Great Day In Arafah

A tree in Arafah, where I prayed during the day under this tree.

Mina at night by my eyes.

The sign in Mina, close to Jamarat.

Our night stay in Mina was full with learning, to prepare ourselves for wukuf (the day in Arafah), and hajj rituals. It was so wonderful because what I heard was only the "sound of love". There were the sound of praying everywhere. It was so wonderful because what was inside my mind was only the hopes for the people I love very much: Neta, Fesa, Mas Rahman, my father, my late mother, Dik Sani and family, Dik Didit and family, my uncles and aunties, my step mother, my gurus (Ishikawa, Tabata, Faizal and Kak Laila, Shahnor, Prof. Jansen), my friends like Anne, Retno, Nunuk, Ibu Lipur, and Dyah and other people who are always floating around in my heart.

Tents in Mina.

My tears dropped. I always want them to be happy. I prayed for them all day and night during my stay in Mecca and Mina. It was so peaceful to remember them. It was so peaceful that they came into my life. It was . . . my sound of love in my praying. I did not know what my life would be without them. They have made my life soooo meaningful and beautiful.

A tent in South East Asia maktab.

The day after, it was Arafah Day. Our bus brought us from Mina to Arafah. I was not able to stop my tears anymore. Millions of people were using white ihram clothes. They did not say anything other than: Labbaika Allahumma Labbaik. It is me, God. I come only for You. I was crying because I remembered how Prophet Mohammad tried to be struggle for what he believed.

For 22 years . . . Mohammad did not give up for even a single day. And . . . what he tried to struggle for was able to be seen on that day: Arafah day, when people came to Arafah only because of love. He was really great person. I felt so small. I felt so weak. It was so easy for me to cry, to complain, only because what I faced so far. It was nothing compared to what Prophet Mohammad faced. On that day, I promised myself to be stronger and to be more istiqamah to struggle for what I believe I should do. I really want to contribute something to humankind, though just a tiny one, before I die. On that great day, again I prayed for people I love very much and people who love me . . . .