ALMISKEENAH

 

The pilgrimage takes place during the prescribed months. There should be no indecent speech, misbehaviour, or quarrelling for anyone undertaking the pilgrimage. Whatever good you do, Allah is well aware of it. Provide well for yourselves: the best provision is to be mindful of Allah- always be mindful of Me, you who have understanding. (2:197)

Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam once said, "Near the time of Qiyamah the rich ones from amongst my Ummah will perform Hajj for the sake of travel and holiday. The middle class will perform Hajj for commercial purposes, thereby transporting goods from here to there while bringing commercial goods from there to here. The Ulema will perform Hajj for the sake of show and fame. The poor will perform Hajj for the purpose of begging." (Kanzul Ummaal)

THEN…. 

Sheikh Abu Abdur Rahmaan Bin Khafeef Rahmatullahi alaihi narrates:

“On my way to Hajj I entered Baghdad. I underwent considerable mujaahadah to banish from my heart everything besides Allah. I abstained from eating for forty days, nor did I drink a drop of water. I perpetually remained with Tahaarat. In this condition, I set out from Baghdad. In the wilderness I saw a buck at a well. The water had miraculously risen to the top. I too was extremely thirsty. But when I reached the well, the water had receded to the bottom. The buck had left. I too then left and lamented: ‘O my Rabb! To You I am not equal to even this buck.’

I heard a voice behind me saying: ‘We tested you. You had no patience. Now go and drink the water. The buck came without bucket and rope, while you have with you a bucket and rope.’

I went to the well and found that the water had once more risen to the top. I filled my bucket. I continued making wudhu with this water until I reached Madinah, but the water remained the same.

After Hajj when I went into Jami’ Masjid of Baghdad, Junaid Baghdadi’s gaze fell on me. He commented: "If you had exercised patience for a little while, the water would have gushed around your feet.’"

* 

Maalik ibn Dinar Rahmatullahi alaihi narrates:

"On my way to Hajj, I met a man who was proceeding on foot to Baitullah. He was walking enthusiastically with delight in his every step. He had neither food nor water nor any provisions whatsoever for the road. I made Salam to him. After he responded, I said: ‘O young man! From where are you coming?’

Young man: ‘I come from Him.’

Maalik: ‘Where are you going?’

Young man: ‘To Him.’

Maalik: ‘Where are your provisions for the journey?’

Young man: ‘It is His responsibility.’

Maalik: ‘How can you traverse a journey without food or water?’

Young man: ‘Yes, when I set out from home, I had five huroof, letters for provisions.’

Maalik: ‘Which letters?’

Young man: ‘Kaaf, Haa, Yaa, Ain, Saad.

Maalik: ‘What are their meanings?’

Young man: ‘Kaaf means He Who is Sufficient. Haa means Haadi, the Guide. Yaa means The One Who gives Refuge or Place. Ain means Aalim, The Knower. Saad means Saadiq, the Truthful One. The man whose companion is self sufficient, the guide, the giver of a place, the knower and the truthful, will not be destroyed. He has no fear and is not in need of provisions.’

Maalik ibn Dinar Rahmatullahi alaihi offered his kurta to the young man. Refusing he said: ‘O Shaykh! It is better to be without a kurta of the world. There will be a reckoning demanded on the Day of Qiyamah for Halal things and punishment for Haram things.’

‘When all the people donned Ihram and proclaimed Labbaik, I did not hear you say Labbaik?’

The young man said: ‘O Shaykh! I fear to say Labbaik! Perhaps the Divine Presence will respond with Laa Labbaik! Wa Laa Sa’daika (Your presence is not accepted)

So saying, he left.

Maalik ibn Dinar Rahmatullahi alaihi says: “Then I saw him again in Mina. He was proclaiming; ‘My Friend is He who loves that I be killed. For him my blood is lawful in the Haram. O you who criticize! Don’t criticize me for His Love, for if you should see His excellence and beauty which I am seeing, you will never be saved (from death). Like me, you too will sacrifice your life at the altar of His Love. People have sacrificed animals on the Day of Eid, while my Friend has sacrificed my life.

O Allah! People have gained Your Proximity by sacrificing animals. Besides my life I have nothing to sacrifice. I offer this life to You. You accept it.”

He then emitted a loud, chilling shriek and fell down dead. A voice proclaimed:

“He is the friend of Allah. He has been killed by Allah. He has been killed by the Sword of Allah.”

Maalik Ibn Dinar Rahmatullahi alaihi performed his burial. That night Maalik slept in great agitation and restlessness. In a dream he saw the young man and enquired about his condition. The young man said: “Allah Ta`ala treated me like the Shuhadaa of Badr. In fact, he gave me more.”

Maalik asked in his dream: “Why did He give you more?”

Young man: “The Shuhadaa of Badr were killed by the swords of the kuffaar, whereas I was killed by the Sword of Allah’s Love.”

*

NOW……..

 

9pm, 18^th Dhu’l Qadah, the next night from the photos in the previous post, when the majestic moon was swimming above the Abode of Peace. Whereas last evening while present for Ziarah from outside I could not sight the moon until on the way home when I saw it low on the eastern horizon.

It is an extremely emotional energy pervading Haram and the immediate surrounds. Observing the pilgrims seems a form of Ibadah in itself. Uplifting the senses, with the realization that the journey for many has been undertaken with great sacrifice. So many faces appear like contours of the harsh landscapes they have temporarily abandoned so they can visit the Best of Creation SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Tears run down furrowed cheeks drenching weathered shawls spun and woven by gnarled fingers. Hands wrinkled by the fashioner of time reach out to the only one SallAllahu alaihi wasallam capable of interceding for us. A gathering of beggars congregating; hopeful of promised handouts in exchange for love and obedience.    

The physical effort of coming and going to Masjid Nabawi reflects the inner spiritual struggle, an inner arousal of the soul reaching to connect with our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. It is as if the air is no longer the fine particles we associate with breathing, but a heady fragrant concoction of humility, exuding from the throngs constantly moving in and around the courtyard, mixed with a fervent devotion and praise for the one SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, whom Allah Ta’ala sent for our salvation. And just as the various perfumers impregnate their essences with exquisite precious drops distilled from exotic sources, so does Allah Ta’ala deem the air to be saturated with the radiant presence of His Habib SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Any wonder that one is overcome by a drunken stupor and is reluctant to move away from this intoxicating delirium. Ya Allah Ya Lateef, allow our hearts to drink of this wherever and forever. Ameen.

Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu, mere meters from this Mubarak hallowed ground, said the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was asked: "Which action is best of all?" He said: "To believe in Allah and His Messengers." He was further asked: "And what next?" He said: "Jihad (striving) in the cause of Allah." He was asked again: "And what after that?" He answered: "The Pilgrimage, free from vices and defects."

May all Hujjaj keep their focus on this PRIZE, 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.