Excerpt from a Hajji’s Diary

(Mûhåmmåð Årslåñ Îlyäs., Karachi,Pakistan)

I’m writing this while seated in the Masjid Al-Haram. If I look up from my page, I am in viewing distance of the Ka’aba. Surrounded by people – literally surrounded. There’s such a soft, cool breeze blowing around – there’s this hum of voices, not overpoweringly loud, but comfortably present in the background. Over it all, there is the sweet chirping of birds, darting and maneuvering through the air inside the masjid and outside, around the Sacred House. It’s bliss. There’s dhikr, there’s laughter, there’s joy, there’s peace here. Serenity. Yes, you can say it’s chaotic and busy, but it’s captivating. Something will catch your eye and I swear you’ll sit for 20 minutes staring without even realizing it. When you finally break free of the trance and move to walk away, you turn and see that 20 others were around you, entranced by the same sight. It’s universally magnificent.

I swear the Ka’aba is one of the most beautiful things I have ever laid eyes upon. It’s said there’s reward in just looking at the Ka’aba. When you’re here and you look upon it, no further justification is needed. It calms the heart, the sight of it is absolutely mesmerizing. Seeing waves of people slowly circling it is almost equally as captivating. There is such proof in the Glory of The One in this place. What’s incredible is how many people there are. I know that’s what everyone says but, what’s amazing is how many people are devoted to the same thing. Completely devoted. Not passively, not minimally, not conveniently – completely devoted. How one man touched the hearts of so many people is….incomprehensive. It could only be done by Allah ta’ala. This is proof of the Almighty’s Truth. I’m sitting in a random spot and I’m next to people from Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Indonesia, West Africa, Turkey, North Africa – who knows what else. It’s spectacular, subhanAllah. What’s great is knowing that this feeling is shared by everyone here.

Muhammad Arslan Ilyas
About the Author: Muhammad Arslan Ilyas Read More Articles by Muhammad Arslan Ilyas: 82 Articles with 77568 views Muhammad Arslan Ilyas was born on 28th August 1995. He comes from a humble family of 4 brother and 1 sister. Muhammad Arslan Ilyas is the youngest of .. View More