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Sabha, Libya – In a story that has captivated hearts across the Arab world and beyond, a young Libyan man named ‘Āmir al-Mahdī Manṣūr al-Qadhāfī has become a symbol of unwavering faith and divine providence. His extraordinary journey from rejection at the airport gate to finally boarding a Ḥajj flight—not once, but after two miraculous returns of the same plane—has gone viral across social media platforms, prompting reflections on sincerity, patience, and the power of pure intention.

A Test of Faith at Sabha Airport

It all began at Sabha Airport, deep in southern Libya, where ‘Āmir, armed with sincere longing for the House of Allah, arrived slightly late for his flight to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Though other pilgrims had already begun boarding, ‘Āmir remained confident in his heart:

“Allāhumma innī nawaytu ḥajja baytik — O Allah, I have intended to perform pilgrimage to Your House,” he whispered as he entered the departure terminal.

But moments later, his journey took an unexpected turn. Airport security flagged a security concern with his name. The surname al-Qadhāfī, identical to restricted names within Libya, led to his being barred from boarding. While officials assured him it was a minor administrative issue, the flight proceeded to close its gates. As the plane pulled away, Āmir stood alone, watching his dream disappear through the glass window.

A senior airport official approached with resigned sympathy:

“Allāh ghālib… mish maqṣūmah lik — It’s Allah’s will… perhaps this journey wasn’t destined for you.”

But ‘Āmir, undeterred, replied with conviction:

“In shāʾ Allāh, the plane will not depart. In shāʾ Allāh, I will be on it. My intention is for ḥajj.”

A miraculous story of a Hujjaj from Libya:

A young Libyan man named Amer was traveling for Hajj when he encountered security problem regarding his name during the airport procedures. Security told him, We will try to solve it for you, but you have to wait with us a little while. pic.twitter.com/oCud75gWKU

— The Holy Mosques (@theholymosques) May 27, 2025

First Miracle: The Plane Returns

In a dramatic twist, mere minutes later, the airport loudspeakers announced that the plane, which had already taken off, was returning due to a technical malfunction.

Hope reignited.

The airport authorities quickly moved to include ‘Āmir. But when they requested the pilot to reopen the aircraft doors, the captain refused, citing protocol: the doors could not be reopened and the boarding steps could not be repositioned for a single passenger.

Once again, the plane took off—leaving ‘Āmir behind for a second time.

A Heart That Would Not Give Up

As resignation grew around him, ‘Āmir remained rooted in resolve. He turned once more to the security chief and said:

“I am not leaving this airport. I will board that specific plane, by the will of Allah.”

And so, he waited. The terminal emptied. The flight was long gone. But he stayed.

Second Miracle: The Sky Answers Again

In what many now call a divine response, the plane returned a second time, this time due to a weather-related issue that caused discomfort among the passengers. To ease tensions, the crew opened the doors and allowed pilgrims to disembark briefly.

That moment became the opening Āmir had been waiting for.

He was called again—this time successfully. As he made his way through the gate, security staff greeted him not with formalities, but reverence:

“Duʿāʾak yā Shaykh Āmir… barakātak maʿānā — Pray for us, Shaykh Āmir, let your blessings accompany us.”

Photographs were taken with the cabin crew. Āmir finally sat in his seat, heart overcome with gratitude, whispering:

“Alḥamdulillāh alladhī ballaghnā murādanā — Praise be to Allah, who brought us to our goal.”

“What Is Between You and Allah, Āmir?”

Once inside the Ḥaram in Makkah, Āmir filmed a video recounting the surreal chain of events. In it, he affirms that he never doubted—because his intention was purely for Allah’s sake. The clip has since gone viral on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), with thousands praising his steadfastness and spiritual strength.

One widely circulated comment read:

“What is it between you and Allah, Āmir? How could a mere intention cause the skies to respond?”

Another user posted:

“When Allah decrees something for you, every delay is only a divine pause—until you reach your place. Ḥajj Mabrūr, Saʿy Mashkūr, and sins forgiven, In shāʾ Allāh.”

The tale of ‘Āmir al-Qadhāfī is more than an airport incident; it has grown into a global symbol of how pure niyyah (intention) can shake the very course of events. His story has become Friday sermon material, a motivational post for the youth, and a reminder for all that “if you knock on Allah’s door with certainty, it will never remain closed.”

As one commentator beautifully put it:

“The world bends not for wealth or status, but for the servant who says with sincerity: ‘I intend. And I trust my Lord.’”