Umrah Day 9: Stepping into history around Madinah

We are leaving tomorrow and as much as we hate it, we are also excited to go around the city of Madinah today.

While waiting for the bus to arrive.

 With the kids…

We have an adorable 2 year old boy in our group and he has been the centre of attraction. He rarely cries and can always been seen smiling and laughing about.

A quick family photo.

Our first stopover was Quba Mosque. Quba is the place on the outskirts of Madinah where the Prophet Muhammad SAW accompanied by Abu Bakr arrived and first stayed after emigrating from Mekah.

The Prophet Muhammad SAW said: “He who purifies himself at his home and comes to Masjid Quba and offers two rakats therein, will be rewarded the reward of an Umrah (lesser pilgrimage).” [Sunan ibn Majah]

Unlike Masjidil Haram and Nabawi Mosque, the Quba mosque is so much smaller, yet its a popular place to visit by Muslims from all over the world.

Sadly, I was not able to perform prayers so the rest went ahead while I stayed outside with another lady and this little cute boy.

It was hot but he did not even complain.

He even posed cutely for my camera! Too adorable!

Thankfully they did not take too long because so many buses of people had just arrived.

Narrated by Abdullah bin Dinar: Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “The Prophet used to go to the Mosque of Quba every Saturday (sometimes) walking and (sometimes) riding.”

Coincidently we were there on a Saturday!

Quick shot before leaving yet another historical place.

And a group photo of everyone in our travel group!

Next, time to shop for kurma!

There were many varieties of chocolates too!

Because of this, the Ajwa dates were highly sought after.

Our next stop was Jabal Uhud. I remember reading and studying about this place and the wars that used to happen here when I was a child. I never imagined that I would get to visit this place one day.

Of this mountain the Prophet Rasulullah SAW declared, “This mountain loves us and we love it.” [Muslim]

As many warriors of Islam syahid and were buried here, this place has been blocked so as to protect them. They will rise again on the day of judgement and promised a place in Jannah.

You can read more about Mount Uhud and the site of battle here.

Next stopover is Kurma Market before we quickly rush back for Zohor prayers.

I had some time in the afternoon so I went out to change something that I bought from a shop. I continued to walk around by myself.

Our hotel and the busy street.

People were hurriedly walking to Nabawi Mosque as the sun was setting.

Time for maghrib. Its fascinating to see everyone stop whatever they were doing to go do their prayers. Wow.

The brother and sis in law wanted to do ‘ziarah wada’ at night. Even though I cannot step into the mosque, I followed them anyway because I can say goodbye and give my salam from outside the mosque.

The open space outside the mosque. The ladies and the children were all hanging out there. It was 11 pm at night but the place was still very much alive.

Time to say goodbye as we leave in the morning.

I will definitely miss this beautiful mosque and most of all, I will miss the peaceful atmosphere here.

Hope to be back here soon InsyaAllah.