ALMISKEENAH

 

Around Mount Sal’a

Continuing with our familiarizing of important places in and around Masjid Nabawi, we return to the area of Jabal Sal’a. As mentioned in "Virtual Tour" 2 on the south eastern side, nearest to Haram was an old construction marking the Cave of Bani Haram, the place where Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam would retreat during the digging of the Trench, Khandaq, and where it is said that Jibreel alaihis Salaam came with revelations. (yellow dot)

 

A few weeks ago we drove there with the intention of taking some photos to discover that the Saudi bulldozers have ravaged yet another site marking our illustrious history!

So instead I post the following scanned image from an old document of what used to be this small domed structure. And where once you could drive along a roadway to the top of this Jabal, earthworks were being carried out prohibiting access.

  

 

Old rock carved inscriptions on Jabal Sal’a, attributed to our Noble Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum have been documented. (the link to the site I have inserted is extremely interesting giving the English transations of what has been written!) Large photographic images of rock inscriptions from Jabal Sal’a and various other places related to our Islamic heritage are on display in the museum section of the old Ottoman Railway. Insha’Allah I will cover this in another "tour".

 

The blue circled area on the satellite image is Jabal Dhubab, where the Prophet had a tent erected during the Khandaq preparations and the ensuing battle. Some narrations say that this was the main observation place, and not where Masjid Fath (red dot) is now. Reasoning that this location marked the mid way distance of the trench, and hence was a more strategic vantage point to oversee the entire length of the digging and the threats from the enemy. Regardless of specific details, Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam did saty on Jabal Dhubab, and raised one of the battle flags, signalling Jihad there. This place is now marked by a small inconspicuous Masjid, squashed in between residential buildings, called Masjid Rayah (The Flag Mosque, lime dot) Many accounts of the Khandaq battle say that the famous miracle where the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam struck the huge obstinate rock was just to the north of Jabal Dhubab. And Allah Almighty knows best. A faded black and white photograph from about fifty years ago clearly shows the hillock of Dhubab, devoid of any buildings, with the small Masjid commemorating such a feat for the Muslims proudly perched on top.
The words from Dawud Wharnsby Ali’s Nasheed comes to mind whilst trying to imagine how the terrain was during the Mubarak times of our Beloved Rasullulah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam:

I wish, I wish, I wish that I could climb into the past

And live with the Prophet in Madinah.

So many accounts have been written about this arduous task of digging the massive ditch, conveying the difficulties as well as the moments of merriment. I have previously written about this in the Khandaq post, but another incident which touches the heart is that of a convert from the Bani Damrah tribe, who lived in Masjid Nabawi as one of the Ahlul Suffah. He was one of the Sahabah RadhiAllahu engaged in the digging and carting the soil away by bundling it into the fold of his clothing. He was very pious but was not at all good looking, and to make matters worse he was given the name Ju’ayl by his parents, meaning "little beetle"! The Prophet had recently changed his name to ‘Amr, meaning life, spiritual well-being, religion. The sight of ‘Amr digging prompted one of the Muhajireen to compose the following couplet:

"His name he changed, Ju’ayl to ‘Amr,
Gave the poor man that day his help."

He sang this to ‘Amr, and all around joined in with joy, including the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, who with considerable emphasis pronounced the last two words of each line: "’Amr" and "help" How we all wish!  

I wish, I wish, I wish that I could climb into the past

And live with the Prophet in Madinah!!!!

 

 

I include a scan of an old photograph to show the rugged nature of this small rocky outcrop. It is quite steep. Cars cannot reach the small Masjid, and to scale the steep slope in a car also requires concentration!

 

Like so many of the rocky areas close to Haram, the land developers have tried to encroach onto them as much as possible, dynamiting huge swathes in order to construct buildings. Jabal Dhubab has many residential blocks precariously perched on it. And Jabal Sal’a has been excavated on many sides for building projects. Recently the authorities prohibited a new development which had begun massive excavations on the northern edge, as well as halted another bulldozing attack on a nearby rocky outcrop called Osaifireen. We are yet to have confirmed the historical significance of why this caused a public reaction, along with the blasting and demolition of an Ottoman railway bridge almost at the same time. It may be that there are more inscriptions at the Osaifireen site. Enquiries have been made to various local authorities, but many seem reluctant to reveal any information.

 

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.