Photo by [The Middle East Eye]
Many Muslims fortunate enough to visit Medina, whether for Umrah or Hajj, have described the city as a haven of beauty, serenity, and calmness. For Khadija Patel, an investigative journalist, Medina holds a special place in her heart as her home.
Patel shared that during her formative years, her family had the privilege of visiting Medina frequently and staying there for extended periods. After a gap of ten years, returning to the city for Hajj and being enveloped by its embrace made her visit even more profound and significant.
“Medina is one of my favourite places on Earth, if not my favourite. I spent a lot of time in Medina growing up, and so to be back in Medina for me was special on many levels. In many ways, it was like coming home … Also, [it allowed] me to understand how much I have grown since the last time I was in Medina, almost ten years ago. But also tracking how things have changed and understanding how some things are still the same. Certainly, that tranquillity of Medina continues to exist and continues to be a [home] really for all those who seek it.”
Vastly Different Emotional and Spiritual Experiences in the Holy Lands
While both Makkah and Medina hold an important place in the hearts of Muslims, the experiences in these two cities are markedly distinct. Medina, known as the City of the Prophet, evokes deep affection. In contrast, Makkah, known as the House of God, carries even greater spiritual significance.
Witnessing the Kaaba for the first time has left pilgrims in awe and overwhelmed with emotion. Being at the Kaaba alongside her family, Patel inferred the experience as extraordinary.
The profound impact of gazing upon the Kaaba prompted Patel to engage in quiet introspection, contemplating the time she spent away from the sacred city and the subsequent return. This introspection allowed her to gain a deeper understanding of herself and Islam and prioritise her life’s critical aspects.
“For me, so far, it has been … a one in a million [experience]. Actually, locating yourself within a sea of people and understanding your insignificance in the grand scheme of the universe but also understanding your potential as part of a greater whole. That, for me, has been the most special experience of this trip. To understand the diversity of Islam as well as to understand how different expressions of Islam come together. How this ritual is a unifying experience beyond all our differences, all of that has been really special.”
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Pilgrim’s Intercession on Behalf of Others In the Holy Land
It is a common practice among Muslims to seek prayers from others on their behalf, as they firmly believe in the potency and significance of supplication and intercession.
Consequently, they may ask pilgrims on Hajj or who have completed the pilgrimage to pray for them. They believe these pilgrims possess a higher spiritual status, making their prayers more likely to be answered.
In Islam, humility is also emphasised, and despite being revered and respected by fellow Muslims, pilgrims view themselves as ordinary individuals who, like everyone else, request prayers and good wishes from others.
Recalling her experiences, Patel recounted meaningful interactions where pilgrims from diverse backgrounds shared fragments of their lives, including the stories and challenges faced in their respective home countries. This interaction, in turn, led her to reflect on the challenges present in South Africa, emphasising the need for extensive prayers and support.
“One of the most meaningful conversations I had was with a group of sisters from Burkina Faso. We spoke about the challenges in that country and the [effect the] challenges … are having on the lives of people there. They entreated me to please make Dua [pray] for them, for their country, for peace and for their children. That was, for me, very meaningful and reminded me as well about the number of people back home in South Africa who’ve asked me to please make Dua for our country. I think that says something about the worries for our future and the peace and security of future generations that weighs heavily on many people’s minds and not just in South Africa.”
