I have been granted the extraordinary privilege of visiting holy places, thanks to Allah Ta’ala’s grace. Among these sacred sites are the Haram Sharif and Al-Aqsa Mosque, which I visit multiple times each year. My first journey to the Haram Sharif holds a special place in my heart as it marked my initial venture beyond the borders of Pakistan. Accompanied by esteemed teachers, including Hazrat Maulana Saeed Sahib, Hazrat Maulana Abdul Rauf Sahib, my mentor Hazrat Maulana Yahya Madani Sahib, Shahid Bhai Sahib, along with friends and relatives, this trip was unforgettable.
During this pilgrimage, my love for Haramain Sharifain was etched into my heart, and I gained invaluable spiritual blessings and knowledge. I Mufti Abdul Wahab attribute my present endeavors to the blessings bestowed upon me during this journey. Allah, in His infinite wisdom, facilitated my travels to numerous countries worldwide, allowing me to witness the magnificent signs of His power.
My journey to Madinah Munawarah took place partly in the month of Shaban and partly in Ramadan. Experiencing Ramadan in Haram Sharif was an indescribable delight. The atmosphere was filled with the light, enchanting scenes of Sehr and Iftar, Taraweeh prayers, and devotion adorned the surroundings.
After this initial trip, life unfolded with its twists and turns, leading me down diverse paths. Yet, my longing persisted to return to the Haramain Sharifeen, to perform Umrah and eventually Hajj. Unfortunately, the opportunity to spend Ramadan in Haram Sharif eluded me due to television commitments and public engagements. However, last year, after a decade-long hiatus, I freed myself from prior obligations and embarked on an Umrah journey, firmly resolving to make it a yearly tradition.
This year, by Allah Ta’ala's grace, we were blessed to visit Haram during Ramadan once again. I initiated preparations as soon as Ramadan began, gathering information about tickets and accommodations. However, I discovered that the rates for hotels and flights were exorbitant. My travel companion, Fazal Sanni Sahib, and my son, Abdul Wasay Muhammad, eagerly joined me in the search for more affordable options. Abdul Wasay’s excitement was profound, as he eagerly shared the news with his grandmother and friends, yearning to pray before the Kaaba and break his fast in the presence of the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) shrine. Although he had accompanied me on a previous journey when he was very young, witnessing his enthusiasm prompted me to include him in this pilgrimage. Consequently, we booked tickets to Riyadh via Italy. In addition, my younger brother, Seemab, residing in [location], and two other companions, Sohail Zarar Khalish and Saeed Kanpuri, also joined us on this sacred voyage.
On the 21st of Ramadan, we organized a TV appeal for the
Al-Wahab Foundation. Then, on Thursday, April 13, at 6 am, we boarded a flight
from Luton Airport to Sicily, Italy. After a three-hour journey, we arrived in
Sicily. With a three-hour stopover, which involved self-transfer procedures, we
obtained the entry and exit stamps before acquiring our boarding cards once
again. Alhamdulillah, this phase proceeded smoothly. Stepping out of the
airport, we were greeted by pleasant weather. Sicily, once ruled by Muslims,
showcased captivating aerial views of the city’s charming landscapes. We then
departed from Sicily Airport, bound for Riyadh. As we landed in Riyadh, it was
time for Iftar. We broke our fast in the airplane and performed the Maghrib
prayer upon arrival. Upon completing the immigration process, we were received
by Saeed Kanpuri’s maternal uncle, a hospitable resident of Riyadh. He warmly
welcomed us and arranged a delightful meal comprising fritters, juices, and
other delectable items. We spent the night in Riyadh, which coincided with the
23rd night of Ramadan. After the meal, we ventured out to explore the city of
Riyadh briefly, purchasing yogurt and other suhoor essentials from a
supermarket before returning to engage in worship throughout the night. As
suhoor time approached, we participated in a pre-dawn meal and offered the
morning prayer. At 6 am, our flight from Riyadh to Medina commenced. Following
suhoor, we swiftly prepared for the flight and made our way to Riyadh Airport.
Our flight departed promptly at 6 am, and precisely one hour later, at 7 am, we
basked in the gentle air of Madinah Munawarah. The plane gracefully touched
down at Madinah Airport on the auspicious Friday morning, coinciding with
Jumu’ah Al-Wada.