“The traveler who has once been from home is wiser than he who has never left his own doorstep...” – Margaret Mead
"And proclaim the Pilgrimage among men; they will come to you on foot and (mounted) on every kind of camel, lean on account of journeys through deep and distant mountain highways; That they may witness the benefits (provided) for them, and celebrate the name of Allah, through the Days Appointed, over the cattle which He has provided for them (for sacrifice): then eat you thereof and feed the distressed ones in want. Then let them complete the rites prescribed for them, perform their vows, and (again) circumambulate the Ancient House.” (Al Hajj: 27-29).
Looking at the amount of time and money spent on my travel each year, a lot of people, especially close friends asked me a typical, mocking question:
“kau gi jalan round dunia ni tak simpan duit sikit untuk buat haji ke atau umrah ke? Kalau duit lebih tu sedekah le pada parents ke … adik beradik ke… anak-anak ke.. kekawan ke... bla bla bla… he he he…”
Hubby and I usually will just smile and ignore those remarks. Our parents, siblings and kids know us better to pass judgments...
When we started work in early 80s, we opened a deposit account with Tabung Haji. A monthly salary deduction of RM20 was a heavy burden to our pockets. Then, with our general degree our salary was a meager RM880. At end of each month the money was barely sufficient to pay for house rental, car loan and utilities. Eating out on Saturday nights was a luxury treat to the kids…
Over the years with each yearly increment, we increased our deposits. Over 5 years our tabung haji deposits were enough for us to perform the Hajj. It didn’t take us long to decide. In 1991 we registered and in 1992 we were offered to join the muasasah group.
In May 1992, we severed all ties with our family and home and started our journey for the Hajj Pilgrimage. Leaving our small kids behind, my late youngest son, Ja was 7 then. We performed the various duties of the pilgrim at all stages of the Hajj and completed the fifth and last of the rukun Islam. Alhamdulillah… In front of the Ka’abah we prayed for Allah to endow us with wealth and health, for us to be able to visit the holy lands again.
November 1994, we brought our 3 kids, my Mak and Abah and my MIL to perform the Umrah and after the Umrah we stopover in Amman, Jordan for a 3-day ziarah.
December 1996, joining a big group, together with our 3 kids we went to perform our Umrah again. This time we transited in Istanbul, Turkey for a 3-day ziarah.
December 1998, together with the kids, my parents and MIL we went for ziarah in Cairo and Alexandria in Egypt. Over there we were accompanied by my nephew, Abu Dzar, who was then studying in Al-Azhar U and be our tour guide. We then flew to Madinah and later we entered Makkah on the first day of Ramadhan.
November 2000, only the two of us went to perform the Umrah during the last week of Ramadhan. After the Umrah, when we reached KL, we had already completed 30 days of fasting and celebrated the Eid-Fitri. People in Malaysia were still fasting then.
September 2002, together with another 2 couples we went to perform the Umrah. On the way back to KL our flight was stranded in Sana’a, Yemen and we were made to stay for 3 days before the next flight. The 6 of us enjoyed our stay so much. And all expenses were paid for!
September 2004, we joined a group of a dozen people to perform the Umrah. After the Umrah the two of us transited in Dubai for a 4-day holiday. There, we met with my nephew, Nor Azhar, a Captain with the Etihad Airways.
We have always planned to perform our Umrah every other year and Alhamdulillah, Allah has granted us our wishes. And this year, Sara, my Mak and Abah, my MIL and my 2 sisters will be joining us.
Now, it’s time to go again...
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