Umrah Part 1: Preparing for the journey

The last time I went to Umrah, I told myself that the next visit would be with a husband by my side. Sometimes what you said can be a prayer too and almost 10 years later, I was called by Him to be His guest with a husband by my side. However this time around was the first time I went umrah without arwah Pak and arwah Mek. It really sadden me as they were not joining us not because they are busy or sick but they are already gone. But despite that, I'm glad I'll be going to Mekah and Madinah with my husband. 

I remembered when my husband suggested to go Umrah and the first thing I asked him was, 'Can I go with you?' Of course la can kan... If cannot, WWIII will be happening soon. Haha.. The moment he said yes, I was super happy and suddenly I felt like I want to go now. My longing to Masjidil Haram was unbearable. We wanted to go in Ramadhan last year but the date was too close so we decided to go in December. But we found out that Saudi Arabia didn't give out Umrah Visa yet as it was just right after Haj and they will be issuing the free visa from end of January onwards. I was so disappointed when I heard that. That's mean we have to postpone again. So February I said but then I found out my brother's reception in February. Finally I told my husband, by hook and crook we will go umrah in March. I cannot wait any longer. My heart was crying out loud to be in Mekah and Madinah. Finally, after calculating the perfect date (between my menses cycle), we decided that mid-March is the best time. The good thing about a man that any dates is best for him, but we women, the best is make sure that it will not fall during your period time. If not, rugi la... duduk hotel je la (happened to me once).

Next, finding the travel agent. Previously, all was done by arwah Pak. I just packed my bag and off I went. But now, being an adult come this responsibility. Did you know that there are a LOT of travel agency for umrah in Malaysia alone. All type of packages out there that looked almost the same but different. Pening-pening. Finally we picked the best two based on relatives' recommendations - Andalusia and MAS Holiday. I don't know why but my heart said MAS Holiday so strongly. Finally we decided to take MAS Holiday as their group is quite small compared to Andalusia. And I'm glad I made that decision. They are really good of taking care of the group and provide a lot of extras to us.

Let me give some review of MAS Holiday Lambaian Kaabah package.

Our group was only consisted of 22 jemaah and there were 3 mutawwif that taking care of us - 2 qualified ustaz and 1 trainee. Before departure, they have free kursus umrah in MAS training centre in Kelana Jaya. Since it's under MAS, obviously we will take MAS Airlines. And since we are under MAS directly, we were given seats in upper deck of 747 and I love it coz I don't have to share toilets with a lot of people. Hehe. During ziarah, the mutawwif gave us detailed account of the history of each site we visited. They also have tazkirah in between the prayers which I found it really helpful and insightful. When one of the jemaah is sick, they really take care and always ask us we are ok or need any help. The hotel in both Mekah and Madinah were not far from the mosques and provided ok meals.

However one week before departure, Allah tried me with one of the test - health.  I was so stressful at work as I have to finish all the work before my 2 weeks leave and it was not very helpful to have a boss that make my work slower. Finally I woke up with a painful heartburn which mean my gastritis is back. I went to clinic twice and the doctor wanted to give me MC that I have to decline as I have so many work to do. And at the same time my work laptop couldn't connect to office VPN which mean working from home is out of question. When I can't work from home, my stress level increase tremendously. Zainal was worried coz in few days we are going to umrah and here I was crying in pain. I prayed to Allah please don't let me get sick and please let me have my appetite back. I started to calm and slowly delegated my works to my colleagues and finally one day before the departure, the stressful me was gone and I was so eager to go. I shut my brain from thinking about work and focus to worship to my Creator. 

Alhamdulillah the day finally come.