Being in the Holy Lands for Hajj can impact someone in indescribable ways Photo Pexels
Madinah – In Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah (The Luminous City) hundreds of pilgrims have arrived in anticipation and preparing themselves for Hajj. Many like Sheik Saeed Ncane, hujjaj, are filled with a deep sense of gratitude and awe to be standing in the “City of the Messenger of Allah (SWT)”.
Sheikh Ncane expressed his immense gratitude for the opportunity to visit Madinah, a land blessed by Allah (SWT). Having dedicated years to studying the teachings of Islam, he now finds himself in the very place where the Quraan was revealed. The magnitude of this honour is not lost on him, as he contemplated the sacrifices made by countless individuals to ensure the preservation of Islam.
“Of all the billions of Muslims in the whole world, Allah (SWT) has chosen me to be one of the people to visit the Holy Land. This is a great favour and a great bounty from Allah (SWT). To be here exactly where the Quraan, the Hadith (narrations of the Prophet Muahmmed (SAW)) was revealed, to walk where Nabi (SAW) walked, to also drink from the spring where Nabi (SAW) drank from before the Battle of Badr, it is a feeling that just makes you cry.”
Overwhelmed by emotion
The experience of being in Madinah evoked intense emotions within Sheikh Ncane. Overwhelmed by the profound history and spirituality that permeates the city, he found himself unable to contain his tears. The weight of the sacrifices made by those who came before him is humbling, leaving him with a profound appreciation for the immense blessings bestowed upon him and all Muslims.
“You can’t stop crying because you are thinking, oh Allah (SWT) so much sacrifice was done by the Sahabah (RA) (companions of the Prophet (SAW)) and Nabi (SAW) for this Deen (religion) to come to us in a golden platter. I was telling one brother how we came by bus, then by plane, then by car and it was so comfortable for us to come here but imagine the sacrifices made walking by those who came on camels, donkeys, horseback. For us everything is so easy. You just keep on crying because you’re thinking there is no sacrifice at all that we are making.”
Hajj and visiting the blessed city of Makkah Al-Mukarramah
While Sheikh Ncane expressed his desire to visit Makkah and participate in the Hajj pilgrimage he found himself torn between his current stay in Madinah and the longing for the sacred city of Makkah. While his heart yearns to behold the Holy Ka’ba , it is almost as if his heart has been cut in half. One half wanting to stay in the Luminous City and the other wanting to be in Makkah Al-Mukarramah.
“As much as my heart is yearning to see the Ka’ba, it’s like your heart becomes cut into half. One heart wants to stay in Madinah because the hotel that we have booked is just across the road from [Al-Masjid an-Nabawi]. We are looking forward to going to Makkah. That will be the cherry on the top to be there.”
Sheikh Ncane’s experience in Madinah offers a glimpse into the profound impact of visiting the Holy City. As we reflect on his experiences, let us embrace the teachings of Islam and strive to make a positive impact in our own communities.
In a remarkable conversation with Julie Alli, Sheik Saeed Ncane unravelled the extraordinary path that led him to Islam, his captivating journey beginning within the confines of a prison cell, his relentless pursuit of knowledge, dedicating himself to the rigorous study required to become an Aalim and his burning desire to share the light of Islam. Listen to that enlightening conversation here:
