Our DIY Umrah P21 | Maghrib Prayer Azan, Masjid Nabawi Isra' Mi'raj Night & Couldn't Find Wife After

This is Part (Episode) 21 our DIY Umrah Experience. Today was our second day in Medina and our 2nd Maghrib prayer at Masjid Nabawi. We were able to capture the beautiful, captivating and mesmerizing azaan (call to prayer) from the mosque.

This day also coincides with 27-rajab which is Al-Isra' wal-Mi'raj (Shab-e-Miraj) and we thought there were something going on at the Prophet's Mosque because the hotels we wanted to stay at when booking a few weeks before, were fully booked (regular rooms not the Presidential, business, Ambassador or Royal suites) on this day and the next. Those hotels were Dar Al Iman, Dar Al Taqwa, Dar Al Hijrah and Madinah Hilton.

We know that 27 Rajab is a major holiday in Indonesia and a public holiday for some states in Malaysia. The Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad is a major holiday in Indonesia. This holiday is also known as Isra Mi'raj, and falls on the 27th day of Rajab, the 7th month in the Islamic Calendar. Israk and Mikraj are considered a public holiday in several states in Malaysia, including Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, and Perlis.

But so far we didn't see or encounter anything out of ordinary, except that we saw some people were breaking fast. But today is Thursday. Fasting on a Monday or Thursday is considered a sunnah (a recommended act) in Islam, but it's not obligatory.

According to the Mufty of Saudi Arabia, "...celebrating the anniversary of Isra’ and Mi‘raj is a null and void Bid‘ah (innovation in religion). It is an imitation of the Jews and the Christians in glorifying days that are not glorified by Shari‘ah (Islamic Law)." So because the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia prohibits the celebrations of Isra' mi'raj (and Maulidul rasul), there wasn't anything special happening at the mosque.

The Lailat al-Miʿraj (Arabic: لیلة المعراج, Lailatu 'l-Miʿrāj), also known as Shab-e-Mi'raj (Bengali: শবে মেরাজ, romanized: Šobe Meraj, Persian: شب معراج, Šab-e Mi'râj) in Iran, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, and Miraç Kandili in Turkish, is the Muslim holiday on the 27th of Rajab (the date varying in the Western calendar) celebrating the Isra and Miʿraj. Another name for the holiday is Mehraj-ul-Alam (also spelled Meraj-ul-Alam). Some Muslims celebrate this event by offering optional prayers during this night, and in some Muslim countries, by illuminating cities with electric lights and candles. The celebrations around this day tend to focus on every Muslim who wants to celebrate it. Worshippers gather into mosques and perform prayer and supplication. Some people may pass their knowledge on to others by telling them the story on how Muhammad's heart was purified by the archangel Gabriel, who filled him with knowledge and faith in preparation to enter the seven levels of heaven. After salah, food and treats are served.

By the way, it's worthwhile to mention that it will take you about 5 minutes to walk from the gates to the outside compound or courtyard to the door or entrances of the mosque. And, when it's fully packed like this, it might be wise to have a secondary spot where you would meet your wife or family members after the prayer.

Contextual Background: Documenting our spiritual retreat journey from USA to Madinah & Makkah. This is our first-time trip to the holy cities and we're braving ourselves to do it via a DIY (do-it-yourself) method. Just the two of us, without travel agent or tour group packages, as a married couple - a husband & wife team. So we're novice and amateurs.

Our videos were meant as vlogs for friends and family, but hopefully my umrah experience can also be useful to larger audiences on how to best prepare their journey. Although not "The Ultimate Guide" or tutorial on how to perform DIY Umrah blogs, our contents should have some tips and useful guides on planning, must-have items to bring, essentials or packing list and tips, places to visit, best hotels in near both great mosques etc.

Watch the playlist here: https://studio.youtube.com/playlist/P...

Performing Umrah is a dream of all Muslims. Traditionally, visas for Umrah can only be applied through travel agencies with special licenses, but in 2019, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia launched Tourist E-Visa program for citizens of over 63 countries including the West such as United States, UK, Europe and Australia. They expanded it to include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Singapore, Brunei and Turkey in 2023. The eVisa will be a one-year, multiple entry -- allowing up to 90 days stay for tourism-related activities such as events, family & relatives, leisure, and Umrah.

You can apply online from KSA website (https://visa.visitsaudi.com/). It will take less than 5 minutes to fill out and could be approved in a matter of seconds once submitted. You also need to download Nusuk App.

Recording Date: February 8, 2024
Published By: Malay-USA Youtube Channel
Video URL:    • Our DIY Umrah P21 | Maghrib Prayer Azan, M...