alhamdulillah we completed day 5 with ease. all of us had built up experience during the ramee of days 3 and 4 to know what we had to do.
we are back in makkah now and with that alhamdulillah, we have completed our hajj.
it has been an enlightening journey, not only to the holy land, but to find the better beings and better muslims within ourselves.
these are moments that will stay with us forever. being here with 20 people of our immediate and extended family, living together, eating together, praying together, has strengthened the bond between us all. may allah keep strengthening that. ameen.
the day of arafat will always stay with us all, in particular the heartfelt dua that the imam of our group made to allah at the end of the day, that didn't leave a single dry eye in the group.
that day changed us all.
personally, i realise how i have neglected the farz (compulsory requirements of a muslim) amongst other things and still the almighty blessed me and members of our family with the chance to be here, to atone for our sins and make a new start. inshallah, at the very least, i intend to keep up with the farz.
in addition to arafat, the extremely cold night in muzdalifah under the stars, braving the crowds during the pelting of the jamaraat and taking an active part in the qurbani (sacrifice) was character-building to say the least as we overcame our own numerous small, medium and big devils to fulfil the rites of hajj.
this whole trip has taught us all to exercise great 'sabr' (patience) in all aspects of our life.
may allah accept everyone's hajj. ameen.
