By 18 Dhul-Hijjah | Day 15 of Hajj 2026
There are some days in Makkah that seem to pass differently.
You wake up knowing that the hours ahead are limited, and suddenly every prayer, every walk, every glimpse of the Kaaba feels more precious. My 15th day of this journey was exactly that kind of day—the final full day I would spend in Makkah before beginning the journey home.
After breakfast at the Marriott, I had one intention in mind: make the most of whatever time remained.
Rather than spending the day sightseeing or simply preparing for departure, I wanted to return to the Haram and dedicate the remaining hours to worship. I also hoped to complete three Umrahs on behalf of members of my family.
Three Umrahs, One Final Day
I began the first Umrah after Asr.
The Haram was exceptionally busy, and the crowds made both Tawaf and Sa’i take considerably longer than they might on a quieter day. But on this particular day, I didn’t feel the need to hurry.
There was something meaningful about taking my time.
After everything that had happened throughout this journey—from the days in Mina and Arafat to Muzdalifah and the Jamarat—the opportunity to stand once again before the Kaaba felt like a gift.
For each Umrah, the process became a cycle of worship, preparation and return.
After completing Tawaf and Sa’i, I had my hair cut and returned to the hotel to shower and prepare for the next Umrah. I would then travel to Masjid Aisha, also known as Masjid at-Tan’im, to enter Ihram again before returning to the Haram.
The taxi journey to Masjid Aisha and back generally cost around 100–120 SAR.
It meant repeating the journey several times, but on a day like this, even the extra travel felt worthwhile.
Trying to Be Present During Tawaf
One of the things I kept reminding myself throughout the day was that Tawaf should not become merely an opportunity to see the Kaaba or capture footage.
As someone documenting the journey, there is always a temptation to think about the camera—what to record, what angle to capture, and what might make a good memory later.
But the more important memory was the one being created in the heart.
During the seven circuits, I tried to put the camera and everything around me aside mentally and concentrate on worship. I made dua, sent salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ, remembered Allah and reflected on the incredible blessing of being able to make Tawaf around the Kaaba.
Seven circuits can sound like a simple number.
But when you are walking among thousands of other pilgrims, surrounded by people making their own duas and carrying their own hopes, the experience becomes something much deeper.
Every person has a story.
Every person has something they are asking Allah for.
And for those moments, we were all gathered around the same House.
From Safa to Marwah
The same feeling continued during Sa’i.
Walking between Safa and Marwah is not simply about completing a physical distance. It is a reminder of the story of Hajar (peace be upon her), her perseverance and her complete reliance upon Allah.
After so many days of walking throughout the sacred sites, my body was certainly feeling the journey. Tens of thousands of steps had already accumulated through Makkah, Mina, Arafat, Muzdalifah and the Jamarat.
Yet I didn’t feel ready for the journey to end.
If anything, I found myself wishing for more time.
During Sa’i, I continued making dua and remembering Allah. The walking provided quiet moments for reflection, despite the crowds and movement surrounding me.
By the time I completed each Umrah, there was a mixture of emotions—happiness at having completed another act of worship and sadness because I knew there would not be many more opportunities to return to these places during this trip.
When the Journey Starts to Feel Like Goodbye
There is a strange feeling that comes near the end of a journey like this.
For most of the trip, you are focused on what comes next.
The next prayer.
The next ritual.
The next destination.
The next opportunity to worship.
Then suddenly, there is no next day in Makkah.
The Kaaba that you have been visiting repeatedly is about to become a memory. The paths between Safa and Marwah that you have walked are about to be left behind. Masjid Aisha, the Haram and the streets of Makkah will soon be far away.
That realization brought a sense of sadness.
But it also brought gratitude.
Alhamdulillah for every Tawaf.
Alhamdulillah for every Sa’i.
Alhamdulillah for every Salah.
Alhamdulillah for every step taken in the service of worship.
Looking Toward the Final Day
As the evening approached, I knew the journey was entering its final chapter.
The following day would be Jummah and my last day in Makkah. I was planning to leave the hotel around 9 PM, travel toward Jeddah and eventually begin the journey back to the United States.
But before leaving the Sacred City, there was one final act waiting: Tawaf al-Wada’, the Farewell Tawaf.
The thought of performing a final Tawaf carried a weight that was difficult to describe.
After spending 16 blessed days in the land of Hajj, knowing that the journey was almost over made every remaining moment feel even more valuable.
A journey to the House of Allah is not something that should ever be taken for granted.
You arrive with hopes.
You worship with hopes.
You leave with hopes.
And perhaps the greatest hope of all is that Allah accepts whatever little we were able to do and grants us the opportunity to return.
A Final Dua
As I look back on this journey, I am reminded that the real measure of Hajj and Umrah is not simply the number of places visited, kilometers walked or rituals completed.
It is what happens to the heart.
May Allah accept every Tawaf, every Sa’i, every Salah and every dua.
May He forgive our mistakes and shortcomings, accept our Hajj and Umrah, and accept the intentions behind every act of worship.
And may Allah invite all of us back to His Sacred House—again and again.
Ameen. 🤲