ALMISKEENAH

 

Unity

And hold fast, to the rope of Allah, everyone, and do not split up. And remember Allah’s favour on you: for you were enemies, and Allah united your hearts, so you became brethren by the grace of Allah. And you were on the brink of a pit of fire, and Allah rescued you from it. Thus does Allah manifest signs of the divine to you, that you may be guided. (3:103)

Walking through the courtyard of Masjid Nabawi after Asr, the sun’s intensity boiling the head, reminding me of the Hadith warning us of the least punishment Allah Ta’ala has prepared for the inhabitants of Jahannam. Audhu BiLlahi. Burning coals placed under the feet will be hot enough to make the brain boil. Ya Allah Ya Lateef, your Grace and Mercy is all that we have to save us from such a fate. Ya Rabb, steer us all on to the Siratul Mustaqeem, the path we seek from you over and over day in and day out. Change our weak, mechanical, distracted hearts to one that knows the depth of being truly on the Straight Path. The True Path, the Righteous Path, that will lead the Ummah unimpeded to You and only You. No diversions, no side alleys, no tangents, no deviations tempting us along the way.

My glance encompasses crowds moving in all directions zigzagging across the courtyard between The Abode of Peace where our Liege-Lord, Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam is and Jannatul Baqi. The majority, in this scorching heat are surging towards, and on, the two ramps leading up to Jannatul Baqi. SubhanAllah this cross section of the Ummah squashed in such a confined space for no other reason than to convey their Salam to the inhabitants of this blessed graveyard. How many languages, how many words ascending to the One every second, how many hands raised, how many searing heads directed to the dear departed deep below bleached earth?

Unity; I hear my heart mumble inwardly, this is unity, one humble speck standing in the midst of hundreds of unknown brothers and sisters, having traveled from every corner of the globe, for the same purpose, united. A gentle sobbing, a constant buzz from words repetitively uttered from parched lips, imploring, supplicating, adoring, beseeching. This diverse sea of humanity, united in the One Allah, the One Book, the One Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, who is simultaneously, attentively listening to a gentle sobbing, a constant buzz of Salutations from men, women and children, young, old, black, white, rich, poor, sick, healthy, illiterate, educated.
United.
A unanimous Salam soaring to the Arsh. May it join the perpetual greetings being made throughout the Seven Heavens. Ameen.
Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu narrates that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, You will not enter Jannah until you become a believer, and you will not be a believer until you love one another. May I not guide you to something by which you will love one another? Spread Salam amongst yourselves.
Unity. The thousands of Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum this untied crowd are now addressing epitomized this quality. Unified in their love and submission to every aspect of the Message conveyed by The Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Attracted as a magnet to the virtues of the Sunnah. Immediately an injunction came from Allah Ta’ala, and then conveyed to them by Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, they took it into their hearts where it was immediately manifested into action. No debates, no discussions, no arguments, no regrets, no excuses, no but but but.  

Leaving this one unified gathering, I proceed to watch another of a totally different composition. I linger by the western courtyard where the work in progress for the next extension is on going. My thinking is suddenly abducted by the word "unity" once again. There are dozens of workmen in this confined area, assigned diverse tasks, all working towards the one plan to execute this new extension. Their appearances, nationalities and backgrounds are as diverse as their duties, but they are united as a team. If they were not working in unison then projected plans of completing such a design successfully would be impossible. 

Huge Mitsubishi drills hover over mountains of rubble, like giant mosquitoes injecting their snouts into the earth. I am reminded of the analogy of how Shaytan sits on our left shoulder, behind our heart, like a mosquito ready to inject his poison the second our heart is turned from DhikruAllah Ta’ala or Durood on our Beloved Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, or the various forms our Ibadah takes. I am transfixed as I watch these massive mechanical creatures transform what was a smooth marble surface into a twisted pile of concrete and steel, the noise smashing the serenity of Haram. A strong simile, the shuddering of the earth beneath my feet shaking my heart to the potential terror a small mosquito can cause in my heart. Ya Rabb! Then the recollection of Allah Ta’ala’s words:

Verily, the cunningness of Shaytan is weak. (4:76) and also referring to Shaytan:

This is a straight path to Me. For you have no authority over devotees of Mine, except those deluded ones who follow you.  (15:41-42)

May we be a united force, committed to be in a state of ever increasing Iman and seeking protection with Allah, The Requitter, causing the cowardly Shaytan to shrink and dwindle, his ugly whisperings melting into nothing. 

Later, looking skyward, following the dazzle of the lit minaret, reaching as a stairway to heaven, sits the majestic moon waxing to her fullest, suspended on velvety black, seemingly ascending upwards.

The crowds now resemble linear formations, converging to a congested point, the doorways to enter Masjid Nabawi for Salat. United in Salat, united in offering our obedience to Allah Ta’ala, united in seeking to accumulate the promised one thousand rewards for praying in congregation here, united so close to our Beloved Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, in his Masjid, united under the banner of Islam, united in our quest for Taqwa, united in our begging for peace throughout the world, united in our concern for all the suffering across the globe, united in attempting to tame our nafs, united in shunning the deafening shouts of Shaytan, united in our desire for Jannah, united in our repulsion of Jahannam, united in our hope for our loved ones, united in our gratitude for being here, united for the gift of Islam, united in our competing for Allah Ta’ala’s favours, united in seeking refuge from His wrath, united for a new zeal in our relationship with The One and His Habib SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, united to be a united Ummah.

Narrated Anas RadhiAllahu anhu: The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "None of you will have faith till he wishes for his brother what he likes for himself."

As for those who believed and acted with integrity, the Benevolent One will give them love. (19:96)

O Allah, The Clement, The Forgiver, The Enricher, O Allah, Lord of Majesty and Bounty make us an Ummah attached to Hablillah, Your rope, Your Book, holding fast to all it’s injunctions with a united strength, in unison giving us stability and impregnability against all foes, whether individual or collective.  Abdullah ibn Masu’d said he heard the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam say, The book of Allah is the rope of Allah, extended from the heavens to the earth.

Insha’Allah, as we all disperse, may the poignancy of being in the sacred precincts remain, with the Ummah fiercly clutching this rope. This hope of unity.

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.