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An old white bearded man from a small place of Srinagar, Poor in money but rich in faith. For nearly 40 years, this 70 years old man would make the same journey. Not to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina Not Harmain Sharifain but to a place which is a Government Office for Hajj and Auqaf Committee, commonly known as Hajj House presently situated at Bemina area of Srinagar.
This is the place where people submit their documents, learn the don’ts and do’s during the pilgrimage and get their ID’s including other necessary documents, holy pilgrims gathered here before setting off on their blessed journey to perform Hajj. Year after year, the old man would come to this special place. He would watch with joy and a hint of desire as fortunate Muslims prepared for their holy journey.
The man never complained about his fate. He was too poor to make the journey himself. His pockets were empty, but his heart was full of love for Allah, for his House Bait al Haram, for the holy cities of Harmain Sharifain, City Of Mecca, City Of Madina, Masjid Al Nabvi Prophet’s Mosque, The Roza of Prophet Muhammad PBUH. So he created his own ritual of devotion.
Each year, as pilgrims prepared to leave, he would walk among them. He would shake their hands, hug them, and ask them to remember him when they stood before the Kaaba. He would touch their bags and sometimes kiss them, as if sending his soul along with them to the holy lands.
“Please pray for me when you reach there,” he would say with tears in his eyes. “Tell Allah I am waiting for His call.”
Some pilgrims were moved by his sincerity. Others barely noticed him in the busy crowd. But he kept coming, year after year, sending silent messages to his Lord through these blessed travelers.
This year, the old man made his usual visit to Hajj House. White beared and haired old man in his 70’s walking with a slight limp, he moved through the crowd of excited pilgrims. As always, he blessed them and asked for their prayers.
What he did not know was that Allah had already answered his 40 years of patience.
Two brothers from North Kashmir had seen him on some local news channels. Some media houses had briefly shared his story, how this faithful man had been coming to see off pilgrims for decades, never losing hope that one day he too might visit Harmain Sharifain the holy cities.
The brothers are not very rich and wealthy themselves, But they had enough and living a decent life, but Allah had softened their hearts, They decided and knew what they must do.
“Allah has used them as his tools,” They might have said to each other. “We must help this man for the sake of Allah”.
Finally, they left for Srinagar to meet the old man. With humble hearts, they shared their purpose: “We want to send you for Hajj this year. Allah has heard your prayers.”
The old man stood speechless, his mind struggling to comprehend this moment. How could this be happening? For 40 years he had waited and now two strangers appeared and offering to fulfill his life’s greatest wish.
Having witnessed the pilgrimage process for decades, he was well aware of the complexities involved. The thought raced through his mind: “I don’t have a passport, nor have I applied for a visa, nothing is prepared.”
A storm of emotions swirled within his heart and mind as he tried to connect these unexpected dots. He existed in an entirely different state of consciousness, feeling as though he must be dreaming.
Sensing his overwhelm, the brothers reassured him “We will help with everything, from documents to expenses, all will be arranged. Allah has guided us to you and now we must follow through.”
For the old man, these words fell upon his ears like rain upon parched earth. What was unfolding before him was nothing short of a miracle.
What makes this story special is not just that the old man finally excited to perform Hajj. It is how he is called to Allah’s house.
Many people save money for years to make this journey. Others receive help from family members or government programs. But for this man, Allah arranged something unique, complete strangers were moved to help him.
Fortunate ones called by Allah to the Harmain Sharifain but this is what we might call a special invitation from Allah. When Allah truly wants someone in His house, He creates unexpected paths. He opens doors that seemed forever closed.
The two brothers who helped him did not want their names known. They sought no praise or thanks. They simply answered the call in their hearts, a call from Allah to serve the purpose.
This story teaches us something beautiful about faith. For 40 years, this man did not give up. He didn’t become bitter or resentful, Instead, he found a way to connect with the holy journey even when he could not go himself.
His ritual of meeting pilgrims was not just a substitute for Hajj. It was an act of pure love. Each year, he renewed his connection to Allah through these blessed travelers. Each year, he silently told Allah, “I am still waiting, my Lord.”
And Allah was listening all along.
We often think the fortunate ones are those with money, health or easy paths to their goals. But true fortune comes from Allah’s special love.
This old man’s journey shows us that Allah sometimes keeps a blessing from us not because He has forgotten us, but because He is preparing something special. The 40-year wait made the eventual journey sweeter. The unexpected help from strangers made it clear that this was truly Allah’s doing.
Some pilgrims perform Hajj because they have the means and it is (farz) Mandatory for them, Others perform it because it is expected of them. But a few precious souls are truly invited by Allah in ways that leave no doubt about whose hand is guiding events.
“Allah called me to His house,” I would tell everyone. “When Allah calls you, nothing can stand in the way.”
The two brothers who helped him refused any public thanks or recognition. “We are just Allah’s tools,” they said. “The invitation is for him alone.”
This true story reminds us that Allah sees the pure intentions in our hearts. He hears the prayers we whisper in the quiet moments. He knows when we long for Him even if we cannot express it perfectly.
Sometimes we must wait many years for a blessing. The waiting itself becomes a form of worship, a test of our faith and patience.
And sometimes, when Allah decides the time is right, He creates miracles through ordinary people. He turns strangers into angels of mercy. He transforms impossible dreams into beautiful realities.
Abdul Rehman Sahib the old man of the story his 40 years journey to Hajj teaches us to keep our hearts open to Allah’s timing. It reminds us that when Allah truly invites someone to His house, He prepares the way completely.
May we all be among those who are not just called, but specially invited to Allah’s holy cities.
