Chapter 6-Mecca To Madinah

Tawaf al-Wida and the Road to Madinah

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The Morning After Little Sleep

Waking up on very little sleep was hard. The body resisted, heavy and reluctant, every muscle asking for rest it hadn’t received. Yet, being in Makkah softened the struggle. There was something about the city and about the air itself, that made even exhaustion feel bearable, almost sacred.

Saji was awake even before the alarm rang. As always, she moved quietly, instinctively checking on everyone. Nazia and Shehnaz were already awake, though Shehnaz had barely slept. She had drifted in and out of sleep through the night, her mind still awake even when her body tried to surrender. The exhaustion clung to her. Sonia and Nazia fell asleep quicker.

Slowly, one by one, they all woke up. There was no rush, yet everything moved efficiently. Wash. Dress. Wudu. The familiar rhythm of preparation. It was a quick process like muscle memory by now. Soon, they were ready and stepped out of the hotel, leaving on time.

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The Ease of an Unexpected Yes

Before heading toward the Harram, they stopped at the front desk to request a late checkout. The gentleman who had checked them in earlier wasn’t there. Instead, two women stood behind the counter. They politely asked if it would be possible for them to check out later than 2 p.m., since they still had Tawaf al-Wida to complete.

One of the ladies informed them that they could check out only before 1 p.m and 2 p.m would not be possible since there are people checking in. It felt tight.

They exchanged glances and decided to speak to the manager. When they asked to call the manager, the lady went inside to fetch her. While waiting, they quietly discussed how to explain their situation. They assumed the manager would be a man and it might be easier for him to say yes to the ladies. They assumed, just as easily, that he would understand and grant their request .

Moments later, the lady returned with another lady.

Smiling warmly, the manager asked what they needed. They explained their concern, their timing, their final tawaf. The manager listened, nodded, and then, without hesitation said, “Okay.”

Just like that.

She said it with such ease, such calm certainty, that it almost felt unreal.

As they walked out, Shehnaz, Nazia, and Soni spoke softly among themselves about how often people judge, assume, and predict outcomes, only to be gently corrected in the end. They smiled, said Alhamdulillah, and stepped into the morning.

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Familiar Paths to the Harram

By now, the walk to and from the Harram felt easier. Isn’t that how life works? What once felt overwhelming slowly becomes familiar. The body adapts. The heart learns the way.

Today, the walk felt lighter.

Each of them quietly wondered what it would be like to stay here forever. Praying in the Harram every single day, for every single prayer. Life would feel so different, perhaps even purer. Maybe, in this sacred environment, sin would lose its hold. These thoughts kept rising, gentle yet insistent, bubbling quietly in their minds.

They reached the Harram, took their places, and soon the adhaan rose into the sky. Salah followed. They prayed, made more duas, and carefully ensured they had not missed any that had been requested of them. Each name. Each intention. Each whispered plea. They made sure to recite every dua, taking extra care to include even those that might have been missed. Nothing was left unspoken; every prayer, every request, every intention was gently lifted in their hearts.

After the salah, they sat for a while, reluctant to leave, before deciding to walk back to the hotel for breakfast— their last breakfast of this journey at Hotel Anjum.

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The Last Breakfast at Anjum

The dining area was lively. They picked up their plates and found familiar comforts: waffles, pancakes, dal, soups, hummus, naan, and more. The omelette station, as always, had a long line.

They gathered what they wanted and settled at the table.

Conversation flowed easily. Nazia, Soni, and Saji—all from Kannur, discovered they shared many common contacts. Stories overlapped. Names repeated. Laughter followed as they shared memories, incidents, and connections that surprised them.

Shehnaz, meanwhile, was absorbed in a new discovery—foul. A dish of fava beans in sauce, it completely won her over. She loved the texture, the balance of tomatoes, jalapeños, and parsley. She made sure to go back for seconds.She had been craving something with a crispy texture for quite some time.

Soon, breakfast was done, and they returned to their room. It was almost time for their final intended task- The goodbye - Tawaf al-Wida.

— • —

Tawaf al-Wida.
The farewell tawaf.
The last goodbye to Makkah.

After a brief rest, they headed back to the Harram—this time with heavier hearts.

They walked up to the top level of the Mataf, where the Kaaba was visible in full dignity. Saji waited for them at a designated spot. She couldn’t join them this time, as she was on her period, but she stood there—present, watching, sharing the moment in her own way. She was truly blessed. She had been granted the opportunity to perform Umrah, and here she was, still able to raise her duas in this sacred place.

The three of them began walking around the Kaaba once more, reciting their duas. The circumference here was wider, the walk longer, but the crowd was far thinner than the main Mataf below. There was space to breathe.

At the fourth round, Dhuhr time had arrived and the adhaan sounded loud and clear. They paused and prepared for Salah, taking a moment as a brief breather. Choosing a quiet spot, they prayed and offered more heartfelt duas. Once their prayers were complete, they resumed their tawaf, continuing their walk with renewed focus and devotion.

The final three rounds felt lighter. Faster. As if the Kaaba itself was easing them through.

When they completed the tawaf, they settled in a spot where the Kaaba was clearly visible. They made their final duas. The heaviness settled in their chests. Nazia reminded them that they needed to take pictures.

Saji joined them, and together they took photos with the Kaaba behind them, time momentarily paused. These photos would help them to look back at this time and to relive it.

It felt perfect.

— • —

Racing Against Time

They walked back to the hotel. Quicker paces. Longer steps. It was almost 2 p.m., and checkout awaited. The bags were mostly packed already except for just a few last things to gather. They were heading to Madinah soon.

Once in the room, they checked the room carefully. That is when Soni noticed Shehnaz’s denim jacket and shawl still lying there hidden in one of the closets.

“Just in time,” Shehnaz thought.

They checked out and stepped outside. Time moved quickly now. Their train was scheduled to depart at 4 p.m. An Uber arrived, but it was too small. They opted for a larger taxi.

The driver was pleasant. Luggage was loaded, though a few suitcases ended up on their laps.

The drive to the station was short and smooth. 10minutes. They thought- "Not bad at all."

— • —

The Journey to Madinah

Soni had the tickets printed handy. They hurried into the station. The station was modern, spacious, surprisingly calm. Platform 6. The train was already there.

Suitcases rolled as they boarded the train. At the space where the luggages needed to be stored- The larger luggage went underneath, while the smaller bags were stowed above. Seating was arranged in pairs— Shehnaz and Nazia facing forward, directly across from another pair of passengers. Not the most comfortable arrangement, but they settled in. Shehnaz carefully adjusted herself, making sure not to bump her legs into the young boy in front of her, who was absorbed in his phone behind his glasses. Saji and Soni occupied the seats directly behind them.

It was a two-hour journey, and everyone was tired.

Shehnaz gazed out the window for a while before drifting into sleep. Nazia watched the scenery pass and clicked pictures and videos— one of which was of Shehnaz sleeping. She later showed it to her, smiling.

The journey passed quickly, and soon they arrived in Madinah.

Shehnaz remembered her earlier Umrah with Sarin, when the train had been stuck on the tracks for over three hours due to technical issues. This time, the journey was smooth. Effortless.Easy!

— • —

An Unexpected Upgrade

Reaching Madinah was far easier than arriving in Jeddah. The station was relatively calm, with only a few people moving about, giving the place a sense of quiet order. They walked steadily toward the taxi stand, ready to continue their journey.

Another taxi took them to Hotel Emaar. At the counter, the gentleman asked for the name and when he heard Soni’s name, he immediately smiled. Cheerfully, he informed them they had been upgraded—to Al-Aqeeq, a hotel closer to the Harram.

Skeptical but hopeful, they followed the instructions given for the relocation. Another cab arrived. The ride was short. Their luggage followed closely behind.

Rooms were assigned—on the 6th and 11th floors- 618 and 1117. Different floors. They weren’t happy. At Anjum, they had been together, on the same floor, in rooms connected by a door.

They dropped Saji at the 6th floor first. The room had four beds, which was great. But when the curtains were drawn back, there was no window. Just concrete.

A little disheartened, they moved to the 11th floor.

The luggage was already there. This room felt better. There was a window that opened to the next building structure. Not ideal, but enough. The four beds felt like another quiet blessing.

They decided to bring Saji into this room so all four of them could stay together.

— • —

Madinah At Last

Once settled, they freshened up, preparing to head out once again.

Many who visit Makkah and Madinah say that Madinah brings a peace unlike any other.

They were about to experience it.

As they stepped out toward Masjid an-Nabawi, something stirred inside them. Makkah had tested, transformed, and humbled them. Madinah awaited them with gentleness, with mercy, with rest for the heart.

This was not an ending.It was a continuation. And their hearts were ready.

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