The scale of the work all around Masjid Nabawi Al-Shareef is overwhelmingly gigantic!
Meandering from the south towards the Dome of Felicity, the work is now encompassing a much larger area of the courtyard, creeping very close to the Green Dome. All of the photos were taken this afternoon after Salatul Asr. There are still a considerable number of Hujjaj enjoying their last moments in and around the environs of this Enlightened City.
Taken from the ramp leading to Jannatul Baqi. I was tempted to take some photos looking inside, but commandos were lined up against the entire inside wall.
Long before Hajj the shops under the ramp of Jannatul Baqi were closed. Now they have erected a fence along the northern side. Maybe the new extension is to join onto this northern side of Jannatul Baqi. I have not seen any plans or drawings of the new extension. Insha’Allah they may appear in the papers soon.
The courtyard to eastern entrance of the mens area being ripped up. By the time I was walking home all of these slabs had been cleared away.
The excavations are deep. One wonders what history is being unearthed.
A tangle of wires, cables, steel and tentacles of machines. The fences are lined with pilgrims intrigued with the theatrics of this mammoth task.
Looking north, at the eastern corner of the ladies prayer area. Jabal Uhud just visible through the gap in the buildings. More of the Mubarak Madian earth being chewed up.
After Qaswa knelt at the place where dates were dried, belonging to the orphans Sahl and Suhail RadhiAllahu anhuma, a price agreed upon, Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wassalam and the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum began clearing palm trees and thorny shrubs, leveling the ground and removing old graves. It was the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassalam’s desire that the masjid be a simple edifice in the tradition of the "thatching of Musa Alaihis Sallam." When the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassalam was asked what the thatching of Musa looked like he replied: "It was such that when he stood up his head would touch the roof. However the matter of this life is more transient that would even deserve a building of this magnitude."
As they laboured, they sang ballads and songs in expression of their joy and happiness at the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassalam’s presence amongst them.
"O Lord, there is no living excepting one for the Hereafter, so help The Ansar and the Muhajirah.
O Lord, there is no good, excepting that of the Hereafter, so help O Lord, the Ansar and the Muhajirah."
I wonder what the workers are singing now?
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.
Walaykum as salam sister. Jazakallahi khair for all your updates regarding the ongoing construction. Following your blog reminds me of all the times our Infinite Master aza wa jal, has invited this lowly soul to visit with Him and His Habib salallahualaihiwasalam and further fans the flames of desire to visit again and again. May Allah Ta’ala accept us all in both the worlds, ameen.
Comment by ikramuddin — February 1, 2007 @ 2:06 am
Assalamu alaikum;
Jazakallahu Khairan for the beautiful clear photographs.Mashallah how lucky they are to be working with such Mubarak earth getting all their clothes coated in the dust… how I wish i could be there.
Comment by Maryam — February 1, 2007 @ 2:20 am
Assalamu alaikum,
Ameen Brother Ikramuddin, may the entire Ummah have the burning desire to visit our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wassalam again and again, and if not in reality then certainly welcoming him SallAllahu alaihi wassalam in the heart through the tranquility of Durood, Ameen.
“Welcome, O high prince, we welcome you!
Welcome, O mine of wisdom, we welcome you!
Welcome, O secret of the Book, we welcome you!
Welcome, O medicine for pain, we welcome you!
Welcome, O sunlight and moonlight of God!
Welcome, O you not separated from God!
Welcome, O nightingale of the Garden of Beauty!
Welcome, O friend of the Lord of Power!
Welcome, O refuge of your community!
Welcome, O helper of the poor and destitute!
Welcome, O eternal soul, we welcome you!
Welcome, O cupbearer of the lovers, we welcome you!
Welcome, O darling of the Beloved!
Welcome, O much beloved of the Lord!
Welcome, O Mercy for the worlds!
Welcome, O intercessor for the sinner!
Only for you were Time and Space created…”
By Suleyman Chelebi from:
And Muhammad is His Messenger: The Veneration of the Prophet in Islamic Piety, Annemarie Schimmel
Maryam,whilst looking at the labourers again today I was smiling as I thought of you wanting to be covered in the dust and mud as they are. SubhanAllah it is as if they are wearing a coating of this blessed earth. May Allah Ta’ala sincerely bless the sacrifices they are making for this project. I was transfixed, as were hundreds peering into so many gaping holes on the doorsteps of Msjid Nabawi Al-Shareef, watching the skill and mastery of a bulldozer driver, precariously moving meters and meters of dirt, crawling over the mountain with such dexterity, along with so many other earth moving machines, plus the mathematical precision needed by the men with their survey instruments, calculating every step of this work. SubhanAllah, the array gifts Allah Ta’ala have given mankind is awesome. May we all use the various gifts we have been blesed with in the best way to gain the favours of the Bestower Ta’ala, Ameen.
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — February 1, 2007 @ 8:43 pm