Amalan

1. Selepas Zuhur

• Ayat Seribu Dinar x 33
• Surah Yassin
• Surah Al-Waqiah
• Surah Al-Sajadah
• Surah Ar-Rahman
• Surah Al-Mulk
• Surah Ad-Dukhan

2. Selepas Asar

• Surah Ikhals x 200

3. Hendak tidur

• Ayat Kursi x 33
• Al-Fatihah x 33

Tazkirah

Cara-cara mendapat ketenangan hati:

1. banyakkan sedekah
2. banyakkan zikir
3. solat sunat - solat tahajud (untuk menaikkan darjat); solat tasbih (untuk pengampunan dosa)
4. banyakkan bacaan Al-Quran - amalan sebelum tidur (Al-Waqiah/ Al-Mulk/ Al-Hijr)

Common sayings

Dzikir 'subhanallah, walhamdulillah wa la illaha illah' adalah seumpama menanam pokok untuk berteduh di padang Mahsyar.

Dzikir counter/ Rosemary

Be it while waiting for the call of azan or during breeze-walking along the road, one can easily note that a tasbih (rosemary) is at hand. The motion of flicking the next bead after saying a supplication (dzikir) is done in a quick manner to a similarity of breathing in air, instead of saying 'breathe in'. Some are even able to do it as they are in a conversation while others are in deep trance, drowning within the meaning of such supplication.

While majority remains loyal to the traditional form which ranges from the most colourful stones to an array of wood, decorated with flashy threads that adorn the heads of the rosemary, there are those who fancy the high tech version. I, for one, opt for the metal-sort which requires me to push a button so a count appears but very noisy. There are of course, other ranges of modern tasbih. I have seen one that looks like a ring. The owner simply hides it away from prying eyes, under her telekung (praying garment). This particular gadget is silent and small in size. Mine, on the other hand, comes in two faults: it requires some strength to push the button, particularly of late (almost hinting that it needs some greasing to do) and it attracts a lot of attention, thanks to its sound (tapi Alhamdulillah, it works).

Some time a week after our arrival in the Holy City of Makkah, Mak fell and her only means of holding back from having her face landed on the walking pavement was her left hand. Due to this, her little pinky looked something like a railroad track that went off-rail. Abah straightened it back and it has been swollen since then (Having her right hand broken at three points before, she seems to be able to identify this injury as dissimilar). There are times when she would utter claims of pain despite that we had applied an anti-swollen cream, purchased from a nearby pharmacy. Abah then remembered a particular dzikir that eases pain if one chants it for three thousand times, hoping that Allah will grant Mercy and take away the sufferings. And so, it is my China-made, sound-making tasbih counter that enabled me to do it. Alhamdulillah!

Checklist for Arafah

1. Knee-high stockings (5 sets)
2. Plastic matts (1)
3. Casual long tudung (1)
4. Undergarments (3-4)
5. Handsocks (1)
6. Body wash (El-Hajj) (1)
7. Telekung (2)
8. Jubah (2)
9. Kain batik (1)
10. Pants to be worn under the jubah (2)
11. T-shirt (2)
12. Torchlight (1)
13. Small towel (1)
14. Spray pump - for quick ablution (1)
15. Medicine
16. Stone bag (1)
17. Anak tudung (2)
18. THTS ID card (1)
19. Tabung Haji Bracelet (1)
20. Food (1)
21. Wet wipes (1)
22. Pantyliner (3-4)
23. Walking socks (2)
24. Mineral water

* Suggestions: A small 'cabok' to ease self when passing motion in the toilet. Expect pipe hosts to be missing.

Waiting for Arafah

We were called for a briefing this morning. It was about the movement to Arafah and its details (always be on the alert for briefings- they'd post up announcements outside the cafe where we have our meals). As the crowd began to gather, a level of anticipation mounted amongst us; most of us had no idea how this part of the journey would be like. At first, some only opted to remain seated at the back but this changed as soon photos of Arafah, Mina and Muzdalifah were shown on slides. Eyes were brightly litted as some made the effort to stand up in order to get a better view.

Although the journey to Arafah, Mudzalifah and Mina is about 22 KM from Makkah, it was expected to be a journey of patience. I am planning for this journey well in hope that Allah will grant me my dua'.

The briefing was held yesterday morning. Still, there were updates that needed attention as they put up notices this morning. I am keeping it simple for I know the limited space within the tent that the hujjaj are placed, not to mention the limited number of toilets. I pray that Allah will make ease my journey for it is Him who decides whoever among His servants to attain Nikmat or otherwise.

Tazkirah before leaving for Wukuf

Some of the highlights are:

• When one is at awe over the distance between Mina and Arafah, the most appropriate reaction is not 'Wah, jauhnya!' or 'Boleh buatnya, Insya Allah'. It is better to say 'Masya Allah, tabarakallah'.   
• Write clearly the No. of Maktab that you are staying, Camp no. and Mattress no. on your bag pack and over-nighter.
• Make sure all obligatory exercises are done before leaving for Arafah - your mandi sunat ihram, wearing of ihram, solat sunat ihram and niat ihram
• Prepare three to four (3-4) days of clothing, a little food for quick nutrition and medicine supply.
• Pay attention the number of Maktab placed outside the bus; each maktab has different number.
• Make sure that the maktab badge is always on you.
• Understand that you will be in the same tent with another 15-16 people and there will 10 toilets for 1500. So, forget comfortable. Think simplicity.
• Expect heat to be a constant companion. Exercise a lot of patience. Stay outside but under the shades because the air is windy and the more you recite your supplications, the cooler it gets.
• Always pay attention to landmarks.
• Bring ropes for in-house clothing lines.