Earlier in the day between breakfast and Friday prayers I had already packed up most of my luggage and was organised in a way that I had my travelling clothes out and already made space in the luggage for the last few things. So I wasn’t worried about being in a rush to get back and pack everything. With the tour company my pick up time was arranged for 10PM and evening prayers were scheduled at around 5:40PM if I recall so I still had plenty of time.
I entered Masjid an-Nabawi into the main prayer hall. Interestingly for the first time it wasn’t as busy as it typically is for prayers. I think it may have been because the air became cooler as it was scheduled to rain.
I finished my full evening prayer including the non-obligatory raqats and my own personal dua or supplication at the end with my hands up actually took more time. I think this was one of those rare occasions in my life where beyond the Arabic supplications that is normal during a prayer, I was speaking in my mind in English, and from the heart. I meant every word.
I felt incredibly blessed and thankful not just for this trip but for everything thus far that has happened in my life. I think it was at this point that it dawned on me that everything had its place and its purpose. I came to be thankful that I’d had certain experiences in my life, that despite at the time, had caused what I felt great hardship, on the whole in the grander scheme of things, they made me stronger because they enabled me to fight my own demons in a way. So I was a little emotional coming to this realization in the mosque at this point. I realised how blessed and lucky I really am.
The only things I asked for as such were for forgiveness and Jannat (heaven) for my dad/sister and protection for my mum, siblings and nephews. Beyond this I was giving thanks as I didn’t really need anything further in my life beyond what I already have.
Leave a Reply