Catch Up

It feels like a lot longer since I last blogged, possibly because in between my last blog and this one, I graduated, got married, travelled a little (a couple of getaways), got a new job, and went for the Hajj pilgrimage! Clearly, it has been an eventful year. (I'm not even sure blogspot is a thing anymore or if anyone will read this...but I've missed writing so here goes :) )

The main reason that I felt like writing this blog was to share my Hajj experience- something a lot of people ask me about when I meet them for the first time since being back. The truth is, I still don't know what to say about it. It may sound odd, but whilst many of my fellow pilgrims had a lot to say about the experience during and after the Hajj trip, I feel as though I am still digesting the journey and experience, and still making observations about the effects and impacts it has had on my day to day life, before I comment fully. A few things I can say for sure, however:

1) It was a challenge- the heat, a standard Hajj flu, and the other 2 million people trying to complete the Hajj rituals simultaneously, all made Hajj the challenge that I was told it would be. However, more than the physical challenge, it was a challenge of willpower at many times. Staying calm when I wanted to panic, staying composed when I wanted to release some pent up annoyance, staying determined when I thought I couldn't complete the rituals as I had planned.

2) I learnt more about myself than I could have imagined, and I am continuing to do so. The day of Arafa was a day of complete transparency with Allah. If you haven't yet read the supplication of Imam Hussain (may Allah's everlasting peace and blessings be upon him) on the day of Arafa, you are missing out! This year was the first time I purposefully and attentively took a good chunk of time to read this supplication, and I can confidently say I have never read another supplication quite like it. Imam Hussain taught me through this supplication, to be truthful with Allah, which required me to first be truthful with myself. Now that I am back, I am trying to continue this transparency and accounting for my actions and intentions as bluntly and transparently as I did on the day of Arafa.

3) When Allah says He will repay you manifold, He means it. I have been showered with many blessings not just since I have returned from Hajj, but as soon as Eid day while I was still in the holy city of Mecca. Material blessings, and also blessings in the form of Tawfeeq to follow through intentions I had made previously. Yes- part of it may be that I am just more aware and more grateful for the things that perhaps I did not thank Allah for before, but sometimes you know when Allah has sent you a bonus, and I am the fortunate recipient of such bonuses right now. Alhamdulillah!

There is so much more I could say about this amazing and blessed journey, but I wouldn't do it justice. Suffice to say that it is a springboard for progress. You are tested, you are moulded, cleansed, and start afresh. You plan, set goals and cement intentions.

But as I've been told so many times...the real test starts now.

:)

P.S. you know it's been a long time when you say blogspot instead of blogger. Jheez.