Being in Najaf is something I can never forget. Whenever I reminisce about my ziyarat trip, the grandeur of the dome of Ameerul Mumineen comes to my mind. It is certainly an unimaginable experience to finally be in the presence of that Imam whom you have called on millions of times in your life. I remember the pull urging me to go to the haram as often as I could and spend long hours there, reciting duas, especially Dua Sabah. That was one of my favourites. Can you imagine reciting a dua of Imam Ali in his very own haram? I would also spend my time reciting a manqabat or a nawha on Imam Ali. We were fortunate to have Mir Hasan Mir with us and he read some beautiful praises of Imam Ali as we were blessed with the opportunity to clean that sanctified haram.

I remember standing outside in the courtyard and admiring the amount of gold work that surrounded my Master’s haram. My friend who accompanied me on this trip wished she had her art book with her, as she wanted to capture that glory on paper. We stood there for minutes just gazing on reflecting on ourselves and grateful that Allah had endowed us with that honour of being one of the visitors of the Imam.

A memory that I am simply not able to erase is the time I stood by Bibi Ummul Baneen’s door in the haram on the night when I was reciting Ziyarat-e- Wida. I was simply crying and softly saying “I love you oh Imam, I love you, please ensure that this is not the last time I have the wonderful opportunity of visiting you.”

My Imam was so merciful, that trip was one of others to follow… with more memories and more breathtaking moments to remember once I went back home.