3:40 am. As we stepped out,the street was wet. The hailstones had been hitting our window since early morning. But people were seen coming and going, regardless. The slippery part was my concern so was pretty cautious with my steps. It was a short walk (about 10 minutes) and we reached one of the many gates of this grand mosque. A trail leading to Ajyad gate has a ramp that needed to be hiked. Alhamdulillah my knees could negotiate this ramp quite nicely.
Feeling a bit tired today all of the sudden. Stopped by a zamzam station and filled up my small bottle. That will be enough until imsak.
When the azan came on, my leg started to ache. This is not a good sign. A diabetic man with pain in a leg doesn’t tell a good story. I will cut short my morning routine and go back to put something on. I needed more rest as well.
My heart felt prayers go to an elderly couple from Malaysia. Three days after arriving in Mecca , the husband started to get water retention in the leg. With the history of diabetic and heart problems, he got sicker. Admitted to a hospital here, doctor advised a full treatment . That means he will be warded for a long time and miss his umrah trip . The bill also will be substantial. They decided to quit umrah and went home. In Jeddah airport while waiting for the plane, he collapsed and died. What a tragic episode to happen to a couple of old people. They probably spent all of their savings to finance the trip. Their package was for the whole month of Ramadhan. I pity his wife the most as her trip came to an end as well plus having the grief of losing her husband. We can plan but Allah has a bigger plan for us; so seek guidance and help from Allah.
Doa is a powerful tool to a muslim. We were told that many many times with hadeeth and quranic verses to back it up. I have yet to learn that fully. To understand how “asking”can change anything. But after many nights of doa, i realised it was not about changing things but doa gives you a constant hope, renew your commitment and establish a stronger connection to execute your goals. Ask for more time and space, instead, so you can work out your problem. Ask to be strong in faith, so you will have the will and confidence to make your life better. The effort must come from you , the conviction will be from Allah. Doa is not rhetorical but as real as anything can be. To ask (make doa) in whatever manner you know is one thing but to feel deep inside the conviction of your doa is another mind boggling experience. Lesson learnt.
My access to the rooftop was denied. All entrances were closed. Instead, was diverted to the new mosque expansion. Oh no! That would mean a long way back.it’s still time to reroute but I thought let’s do this new port.
Huge! That’s the only word for this building. You are small at the foot of its many monumental pillars. The capacity of this new expansion alone may well be two or three times more than the existing mosque. This part of the grand mosque is new and have better facilities, plenty of space and good access (many elevators and wide walkways).
The problem is my hotel is in the old part of the mosque where the traffics were bad and the streets wet and dirty. It will take a good forty minutes to navigate through the crowds later.
The time for iftar is close and chaos pursued. I thought here things are different with spacious area and sophisticated building. Nope! The same thing happened where people are fighting for a place to sit down and break the fast. The police yelled and people moved away with ugly smile on their faces. There is no space anywhere else.but I am sure afterwards things will get settled. And it did. We break our fast and prayed Maghrib like nothing happened. Afterwards everyone departed to come again for Isya/taraweeh and argue all over again.
Alhamdulillah fi kullihal
