My Hajj Journal Day 24, 21August2017.

My Hajj Journal Day 24, 21August2017.
04:50 subuh prayers. cough and sore throat. slight dizziness. went to sleep.
05:10 breakfast. rest.
08:00 showered. went to TH clinic. already several people there before me. registered and wait in queue.
09:00 my blood sugar checked at 6.5. blood pressure was normal. MA issued cough medicine, vitamin C, cold tablets and lozenges.
09:15 reached my room to rest.
12:30 zohor prayers in room.
13:00 cafeteria was crowded. check later for lunch.
13:45 had lunch. lobby was full. returned to room. rest.
16:30 asar prayers. heard the sound of rain. went down to take a picture. Yes, there was heavy rain for about 30 minutes. Somebody even said there were hail-stones.

16:40 had tea at cafeteria. went to lobby to access wifi.
18:45 returned to room for maghrib prayers.
20:30 isya prayers. dinner.
21:00 lobby for wifi access.
22:30 sleep.

My Hajj Journal Day 23, 20August2017.

My Hajj Journal Day 23, 20August2017.
04:30 woke up.
04:50 subuh prayers in room.
05:10 breakfast.
07:30 Asmah called up. asked to accompany her to TH clinic.
07:50 at TH Clinic. it was nearby at Mira Hotel. 08:30 went to TH counter to withdraw some money.
09:00 shopped for some stuff. bought an arabic attire for Zafeer Ayden. also, bought ice cream for me and Asmah.

At the ice cream shop.

10:00 back to hotel.
11:00 to masjid for zohor prayers. got a spot inside. raised my doa in view of the magnificent Kaabah.
picked a good spot. later, several women came to sit in mix with the men. guards came to ask them to move over to the area for women.
12:30 zohor prayers.
12:50 walked to hotel. it was really hot. sweating very much. went to room to rest and change.
13:45 to cafeteria for lunch. korma ayam and fried ikan patin. first time I took a seconds.
14:15 to room to rest. felt dizzy from the heat.
16:30 woke up for asar prayers.
16:45 Usof and Muad went to TH clinic after flu and fever of 5 days. good for them.
17:00 had some tea. went to lobby to access wifi.
18:50 maghrib prayers in room.
20:30 isya prayers in room
21:00 dinner. took medicines.
22:00 sleep. 

My Hajj Journal Day 22, 19August2017

My Hajj Journal Day22, 19August2017.
04:40 subuh prayers in room. slight asthma.
05:15 breakfast.
05:30 took my medicines. sleep.
10:00 got ready to go to masjid.
10:50 reached masjid. viewed the kaabah from the balcony. however, guards asked to go the rear section. many people performing the tawaf.
12:30 zohor prayers.
13:00 returned to hotel for lunch.
13:30 rest.
15:50 asar prayers in room. rest.
17:30 left hotel for masjid.
17:50 reached masjid. usual entrance closed. walked towards the underpathway. got in via escalators to the rooftop. picked my spot. made acquaintance with men from melaka and Jakarta.
18:55 maghrib prayers.
19:20 returned to hotel.
20:20 isya prayers in room.
21:00 dinner.
22:00 sleep.

My Hajj Journal Day 21, 18August2017.

My Hajj Journal Day 21, 18August2017.
04:45 suboh prayers in room.
05:00 breakfast. accessed wifi at lobby.
07:30 rest. planned to go to masjid for Friday prayers.
09:45 got up to go to masjid.
10:15 arrived masjid but all entrances closed. guards pointed to direction of the open area. no shed. stood around for awhile hoped to get in.
10:30 already sweating and felt uneasy. walked back to hotel.
11:00 reached hotel dining hall. sweating and almost fainted. drank lots of water and hot tea.
11:30 to room to rest.
13:00 lunch. lamb briyani today.
14:00 rest.
15:00 to masjid for asar prayers. got a good spot between an Algerian and man from Perlis. there was a young man who claimed to be Palestinian. could not believe him because he looked more like an indian or Bangladeshi. put some sad story about he was a student and taking care of his mother. he asked for some donation. I implied lets pray first. I would give him after. he said he needed to tawaf with mother. cut story short, I gave him 5 riyals.
16:20 reached the hotel after walked in hot sun. took a rest before bathe.
19:00 maghrib and isya prayers in hotel. Asmah went to masjid in spite of her backache and flu.
21:00 dinner. accessed wifi at lobby.
22:30 sleep.

My Hajj Journal Day 20, 17August2017.

My Hajj Journal Day 20, 17August2017.
04:45 subuh prayers in room.
05:15 breakfast. got ready for our umrah.
07:00 boarded the buses to go to Tan'im. our miqat was Masjid Siti Aishah.

Masjid Siti Aishah, Tanaim.

 

View of the town across the road from the mosque.

08:30 we were dropped off near masjidil haram for our umrah. performed tawaf and saie.
10:30 completed umrah. headed back to hotel.
11:00 reached the hotel. rest. bathe.
12:30 zohor prayers.
13:00 lunch.
14:00 to pack items for delivery via citylink. rest.
15:40 woke up.asar prayers. accessed wifi at lobby.
19:00 maghrib and isya prayers in room.
21:00 dinner. after dinner, accessed wifi at lobby.
22:00 sleep.

My Hajj Journal Day 19, 16August2017

My Hajj Journal Day 19, 16August2017.
03:00 woke up to get ready to go to masjid. nose bled a little. decided to stay in room.
04:50 suboh prayers.
05:10 breakfast.
05:40 went to lobby to access wifi. viewed several clips in youtube.
07:30 back to room to rest. planned to go to masjid for zohor prayers. must leave by 10:45 latest. better by 10:30.
info received, we would be performing the umrah again tomorrow morning.
10:45 a little blood in my nose again.
11:00 to masjid with Usof for zohor prayers.
13:15 lunch at hotel.
13:45 went to souvenir shop. bought 20 pieces more caps. also another cup of mixed ice cream.
14:30 back to hotel. took packing box for Citylink delivery.
15:50 asar prayers in room. rest.
18:45 walked to masjid. when arrived all entrances were closed. guards pointed towards the open area which was already crowded. headed back to hotel.
19:00 maghrib prayers in room. so would for isya prayers.
21:00 dinner.
22:00 sleep. rest for our umrah tomorrow. miqat tanim mosque. 

My Hajj Journal Day 18, 15August2017.

My Hajj Journal Day 18, 15August2017.
02:40 woke up. bathe. got ready for suboh prayers at masjid.
03:15 arrived at masjid. security personnel were watching the people arriving to pray. less people performing the tawaf. I was able to get a good spot.
04:38 suboh prayers. Then, back to hotel.
05:20 breakfast. rest.
08:00 walk tour around the masjidil haram area. The distance was around 4KM to and fro.

The walk tour was lead by Haji Mohamad Daud.

At the zamzam water well.

 

This library was the formerly the house where Prophet Mohammad was born.

Local bazaar selling fruits, nuts, ice cream and food stuff.

 

Masjid Jinn.

Mecca's Mala Cemetery.

 10:30 back at hotel.
12:48 zohor prayers in room
13:45 lunch with Asmah.
14:15 went to souvenir shop.
15:00 back at hotel. rest.
15:50 asar prayers in room. rest.
17:30 got ready to go to masjid for maghrib prayers.
18:15 arrived at masjid. entrance to upper level closed. went to the back pathway Ismail gate. prayed there.
19:40 guards asked us to leave after maghrib prayers. tried to go to upper level but very crowded. felt uncomfortable. headed back to hotel.
20:00 reached hotel with relief.
20:28 isya prayers in my room.
20:50 dinner. after that, went to lobby to access wifi.
22:00 sleep.

My Hajj Journal Day 17, 14August2017.

My Hajj Journal Day 17, 14August2017.
04:45 suboh prayers in room. my right hand was aching. after bathe, washed 1 t-shirt.
05:15 breakfast.
06:00 rest.
08:30 went to the lobby to access wifi to watch youtube.
09:00 back in room.
10:00 prepared to go to Masjidil Haram for zohor prayers.
12:26 zohor prayers.
13:15 lunch.
14:00 rest.
17:00 got ready to go to masjid for maghrib prayers. when we arrived at the masjid, there was a huge crowd. security personnel were actually shooing people to move but where. there was a lot of people performing the tawaf. it was up to own self to look for a praying spot. found a spot at the saie area. got to know another malaysian who sat next to me.
19:15 after maghrib prayers ended, the guards asked everyone to move out from the saie area. the tawaf area was still crowded. I decided to head back to the hotel.
19:30 reached my hotel.
20:25 isya prayers in room.
21:00 dinner.
22:00 sleep.

My Hajj Journal Day 16, 13August2017

My Hajj Journal Day 16,13August2017.
04:45 subuh prayers in room.
05:10 breakfast. rest.
11:00 ready to go Masjidil Haram for zohor prayers.
13:15 back to hotel for lunch.
14:00 signed up for mekkah-mina train ride. rest.
15:00 to Masjidil Haram for asar prayers.
16:30 walked to hotel. it was really hot. really appreciate the cool air-conditioned room.
18:20 bathe and rest. decided to perform maghrib and isya prayers in room.
21:00 dinner.
22:00 sleep.

My Hajj Journal Day 15, 12August2017

My Hajj Journal Day 15, 12August2017.
02:30 wokeup early. bathe.
03:30 to Masjidil Haram for subuh prayers. already huge crowd at the masjid.
05:20 back to hotel for breakfast. Today, a city tour by coach.

07:00 visit to masjid hudaibiyah and Madinah/Mekkah museum. The significance of Hudaibiyah Mosque in history of Islam is, this was the location where The Hudaibiyah Agreement was sealed between the Quraish administrators of Mecca and Prophet Muhammad. The Museum of Mecca and Medinah housed many old pictures, history and relics of the two great cities.
 

In front of the ruins of the original Masjid Hudaibiyah.

A truck vendor selling many kinds of nuts.

By the side of the present day Masjid Hudaibiyah.

 

The old doors to the Kaabah at the Museum.

The old well-head of the zam-zam well.

10:30 return to hotel. rest.
12:45 lunch after zohor prayers. got some ice cream. accessed wifi at lobby. watched several youtube music videos and movie clips.
15:30 back to room.
16:00 asar prayers in room. rest.
18:00 to masjidil haram for maghrib and isya prayers. more crowded than usual. managed to get a spot past some barriers installed to mark the path for tawaf.
21:20 back to hotel for dinner.
23:30 sleep.

My Hajj Journal Day 14, 11August2017

My Hajj Journal Day 14, 11August2017.
05:00 subuh prayers in room. knee hurt.
05:30 breakfast.
06:09 rest.
10:00 to Masjidil Haram for Friday prayers. it was already crowded when we arrived. passed the barriers just on time which the security men were beginning to close. managed to squeeze in a praying spot between men and women row. more and more people were just coming in.
12:30 qutbah by imam.
13:00 Friday prayers.
13:30 back to hotel for lunch.
14:00 to souvenir shop.
15:00 arrangements with citylink to deliver zamzam water to home address.
15:48 asar prayers.
16:30 to TH counter Awtad Hotel. then, shopped for some souvenirs.
17:30 back to hotel.paid qurban fee SR550.
19:00 maghrib and isya prayers in room.
21:10 dinner.
22:30 sleep. 

My Hajj Journal Day 13, 10August2017

My Hajj Journal Day 13, 10August2017
3:30 Wakeup. aching legs. deciding whether to go masjid or not. there will be our second umroh later today after our excursion.
05:00 suboh prayers in room.
05:30 breakfast. get ready for day tour.

06:30 board our coaches. the tour covered a visit to Jabal Thur, Jabal Rahmah at Arafah, Muzdalifah, tent areas of Mina, Jamrah, passed by Jabal Nur and Ma'la cemetery. final visit was the Jiranah masjid. we had to changed into umrah garb and made our vows to the ihram. 

Near Jabal Thur.

 

At Jabal Rahmah.

 

Passed by Mina.

 

Jabal Nur.

Jiranah Mosque, where we changed for umroh.

 

Ready for our umroh.

10:00 arrived hotel.
10:30 perform second umrah with Asmah. completed the tawaf and saie umrah just in time for zohor prayers.
12:30 zohor.
13:20 back to hotel for lunch.
14:16 to room for rest.
16:00 asar prayers in room. so, did yusof and muad. went to cafeteria for tea.
19:00 maghrib prayers in room.
20:30 isya prayers in room.
21:15 dinner with Asmah.
22:00 rest. sleep.

My Hajj Journal Day 12, 9August2017

My Hajj Journal Day 12, 9August2017
03:20 wakeup. shower. roommates already went to Masjidil Haram. felt afraid to go by myself with a backache.
04:30 suboh prayers in room. Asmah also prayed in her room.
05:15 Breakfast. the small dining hall is now more crowded with arrival of KT18 group.
05:35 quickly finished my meal. back to room.
07:30 Asmah asked me to follow her to a souvenir shop nearby. the shopkeeper, Kareem, was very friendly. bought some items.

With Kareem, one of the shop assistant.

08:20 back to hotel. backache again. rest.
11:00 got ready to go to Masjidil Haram for zohor prayers. went with Muad and Yusof. my first zohor prayers at the grand masjid.
13:20 lunch at hotel. sweaty and tired. ate near the staircase because of insufficient seats at the lunchroom.
14:00 rest.
17:00 asar prayers in room. so did Yusof. his legs were aching.
18:00 to masjidil haram for maghrib and isya prayers.
acquainted with an old man from Kashmir. he described the beauty of the country. then, he lamented that he was cheated by his agent. hotel he stayed did not provide meals as promised in the package deal. he had to spend own money for meals for him and his wife. before I leave, I passed him SR30.
21:20 dinner. took my food plate to eat in my room.
22:30 sleep. tomorrow will be a day tour around Mekkah historical sites.

My Hajj Journal Day 11, 8August2017

My Hajj Journal Day 11, 8 August2017.
01:00 went to Masjidil Haram to perform our first umroh. started with the tawaf. awed to witness the Kaabah.

Nearing the Masjidil Haram for the first time.

01:40 performed the saie.
02:30 completed the saie. went upstairs to check the view. found the Kaabah very magnificent. wife and I decided to wait for suboh prayers. 

 

Looking happy after our first tawaf and saie.

03:00 went to toilet to washup.
04:00 went Masjidil Haram for subuh prayers. felt very sleepy but carried on.
05:20 walked back to our hotel.
06:00 breakfast.
07:00 bathe and washed 2 shirts. rest.
11:00 woke up. looked for drinking water. located at level 5. our dispenser broke down.
12:00 rest. legs hurt and backache. so is roommate Yusof. to perform zohor prayers in room. Asmah went to Masjidil Haram for zohor.
13:15 lunch.
14:00 Asmah safely back at hotel.
14:45 rest.
16:00 asar prayers in room.
16:30 tea with bubur kacang.
16:45 rest.
18:00 to Masjidil Haram with Muad and Yusof. for maghrib and isya prayers.
21:20 dinner at hotel.
22:00 tired. sleep.

My Hajj Journal Day 10, 7August2017

My Hajj Journal Day 10, 7August2017.
02:30 woke up already. bathe.
03:50 to masjid Nabawi for suboh prayers.
05:30 breakfast. rest.
06:45 accompany Asmah for breakfast.
07:15 rest. my right knee and back hurts. better rest because we will perform the umroh tawaf and saie tonight.
12:30 zohor prayers in room.
13:15 lunch. got ready in ihram clothing.
14:00 boarded our buses.
14:30 depart for Mekkah.

15:00 stopped at Bir Ali mosque for sunnat prayers and niat for umroh.

At Masjid Bir Ali.

 
15:30 continue journey to Mekkah.

18:20 still on the highway. do not know the location. getting dark.
19:00 stopped for maghrib prayers at a rest area. Andalusia Travels had booked us dinner at a restaurant there. food was a big plate shared among 5 people. arab rice with bbq chicken and crisp fried fish. 

Dinner at a restuarant at a Rest Area.

20:20 continue our journey to Mekkah. 

Entering the city of Mecca.

 

Heavy traffic approaching the hotel.

23:30 arrived hotel Malak Ajiyad.

After checkin room, prepare to perform our first umroh. 

My Hajj Journal Day 9, 6August2017

my hajj journal day 9, 6August2017.
03:30 bathe.
04:00 suboh prayers at Masjid Nabawi.
05:15 breakfast.
08:00 briefing by Hj Daud on tomorrow's journey to Mekkah.
10:30 rest.
12:00 to masjid Nabawi for zohor prayers.
13:00 lunch at hotel. rest.
16:00 Asar prayers at masjid Nabawi. visited the Baqi cemetery. saw 5 burials taking place. then, walked through maqam Rasulullah. it was so crowded.
17:30 arrived back at hotel hot and tired.
18:30 bathe.
19:00 maghrib and isya prayers in room.
21:15 dinner.
21:40 packed and courier items Asmah had purchased. cost me SR218.
22:30 went to bed.

My Hajj Journal Day 8 5August 2017

My Hajj Journal Day 8 5August2017.
03:20 wake up. quick shower. prepare to go to masjid Nabawi.
03:45 to masjid  Nabawi.
04:28 suboh prayers.
05:25 back to hotel. breakfast. prepare for day tour.
06:30 gathered for day tour.
07:00 visit masjid Quba. This was the site of the first mosque built by Prophet Muhammad during his journey to Medina from Mecca. Here, we performed short prayers. It is told that a prayer at Quba Mosque is equal to an Umroh.

Inside the main prayer hall of Masjid Quba.

08:00 visit kurma farm. Here is a bazaar that sell all kinds of fresh dates or kurma to visitors.

Asmah at the kurma bazaar.

08:30 visit Bukit Uhud battlefield. We toured the historic battle grounds and cemetery.

The archers hill at the background.

09:30 visit fruit bazaar.
10:30 arrived back at hotel. accompany wife withdrew money. purchased TM 9GB simcards for mobile phone. cost 200 riyals each.
12:30 zohor prayers.
13:00 lunch. repack our big bag to be transported to Mecca tomorrow.
16:00 legs hurt. Asar prayers in room.
17:00 I went to TH counter to withdraw some money. queue number closed. told to return after maghrib.
17:30 bathe. prepare for maghrib prayers.
06:30 to masjid Nabawi.
08:00 to TH counter for cash withdrawal.
21:00 isya prayers in room. dinner.
22:00 sleep.

My Hajj Journal Day 7, 4 August2017

Day 1 Medina.
06:00 morning prayers in room. do not know which way to Masjid Nabawi.
06:30 breakfast. there would be a walk tour today around Masjid Nabawi.

View of Masjid Nabawi from a side street.

Inside Masjid Nabawi compound past Gate 25.

Briefing by our guide, Ustaz Junaidi.

07:30 to visit Nabi Muhammad mausoleum and warriors cemetery. however, both closed for visitors. managed to view makam nabi from the walkway.

View of Prophet Muhammad's mouseleum from walk-way.

 
12:00 Friday prayers. lunch. rest.
16:00 Asar prayers. rest.
19:00 mahgrib prayers.
20:40 isya prayers in room. dinner.
23:00 went with Raof to visit Raudah. there was along queue. I returned to hotel.
12:00 tired and trying to sleep. tomorrow morning there will be city tour.

My Hajj Journal Day 6 3August2017

Shah Village Hotel, PJ.
06:00 wake up.bathe. morning prayers. Ya Allah. we seek your Devine intervention.
11:30 informed to get ready to move to Kelana Jaya complex after lunch. 

Group pix before our check-out from Hotel

12:30 lunch. took a group pix afterwards. wait for transport.
13:10 transport arrived. headed to Kelana Jaya.collected our passports visas. checked in luggage.
14:00 boarded our buses. depart to KLIA with police escorts.

15:30 arrived KLIA. Boarded the Flynas Lionair aircraft.
16:30 took off. Finally, we were really headed to Medina. The flight was to take 8 hours.

00:30 arrived Medinah (local time). Long queue line at Immigration's check.
Exited the airport terminal and boarded the coach.

View of the Medina Airport Terminal from coach.

01:30 arrived hotel.