Ali Shahalom

I see it.

Check out.

I smack that button with a bismillah and then Nusuk logs me out.

Congratulations, this email is to confirm that your booking has been secured on the Nusuk Hajj platform.

Allahu Akbar, I'm crying tears of joy.

I cannot believe we got in.

Within minutes, all the UK packages sold out.

I tell my wife the good news, she cries.

I tell my parents, they don't believe me.

Together, all four of us are excited and for once, no pizza is involved.

I'm 35,000 feet in the air worrying about two things.

One, can my mum and dad do this?

I'm basically asking my diabetic parents to complete an Ironman in scorching heat with sandals on.

Secondly, is my wife going to annoy me?

Before I could finish that thought, she already did.

After six hours, we land in Medina and head towards Masjid al-Nabawi, the second largest mosque in Islam, built by Prophet Muhammad himself, peace be upon him.

For the first time, I'm seeing, touching and feeling these remarkable places that are symbolic to my faith.

Immediately, my anxiety melts into amazement.

This was better than watching Shaqib al-Hassan hit a six.

Everything clicked like I just solved a spiritual Rubik's Cube.