Life is full of surprises. Sometimes we dream, plan, but can expect a whole different outcome. I was planning my trip to Umrah (pilgrimage to Mecca, a shorter version of the annual Hajj Gathering) and this year I managed to visit this breath taking place, not by taking my work leave, but through an almost death experience. This is my story.
On 24th July I packed my luggage and was on my way to Lake Come, Italy with my friend. Feeling all excited we had a great time. Visited all the tourist activities like, the museums walks in the park and lunches at the hotspots.
I was used to the migraines, so on the 27th of July I told my friend I was going for a nap, little did I know, I wouldn’t be able to stand up after this nap.
I woke up around nine and I immediately felt something was wrong. I couldn’t feel my right side and I tried with all my power to stand up, when I managed to stand, I saw my friend coming towards me and the next thing I know, I blacked out and woke up in the Hospital.
A stroke. I’m Sarah. 34 years old a healthy working woman and exercises regularly but, this unexpected situation has turned my whole life upside down, because I have to go through life with aphasia.
After a month in the hospital in Italy, they drove me in an ambulance for sixteen hours to The Netherlands, Maasstad Ziekenhuis, Rotterdam. I was transferred to Policlinic Rijndam where I had to learn how to walk, to talk and eat again. I wasn’t able to do this on my own. I assume you are reading this, and think it was the horrible. Let me tell you, horrible doesn’t even come close to the feeling I’m going through right now, it was so much worst. The doctors, family and friends around me helped me get through this. With all these time over and plenty of extended sick leave and my will to perform umrah became stronger and I DID!
During Ramadan this year I achieved my goal and was able to visit Mecca without a wheelchair! Medina was peaceful and while I was in the car on my way to Mecca, I thought, Subhanallah, wow how is this possible? I’m actually here; while I’m sick and back at home I can’t even go down to do groceries without being exhausted. Arriving at the Kaabah and seeing it for the first time my tears keeping rolling down my eyes. Due to the five million people around to you are caught up in the moment and need to follow the military and are forced to continue the pilgrim.
Rules of the Umrah
• Women and men need to wear ihram garment
• No parfum and shave your whole body
• Perform Ghusl and wudhu
• Dua before entering masjid al haram (In the name of Allah, send blessing upon Muhammed, Oh Allah open for me the doors of Your Bounty)
• On the way, recite Talbiyah
لَبَّيْكَ اللهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ – لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ – إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ – لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ –
Labbayka llāhumma labbayk(a), labbayka lā sharīka laka labbayk(a), inna l-ḥamda wa n-ni’mata, laka wa l-mulk(a), lā sharīka lak.
• And most important, your intentions before entering the masjid Al-haram
• 7 circles around the Kaabah
• 7 laps Great safah and Marwah,
• After completing the umrah, shave a piece of your hair men as well as women
Due to the adrenaline I couldn’t think, but on my way back to the hotel I felt my exhausted. A combination of fasting, the adrenaline, excitement and all this, while I’m still in rehabilitation. Ramadan during umrah is the most amazing I have ever experienced. I’m thankful I could accomplish it and now I understand the actual purpose of life.
Alhamdulillah, I survived my stroke, I’m able to eat, to walk, to talk again and I’m blessed with the family and friends around me.
Tips:
-Write down your intension before your journey
-Be mental and physical fit
-Book a hotel on walking distance
-Wear simple slippers (Birkenstock’s are the best)
-A bag to put your slippers inside, while at Kaabah
-Counter device for Tawas
-Wear abayah, ankle heights, someone people can step on it and when you trip it can take a while for you to be able to stand up due to the crowd
-Doa book, pocket size
-Enter Kaabah before asr prayer times, after Maghreb the doors will close after exceeding the 5 million people.
And take extra days off if you need to work, because even my healthy mother whom has joined me, was tired as well afterwords.
Indeed, life is full of surprises. Whatever the outcome is, stay positive and have the willingness to pursue your dreams and goals. No one is going to do it for you! So believe in yourself. If I have survived this, so can you !
PS: If you have a story, that can inspire others and help you heal, send us a message and we might post yours❤️
Story: Sarah Yusuf
Loveee,
The FO-UR Team
FO-UR
Trouble with my name? Don’t worry, you’re certainly not the only one. I respond to Natrah. A globetrotter who has changed her dreams into goals, is eager to learn and turns her passion into work so she doesn’t have to “work” a single day.
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