by Arif Vakil

We’re following the Hajj Network

They say that one doesn’t really plan to go for Hajj, but one is called to it by the Almighty. I certainly hope that’s true, because if so, myself, Arifa (my wife) and Ali (my brother) have graciously accepted the Lord’s invitation and would be taking off for Madina from Mumbai 5 AM, Monday morning.

We’re certainly looking VERY much forward to it. No doubt Hajj is an highly spiritual uplifting experience. In fact that’s an understatement. To witness the prostration of two million people simultaneously, each one bowing his head till it touches the ground and that too doing that 5 times a day is an image that can shake one’s inner-self to tears. Ofcouse it’s not all prayers and supplications. There’s a whole lot of socialising too. I think it’s only on Hajj that one actually gets the full flavour of diversity present in mankind. From the Africans, to the Europeaons, to the Chinese, to the Turks….all present in full glory. Each wearing their best attitude…smiling, greeting, hugging at every opportunity. I made some of my very best friends on my last Hajj trip 4 years ago and I’m eagerly awaiting to make some this year.

Yes…it’s a once in a life time experience. For me it’s also because this is the only time my mother (and my wife) would not object in shaving my head bald :-)

Do pray for our safe return…(however when you’re there sometimes return is the last thing on your mind). And we’ll certainly remember you all in our prayers.

38 Comments

  1. Dear Arif,

    I wish you and your family a safe and spiritual journey to Hajj.

    Please pray for mankind on my behalf.

    Regards, Vishal

  2. Dear sir,(brother)

    I wish u happy journey.

    “Its Never Easy To Say Good Bye…
    So I thought it, best to say it differently……..

    COME BACK SOON! with lots of Lords Blessings to all of us.

    Urs,
    Mahesh M

  3. Dear Arif,
    Heartiest congratulations to you all for making this journey.. Do remember me and my family memebers in your prayers and that ALLAH grants us the opportunity to make this journey too in the near future..

  4. Dear Arif,

    Congratulations! Here’s hoping that you, Zahra and Ali have a wonderful, spiritually uplifting experience. Please remember Anu, Sunil and me in your prayers. Also, please pray for my father’s maghfirat. He passed away in July this year.

    Wishing you all the very best always

    Nahida

  5. Its so amazing to know more about Hajj, I have seen in Qtv whenever I was surfing my tv channels & I tend to watch more on Qtv about Mecca. Twas marvelous to watch millions pray @ a time to God. I can see the Mecca is the place where people are very close to God Allah & clear in our minds that whoever prays prayers at Mecca the prayers will reach God in no time. I also heard that who visits this marvelous spiritual place is life time achievement.

    I wish Arif Sir / Ali Sir all the Very Best for this great Spiritual tour & Safe return back.

  6. Dear Arif & Ali,

    We pray for your successful completion of Hajj with sound health and spirits. Ameen.
    Do remember me and family with an additional prayer to our Creator to extend this invitation to me next year.
    This is indeed an experience that a Muslim, irrespective of his worldly position or sect, colour,creed pines for, all his life, if going for the first time, and thereafter, the desire and thirst of going again and again lingers till one departs from this world, never getting satiated.
    You guys are indeed fortunate to have been invited and may Allah (swt) grant all your prayers and gives you good in this world and the hereafter. Ameen

    Fi Amaanallah

    Hasnain & (e) Family :)

  8. They say that one doesn’t really plan to go for Hajj, but one is called to it by the Almighty.

    [–This is our way of thanking and giving all the credits of all good things to Allah, our Lord Almighty. It is also said,

    and written, that all good(fazl),all trials(aazmaish) and all adversities(museebah) descend over us by His Grace or by His

    will or by His Wrath. His Malaika( Powers, Shaktian, Attributes) are deployed and command absolute control over all that

    exists and that takes place on earth, in the heavens and in between. BUT, it is also written that a unique species, the MAN

    has been given options, free-choice, with responsibility towards his Creater and Master.

    [—I, Misbah, congratulate you to have exercised that option and decided to fulfil that Obligation, Hajj__together with your

    wife and brother and millions of pilgrims as a one whole.]

    I certainly hope that’s true, because if so, myself, Arifa (my wife) and Ali (my brother) have graciously accepted the Lord’s

    invitation

    [–and commandment! This feature is unique in Islam, Arif. an invitation is a Command as well; and a Command is also an

    Invitation__alhamdulillah!]

    and would be taking off for Madina from Mumbai 5 AM, Monday morning.

    [–May Allah and His Malaika be with you(help n guide you).]

    We’re certainly looking VERY much forward to it. No doubt Hajj is an highly spiritual uplifting experience. In fact that’s an

    understatement. To witness the prostration of two million people simultaneously, each one bowing his head till it touches the

    ground and that too doing that 5 times a day is an image that can shake one’s inner-self to tears. Ofcouse it’s not all

    prayers and supplications. There’s a whole lot of socialising too. I think it’s only on Hajj that one actually gets the full

    flavour of diversity present in mankind.

    [–and Unity-the ordained Will of Allah. Tauheed(Unity) is as fundamental, as basic, as essential to the Social Harmony of
    Man as is cement, or lime and clay to the erection of a house of any value.]

    From the Africans, to the Europeaons, to the Chinese, to the Turks….all present in full glory. Each wearing their best
    attitude…smiling, greeting, hugging at every opportunity.

    [Like architects, engineers, builders and masons visiting the Grand Convention with the Agenda of dicussing issues related to
    building and maintaining the only true layout Allah has provided us with. Organizing of which in a manner TOLD is the ONLY Rightway to live in peace and harmony. Else, we are also given the option to exercise our own free-choice to create a ‘New World Order’ conforming to our own ‘National Interests’ and destroy our neighbours first and ultimately perish alongwith our most trusted partners and closest allies.]

    I made some of my very best friends on my last Hajj trip 4 years ago and I’m eagerly awaiting to make some this year.
    Yes…it’s a once in a life time experience. For me it’s also because this is the only time my mother (and my wife) would not
    object to shaving my head bald :-)
    Do pray for our safe return…(however when you’re there sometimes return is the last thing on your mind). And we’ll

    certainly remember you all in our prayers.

    [—thanks, jazakumallah! May Allah facilitate and amply reward your invited/commanded journey to the holy land and back. I am–your new friend, misbah zafar in blr,india]

  9. Dear Arif,
    Congrats. To be able to do so that too 2nd time at such an young age itself is an achievement.
    With the best wishes!
    -Satya

  10. Mr Raju ( Vakilite ) is sure to be amazed more n more as long a he continues to be interested in man’s spiritual component. btw, finding more abt the physical is equally interesting. These two basic ‘INTERESTS’ together are ‘DELIBERATELY’ embedded in man’s ‘NATURE or SOUL’ to enable him to raise himself above the rest of animals.

  11. Dear Arif Sir and Ali Sir,

    I am really happy to here that you are travelling to Hajj.

    People say that normally man think SERIOUSLY about God and Spirituallity only after his/her age crosses fourty. But in your case it is not true. Normally young people DREAM lot on THINGS on earth. But you are not in this catagory. You are young in age but old in maturity and only matured people can think and act Seriously about Spirituality and GOD. I pray to God for your safe travel and return.

    Keep Travelling.

  12. Dear Arif,

    I wish you and your family a very safe and spiritual soujourn to Hajj.

    I am sure You will come back with plenty od sweet memories to share with all of us.

    Do pray for the upliftment of the mankind and to give People more sense of gratitude.

    With Best Wishes,

    SAMPAT

  15. Any spiritual journey is he best that can happen to any human being ! Iam happy for you that this oportunity has come to you. Pls acccept my best wishes.
    Regards
    Chandramouli

  16. Dear Mr. Arif,
    I would like to wish you and your family a very safe, happy and a satisfactory journey to Hajj. I would also like thank you for thinking about us in your prayers.

    Warm Regards,
    Sourabh Agarwal

  18. Dear Mr Arif,
    I belong to city of Ajmer which is again a holy city for you so I can understand the joy of are having for this spirtual journey of your may God bless you all .Please pray for us also.I deeply convey my regards to you ,have a good and save journey.
    regards,
    Vinita

  19. Dear Arif Bhai/Ali Bhai,

    You are lucky because Almighty Allah wishes,you deserve to visit Allah’s house not once but twice!!! May Allah accept your journey to Hajj. Please remember us in your prayers.
    Wishing you all the very best always

    Rahman

  20. Dear Arif Bhai/Ali Bhai,

    You are lucky because Almighty Allah wishes,you deserve to visit Allah’s house not once but twice!!! May Allah accept your journey to Hajj. Please remember us in your prayers.
    Wishing you all the very best always,

    Rahman

  21. Dear Arif,

    Haj Mabrook to you and your family. Please make dua for all. Let Almight Allah grant the opportunity to all of us to make the Hajj and Umrah Journey.

    Dr. Fazlur Rahman

  22. Dear Arif Bhai n Ali Bhai,
    Heartiest congratulations to you all for making Hajj.. Do remember me and my family memebers in your prayers and that ALLAH swt grants us the opportunity to make the Hajj and Umrah Journey INSHAALLAH
    ALLAH HAFIZ
    Tanweer

  23. DEAR ARIF,

    THE PILGRIMAGE MAKES ONE REALISE THAT ALL ARE EQUAL BEFORE GOD. THIS IS TRUE OF ALL RELIGIONS ON THIS EARTH.

    I PRAY GOD TO BLESS YOU ALL ABUNDANTLY AND ALSO FOR A SAFE RETURN.

  24. Dear sir,

    Hope you have a safe journey and let God almighty shower his blessings on you and your family… it would be nice to see you completely tonsured.. do send me your picture once you are back..

    I have greatly admired your spirituality and it has also helped to charter my own path… i thank you for this..

    wish you and your family the very best…

    bimal

  25. Dear Arif and Ali,

    My short comment is: Inna Lillahe wa inna ilaihe Rajeoon. To me the fact that this will be your 2nd hajj ,signifies that “we have come from Allah and towards Him is our Return” You are now an Honoured Guest of Allah, what greater Honour can anyone achieve?? Please remember my parents especially my father in your prayers and remember me and my family also.May Allah sccept yur Hajj. AND PLEASE CONVEY MY SALAAMS TO THAT LEARNED ALIM,Dr.Murtuda Alidina !!…..Ameer Ali Badami

  26. Alhamdulillah, you have indeed said Labaik Allah Huma, and that too for the 2nd time. Pray for me Farhana and the kids when you are there. I know it would be difficult to remember.
    Will pray for your safe return.

  27. Dear Arif and Family, Wish you a safe journey. I am sure you will enjoy every moment of your pilgrimage.

    Bobby.

  29. i know what hajj means, as i had the previllage of performing Hajj twice. (Once on my Fathers name). i am working in Dammam Saudi Arabia. Insha Allah i will be performing Umra after the Hajj.
    May Allah make you Hajj easy and accept it
    Hameed

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  33. Ok so every one is bn very nice to u…so tc and congratulations but iam turly jealous..its bn a long time since i have bn to The haram(bout 5yrs now!!)

  35. Assalamualaikkum… I was browsing the net on some info regarding how to arrange to go for Umrah.. and chanced upon your site.. I must say its quite enlightening.. and it brings great pleasure to know tht ther are blogs of this nature too… However the main aim of this mail is to ask for help.. could you please guide me on where i can get info regarding arrangements to go for Umrah this Ramadhan. I am in Bangalore; and I havent been able to place you. So if you could help out with that it would be great.

    Thanks a lot.. asak
    Sajna

  37. Salaam

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