Three Peaks Blog: Ben Nevis
Saturday 21st June 2014
4:56pm
We’ve not long arrived at Ben Nevis. It’s been a reflective trip, seeing the beautiful country around us on the way here. I have been marvelling at the mountains and contemplating the verse in the Qur’an in which Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala – Glorified and Exalted is He) describes them as pegs in the Earth:
“Have We not made the earth as a wide expanse, And the mountains as pegs?” – [Al-Qur’an, Surah An-Naba, verses 6-7]
We have such natural beauty on this planet, but I don’t think we appreciate it enough. It really makes you wonder what heaven will be like, especially when our minds can’t comprehend or are taken aback by the natural beauty on this planet. SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi, subhanallahil ‘adheem (Glory and praise be to Allah, glory be to Allah the Supreme).
I’m still unwell, but the headache that I was starting to get on the way here has disappeared alhamdulillah (all praise to Allah). I’m still determined to complete this challenge, although we won’t finish with in the 24 hours that I had hoped. Time to renew intentions, make du’aa (supplication to Allah) and set off. Bismillah (in the name of Allah).
6:40pm
This mountain has probably had the best views compared to the others. It just makes you want to get to a decent spot and sit down to reflect. Unfortunately, Harris is struggling. For someone who has done nothing like this before, he has done amazingly well mashaAllah (as Allah has willed). Belal will stay with Harris and they will try to do as much as they can. It is decided that I will continue to conquer this last mountain on my own.
8:57pm
Alhamdulillah, I’ve finally managed to reach the top. It’s taken me four hours but I’m here! It’s been such a struggle, especially the last third or so. I’ve never climbed on my own before, and it’s made me realise how important company is on treks like this. At one point, I wasn’t making much progress and kept stopping regularly for breaks. I normally don’t use walking sticks, but always carry them with me in case someone requires them. In the end I decided to use them and just went for it. The walking sticks helped immensely, as well as the encouragement of other climbers and knowing I had got to the last stretch.
I kept reminding myself why I was doing this. Visibility had reduced in the last stretch, with the clouds all around me. Alhamdulillah, I’m grateful that I knew I needed to look out for markers, especially in areas where there is snow. I’m so glad to have made it. All praise be to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), Lord of the Worlds. Time for du’aas, and then the matter of the long descent down to the van.
10:00pm
I’ve managed to come a long way down, at least to the half way point I think. I lost my way near the top on the way back due to low visibility, but soon got back on track by the Grace of Allah. The clouds have gone and I can now see clearly all around me. I’ve decided to stop using the sticks now, they just seem to be getting in the way of me descending quickly. I’ve stopped by a waterfall to have a snack and drink water, as the water level in my pack is running very low. It’s amazing to drink naturally cold spring water, alhamdulillah – I can’t get enough of this!
11:55pm
Alhamdulillah I’ve made it! That last stretch coming down was tough, and I slowed down. My knees are feeling the impact of that descent. I can’t believe it’s all done. I kept looking at road at the bottom, thinking ‘that’s the goal I need to get to’.
Walking over the bridge to the van was emotional. I’m glad I’ve managed to complete this all for an amazing man. This will stay with me forever inshaAllah (Allah willing), and is a challenge that will mean so much to me. I ran out of water about 30-40 minutes before the end, and now I desperately need water. I’m going to finish whatever’s left in the van. I can’t wait to kick off these boots and socks – what a relief that it’s all done, alhamdulillah! I’m shattered and need rest, but alhamdulillah – all praise to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), Lord of the Worlds.
Sunday 22nd June – 2:32am
We’ve been on the road home for around two and a half hours. We’ve just stopped to refresh, pray and get food and drinks. As Muslims I don’t think we appreciate the act of wudhu (ablution) at all. Each time I’ve done wudhu, it’s felt as if I’ve just had a shower! SubhanAllah! I’m so gratefuful for this act.
We prayed Maghrib and Isha. After prayers, Belal reminded us of our intentions – why we have undertaken such a challenge. I’m grateful for the opportunity that Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala has blessed me with, and so grateful that He has allowed me to complete the challenge. We’ve run out of water but I need fluids desperately. Time to get some fluids and food.
4:18pm
I returned home around 7 o’clock this morning and have been resting since. I managed to get several hours sleep in the van too. As I write this, I can still feel the impact the climbs have had on my knees. My shoulders are still sore, but alhamdulillah. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I can’t quite believe that the challenge is over and I’m in bed writing this. Did I really just take on three mountains and complete it in 25 hours and 15 minutes? I’m so grateful for the opportunity Allah has granted me. This challenge means so much to me and I come away from it having an emotional and personal attachment to a man I have never met.
I hope and pray that Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) accepts this from me on my behalf of my friend’s father and grants him the full reward of each step I’ve taken. May He be rewarded for any good deeds that has come about from the Four Peaks challenge (including Carraunto0hil in Ireland), and may He grant him the reward of Sadaqah Jariyah (ongoing charity) from the money raised – I pray and hope the money raised will help hundreds of people. May Allah forgive him and grant him a high rank in Janaatul Firdaus (Paradise) – ameen Ya Rabb (O Lord). I pray that I get to meet my friend’s father in Jannatul Firdaus.
Time for ‘thank you’s now. A big shout out to all the donors who have donated generously. May Allah accept from you, reward you in this life and the next, and grant you a high station in Jannatul Firdaus – ameen.
A big shout out also to my friends for the support, encouragement and kind words throughout. May Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) bless you always, and make you amongst those of a high rank in Jannatul Firdaus.
Many thanks to my family and everyone who has supported me. Thank you for those who took their time out to message me before and during my climbs.
Congratulations Zak! You can sponsor Zak for his challenge – he climbed in memory of a friend’s late father – and even sign up for a challenge yourself if his blog has inspired you!