ALMISKEENAH

 

Al-Ustawanah, The Columns, The Pillars in the Sacred Garden.

“What is between my house and my minbar is a meadow of the meadows of Jannah, and my minbar is on my pool,” said our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

Once again step into the delights of this Divine Meadow.

 

5. Ustuwanatal-Tawba, Column of Repentance, or the Pillar of Abu Lubabah.

This column is so named as it represents the place where Allah Ta’ala accepted the repentance of Abu Lubabah RadhiAllahu anhu.

Our Beloved Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam surrounded the Jewish Tribe of Bani Quraiza on the outskirts of Madinah for twenty five days due to their treachery. After their provisions were exhausted they requested to be given permission to travel safely to Syria. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam told them that whatever decision Sa’ad ibn Muath RadhiAllahu anhu made as mediator, they should accept that. But the Jews requested that Abu Lubabah RadhiAllahu anhu be the one to negotiate with as he had been their ally before Islam, and he had family and property in this area, so they thought he would be kinder to them. The Noble Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, forever displaying the fairest of manners in all dealings agreed to their request, and hence sent Abu Lubabah RadhiAllahu anhu to them. The tribe came rushing to him in distress, playing on his emotions. They asked what would become of them if they left the security of their fort, would they be safe. He replied in the affirmative, but while saying so gestured cutting of the throat with his hand, indicating that their head will be cut off. This was in fact the secret the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam made with Abu Lubabah RadhiAllahu anhu.

As soon as Abu Lubabah RadhiAllahu anhu did this he realized his grave betrayal, saying: “My legs had not moved from their place before I knew that I had betrayed Allah and His Messenger.” He immediately rushed to the Masjid where her bound himself to the pillar, vowing to remain in this condition until his repentance was accepted. Some narrations say he was there for seven days and seven nights, being untied only for ritual purification and prayers. He barely ate during this time and passed out several times. When Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam heard of what he had done he said: “He could have come directly to me and I would have prayed for his forgiveness. Now he has left the whole matter to Allah. He should wait till Allah accepts his repentance directly.”

At dawn on the seventh day, while the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was in Umm Salama RadhiAllahu anha’s house, she saw him smile. When she inquired why he was smiling he informed her that Allah Ta’ala had forgiven Abu Lubabah RadhiAllahu anhu. She asked if she could be the one to convey the happy news, whereupon the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: “If you wish.” Umm Salama RadhiAllahu anha walked to the door of her house, being beside the Masjid, and called out to Abu Lubabah: “Receive the good news O Abu Lubabah! Allah has forgiven you!”

The Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum present in the Masjid at the time rushed to congratulate and untie him, but he said: “Leave me until the Messenger of Allah, SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, comes and unties me with his own hands!”

They left him and he was untied according to his wish when Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam came out for Fajr Salat.

Such drastic measures taken by the Sahabah to rectify a mistake! And now this very column is sought after by many as the auspicious place to make Tawba, SubhanAllah! May Allah Ta’ala save us, and accept our repentance. Ameen.
The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was said to often pray his Nawafil Salat at this pillar, and it was one of the main places he would sit to receive the poor, the weak, the needy, guest and others after Salatul Fajr. They would sit in circle around him listening to his advice, reciting the latest revelations to them and see to their needs. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

6. Ustuwanatul-Sarir, Column of the Bed

This marks the place where a mat made of palm fronds and a leather cushion filled with palm fibre used to be spread for the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam during his Itikaf during the last ten days of Ramadhan.

It is narrated that our Blessed Lady Aishah RadhiAllahu anha, could sit at the door of their house washing and combing his Mubarak hair while our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was actually in the Masjid, as the door to their simple quarters was beside this pillar!

 

The Guard Column on the right and the Delegates Column on the left with the doorway that roughly corresponds to the Mubarak door our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam used to enter the Masjid from the narrow passageway that separated the houses of Lady Aishah and Lady Fatimah RahdiAllahu anhima.

7. Ustuwanatul-Haras, Column of the Guard.

The position of this column was adjacent to the Mubarak door leading to the humble home of our Blessed Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and our Beloved Lady Aishah RadhiAllahu anha, and it is where some of the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum would stand guard. Narrations say that Ali RadhiAllahu anhu was the main guard, along with Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas and Abu Saeed Khudri RadhiAllahu anhum. Once Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam returned weary from battle saying to our Lady Aishah: “I wish a man of virtue should come to guard me tonight.” Soon after he heard the clanging of weapons outside his house, and when he inquired as to who was there, the reply came: “Sa’d, I have come to guard you.” So the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam slept.

Soon after Allah Ta’ala revealed:

And Allah will protect you from people… (5:67),

so Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam informed the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum that they were no longer needed to stand guard.

8. Ustuwanatul-Wufud, Column of the Delegations.

This column stands where Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam used to receive the numerous delegations that would arrive in Madinah from various tribes to announce their entry into Islam and pledge their allegiance to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, as well as other dignitaries from other lands.
Burzanji Rahmatullah alaihi said: “The bed, the guard and the delegates columns used to be somewhat inside the Sacred Chamber. In 888 A.H., the wall of the Sacred Chamber was rebuilt during the period of Qaitabai, when half of each column was built outside the wall to mark the locations.” 

9. Grave Square Column.
This position is said to be one of the Maqamas of Jibreel Alaihis Sallam. This column is on the northwestern corner of Lady Aishah’s house, and since our Noble Al-Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam is in this house which is almost square in shape, they refer to this as the Grave Square Column.  This column cannot be seen as it is behind the metallic enclosure.

 

“O Allah, the leveler of the Plains, the Maker of the Firmament, and the Molder of Hearts into the good and the bad, grant Your noblest blessings, most fruitful favours and most loving kindness to our master Muhammad, Your Servant and Your Messenger, the opener of what was locked and the Sea; of what had gone before, the announcer of truth with truth, and the refuter of the forces of falsehood! He who took upon himself the responsibility of Your order in obedience to You, speedily seeking Your Pleasure, earnestly heeding Your Revelation, keeping Your Promise, carrying out and executing Your Command, so that, by kindling a burning brand for the seeker, his followers gain access through him to the blessings of Allah! Hearts were guided through him after having entered into discord and sin, and he gladdened with evident signs, with enlightening laws and illuminating Islam! And he is Your trustworthy one and safe custodian of Your secret Knowledge, Your witness on the Day of Judgement and Your envoy, a favour for us, and Your Messenger, in truth, a mercy for us! O Allah, widen for him his place in Your Eden and reward him doubly with the goodness of zyour Favour granting him untarnished felicitations from the victory of Your Reward, which is plentiful and fitting, and from Your Lofty Gift!”  Dala’il al-Khayrat.

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.  May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.