ALMISKEENAH

 

A silvery mist, as though Allah Ta’ala had spent the morning spray painting, shrouded the entire city. The glimpses of Jabal Uhud between the buildings is a gentle hue of a pale, almost transparent curtain, while the delicate creams of the imposing minarets seemed to melt into the softness of the sky like the finest chiaroscuro painting technique the Renaissance artists strived to perfect. Al-Khaliq Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala is the only supreme Perfectionist, SubhanAllah.

Walking around the maze the courtyard has become with all the fenced off construction areas was akin to floating in a surreal other-world, where the senses are muffled, the body unconsciously gliding. Effortlessly, the feet empowered by the seventy thousand Angels we are told accompany us if we are on the path of knowledge. This path, offering the experiential teachings of knowledge, is momentarily devoid of book learning. Floating in this space provides a time for the mind to abandon the tangible and allow the heart to be doused in the cleansing environment of this Pure City, At-Tayba. SubhanAllah! From the unseen world the phenomenal world emerges, from the unseen realm of our hearts actions spring.

How to share this space, this City of Cities, the Abode of the Prince of Peace? The essence of his SallAllahu alaihi wassalam peace permeating every particle one inhales, the fragrance inebriating one into a trance-like stupor, the subtle heart rejoicing as the polishing process is activated, revealing the inner recesses of the unseen, and thus our link to Allah Ta’ala, through His Habib SallAllahu alaihi wassalam. The heart is that which is designed to be imbued with peace and calm, which can only be achieved with the remembrance of Allah:

Truly, it is in the remembrance of Allah that hearts find peace. (13:28)

The message of the Qur’an states that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassalam came first to purify, then teach the Book and then impart Wisdom, exhorting how to abide by the message of the Qur’an Majeed This is the essence of "Tazkiya" that wafts from the Abode of Peace, waiting for all to imbibe from it.

Rowdha As Shareef during these days is truly a haven of peace and calm. The area at the blessed feet of Rasulullah SallallAllahu alaihi wassalam and of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq and Umar RadhiaLlahu anhuma, the raised platform behind the house of the Beloved Fatimah RadhiAllahu anha and the place of Tahajjud, are all accessible after months of being fenced off during the Ziarah times for ladies. Further abandoning the self by meditating on the small green grill, resembling a flowering plant, high above the wall opposite the Muwajaha marking the place where Gibril Alaihis Sallam would come for his intimate revelations to our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wassalam. SubhanAllah.

Places demanding tears, extracting tears. Tears washing away all that is not Him, attempting to annihilate all that comes and goes, leaving only the Presence which forever remains.

 

"Never be without remembrance of Him,
for His remembrance
gives strength and wings
to the bird of the Spirit.
If that objective of yours
is fully realized, that is
"Light upon Light"…

…But at the very least, by
practicing God’s remembrance
your inner being
will be illuminated
little by little and
you will achieve
some measure of detachment
from the world."

Jelaluddin Rumi

JUMA’AH MUBARAK.

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.