The last part – Umrah part 3

Now that we had performed the tawaf and had walked our seven laps, it is time to focus on the prayer. After tawaf, it is customary to perform two units of prayer behind the maqam Ibrahim. This is a stone related to the construction of the Kaaba by the prophet Ibrahim a.s.. To us, it is known as the golden dome next to the Kaaba. We looked for a place behind the maqam, so that the maqam would be between yourself and the Kaaba and here we offered our prayers. A very special prayer, after all you are engaged in the Umrah. Each of us performed the prayer. It was now time for a very nice part: drinking zamzam water and drinking a lot of it. Zamzam water is a rare commodity in Europe. Every now and then, you get a bottle when a family member has been to Mecca. You drink a few sips of it. But now I was at the very well of this blessed water. Water that can serve to satisfy hunger. What a special moment to be able to drink unlimited now and to be able to make supplications. There is both cold and lukewarm water, cups are constantly being refilled so that the thirsty pilgrim can continue to enjoy this water. We had now fulfilled two pillars of the little supplication. The Ihram and the Tawaf. We are now preparing for a heavy part. The Sa’i … 

We would now travel seven times the distance between the mountains Safa and Marwa. Like Hajar had to do to look for food. She did this while she had to leave Ismail as a baby for a while. At first, I thought this was about two large mountains outside the mosque, but it concerns two smaller mountains that are located in the mosque, that’s how the mosque was built. We started this ritual by saying a Quran verse. “Verily, as-Safaa and al-Marwah are among the signs of Allah. So, whoever performs Hajj to the house or ‘Umrah; he is not to blame for walking between the two. ” After we had said this, we walked to the mountain Safa. You can still see this mountain behind glass. Here we pronounce dua. It is a long dua and we said it together, you can also do your own dua. Then we walked to Marwa, which is quite a bit. I was already feeling a little bit tired, but I knew it wouldn’t be long before we’d complete our Umrah. At the deepest point between the two mountains there is a piece that is lit green. Here we had to run at a somewhat faster pace. You have to be careful that your cloths are securely attached. At Marwa we did the same dua again. This time we were on the mountain. After this we had to return to Safa. So, we went up and down … 

Seven times we had to cover the distance and each time had to increase our pace in the green part. In the end I felt fatigued, but at the same time also an enormous satisfaction. We ended at Marwa, a few friends were already waiting there, they were even faster. It felt very good to have completed the Umrah. It’s a beautiful adoration. There was now only one case left for us. When leaving the mosque, the sun was already bright in the sky. Our leader took us through a special route, a number of stairs and some door. And suddenly we were at a large barbershop. This is where it had to be done, our fluffy heads would become bald here. It was nice to see each other go through it, one by one. As a bunch of little kids, we had a lot of fun. It was a crazy sensation to feel my completely bald head. This was then the official completion of our little pilgrimage. And this also ends our adventure. I hope I have been able to suck you into this adventure. And may Allah make it easier for everyone to visit this place and also perform the small or large pilgrimage. Thank you for reading.

Author: Youssef