Young Sister Goes for 3rd Hajj Inshallah
By Azra & Raeesah
Going for Hajj is a dream each Muslim grows up with. For some it may take years before they actually get to go. However, some are blessed like Sister Raeesah who is only 9 years old and is getting ready to go for her 3rd Hajj, Mashallah!
Raeesah lives in Toronto and attends As-Sadiq Islamic School. She is going for her 3rd Hajj with her Mom, Dad and brother, Inshallah this year.
Below is an interview I did with Raeesah about her Hajj trips.
Azra: How old were you when you went for your first Hajj?
Raeesah: I was 7 years old.
Azra: Why did you want to go to Hajj? Were you nervous, excited?
Raeesah: I wanted to go with my parents. I also wanted to see the Kaaba.
I was excited.
Azra: Had you been to Umrah before or was this your first time?
Raeesah: I had been to Umra before when I was 5 years old.
Azra: What was the biggest difference you noticed between Hajj and Umrah?
Raeesah: Hajj was more challenging because there were a lot more people. During Hajj we had to stay at Arafah, Mina and Muzdalifa.
Azra: How did it feel when you saw the Kabah the very first time?
Raeesah: I felt very happy when I first saw Kaaba and it looked huge to me.
Azra: What was your favorite thing about Hajj?
Raeesah: My favorite thing in Hajj was the stay in Muzdalifah. It felt very nice to spend the whole night under the open sky. I wish we could stay longer. My other favorite thing about Hajj trip is going to Madina.
Azra: What was the most challenging aspect of Hajj?
Raeesah: The Hajj tawaaf was the most challenging.
Azra: What made you want to go to Hajj again?
Raeesah: There is a hadith of the prophet that if you go to hajj 3 times in a row then you will get the sawab of going to hajj every year.
Azra: Anything else you would like to add?
Raeesah: When ever anybody enters the city of Makka they have to be in ehram. Everybody wears white it shows we are all equal to Allah.
