We prayed Fajr as a group in Muzdalifah each of us using our cloth mattresses as musallahs. After a quick munch of breakfast, which was the infamous cheese croissant and various other condiments most of the group made their walk back to our Mina Camp. The walk took approximately 45 minutes and we finally came to our home from home, our tents at 7am. Brother Altaf was first to greet us there and did he have a warm hug to give us all, it was as if he was lost and found.
We had a nice kip once we got back to the camp. And after lunch, we prayed Dhuhr and then Asr. And with that we as a group went with Military precision our Amir (The Algerian Brother whose name I did not catch who had broken shades I recall) to the Jamarat.
The jamarat was like the way I left it two year ago, there has been little change here and there but nothing striking. It was again easier than I thought. And more so than what Akluma thought it to be. After hearing much stories about the crowds and the dangers of the Jamarat, this was put to bed as Alhamdulillah with 3 floors and a widening shaytaan wall, and with a one way system all put in over the last 5-10 years or so it has made a significant difference.
Akluma and I were not feeling too well and this did not help with the amount of traffic on the return leg. We got back to our mina camp at around 7.30pm. With the animal sacrifice given to the agent, and both of us agreeing not to perform the Tawwaf al Ifdaa until we were both well, the only thing left for us to do, was to do the shaving (for the males of the pack that is).
Brother Waqeel was generous enough to provide me with one of his bic disposables and with this in my hand I went to find a barber. And Alhamdullilah Brother Rafiq accepted the task to shave my head. After a long grinding hour on my head, May Allah swt bless brother Rafiq with good in this world and the hereafter, I was a new born baby! With no mirrors around the camp, I did not know how I looked like. I could however imagine given that we were all mirrors to one another, one baldy to another.
Later on in the day we received confirmation that all those who arrange their sacrifice with Al Muntada, they were all complete. Alhamdulillah.
After Esha prayer and food, Akluma and I went to visit her Mother and Dulabhai at their mina camp #29. We bought some fruit for them on our way there. I met the infamous Dulabhai brother, aka “Moyna” who was with them for the course of Hajj. Moyna resides in Jeddah and with his knowledge of Hajj having been there many a time, and his fluency in Arabic he was a great asset to have along. He was very sweet and a gentle man, and had a great wit about him, rather different to his elder brother.
It was a long day and we headed back close to midnight to our camp where we rested until the adhaan of Fajr. This was the beauty of being in an Islamic country, to hear the morning adhaan, it really remunerates inside you, and causes you to think about your eminent meeting with your Lord, the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth. No matter how many times you hear the call to prayer, it is a most striking example of Tawheed.
Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar.
Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar.
Ash-hadu an la ilaha ill-Allah.
Ash-hadu an la ilaha ill-Allah.
Ash-hadu anna Muhammad-ar-Rasoolullah.
Ash-hadu anna Muhammad-ar-Rasoolullah.
Hayya 'alas-Salah. Hayya 'alas-Salah.
Hayya 'alal-falah. Hayya 'alal-falah.
Assalatu Khayrum Minan-nawm
Assalatu Khayrum Minan-nawm
Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar.
La ilaha ill-Allah.
English Translation:
Allah is Most Great. Allah is Most Great.
Allah is Most Great. Allah is Most Great.
I bear witness that there is none worthy of being worshipped except Allah.
I bear witness that there is none worthy of being worshipped except Allah.
I bear witness that Muhammad is the Apostle of Allah.
I bear witness that Muhammad is the Apostle of Allah.
Come to prayer. Come to prayer.
Come to Success. Come to Success
Prayer is better than Sleep
Prayer is better than Sleep
Allah is Most Great. Allah is Most Great.
There is none worthy of being worshipped except Allah.
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