Taimur Nawaz reflects on an unexpected midnight journey to Umrah, where a sincere intention was met by one door opening after another, overcoming each hurdle—a reminder of the beautiful ways Allah can ease the path when He invites someone to His House.
I would like to share a story of “The Midnight Umrah,” where a pure intention overcame the constraints of a tight business schedule.
I recently met a tech entrepreneur and CEO who frequently travels to the Middle East for business collaborations, visiting Saudi Arabia every other month. On a recent trip, he had to fly to Jeddah with a junior colleague for an urgent, one-day meeting.
During the flight, the colleague tentatively suggested, “Sir, we should perform Umrah if time permits.” Upon landing at Jeddah airport, he brought it up again, this time with excitement: “Boss, we should definitely make time for Umrah. Our meeting should wrap up by the evening, leaving us plenty of time before our midnight flight.”
The CEO, ever the pragmatist, politely responded, “It’s going to be tricky. We’re in Jeddah, and we’d have to travel all the way to Makkah. We simply don’t have the time. Besides, we don’t have Ihrams or proper sandals. Let’s pass this time.”
Visibly disappointed but respectful, the junior colleague fell silent.
They headed into their meeting, which proved highly productive. As they wrapped up, their Saudi business partner unexpectedly asked, “Would you guys like to perform Umrah?”
The CEO again politely declined, explaining that they were pressed for time.
However, as they got into the car to return to their hotel, they noticed a bag on the seat. Inside were two Ihrams. Their thoughtful Saudi partner had quietly instructed his assistant to place them there.
Seeing this, the junior colleague urged him one last time: “Sir, now we must go.”
The CEO hesitated. They still lacked proper sandals, and they had a strict midnight flight to Lahore to catch. Hearing the conversation, the driver suddenly pulled the car over. Without a word, he stepped out and returned moments later with two pairs of slippers.
Overwhelmed by how perfectly the pieces were falling into place, the CEO smiled and agreed.
They were going to Makkah.
In my view, the sheer purity of the junior colleague’s intention was so sincere that it was answered by the Almighty. Every obstacle—the clothing, the shoes, the logistical hurdles—seemed to be removed, one by one, through divine orchestration.
There is also something beautiful in the way the CEO graciously embraced the challenge, trusting the journey despite the narrow window before their flight. The Saudi partner and the driver, too, became chosen instruments in facilitating this sacred pilgrimage.
Hearing this story filled me with a beautiful kind of envy. I sincerely pray that Allah grants me, my friends, and all those who yearn for it, many such miraculous opportunities to visit the Holy Kaaba.
Ameen.
