Madinah

Photo by Amien Taryamin on Unsplash

I wrote this post on Tuesday, April 18th on the airplane from Madinah on my way home.

When I was going through my photos of the Prophet’s Mosque PBUH I realized I didn’t have many photos. I think that shows you how focused I was while I was there. How present I was. The city of Madinah gives you a feeling a calm and peace as soon as you arrive. The people of Madinah are a different type of kind you will only find there. They are so welcoming and hospitable.

That feeling of peace and calm increases at the Prophet’s Mosque. You will find people from all over the world, so different yet the same. We are all there for the same purpose. When I stood to pray there were people from different countries and backgrounds around me. We didn’t speak the same language yet we understood each other. I experienced so much kindness and generosity. We shared prayer mats and prayed together. We shared food at breakfast and ate together. Everyone sharing with the people surrounding them whatever they had to eat. I’m only talking about the people who have come from all over the world to pray. There is also a huge effort by the government and so many volunteers to help organize the massive amount of people. In minutes food is distributed and everyone has a breakfast package with the traditional Madinah futoor: dates, water, yoghurt, dukkah a mix of ground wheat and spices, and their famous bread “shraik”

There are also families from town that make their own Saudi coffee and bring their thermoses of coffee to share with all. The atmosphere of love and unity is truly one of kind. Though we do have the same atmosphere and love in Mecca it seems stronger in Madinah. It’s something I can’t explain but everyone I’ve spoken to has agreed with me.

When we arrived at Madinah, we rented a car and drove to our hotel which is within walking distance to the Mosque. My husband dropped me off close to the mosque so I could make it on time to Asir (afternoon) prayer, while he parked and check us in. The amount of emotions I felt waking towards the mosque was overwhelming. Feelings of gratitude and happiness that I was able to come during the Holy Month of Ramadan. I quickly arrived and sat waiting for prayer to start. The lady next to me started chatting with me, telling me about her trip to Mecca and now Madinah. We had a lovely chat before prayer started. We were sitting under the huge umbrellas that shaded us from the hot sun. We could feel the cool breeze of the fans that also spread a cool mist. It was as if they had managed to air condition the outside too. We spent the rest of the day between resting and praying. It was such an amazing experience. Something I really wanted after feeling a bit overwhelmed lately. Having a day and night of prayers by myself without any kids. Not being responsible for anyone except myself was exactly what I needed. I knew my kids were fine with my mother in law and sister in law. I am so lucky to have them. I didn’t need to worry about anyone. I got a day to myself, in my favorite city in the world. A day of peace and prayers.  (my husband was with me but women and men pray in different divisions) This is exactly what I needed! I already feel recharged and ready to go back and finish Eid preparations.