Orang

The hajj package I went with are mixed of majority arabs, some indians (very few) and second majority are Malaysians (50 of us). So we Malaysians were that many, we can fit into one bus.

And I suppose just as there were challenges going with your same people, there are challenges going with others too. Particularly when we don't speak the same language. I like to pick my battles though. Like I would chose not to rebutkan the washing machine. There was only one to be shared with hundreds. Or like my friend she wakes up at 230 just so she can use the machine without having to main chop chop with others. I chose to basuh pkai tangan aje.

Or i would chose to take my shower at 330 in the morning when I was at Mina. So I don't have to hear people knocking at my door, "Yala! yala! Suru'ah! Suru'ah!" shouting for me to come out quickly.

And be polite. And one can always learn the word, i am sorry in arabic and use it when needed. But that does not mean you should let them pijak your head and take your space in the van. :P. That's the only battle I really picked. I really ran for the van I tell you. Tak kasi can punya. Tertinggal van kalu, haru, silap-silap kena jalan kaki balik.

I am glad I am taking the arabic class. Even though it is too little to be able to make a decent conversation. But I did befriend with a few of them. Walaupun cakap macam ayam itik. :P

And everywhere you see muslims from all over the world. I personally think it's a wonderful sight. Regardless some of the things they do may not be comprehensible or according to OUR norm. Silap-silap our norm yang pelik in their eyes. But the fact that they are Muslims who some of them made a lot of sacrifice to make hajj is already an overwhelming feeling by itself. Subhanallah!

I saw some group from China. based on the language they spoke which sound like mandarin. Like the classic china movie. Most of them are old. But mind you, way fitter than, uhuk uhuk, me. We found buses from Russia. And some lorries also from Russia modified into caravan like buses. Subhanallah! We saw so many colours. So many nationalities. All are there to respond to Allah's call.



And we do share common language. Give salam and say hajj mabrur, insya Allah. I think at least you can get a free du'a also. :D

Reminds one of this ayah, Hajj 22:27

And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj).(27)

Anyway, so I befriended a makcik arab ni. I learned a few arabic words. Fil ful artinya pedas. She learned a few english words. husband artinya zauj. She also learn the word Good very good. And we exchanged du'a here and there. At one time she even made ruqya on me and asked me to do the same to her. We joked. Which is amazing because we spoke like ayam itik. There can always be something funny when you say Cluck cluck cluck and quack quack quack. or mix of all of it. Cluck quack cluck quack. Hahahhaha.

One day, Allah made me chanced on this ayah. And I recited the ayah to her. Al Hujurat 49:13

O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allâh is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa. Verily, Allâh is All-Knowing, All-Aware. (13)

While I slowly read it from the quran, she dengan bersahajanya continued the ayah for me. She was so happy to hear the ayah and hugged me. To this I said, "haiya! Dua! Dua!"

Du'a is also a common word among us Muslims.

I want to share two video clips. About some people from Xian preparing to go to hajj.





Really I am humbled to Allah.