Today we will tour some of the historic sites of Hajj so that come the days of Hajj, they will be familiar to us. We will visit Mount Arafat, the Mina camps, Muzdalifah and Mount Hira.
Our bus driver was a skinny young fella who smoked incessantly. It is quite unfortunate to see the young men in Saudi smoked so much. It seems like they all smoked - no one seemed to realize the implications of this disgusting and dangerous habit.
Our young bus driver seemed very anxious, always very restless, puffing and sucking on the cigarette, jabbing on the horn of the bus even when there was apparently no reason to honk. This was much to the annoyance of the bus load of "horn-free accustomed" passengers. He turned this way, and that - weaving the huge bus into seemingly impossible openings and maneuvering hair raising turns.
We kept looking at each other with raised eyebrows after each episode of his driving accomplishment.
We arrived, surprisingly, safely at Mount Arafat and toured the grounds. Some of us attempted climbing the hill which is not too high.
The Prophet Adam and his wife Eve were reunited on the hill and forgiven by Allah (swt) after separation on account of their disobedience in deference to the suggestion of Satan.
Our bus driver was a skinny young fella who smoked incessantly. It is quite unfortunate to see the young men in Saudi smoked so much. It seems like they all smoked - no one seemed to realize the implications of this disgusting and dangerous habit.
Our young bus driver seemed very anxious, always very restless, puffing and sucking on the cigarette, jabbing on the horn of the bus even when there was apparently no reason to honk. This was much to the annoyance of the bus load of "horn-free accustomed" passengers. He turned this way, and that - weaving the huge bus into seemingly impossible openings and maneuvering hair raising turns.
We kept looking at each other with raised eyebrows after each episode of his driving accomplishment.
We arrived, surprisingly, safely at Mount Arafat and toured the grounds. Some of us attempted climbing the hill which is not too high.
The Prophet Adam and his wife Eve were reunited on the hill and forgiven by Allah (swt) after separation on account of their disobedience in deference to the suggestion of Satan.
Mount ArafatWe drove through Mina - the Tent City - and passed by Muzdalifah on our way to Mount Noor. The cave of Hira located on the top of this mountain is where The Prophet Muhammad got the first revelation 1400 years ago. This was quite a high mountain with limited access. Only a few high-spirited ones attempt to climb.
Mount Noor
On our way back, we passed by the grave of Khadijah (RA), the first wife of Rasulullah (saw).
On our way back to the hotel, we also passed by the house in which the Prophet was born. It has since been made into a library.
Lunch was Pizza Hut - 50 Riyals. It was pretty good - a taste of home.
Dinner was Afghanie rice and Roast Chicken - 27 Riyals.
On our way back, we passed by the grave of Khadijah (RA), the first wife of Rasulullah (saw).
On our way back to the hotel, we also passed by the house in which the Prophet was born. It has since been made into a library.
Lunch was Pizza Hut - 50 Riyals. It was pretty good - a taste of home.
Dinner was Afghanie rice and Roast Chicken - 27 Riyals.
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