My Pilgrimage to Mecca by Nussrat

"In 2008 my husband Abshar (Aby) and I went on a trip of a lifetime, pilgrimage to Mecca. It wasn’t planned and we didn’t do much research or preparation for the sacred journey as sheer excitement took over. We thought as we are going with family we will just follow their lead, do what they do, and all will be well. Little did we know that would not be the case.

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and it takes place in the last Islamic month. The Islamic calendar contains the same 12 months but is based on the indication of the moon and its movements around the earth. This is also known as the Hijiri calendar and is centred on the lunar calendar consisting of 12 lunar months in a year this is why the dates of Ramadan/Hajj etc. change each year. ​​​​​​​

The holy pilgrimage takes place in Mecca, Saudi Arabia every year and it practices retracing many of the steps taken by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). It is compulsory for all Muslims to perform this pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime.

I was very excited and happy to be going on our first ever pilgrimage, especially with my husband. I felt a combination of nerves and heightened euphoria when thinking about standing in front of the Ka’bah. The Ka’bah signified a place of unity for Muslims irrespective of background or race. I felt honoured and blessed to have been there in person.

As we’d not done much research or preparation, we didn’t exactly know what to expect. We didn’t know the stages of performing the pilgrimage, what was expected of us as pilgrims, the etiquette and patience required and most of all the dedication in prayer. We relied heavily on others to guide and navigate us through the blessed journey of Hajj.

The incredible diversity of people journeying far and wide was a sight to behold. Groups of individuals interlocked arms to stay together, I always held my husband's hand tightly so as not to get swept away with the wave of people passing. It was an eye-opening experience. The journey of Hajj is a social one, someone will be there to offer help and support when needed. We had a fantastic time with other pilgrims and family members, sharing stories, camping together, sleeping under the stars and travelling by foot for miles on end.

I would say the best experience was seeing the city of Mecca, the lights illuminated by the radiance of the towering minarets, the glow of a bustling city of shops and the most beautiful of sounds - the prayers echoing throughout the city.

Even though we had an incredible time we didn’t feel content that we had performed Hajj independently without the assistance of others. So in 2009, we decided to perform pilgrimage again but this time we researched on how to perform Hajj and prepared ourselves mentally and physically. That year when we returned to Mecca, we knew exactly why we were there and how to perform the pilgrimage. This made the experience more personal and satisfying. It was now a second home to us and we walked through the bustling streets in confidence.

When we visited Mecca mobile phones and other devices were not permitted within the holy site so we decided to leave them at home. Pilgrims would be randomly checked to make sure no devices were taken into the holy site and if a device was found then it you were not allowed to enter. 

You see, performing the pilgrimage is not as easy as it seems, it requires a lot of dedication and commitment. A lot of time and devotion is spent in prayer, travelling from one sacred place to another and continuing this until the 10th day of Dulhajj. I would recommend anyone who is planning to go on pilgrimage to prepare their mind and soul for the trip. To try and fulfil the pilgrimage whilst you are young and able- bodied because both physical and mental strength is required to perform the Hajj.

On the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah Eid-al-Adha is celebrated. Eid al-Adha is the second of the Eid celebrations lasting 3 to 4 days depending on the moon sighting. On this day Muslims sacrifice an animal in remembrance of the prophetic sacrifice carried out by the Prophet Ibrahim (AS). The sacrifice of the animal is called ‘Qurbani’. Qurbani is compulsory for all Muslims who are of the age of puberty, of sound mind and have a disposable income. The sacrificed animal is shared out to the poor and needy. This is also a way to remember that there is more to this world than the material things we possess and a way for us to remember the poor and helpless, and to help us build a stronger community.

I embarked on a journey not once but twice with my husband, a journey which I long to go on again. The memories I cherish will live with me forever."

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