…..rambling along from the previous post…..as part of the Taiba Summer 28 Festival is an exhibition depicting various aspects of the time of our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam on large light box screens in the Ottoman Railway Station. This is the middle section of a mural illustrating how the original Masjid Nabawi may have been.
The rugged western corner of Jabal Uhud is in the background, so the side where the bluish light reflection is south and thus direction of Qiblah. There is a small area thatched with palm branches on this southern wall in the right hand corner where the Mihrab and the Minbar would have been. The small building is the house of our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and our blessed lady Aishah RadhiAllahu anha, the humble room where the most loved and best of creation SallAllahu alaihi wasallam rests along with his two faithful companions RadhiAllahu anhuma.
A large poster, almost identical to the above is available along with a new basic pictorial publication Al-Madinah History and Monuments. Both are from Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Research and Studies Centre.
There were other maps and diagrams in the main hall of the station, as well as displays of traditional crafts, furniture, cooking and a children’s theatre, along with the permanent railway exhibits. The festival is spread over five main locations offering an array of activities for families. This is the only one I have attended.
A view from one of the nearby hotel rooms of one of the temporary neighbours of our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. The policy of the hotels immediately surrounding the courtyard is for rooms with a "view" regardless of how narrow, are in a higher price bracket than rooms without a view.
This was taken just before Asr yesterday with the scorching north western ladies courtyard empty. Nearer to Maghrib as the sun loses its intensity many gather here enjoying the evening breeze.
Fulfilling the request of brother Qushayri…..this is brother Khalid in his perfume shop, taken from the side where you can see the angle of the escalator left top. The triangular section underneath is his "store room"! The other day when I first arrived to buy a few things and take the photos for the previous entry brother Khalid was nowhere to be seen….the shop open, the beautiful bottles of perfume, and other products all over the counter. I waited and waited….and was about to go when I saw a small curtain below shelves inside the shop area flutter, …he was hunched down in that tiny store area searching for things! To watch him enter and exit his working abode is another gymnastic skill! He suddenly "springs" over the counter, SubhanAllah! There are other outlets for the same company in this complex so if brother Khalid does not have certain items he hurriedly goes to the other shops obtaining that which you request.
The other side of the shop …. the escalator is above….a small ceiling of mirrors and various styles of tasbehs displayed help to give the illusion of space and height. And where is brother Khalid now? Seeking some amber beads to be strung into a tasbih for the sister (above) in his little triangular cubby hole store room. The main shopping areas within the hotels sublet these tiny spaces…walking around you see corners and the sides of corridors transformd into a commercial outlet. Every conceivable space speaks money!
Brother Khaild’s Almadinah Museum for perfumes is in the Taibah Commercial Centre near entrance number 2. If any of you require specific details ask in the comment section, Insha’Allah.
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For sister Saimah…and others interested in the Haramain Imams. During the summer time some of the Imams travel to other countries, being absent for a short time. I do not have television, so I have no idea as to how much is televised from the Haramain. I am sure many readers are well informed and up to date with the current Imams. Some time ago brother Muhamed sent this excellent link, where if your downloading is "normal" as distinct from the snail pace here, then many Salat are posted. Maybe this duplicates what TV provides….I do not know.
I previously posted the following from here:
"MAKKAH, 12 July 2007 — The Grand Mosque in Makkah is to see two new imams, Sheikh Abdullah Awad Al-Johani and Sheikh Mahir ibn Hamad Al-Muayqali, lead regular prayers according to a royal decree issued by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
Both sheikhs have previously led Ramadan night prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah."
The main Imams here in Masjid Nabawi are:
Shaykh Huzaify
Shaykh Qasim
Shaykh Ali Sheikh
Shaykh Budair
Shaykh Thubaity
May Allah Ta’ala preserve His Sacred Words, bestowing His abundant blessings on all who memorized, or in the process of memorizing our Qur’an Majeed. 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. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.
Dear noble sister,
May our generous Lord fulfill all of your worldly and heavenly requests. It is so wonderful to see the blessed perfume shop that many of our scholars buy their perfume from. Right now I can’t thank you enough for the pictures. I’ve learned so much more from your blog than from reading a book.
A while back, I learned this amazing munajah (intimate supplication) that I feel I should share with you and the rest of the readers. I hope everyone memorizes it and makes a habit to supplicate with it.
إلهي نَجِّنِيْ مِنْ كُلِّ ضِيْقٍ
فَأَنْتَ إِلهُنا مَوْلَى الْجَمِيْعِ
وَ هَبْ لِيْ فِي الْمَدِيْنَةِ مُسْتَقَراًّ
وَ رِزْقاً ثُمَّ دَفْناً فِي الْبَقِيْعِ
O my Lord, relieve me from all types of spiritual constriction,
for You are our God and the Helping Friend of every creature.
And please grant me provision and a home in Madinah,
and [ultimately] burial in its graveyard (al-Baqee’).
Look forward to your future blog entries. Wassalam.
Comment by Qushayri — July 23, 2007 @ 9:25 am
Salaams sis,
Another beautiful posting – masha’allah, may Allah reward you.
I am truly indebted to you sister – for some months now I was spiritually struggling, and then suddenly I found your blog and alhamdulilah reading your posts have revived my soul. I can’t express how much you have helped me – for what this sinners prayers count, I pray from the bottom of my heart that Allah grants you the closest maqam to the Habib (saw) for helping me.
I have read every single posting and I feel as though I’m walking on air, my yearning for the Habib (saw) has gone to another level. All the ‘insider’ information that you provide were so enjoyable to read. I just can’t express my gratitude.
May I please request a HUGE favour? Next time to you go to visit Rasulullah (saw), please, please can you convey my humble salaams?
Much Love,
Shahida
Comment by shahida — July 23, 2007 @ 2:27 pm
Assalamu alaikum, dear brother Qushayri, Ameen thumma Ameen and JazakumuLlahu khairan katheeran….a tear jerking Du’a that has truly touched my inner being…may Allah Ta’ala respond to all our humble supplications, Ameen. The Munajah is so moving…I have already saved it in word and printed it out for so many. Once again words cannot express my gratitude for sharing this.
I was thinking the other day about Khalid’s little shop, wondering how is it that there are hundreds of perfume shops all around Masjid Nabawi, some so elaborate and glitzy, decorated in themes, offering the most exclusive packaging…and yet the Shuyukh take their business to brother Khalid. It is about Adab! When the Adab of the Noble Resident SallAllahu alaihi wasallam is in the heart this acts as a magnet attracting other hearts, and this is what brother Khalid has….humility and the eagerness to serve others unconditionally, honesty and trust. May Allah Ta’ala continue to bless us all and guide us all in making effort on Adab, Akhlaq, Sifat of our Beloved SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, Ameen.
Dear sister Shahida, and huge JazakiLlahu khairanS for your words too! Sometimes I consider finishing with this blog, questioning its benefit, but when I read your comment I feel that even if only one person has gained then it has been worth the effort….but it also came to me that it is not me or the blog….it the energy of this Radiant City oozing through cyberspace….that is its power and its quality and the high station of our Noble Messenger, SallAllahu alaihi wasallam….his light, a light from the Source of Lights can permeate these boxes of plastic and metal…may all hearts be open all the time, and in a state of seeking and yearning , and then the alchemy will be felt, Insha’Allah. Dear sister…we are all sinners…but SubhanAllah how our Rabb loves to hear us repent, and then Insha’Allah responding with boundless mercy. This sinner did write your name on my Rowdha “list” after your first comment. And love to you too
wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — July 23, 2007 @ 3:46 pm
assalamualaykum ww
dearest sister, i have not been commenting these last few weeks but haven’t missed any blogs!i share the sentiments above- jazakillah khairan for all the time and effort you put into this.. we’re all definitely benefitting, and may Allah show you your reward in tihs world also, for giving us the opportunity to receive ‘the light oozing into cyberspace’. this past holiday my father kept mentioning moving to madinah. if only you knew how my heart yearns for this…inshAllah ameen.but many people said that it’s quite difficult to make the hijra nowadays??? either way it is in the hands of our most kind and Merciful Allah, so i humbly request yout to please remember us in your special dua, for mashaAllah, you have been chosen to be the neighbor of our habib sallallahualyhiwasallam. if you remember and its no inconvenience, will you also please convey salaam from my family and i at thr rowdha of our beloved nabi sallallahualayhiwasallam. you’re in my duas too, may Allah accept inshaAllah. luv and duas always, ws Tasnim
Comment by tasnim — July 23, 2007 @ 6:59 pm
Assalamu alaikum,
We are all wishing here that we could leap over the counter with brother Khalid too!We have smelt nothing as good as the scent on the people from Madinah Munawwarah !Please do keep blogging !We also loved to read of and see some of the hand crafts from the Taiba Festival,May Allah reward you for your efforts,Ameen.
Wassalam
Comment by yusuf — July 24, 2007 @ 12:38 am
Asalamualaikum
Jazakallahu Khairan for the big pictures of the purfume
bottles,it was amusing to read the labels on them.
wasalamualaikum.
Comment by yusuf — July 24, 2007 @ 1:11 am
Salams
Ameen to all the dua’s!
Jazakillah for the pictures sister. You are so right about adab- SubhanAllah it’s the thing that stands out most about Madinah.
Subhan’Allah, reading this blog and the subsequent comments makes me feel as though I am right back in the city of the beloved. It’s not just about physical proximity but spiritual and Alhamdulillah your blog has helped me in that journey in so many ways. I pray that we can meet in person one day soon and that we can convey our Salams to Habib Allah together and pray side by side in the Haram.
May your efforts here count for you in the akhirah and may you be raised in the company of the Best of Creation sallalahu alayhi wasallam.
Please keep us in your dua’s
love,
HB
Ps Jazakillah khair to brother Qushayri for sharing that beautiful dua! Sometimes our own words are not enough so thank you!!
Comment by HB — July 24, 2007 @ 2:26 pm
salaams again Sis,
Thank you so much for adding me to you ‘list’ - may allah reward you.
I have a question: I have heard that during the womens ziyarah sessions we are no longer given access to the Ahly-suffah area nor are we allowed to convey salaams to The Habib from ( how do i put this)left side from the front gates of the chamber, on one side we have the Rowdah and the otherside is narrow passage like side where women do their salams. I hope that makes sense…anyhow i am informed that women no longer have access to this area and hence have to convey salaams from the riyad al janah. sister, can u please clarify if this true.
look forward to your reply.
Much love,
shahida
Comment by shahida — July 25, 2007 @ 3:50 pm
Assalamu alaikum dear sister Tasnim….JazakiLlahu khairan for your encouragement,I truly appreciate your words. You and yours are in my Du’a…permanently on my “hit list”
May Allah Ta’ala have us all permanently on His list! Ameen. If we look at the outer, then so much depends on what is required for Hijrah to Saudi, Madinah specifically, but we all know that Allah Ta’ala is the Master planner and everything for Him is easy, may your hopes be fulfilled, He is Kareem, Alhumdulillah.
Dear Yusuf, you had better begin training for “huge springy leaps” to perform jumping the counter like brother Khalid…it is quite amazing. Insha’Allah you are also saving up to buy some of his perfumes!
Indeed sister HB…having just farewelled special sisters after spending many times praying side by side it is a blessing to do so. Sounds weird, as in reality we are always praying side by side with another sister, but my experience and observation is that the majority seem to keep to themselves and the particular group, or family they are with. The times when communication between others does occur it is very moving. Once a sister who was visiting made the comment that she thought embracing Islam meant that she was part of a bigger sisterhood, but was shocked at how aloof many are while in Masjid Nabawi. May Allah Ta’ala plant His true Muhabbah in our hearts. Ameen to you coming, Ameen.
Dear sister Shahida, yes, what you say is sadly, correct. I have just begun one of my squiggly maps addressing your comment…Insha’Allah it will appear as a post in the next Ziarah topic.
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah.
Comment by almiskeenah — July 25, 2007 @ 7:05 pm