We worked our way off the main floor trying to locate al-Safa. The starting point was up and to the right so we just moved with the crowd. It didn't look too busy, but as we reached the top of al-Safa there were tons of people and it was very crowded. We were nearly pushed to a crushing point as we tried to descend al-Safa towards Marwah.
There are so many du'as for this part of Umrah. One at the foot of al-Safa and Marwah, one very long one that must be repeated three times at the top of al-Safa and Marwah while facing the Kabah and one while walking. It was quite a test, but we pushed on and hoped to complete our Umrah atleast before Fajr.
It was very difficult to climb all the way up al-Safa and Marwah because this seemed to be the busiest time with loads of people especially way up on top of the mountains.
Finally we finished the Sa'ee, climbed down Marwah and went to drink some more Zum Zum from the fountains next to the Sa'ee area. We exited the Sa'ee area and went back into the masjid near As-Salam gate. My husband made two rakat while Hafsah and I sat down for a few minutes. My ankles were swollen and my feet were aching (remember I am pregnant). All that we had just completed was done without our shoes, on a hard marble floor. Tawaf and Sa'ee are done in your feet without shoes. No book or guide on Hajj mentions this walking in your feet, Masha-Allah. It's a masjid so I guess you are suppose to put two and two together, but I NEVER ONCE thought about that because I bought a brand new pair of walking shoes just for Hajj, Subhana-Allah!!! You have to take off your shoes because IMAGINE all the filth and muck that would be brought into the masjid if everyone didn't remove their shoes. Already they have special men that constantly mop the floors, Masha-Allah. It would be much worse and very very dirty if people were to wear shoes into the Haram.
My husband joined us after his two rakat and we all sat for a few minutes. By now it was about 3:30 am so we set out for the hotel before having to return to the Haram for Fajr. It was my idea to just stay until Fajr because it was only a few hours away anyway. However, my husband was anxious to eat something and to go back to the room for a little sleep.
We exited As-Salam gate and went back to where we had left our shoes in the bins. Allahu Akbar!!! Both pairs of our shoes were STILL in the bins, just as we left them untouched, Masha-Allah. We put our shoes on and headed back to King Abdul Aziz gate where we came in. Then, we headed up one street and to the hotel. This route didn't look the same as the one when we came down, so we turned around and headed up another street.
There are streets, multiple streets, that head up each side of the Haram and each street has a fork that goes up in different directions as well, Subhana-Allah! We had NO idea which street led to our hotel. We stopped to ask various people where our hotel was but no one knew.
Finally, my husband asked some Paksitani brothers at a shop. One of the brothers went to call the hotel, but I guess he couldn't get any information either. We remembered being up and cars being below but right now cars are up and we were below. One thing we knew for sure is that the first thing we saw upon descending the street when we were heading towards the Haram was the King Abdul Aziz gate. Based on this information, the brother said it must be up the other side of King Abdul Aziz gate.
By this time, it was nearly Fajr so we set out back towards the Haram and to King Abdul Aziz gate. You should have seen the pools of Muslims flocking towards the Kabah. My husband was so hungry we had to stop and get something to eat. I want fattoush so bad!!! Just a salad! Anything with lettuce! I mean after all, I am in an Arab country, Makkah, it must be everywhere (so I thought).
We stopped and ate at Faisalabad Restaurant because my husband is Pakistani and only eats Pakistani food. I didn't really eat because I was so tired. I just wanted water and my heart was set on fattoush (or any kind of salad). As we sat in the restaurant we heard the athan for Tahajjud from al-Masjid al-Haram!!! It was the most beautiful sound you have ever heard, Masha-Allah!!!
After eating it was time to head to the Haram for Fajr with the rest of the flock. The streets were already packed and backed up for prayer so we quickly bought some prayer rugs (9 riyals each) and then prayed witr out in the street along with everyone else. After witr the athan for Fajr was called from al-Masjid al-Haram again on loud speakers. It was so loud and so clear and so beautiful, Masha-Allah. Allahu Akbar!!!
Hafsah has been asleep most of the time only to wake up for a few minutes to drink and eat some cheerios. She was awake at the restaurant and during Fajr.
After Fajr the people again stood up and seemed to be waiting for something? Another prayer was about to begin so we stood up too. We again prayed a prayer that consisted of about four "Allahu Akbars" and one "Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullah." My husband said, "What was that?" I said, "That must have been a Janaza prayer, they must have one after every Salat, especially during Hajj."
We pushed forward through the crowd that was going the opposite way we were going. We made it back to King Abdul Aziz gate and up the other street that we were suppose to go up before after we had completed the Sa'ee. Now as we walked up this street there was a fork in the road. There was a street to the right and a street to the left. Which way do we go now. Hey!!! There was a sign pointing to the left for our hotel. Allahu Akbar!!! Alhamdulillah, things looked familiar and we sure weren't going to ever forget this route again, Insha-Allah!!!
We slowly pushed our bodies up the mountain towards the hotel in the pool of Muslims. It didn't bother me that the crowd was moving slowly because I like to walk a slow pace rather than a fast one because a fast one puts me out of breath. Pushing and pushing and pushing up the mountain I thought I wasn't going to make it up.
When we had nearly reached the top, a few minutes from the hotel, we stopped to buy some apples and oranges. Then, we proceeded to the hotel. After entering the hotel room we ate some apples and oranges and then we crashed until around 10:00-10:30 am.