We cut our hair to finish Ihram for Umrah. Then my husband set out for food. Just before Thuhr, Hafsah and I ate an apple. I heard the athan for Thuhr later on so I made wudu. I thought maybe I could pray with the Jamat while I was in the hotel room, but I didn't hear the Iqamah so I just started praying on my own. As soon as I said, "Allahu Akbar" I heard the Iqamah so I broke my Salah and tried to pray with the Jamat. It sounded like Sheikh Abd ar-Rahman Sudaise was leading the prayer. I was so excited, but I wasn't sure if I was hearing "Allahu Akbar" or "Stow" or what. So, I just prayed on my own.
After Thuhr Hafsah and I slept again. It seemed like we had just slept when my husband returned with lunch. He brought himself some Pakistani food and me a grilled chicked sandwich. Hafsah was still sleeping. Later on she woke up and I gave her some bread, chicken and juice.
After eating we all slept again. I woke up later wondering what time it was. It looked like it was getting dark outside or maybe there was a storm coming (I thought). I woke up my husband so I could see his watch. It was 6:30 pm, time for Maghrib. We heard the athan. We made wudu, prayed, and then headed for al-Masjid al-Haram for Isha.
On the way to the Haram we stopped to get some water canteens to put Zum Zum in. We almost made it to the doors of King Abdul Aziz gate, but were forced by authorities to sit right where we were for prayer because of the crowd.
We prayed two rakat after the beautiful athan. Then, we prayed four rakat behind Sheikh Abd ar-Rahman Sudaise! Yes, it was Sudaise this time!!! I knew that voice, Masha-Allah. It brought tears to my eyes to be standing in front of al-Masjid al-Haram praying behind Sheikh Abd ar-Rahman Sudaise hearing his voice LIVE!!!
After Isha we prayed two rakat and ascended into the pool of Muslims towards the Kabah. Our mission was "the Black Stone." We worked our way through a crowd that was going in the opposite direction we were going. We took off our shoes at King Abdul Aziz gate and carried them in with us. We worked our way to the Kabah. It was still so busy with so many Muslims making tawaf. I had read online that right after Isha was a good time to make tawaf and reach the black stone. I guess others had heard the same thing, so our mission was cancelled.
Instead of fulfilling our mission, my husband went to the Zum Zum water and filled up our canteens. The canteens were gold in color with the Kabah engraved on one side and the Prophet (SAW)'s masjid engraved on the other. Everyone had these beautiful canteens. The canteens were very inexpensive like 10 riyals each.
Then, we set off back to the hotel to sleep until around 3:00 am so we could come back for Fajr inside Masjid al-Haram, Insha-Allah. The walk was not so easy for me this time because already every bone and muscle was aching, Masha-Allah.
Let me tell you, the last thing on your mind during Umrah in Makkah is keeping the veil on. You can barely breathe as it is, Masha-Allah. To breathe is the first thing most imporatant than the face veil in a sea full of Muslims whose goal isn't to look at the bare faced women anyway (this was my thought). I only took off my face veil down past my nose and when men weren't right in my face. Many women were wearing the traditional black Abayah [just like the women in the time of our beloved Prophet (SAW)] with the shear veil completely covering the eyes and face, but even they were tested.
We made it up the mountain slowly to the hotel stumbling over more beggars. We stopped at one date shop to buy some Medinah dates. We bought the black kind that taste just like chocolate!
Back to the room we headed. Upon entering the hotel one brother met my husband and said we were to head to Mina tomorrow night. Subhana-Allah, so soon? The time was coming and already every muscle in my body was beat and I thought I couldn't go any further.
We ate some dates and my calves locked up on me. I could hardly stand, don't even think about walking. Since before Pakistan, my left hand was giving me trouble, but now it was locked up and virtually useless, Masha-Allah. I don't know what happened with my hand, Subhana-Allah. Then, I soaked my feet and calves in hot water.
We slept until 3:00 am. Hubby got up to make wudu and then said, "Hurry." I said, "Why don't you go by yourself." I tried to get up and head to the bathroom before returning to sleep, but I couldn't even stand. My calves gave out when I tried to stand, so my husband massaged them and then I could atleast stand after multiple attempts. Slowly I moved across the room to the bathroom. When I returned, Hafsah was awake eating dates with my husband. Then, hubby left for Fajr with "Fee Aman Allah."
I rubbed my left hand, throat, and calves with black seed oil. I drank Zum Zum water and made du'a to be able to go for Hajj. I also lost my voice. I couldn't speak. I didn't have a sore throat, I just had no voice, Masha-Allah. Pain medicine will be the #1 thing on MY list today. It already has been for the last few days or I would not have been able to do what I have done so far, Masha-Allah.
Hafsah and I ate an orange and played for awhile until Tahajjud athan. Then, I made wudu and prayed Tahajjud and Witr. I waited for Fajr athan and then prayed two rakat Sunnah. I waited and waited for Iqamah again, but then I heard Quran so I thought it had started already. I prayed on my own. In the middle of my thikr, I heard Iqamah. I opened the window to see if I could hear clearly so I could try to pray some rakahs with Jamat. The voice got to where I couldn't even hear it so I cancelled that idea again.
I finished thikr and played with Hafsah. I had decided at 3:00 am to stay in the hotel today and prepare for Mina by staying off my feet and rubbing my calves with oil. However, I just realized that today is Jumuah! How could I miss Jumuah at the Haram?
The Medina dates that I am eating (the black ones), I had for the first time in America. One of my husband's friends got them as a gift for us from the Saudi Embassy. They taste just like chocolate. They are so good, Masha-Allah.
My husband returned after Fajr. He was able to pray inside al-Masjid al-Haram this time AND he was also able to reach Station Ibrahim and see the foot prints, Masha-Allah. I don't think I will be going for Jumuah at al-Masjid al-Haram. My legs need to heal so I can perform Hajj, Insha-Allah.