Gareth Bryant Writes

al-Muqaddimah/Prelude

I got the Opportunity to return to Makkah, to al-Ka`bah/the Cube: al-Haram/the Sanctuary via al-`Umrah (Minor-Hajj). This-Space, the Most-Sacred Place on Earth, via Human-History: the First/Last-Time I’d been there was in 1425, A.H./2005, C.E. when I made al-Hajj/Pilgrimage. My 2nd-Experience traveling to the Arabian-Peninsula has actually been more significant than my 1st-Experience personally.

https://youtu.be/RN5p7p8oJvw?si=SiC4cf3A8Q4vPI0k

In spite of the Fact that my 1st-Experience is more important religiously, due to it being al-Hajj & that al-Hajj being a Farīdhah/Islāmic-Mandate: my 2nd-Experience has been more personally meaningful, because I really never thought that I’d ever live long enough to reach Makkah again. I distinctively remember making Tawāf-al-Wadhā`/the Farewell-Circumbulation around the Ka`bah: I actually had to say “Goodbye”, in a Sense, to Makkah, leaving me quite heartbroken spiritually.

Full-Disclosure: a Piece of my Heart has stayed within Makkah all of these Years after my 1st-Experience. Now, that I’ve returned via al-`Umrah/Mini-Hajj, it’s as though Allah placed that Long-Lost Piece of my Heart back into my Sadr/Chest. Also, the Fact that I went back to Makkah with the Persons I did made it special also. 2/3 whom I went with: we’ve already had Lots of Positive Personal-Experiences together. So, for us all to be visiting the House-Of-Allah via al-Ka`bah: I deeply considerate it a True-Barakah/Blessing from Allah.

JFK&Beyond

We first arrived in Istanbul, Turkey (Courtesy of Turkish Airlines). It was truly awesome, to visit Turkey itself for the 1st-Time (hopefully not the Last-Time either). Turkey is literally one of the Most-Significant Places via Human-History. And, that’s because it was once the Home of the Last-Seat of al-Khilāfah/Islāmic-Governance via the Ottoman-Empire. The Ottoman-Empire was destroyed via World-War I & its Geo-Political Aftermath in 1340, A.H./1922, C.E. Our Flight from JFK2Istanbul actually got delayed for 3-Hours by the way: apparently this is a Regular-Occurance via Turkish Airlines though. On the Bright-Side, we did enjoy parlaying at the Turkish Airlines Lounge as we awaited-The Turkish-Food there was Cool as usual. After landing in Istanbul, we had to rush to catch our Connecting Flight, from Istanbul2Jiddah.

After catching our Connection-Flight, we landed in KSA via Jiddah-Airport. From Jiddah, we headed straight to Makkah. At first, we wanted to take the Hajj/`Umrah Monorail-Trains connecting Jiddah to the Rest of the Major-Cities of the Hijāz-Region (the Mid-Western Coast of the Arabian-Peninsula/Modern-Day KSA): Makkah, Tā’if, al-Madīnah, etc. bordering the Red Sea. However, we arrived to Jiddah too late (the Monorails don’t operate 24/7). So, we proceeded to book an Uber. The Uber was Dumb-Expensive. So, we scratched that. We decided to Cab it.

The Weirdo-Cabbies Situations

The Dilemma: Cab-Drivers via KSA are just like Niggas at da Club wantin Female-Attention: they’re Aggressive-As-Hell trying to get Cab-Customers. Now, for those (Muslim & Non-Muslim alike)-Once a Muslim assumes the Posture of al-Ihrām (Sacredness), as per performing Hajj/`Umrah: putting Hands&Feet on someone/anyone is Mahrūm/Islāmically-Prohibited & it literally breaks/voids one’s Mindset/State of al-Ihrām. Oiviously…the Self-Control necessary to deal with Lame-Ass Mothafuckas ain’t at all easy to retain. Certain-Persons one enounters via the Hajj-Experience will truly actually make you wanna beat they Whole-Ass. The Aggressive Cabbies via Jiddah…a Typical/Classic-Example of what I mean. As soon as we hit the Terminals to leave Jiddah-Airport: Swaths o Niggas came-out da Woodwork literally harrassing us to get into their Cabs. It was the Human-Trafficking Vibes for me. Dem Niggas were Creepy-As-Fuck. I specifically remember being forewarned, the 1st-Time I went to KSA: don’t be hasty to trust Cabbies…they will set you da Fuck up. Make 0-Mistake about this. So, after refusing about 50 or so Cabbies (no Exaggeration): we ended-up deciding to accept 1-Cabby to take us from Jiddah to Makkah. Even dat Nigga was on Weirdo-Timing…they had a White-Minivan (#NuffSaid). I said to myself: Shit…if This-Nigga tries something with us, then I’ll just have to face a KSA-Court for Murder.

The Dangerous-Drive

The Entire-Ride from Jiddah to Makkah was a Fitnah (Challenge, Trial, Test, etc.). One of my Boys with us was Chit-Chattin with the Cabby, to faciliate a Comfortable-Atmosphere. I sat in the Back, conveniently rite where the Driver foolishly left a 4-Way Lug-Wrench in the Back of the Van. I was fully-prepared to use that Lug-Wrench, to get Busy, if necessary. There were 2-Others in the Van along with us: they were with the Driver. They were moving Super-Shady: I was on my NYC-Shit the Entire-Ride from Jiddah2Makkah. The Cabby seemed to be making Extra Ride-Stops for Unnecessary-Reasons. The Guys were giving each other Hints&Clues to keep our Eyes open, regarding any Plots these Goofies may have had. Ironically, at a Road-Checkpoint, the Vehicle we’re in gets pulled-over via KSA-Authorities. This ended-up shaking-up the Driver & their Crew, yet completely unaware that the Guys were prepared to demolish them. Both of These-Things combined: nevertheless Allah protected us & assured that we got to Makkah safely.

Makkah all over again

Returning to Makkah, after 2-Decades: it literally felt like 2-Lifetimes ago. I’ve become so different…the World is so different…the Way I move as a Muslim is different. But, my Respect/Love for the 1st-Masjid/Mosque via Human-History has never waivered nor faltered. When I left Makkah in 1425, A.H./2005, C.E. I had truly psycho-emotionally prepared myself to never see Makkah ever again. I always wanted to make Hajj/`Umrah again. However, because my Life’s Trajectory has been so unpredictable in Many/Countless-Ways: I simply wrote myself off from ever receiving the Invitation from Allah to once again visit Their House: al-Ka`bah. When I first came to KSA, a Piece of my Heart felt that it was taken & left at Makkah. But, when I returned to KSA, it felt as though almost immediately that the exact Same-Piece of my Heart Allah had restored to me. Going through at-Tawāf (Laps around the Ka`bah 7-Times), as well as as-Sa`ī (Pacing Back-And-Forth between the Hills of as-Safā & al-Marwah) took me back to the Days I first spent in Makkah 2-Decades prior. When I first saw the Ka`bah back in 1425/2005: I actually thought I was going to pass-out. I felt as though my Rūh/Soul was attempting to jump out of my Jism/Body & cling to the Ka`bah. This-Time, that wasn’t the Emotion/Feeling I possessed though. But, what did occur was a Sense of Homecoming. It was a Tadhkirah/Reminder, that I as a Muslim belong in Makkah.

For More-Info. regarding the Ka`bah itself:

https://gbwrites.com/2012/10/01/theoriginsofidiladha/

The Beauty of Islāmic-Fraternity

Amongst the Beautiful-Things which I captured everytime I’ve been to Makkah: using al-Hajj/al-`Umrah as an Islāmic-Justification to test/feel the Pulse of the Muslim-World, so that we as Muslim-Individuals can link-up with Kindred/Liked-Minds & incept Religio-Solutions to our Countless Religio-Problems. There were Countless-Persons me & the Guys conversed with, openly & unashamed, regarding the Corruption of the KSA/Saudi-Government, pertaining to the Despicable-Oppression which Countless-Muslims face, at the Hands of Fellow-Muslims & Non-Muslims alike, the Corruption&Failures of Muslim-Governments causing the Muslims they rule over to suffer, etc. There were Muslims from all over whom we encountered from all over the World. Even while we were making at-Tawāf, the Guys were discussing amongst ourselves the Signs of the Hour. While we were talking, and, of course me being me: I’m Extra-Forthright as per speaking publicly to the Oppression which Others receive…just as Muhammad (Peace be upon them) stated: the Greatest-Jihād/Resistance is speaking Truth about/to a Tyrant.”.
(an-Nasā’ī&an-Nawawī)

There were so many People whom I engaged with, whom had Beautiful-Scenarios, as per their Experiences at Makkah. There’re Certain-Persons I periodically kept seeing, like my Bro. via the U.K. whom I’ve gotten close to Kevin Tutron, and them & I literally communicate almost everyday. To me it was a True-Testament, to the Divine-Guarantee of Allah: “Verily, the Believers are definitely Brethren.”.
(Noble-Qur’ān: Chpt.49, V.10)

A Sorrid-Age of Fear

I saw it in the Atmosphere-The KSA-Locals live in a Totalitarian-State of Anxiety&Panic. They literally fear the Wrath of the KSA-Government, more than they hate the Illegitimate-Rule of these Muslim-Governments. I personally am never shy to call-out the Hypocrisy of Muslim-Governments which literally profits from the Iftirāq/Division of the Muslims globally & politically. And, of course, there’re Muslims whom’re Pro Status-Quo. I remember KSA-Locals, as well as Others from Other-Countries, surprised&shocked that we…the Guys…were unafraid to speak so openly&publicly about al-Fasād/Corruption, which’s embedded within all Muslim-Governments equally as well as blatantly. There was 1-Time when a Person overheard the Guys speaking…they turned-around so damn fast at us, literallylooking at us like: “Wow…you Niggas is Bold talkin like that!!!”.

https://gbwrites.com/2022/12/16/muslimpolitics/

For the Record…I was actually “warned” to not speak about or post anything via Online, regarding as-Siyāsah/Politics while via KSA, for fear of being penalized with KSA’s “Morality-Fines”.

For More-Info. regarding KSA’s “Morality-Fines”:

https://visa.visitsaudi.com/Home/PublicDecorum

https://cdn-visa.visitsaudi.com/downloads/VIOLATIONSTOPUBLICDECENCYANDPENALTIES.pdf

If you know me or know anything about me: you can take a Guess how I responded to those “Warnings”…

https://gbwrites.com/2019/09/23/toxicleadership/

Dealing with Scammers&Hoes

We’ve all had Similar-Experiences, when it comes to Beggars&Scammers, People attempting to Cash-In on Tragedy. There’s Several-Instances where we were directly confronted altogether via such Beggars&Scammers. 1-Scenario quickly comest to Mind when Children, being used as Scammer-Bait, kept approaching us via the Haram in Makkah. I literally hated seeing the Young-People being denied/robbed of any Sort of Future & potentially spending their Lives in the Beggar/Scammer-Racket. 1-Nite particularly there were Lil-Kids sent to target the Guys to beg. They had literally ran towards one of us, hugging them, and I then began yelling to them: “Check your Pockets!!!”. Once I did so, Those-Rugrats ran away. I kept telling the Guys to stop giving These-Beggars anything, but Niggas don’t listen. These-Beggars are relentless & if they see Money they’ll flock to whomever possesses it. Being a Sadaqah/Charity-Target isn’t a “Flex”. Then, there’s the New Begging-Question the Scammers begin with: “Do you speak English?!!!” Reason being is that it’s a Mutawātir/Common-Knowledge Zhann/Assumption, that any/all Persons coming from English-Speaking Nation-States have Money. If you give 1-Beggar, then you’ll be pressured (via the Guilt-Factor) to think/feel that you’re obligated to give to All-Beggars. In KSA you can (if you’re intuative enough) actually tell where someone’s from depending on: 1. How they beg/scam 2. Which Begging/Scamming-Tactics they use on People.

When I first came to KSA, it was the 1st-Time I ever got approached via Male&Female-Prostitutes. That-Shit had me so upset. There I was, in the Most-Sacred Space/Place in Human-History & Niggas is turnin Tricks…sum Ole-Bullshit. Fortunately, no Male-Prostitutes tried to approach me This-Time. However, that doesn’t mean These-Broads weren’t on the Prawl. I received so many, countless, Stares from the Women there. In spite of them wearing an-Niqāb/Facial-Vail: their Eyes conveyed a Message of Lust. It was a True-Test: These-Women literally were staring at me, as though they wanted me to know they were staring at me. It was Day-In&Day-Out. 1-Day specifically, as I was exploring Makkah, I came across Street-Vendors whom everywhere they went literally tried to sell anything/everything. As I walked past them, Some-Beggars were also amongst them. 1-Beggar, whom also had a Child with them, began to approach me for Money. Obviously, as per my Personal-Policy, I proceeded to simply ignore them & go about my Business. They audaciously followed me (this happens a lot by the way). Typically, after about 10Secs. the Average-Beggar will leave you alone. But, not This-Broad. Shorty was rite on my Heels. It was basically impossible to get away from them, because the Pedestrian-Traffic was so heavy. Now, as I’m desperately looking for a Way to get a Crowd-Opening: Shorty begins to grab&caress my Arm. And, I’m legitimately shocked, that Shorty actually did this publicly. Immediately, via my Mind, I get triggered & it takes me back to Experiences from the 1st-Time I came to KSA. Fortunately, by Allah’s-Mercy: I finally saw a Crowd-Opening. I hastily took it, thus escaping This-Broad.

Miracles of al-Jazīrah/the Arabian-Peninsula

In my Opinion, the Arabian-Peninsular Landscape is amongst the Most-Stunning Locations I’ve ever been to on Earth & I’ve traveled to 3-Continents. The Most-Captivating Dimensions of the Arabian-Peninsula are it’s Mountain-Ranges. Reason being is because so many of the Mountains witjin the Arabian-Peninsula are actually Dormant-Volcanoes. Speaking of, by the way: there’s at least 20 Active-Volcanoes within the Arabian-Peninsula & at least 10 Major Lava-Lakes. These are both classified as al-Harrāt/Volcanic-Sites. Also, even more important: the Prophecies of Muhammad (Peace be upon them): concerning the Arabian-Peninsula becoming a Rainforest once again…it’s actually happening before our very Eyes. Even when I first came to KSA in 1425, A.H./2005, C.E. I had noticed this.

https://gbwrites.com/2022/11/07/deserted-prophecies/

https://gbwrites.com/2023/03/24/desertedwonders/

at-Tajnīn/Jinn-Activity via the Jazīrah

In spite of Makkah&al-Madīnah being the Most-Sacred Places/Spaces ever in ad-Dunyā/the Mundane: Jinn-Activity definitely exists even there. As a Muslim-Chaplain, professionally I’m trained to assess, detect, etc. Jinn-Activity specifically. While in KSA I’ve seen it manifest Upclose&Personal…amongst Humans & even amongst Animals there. It’s really quite interesting & scary to see it in such a Spiritually-Important Locale.

https://gbwrites.com/2023/01/22/tajninprotection101/

https://gbwrites.com/2019/07/08/attajninvsmentalillness/

Experiences via al-Madīnah

I was finally able to get al-Hijāmah/Cupping done while in al-Madīnah. al-Hijāmah is an Ancient-Method involving Minimal Blood-Release. It actually yielded a deeply Spiritual-Experience, as al-Hijāmah is used as a Ruqyah/Healing-Method as a Protection against at-Tajnīn (Jinn-Influence/Possession).

For More-Info. regarding ar-Ruqyah/Healing:

https://gbwrites.com/2019/04/29/ruqyah/

I remember absorbing more of the City of al-Madīnah, as opposed to the Last-Time being there. It was as exciting as Makkah…very bland in comparison to Makkah. Even as per Navigation: Makkah is way more Pedestrian-Friendly as opposed to al-Madīnah. Via al-Madīnah you definitely need More-Access to Vehicles. I mean, Yeah…the Prophetic-Mosque is there & Various Religio-Historical Sites are there. But, it’s just not Makkah. al-Madīnah gave me a Pseudo-Piety Vibe: Lots of People religiously pretend, only Muhammad (Peace be upon them) is buried there. In Makkah Niggas keep it 💯. In al-Madīnah, I assessed a Severe-Sense of Pseudo-Piety which annoyed me greatly.

1-Nite via al-Madīnah I’m walking towards Masjid-in-Nabawī/the Prophetic-Mosque, to make Maghrib/Sunset-Prayer. Then this KSA-Guard who was patrolling at one of the Gates: I simply thought they’re going to tell me to take Another-Gate. But, tell me how/why this Piece-O-Shit had the Audacity/Arrogance to ask me: “Are you Muslim?”. I straight flipped on Boy…I swear by Allah: had I not been rushing to make as-Salāh/Mechanical-Prayer, I probably would’ve slapped the Shit out of them. This-Scenario literally reminded me of a Similar-Scenario when I first went to KSA. These Saudi-Bozos had the Audacity/Arrogance to ask me am I a Christian, while in Makkah, because I had a Lifeguard T-Shirt on. Then, I literally had the Dummest-Convo I ever had via Arabic explaining to Dumb-Fuckers the Difference between a Lifeguard-Shirt & a Crucifix. Those-Experiences more than any others really made me say to myself: “Fuck This-Shit…I wanna go Home. I did what I came here to do, now I’m over it.”. It’s Scenarios like those which made me not even want to go back sometimes, in spite of my Immense-Muhabbah/Love for Makkah & al-Madīnah.

Time in Turkey

We left KSA to go back to Turkey…we stayed in Istanbul. We spent a Whole-Day there exploring, venturing to Various Historical-Locales. Istanbul is kind of like the San Francisco of the Middle-East (minus the Dominant Homo-Culture). We ended-up linking with Ole-Friends we know who’re from Istanbul & who relocated from the U.S. to Turkey.

al-Ahlām/Dreams do come true (you just have to believe in Allah firstly)

Allah states:

“And proclaim, as per the Favor of your Lord.”

(Noble-Qur’ān: Chpt.93, V.11)

When I came back from KSA the 1st-Time, I wrote a Daily-Journal. Originally, I had the Niyyah/Motive to have my Journal in 2-Parts: 1st-Part chronicling my 1st-Experience on Hajj & 2nd-Part detailing what a 2nd-Experience would be like Years afterwards & how my Life as a Muslim would be thereafter. However, I ended-up only completing the 1st-Part. But, it seems like Allah wanted This-Article to be the 2nd-Part. This is self-evident, by virtue of me having 10 Different-Ahlām/Dreams about my 2nd-Experience in Makkah. I even dreamt about our Hotel where we stayed at, Shopping-Areas we ventured to, etc. Everywhere we went that appeared in my Ahlām: Allah clearly wanted me to recall what I dreamt about it. Even this very Article I’ve authored: I literally had a Hulm/Dream about it.

https://gbwrites.com/2025/07/16/myawesomedreams/

The Best-Part, about my Ahlām about my Return to Makkah, is that via Real-Life it was with These-Guys rite here:

My Experiences via KSA with the 4 of us are Irreplaceable-Moments in Time. The Ways in which we protected each other, looked-out for each other, learned/benefitted from each other, helped each other, etc.: there’s literally no one on Earth that I’d rather have Those-Times with.

Gareth Bryant 1445, A.H./2023, C.E.