Pilgrims At Home

Pilgrims means ones who are in a journey to the holy place i.e Makkatul Mukarramah. I didn't get a chance performing hajj yet, so can I be a pilgrim too? Hmmm.

Last Monday evening I went to the MSA sisters discussion. It's awkward at first but later, because of the same one mission; to taqarrub nafs ila rabbi, I began to be at ease, surrounding by new friends. Almost 20 were present, I guess.

We started off with a brief introduction of ourselves and then Sis Zaynab recited a long du'a. It was very sad if we listen to it carefully and open our hearts. Her du'a is mostly in English, thus the words uttered are inshaallah able to touch the hearts of the diverse participants. (from the non-hijabis to hijabis) I heard sobbings. Her voice is breaking. Feeling of remorse seeps in... Allah, I wish to record the du'a.

She continued by telling us about Zulhijjah. Particularly, about the blessed ten days of Zulhijjah and Hajj or pilgrimage and day of Arafah. It is on the day of Arafah, which is ninth of Zulhijjah, Allah has perfected our religion. Allah said in the Quran in Suratul Maedah;

 الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِى وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الأِسْلاَمَ دِيناً

This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.”

It would be such a great waste for Muslims who aren't performing Hajj to not fast during this day. Our sins from two years are being expiated; the past year and the coming year. In the previous ayyahs, Allah told us about hajj and being in ihram; the do's and dont's. Sis Zaynab used an analogy of the thin rods/pillars on top of skyscrapers. Having those had probably made a building slightly taller and eventually gets its name into the World Records Book. So, she was saying that Islam is like the skyscrapers. There are many main pillars used to build it to be tall and concrete and strong but the Hajj pillar is what completes the majestic building; just like the thin pillars on top of the world, touching the sky. Gagah perkasa di udara~

Before the session ends, each of us are given a sheet. The big title on top of the page reads 'Pilgrims At Home'. There are tables of acts of worship we can do at home such as, fasting, tahajjud, tasbeeh, reciting Quran, Zikr, Dhuha, Witr and even Staying Awake after Fajar!, The total points awarded for each of the acts are also written. There are rewards for those who managed to get high points! How sweet. Dunya rewards plus ajr minallah! But now, ten days are coming to the end, how I wish it'll be much longer. Nevertheless, I'm gonna continue trying my best to score as high as I can! Inshaallah!

Alhamdulillah alhamdulillah I was given the chance to be among those who remember and praise Him that night. May Allah gives us the unity of hearts in seeking His Blessing. Allah, I love you and please guide our hearts to always submit ourselves to You.

Can you see the resemblance between the science and Islam? Allah truly is the Most Powerful..

EID MUBARAK! :)