One more day to go and I’m off!
Just wanted to request that you please make dua for me and my father – that we can complete our hajj successfully, free of complications, and that it may be accepted as hajj mabroor.
Yes, I’m nervous. But more of a nerve-tingling excitement induced nervousness. I’ve been preparing, but I’m sure there will be many things that I just can’t prepare for. My first sight of the Ka’aba, wuqoof on ‘Arafah, having my head shaved!
I bought myself a Sony DSC T500, which is a compact digital camera, but with HD video capture, so I’m going to be keeping a video diary. I’ll try putting some of it on the blog when I’m back.
The only thing I’m worried about is the tricksters/beggars and the situation of the toilets in Mina/’Arafah/Muzdalifah.
I really don’t want to accidentally speak a lie whilst in Ihram, but it can easily happen by quickly answering ‘I don’t have any money’ to those who ask. I’ve always been a sucker for the Muslim con-men. Commonly in King’s Cross and Paddington Station they approach you with a salaam and smile. There I am, totally disarmed. Then the story about the missed bus and urgent need to get the airport. Next I would empty my wallet, feeling happy and warm, thinking I’ve helped my brother in need, which is why it would really really tear me up inside to see them again a few weeks later at the same station, asking me for money again, with exactly the same story! After learning from my mistakes, my fraud radar now goes on full alert as soon as someone unknown says salaam to me. I hate that I’ve become like this. Salaam is the greeting of the inhabitants of paradise, so I hate the fraudsters and con-men for making me feel apprehensive of my own brothers for abusing the salaam in such a terrible way.
Anyhow, my solution whilst in KSA is to speak in German. That should resolve the situation 98% of the time.
So about the toilets? I’ve heard scare stories. I’ll be in the European sector, so apparently the loo situation is better, but I know one brother who didn’t eat at all. Others overdosed on Imodium. I wish I could be a man and not freak out, especially when I’m still 3000 miles away, though the last time I tried to be a man, was in Bangladesh about 5 years ago. I mean if I can use the facilities in Bangladesh, then the Saudi camps should surely be a doddle? No. If a toilet is dingy, squalid and has a hole in the floor, it doesn’t matter where you are in world. Nor will it be safe. Outlandish and nightmarish creatures can visit you at your most vulnerable time. Don’t believe me? I discovered this dude two feet away from me, whilst being busy in Bangladesh.
Oki doki. I’m done. Don’t worry, I’m not that obsessed about horror toilets. It was just something on my mind. Everything else is what really counts. This is about all the taubah and istaghfar I can do! And so much more. Pure intentions. Pure actions. Labayyk! Allahumma labayyk!
