A Highly Anticipated Meeting with the Kaaba

Once I came across an article by a journalist who told how he performed Salah in the Kaaba. Before that, I thought that only those in positions of power and with the right connections may pray in the Kaaba. But then I realized that it was by the will of Allah I.

During the last Ramadan, after each prayer, I asked God for three things:

• To perform the Hajj this year.
• To perform the Hajj with my beloved sister in faith who is distinguished by her fear of God. She couldn’t afford the trip, but I believed that Allah I would help her.
• And to perform Salah in the Kaaba – my most cherished dream. Although I was not worthy of it, I still hoped that Allah I would answer my dua.

Allah I answered the first two prayers already at the end of Ramadan: I applied for the Hajj, and my sister in faith suddenly got the opportunity to perform the Hajj with me. She converted to Islam 20 years ago and has the most genuine faith one could imagine. She was incredibly happy.

And so... We came to Mecca.

Whenever I met someone who performed the Hajj, I used to ask them, “How was your first meeting with the Kaaba?” Now I was about to meet the Kaaba myself... As we were driving through the city, I saw a familiar clock tower. “Aisha, look! The Tower! The Kaaba must be down there!” I grabbed my sister, who was sitting next to me. Then I noticed that she was barely holding back tears.

Mecca... The city at the heart of which stands the House of Allah I. The city built among the bare rocks, with no trees around, and yet, the entire Muslim world yearns for it. I was trembling with excitement because I was going to meet the Kaaba soon...

After the night prayer, we hurried to the mosque without even resting.

We walked saying the talbiyah and soon saw the familiar minarets ahead. Having taken off our shoes, with the words Bismillah, we entered... There were many people, all rushing somewhere. “Fatima, there is the Kaaba! Do you see? Look!” exclaimed my mom. I was afraid to even look at it... We went down the stairs and found ourselves on the first floor. I looked up... and found myself standing right in front of the Kaaba... Ya Allah I! Ya Rabbi! My entire body was trembling

It was truly majestic! So weightless, so incredible! That is why millions of people come here! For a minute, I stood rooted to the spot and could not utter a word; my brain was turned off. I just contemplated the Kaaba...

But my mother interrupted my thoughts, “Fatima, do not fall behind, we need to make the Tawaf.”

Standing in front of the Black Stone, we made our intentions and began the circumambulation. I could not believe that I was circumambulating the House of Allah I! I could not believe that He invited me! Many generations have performed circumambulation here: the great prophets and their descendants, Awliya Allah I, several civilizations, and today I am walking the path they walked. I walked, glancing forward from time to time so as not to bump into anyone. Fortunately, there were not so many people, and I was able to enjoy the Kaaba. Passing by the Black Stone, I begged to be allowed to touch it or at least to come closer. I knew that there could be a crush and that it was a sin to make one’s way there by pushing other people. But then, as we completed the circumambulation and were about to walk out, we were suddenly carried by the crowd straight to the Kaaba! I was trembling. Up close, it looked even more magnificent! My legs gave way, and I was afraid I was going to fall. Holding our hands, we touched the Yemeni corner of the Kaaba. We couldn’t approach the Black Stone though – it was crowded by Africans.

We began to come closer and closer to Hijr Ismail, but it was closed. Only a few guards stood inside. I wished they could let us in. I asked them when the doors would be opened, and they said the day after. For some reason, I am sure that I will perform Salah in it. If God answered my prayers so quickly, then He will answer, insha’Allah, my most cherished dua. A prayer performed in Hijr Ismail is equal to the prayer performed inside the Kaaba. With these thoughts in mind, we left.

Today, as I am sitting in a hotel and writing this article, I am sure that I will pray in the Kaaba in the evening, if God wills...

FATIMA SULTANOVA