A father and son don their Ihrams as they prepare for Hajj Photo Hajj Rating
Makkah – The most blessed journey a believer can go on is the journey of Hajj. As this year’s Hajj gets on the way, there are many who are getting to experience the once in a lifetime journey.
Currently there are many hujjaj in Aziziyah as the days of Hajj are upon us. Cassim Carrim, hujjaj, is currently in Aziziyah as he prepares to perform Hajj. Even though there is a smaller crowd, the atmosphere has not changed.
“The crowds are much less. It is only about a million people. It is probably a quarter of the crowds. The arrangements and the Holy Lands are still the same. Even though there are less people, there are still a lot of people around. You get overwhelmed by the crowd.”
The journey for the hujjaj to prepare for Hajj
Carrim started his journey in Madinah. With this being the first Hajj since Covid-19 first put a stop to it, there have been some new additions and changes on how to do things.
“We started off our journey in Madinah and for the first time we have an Eatmara App that you have to download to make a booking. For me, this was a mind changer. A paradigm shift. When I was here before Covid, I came twice in a row for Umrah, after every salah you could go and give your salaams (to the Prophet (SAW). You could go multiple times to read salah in the Rawdah and sit there for ten to fifteen minutes but obviously that has all changed.”
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The emotions when entering Makkah
The beautiful thing about Hajj is that everyone is there with one person and one mindset. Carrim experienced this when people were queuing up to give their salaams to the Prophet (SAW).
“The beauty of it all is you see everyone with the same purpose and the same love for Nabi (SAW). They are coming from far and wide, standing in a queue just to give their salaams to Nabi (SAW). That was a very heart wrenching scene. You see people breaking down at the Rawdah. Expressing that true love for Nabi (S.A.W). The euphoria that you feel is unexplainable.”
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The city that never sleeps
New York is normally called the city that never sleeps but for Carrim, Makkah is that city. It is filled with people going about their daily lives and it is always filled with people performing Umrah. At this time of the year, it is busy with those preparing for Hajj. The feeling of being in the city is unmatched.
“You see the crowds in Makkah, you see the cars, the people, you see the city that never sleeps. Every time you come it is a different experience, a different feeling. Every time you see the Kabah for the first time it is a different feeling. You are overwhelmed with emotions. We are in a constant state of gratitude to Allah (SWT) for giving us this opportunity.”
Preparing for Hajj
Hajj, for most people, is a once in a lifetime journey. Due to this, it is important to do everything and do it right. Before one departs for Hajj, they normally attend Hajj classes. Even now that Carrim is in Aziziyah, classes and lectures are still being held to prepare the hujjaj.
“We’ve had lots of programs with ulama in our hotel rooms. We have used the prayer facilities here as well. We’ve had various ulama and programs taking place here in Aziziyah. The brothers were sharing the recordings of some of the talks and advice. We got our own literature and everything else. It is a physical preparation, spiritual and mental preparation as well. All three aspects have to be covered as well. We’ve also taken the long walks to get ourselves used to the long walks.”
Carrim describes Hajj as a “demonstration of love, true love for Allah (SWT)” which will be kept from now till the end of time. It is an act of pure devotion that one must go through, and it only brings the worshipper closer to their Creator.
