When I saw these ready-to-submit suitcases two days before departure, after countless on and off days of packing, slowly, a few things at a time, I realized that preparation for Hajj started much longer than that.
Since registering ourselves in 2022, I kept searching for options, intentionally for umrah, but who knows, a better option for Hajj too. Whenever daily training laziness strikes, I tell myself how hard it was to bear all five days, even when I was in my 20s. When we did long walks in any country we visited, we considered them training for the long walks during Hajj.
A certain inexplicable feeling comes annually as Dzulhijjah approaches. The massive cleaning, the ten days of fasting, endless hajj content consuming, while replaying and reminiscing about my own personal experiences. Never get bored, no matter how many years have passed.
Since two years ago, I have been sounding my plan to switch the Hajj travel. Finally did all the administration last year and officially changed to the current option. We also saved simultaneously both in IDR and USD.
One thing that made me hesitate to go for umrah last year was the cost of the specific umrah trip I wanted. But then, whenever doubts arise, I remind myself of how many times Allah makes it possible beyond calculations.
Umrah 2025 was such a refreshing experience after thirteen years of yearning. How much has changed in my life, in our life, in the two Holy Cities themselves.
We passed through Arafah during Umrah and made dua there, and in my story, “May Allah help us to afford an experience of standing in Arafah one day.”
We’ve discussed a few times. Whenever the call for hajj comes, we would answer it without fail.
We would push everything behind and get ourselves ready.
At the beginning of this year, our travel agent sent us an official letter stating we were eligible for this year’s departure.
Kinda similar feeling when I received the offer letter from Queen Square six years ago.
The feeling of arriving at the next significant milestone of your dream after years of longing.
Not there yet, but it’s getting real.
But this time, it’s bigger than anything.
The Ultimate Calling.
A Penny for My Pensieve 