One week later we prepared to leave Makkah with heavy sadness. Our week went by so quick and regrets filled us about how much more time we could have spent in the Haram praying, doing ibadah and making more multiple Tawafs. After Maghrib we performed our final Farewell Tawaf and as we sprinted towards the exit to make the bus on time at our hotel I stopped abruptly and turned to the Kaaba. Who knew if I was ever to return to this beloved place again. I wanted to burn the image I saw in my mind so I could carry it with me and remember it always. I made a silent dua to Allah to return me to this place one day before turning and walking out of the Haram for the last time.

We spent a rather uncomfortable 6 hours on a bus traveling to Madinah. The weather was freezing. After leaving the perfect 70-80 degree weather of Makkah, Madinah's cool weather was a shock. Although we were incredibly depressed to be leaving Makkah we were also excited to be traveling to the City of Our Prophet - Madinatal Munawwara. The closer we got to Madinah, the happier we became. Our driver and guide began singing Talal Badru Alayna (really badly :)). Of course we all had to join in and that's how we entered the city of Madinah.

The entire atmosphere and feeling changes when you're in Madinah. In Makkah there is so much spiritual energy buzzing in the air. In Madinah, all you feel is peace, more than I've felt anywhere else in the world.

Sitting in the courtyard of the Prophet's Mosque watching the sunset is probably the height of experiences in this world. The sunset in the winter is so beautiful. As the light changes, the Masjid changes colors, cream to tan to brown to orange to pink and finally a dusky gold glow covers the masjid and courtyard as if only for Rasulullah (saw). As we looked at the sunset we realized how we were literally standing in the backyard or alleys around Rasulullah's house. He too must have watched this very same sunset waiting for Maghrib.

We were shaken later when learning about the life of the Qabr (grave) we read reports of servants of Allah who would be made to perceive the sunset in the outside world. They will 'wake up' in their graves and say 'let me pray', 'let me pray' because that's how they lived their life.