HAJJ JOURNEY 2017 - RETURN TO THE HOMELAND

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

17 April 2024

After being in the Holy Land for 39 days, it was finally time for us to return to our Motherland. It is a human habit when we are abroad for a long time, we will definitely miss our homeland, our food, and our hometown.

Although it is sad to leave the land of the ambiya, the ahlul bayts, the companions, the ulama, and awliyah in Mecca and Medina, but we have to go home when the time comes.

We were instructed to be at the lobby outside the hotel at 4.30 a.m to board the bus to King Abdul Aziz Airport in Jeddah.

The journey from Madinah to Jeddah takes almost 4 hours, covering a distance of approximately 417 km. We then stopped at a rest stop that I didn't even know where it was because we weren't informed by the Hajj officials.

KING ABDUL AZIZ INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA

The Malaysia Airlines flight MH 8359 that will take us home. The flight takes 9 hours 5 minutes with a distance of 7074 km. The most popular airlines for this route apart from Malaysia Airline are AirAsia, Flyadeal, IndiGo Airlines and Batik Air Malaysia. 

 

My Hajj brothers and sisters, who were together, we went through all the difficulties and happiness we had during the 39 days in the Holy Land of Mecca and Medina.... May the friendship between us not end here... In sha Allah we will meet at another time... The memories we all have together are some of the sweetest moments in my life...

WITH THE HOPE OF A BLESSED HAJJ ... AMIN...

MH 8359 LANDED KLIA 08.07 A.M

Alhamdulillah, we landed safely at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Sepang at 8.07am, earlier than scheduled. So, this is the end of our 2017 Hajj journey. In sha Allah, if there is sustenance from God, we pray to God that we would be able to set foot in the Holy Land again, maybe for Umrah later... Ameen...

It is also common for pilgrims to shop for momentos to bring as gifts to loved ones back home. Prayer rugs, prayer beads, Qurans, clothing, and Zamzam water are the most popular items. 

Those whom Allah favored to perform Hajj, should be thankful to Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, who has chosen us from among His servants to perform these acts of worship, and should implore Almighty Allah to accepts our good deeds. 

"O Allah, our Lord, grant me a successful Hajj and forgive the sins of the servant and the work of the Hajj that is praised, the pious practices that are accepted, and the business that is not harmful."

The Prophet s.a.w said:

"The reward of Haji Mabrur, (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing but Paradise."

For a person returning from Hajj, it is often a bit of shock to return to "regular life" upon returning home. The old habits and temptations come back, and one must be vigilant in changing one's life for the better and remembering the lessons learned during the pilgrimage. It is the best time to turn over a new leaf, nurture a life of faith, and be extra vigilant in fulfilling Islamic duties.

At the end of their sojourns, pilgrims are often spent, but feel renewed and closer to God. According to The Prophet (PBUH), those who perform Hajj will return without sins, like the day they were born.

Those who have performed the Hajj are often called by an honorific title, “Hajji,” (one who has performed the Hajj).

ALLAHU AKBAR

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, KL

17 April 2024 > 8 Syawal 1445H: 1.23 a.m