The Road to Makkah - June 2025

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I was talking to my sister last night and told her that I want to go to Makkah so I can pray. She mentioned that 'You can pray from Seattle too and Allah is everywhere.'

Here are my reflections on the above:

1. Of course Allah is everywhere, and He has promised to listen to each of His servants from everywhere and anywhere. The East and the West belong to Allah. 

2. Yet, there is a significance in times where Dua is accepted in a deeper way. For instance, it is said that Dua of Iftaar, Dua right after Farz Namaz, Dua after Azaan, Dua in the Night Prayers, are some instances, where we are encouraged to pray deeply. 

3. Similarly, there are certainly places that hold a higher station (maqam). For instance, one can certainly not question the sanctity of the Holy-Lands. There is a truth to the Position of the Kaaba, being the Highest point of Divinity (in this world), from an Islamic perspective. 

4. Duas certainly can and should be done at all times and from everywhere, but certain points/locations/times are just 'Higher and Closer in Ranking' than others, so if one intends to be present at those times and locations, then we can certainly not underestimate the Power and Value of that worship (IA). 

From my last few visits, some folks called out that, 'Why do not you go to other places' and why does it have to be Umrah each time. Also, another concern is that what does one get by repeatedly going?

For 1, Alhamdulilah as you can see on this site, I have extensively travelled the world and MA my dreams on that end have certainly come true. 

It is also very important to note in the last 2 decades, I only went for Umrah 2 times, because women could technically not go alone to Makkah without a Mahram, and it was not always easy for me to go in that sense. The condition of Mahram is still questionable by many, that women should not go alone regardless, but that is besides the point here. 

The point is that I have only recently started going to Makkah mashaAllah, since 2021, when they have allowed women of all demographics to come and it has become much safer for women to go to Saudi alone. 

Secondly, in terms of what one is getting there, I think that is a very personal calling. I can totally understand that when ppl are travelling with kids/families, they certainly want to check out other destinations and do more stuff, but for me going to Umrah is like 'Coming home.'

I was listening to this Nasheed, where one verse totally hits me, 'Chaley aao Yeh Ghar Hai Rahman Ka Ghar' - meaning 'Please come over, this is the House of the Most Blessed One.'

Personally, I think Makkah is my place of solace, as I have also called out in this article:The Tajjali of the Kaaba, from my visit last year. I do not think that I or anyone can put a cap on how many times should one visit. Of course as long as I am not cutting on someone's quota, which is the case I believe for Hajj, I see no reason not to go there as many times as One-can. 

Also, the last time I read a Hadith that b/w one Umrah and another, all of one's sins are expiated. Umrah is a higher form of Divine Worship, like many others, such as doing Nafl Fasting in some months, doing Taraweeh in Ramadan etc. 

But there is also an element of Inspiration to be certainly drawn from being in that Holy vicinity. One needs to just block their minds on the people in that surrounding and only try to focus on 'Seeking their Lord'. It is not guaranteed that we will always feel that, but we are certainly tilting our hearts, even by 5-degrees, towards the Divine-Being. 

IMHO, this shift and gift cannot be underestimated and hence one should 'long to seek the Holy House and go for Umrah, as many times as they can', of course w/o neglecting their obligations and with humility IA.