We glide on the allure of Al-Mustafa’s SallAllahu alaihi wasallam Attar.
Golden droplets burst, exploding from the memory of
his every step, his every word, his every smile, his every nuance, his every touch,
his every breath;
LIGHT MANIFEST.
Frenzied senses ignite as seeds
dispersing across the arid desert
of the heart.
How bland are musk and amber in comparison with this caressing breeze.
A fragrance that extracts stubborn cries of repentance.
Awakening and rustling a dormant Iman
Transforming into star-filled bubbles
Effervescing.
Infectious.
Perfumed.
Oh my heart, sit with a person
who understands the heart.
Sit under a tree
which has fresh flowers.
In the market of perfume sellers
don’t wander like you’re jobless.
Sit with a shopkeeper
who has sugar in the store.
Not every eye has eyesight.
Not every sea contains a jewel.
Rumi
A scavenger, walking down the street of the perfume-sellers, fell down as if dead. People tried to revive him with sweet odours, but he only became worse. Finally a former scavenger came along, and recognized the situation. He held something filthy under the man’s nose and he immediately revived, calling out: ‘This is indeed perfume!’
Idries Shah’s Tales of the Dervishes.
In the realm of the Unseen
there exists a sandal wood, burning.
This love
is the smoke of that incense.
SubhanAllah! During the past few days I have been mulling over this entry. Going to Khalid’s tiny perfume “shop”, a tiny two square meter structure in the space under an escalator in a busy shopping mall, to take these pictures and buy some Attar, and pondering over poems referring to perfume. Then the other day while walking to Masjid Nabawi I saw smoke rising from some contraption in the middle of a roundabout. I was curious as to what this was, never having seen anything like it before, apart from when the council fumigates around Haram with kerosene which produces smoke like fumes. Initially I thought it was someone in difficulty, so I hastened my pace. As I came closer the heady fumes carried the scent of a rich Bakhour emanating from this unique mobile incense burner, proudly attended by a very old man! I bought some of his mix from the large brass container and requested taking a photo, which he was so happy about. I continued on my way.
When I came to the shade of a building I checked the photos I had taken….seeing that my shadow was impeding the amazing contraption, so I turned back with the intention of asking if I could take more time in setting up the position of his cart for better shots
But he was nowhere to be seen! In the space of a few minutes he had disappeared….I scanned the entire open area. The whole scene was as if it was an illusion. Gone up in the smoke from this burner. All that remained was the perfume trapped in my Abaya and the Bahkour I purchased from him filling the space around me as I type this. Ajeeb!
*
And when you are immersed in the Fragrance of Madinah, (a 1 hour 38 minute Youtube presentation of the Seerah of the Prophet SallAllahu laihi wasallam) Insha’Allah seek Khalid out for all your perfume purchses, as do so many of the illustrious Shuyukh.
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.
Salam x x x x
Oh Aunty Noor!
This is a lovely jovely read!
Yes!
Brother Khalid’s little shop has so much barakah
And oh my world -
the disappearing trolley-man.. perhaps he went so fast in the speed of angelic flight, so that we can feel your presence.. even though temporary - but from the lovely shadow you had cast?
I didn’t even notice the shadow, until I read what you had wrote
Wasalam, duas and love
yours
x x x x
taslim
x x x x
And PS -
Don’t you be sending us anything.. perfume or otherwise.
I MEAN IT!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Bint-eh Adam — July 19, 2007 @ 2:40 pm
salaam sis,
i’ve been reading your blog daily and find it absoloutly uplifting. it has brought back so many memories from my visit to the City.
I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing all your experience of the Radient City - May Allah increase your muhabbah for his Habib and reward you immencely.
Ma’asalaam,
Shahida
Comment by shahida — July 19, 2007 @ 3:48 pm
Do you have a picture of Khalid’s perfume shop? It would be a nice addition to this blog. Please remember us in your duas.
Comment by Qushayri — July 19, 2007 @ 11:45 pm
Salams
Assalamu’alaikum
Jummah Mubarak and Jazak’allah Khair for all that you do.
Subhan’allah, I am sure I speak for many of us when I say that these words are so much more than a ramble!
We especially love all the little insights you give us to the city of our beloved Messenger sallalahu alayhiwasallam. Aspects we otherwise wouldn’t know of or appreciate. That is unless we too are fortunate enough to live there one day…insha’allah.
please remember this needy sister in your dua’s too!
love& dua’s,
HB
Comment by HB — July 20, 2007 @ 5:25 pm
ASSALAMO ALAIKUM,
ihave joined this noble gathering after a long time. hope iam not forgotten!! dear sis you and the posts may have been out of sight,but were never away from my heart. i have lot of catching up to do.the posts are as lovely as ever,as fragnant as i remember
pl remember this sister of yours and her remorseful city islamabad.
Comment by saimah — July 21, 2007 @ 7:51 pm
ps; remember us in your prayers ofcourse. this is a request and yes sister pl tell us about the imams who have been leading prayers at harmain. lately imam shaykh Mahir al Muaqaili is leading evening prayers at Kaaba. i have come to know that he has come from masjide Nabwi? is that right , where are Imam Sudays and imam Shuraim? are they leading prayers in masjid-e- Nabwi sharif.pl let me know
wassalam
Comment by saimah — July 21, 2007 @ 8:03 pm
Assalamu alaikum dear “ALL”,
Insha’Allah next post will include photos of brother Khalid’s shop that I took just before Maghrib today, especially for you brother Qushayri, so you can see the Barakah as mentioned by dear sister Taslim….There are so many taking advantage of that during these days in this gloriously perfumed City, buying gifts for loved ones. So maybe Taslim your words are TOO LATE!
Ameen thumma Ameen dear sister Shahida, may Allah Ta’ala increase the flow of Mahabbah between the entire Ummah, bringing us from darkness to His Light. JazakiLlahu khairan for your encouraging words. Dear sister HB, Alhumdulillah for wherever He places us, and from wherever that may be may our love for this Mubarak City and its Noble Resident, our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and his Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum continue to be on the increase.
So nice to see you again sister Saimah….so often I was wondering about you. With all others you are in my little book for my humble words of Du’a. Insha’Allah they are accepted for you all, and yes, especially places where the Ummah are facing struggles and difficulties, Pakistan being one of them. Insha’Allah, I will post the Imam information tomorrow with the photos mentioned above. Please excuse the delay, I have been very busy these past few days, and not giving the blog the usual time it requires. Sabr, Insha’Allah; such a beautiful maqam for us all to contemplate and bring into reality.
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — July 21, 2007 @ 9:18 pm
Alhamdulillah, dearest Sister:
a wonderful eye-filling and heart-filling post, a poetic ramble
Perhaps the old man was Khizr, and you bought some incense from the garden of love. Inshallah, you will burn it wisely. I think you will know then the time comes 
Ya Haqq!
Comment by Irving — July 22, 2007 @ 7:53 pm
Assalamu alaikum dear brother Irving….jazakumuLlahu khairan for your ever gentle energy blessing this humble space…and yes, at the time the experience was not worldly….I am sure you of all Darvishes will understand
..and when I searched for this dear man from the “garden of love” and could not find him my heart was so joyous…and light…hard to describe in words the felicity that came over me. I was wanting to write something a bit more “profound” to match the experience…but I have been really pushed for time lately and my head not functioning as it should! Khair! Wait for your share from this experience to manifest itself 
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — July 23, 2007 @ 9:10 pm