With the conclusion of the Hajj period, millions of pilgrims have returned to their homes worldwide, their hearts filled with a deep sense of enlightenment, contentment, and renewed spirituality.
When Salaamedia caught up with South African pilgrims, they enthusiastically shared their unique and cherished experiences, reflecting on their physical and spiritual journey.
While many participants had similar awe-inspiring moments, such as visiting the sacred sites in Makkah and Madinah, circling the Kaaba for the first time, and ascending the plains of Arafat, each guest had their special moments to recount.
What Was Your Experience Like?
When asked about his experience, Hajji Hafiz Mahmood Khalib described his Hajj with a mix of sadness and gratitude, labelling it as a transformative and life-changing journey.
“The journey of Hajj is really a life-changing experience, [as God] facilitates so many opportunities for you to change your routine. The routine of the past for a better routine. A routine centred around Allah and the detachment from the world.”
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What Was Special to You?
For Hajji Shiraz Naidoo, who was fortunate enough to embark on the pilgrimage with his wife, Hajji Roegshana, and his mother, the true beauty of the experience lay in the shared difficulties and tasks completed alongside his loved ones. The overall experience created an extraordinary bond and made the journey immensely special.
“Your honeymoon and the birth of your kid are all experiences but different experiences, and to experience this Hajj with your wife is really something else. My wife went to Umrah alone with her mother, and I went with my brother and Umrah alone. We always said we wanted to do Hajj together, and Allah granted us that. I [prayed] in front of the Kaaba that Allah must grant me [the opportunity] and my wife to perform our Hajj together … And what an experience you know to be with your wife.”
Although there were moments of togetherness, strengthening their marital connection, Hajj is ultimately an individual experience. Hajji Roegshana shared that her moment of significance came at Muzdalifah.
“I really enjoyed sleeping under the stars … It’s an amazing experience because there’s no rich and there’s no poor. We are all equal. You don’t know who’s a millionaire and who has a R10 in their bank account. We are just all equal.”
What Stood Out for as a First-Time Pilgrim?
Hajji Unaiza Suliman, a first-time pilgrim, was profoundly touched by the support she received from her family and friends. What made the experience even more special for her was having the opportunity to share it with her husband, who was yet to be her husband when she initially applied. Furthermore, the unity and camaraderie displayed by the millions of fellow pilgrims left an indelible impact on her.
“You just actually meet so many different people. Sometimes you connect immediately with every single person in those camps. You can literally immediately feel the oneness of love and the way each person is unified. There is no differentiation between anybody. Everybody’s the same, doing the same thing and having the same experiences. It’s so beautiful.”
Hajj is undeniably a dream for many Muslims, and those fortunate enough to fulfil it are truly blessed. Hajji Rukeya Saban-Manuel became a source of inspiration for her community as she shared her Hajj journey through images, videos, and phone calls, allowing people to experience Hajj vicariously through her.
“Our journey has affected them the most, and it has inspired so many that when we came home, they said, ‘Oh, you know what, thank you for all your updates. We’ve been following your journey. So I [pray] for those that have not been there, that they’re granted the opportunity and that invitation.”
In conclusion, these pilgrims’ experiences and reflections serve as a testament to the enduring power of Hajj as a catalyst for personal growth, unity, and spiritual enlightenment. Their stories of self-discovery, connections forged, and rejuvenated faith inspire Muslims worldwide, reminding them of the profound significance of this sacred journey.
As the Hajj season draws to a close, the valuable lessons learned and cherished memories created will echo in the hearts and minds of those who embarked on this transformative pilgrimage. The spirit of Hajj continues to illuminate the path towards a brighter future for all of humanity.
