By Muhammad Qawiyyul Ameen

Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah—all praise is due to the Lord of the Worlds, who chose me for this journey and blessed me to complete it.

“And complete the Hajj and ‘Umrah for Allah.”
Al-Baqarah: 196

My journey to ‘Umrah started a little more than a year before I boarded the plane to Saudi Arabia. The idea of ‘Umrah had always been somewhat interesting to me. I would often see people around me going, and it always seemed to surprise them that I hadn’t gone yet.

But to me, ‘Umrah was just another ibadah, a visit to the lands where His Beloved ﷺ lived and spread His message. It felt like something good to have done, but not something I needed to actively strive for.

So when Ustaz Sameer started hosting an ‘Umrah workshop, I didn’t initially intend to go with him that year, since I was still schooling at the time. But Allah (SWT) moved my heart to join the workshop anyway.

The first thing that struck me during the workshop was learning that ‘Umrah is an obligation for all Muslims according to Shafi’i fiqh. This is backed by the verse of the Qur’an quoted above. So, my assumptions all this while had been incorrect.

As I continued to attend the sessions, I learned more about the virtues and merits of ‘Umrah. And as Ustaz went through the steps of performing it, I started to feel like I was already there. ‘Umrah no longer felt like a distant ideal. All of this instilled in me a strong desire to go. So, I set my intention: I would go for ‘Umrah after my graduation as a form of a “grad trip.”

It seemed like a good idea at the time. Graduation is a turning point in one’s life, and I wanted my path forward to be blessed.

Usually, people take grad trips for fun, often without much purpose, so doing ‘Umrah as a grad trip gave it deeper meaning. It’s still a great idea, especially for those reading this who are about to graduate.

However, several factors blocked my plan. It was Hajj season during June, and I couldn’t find any agency offering ‘Umrah packages in July.

If I were more resourceful, perhaps I could have done it “DIY.” But this was going to be my first ‘Umrah, and I wasn’t confident about doing it on my own. Looking back, I now believe it was Allah’s plan that I didn’t go then—and the reason became clear later on.

After that, my enthusiasm started to fade. I expected to find a job soon, and thought I wouldn’t be able to go at the end of the year with Ustaz Sameer or any other agency.

Starting a new job meant I’d be on probation and unable to take leave. Over the next few months, things didn’t go as planned. Despite sending out many job applications, I only got one interview, and it wasn’t successful.

Then, in October, through events only Allah (SWT) could have facilitated, I befriended someone who told me that if money was the issue, he would be willing to sponsor the trip.

Soon after, I received a sign that made it clear I needed to go. With my friend’s help, I signed up for the ‘Umrah trip.

I remember something Ustaz kept saying throughout: many people have the time but not the money to go. Others have the money but not the time. And some have both—but still don’t go.

It is not time or money that decides whether one is able to go for ‘Umrah; rather, it is a personal invitation from Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala.

I felt like I didn’t have the time—or the money. But Allah (SWT) provided for me and invited me to the lands of His Beloved ﷺ. Looking back, I believe He delayed my employment because it was the one thing holding me back from going, even though I had already made the intention the year before. Alhamdulillah.

So to whoever is reading this: if you haven’t been to ‘Umrah, or if it has been a long time, make the intention and have the desire to go. In shaa Allah, He will facilitate it in the best of ways.

Fast forward to the day of the flight—I was nervous. I didn’t feel like I had prepared well for the journey. But alhamdulillah, I’m so grateful that Allah (SWT) allowed me to go with Rose of Madinah instead of doing it “DIY.” Going with a jema’ah—a community—we looked out for one another and helped each other when needed.

Having a Teacher who knew us was a huge blessing. Had I gone alone or with strangers, I might have done less ibadah and spent more time resting in the hotel.

Ustaz guided us, explained the significance of various places and acts of worship, and held us accountable by gathering us to perform them together. He also showed us when to rest, so we didn’t burn out.

Just like ‘Umrah, life itself is a journey. Every time we go to work or school, we venture into the wilderness. It’s tiring, and we never know what lies ahead.

One shouldn’t go through it alone. Attending classes, spending time with teachers and the pious—these are like returning to your hometown, where you can drop your burdens and recharge your spiritual energy.

So find a class to stay consistent in, and teachers to seek knowledge and advice from. Otherwise, we risk getting lost and merely going through the motions.

‘Umrah was filled with so many blessings and moments that I can’t fit into this reflection. I miss walking through Madinah, imagining the times of the Prophet ﷺ, doing i’tikaf in the mosque, and having personal conversations with Allah while circling the Ka’bah.

I was able to leave behind worldly worries and do what I was truly sent to Earth to do. But soon, it was time to return to Singapore.

It is narrated from Amir al-Mu’minin ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) that he said:

“I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: ‘Actions are according to intentions, and everyone will get what they intended. Whoever migrates with an intention for Allah and His Messenger, their migration will be for the sake of Allah and His Messenger. And whoever migrates for worldly gain or to marry a woman, then their migration will be for the sake of whatever they migrated for.’”

Just as we begin our actions with intention, we should end by reaffirming it. What did I seek to attain when I began this journey?

Ustaz Sameer’s words echoed in my mind: the true purpose of ‘Umrah is to attain closeness to Allah (SWT) and His Messenger ﷺ. It’s not just about the ibadah—the solat, tawaf, or i’tikaf. There is a higher calling.

Now that I’m back, I must carry that closeness with me. As I helped carry luggage filled with souvenirs—chocolates, dates, abayas, and more—I wondered: Has my heart been filled with love for Allah (SWT) and His Messenger ﷺ?

Let us renew our intentions. Shall we return to our old habits, stuck in the cycle of chasing material wealth and endless entertainment?

Or can we hold onto this souvenir that Allah (SWT) has gifted us—this closeness—and strive to remain consistent in emulating the Prophet ﷺ, seeking knowledge, and staying away from what is disliked?

Just like souvenirs, this closeness is something to be shared. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was a mercy to the worlds. As his khalifah, we are tasked with sharing that mercy with everyone we meet.

May Allah (SWT) allow us to meet again, O Makkah and Madinah—the beloved lands of the Beloved ﷺ.