The first step is to circle (ta’waf’) the Ka’aba seven times, starting and ending with the black stone

The first step is to circle (ta’waf’) the Ka’aba seven times, starting and ending with the black stone.

• The first step is to circle (ta’waf’) the Ka’aba seven times, starting and ending with the black stone.

• You have to have wudu while you are making ta’waf or it won’t be counted!

• We made lots of dua (especially when first seeing it) and even got to touch it!

After we completed our Umrah, we spent a few days seeing the sights and getting to see everything we had learnt about the Prophet’s life.

• After we completed our Umrah, we spent a few days seeing the sights and getting to see everything we had learnt about the Prophet’s life.

• Near the Haram, we walked to see where the Prophet (PBUH) was born. It is now a library. We also saw the mountain areas where he was a Sheppard and cared for sheep in his early years. What a blessing it was to walk in the very same footsteps of our Beloved!

We climbed to the top of Cave Hira which is the place where the Prophet (PBUH) spent a month each year in spiritual retreat, before Angel Jibril came to him with Revelation.

• We climbed to the top of Cave Hira which is the place where the Prophet (PBUH) spent a month each year in spiritual retreat, before Angel Jibril came to him with Revelation.

As we entered inside the cave, not only was it hard to imagine that our Prophet (PBUH) climbed this mountain so frequently (it was high and very difficult to climb), but that we were in the very place that the Quran was first revealed! We made lots of dua and dhikr as we stood inside and felt the power of being inside the cave.

• As we entered inside the cave, not only was it hard to imagine that our Prophet (PBUH) climbed this mountain so frequently (it was high and very difficult to climb), but that we were in the very place that the Quran was first revealed! We made lots of dua and dhikr as we stood inside and felt the power of being inside the cave.

Kiswah is the cloth that covers the Ka’aba. The cover is made of silk with embroidery done in real gold. It takes 11 months to make and is draped every year on the 9th day of Dhu al-Hijjah (Day of Arafat). We got to have a private visit to the factory where it is made to see all of the steps involved. Aleena was also fortunate enough to be given a piece of gold that is used on the cover.

• Kiswah is the cloth that covers the Ka’aba. The cover is made of silk with embroidery done in real gold. It takes 11 months to make and is draped every year on the 9th day of Dhu al-Hijjah (Day of Arafat). We got to have a private visit to the factory where it is made to see all of the steps involved. Aleena was also fortunate enough to be given a piece of gold that is used on the cover.