This story happened five years ago when I intended to perform Umrah with my beloved deceased mother who came to Jeddah. By saying niyat (state our intention) labbaika allaahumma ‘umratan, we went to Mekkah which took an hour from Jeddah. Talbiyah prayer was recited in my heart all the way, labbaika allaahumma Labbaik, Labbaik a laa syariikala kalabaik, innalhamda wal ni’mata, laka walmulka laa syariikalaka. On the way to Mekkah we were so quiet. We tried to keep away from any useless conversation by replacing it with dhikr.
When we reached Masjidil Haram, we started to implement thawaf around three o’clock after dhuhur.
The weather was hot!
Hot wind was blowing occasionally, caressing our faces which began to redden. However, together with other pilgrims – performing this sunnah worship – erased any fatigue our hearts and our minds focused. We arrived moments before Asr prayer as it is an emptier time than other time to do thawaf. Generally, people begin to run thawaf ba’da after the Asr prayer. Usually this time is when the sun is friendly enough, especially during summer.
Alhamdulillah at that time we were almost in the closest circle of Ka’bah, so that in less than half an hour we completed the seven rounds of thawaf. We prayed two rak’ah sunnat prayer in front of the door of Ka’bah area, asked forgiveness to Allah SWT. I felt my eyes get foggy, tears began to fill my eyelids and run down my cheeks. Other jama’ah also did not consider the glare of the sun bouncing light in white marble courtyard of the Ka’bah. Everyone with humility pray for forgiveness for the sins that had been done. Once satisfied to pray, we performed sa’i from hills of Safa to Marwah, and Marwah to Safa for seven times. The expansion of the Grand Mosque in the area of sa’i was slightly reducing comfort. Engine noise in the courtyard of the mosque and dust entered through the window cracks mosque. The mosque marble floors were replaced temporarily with a neat iron plates attached, as long as the renovation took place. When we were performing sa’i, I had noticed zam zam water workers were swapping the empty drums to be replaced with zam zam water-filled drums. At that time I also witnessed a few of pilgrims willingly assisted an overwhelmed workers held its speed trains laden drums contain zam-zam water were down the hill of Marwah. Four to five pilgrims helped the workers without being asked. Subhanallah.
Because of Asr prayer time, the sa’i and tahalul (cutting hair) finally completed in about fifty minutes. We were soon end the worship and walked out of the mosque. Usually after finishing worship, pilgrims prepared riyals money for charity to workers who were carrying zam-zam water, mosque janitor, and beggars outside the mosque. Everything was intended for Allah SWT, to cover acts of worship that might be less than perfect. There was also a charity by providing a large plastic of dried dates to be distributed to pilgrims who might perform fasting because it was Thursday. My mother wondered, whether one riyal was enough to the mosque workers. I explained that one Saudi riyal was sufficient to buy four pieces of bread, because the government subsidized flour. Subhanallah, in the middle of conversation about price of bread, right at the exit of the mosque there was a lady who offered me a piece of pita bread. I refused gently. The woman insisted us to receive the bread and yogurt and she put it in a clear plastic bag. I could not bear people who already intent to charity. Alhamdulillah, we smiled. As fortuitous as we were discussing bread, someone came to give us warm bread.
After wearing sandals, we walked down to courtyard of the mosque. Outside the mosque, our eyes glued to see an old woman rummaged through trash cans. We then gave some money to the woman, who immediately greeted with a happy smile. But when we had passed, I noticed the old woman was still there while her right hand stirring trash to find a piece of pita bread that must had been hardened. Her left hand was holding a piece of bread that she collected. I was so enthused. We went back to the woman handed a plastic bag of bread and yogurt to her. We were able to buy some food, while the old woman was struggling to get decent food. The lady was so pleased to receive warm bread and yogurt from us, then stopped searching leftovers from the trash and walked away. We were relieved. So great was the grace of Allah. As if our hands just as the mediator of bread and yogurt from the mosque doors leading to the old lady who was hungry looking for food to be eaten. My heart cried remembering sufficient food at home, and often wasted because it was not consumed. While out there are still many people who are undernourished thus forced to give up their stomachs filled with leftover food found in the trash. But Allah is so Merciful, giving them strong stomachs to eat foods that are dirty or maybe even stale. While we have spoiled stomach that definitely cannot hold up when eat sickening food. Many foods are bought only because of our hungry eyes, do not look at the capacity of our stomach that may not have been able to accommodate all of them. Astaghfirullah. The incident was Allah warning so I will be wiser (no exaggeration) in providing food for my family.
My Lord, gives me wisdom, and put me to the group of people who are righteous. (Surah Asy Syu’ara 26:83)
