By Day 13 of my 16 Blessed Days in Makkah turned into one of those days that stays with you long after the journey is over.
I was still dealing with a stubborn cold and cough, so much of the day was spent resting and recovering. But as evening approached, I prepared to head out for an experience I had been looking forward to: a visit to the iconic Makkah Clock Tower.
What I didn’t realize was that the evening would take me from one of the highest viewpoints in Makkah all the way back to the Haram for an Umrah that would continue until just before Fajr.
An Evening at the Makkah Clock Tower
My reservation was scheduled for 8 PM. After offering Maghrib and having dinner, I made my way toward the Clock Tower and stopped to pray Isha before beginning my visit.
I had booked my ticket online for 150 SAR, expecting that it would give me access to the Clock Tower Museum. When I arrived, however, I discovered that the ticket I had purchased was actually for the Observation Deck.
It was an unexpected change of plan, but one that turned out to be a blessing in its own way.
There was also a photography restriction. Visitors were allowed to bring only their mobile phones for taking pictures and recording, so I had to leave other equipment behind.
Seeing the Kaaba From Above
Once I reached the observation level, the experience completely changed.
Standing more than 70 floors above Makkah, I could see Masjid al-Haram spread out below, with the Holy Kaaba at its heart and thousands of worshippers moving around it.
Seeing the Kaaba from such a great height was surreal.
I had spent so much of my journey experiencing the Haram from ground level—as a pilgrim among thousands of others—but this offered an entirely different perspective. The vast scale of Makkah and the continuous movement of worshippers became visible in a way that is difficult to appreciate from the ground.
For a few moments, I simply stood there taking it all in.
An Unexpected Chance to Visit the Museum
After speaking with the staff, another opportunity opened up. Alhamdulillah, I was able to visit the Clock Tower Museum as well.
Time was limited. I had only around 30 minutes to explore its four exhibition floors, and photography and video restrictions meant I couldn’t document everything.
Even so, the short visit gave me the chance to learn more about the landmark and appreciate the engineering, history, and significance behind one of the most recognizable structures overlooking Makkah.
The experience also gave me a useful lesson for anyone planning a visit: always check exactly which attraction or access level your ticket covers before completing your purchase.
From the Clock Tower Back to the Haram
My night could have ended there, but the most meaningful part of the journey was still ahead.
After leaving the Clock Tower, I traveled to Masjid Aisha (Masjid at-Tan’im). There, I entered Ihram with the intention of performing another Umrah.
I then made my way back to Masjid al-Haram.
By this point, the Haram was extremely busy. The crowds, the long hours, and my lingering illness made the night physically demanding. But there was also something deeply meaningful about returning to the Haram once again with the intention of worship.
This would be my first Umrah after completing Hajj.
Completing Umrah Before Fajr
The hours passed as I continued through the Umrah.
Despite the tiredness and the enormous crowds, Alhamdulillah, I was able to complete my Umrah shortly before Fajr.
Looking back at the entire night, there was a remarkable contrast.
Earlier, I had been standing high above Makkah, looking down at the Kaaba from the Clock Tower. Hours later, I was back at ground level, among the worshippers, completing Umrah around the very same Kaaba.
One moment offered a view from above; the other was an experience from within.
Both were unforgettable for completely different reasons.
More Than 20,000 Steps in One Day
By the end of it all, I had walked more than 20,000 steps.
Considering that I was still recovering from a cold and cough, it was certainly a physically demanding day. But some days during Hajj and Umrah are simply not measured by comfort or convenience.
They are remembered for the moments that make the tiredness worthwhile.
Day 13 gave me several of those moments.
From the breathtaking view of the Haram from the Clock Tower to exploring the museum, and finally returning to the Sacred Mosque for Umrah, the day became another special chapter of my journey.
A Night I’ll Remember
There was something symbolic about the journey that night.
I began by looking down upon the Kaaba from high above Makkah. Later, I returned to it as a pilgrim, walking among thousands of people and performing Umrah before Fajr.
The two experiences could hardly have been more different, yet both brought me closer to appreciating the beauty and significance of the Sacred City.
As my 16 Blessed Days continued to move toward their final chapters, I felt increasingly aware of how quickly this precious time was passing.
The following day would bring some shopping in Makkah, along with the hope of performing more Umrah before these blessed days came to an end.
May Allah accept our Hajj, Umrah, Salah, duas, and every sincere act of worship. May He invite us all to His Sacred House and grant us the opportunity to return again and again.
Ameen. 🤲