In Madina, early one December morning, the cold was biting, a stark contrast to the warmth of the memories I was about to create. Our plan for the day was to visit Raudhah, a place of profound significance.

The hadith, "What lies between my house and my pulpit is a garden of gardens from paradise," speaks to the immense spiritual value of Raudhah within Masjid Nabawi in Medina, Saudi Arabia. It draws Muslims from across the globe, each seeking a moment in this sacred garden.

Entering Raudhah is a journey of its own. We had to navigate a rigorous process, from downloading an app and registering a week in advance to passing through multiple layers of stringent security checks. The crowd was overwhelming, Raudhah, though small, was packed with people. I found myself at the very back with my group, feeling a profound sense of unworthiness. The thought of being so far from the front, where the Prophet’s presence felt closest, brought tears to my eyes. I felt humbled to be there at all, even if only in the back.

Then, something miraculous happened. In the midst of the bustling crowd, it felt as though time itself had paused. An unexpected path opened up before me. It was as if the crowd had parted just for me, revealing a clear path to the very front. I looked around, confused, but no one else seemed to notice the unusual clearing. With a heart full of awe and gratitude, I walked slowly toward the front, not rushing or pushing, just making my way with quiet reverence.

When I reached the front, standing in the most sacred spot, I was overwhelmed with peace. I prayed with tears in my eyes, feeling an intense connection to the divine and a profound sense of disbelief at my good fortune. My group, still behind, was instructed to make way for others after I finished. As soon as my prayer ended, the crowd resumed its normal flow, and my group surrounded me. I was almost carried out by their support, the crowd lifting my feet as we exited.

They were thrilled to see me at the very front and marveled at my good fortune, telling me how incredibly lucky I was. In that moment, I felt a deep, overwhelming gratitude. The experience was a profound gift, a testament to the power of faith and the grace of divine intervention.