Former tennis star Sania Mirza is preparing to embark on her sacred journey to Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
Announcing her pilgrimage on social media, Sania expressed her gratitude and hope for spiritual renewal as she heads to the holy city of Mecca.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Sania shared her excitement and humility about the upcoming pilgrimage.
She wrote, "As I prepare for this transformative experience, I humbly ask for your forgiveness for any wrongdoings and shortcomings." She described the journey as a chance for redemption and spiritual growth, expressing her hope that Allah will accept her prayers and guide her. Sania added, "I am deeply fortunate and feel immensely grateful. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I embark on this journey of a lifetime. I hope to come back as a better human being with a humble heart and stronger Imaan."
Following her retirement from tennis last year, Sania performed Umrah with her family, sharing photos on Instagram featuring her parents, sister, brother-in-law, and son. She had captioned the post, "Alhamdulillah. May Allah accept our prayers."
Hajj is a mandatory (Fardh) pilgrimage for every Muslim, considered the Fifth Pillar of Islam, and can only be performed at a specific time of year. In contrast, Umrah is a Sunnah, a shorter pilgrimage that can be undertaken at any time of the year.
Sania Mirza's illustrious 20-year tennis career concluded on February 21, 2023, at the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships. Despite retiring from professional tennis, she remains active in the media and was recently featured on Netflix's "The Great Indian Kapil Show."