ALMISKEENAH

 

Israa’ wa Mi’raaj

Glorified be He Who carried His bondman by night from the Sacred Mosque to the al-Aqsa Mosque whose precincts We have blessed, so that We might show him of Our signs. Surely, He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. (17:1)

Then he drew near, then he came closer
Till he was (distant) two bows’ length or even nearer.
Now He revealed to His bondman whatever He revealed.
The heart lied not in what he saw.
Will you then dispute with him concerning what he saw?
And indeed he saw him in another descent
By the lote-tree of the utmost boundary,
Near to which is the Garden of Abode.
When that which enshrouds did enshroud the lote-tree
The sight turned not aside nor exceed the limit..
Certainly, he saw of the greatest signs of his Lord. (53:8-18)

O Buraq,

Dazzling with the gems of Jannah.

Ruby chest, your back glistening with the lustre of Heavenly pearls,

Saddle of light, mouth bit green chrysolite.

Enamoured by the mere word "Muhammad" for forty thousand years,

Chosen by Jibreel from thousands.

Swift as lightning.

Thronged by a galaxy of Angels,

Bearing candelabra emblazoning the skies.

 

O Buraq,

Shyly observing

Jibreel adorn

Our Blessed Traveller.

With a quilted turban of light

Divined thousands of years before Adam

Wound by Ridwan in the name of "Muhammad"

Forty thousand Angels

Forever stood around the turban reciting Salat wa Salam

Forty thousand folds

Every fold inscribed with;

Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah,

Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah,

Muhammad is the Beloved of Allah,

Muhammad is the Friend of Allah.

Draped with a cape of light,

Fastened with a belt of rubies.

Blessed with a whip of green emeralds,

Embellished with hundreds of pearls

Glowing as the morning star.

 

 

O Buraq,

Humbly observing

Jibreel

Purifying the Master of the Two Sanctuaries,

The Master of Ascension,

Washing his noble chest with Zamzam,

Removing that which impedes awe.

A Golden goblet pouring

Wisdom and Iman.

 

 

O Buraq,

Accompanied by the Archangels,

Instructed to leave their Stations.

Striding a path of fine flowered Paradise silks.

Reaching Masjid al-Aqsa

Jibreel tied you to a ring,

Where all mounts of all previous prophets and messengers had been tied.

What sheer wonder and ecstasy.

Angels filling the skies

With endless Salam.

Salam to all the honourable, enlightened guests.

 

O Buraq,

Your ears swooning with this Angelic chorus.

Salams to Muhammad, who is the first, Salams to Muhammad, who is the last, Salams to Muhammad, who is the gatherer of men.

How patiently you must have waited,

Hearing the rustle of brocades,

Inhaling the intoxicating fragrances,

As all prayed behind the Most Exquisite Nabi.

 

O Buraq,

How were your eyes not blinded by the ladder?

Gold, silver, studded with pearls

Ascending.

Witnessing such divine scenes.

Chalices offered, milk chosen.

 

O Buraq,

What suspense, waiting, wondering.

As the Seven Heavens festooned with the most brilliant of decorations

Opened,

Revealing all previous prophets receiving the Seal of Prophets.

All Heavenly splendour constantly Glorifying, Adulating, Prostrating.

Maybe wincing knowing the Divine was also revealing the full array of His mysteries.

 

O Buraq,

Our imaginings cannot comprehend

The scratching sound of pens!

Baitul Ma’moor, Kawthar,

Sidratul Muntahaa.

Two bows lengths, or even closer!

So exclusive, so precious.

The honour of honours exclusively for our Lord’s Habib!

Jibreel forbidden,

His wings would have scorched!

 

O Buraq,

Fifty Salat! Do I perceive a smile,

As Musa smiled?

So blessed is this Ummah.

Rewarded by the Generous One,

Five accepted as fifty!

 

Praise be to the Highest of the High,

Glory be to our Lord, the All-Holy,

Glory be to the lofty, the Majestic,

Glory be to the Possessor of Greatest Grace,

Glory be to the Perfectly Just,

Glory be to All-Forgiving, the All-Merciful,

Glory be to the All-Compassionate,

Glory be to Him who answers those who ask of Him,

Glory be to the Living, the Gentle,

Glory be to the True and Munificent,

Glory be to the Powerful and Wise,

Glory be to the Highest Lord,

Glory be to the Almighty, the All-Powerful,

Glory be to the Most Generous of the Generous,

Glory be to the Glorious, the Illustrious.

 

How could he who created not know His own creation, when He is the Most Subtle, the All Aware? (67:14)

 

Insha’Allah may we all make extra efforts supplicating our Beloved Rasul SallAllahu alaihi during this time.

 

‘ O’ Allah shower Thy blessings on our Master Muhammad (peace be upon him) in such a measure that earns Thy pleasure and shower Thy blessings on our Master Muhammad (peace be upon him) exceeding that measure which has earned Thy pleasure and shower Thy blessings upon our Master Muhammad (peace be upon him) for ever and ever ‘.

ALLAH HUMMA SALLE ALA SAI-YAE-DAE-NA MUHAMMADIN HATA TAR ZA VA SALLE ALA SAI-YAE-DAE-NA MUHAMMADIM-BA DARRAE ZA VA SALLE ALA SAI-YAE-DAE-NA MUHAMMADIN A-BA-DAN A-BA-DA.


http://www.alinaam.org.za/library/israa02.htm

http://www.alinaam.org.za/library/qasidah07.htm

http://red-sulphur.org/node/238

http://www.islamonline.net/English/In_Depth/Al-Israa_Al-Miraj/INDEX.SHTML

 
http://images.google.com.au/images?hl=en&lr=lang_en&safe=active&q=+site:www.sacred-destinations.com+dome+of+the+rock

 http://www.sacredsites.com/middle_east/israel/images/dome_of_rock.jpg

http://www.aqsapublications.com/home.html

http://www.islam786.org/powerofdurood.htm#52989997

 

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Ameen. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sayyiduna Ali ibn Talib RadhiAllahu anhu said: "I was walking with the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, in Makkah, and every mountain or tree that he met along the way was saying ‘Assalamu alaika Ya RasulAllah’" (Muslim, Mishkat)

Sayyiduna ibn Abbas RadhiAllahu anhu reports: A Bedouin came to the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam asking, "How shall I know that you are a prophet?" The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "Is it enough if this date palm bears witness that I am the Messenger of Allah?" The Bedouin agreed. Then the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam called the date palm and it moved towards Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and fell down before him, then he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam told it to "go back", and it returned to its place. The Bedouin accepted Islam then and there. (Tirmidhi)

Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar RadhiAllahu anhu said: "Once we were on a journey with the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam when a Bedouin approached the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, who said to him, "Do you testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, and who has no partner and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger?"

The Bedouin replied, "Who will testify to what you say?"

"The mimosa tree," said Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam called the tree and it came furrowing the ground and stood before him. Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam asked the tree to testify three times, which it did so and then returned to its site. (Darmi)

Sayyiduna Jabir ibn Abdullah RadhiAllahu anhu reports: The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was returning from a journey and as he was nearing Madinah a strong wind began to blow, in such a way that it could bury a rider. He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "This wind has been sent for the death of a hypocrite." On reaching Madinah we came to know that the chief of the hypocrites, Rifa’a bin Darir had died. (Muslim, Mishkat)

Also narrated by Sayyiduna Jabir ibn Abdullah RadhiAllahu anhu that a Jewess from Khybar invited Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam to a feast. She mixed poison with the roast mutton and served it. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam took a cooked piece of the leg and ate a little from it, and one of the Companions RadhiAllahu anhu also ate from it. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam exclaimed, "Raise up your hands," and then asked the Jewess if she had poisoned the mutton. She inquired, "Who has informed you?" Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "this cooked piece of the leg ijn my hand has just informed me." Yes," she said and added, "I did it to know if you are a Prophet, and if you are it will not injure you, and if you are not a prophet, we will get rid of you." According to Abu Dawud, Darmi and Bukhari, then Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam pardoned her, however his Companion RadhiAllahu anhu died.

Another narration of this same incident by Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu, who said, When Khaybar was conquered, a roasted poisoned sheep was presented to the Prophets as a gift by the Jews. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam ordered, "Let all the Jews who have been here, be assembled before me." The Jews were collected and the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said to them, "I am going to ask you a question. Will you tell the truth?'’ They said, "Yes.’ The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam asked, "Who is your father?" They replied, "So-and-so." He said, "You have told a lie; your father is so-and-so." They said, "You are right." He said, "Will you now tell me the truth, if I ask you about something?" They replied, "Yes, O Abu Al-Qasim; and if we should tell a lie, you can realize our lie as you have done regarding our father." On that he asked, "Who are the people of the Hell Fire?" They said, "We shall remain in the Hell Fire for a short period, and after that you will replace us." The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "You may be cursed and humiliated in it! By Allah, we shall never replace you in it.'’ Then he asked, "Will you now tell me the truth if I ask you a question?" They said, "Yes, O Abu AI-Qasim." He asked, "Have you poisoned this sheep?" They said, "Yes." He asked, "What made you do so?" They said, "We wanted to know if you were a liar in which case we would get rid of you, and if you are a Prophet then the poison would not harm you." (Bukhari)

 

SUBHANALLAH SUBHANALLAH SUBHANALLAH SUBHANALLAH SUBHANALLAH SUBHANALLAH SUBHANALLAH SUBHANALLAH SUBHANALLAH ALHUMDULILLAHI RABBil ‘AALAMEEN.

Assalatu wasSalamu ‘ala Rasullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam

Yaa Nabi Salaam alaika
Yaa Rasul Salaam alaika
Yaa Habib Salaam alaika
Salawatullah alaika.

 

 

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Ameen. 

 

 

 

 

Durood

The following is from "The Key to Arriving at The Door of The Messenger" by Shaykh Muhammad Sadiq Alawi, Volume 2.
Published by Dar al Hawa 2006 Damascus.
This delightful publication was recently presented as a gift, SubhanAllah, from a lover of Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Please remember the giver, the author, all mentioned in this book, all involved in the publishing, the recipient and our Beloved Messenger, SallAllahu alaihi wasallam in your Du’a. May Allah Ta’ala make us all worthy to receive the key to enable us to arrive at his SallAllahu alaihi wasallam door. Ameen Ameen Ameen.

Qasidia: Ya Rasul Allah Ya Ahl al-Wafaa.

O Messenger of Allah, the one who fulfills trusts, by Qutb u’l Irshad Sayyiduna Imam al-Habib ‘Abdallah ibn ‘Alawi al-Haddad RahmatuLlah alaihi.

Imam al-Haddad’s famous poem was written during a drought at the end of the month of Jumada al-Ula in 1192AH. In it he seeks the intercession of the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, and by his SallAllahu alaihi wasallam blessing, Allah Ta’ala sent rain. The Imam said: "If one has need, then they should recite it with the intention of fulfilling their need, for surely it will be granted, if Allah, Exalted be He, wills. Before reciting the Qasida begin with the recitation of Surah Ya Sin."

He, RahmatuLlah alaihi would recite this Qasida every night, in times of drought, and continue to do so until there was relief; thereafter he would recite

"O Mercy of Allah visit me, and honour us with your presence and heal my people who are living in constriction and difficulty."

And he would say: "I have experienced the receiving of rain and received more of that which precedes it; hidden mercy."

O Messenger of Allah, the one who fulfills trusts,

O one of great character, O ocean of purity.

 

You are, after Allah, the blessing that is inspired for

And a refuge O chosen one, O Mustafa,

 

O seal of the messengers, O best of mankind,

O the one who is swift in help, come to those who have fallen into error.

 

Your guilty servant, who has incurred sins

By distractions and turning away.

 

And had thrown him into the oceans of grief,

Its waves rise up from every direction.

 

He comes to you, fleeing from his sins

And from the era that has aggrieved.

 

And from the period in which states have changed

In which, one’s direction is seized.

 

And from the suffering that has destroyed

And from the sorrow that has surrounded.

 

And the tribulations and the worries from

Which there is no relief except for your care and sufficiency.

 

So help me with an aid that is swift,

And to see me, O the most noble of the noble.

 

See to my faults and rectify me,

And aid me, O Imam of those who declare the Oneness of Allah,

 

And protect me of everything that I should be cautious of

In livelihood and for the Hereafter, that is near.

 

And solicit ar-Rahman for me and my needs

That have burdened the soul.

 

You are the door to Allah, from whom the hopeful ones receive,

And there is protection for the one who stands by it

 

You are the rope of Allah, for those to hold fast,

Who are victorious with blessings and promises fulfilled.

 

O messenger of Allah, O sun of guidance,

By you, every harm is removed.

 

O messenger of Allah, O ocean of generosity

Every kind of generosity from you is known.

 

O messenger of Allah, (by whom) barrenness, drought

And distress on the earth is removed.

 

O messenger of Allah, the excessiveness has destroyed

The feeble ones, the abstinent and the poor.

 

The years of emaciation have destroyed them

They are all seeking therein a cure.

 

Amongst them, the affluent and the rich,

Were extremely miserly, reprehensible and bad.

 

Their miserliness did not invite them to spend

In the way of Allah, a donation that remains.

 

So the needy ones remained,

Like fish in a sea that has become dry.

 

The One Who determined all of this

Deterred from them due to the excessive sins.

 

So seek forgiveness for them O my master

Your Lord, the All-Compassionate is more generous

To the one who is free from sins.

 

Pray to Him that He may send down rain for them,

And for their forgetfulness of Him.

 

And that the people love righteously in it

Thanking Allah openly and in secret.

 

Intercede O Messenger of Allah for

Relief from this distress, until He removes it.

As you have an exalted rank with Him

And you have immense and encompassing glory.

 

Lord, be kind to us by the honour of Mustafa

Send us rain, as we are weak.

 

We have disobeyed, pardon us

And accept from one who is guilty and confesses.

 

Remove the barrenness from the earth

Together with the sins and the injustice that has intensified.

 

Give victory to the religion and guide its people

And the people of authority.

 

O Generous, O Bountiful and Glorious

O Merciful, O Kind, favour us.

 

O Knower, O Forbearing and Excellent

O Compassionate, Whose compassion is known.

 

The One Who gives most generously, and favours,

Who is known for this and is described by it.

 

May the blessings of Allah encompass Ahmad

The one for whom the fire of idolatry and disbelieve has been

extinguished.

 

Together with the peace of Allah and His blessings

May it also be upon his noble and honourable family,

 

And the Companions and their followers, forever.

 

May You spread from it a sweet and gentle breeze which cures and

Relieves a diseased heart.

 

Transliteration of one of the Salutations of Imam ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Alawi Al-Haddad RahmatuLlah alaihi on the photograph of Rowdha Shareef:
Alluhumma Salli ‘alaa Sayyidna Muhammad wa ‘alaa Aali Sayyidna Muhammad ‘adada kulli dharRatin alfi marRatin.
Translation: O Allah send blessings upon our master Muhammad and upon the descendants of our master Muhammad by the number of each atom a thousand times.

 

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Ameen. 

 An online rendition of this Qasida kindly sent by http://hquk.wordpress.com/

 

 

 

Ya Rabb Al-Wahhab.

Our Lord! make not our hearts deviate after You have guided, and bestow upon us Mercy from Your Presence; surely You are the most liberal Giver. (3:8)

Our focus is Your Love,

The Bestower of all Bounties,

The Owner of the visible, the invisible, the worldly and the Eternal,

All Your giving is Bounty, without conditions, without limits,

Bestowing everything to everyone, everywhere, ALWAYS.

You are present in every Bounty,

In all circumstances and in every second You Bless us,

Infinitely giving to Your creation.

Generous and Bountiful

How could we see a hand other than the King’s?

We are Your slaves, offering nothing but obedience to You,

Which is an honour for us.

 

Pierce our being with the gifts of Your Sacred Hadith Words,

Your Bounteous Words having been gifted to mankind

Through our Noble Master SallAllahu alaihi wasallam,

In his magnanimous dream state,

Or by clandestine meetings with Jibreel alaihis Salam,

Then meticulously narrated by the Esteemed Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum.

 

Ya Rabb Al-Wahhab,

We are Your slaves, forever needy.

Giver of gifts,

Bestow the gift of Your Sacred Hadith Words

Deep into our hearts,

So our deeds and actions reflect Your Endless Bounties.

Ya Rabb Al-Wahhab.

Ameen.

O My slave, free yourself for My worship and I Will fill your chest with riches and protect you from poverty. But if you do not worship Me I Will fill your hands with work and Will not protect you from poverty.

Whoever is busy with the Qur’an and My remembrance, preventing him from asking Me, I Will give him better than what I give to those who ask of Me.

How little is the modesty of the one who has the greed for My Paradise without offering deeds to acquire it. How can I be generous with My Mercy on the one who is miserly in My obedience?

O Dunya, whoever serves Me, then you serve him and whoever serves you enslave him.

O My slaves, I have not created you for an increase due to lack of numbers, nor to have company due to loneliness, nor to receive help on a matter I could not handle. But I have created you to worship Me long, and to remember Me in abundance and make Tasbeeh day and night.

If my slave obeys Me, I Will be pleased with him, and if I am pleased with him, I Bless him, and My Blessing never ends. If my slave disobeys Me, I Will be angry with him, and if I am angry with him, I Will curse him, and My curse reaches his seventh generation.

Whoever of My slaves takes refuge in Me in preference to others, and I know this from his intention, then should the earths and skies combine forces and plot against him, I Will save him from that. And whoever of My slaves takes refuge in other than Me, and I know that from his intention, I Will strangle the means between him and the skies, and I Will loosen the firmness from under his feet, and I Will not care in which valley he is destroyed.

Verily I am satisfied with this Religion which will not bring benefit except through generosity and good manners. So honour it with these two as long as you accompany it.

O My slave, you want and I Want, but nothing will occur except what I Want. So if you obey Me in what I Want, I Will give you what you want. But if you disobey Me in what I Want, I Will tire you in seeking what you want, and nothing will occur except what I Want.

Allah, mighty and sublime be He, said: Pride is my cloak and greatness My robe, and he who competes with Me in respect of either of them I shall cast into Hell-fire.

O My servants, I have forbidden oppression for Myself and have made it forbidden amongst you, so do not oppress one another. O My servants, all of you are astray except for those I have guided, so seek guidance of Me and I shall guide you, O My servants, all of you are hungry except for those I have fed, so seek food of Me and I shall feed you. O My servants, all of you are naked except for those I have clothed, so seek clothing of Me and I shall clothe you. O My servants, you sin by night and by day, and I forgive all sins, so seek forgiveness of Me and I shall forgive you. O My servants, you will not attain harming Me so as to harm Me, and will not attain benefiting Me so as to benefit Me. O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to be as pious as the most pious heart of any one man of you, that would not increase My kingdom in anything. O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to be as wicked as the most wicked heart of any one man of you, that would not decrease My kingdom in anything. O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to rise up in one place and make a request of Me, and were I to give everyone what he requested, that would not decrease what I have, any more that a needle decreases the sea if put into it. O My servants, it is but your deeds that I reckon up for you and then recompense you for, so let him finds good praise Allah and let him who finds other that blame no one but himself.

Allah will say on the Day of Resurrection: Where are those who love one another through My glory? Today I shall give them shade in My shade, it being a day when there is no shade but My shade.

If Allah has loved a servant of His He calls Jibreel, alaihis Salam, and says: I love So-and-so, therefore love him. He, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: So Gabriel loves him. Then Jibreel alaihis Salam calls out in heaven, saying: Allah loves So-and-so, therefore love him. And the inhabitants of heaven love him. He, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: Then acceptance is established for him on earth. And if Allah has abhorred a servant of His, He calls Jibreel, alaihis Salam and says: I abhor So-and-so, therefore abhor him. So Jibreel, alaihis Salam abhors him. Then Jibreel, alaihis Salam calls out to the inhabitants of heaven: Allah abhors So-and-so, therefore abhor him. He, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: So they abhor him, and abhorrence is established for him on earth.

Allah, mighty and sublime be He said: Whosoever shows enmity to someone devoted to Me, I shall be at war with him. My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works (Nawafil) so that I shall love him. When I love him I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask something of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it. I do not hesitate about anything as much as I hesitate about seizing the soul of My faithful servant: he hates death and I hate hurting him.

Ya Rabb Al-Wahhab,

We are Your slaves, forever needy.

Giver of gifts,

Bestow the gift of Your Sacred Hadith Words

Deep into our hearts,

So our deeds and actions reflect Your Endless Bounties.

Ya Rabb Al-Wahhab.

Ameen.

 

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Ameen. 

 

 

 

 

 

Salawaat and Salam.

 

hardened words

with a glint of steel thrash about

trapped

in the hollow vault of the mind.

 

relentlessly

jack hammering,

pounding,

the thinking process.

gnashing hashing.

synapses flare.

a wild fury

igniting

a cantankerous vacuum.

 

a cataclysmic explosion

shatters this false obsession.

 

replaced by

HIS PRESENCE

burnishing the heart

with silk from the Tooba Tree.

ecstasy fashions the tangible

into nothingness.

existence reduced to HIM

and HIS Master on the path towards His Divine Presence,

the beloved whose whole being is light,

the truthful inviter to the truth with the truth.

SallAllahu alaihi Wasallam.

 

Allahumma Salli ‘alaa Sayyidina Muhammad-in-i’l-Hameedi’l Mahmood
Wa’s-sirri’l ladhee laa yanqati’u madaduh
Wa laa yanhasiru ‘adaduh
Ashrafi maujood
Wa a’zami maulood
Allazee sharrafa kullu maulood
Ashrafi’l mursaleen
Wa aqrabi’l muqarrabeen
Wa afdhali’l khalqi ajma’een
Ashrafi’l mukammaleen
Wa afdhali’nnaasi ajma’een
As-sirrillazee saraa fi’l arwaahi wa’l-masaami’a
Laa tahya’l quloobu illa bi zikrih
Laa ba’eeda illaa qarrabahu
Aqraba kulla qareeb
Wa ahabba kulla habib
Hayaati kulli rooh
Baabi’l fadhli wa’l futooh
Wa baabi’l azeemi’l maftooh
Sirri’l asraar
Wa nuri’l anwaar
Wa miftaahi baabi’l yasaar
Wa jaami’i'l kamaal
Hayaat-i’r-roohi wa’l baal

O Allah! Shower blessings on Sayyidina Muhammad,
the praiseworthy and the praised one,
the help of whose secret is never cut off
and is uncountable;
who is noble in his presence;
whose birth was the most significant
and the best among all births;
the best among the Messengers of Allah,
the nearest among those drawn near
and the best in all creation,
the best among all those who are perfect
and the best in all humanity
whose sacred mystery was that he sojourned
into the realm of souls and hearers.
One’s heart does not become alive except with his zikr (rememberance).
There is no one who is far away, except he brings him near.
He is closer to one than everyone else who is close
and most beloved of all those loved.
He is the life of all souls,
the door of graciousness and victories;
and indeed a big open door (of magnanimity),
the secret of secrets, and the light of lights,
and the key to the gate of ease and abundance
and the one who combined in himself all wonderful qualities;
the life of souls and hearts.

 

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Ameen. 

 

 

 

Al Musalla and Banu Zuraiq

 

The area encompassing the four Masaajid is commonly called Al Musalla. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam prayed the first Eid prayer in Madinah where the present day Masjid Ghamamah (cloud) is located (yellow) It is also known as Masjid Musalla. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam offered subsequent Eid prayers at different places in this general location. Abu Bakr, Umar and Ali RadhiAllahu anhum continued this practice during their respective Caliphate. Hence the other three Masaajid are named in remembrance of where Rasulullah originally prayed and where the tradition was upheld by these three Rightly Guided Caliphs.

Masjid Ali bin Abi Talib. (pink)
Masjid Abu Bakr Siddique (green)
Masjid Umar bin Khattab (red)
According to the following Ahadith from Bukhari, this Musalla area was also used on many other occasions and various purposes.

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar RadhiAllahu anhu: The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam used to Nahr, slaughter sacrifices at the Musalla on ‘Id-ul-Adha. 

Narrated Nafi’ RadhiAllahu anhu : ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar RadhiAllahu anhu used to slaughter his sacrifice at the slaughtering place (i.e the slaughtering place of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam)  

Ibn ‘Umar RadhiAllahu anhu said, "Allah’s Apostle used to slaughter camels and sheep, etc., as sacrifices at the Musalla." 

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Zaid RadhiAllahu anhu, The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam went towards the Musalla and invoked Allah for rain. He faced the Qibla and wore his cloak inside out, and offered two Rakat.

Narrated Abbas bin Tamim from his uncle who said, "The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam went out to the Musalla to offer the Istisqa’ prayer, faced the Qibla and offered a two-Rakat prayer and turned his cloak inside out." Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu added, "The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam put the right side of his cloak on his left side." 

Narrated Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu, Allah’s Apostle SallAllahu alaihi wasallam informed the people about the death of An-Najashi, the King of Ethiopia on the very day he died. He went towards the Musalla and the people stood behind him in rows. He said four Takbirs, offering the Funeral prayer. He, SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "Ask Allah’s forgiveness for your brother."

Narrated Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu: A man from Bani Aslam came to Allah’s Apostle SallAllahu alaihi wasallam while he was in the mosque and called the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam saying, "O Allah’s Apostle! I have committed illegal sexual intercourse." On that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam turned his face from him to the other side, whereupon the man moved to the side towards which the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam had turned his face, and said, "O Allah’s Apostle! I have committed illegal sexual intercourse." The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam turned his face from him to the other side whereupon the man moved to the side towards which the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam had turned his face, and repeated his statement. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam turned his face from him to the other side again. The man moved again and repeated his statement for the fourth time. So when the man had given witness four times against himself, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam called him and said, "Are you insane?" He replied, "No." The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam then said to his companions, "Go and stone him to death." The man was a married one. Jabir bin ‘Abdullah Al-Ansari RadhiAllahu anhu said: I was one of those who stoned him. We stoned him at the Musalla (’Id praying place) in Madinah. When the stones hit him with their sharp edges, he fled, but we caught him at Al-Harra and stoned him till he died. 

Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu also reported that upon returning to Madinah from a journey, The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam would pass this ground, turn to face Qibla and supplicate.

 

Immediately beside this Musalla area to the west was the market place, called Manakhah, where Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam declared it as a business centre for the Muslims, as distinct from the Jewish markets at the time. This began the establishment of the Islamic economy where the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum could trade with self respect and be self sufficient. Trade caravans of camels would stop by here.  

The entire area from Saqeefa south to the Musalla area is under construction with many new projects adding to the dense collection of hotels and shops.

East of the Musalla is where the Banu Zuraiq tribe (light blue) was situated. Today it is a string of hotels, alongside the Shari’ah Court building.

Some historians state that the very first time Qur’an was recited in Madinah was in the Mosque of this tribe. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam taught Rafi’a bin Maalik RadhiAllahu anhu when he met Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam in Makkah on the occasion of Bai’at-e-Aqabah, and that later when Rafi’a bin Maalik RadhiAllahu anhu returned to Madinah he taught it to his people, the Banu Zuraiq. And Allah Almighty knows best.

Also referred to in the "Virtual Tour" 1, Banu Zuraiq was the finishing line for horse racing beginning at Thaniyyatul Wada.

However the most notable incident related to this tribe is that which Aishah RadhiAllahu anha narrates. "Magic was worked on Allah’s Apostle so that he began to imagine that he had done something although he had not. One day while he was with me, he invoked Allah and invoked for a long period and then said, "O ‘Aishah! Do you know that Allah has instructed me regarding the matter I asked Him about?" I asked, "What is that, O Allah’s Apostle?" He said, "Two men came to me in a dream; one of them sat near my head and the other sat near my feet. One of them asked his companion, ‘What is the disease of this man?’ The other replied, ‘He is under the effect of magic.’ The first one asked, ‘Who has worked magic on him?’ The other replied, Labid bin A’sam, a member of the tribe of Bani Zuraiq, who is an ally of the Jews, a hypocrite.’ The first one asked, ‘With what has it been done?’ The other replied, ‘With a comb and the hair stuck to it and the spathe of a male date palm
tree.’ The first one asked, ‘Where is it?’ The other replied, ‘In the well of Dharwan.’" Then the Prophet went along with some of his companions to that well at the place of Banu Zuraiq, and looked at that and there were date palms near to it. Then he returned to me and said, ‘By Allah the water of that well was red like the infusion of Henna leaves and its date palms were like the heads of devils" I said, "O Allah’s Apostle! Did you take those materials out of the pollen skin, spathe?" He said, "No! As for me Allah has healed me and cured me and I was afraid that by showing that to the people I would spread evil among them. Then he ordered that the well be filled up with earth, and it was filled up with earth."

According to Imam Tha’labi’s narration a Jewish boy was the attendant of the Prophet, and he was bribed by ‘Labid bin A’sam to get the strands of hair from his comb and a few of its teeth. Having obtained these items, he tied eleven knots on a string and a needle was stuck into each knot. Labid then placed this spell into the spathe of a male palm tree and buried it under a stone in the well.

Jibreel Alaihis Salam, was sent with the revelations of Surah Al-Falaq and An-Nas, which comprise eleven verses. As Rasulullah recited each verse he untied one knot, until all eleven verses and eleven knots were complete, and then he felt freed from the tension of the Sihr. (Narratives adapted from Ibn Katheer)

Surah Al-Falaq directs how to seek Divine protection against worldly calamities, and Surah An-Nas tells the way to seek Divine protection against the calamities of the Hereafter.

Narrated ‘Aishah RadhiAllahu anha: Whenever Allah’s Apostle became sick, he would recite Mu’awwidhat (Surat Al-Falaq and Surat An-Nas) and then blow his breath into his cupped hands and then spread this over his body. When he became seriously ill, I used to recite these two Surahs and rub his hands over his body hoping for its blessings. And another narration from the Blessed wife of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam says, "Whenever the Prophet went to bed every night, he used to cup his hands together and blow over them after reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas, and then rub his hands over whatever parts of his body he was able to rub, starting with his head, face and front of his body. He used to do that three times. 

Narrated Abu Sa’id al-Khudri RadhiAllahu anhu, The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam used to seek protection against the Jinn and the evil eye till Surahs al-Falaq and An-Nas were revealed. After they were revealed he stuck to them and discarded everything beside them. Transmitted by Tirmidhi.

‘Uqbah, shall I not teach you two Surahs the like of which has not been heard before?’

A moving story!

May the "tours" around these most blessed places where Our Beloved Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam walked, talked, prayed, supplicated, advised, initiated, supervised, received revelations, bring the reality of his presence into our lives today, and we accordingly act upon this knowledge as if we were with him at the time. Ameen.

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Ameen. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saqeefa

 

Saqeefa (the dark blue circled area) is one of the few tiny patches of garden 200 meters north-west of Masjid Nabawi. Banu Sa’edah, an eminent tribe of the Ansar resided here at the time of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Saqeefa derives its name from an old tradition in Madinah of building a small meeting place for the village or community. They were constructed in a unique way to combat the heat, having brick walls built on the east, west and southern sides, with the northern side left open to facilitate air circulation, with a window inserted in the eastern wall to further enhance any breeze. The roof was built from the trunks of the date palm, covered by the branches and mats of palm leaves.

Sa’d bin Ubadah RadhiAllahu anhu was the chief of Banu Sa’edah, who was so highly respected by Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam that he was the first to be appointed to be in charge of Madinah whilst the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam went out on one of the early expeditions to intercept Makkah caravans returning from the north.

It is also narrated that one day he was ill, and Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam went to visit him. On the way he had to pass the rich fortress of Ibn Ubayy, who was sitting in the shadow of the walls. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam stopped to greet him and sat for a while with him and others gathered around, reciting Qur’an and inviting them to Islam. When he had finished, Ibn Ubayy said," Naught could be better than this discourse of thine, were it but true. Sit then at home in thine own house, and who so cometh unto thee, preach unto him thus, but who so cometh not, burden him not with thy talk, nor enter into his gathering with that which he liketh not." "Nay." Said a voice," come unto us with it, and visit us in our gatherings and our quarters and our houses, for that do we love, and that hath God given us of His Bounty, and there unto He had guided us." This was ‘Abd Allah ibn Rawaahah, a man Ibn Ubayy thought he could count on for support. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam went away deeply saddened, and when he entered the house of Sa’d ibn Ubadah RadhiAllahu anhu, his face revealed this state. Sa’d immediately asked what was troubling him and when the incident was relayed to him he said to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, "Deal gently with him O Messenger of Allah, for when Allah brought thee to us, even then we were fashioning a diadem wherewith to crown him: and he seeth that thou has robbed him of a kingdom."

Ibn Ubayy did eventually embrace Islam, but many of the believers at the time never came to truly trust him.

Abu Dujanah RadhiAllahu anhu was also a member of this tribe. He was the honoured one in the Battle of Uhud, when the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam chose him over and above so many others, including, Umar and Az-Zubair RadhiAllahu anhum to carry the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam ’s sword with the promise to fight with it until death. It has been recorded that Adu Dujanah RadhiAllahu anhu improvised a poem which he recited at the joy of this great honour:

"I am the person with whom my Beloved made a pact

While we were on the foot of the hill near the date palm grove."

The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam used to visit Saqeefa, offering Salat there, sitting in the shade with his Companions. Sahl ibn Sa’d RadhiAllahu anhu drew water for him from a nearby well called Bir Budha’ah. This well existed just north of Saqeefa until the second Saudi extension of Masjid Nabawi.

When Sahl ibn Sa’d RadhiAllahu anhu was married and brought his wife Hind bint Ziyat RadhiAllahu anha to his house, she was surprised to see that the masjid for Banu Sa’edah was in the middle of the meeting hall. She inquired, "Why don’t you offer Salat near a wall?" Her new husband said, "This was the place where the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam offered Salat, hence we keep this exact place for our Salat."

Leaders of a tribe or community would meet in Saqeefa to discuss and solve social and cultural issues, so it was here that the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum met to choose the first Caliph.

During the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam’s final days he directed Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu to lead the prayers. Ayesha RadhiAllahu anha intervened to suggest that her father not be entrusted with this responsibility. She said that her father had a tender heart, and he would burst into tears while reciting the Holy Quran in the course of the prayer. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam overruled the objection and insisted that Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu alone should lead the prayers. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam assisted by Ali RadhiAllahu anhu entered the Masjid when Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu was about to lead the prayer. When he saw the presence of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam he stood back for him to take his place in leading the prayer, but Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam indicated that Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu should continue. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam paid a glowing tribute to Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu when he said: "There has been none more bountiful to me for his unwavering loyalty, devotion and sacrifice of wealth than Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu. If I were to choose a bosom friend it would be he, but Islam has made a closer brotherhood among us all." The Prophet also directed: "Let every door that leads into the mosque be closed, except the door of Abu Bakr." I recall these last moments, as they reflect the esteem Rasulullah had for his devoted companion, emphasizing to the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum at the time, the loyalty Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu had for Islam. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam did not name a successor; however his actions may have indirectly favoured his "companion in the cave."

Confusion and disbelief followed the announcement of our Most Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam’s demise. Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu is reported to have said, "Master, sacred you were in life, and sacred you are in death. Since you have tasted of death ordained by God, henceforth you will be immune from its clutches. Your abode will now be in the Paradise close to Allah. From Allah you came, and to Allah you have returned" While Umar RadhiAllahu anhu was in such shock and disbelief that he was saying to all those assembled in the Masjid, "Who says that the Prophet is dead? I testify that he is alive, and has gone to Allah like Moses, and would return to us after some time." It was the calm composure of Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu in reassuring words saying, "Listen to me, ye people. Those of you who worshipped Muhammad know that he is dead like any other mortal. But those of you who worship the God of Muhammad know that He is alive and would live for ever."

A hushed silence fell on the assembly. They were stunned and bewildered with the poignancy of grief. Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu wiped the tears from his eyes, and turning to the people recited the following verses from the Quran: "Muhammad is but a messenger, Messengers of God have passed away before him; What, if he dies or is killed? Will you turn back upon your heels? And whosoever turns back upon his heels will by no means do harm to Allah, and Allah will reward the thankful." Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu added." Verily Muhammad the great Prophet of Allah was a mortal. Having fulfilled his mission he has gone back to his Master. From God he came, and to God he has returned."

The effect of Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu’s address was electrical. It appeared as though the people did not know that the verses of the Holy Quran had come down until Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu had recited them that day. Umar RadhiAllahu anhu said: "By Allah when I heard Abu Bakr recite these words I was dumb-founded so that my legs would not bear me, and I fell to the ground knowing that the Prophet was indeed dead."

The death of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam led to the question as to who was to be the leader of the Muslims after the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. While the noble body of the Prophet of Islam SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was being prepared for burial the Ansar of Madinah assembled at their meeting place Saqeefa Bani Sa’edah to discuss the question of succession.

At the meeting of the Ansars at Saqeefa Bani Sa’edah, Sa’d ibn Ubadah RadhiAllahu anhu, made a passionate plea that the successor to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam for managing the temporal affairs of the Muslims should be chosen from the Ansars. He argued that as they were the people who had protected Islam and offered a home for the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and his companions when they were persecuted by their own people, the Ansars had right to the leadership of the Muslims. It was through the efforts of the Ansars that Islam had grown and spread; their city was capital of the Muslim state, and it was but meet that an Ansar should be the head of the State after the Prophet. When Sa’d RadhiAllahu anhu concluded his speech, he was applauded by the Ansars. The arguments advanced by him appealed to them, and it appeared that they were poised to choose him as their leader in succession to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

While this meeting was being held at Saqeefa Bani Sa’edah it was reported to the emigrants assembled in the Prophet’s mosque that the Ansars had assembled to choose a successor to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. It was a delicate situation. The burial of the Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was a matter that needed priority, but the question of choosing a successor was critical. Abu Bakr, Umar and Abu Ubaidah RadhiAllahu anhum accordingly decided among themselves to proceed to Saqeefa Bani Sa’edah to negotiate the matter with the Ansars.

When they reached Saqeefa the Ansars were on the verge of electing Sa’id ibn Ubadah RadhiAllahu anhu, the Ansar leader, as the successor to the Prophet. Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu spoke about the gravity of the problem. He pointed out that the matter did not concern the citizens of Madinah alone; it was a matter of concern for all the Arabs who had become Muslims, who were not likely to accept the leadership of the Ansars, particularly when there were differences among the two principal tribes of the Ansars themselves. Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu pointed out that under the circumstances the Quraysh who were the custodians of the Ka’aba could alone provide the leadership for the Muslim community. Addressing his appeal to the Ansar he said: "O Ansar, none can deny the superiority of your position in religion or the greatness of your eminence in Islam. You were chosen by Allah as the helpers of His religion and His Apostle. To you the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was sent on his emigration from Makkah and from you come the majority of his companions and his wives. Indeed in position you are next only to the earliest companions. Therefore it would be fair if we take the Amirat and you accept the ministry. You should not be obstinate in your stand. We assure you that we will do nothing without consulting you." After the address of Abu Bakr, Habab bin Mandhar an Ansar leader rose to say that the Amirat was the right of the Ansars and they could not forego their right. He added that the utmost concession that they could make in favor of the emigrants was that they could have two Amirs, one from the Ansars and the other from the emigrants,

Umar RadhiAllahu anhu added that Islam stood for unity-one God, one Prophet, and one Quran. It followed as a necessary corollary that the Muslim community should have one Amir. If the proposal of having two Amirs was once accepted, other people would later lay claim to the election of an Amir from them. Such multiple Amirat would lead to the disintegration of the Islamic polity. Umar emphasized that in the interest of the solidarity of Islam they could not have more than one Amir, and it was imperative that such Amir should be from the Quraysh, the tribe of the Prophet. Then Abu Ubaida RadhiAllahu anhu appealed to the Ansars saying: "O Ansars you were the first to help Islam: do not now be the first to take steps towards the disintegration of Islam." That appeared to have some effect on the Ansars, and they seemed to hesitate to press their demand. Thereupon Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu said: "Allah is our witness that we are not pressing the claim of the Quraysh because of any selfish interest. The proposal is based solely on the interest and solidarity of Islam. To give you a proof positive of our sincerity I declare before you that I do not covet the office. Here are Umar and Abu Ubaida RadhiAllahu anhuma. You may choose any one out of these two." That softened the attitude of the Ansars. Zaid bin Thabit RadhiAllahu anhu an eminent Ansar leader rose to say: "In fact the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was among the Quraysh. There is considerable force in the proposal that after him his successor should also be selected from among the Quraysh. God chose the ‘Ansars’ as helpers, and it is but meet that they should continue to play the role of helpers." Supporting him another Ansar leader Bashir bin Sa’d RadhiAllahu anhu said: "O Ansars, if we have secured a position of superiority in holy wars against the polytheists and gained precedence in the matter of religion it was with the object of pleasing our Allah and obeying the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. It is not proper for us to make this a ground for self-aggrandizement. We should leave our reward to Allah. We must realize that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam came from the Quraysh, and that the Quraysh have the strongest claim for his succession. We should not quarrel with the Quraysh on this issue." That turned the tables, and the Ansars now appeared to be inclined to choose the leader from among the Quraysh. Taking advantage of this situation, Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu repeated his proposal that they might choose any one out of Umar, or Abu Ubaida. At the offer of Abu Bakr, Umar RadhiAllahu anhu rose quickly to say: "O Abu Bakr, how can I or Abu Ubaida be preferred to you? You are undoubtedly the most excellent of the Muslims. You were the ‘Second of the Two’ in the Cave. You were appointed as ‘Amir-ul-Haj’. During his illness the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam appointed you as the Imam to lead the prayers. Of all the companions you were the closest and the dearest to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. As such you are dear to us. Stretch your hand so that we may offer our allegiance to you." Umar RadhiAllahu anhu made Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu stand, and then touched his hand reverently in token of allegiance. Abu Ubaida RadhiAllahu anhu was the next to pay allegiance. Thereafter all the Ansars assembled there offered their allegiance to Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu one by one. Only Sa’d ibn Ubadah RadhiAllahu anhu did not offer allegiance. Thus Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu, at Saqeefa, was elected as the successor to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam on the very day of the death of Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

The first  address Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu delivered as Caliph, is a unique and universal document for the guidance of all rulers "Gentlemen, I have been placed in authority, though by Allah I was averse to the assumption of authority. I would have been pleased if any of you had taken over the office, and I would have assisted him. I have been made to rule over you though I am not the most worthy among you. If you expect me to act as did the Prophet of Allah, know that I cannot do so, for the Apostle of Allah was a servant whom the Lord honored with His inspiration and preserved him thereby from error I am an ordinary mortal and not better than any of you. Therefore, watch over me. When you see that I am steadfast and obey Allah and His Prophet, then obey me when you see that I turn aside from the right path do not obey me. Help me if I am in the right; set me right if I am in the wrong. Know that I have a devil that seizes upon me. Therefore, when you see me enraged avoid me for at that time I cannot be influenced by your counsels or glad salutations. We have the Quran for our guidance. We have also with us the instructions of the Holy Prophet. These will be our unerring guides. Know O men that piety is the most solid goodness, and the vilest of what is evil is vice. Truth is a trust, falsehood a treason. The weak among you shall be strong with me till Allah willing his rights have been vindicated; and the strong among you shall be weak with me till, if the Lord wills, I have taken what is due from him."

In the following sermon, Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu set the guidelines for the conduct of the faithful: "Beware you of following vain desire, for verily he prospers who is preserved from lust, greed and anger; and beware you of pride for what pride belongs to him who is made of earth, and whom the worms devour after death, To day you are alive; tomorrow you may be dead. Therefore act uprightly from day to day and hour to hour. Be you patient for every work is accomplished through patience. Be you watchful for watchfulness is profitable. Act uprightly for a good act is acceptable to Allah. Refrain from things against which the Lord has warned you under pain of His wrath. Vie you with one another in hastening to obtain the things that the Lord has promised you in His mercy. Be heedful and in fear for the Lord has declared to you things for which He destroyed those that were before you and things through which He delivered those before you. Verily He has manifested to you in His book His commands and His prohibitions, the works He approves and that He abhors. Allah is He Whose assistance should be implored. There is no power or strength but in the Lord. Obey Allah, preserve your portion of excellence. Make your charitable donations even when you are poor. O Servants of Allah, think of your brethren and companions who have departed. Verily, the Lord has no co-partner, and between Him and any of His creatures there is no mediatory influence that can bestow good upon him or avert from him evil save in His worship and obedience to His commands for verily there is no good after which comes hell fire, and no evil after which comes heaven."

Insha’Allah, if you are called to this Mubarak Radiant City, take the time to visit Saqeefa. A secluded, shaded sanctuary where birds chirp as if in memory of Allah Ta’ala’s moment of guiding the First Rightly Guided Caliph, Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu to this trustworthy position.

 

The other marked places will be covered in the next "tour" Insha’Allah.

 

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Ameen.