I travelled to the land where my Prophet was born;

And though there his flesh was torn

It is where He, Sallallahu Alayhi wa sallam, lived and died

And his message survived.

One year on

And my memories are still strong;

I remember the day we arrived,

It truly was a surprise.

The hot air rushed up to greet me,

Sweaty and sticky-you must agree!

Through airport checks I had to pass,

Time seemed to fly too fast!

I remember walking the paved street

from the long journey, how sore were my feet!

Driving down sandy highways

into marbled hotel driveways.

Into air conditioned rooms,

Scented with sweet perfumes.

Labbayk, Allahumma Labbayk!

I journeyed to the land where the Ka’bah stands,

Where Ibrahim obeyed Allah’s commands,

Where breathlessly Hajar ran up and down,

In Umm-ul-Qura, the ancient town.

Round the ka’bah I walked,

Entranced by the ka’bah as I talked (to Allah),

I could not take my eyes off its beauty!

I was finally fulfilling my duty.

The blessed water I drank,

Behind the maqam I prayed and thanked.

Labbayk, Allahumma Labbayk.

I travelled to where Isma’il kicked the ground,

Where the Athan echoes-such a beautiful sound!

Where prophet hood was sealed,

And the Quran was first revealed.

I slept in Mina in tents,

Such is the order of events.

On the plains of Arafat I pleaded,

If my duaas are accepted; I have succeeded,

Pelting the jamarat with stones I cried:

‘Allahu Akbar!” The Sunnah was my guide.

Finishing off with tawaf and sa’ee,

I traced their footsteps humbly.

next we cut our hair,

The excitement was in the air;

We had finished the sacred rites,

In our iman; achieved new heights.

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar,

Laa ilaha Illallah,

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar,

Wa lillahil Hamd!

I flew to a faraway place,

Seeking His Pleasure and Face,

The journey of a lifetime,

I hope to return sometime.

May Allah invite me once more,

So I can plead by the Ka’bah door.