Hajj Performance Evaluation

today, Tabung Haji officers conducted the Hajj performance evaluation to ensure that all the essential pillars of Hajj were completed correctly, including determining whether any dam was required in the event of violations...

Alhamdulillah, after the review, the Hajj performed by myself, Walid, and Umi was confirmed to be complete and valid, with no dam imposed... there were also some issues faced by certain pilgrims during the stoning ritual on the Days of Tasyriq... during Nafar Awal, our group performed the stoning after Subuh - before reaching the stoning area - and it was deemed valid for that day, as it was the day we were leaving Mina... however, some pilgrims had thrown their stones before Subuh or were already beyond the 3 Jamrah boundaries before Subuh; in such cases, their stoning was not considered valid and they were required to offer a dam of one goat... this applies specifically to those who had already departed Mina...

this evaluation session was very beneficial, as it allowed us to understand any mistakes that could occur during the Hajj rituals... as for my routine in Makkah, I continued as usual - performing all obligatory prayers in congregation at Al Haram mosque...

The Blessed Completion of Hajj

we arrived Masat Al-Badaya at 12 noon... for today and tomorrow, meals are provided by the Saudi authorities to ensure that all Tabung Haji personnel can complete their Jamrah stoning on the 3rd day of Tasyriq...

our usual routine continued, performing the obligatory prayers in congregation at Masjidil Haram... later that night, we completed the final rites of Hajj... Alhamdulillah, our pilgrimage for this year has come to a successful end... All praise be to Allah SWT...

Nafar Awal

we arrived in Mina on 21 August 2018 (10 Zulhijjah) at 10 am, which was also the 1st day of Aidiladha... the traffic was extremely congested... each Mina tent section could only accommodate 15 pilgrims, so we had to arrange our space carefully... once everything was organized, I immediately approached the Tabung Haji staff to request eye drops... unfortunately, the stock had run out, so I had to walk about 10 minutes to the Saudi Ministry of Health clinic... by Allah’s grace, the doctor on duty happened to be a Malaysian who had been serving there for many years, which made communication effortless... I obtained the eye drops - specifically meant for sandstorm irritation - and Alhamdulillah, after the very first application, my eyes began to recover... I only needed to use it for one day before my vision returned to normal...

our group was scheduled for the first round of stoning after Maghrib, meaning we had remained in the state of ihram from the start of our journey in Arafah until now... I performed the stoning on behalf of Walid and Umi due to health reasons, following the condition that I had to cast the stones for myself first before doing so on their behalf, at all 3 jamrah...

the walk to the Jamrah was quite long, but Alhamdulillah, travelling together made it feel much easier... once we completed the 1st day’s stoning ritual, we were allowed to leave the state of ihram and change into regular clothing... all ihram restrictions no longer applied...

Tabung Haji staff later informed us that our group needed to perform Nafar Awal, meaning we would depart Mina earlier - on 12 Zulhijjah (23 August 2018) - before sunset (before the Maghrib prayer)... this was necessary because our return flight to Malaysia was scheduled earlier... below are the conditions for performing Nafar Awal:

• must leave Mina before sunset (before the Maghrib prayer) on 12 Zulhijjah...
• must have completed the stoning at all 3 Jamrah on both days of Tasyriq - 11 and 12 Zulhijjah...
• must have fulfilled the requirement of Mabit (overnight stay) in Mina for 2 nights: the nights of 11 and 12 Zulhijjah...
• must make the intention for Nafar Awal before leaving Mina; the intention may be made while on the way out of Mina...
• must not have the intention to return to Mina to spend the night again for the current Hajj...

today, I completed the stoning ritual for the 1st day of Tasyriq... tomorrow, I will perform the 2nd round of stoning for the 2nd day of Tasyriq before moving to Masat Al-Badaya... it has been a blessed day for me: first, I had the chance to meet my former student, Haji Mohd Idzham, together with his wife, while performing the stoning at the Jamrah... secondly, I unexpectedly met an old friend from primary school - Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Uda, Alor Setar, Kedah - Haji Anuar Abu Bakar and Hajjah Yus Yussoff... we are all from the SKTU ’89 batch... Alhamdulillah, we were able to reunite at Maktab 76 in Mina... it truly felt like an alumni gathering in conjunction with the celebration of Aidiladha...

Mabit in Mudzalifah

Alhamdulillah, our bus arrived at the designated Malaysian pilgrims’ area in Muzdalifah at 6:30 pm... Muzdalifah is a sacred land situated between Mina and Arafah in Saudi Arabia, forming part of the Masyair Haram... for those performing Hajj in the month of Zulhijjah, we are required to spend time in Muzdalifah - at least from the emergence of dawn on the Day of Nahr, 10 Zulhijjah, according to the Shafi‘i school; while the Hanbali school allows the stay from the latter half of the night of the Day of Nahr until sunrise...

our dinner was brought from Arafah, and drinking water was also provided here... with the desert sand beneath us, we prostrated to Allah and later slept on the sand... the night atmosphere was lively as many pilgrims walked towards Mina after completing their mabit, while others rushed to board the buses heading there... since Walid is elderly, I advised him to just rest; we planned to take the bus only after sunrise...

that night, my eyes began to feel very dry... I had to keep moistening them with water, as no medication was available here - I would have to obtain it later in Mina... the dryness was likely due to the sandstorm earlier, so I took the opportunity to rest...

we also performed congregational prayers here... at 7 am, we all lined up to board the buses provided by Tabung Haji staff... my eyes were still dry, but manageable... what mattered most was ensuring Walid’s comfort, despite the tests Allah SWT placed before us...

Visiting Habib Ashraf Hamid Al-Khered in Arafah

our bus will depart from Arafah after Asar and head to Muzdalifah, where we will spend the night in the open - without tents, simply resting on mats laid over the desert ground... before leaving, I took the opportunity to visit Habib Haji Ashraf Hamid Al‑Khered, the husband of my wife’s cousin... Alhamdulillah, we managed to meet in Arafah at the Wira Saujana Maktab 83 tent, which was conveniently located just across the main road from my own tent... for anyone interested in arranging Umrah or Hajj packages, he can be contacted through Wira Saujana Travels & Tours Sdn. Bhd...

after the visit, I returned to our tent to pack my belongings and tidy up our space... my time in Arafah has been an experience I will never forget - the first year that air‑conditioning was installed in the tents, and the test of enduring a sandstorm... these moments will remain deeply etched in my memory...

Wuquf in Arafah

today marks the pinnacle of Hajj - the day of wuquf in Arafah, one of the essential pillars of the pilgrimage... it is a moment of deep reflection, commemorating the event when Prophet Adam AS and Hawa were sent down from paradise to earth after being deceived by evil and disobeying Allah SWT’s command... separated upon arrival, they wandered the earth for 40 years before finally reuniting at the plain of Arafah, specifically at Jabal ar‑Rahmah... it was here that they pleaded for Allah SWT’s forgiveness for many years, and their repentance was eventually accepted...

for this reason, Arafah has become a sacred place for us to express remorse for our sins and to earnestly seek Allah SWT’s forgiveness, hoping that our supplications will be accepted... wuquf takes place after the sun passes its zenith - beginning at the entry of Zohor on 9 Zulhijjah and lasting until before Fajr on 10 Zulhijjah...

the Arafah sermon was delivered by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Datuk Dr. Mujahid Yusof Rawa, at a tent located near ours... All of us listened attentively as the khutbah was broadcast through loudspeakers installed in every tent...

I prayed for myself, my wife, my children, and my entire family, as well as for all the supplications entrusted to me - carefully written down in a special diary prepared for the wuquf prayers... Alhamdulillah, I was also able to complete the recitation of the Al-Quran by midday...

Sandstorm in Arafah

this was one of the major tests faced by the Hajj pilgrims this year - a sandstorm that lasted for more than 2 hours... Alhamdulillah, our tent remained safe and secure, as the Saudi authorities have implemented modern technology to withstand such conditions... however, several Saudi workers’ tents, zinc roofs, and other structures outside were blown away... eventually, the authorities decided to cut the electricity supply for safety, leaving us in darkness throughout the storm... the air‑conditioning would only be restored the next morning after Fajr, as the staff needed time to repair the damage caused by the winds...

throughout the sandstorm, I maintained my pace of reading the Al- Quran and making zikir... once the storm subsided around midnight, I chose to stay outside the tent because it was too warm inside... with only a mat spread on the ground, Walid and I slept on the sand under the open sky... the cold night air made it a unique and unforgettable experience... Allahu Akbar...

Placement in Arafah

Alhamdulillah, we arrived in Arafah at 12:30 noon... the journey tested us when many access routes were closed by the Saudi authorities, causing delays - our bus, though among the first to depart, was the last to reach the Malaysian Arafah tents... nevertheless, such challenges are part of the trials granted by Allah SWT... all meals were provided directly by the Saudi authorities, allowing Malaysian food service volunteers to rest and fully focus on their Hajj rituals...

this year also marked the first time the Malaysian Arafah tents were equipped with air‑conditioning, making the interior pleasantly cool... we were placed in Block H and assigned a section that accommodates about 20 pilgrims... we had to arrange our sleeping spots thoughtfully, and naturally, I ensured that Walid’s resting space was given priority for comfort...

these hot‑water dispensers are provided in every Maktab, making it easy for us to prepare hot tea or coffee whenever needed... the most popular item here, of course, is Maggi - quick to cook and perfect just as it is... I even brought some serunding from home, and mixing it together with the Maggi makes it absolutely delicious...

the meals provided by the Saudi authorities tend to be the typical Arab style - generally quite dry... so having serunding and sambal definitely helps enhance the flavour and appetite... regardless of the menu, fresh fruits are always supplied, and there is more than enough mineral water available for everyone...

toilets are also provided here, but it’s important not to spend too much time inside during peak hours... each restroom is marked clearly with male or female symbols, and the women’s area is usually surrounded with barriers for added privacy... 

I took the opportunity today in Arafah to continue reading the Al-Quran, aiming to complete it by tomorrow before we depart for Muzdalifah... I prefer sitting outside the tent because the air‑conditioning inside makes it quite cold... 

To Arafah

Alhamdulillah, throughout my stay in Mecca, I was blessed with the opportunity to perform congregational prayers at Al Haram mosque and to complete the recitation of the Al-Quran twice within the sacred mosque... every night, from the moment I arrived in Medina until reaching Mecca, I would contact my wife through Yahoo Messenger, speaking with her and the children to ease their longing... our small bag has already been packed with the essentials needed for our stay in Arafah and Mina... ya Allah, I respond to Your call to perform Hajj this year... as we enter into the state of ihram, we must uphold all its rulings and prohibitions - any violation would require a compensatory dam... may Allah make this journey accepted and blessed...

Preparation for Arafah

we were advised not to go to Al Haram mosque over these 3 days, so the Friday prayer was performed at the surau instead... tomorrow, we will depart for Arafah, with the buses expected to leave after 7:00 am... we will enter into the state of ihram for Hajj from Masat Al-Badaya... throughout these 3 days, Tabung Haji officers have been conducting comprehensive Hajj briefings covering Arafah, Muzdalifah, Mina, Tawaf, and Saie... Alhamdulillah, I was also able to complete the recitation of the entire Al-Quran during this period...

Mecca #15 Haji Mirza Asadullah

Alhamdulillah... I had the opportunity to meet my former Bachelor of Hospitality Management student, Haji Mirza Asadullah, who is currently serving as a Cost Controller at the Marriott Hotel Makkah... I am truly proud of him... his warm hospitality and the refreshing drink he offered were greatly appreciated... may Allah bless him and his family always... this year marks his 7th time performing Hajj - Masya Allah, an extraordinary blessing... 

Mecca #16 Haji Mohd Idzham

this is Haji Mohd Idzham, my former student from the Bachelor of Hospitality Management programme- affectionately known by his nickname, Da’am... Alhamdulillah, I was able to meet him here in Mecca... this photo was taken at Zwar Albait Burj, Maktab 79 in Zone B... congratulations Da’am, for being blessed with the opportunity to perform Hajj at such a young age, together with your wife... may you continue to find success in this world and the Hereafter...

 

Mecca #15 Haji Zainal

at UNITAR, we affectionately address him as Ayahanda - none other than Haji Zainal Abidin, former Deputy Dean of FHTM/FCT... this marks his second time performing Hajj, with his first pilgrimage taking place during his service in the era of ITTAR, a special collaboration project with Tabung Haji... this time, he is blessed to be accompanied by his wife... the photo was taken inside Room 0653 of Abraj Janadriyah, the main Tabung Haji - managed hotel in Mecca, located in Zone A... Alhamdulillah, I was able to meet Ayahanda once again... bay he be granted success in this world and the Hereafter...

 

Mecca #14

I focused solely on a special walking tour within two main areas: Maktab locations in Zone A, situated around the Shu‘ib Amir area, and those in Zone B, located within the Ajyad district... keeping the visit simple and meaningful, I explored these zones entirely on foot, allowing me to fully appreciate the surroundings, observe the movement of pilgrims, and take in the unique atmosphere that characterizes each area... the slower pace made the experience more reflective and allowed me to connect more deeply with the places I visited...  

Zone A

Qasr al‑Janadriyah shares its name with the famous Janadriyah cultural heritage festival near Riyadh... It serves a different purpose - providing accommodation for visitors and pilgrims within close reach of key landmarks... the area surrounding the hotel offers easy access to Al Haram mosque, with major sites such as the Kaabah and Maqam Ibrahim located approximately one kilometer to the south... its strategic location makes it a convenient and practical base for those seeking comfort while remaining close to the spiritual heart of the city...

Al Fajer Al Badea is known for offering essential amenities such as air‑conditioned rooms, flat‑screen televisions, and on‑site facilities that cater to pilgrims, the hotel provides a practical and accessible base for those performing Umrah or Hajj... its proximity to bustling shops, transport points like the Saptco bus station, and nearby mosques makes it a suitable option for travelers seeking comfort while remaining close to the spiritual heart of Mecca...

Zon B

Jawharat Al‑Bait offering guests convenient access to Al Haram mosque, which lies only a short walking distance away - approximately 450 metres... designed with a blend of contemporary comfort and traditional Arabian touches, the hotel features a 24‑hour front desk, Wi‑Fi, elevators, and more than 180 well‑furnished rooms to accommodate pilgrims during their stay... Its strategic location, combined with essential amenities and a welcoming atmosphere, makes Jawharat Al‑Bait a practical and appealing choice for those seeking a comfortable base while fulfilling their religious obligations in the holy city...

Bakkah Al‑Salah offering convenient access to the Al Haram mosque and the Clock Tower complex, all within a short walking distance... designed for the comfort of pilgrims, the hotel features essential amenities such as air‑conditioned rooms, free Wi‑Fi, daily housekeeping, and a 24‑hour front desk... with its practical location near key landmarks and transportation points, Bakkah Al‑Salah provides a suitable and accessible base for guests seeking a comfortable stay while focusing on their worship during Umrah or Hajj...

Amjad Al Bait is just about 750 meters from Al-Haram mosque, making it a convenient choice for pilgrims seeking close access... featuring 216 well‑furnished rooms, the hotel blends traditional Arab design with modern comforts, offering amenities such as free Wi‑Fi, a 24‑hour front desk, elevators, and an on‑site restaurant... its welcoming atmosphere and practical location provide guests with an accessible and comfortable base during their stay in the holy city, whether for Umrah or Hajj...

this was the only selected Maktab that I chose to visit during my special tour, and I took the opportunity to step inside its lobby to observe the interior layout and overall atmosphere for myself... the visit allowed me to get a clearer picture of its facilities, environment, and suitability for pilgrims... aside from this, I did not visit any other Maktab, as my focus for the day was solely to explore this particular location in detail...

Mecca #13

we will be departing on Sunday morning, which means we will be performing our Friday prayer at the surau... the Tabung Haji team has advised us to rest before leaving for Arafah to ensure we are in good health... because of this, we are not encouraged to perform our obligatory prayers at Al Haram mosque and are instead advised to pray in congregation at the surau... one of the main reasons is that the number of pilgrims in Mecca has increased significantly...

With this in mind, I planned to visit nearby mosques, stop by other Maktab locations, and meet Haji Zainal as well as my alumni, Haji Mohd Idzham... I also arranged to meet another alumnus, Haji Mirza, who is currently working at the Marriott Hotel Makkah - appointments have already been set...

for today, however, my main focus is to visit the mosques around Zone A and perform the sunnah prayer at each stop...

al-Jinn mosque, located near to Masat Al-Badaya, is one of the most historically significant mosques in Mecca... it is believed to be the site where a group of jinn pledged their allegiance to Prophet Muhammad SAW and embraced Islam after listening to his recitation of the Al-Quran... this event, mentioned in Surah al‑Jinn, makes the mosque a place of deep spiritual reflection me... the mosque stands as a simple yet meaningful landmark, reminding me of the far‑reaching impact of the Prophet’s message and the unseen world that acknowledges the truth brought by Islam...

Shajarah mosque, also known as the Mosque of the Tree, is a small yet historically significant mosque located near to al-Jinn mosque... this mosque is associated with a remarkable event in Islamic tradition, where a tree is said to have miraculously moved towards Prophet Muhammad SAW in response to his supplication, offering a sign that strengthened his mission... despite its modest size, the mosque remains a meaningful stop for me seeking to connect with lesser‑known yet spiritually profound moments from the Prophet’s life, making it a unique landmark among the historical mosques of Mecca...

al‑Raayah mosque, known as the ‘Mosque of the Banner,’ is a historic landmark located in the Shi‘b ‘Aamir area of Mecca... it commemorates the site where Prophet Muhammad SAW planted the Muslim banner during the conquest of Mecca, marking a significant moment in Islamic history... situated southeast of al‑Jinn mosque and east of Shajarah mosque, the mosque once served as a small memorial structure symbolizing victory, steadfastness, and the establishment of justice... although the original mosque was later demolished to support urban development and expansion works, its historical location remains deeply meaningful, reminding visitors of the Prophet’s leadership and the peaceful reclaiming of Mecca...

these are the shops located along the pathways near the mosques I visited, each one adding charm and liveliness to the surrounding area... the stalls and small businesses create a vibrant atmosphere as pilgrims move from one mosque to another, offering refreshments, essentials, and local goods that reflect the everyday rhythm of life in Mecca... walking through these lanes gives a glimpse of the community spirit that thrives around these historical mosques...

Mecca #12 Second Friday Prayer

I was grateful to experience my second Friday prayer here, and once again, I was blessed with the opportunity to perform it inside Al Haram mosque... compared to the first week, the number of pilgrims had increased significantly, creating a much more crowded and lively atmosphere... despite the growing congestion, being able to secure a place within the mosque felt like a special privilege... the sight of pilgrims filling every corner, united in devotion, made the experience even more meaningful and spiritually uplifting...

Mecca #11

each day, the number of pilgrims continued to grow, all moving with a shared purpose toward Al Haram mosque... to enter the mosque’s compound, one must arrive early, as the gates close once it reaches full capacity... the atmosphere here is truly inspiring - people pray in congregation wherever they are, each carrying a small prayer mat, ready to perform their obligations the moment the azan is called... when prayer time arrives, worldly matters are set aside completely as everyone focuses solely on worship... today, I experienced the unique privilege of performing my prayer along the streets among the pilgrims, a moment that felt profoundly meaningful and unforgettable...

Mecca #10

the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad SAW, located in the heart of Mecca, holds profound historical and spiritual significance for Muslims around the world... situated near the Al Haram mosque, this sacred site is deeply cherished as the place where the Rasulullah SAW was born, marking the beginning of a life that would transform humanity... although its original structure no longer remains, the location continues to be remembered with great reverence, symbolizing the humble beginnings of a man whose teachings brought mercy, guidance, and unity to the world... the house now serves as a public library, reflecting the Saudi government’s effort to preserve the site while preventing practices that could lead to misunderstanding or innovation in religion... to maintain this intention, visitors are not permitted to perform prayers around the area, ensuring that the location is treated as a historical landmark rather than a place of worship... despite these changes, the site remains deeply meaningful, reminding visitors of the humble beginnings of the Prophet and the profound legacy that began here...

Mecca #9

in the sacred surroundings of Mecca, countless pigeons can be seen roaming freely across the open plazas and courtyards, creating a peaceful and lively atmosphere... many pilgrims enjoy feeding these gentle birds, who have become a familiar and beloved presence near Al Haram mosque... known for their calm nature and strong homing instincts, pigeons symbolize tranquility and harmony in many cultures... their presence here adds to the serene beauty of Mecca, and caring for them is often seen as an act of kindness that reflects compassion and generosity...