9/3/12 A SUBMISSION (in progress of revisiting for much spicy insertion...)

Since leaving the State service last 31 Dec., 2011, I have been moving around especially in Indonesia, Peninsula Malaysia and Thailand. I intended to revisit MyLittleGirl in Phnom Penh, but was deferred by some other urgent works. Now, with some ideas in MyMind, I would love to make MySubmission in respond to His call and as well as to get the inspiration on the direction of my moving forward plan. The idea just come by incident. Few day before I was having my tea by a CoffeeShop along Jalan Kulas. Next door I saw TH Travel Agent, and it provides services for Umrah, the little Hajj that Muslim do as an introduction to the proper Hajj. I just dropped by and requested the Counter Lady to book me a place for the Umrah on the most immediate flight. I just made my there and then, spontaneously. My luck was well paved, I got a seat, the last seat. I asked for the best package ie the closest to Al Haram and Nabawi. I want the nearest stay. I really want to a s close as possible as I really want to spend great time especillay to study the detail of Al Haram and Nabawi. Again my luck was greatly facilitated, and I got what I need. Alhamdullilah.

House Keeping

Yesterday I was occupied briefing MyCousins on how they should manage things that I'll leave behind, just in case I tumble over matter that may defer my course: MyStore, the Farm, the LiveBand equipments, the homes, the contruction of a small Mussola, and the Restaurant. All these were my hard re-investment that I had made from all those income that I made in my 25 years in service. Basically, I had loaded almost all of my income to help all my poor relatives and kampung folks. Indeed, I was happy to see all seem to understand that what I'm going to leave, would be very important to their future livelihoods. MyStore in particular is important to ensure the seven to ten villages that being served would get a fair market price for their basic goods. All thses while they had been cut throat by local capitalists. I have longing wanting to do MySadaqah the way I believe would benefit most and on much sustainable basis. MySotre is a way for me to serve or pay back to the community along my interest to inspire all the successful Kampung boys and girls to come back and be with their respective community. They are too many of them, but normally they forgot about their birth places and poor relatives and kampung folks. The LiveBand Equipments and the restaurant are my contribution to keep the youngsters happy and preoccupied at a close observation of the community. I hope the Mussola a small praying place size about 12 by 12 feet,  later would serve the need of those who travel along the Sadong Jaya-Simunjan Road. The Mussola, I intended to be used to teach all my neighboring kids to learn to recite the Al Quran and learn to pray. I'll look for a full time person to teach them later. The farm, is my partnership with those landowners who can’t develop their land due to many reasons. Among them many were elders and poor families. I shared with them on 50:50 basis over the total revenue with all the cost being absorbed by me. To my finest calculation, I made only about 10 per cent of the nett profit, but to my most satisfaction, I really want to eleviate the poor from my surrounding. I was indeed feeling good seeing all those are well managed by mostly uneducated but dedicated Kampung Boys and Girls. In the spirit of Malaysia Boleh applauded by Mahathir Mohammed, I love to contribute to the tune that Orang Kampungpun Boleh!.

(2) The greatest joy, was when I managed to talk to MyBabySit uncle’s daughter, my cousin, whom had been wondering working in Kuching for years and yet doesn’t get her to anywhere. The father, who baby sit me when I was a toddler, was MyMum most obedient small brother. He grew initially with MyMum, his eldest sister. As I observed, non-of her late father kids pray for him as taught by Islam, I feel sadden of it. In Islam, one not only has to care about his needs, but one must also to have close eyes on one parent's relatives and close friends. I felt oblige to such call especially with regard to my babysit uncle. I just then asked her to be one and hopefully the rest will follow. She made her mind to stay in the Kampung to take care of her mother, and as a compensation I let her to join force with my other cousin to take care of MyStore.

(3) The day before, indeed I spoke to her brother in-law, a poor guy, now with three kids. He had been working all over, and yet couldn’t improve his life much better. Leaving him alone, I would say, will be a pain in my neck since his problem sooner or later will spill over onto me, as the Malay’s proverb saying: Cubit peha kanan, peha kiri terasa juga. He is now fully employed by me to take care of MyFarm. I summoned him to have breakfast with him and gave him a hard simple advice for him to take it seriously: When we are poor, we must work extra hard. But we must be honest and learn as much from others success. Never follow the failures of others but never envy other success. Just work hard and be honest. To the average Muslim, that should be their demanded attitude. The Al Quran clearly said An honest, hard working person (husband) to earn a living for his family is way of a jihad. Just as my advice to some Indonesian workers who frequent MyStore, I also requested him to stop smoking and use all those silly smoke and ash money to take care of the family welfare. I really wonder and feel irritated to why people must smoke under the excuse to smoke away their problems yet once the cigaret is smoked out, would their problems perish? I would say, smoking is a mere trap of the greedy west capitalist onto the stupid naive poor east.

(4) After organizing my little office at MyStore, and seeing the LiveBandBoys whom is headed by my two cousins by the nick name of Codet and Daim, do behave themselves, I then drove back to town. It was a smooth fine night. Cold and bright sky. Twinkling stars above. Deep down in my heart, I said to myself: Allah from the far Heaven is watching me. What would be me next?. Reaching home, quickly I did my house keeping especially watering all those indoor plants, tidy up my room, stake all those books that had been lying around for sometimes. I used to make sure my home is always in an organized manner when I’m traveling on long period. I then carefully packed all I need for my next 14 days traveling. I just want to travel simple and easy.

(5) I drove off to the airport by 0430 hours. It was a cold dawn. Smooth drive. Upon reaching the airport, as usual, I saw Tina at the Business Class Check-In counter, and at a distance she smile and upon reaching the counter, she already have my Boarding Pass without asking where and when I’m traveling. In most cases, I traveled in Economy Class but since I was a frequent traveler, I used to check-in at the Business Class counter. MAS should have more of this Tina, a nice lady, whom I treat as rare among those ten of thousands of MAS employees. I then hand over my Pickup key to Eddy and the wife Nieza whom this while had been very kind to send and fetch me whenever I travel by air. My flight to KL was at 0600 hours, and after the rushing Subuh, the plane depart as schedule.

(6) I have been traveling all through the Nation. What really puzzle me was the way we developed our ablution area be it at the Mosque, Surau or Mussola. The Malays’ habit of using lots of water during the ablution is something that our praying places developers or planners had overlook. The splashing water normally wet even to the praying hall. We seem not able to relook at our layout and design to ensure a fast dry ablution area. Worst, I would say, six out of 10 Malaysian wore spectacle. Probably 100 percent of the baligh persons have hand phones. Accordingly, youngsters do wear hat. Unfortunately, in most cases, our ablution area is not equipped with shelves to take care of all these accessories. Kuching airport praying place is the worst of all that I have frequent. The LCCT Sepang seem to forget we are in a tropical State. In the heavy rain storm, the entrance area will be very inconvinient for all especially the ladies. I believe, JAIS should look at all these and must keep abreast with the Ummah little need all over. It is time that we must pay attention to detail. We can’t be just accepting norms of the past and continue to take thing for granted. JAIS and JAKIM, should now move to a much forward step: facilitating the comfort of the ummah! I believe when our JAIS and JAKIM even our Muslim architects and engineers or even the administrators (including Ministers) when they went for Hajj or Umrah, they turned their blind eyes to the way the ablution area in Nabawi and Al Haream being organised. What a pitty.

Thank To Bill Gate

I booked my traveling to Mecca and Madinah about a month ago with TH Travel Agency. But due to my other oversea trips, I could only hand them my passport for Visa processing purpose about two weeks ago. What puzzle me about this TH Travel, they seem to take for granted that I knew my detail schedule. It was hard for them to give the definite schedule though I made various phone calls to get them to confirm everything. Last Friday, which is a mere three days before the departure only I got my itinerary confirmation, and that was after I made a visit to their office, but later on the same day, I was informed over the uncertainty of the hotel booking in Mecca. I was then asked to pay extra to get to the nearest place to the Mosque. The price was really high.

(2) Well, doesn’t matter what was the price, I just asked them to proceed. To me as long as one could afford, why should one be too calculative at time to meet his Creator. We took the best facilities while in Venice, yet we becoming too cautious when come to be with Him. Interestingly funny! I have been longing debating over to be in Mecca and Madinah, both for self and public purposes. Apart from submitting myself to Allah, I would love to have a feel of the old Mecca and Madina development planning. I wish to understand that better to enable me to at least emulate the idea that Muhammad SAW had over a proper township planning. I hope to understand the physical connectivity of the Mosque as the centre of Islamic community development.

(3) I landed at KLIA by 0740 hours as scheduled. My next departure would be at 1500 hours. What should I do? Luckily a genius such as Bill Gates had enabled me to make full use of my time, writing and reading cyberly. Thank Bill and all those alike, at least, I don’t get kill doing nothing at KLIA for seven long hours.

Incremental Improvements That Matter

After the check in, a briefing was organized. There were huge turned up of families members at the airport. It is culturally interesting among the Malays, once a family member go for Hajj or Umrah, lots would love to send them to the plane doorstep. They just want to share the barakah of those going there. The briefing was done not to the best manner as distance people at the far end could hear less or nothing. I was among those at the distance. To me, as I have suggested to the in charge officer of TH Travel, since the flight is a special chartered, I would say it is much better the briefing be done in the Plane. The check-in as well as boarding should just follow as what Tony Fernandes did for his AirAsia passengers. I really can’t understand how these TH Travel personnel do not have concern over the comfort of all those aging participants whom had come as far as Sabah, Sarawak, Kedah, Kelantan, etc since the early morning. If from Kuching I started at 0430 hours (0400 hours if included bathing etc), then the Sabahan would have started probably at 2400 hours. Probably they are too used to do these routine works such that they can’t see what continuous improvement to be made. I believe their attitude is mere to makan gaji without a brain to do extra excellent job especially for the guests of Allah.

(2) I have no chance to attend a day pre-umrah course normally organized for the first timer participants. But reading through the manual, InsyaAllah, it is not as complicated as might be thought. One thing I found out the manual seem repetitious and done not to the best friendly manner. I believe those guys at the TH Management or even at Tabung Haji should properly learn on how to use the Concept of FlowChart and Japanese QCC to improve their services. Among others, they should have advice the participants at least to wash the ihram cloth, have comfortable sandal (now I found, the thinner the better), a broad band belt, a cloth pin, body lotion, chapstick, etc. I do hope TH Travel have a look at those and improve accordingly. I have decided not to put on the ihram dress until say three hours before landing in Jeddah. I need to visit the wash room frequently as I want to drink more water. But I was in fact nervous not knowing on how to fix the dress. Earlier checking at the Mussola at the KLIA airport, I realised I didn’t have the broad band belt as used by most. Anywhere, I hope my horse skin belt would be halal and acceptable for the same purpose. For the man, the ihram dress is a simple two piece of white clothes to be used just like those Buddhist monks or the Nomadic Arabs while one Tawaf and Saei ie praying circling the Kaabah and running up and down of Marwan and Safa hill. The one for the lady is just her praying white telekong. I was indeed right not to put on the ihram as the in and out of the sitting place is a real cumbersome effort. The seats were too close to each other, and my knees really had to squeeze for space. Again, comfort seem not MAS and TH Travel concern.

(3) On the 20 March,. 2012 while having my second breakfast at a Turkish Stall, I met a group of Malaysian students from Al Azhar University of Cairo. What attracted me was that their ihram was clipped just as the Jean Button. If such is allowable, (as the only prohibition is close sawing of the cloth) then the wearing of the dress will be much comfortable especially when one needs to move in much crowded situation. In fact while on ihram I can’t really focus since the dress keep slipping off my shoulder every times I bound for rukuk and sujud, once I prayed.

(4) The next thing that worries me was those long recital of doa one should do while doing the Umrah especially during the Tawaf and Saie. Fortunately my concern friend from Kota Bharu, Nik Hafizul gave me a call before my boarding, advising, let make thing simple: You are they to be humble. Just be humble on what you know and be open to Him on what you don’t know. Just ask from Him to make thing easy for you, and ask Him what you need from Him, even recite your doa in Malays. I read through the meaning of those long recital in Malays, most are about praising Allah and Muhammad SAW followed with prays of what we must be and want to be. His advice make sense and indeed was a great relief to me, and made me recall what Allah had said in the Al Quran: ”Islam is simple and easy...come and ask from Me of what you want!”, and also in accordance to His characters: the Greatest, the Merciful, the Loving, the Knowledgeable, etc. SubhanaAllah it is so simple, but we must not take thing for granted. Yet I would say, the Malays professionals love to make simple things hard, and difficult things worst. Most really don't take Allah advice to make difficult thing simple and easy for others to comply.

(5) There was an inflight video of the whole affairs and procedures of Umrah. The only problem, the system doesn’t work well. This is again where, both MAS and TH Travel should be considerate where such matter arise and those really in need of clarity, they must make all those available to the customers. I do believe, it is their duty to make the Muslim whom had decide to meet Him be facilitate so that they would gain the most of their journey and sacrifice. It is indeed not easy to get a slot even just to do umrah, what more to say the Haj. This I would believe, where the young so called professional Malays had ignored the foreparent culture and deeds. They have lost to much of the traditional Malays' values and deeds. What a pitty?

(6) I was seated in the middle row of the plane. Four passengers all from Sarawak were with me. One to my left introduced himself was from Kuching but in real fact, was from Entebu, Saratok. His village is a paddy farming community, across the Saratok river, which once, sometimes ago I what to initiate both with Tabung Haji and Sime Darby to develop those area under the guaranteed contract farming system. The way he initially telling me where he came from was rather interesting. First he asid he came from Kuching, yet when I probed further, after listening on his speaking lingo, he told me he indeed was from Sri Aman. That is 250 Kilometers away from Kuchin to the interior north. Then, when I asked him from which village, he then shifted to Saratok, which is about  127 kilometer to the northern coast. To the end he said he was from Entebu Kupang. I could deduced that to this day even the Kampung Malays are still looking down at the kampung lives. He was not an exceptional, there are lots out there whom have forgotten of their roots. To me these are the small hearted Malays whom sees their foreparent hard job as shame without a shame in their heart to see that their people, their community continue to stay as such. The facilities given by Allah to them noiw being seen as theirs not belong to the Ummah. That indeed is a bigger shame and sin that they may have to answer hereafter. The man, he most of the time memorizing all those doa while I just keeping writing and once a while flipping all those recital.

A Test of Patience

Saudi is considered the richest Muslim State. Abraham had prayed specifically for Allah to grace Mecca with forever prosperity. The landing at Jedah International Airport really shocked me. We disembarked by an aerobridge, but then has to get down by staircase to load on to buses, which then we have to take another staircase to the immigration checking area. Up and down of the staircase, then what was the purpose of the earlier embarking at the areobridge. Can’t they have series of escalator or even land at the nearest doorway? Don’t the Saudis realized, among the tamu Allah are elders? We had also been traveling at least for eight hours in a cramp plane. Probably the wavy head gears blinded them too much or their Ministers and Officers earn too much and never feel the hardship of the don’t have much. The Allah’s given wealth doesn’t make them feel responsible

(2) The Immigration checking point was split into two, one to check on the Visa validity and the next counter to take the photoprint of the some particulars of the passport. They can’t even have an integrated system. The luggage management is just as good as in Wewak of Papua New Guinea. To me, the Saudi frequent Las Vegas more than the average Malaysia comes to Kuala Lumpur, yet they can’t see how efficient is the Las Vegas Airport. Then we have to walk to a waiting area, roofed but not walled. It was reported there was a sand storm somewhere deep in the desert. Jedah was affected and the air looked foggy due to the tiny dust. I got some dust going into my eyes. The praying area were also disgusting, dusty, dirty, small. I believe if Abraham ever reborn, he will be weeping in deep ashamed seeing how the Saudis manage their (?) wealth at the mercy of the comfort of the tamu Allah.

(3) Here again, THTS organization was poor. They can’t even get the bus and all the passengers well organized. There were 454 of us in that MAS chartered plane. We have to wait almost an hour to get moving. Kids were restless. Elder Tamu were in pain, tired. Most need wash room, I need worst for it was my military training to clear myself before other thing early in the morning!

(4) On reaching Mekah, we were dropped to various hotels based on choice of packages. I was split from the rest of the Sarawakian since I requested for the nearest hotel to Masjil Haram. First I was take to El Eiman Hotel which is a block or mere 150 meters away from Masjidil Haram. After about 90 minutes waiting, then they realised my hotel was booked at Movenvick, at the Hajar Tower fronting and by the footstep of the Masjid Haram open area at Gate 1. It was then 0100 hours in the morning. But after sometimes, checking, then they realised that my passport was not with any of them, and they had to search for it. They can’t instantly located it, as they are not in full communication with the whole of the wakil. I can’t check in without the passport.

(5) I was then shifted back to El Eiman to share room with the THTS staff. It was already 0200 hours. I then have to rush to clean up for the Tawaf. I have not having my shower since 0430 hours on 17 Mac., 2012 and only able to do so by 0215 hours on 19 Mac., 2012. I really have to hold myself to the best discipline not to be mad, realising there are more families having the same problem.

(6) Unfortunately even after we finished Saie, some families still couldn’t get their room. I really felt sorry for them and later I found out, THTS must go through third party local agent to book the hotels. In Saudi, especially at peak season, one really has to compete in getting the room. Whoever willing to pay more will get the room. What an untrusted business attitude? But on the other hand, I had made my booking with THTS a month in advance and they have their representative in Mecca and Madina, and why the matter not been counter check much earlier. As I see it, THTS representatives in Mecca only seem busy checking and shaking their head once we are already there. Can’t they do their work even when we began to depart from Kuala Lumpur? I doubt the truth in their words, they probably giving excuses for not being efficient and responsible!

(7) As usual, I never want to be silent. I saw elders tamu Allah dame so tired, mostly ladies. We joke, let now Malaysian form Tabung Umrah to take care on Umrah matter, and Tabung Haji should only deal with Haji matter, not umrah! In deed it was not truly correct to just said that those hiccups were test of patience from Allah. The Mecca heat, the dry air, the dusty natural environment, all those natural challenging phenomena, I would accept as from Allah, but not human inefficiency and ignorance. To me, those delays and discomfort was totally human error and inefficiency. We can’t simply associate all our problems as something to do with Allah, if so then what is the meaning of: ”Yang baik dari Allah, yang buruk dari hambaNya?”. I can’t believe, give the brain, we then refused to optimize our intellectual consideration.

Umrah

We, about 10 of us, the new tamu did the Umrah guided by Ustaz Ali Gusti an Indonesian appointed by THTS. He prayed aloud those recital and we just follow word to word. We started at about 0230 hours. Umrah was a very simple affair in deed. Firstly, the Ihram dressing for men in particular, then the niat to be proclaimed about two hours before the landing at Jeddah. Niat or deed can be proclaim at any Tanah Halal as long as one is in Ihram. The next was the Tawaf praying walking around the Baitullah for seven times without a stop except for the compulsory pray. The Tawaf that day was comfortable since not much people around, I assumed only 40 percent of the Kaabah foyer was filled up. Then, the Sunat Tawaf Pray where one will do it independently to the opposite of Pintu Kaabah.

(2) Next was to do the Saie ie walking pray between the Mt. Safa and Marwan. The path had now been turned into air conditioned nice clean tunnel. It is located within the Masjidil Haram to the east of the Kaabah. A mere 100-150 meters away. One has to make seven times walking to and fro of the two points. Again the Uztaz led and guided the first timers. ZamZam drinks are provided for free, I assumed at every 200-300 meters interval. Then, upon completing the walking, one has to cut a bit of one hair as a symbol of cleansing. It was advisable to shave one hair (for man).

(3) We completed the Umrah before the Subuh and I said MyFirst wajib pray closest to Allah this day of MyLifeTime, Alhamdullilah. Thereon I was free to do my pray on my own.

(4) In the past, the significant of Tawaf and Saie among others was to show to the Kafir Quraish that being a Muslim despite had been walking on foot from Madina to Mecca (14 days non-stop), they are still strong, they not weak and spiritually in high morale. Thus Muhammad SAW had ordered his men to run circling the Kaabah. Today, being a Muslim, one must remain healthy. Basically, to this day, that is what Muhammad SAW wanted his ummah to be, therefore if one’s sees the local Arab, they really run around the Kaabah with their families as part and parcel of a family weekly exercise as well as ibadah.

(5) Accordingly, in search of drink for her son Ismael, Hajar had to run to and fro of Safa and Marwan. Why did she need to run? Is it not, in search of one’s rezeki that one need to be fast and confident? Is that not among what Allah try to imply to us, the Malay in particular?

(6) Tawaf Wada or Goodbye Kaabah is another compulsory act that one must do prior leaving Mecca. This is to show last respect to the Land Lord, Allah. It is just as the normal tawaf except one need to refrain from doing anything that is not musafir in nature after the Tawaf.+ With a camera on my shoulder and those ladies begging for money, the temptation to break the taboo is high.

(7) After completing all these spiritual exercise, in fact I wonder, here in Mecca, everybody seem to be dedicated and really rush and keep themselves to the time, but once they came back home, I see too many becaming sluggish. Why? They became not much concern about their keeping to the time, taking thing not serious, physically unfit, smoking, no serious concern of others, and all those good things that they asked and promised seem gone with the dust of the desert. Why? What is then the real meaning of mabruh, their deed had been accepted by Allah?

Kaabah and Masjidil Haram

For every moment I was at the Masjidil Haram, I made numerous observations that would help me to understand things from the various perspectives of the grand plan of Allah. First, the word Haram being used to name the place, is to disallowed man from doing all those bad things here. Later I discovered, the boundary of Tanah Haram is about 20 kilometers away from the Baitullah, close to the Jabal Nur at one point, Mudzalifah at another point. Mathematically, Tanah Haram is about 400-1,200 sq kilometres or 40,000-120,000 hectares wide depending on how one calculate ie using the width x Length (20x20) or using the Algebraic calculation of πr.r (3.14X20X20). I would assume the Arab would choose the Algebraic calculation. This in fact is a very significant urban planning area, that the Saudi and the Muslim World should pay attention. I’ll give some conceptual ideas on this in a separate special article.

(2) Baitullah or Kaabah is sort of a square structure with each of the edge (Face) length 11-12 meters wide depending on which direction it is facing. The height of Kaabah is about 13 meters or about two and half storey building. The four corner of Kaabah pointed to historically important States. The Yamani Corner is on the South-East, the Iraqi Corner is on the North-East, while the Sham or Syrian Corner is on the North-West with the last corner, the BaitulMuqaddis or Palestine Corner at the South-West. The Door is located on the East Face. The Hajaratul Aswad is at the Yamani Corner, while Hijir Ismael-Hajar is to the North Face (in between Iraqi and Syirian Corner). Why did the angels and Abraham placed these corners of the Kaabah pointing to Yaman, Iraq, Sham and Palestine? Is it by mere coincident?

(3) Probably interesting for Muslim theologies, historians and thinkers to really come with research idea why Allah had arranged the facing of the Kaabah is such geographical reference? Why is Hajaratul Aswad located at the South-East corner and the Main Door facing the East, similarly with the burial place of the Father of the Arabs and Jews, Abraham. While others facing Iraq, Syria and Baitulmuqaddis? The Safa-Marwan Hills or the Saie place is located to the Eastern of the Kaabah, with the Safa Hill is located facing the Hajaratul Aswad, and what are the significant of these then?

(4) There must be a significant psychological reasoning by Allah. But have we made efforts to really discover the hidden knowledge and importance of such creation, first by Angels, then by Adam and later by Abraham-Ismail and again by the Bani Quraish-Hashim? Time has come for us to start thinking and digging, not merely to accept what Allah had given to us as given. We can’t forever to be a
sloth.

(5) Most significant, the Door of the Kaabah and the Hajarautl Aswad, Makam Abrahim and Hijir Ismael-Hajar is located strongly to the East, why? The Arabs, the Turks, the Persian, the Moore (Beber), and the Mogul-Indian whom made up the significant numbers of the Muslim population had contributed to the expansion and civilization of Islam. The Malays, which probably made 200-250 million of the Muslims out of the estimate 1,200,000 total Muslims, we had not contributed significantly to the development of Islam. Why? Doesn’t the locational of the Kaabah Door, the Hajarautl Aswad, Makam Abraham and Hijir Ismael-Hajar have something to do for the call of the Malays contribution? The minority Muslim-Malays in Chambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philipines, and even in Burma and Laos need the strong support of the main stream Malays in Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. The Singaporean Malays-Muslim I would say in the verge of drowning. I love to dwell on this when I conceptually later posted a specific article on the possible direction of the development of Mecca as Holy-Tourism Metropolitant.

(6) Ten days in Mecca, I made my effort to study some details of the Kaabah and Masjidil Haram, and these including the estimation on the number of going around rings, each about a meter wide, at the foyer or at floor level of the Kaabah. There are about 40 of them but organized asymmetrically, meaning about 50-60 lines of people could make a walking around the Kabaah at any time. This I would say able to take in at least 200,000-300,000 prayers at a time. This foyer is surrounded by a roofed two storey, with one underground floor, of the Masjidil Haram, circling the Kaabah forming the Coliseum-like structure. Tawaf mainly took place at the foyer. The total Masjidil Haram space is estimated at 85,300 sq meters.

(7) With such asymmetrical arrangement of the circles, then one has to be strategic if one want to be as close as possible to the Kaabah when one made the Tawaf. More importance if one wants to be able to Touch and Kiss the corners and Faces of the Kaabah.

(8) There are about 49 entrances into the foyer, with Gate No 1 is in direct angle to the Clock Tower Complex where there are about four hotels there complete with the shopping malls and alike. I was fortunate to be there. It took me only 10 minutes from my room to the Gate 1. On the other end, one can enter the Masjid Haram through 97 gates. The gates are not significantly marked that made lots of confusion for one to exit. Gate No 1 is named Gate King Abdul Aziz which is connected to Gate 97 of King Faisal if one wants to get to Level 1 and 2 of the Masjidil Haram. Almost at every gates point, ZamZam drinks are provided for free.

(9) I did also try to estimate the total space of the roof area of the Msjidil Haram. There are 106 (?) arches size about 10 meters apart forming the Level 1 of the Masjidil Haram. The depth of the roofed area probably is about 75-100 meters wide. There are also a sizeable open space between the Masjidil Haram and the surrounding buildings. The main is the one fronting the Clock Tower stretching all the way along the Aiyad Street, I would say the Main Old Street or the Old Camel Trail of Mecca. Lots more are being constructed, with more building being torn off. The overall total open space, I was told, is about 360,000 sq meters making the total praying area able to take upto 1,000,000 prayers at a time.

(10) The Saie place is part and parcel of the Masjidil Haram. Nicely roofed, with great ventilation. At many points, there are places for one to have the ZamZam drinks.

(11) I recalled, including myself, that when my grand mum made her Haj at the age of 75 years old, alone, and my aunties, they said they used to get lost of their direction when they want to come back to the group or hotel. After five days observing how things are being organised, now I realise that the Saudi need helps to make the movement in the Masjidil Haram much well organise and comfortable to all. I see, the lost, has nothing to do with one’s lives history but more of the monotones of the system. The guards are mere guarding and directing, but I believe nobody ever seriously doing the QCC to make thing much efficient and comfortable. We may need to make significant numbers of the Japanese and Korean to be Muslim to help us, especially the Saudis to think and work systematically. Has the Malays thinking about this? OIC? Rabitah Islamiah? WAMY?

Tamu of Allah

Whoever come to pay the Haj or Umrah to Mecca is called the Tamu or Guest of Allah. If one is very observant, I would say one could easily understand the psychology of the Muslim nations or otherwise as one come here. At this season, I observed, there are lots of Indonesian especially the women. Why? Then followed by the Indian and Pakistani. The Mediterranean, especially the Turks, due to their size, aggressiveness and nice fit ihram dress just as the Roman are quiet prominent. These groups normally move like the piranha. The Turks I would say behave more like the fleet of bison. They are good bulldozers. There was another big size and bold shaven group. They normally come in small numbers, 3-5 and they really careless for others. They just pushed anybody out of their way.

(2) In general, I would say the Arabs, Mediterranean, and even Pakistani are just big in size. In height they are just average. In many instances either they are of my height or even shorter. African seem to have the real height. Why? Just like the camel or ostrich in the desert! (I was at one point, tried to pursue the raising of dairy farm to feed the Malays with the best calcium so that they can beat the New Zealander in the ruby field, but I failed to make people realise or even if they realise, they don’t have the heart!)

(3) The Indonesian and the Karala Indian, I would say, are shorty. Why? One can’t really see them among the crowd, but their presence which were always in big numbers 15-30 in a group, was just as I earlier said, like a school of piranha. They pushed by the mass. They were so determined to their destination, the Hajaratul Aswad and Hijir Ismael-Hajar. Between the two, the worst were the Indian. Many times I got caught walking infront of them. I really being pushed and squeezed in their pursue to the Hajaratul Aswad or Hijir Ismael-Hajar. Unfortunately, most can’t make it. I feel pity of them. They normally lost to the bold headed, big size Arabs. Seeing them in frustration, I normally pat on rubbed their back and said:”Ngak apa-apa mbak, ngundur dulu, hati-hati, sabar, pasti ada rezeki nantinya!”

(4) Those coming from the Asia Minor, look thin, deep eyes, crocked nose. I see deep sorrow in their eyes. The Aghan are the most that caught my deep pray. May Allah relief these people from all the greed and craziness that surround them.

(5) In particular, I pay attention to the Indonesian and Karala-like groups. The Karala normally have pin on their nose. Their male, well they look no different from all those Mamak Roti Canai back home. The ladies in particular, most in the middle age 40-50 years old, their face really looked Kampung rural. They have thin, sorrow, deep small face. Even my friend from Entebu, Saratok fall under the same category. He aged at least 60 years old. Probably, they had made long life saving to enable them to visit this Holy Place. Many times when I sit before the pray close to the Kaabah behind the Imam, as they passed by, the look of their feet fingers and nails confirmed my assumption. Most look crocked and real hard, that symbolised their hard lives. These are the people who really pushed to their lives to make their way to the Hajaratul Aswad, Hjr Ismael-Hajar, and Makan Ibrahim. One can see their sweat pouring from their faces as they put up their struggles. Later as they were able to be at the Kaabah Faces or Hjr Ismael-Hajar, one could see how bad they cried for their repentant and luck. Some, once they had made to their destiny, they really turned excited and one can see how they felt relief and bersyukur.

(6) After many visit to the rural Indonesia and even Chennai India, I could feel and understand their grievances. Poverty and to a certain extend all those family problems accrued from their poor or devastated socio-economic status gave them great relief to pour their tears onto the wall of Kaabah or at Hjr Ismael-Hajar. I believe they really reporting their true lives fate to Allah and really prayed for His help. The Arabs, especially the women, I would say, their cries were for reason that I can’t predict. Probably more for family matters.

(7) Once the Indian and Pakistani had made their way to their destiny or even gave up, they then congregated at the open space outside the Masjidil Haram. Many instances, they turned those open spaces as their picnic area, just as they were at home in those bushy semi desert villages. I saw them chit chatting, I hope they really discussed how to improve theirs and their communities lives. But would they? Some spoke aloud in the phone. I hope the matter they spoke were much significant than being close to Allah and take all those opportunities to the optimum. But, would that be the case? What sadden me, one can see how much litter being left around despite they were numerous special Bangladeshi workers continuously going around to collect all those litters. Indian-Pakistani-Bangladeshi, I believe they love to outdo each other doesn’t matter where they are. Have they not realise, that had made them, once the pariah of the British? Why? Tradition seem to die hard!

(8) Looking at the workers cleaning the Masjid, serving the people at the hotel, at the food outlets, the construction sectors, etc: the Bangladeshi, the Indian, the Indonesian they are the people. I hope, with this millions of them in Arabia, they would improve their social wellbeing, learned Arabic and hopefully one day, they will be the source of the Islamic Renaissance. The Malays, if not of the Indonesian, I would believe, we are in nowhere in the map as the significant contributor to the growth of Islam in the future. I could also see, the general Indonesian will master the Arabic, the Malaysian Malays one day will have to refer to them to dig out those knowledge that they may pick up from the long serving the Arabs. I hope, thing will work that way.

(9) The Indonesian ladies, not only they are now the majority among the tamu, but most significant, there hundreds of thousand of them in the homes of the Saudis. These I would say the future source of the growth of Islam in Nusantara. I pray, I’ll have the chance to see all these happening. In the word of Ayatollah Khomeni, the Iran Grand Mullah: ”My supporters, they are still in your womb. Time will come, they will be willing to die for Iran”, and historically it was true.

(10) My eyes worked hard to search for other Muslim nationalities. I was happy to see some with the Korean-Chinese feature did lingering around. I believe they must be coming from China, the Yunan. This group are much discipline. They move slowly but they are very determined in their outlook. Unfortunately, I have not come across the Thai, Chambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, or even the South Pacific. Why? What are we able Malays-Malaysian-Muslim doing for them?

The Emotion at Baitul Haram

On the second day (20 March), just about an hour before the Maghrib, I headed toward the Kaabah with the intention to do the Tawaf Sunat, but right from the Gate Step No 1, I felt my heart was so heavy, then without control tears just pouring out of my eyes. But then my feet took me straight to Hjr Ismael-Hajar, without much hindrance, where there I did my sholat sunat to ask Allah to relief all those pains suffered among my poor relatives, friends and the Muslim. The lives of those I have seen in Bandung, the Metro Jakarta, rural Chennai, Mindanoa, Pattani, Phnom Pehn, Vietien, and the landless floating unwanted Cham at Mekong river, and those isolated Island of Indonesia strike my heart badly. I did asked for what I normally asked in my daily prays. On the same day, I did managed to said my pray at all the four faces of the Kaabah. What a great gift from Allah.

(2) Thereon, Allah had been generous to me, I always have easy access to the Makam Ibrahim, Hijir Ismael-Hajar, and the wall of all the four Faces of Baitullah, and most significant, I managed to pray many times just few rows (mostly 2-5) behind the Imam especially for the Maghrib without much hindrances or struggles. There, by the side of the Kaabah gate, in between the Hajaratul Aswad and Hijir Ismael-Hajar, I made many sholat sunat while waiting for the Imam to come and start the pray. I normally wished myself, my families, my relatives, my friends and those that I knew, are to be open minded, clear clean heart, united, and really struggle for the great of Umah and Islam. I wish myself to be much patience, passion and intelligent to bring good to all. I hope Allah to answer my pray.

(3) Later, Ustaz Ali Gusti, the guiding ustaz assigned to us, on our field visit to Hudaibiyah, said: ”We normally cried hard in our first visit to Baitullah. Then in the subsequent visits the cries became lesser and lesser. Why? Allah had taken some of the burden that we are shouldering bit by bit. He had answered our pray. Thus we then cry less!”. Probably that explain why in a sudden I broke into tears.

(4) Prior to my Tawaf Wada I made a one round in the very hot noon before Dzohor on last Monday. Again, Allah is very generous of me. I have no problem to pray and be at the whole four Faces of Kaabah, Hijir Ismael-Hajar, and even touching the Stone at South-West Corner, saying goodbye to Abraham. I dare not want to approach the Hajaratul Aswad. I have mine previously and let not be greedy I told myself upon seeing one old Indonesian lady fainted being dragged by the son and in-law to make it there.

Trailing the Imam

I have been wondering where did the Imam lead the pray. My kid times reading of Enid Blyton series probably had developed into my investigative mind. Nonetheless, by accident on the second day, while doing my Tawaf Sunat, as the Azan Maghrib was being called, I was then close to Hijir Ismael-Hajar ie in front of Makam Ibrahim. While saying my doa at Makam Ibrahim, then I noticed more security personnel began to gather and start blocking the seclude of Hijir Ismael-Hajar about 30 minutes before the pray. I made a stance to stay put. Then people began to oragnise themselves along with me to made safs. Just by the side of the Kaabah Entrance next to the Hajaratul Aswad, a space was cleared and the microphones were set up. Later the whole space was cleaned up and splashed with perfume water. The Kaabah Door and the Hajaratul Aswad were also washed with perfume water. The whole preparation took about 30 munites. Later came the Imam and his officers closely guarded by the security personnel.

(2) The Imam then led the pray by the right side to the door of the Kaabah. He enter his leading site through the Hijir Ismael-Hajar where he firstly would perform his sholat sunat prior leading the pray.

(3) On the fourth day of MyVisit, I have the opportunity to pray a row behind his praying place. I observed, immediately after the salam, without the doa he will move to the Hijir Ismael-Hajar and disappeared from there, all the movements were fast and well organised. I wonder where did he go then. I also wonder, every time after the pray, there will be a pray for the janazah. That made me wondered more. Where was the janazah and where did the Imam lead the pray then.

(4) SuhannaAllah, Allahmdullilah, all my curiosities were answered after my Tawaf Sunat after the Maghrib while waiting for the Isya pray. It was Friday night, a real packed situation. That day there were too many rough Indian tamu that made the Tawaf a bit though. The whole foyer of the Kaabah was flooded with the tamu. As I don’t want to get into unnecessary body pain due to the pushing of these people, I decided to move out to the outer circle. Only at the second last outer circle that I could really breath and have much needed space. By accident, as I took the ZamZam drink at Gate No 2, I saw a small space by the side was emptied and few security and the Mosque personnel was preparing the microphone. My gut told me that I must stay put there and see what next.

(5) About 20 minutes before the Azan Isya was called, a janazah was led into the cleared space. I took the Isya as close as possible to the place, and later seen, that the Imam, after leading the pray at the Kaabah he quickly guided to lead the pray of the janazah, and thereon he escaped through a small opening to the ground floor of the Masjidil Haram.

Touching Hajaratu Aswad: Fighting for One’s Rezeki

Going for Haj and or Umrah must be done for every able Muslim at least once in his life time. Why? Doesn’t the shahadah, complete daily prays, the fasting, zakat and fitrah not sufficient to make one’s Islam complete? Allah knows better what He want his ummah to go through and later paid for.

(2) As I made my Sunat Tawaf I began to notice some trend. The Arab due to their big and tall body built, the just pushed their way to be as close as possible to the Kaabah. At the Hajaratul Aswad Face, they even wrestled hard without concern of others comfort to make their way to touch and kiss the Stone. Once they are they, they really hooked themselves kissing the stone, crying and praying. The Indonesian, I would say are the second aggressive group for the Stone. They work a smart paid system where about 3-5 students, I presumed would gang up forming a human chain to lead their country men to the Stone. A fee of R50.00-100.00 is the cost. I was approach by some, but I just replied:”Ngak apa-apa Mas. Biar saya mendapatkan rezeki perlahan-pahan lewat tenaga sendiri. Usah rebut-rebutan. Kasihan deh sama ibu-ibu yang udah tua!”.

(3) In one case, a group of Indonesian ladies just pushed their way wrestling with the Arab males and females. They really sweat by my side. Personally I just move with their wave, but as I reached the arm length distance, I really felt sorry to many. They really willing to die for the Stone Touch or Kiss. Their face look so sorrow, upset not able to make their way. I just normally back off (up to this point, I have made three attempt, but I’m confident to make once soon, insyaAllah), with deep feeling in my heart:”I’m here not merely to touch or kiss the Stone. I’m here for Allah. I must stay to the principle”.

(4) Those Indian ladies from Karala, judging from their way of dressing, with those pined nose, are the third aggressive. They really push, without bothering their physical form and gender differences. They just want the Touch and or Kiss. Sometimes, I can feel my body being used as their seal to get ahead.

(5) Allahuakbar. While having my shower this noon (20 March, 2012), suddenly I got a wisdom. SubhanaAllah. Why do people were so crazy about Touching and Kissing Hajaratul Aswad. In many case, people said, the Stone came from Heaven. They want to have a feel of heaven. Others said, they want to have a feel of Muhammad SAW touch of the Stone. All I would say are correct. But, Allah is great. I believe, He has much broader agenda then that. To me, my small mind though, He just want to tell everybody:”In getting one rezeki, one need to work hard. But, all again depend on Him. If we are honest, considerate, passion, patience, insyaAllah the rezeki will be ours now of later. Pushing and being greedy, no doubt, we can get what we want, but is there a Barakah?” At least here I got my direction on how to get MyRezeki. MasyaAllah. Alhamdullilah. SubhanaAllah. Allahuakbar.

(6) The poor Indonesian or the Karala, after knowing their socio-economic background, Touching and or Kissing the Hajaratul Aswad is their greatest achievement. I presume, their subconscious was to pray to Allah that they really need help to care for their socio-economic wellbeing. I pray my assumption is correct and that make me realise to pray: ”Ya Allah, for me, my family, my relatives, and friends, all those that I have known and came across, let us be guided to Your Iman, let us be the men and women of Taqwa……and let our heart and mind be always be concern of the betterment of your Ummah…”. I really wish all the able Muslim must be concern of the poor, the needy among us, as Muhammad SAW had said: to love me, is to love the orphans, the poor, the needy…

(7) I also wonder in deed, out of hundreds or even millions of tamu here, how many would pray for those suffering Muslim in Palestine, Iraq, Nigeria, etc and in many part of the world affected by poverty, natural disasters and those discriminations. Ya Allah peace and prosperity be upon them. Among us there must be groups who should always remember of their suffering. I could at least pray for them. As if I’m not mistaken, Ismail Marzuki in one of his poem did sort of asking: ”Siapakah yang berdoa untuk yang susah dan miskin selain dari diri mereka? Tidak pernah kudengar dari mimbar atau sejadah masjid setiap kali aku di sana!”

(8) I was in fact blessed. My height and my body build gave me lots of advantages. Here also I had told myself to be patience, patience, patience!. To get close to the wall of the Kaabah in fact was not as difficult. On my Sunat Tawaf on the 18 March, I came across and old lady. Small built. Short size. She was an Indian if not mistaken. What she did was really smart. She always made one step to the left for every few steps forward that she made. She seem to be able to judge the gap in between those massive crowd. At the end she could reach to the wall of the Kaabah, where later she hooked there and pray for her course. I then follow her trick, and I managed to pray against all the four walls every time I made my round.

(9) Many times I managed to touch the Stone (?) just a corner from the Hajaratul Aswad as well as the Makam Ibrahim in front of Hajaratul Aswad. I managed to make many times Sholat Sunat at Hijir Ismael-Hajar. On the third day of MyVisit, Allah really opened up my luck. After a peaceful pray at Hijir Ismael-Hajar, I swiftly moved to the South Face of the Kaabah. I managed to touch the Stone a corner next to Hajaratul Aswad. Later, as I was standing reciting my doa by the South Face of the Kaabah, a current of human force pushed me to the Hajaratul Aswad. I could touch the Stone at least I would estimate 15-20 seconds, with no trouble and get out from those hungry bees very swiftly.

(10) Observing the Indian and Indonesian, their determination to fight for their rezeki was great. But, they really have to physically struggle. They don’t work with correct strategy. Unfortunately, while they want to get to their rezeki, though in fact it was free, they have to pay for a price. At Kaabah, at home, both the Indian and Indonesian have to pay to get their rezeki. How unfortunate are these nations when greed and preying had become a culture! Are we, the Malaysian Malays-Muslim whom are slowly being penetrated by this syndrome realise how later the world will look at us with no dignity?

Field Visits

On the third day of MyVisit, we were taken to few places of significant importance in the early history of Islam. The most significant was the Jabal Nur where Muhammad SAW used to escape to be secluded thinking about the fate of his people. Those were the days when the Arabs were disintegrated, barbarian, always at war and most critical I would say uncivilised in the true human sense. There was where he was asked to read, to recite in the name of Allah, his first official introduction to the religion of Allah. Thus, I would say, if one could see the handicap of his society and really think hard on how to improve them, insyaAllah, as Muhammad SAW he was blessed with wahyu, but the normal human being surely Allah will also be blessing one with ilham, the wisdom. That I would say, the significant of Jabal Nur to this day. There are about 150-200 million Muslim Malays in South East Asia and if the Non-Muslim Malays are included, I would estimate, they would be 170-250 millions of us. But I would only dare to assume, about 10-15 percents are socio-economically sound, while the rest are just able to live. Thus, within the larger Malays societies, the able Muslim Malays has lots to do to really make the race socio-economically and religious-wise significant.

(2) Then we visited the Jabal Hira, a place of Muhammad SAW narrow escape from the death plot of his own people the Quraish, where thereon he made his migration to Madina. Both death threat and Hijrah of Muhammad SAW had numerous significant values. The death was imposed by his very own blood, Abu Jahal, the uncle. Which means, in the struggle for the truth, our deadliest enemy could be our own people as the Malays saying: Musuh dalam selimut. Accordingly, it is great to retreat to win.

(3) We were also brought to see the first place human couple met on earth, ie Jabal Rahmah. After separated for few years after being descended down to earth from heaven, where Adam landed in India and his wife Eve landed at Jeddah, both later for the first time were reunited at Jabal Rahmah Mount of Love. Ustaz Ali Gusti told the group that here, normally people pray so that their marriage live be happy and prolong as well as they might be hikmah for one to pray for his or her jodoh. Thus on the lighter part, for the group, I suggested the men to go first. They should write whoever (women) names that they want to marry or be with. After the men had came back, then their women to follow suit. What would be the women action? Please see footnote for the answer!

(4) Jabal Rahmah shouldn’t be too much associated with Adam-Eve reunification, the start of human breed. In Islam, the most significant was, it was there that Allah had declared ..now I bless this religion, Islam as complete and hold to it to victory…. After receiving this verse, Muhammad proclaimed it to his people, which made all except Abu Bakar Al Sidiq to joyful out cries. Abu Bakar knew with such a verse, Muhammad will soon leave and he cried while other all in the most happy mood. Muslim should celebrate this place and such date 9 Zulhijjah as the most significant date since that was the day and place Allah recognised Islam as Total and Complete.

(5) On the way, we also could see the camel farm. The traditional Badwi seem to die hard with the Camel farms. The camels are no more ranched in the open desert. They survive on feedlots system which is very much simpler then for cattle or buffalo. They feed on those dried grass. Interestingly, the camel milk taste better than cattle’s or buffalo’s. It is more like the goat milk except is much thinker. It tastes great once cold. The traditional milking also seem interesting. Firstly, the mother’s breast must be suckle by the young, then only the milk could be handy pressed. The calf sliver probably must contain either the diluting enzyme or hormone that could keep the milk flow just as the leeches sucking the man blood.

(6) There are two types of Camels. One is the Rasullulah and the others is Abu Jahal. What make the different? The Abu Jahal’s camels have ear rings on the right side. Thus, if a man is wearing an ear ring, then he is just like the Abu Jahal’s camel. According to Pak Ali Gusti,if Malaysian want to see Abu Jahal’s camel, there are a lots in Jakarta, roaming on the streets and the entertainment places. That was a cynical joke of the day!

(7) We then stopped at the Hudaibiyah. This is a place where Muhammad SAW enter into Treaty with the Quraish of not to wage war against each other. Muhammad SAW at that time was ready with 10,000 armies to take over Mecca. Probably here was where Muhammad SAW begin to concern about the numbers of the Muslim. Thereon I believe, he made various proclamation about marriage among the Muslims. That was also the moment where Abbas, Muhammad’s SAW uncle took Abu Suffyan, the Quraish Army General to Muhammad SAW to be converted. Thereon, Abu Suffyan assisted Muhammad SAW to rapidly expanded Islam to the whole of Arabia. While numbers matter, Muhammad SAW also recognised the quality. Thus, both him and the Al Quran stated: …the better Muslims are the healty one…”

(8) To memorise my visit to Hudaibiyah, I took home some seeds of those trees growing profusely by the compound of the Masjidil Hudaibiyah. I hope to make this plant a nice landscape in MyKampung, insyaAllah. Birds seem to love the berries of this plant.

(9) We also dropped at Masjidil Ja’ranah. This is where, Muhammad used to stop to pray and drink. One day the Quraish poisoned his well, but the Holy Ghost warn Muhammad and asked his to spit to the well as antidote. The water of the well is considered second to ZamZam as the best water, but due to tendencies by some quarters to treat the well in a syirik manner, the Saudi had demolished and covered the well. Human, fanaticism can’t spare them from their greed!

Personal Encounters

On the second day of MyVisit, as well as the first day I could pray close to the Imam, while waiting for the pray I took pictures using MyHandphone of what happening in front of the Kaabah Door and Hajaratul Aswad. The preparation of the Imam praying place seem quiet elaborate and interesting. While taking some photos, I realise a Sargent Officer keeping his close eyes on me. After some times, he then pointed to me to stop taking the photos. But as things going on and I believe due to my excitement, I then once a while stealing taking some more photos.

(2) By a sudden he walked to me and asking me in his imperfect English: ”How many times, no photo, no photo. 1,2,3,4…how many times?”. I was earlier warned that these security personnel could be very tough. They might just take away the phone, and that’s it. My mind worked fast. Quickly I pat on his shoulder, quickly pushing the phone into my pocket and said:MasyaAlah, MasyaAllah. He then back off and I was left in peace with no more photographing.

(3) I normally made all effort to pray as close as possible to the Imam for every Maghrib. My trick was simple, be around Makam Ibrahim or to the left corner of Hijir Ismael-Hajar 30 minutes before the azan. Definitely by such time, some devotees will form an early saf, and I just join them forming a human chain right to the Hajaratul Aswad. I dare not pray in front of the Hajaratul Aswad as that point is too rough and risky. One hour before the Maghrib normally I would made my Tawaf Sunat and walking slowly and pushing myself close to the makam Ibrahim.

(4) On the third day of MyVisit, I managed to pinned myself right behind the saf of the Imam. Unfortunately, I had miscalculated, there was a big crowd of the Imam officials accompanying him, such I was asked to push to the back. I was in real frustration since it was not easy to be able to pray right behind the MasjidilHaram’s Imam. But still I was lucky to get a slot at saf number sixth next to the Makam Ibrahim.

(5) On the fourth day of MyVisit, the day was bit hot. I made my Tawaf Sunat much earlier than normal. I put on my cool cotton usual Singapore A Fine City T-shirt. That day as the azan was called, after finishing my Sunat Maghrib the same Sargent suddenly approaching me. He was then guarding the back row at the Makam Ibrahim. He sound furious with all those caricatures printed on the back of my T-shirt. He was asking me:”What this, what this….??. I said, those are campaign not to litter and many others. He then turned his face to the public and showing the act of shitting while shouting: ”haram, haram…!”? Alhamdullilah, my military mind work fast. I just took of the T-Shirt flipped it over and put on my baju terbalik. The issue then settled.

(6) After finishing the Maghrib I was shocked to be hold by someone from the back. As I turned my face, the Sargent then holding my shouler and gave me a hug. I pat on his shoulder, and proclaimed: MasyaAllah, SubhanaAllah. Both of us then smile and laugh at each other. Thereon, I have been wanting to have a photo with him. But he seem never turning up until I left for Madinah. Probably his shift had lapped.

(7) To pray behind the Imam can cause some nuisance indeed. People are willing to be rough to get his slot. On the sixth day of MyVisit and my praying at such location, an old rural Arab, I presumed, acted stubbornly. He simply refused to be removed from the saf suppose for the Imam Officials. He really argued with the security personnel. Despite being pushed out, he fought back, and pushed the security personnel out instead. His action turned to comedy and at last the security officers just gave up and he got his slot where he wished. Well deep in my heart, sometimes there are people who are thick enough to fight even what that is not his right!

A Better Souvenir

At the AlBaraj AlByat Shopping complex where I stayed, there are numerous good book stores. From the very first day of MyVisit, I have been looking for the sale of books produced by the Darusallam Publication, which is a dedicated organization based in Riyadh to do research, translate and sale Islamic books. They have their Office in Kuala Lumpur and major cities of the world. The first book under such publication that I bought was Enjoy Your Life which was written by.....which gives a simple guide to how one should run his/her life joyfully. In this visit to Mecca, I was fortunate to add the followings for my collection:

(1) The Way To Patience and Gratititude: Uddat As-Sabirin Wa Thakhirat. Ibn Qayyim Al-Jwaziyya. Umm al-Qura. Al-Manusura, Egypt. 2002;
(2) The Biography of Ali Ibn Abi Thalib Vol 1 & 2. Ali Muhammad As-Sallabi. Darusallam. Riyadh. 2011;
(3) Zaid ibn Thaabit. Salahuddin Ali Abdul Mawjood. Translated by Abdul Raafi Adewale Imam. Darussalam. Riyadh. 2007;
(4) Uthman ibn Affan. Ali Muhammad As-Sallabi. Translated by Nasir Khattab. Darusallam. Riyadh. 2007;
(5) Salah ad-Deen Al-Ayubi. Vol 1-3. Ali Muhammad As-Sallabi. International Islamic Publication. Riyadh. 2010;
(6) The Priciple of Leadership. Yusef bin Othman al-Huzaim. Trasnlated by Safina Yasmin Naser. Darusallam. 2011;
(7) The Valley Come Alive. Life of the Last Messenger. Ibn Katheer. Darusallam. Riyadh.2010;
(8) Islamic Fatwa Regarding Women. Muhammad bin Abdul Aziz Al-Musnad. Darusallam. Riyadh. 1996;
(9) The Biography of Abu Bakar Ass-Siddeeq. Ali Muhammad As-Sallaabee. Translated by Faisal Shafeeq. Darusallam. Riyadh. 2007;
(10) Important Lesson for Muslim Women. Amr Abdul Mun’im Saleem. Darusallam. Riyadh. 2005;
(11) The Islamic Months. The detail treaties on the merits, virtues, and practices for the months of the Islamic year. Hafiz Ibn Rajab Hambali. Translated by Mohammed Mohemedy. Zam Zam Publication. Karachi, Pakistan. 2010;
(12) Muhammad for the Global Village. Muhammad al-Haashimi al-Haamidi. Translated by Nasiruddin al-Khattab. Darusallam. Riyadh. 2008;
(13) Guide to Sound Creed. A book on Muslim creed and Faith. Salih Al-Fawzan. Al-Maiman Publication. Riyadh. 2009;
(14) The Islamic Guideline on Medicine. Yusuf Al-Hajj Ahmad. Darusallam. Riyadh. 2010;
(15) The End of The World. Sign of the hour major and minor. Muhammad al-Areefi, darusallam. Riyadh. 2010;
(16) Islamic Medicine. The key to better life. Yusuf Al-Hajj Ahmad. Darusallam. Riyadh. 2010;
(17) When The Moon Split. Faizul Rahman Mubarakpuri. Translated by Tabassum Siraj et al. Darusallam. Riyadh;
(18) You can be the happiest women in the world. A treasure chest of reminders. Aid al-Qarni. International Islamic Publishing House. Riyadh. 2005;
(19) Psychology from the Islamic Perspective. Aisha Utz. International Islamic Publishing House. Riyad. 2011;
(20) A Literary History of Persia. Volume III&IV. Edward G. Browne. Goodwood Book. New Delhi. 2002;
(21) Now You Are A Mother. Du’aa Ra’oof Shaheen. Translated by Huda al-Khattab. Darusallam. Riyadh. 2012;
(22) Healing Body & Soul. Your Guide to Holistic Wellbeing Following Islamic Teachings. Amira Ayad. International Islamic Publishing House. Riyadh. 2008;
(23) Sales and Contracts in Early Islamic Commercial Law. Abdullah Alwi Hj Hassan. The Other Press. Kuala Lumpur. 2007;
(24) The Story of Islamic Spain. Syed Azizur Rahman. Goodwood. New delhi. 2008;
(25) First Thing First. For Inquiring Minds and Yearning Hearts. Khalid Baig. Islamic Book Trust. Kuala Lumpur. 2007;
(26) The Prophet's Methods of Correcting People Mistakes. Muhamad Salih al-Munajjid. Islamic International Publishing House. Riyadh. 2008;
(27) The True Secret. Amira Ayad. International Publishing House. Riyadh. 2011;
(28) Sejarah Masjid Nabawi. Muhammad Ilyas Abdul Ghani.Terjemahan Anang Rikza Masyhadi. Madinah. 2004;
(29) Sejarah Mekah. Muhammad Ilyas Abdul Ghani. Terjemahan Anang Rikza Masyhadi. Al Rasheed Printer. Madinah. 2004.

Interesting to note, the Indonesian seem getting much aggressive in their search for knowledge. Their Gramedia Book Store are flooded with Islamic Book, but not really our MPH. Their translated books are sold here in Mecca. I could figure out sooner Malaysian will have to repeat our 1950s footstep by looking at Indonesia as our source of knowledge or references. Our Malays youngsters now seem not able to master their English and even a good Bahasa Melayu. Worst to understand the written Bahasa Indonesia. In fact we are going into the dark side of the knowledge hunting. I’m puzzle, what are happening to thousands of Malaysian graduates from the Middle East? Why is Majlis Islam or even Tabung Haji not taking a strategic role to flood our Malays Muslim homes with books on Islam. We seem had not improved and diversified our ways of Dakwah. Our Ustaz and ustazah still love those audio-visual approach. They love just talking. What a pity?

Shopping or Spiritual Mecca

In lots of urban planning text book, the word Mecca had been borrowed to reflect the crowded prospering and happening places: shopping mecca, gaming mecca, food heaven mecca, etc. From the 28 floor of my hotel, Movenvick room I could see the development and redevelopment of Mecca. Earlier as we drove entering the City Centre I saw billboard displaying the new images of future Mecca. Hotels, apartment, condominium, piazza, shopping malls. Nay, Vegas Street plan seem to be? Nauzubillah. Are we developing Mecca as Spiritual City or Shopping City? Some may say both, but my early predicament is the Saudis are too much being influenced by Vegas City Plan and Development.

(2) Najib, as Malaysia was the founder of OIC and as the member, we must voice our concern that Mecca must remain as Spiritual City. May be Mahathir Mohammed as an Independent influential figure in the OIC, should voice this concern. We must help the Saudi to turn Mecca into a Muslim Center of Excellent especially in the search for the truthful knowledge for all humankinds.

(3) I’m developing the idea of Mecca as a Spiritual Tourism City in a separate text later.

Driving To Madinah

After Tawaf Wada one suppose to leave Mecca as soon as possible. While waiting for the bus, suppose to leave by 1430 hours, but due to things that we were in the dark we then depart by 1430 hours, at the hotel lobby, a Badwi Black Lady keep coming asking for money, begging. I felt sorry of her, but as a procedure, after Tawaf Wada among the prohibition was not to give any donation.

(2) Historically, Muhammad SAW traveled on foot from Madina to Mecca took about 14 days. Today on a four lanes Highway, the 400 KM journey just take about 5-6 hours. There are not much settlements in between the two cities, vast dry desert, with some time nice ocean of sand dunes with the back drop of low hills and rock out crops. Rivers are mere trace of dry water path. Some hardy torny bush exist in patches. The landscape was plain to see in fact, makes everyone just snoring to the best. I kept my eyes open with my SLR every ready to shoot anything interesting.

(3) As night fall, the warm air fast turning windy and cold. The sky was without cloud. The crescent shone in a distance with a bright star to the north and south. The hills appeared as nice silhouette. The glittering light of a distance settlements, turn the dark desert into sparkling germs. Once in the live time be in the desert riding the camel must be interesting!

(4) By 2130 hours we approached Madina. The glittering lighting welcome us in warm and cool spirit. All were happy and in group we did the Zikir Rasullulah. Madina seem much organized as compared to Mecca. Spiritually and physically it has it own significant. Have we ever think why?

(5 We reached Movenvick Hotel in Madina by almost 2200 hours. After checking in, since I'm staying alone, I invited Pak Ali Gusti to join me. When we looked down the window, SubhanaAllah my pray to have the best scene of Masjidil Nabawi was answered. Later Dr. Muhammad Azhar of University Malaya join me in the room. We really enjoy the blessing by Allah.

(6) By 23.30 hours myself and Dr. Azhar went to pay our Qasar Isya and Jamak Maghrib. Later, he took me to a tour of the Masjid Nabawi and then we prayed at the Raudah. At the Makam Rasul I have to pass all those Salam for Rasul by friends who had asked me for. Muhammad SAW was buried together with his best companion ie Abu Bakar and Umar. There is a reserved space for another rasul ie Isa as, whom now though in Christianity they believe he is death, but the Muslim treated him being lifted by Allah to heaven. He will descend to earth one day to tell the whole truth.

Masjidil Nabawi and Madinah

This is in fact a huge complex. A two storey building, with praying space about 85,000 sq meters and surrounded by a large open space on every side of the Masjidil. The whole system made a Square Structure probably 500-600 meters in length to 750-900 meters in widths. The total praying space for Masjidil Nabawi is estimated at 360,000 sq meters. A bout 1,000,000 prayers could pray here at anytime.

(2) The Mosque Complex housed the Old Mosque built by Muhammad about 1,400 years ago. The Old mimbar and the new one sit side by side. The Raudah or the heavenly garden is located between the old mimbar to the home of Siti Aishah, size about 11 meters by 15 meters. It is believe that one prays will be much honored here just as the pray at Hijir Ismael-Hajar at the Kaabah. Makam Muhammad SAW is located just to the left of the Raudah under the green dome.

(3) The Nabawi open space as compared to the Haram, is shaded by umbrella-like tenstile. There are 200 of them and I was told each cost SR4,000,000. In the late noon and early evening, looking down from my room, I could see, this wide open space is a real picnic area for the Arab families.

(4) The Mosque is also well connected to rows of hotels nearby. The entrance to Nabawi seem much easier as the City Streets are built in such that people can just walk and have direct easy access to the Mosque from all corners of the City. The only missing, I would say are the Landscaping. Madina need more trees and greening. Surely, seeing the way the water supplies being handle, that most of the time could cause traffic flow problem, a proper piping system had not been properly built. Water are delivered by lorries. In general, I would say, both Madina and Mecca had not embarked on a proper urban planning where lots of urban fabrics and connectivity are not thoroughly thought.


Footnote:
The women will wipe out all those names and replace only with theirs! Why?

KLIA-Mecca-Madinah, Saudi
18-27 March, 2012