie: lying down/sleep). Took a grab car back to the hotel for 14 rials.i was not feeling well, a cough has started to become nasty.
Rested and dragged myself to the mosque for Zuhr. When the pills kicked in, I will be okay. InsyaAllah .In two days we will be heading home and I need to be alive for the long journey. The travelling part should be enjoyed the most as eight hours of your life would be going away as you sit still in the airplane. Nothing much can be done if your head was spinning and the anxiety kept coming to attack you.
I will be okay. Insya Allah.
1:08 am . Waiting to be let into raudhah. The crowd was rowdy as usual with the app and everything but not as chaotic as in Ramadhan. A bit toned down although a few just couldnt wait to go in. We were put into lots and they release us whenever the raudhah area is free. I was in lot no.3 for a schedule at 1:30 am entry. I suddenly realised a sense of calm among the guards; maybe because they know the routine already. But these people always behaving impatiently making me nervous as well.
After a few minutes they moved the barriers away and we rushed out like a flock of sheeps moving from one feedlot to another. I moved along to get this over with. The raudhah was packed but surprisingly my son and I could move up until we can secure a place between the mimbar and the musoleum. The patterns and color on the tiang also marked the raudhah area. We prayed and made doa until our time was up. Alhamdulillah, Allah made it easy for us. Last time I was pushed , squeezed inbetween and blocked down. Only little chance to make use of the raudhah visit.
Allahumma solli ala saidina muhammad
May we meet on the day of judgement. Ameen Ya Rabb.
