Tawaf Trouble

                                                                     Tawaf Trouble

Haya Masood emerged from the crowd and stepped on the ground. This was the 18 year old’s first Tawaf. Her brother had already done it and started his Hajj. He was in the mosque right now. She started looking for the starting point. Haya walked towards the green light. She didn’t know that it was a phone flash reflecting green light. She saw many more flashes, and then got confused. Suddenly a woman stopped her and said, “Sweetie, you can start your Hajj here.” You should have seen Haya, so red-faced! She started circling the Kaabah. Her legs were so tired after a few minutes, she could barely breath, and she was so annoyed by this little boy who kept bumping into her. And she hadn’t even finished her first round because the crowd was moving like a snail.  All of a sudden, the crowd parted with a jerk. She stumbled but managed to keep her footing.  She moved to the side FAST because she could feel that something was happening. Then she saw what. A group of people were coming. You had to be careful around these groups. Go too close, and you would be swept away like a leaf on a windy day. She stayed away and kept going on. Oh how she longed for a glass of warm milk and a cozy bed! Suddenly,  rain began to fall. The guards ushered everyone inside the Great Mosque. Thunder boomed overhead and lightning struck the ground like a brilliant fork. Haya wished and wished that this rain wouldn’t have come.  Not even the first round had been completed. She would have to start her Tawaf all over again.  Her hijab was soaked and so was her abaya. She shivered as she took some dates that the crowd was passing. Eating her soft and sweet dates comforted her slightly.  She got up for some ZamZam, and, as she was drinking it, the Azan began to call out from one of the minarets.  She took a deep breath as she lined up with the other female worshippers. She started to make Dua to Allah to stop this rain, or help her complete her Tawaf. Afterwards, when the prayer was finished,  the guards called the crowd to come up some stairs. They obeyed and when they came up, they were mad with joy. It was a place where you could do your Tawaf indoors. Haya started to circle but  the crowd kept pushing and occasionally someone would call out, “Let me pass! Let me pass!” It was all unbearable. Haya suddenly lost her patience and sat down in a corner. She just couldn’t bear it. She had come all this way just to do this?   But she was NOT going to give up. She pushed through the crowd.

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After 2 hours from a very hectic push, she emerged victorious. Finally! Now she just had to catch the bus which would take her to Mina. She looked for it and found it. Choosing a comfortable seat inside with her big brother, she relaxed. But she didn’t know yet what would happen in Mina.

 

                                                            THE END