Treasures are hidden under these streets….not the sort that gold diggers would be interested in. No, far greater than any earthly, worldly, or materialistic thing, is the knowing that these streets were blessed with the Mubarak feet of our Esteemed Al-Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and his illustrious guiding stars, the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhu. His most blessed sandals treading the earth, his noble self alighted on a camel, or a horse, traversing this land now occupied by buildings. The closer one is to Masjid Nabawi, the more likely it was that the earth folded for him, witnessing these sacred footsteps, while being perfumed with amber and musk. So is the bliss of walking these streets….one is transported with the knowledge that the richest of treasures are hidden in the earth, in the air…the gaze is held humbly down and each step seems to float upon this blessedness.
Behold the dancing dust,
still sparkling from the gentle steps
of the pinnacle of messengers,
igniting hearts, intoxicating souls,
emblazing galaxy-like bursts of love,
reaching far off realms divine,
spreading glistening beads of a fragrant elixir
all along the way.
And also hidden in the streets of Madinah, minutes from the sacred Haram are treasures of a different worldly kind. The dilapidated shop front opens to a festive array of colour and texture.
Enter the doorway to a blaze of delight!
Beads, braids, trims, ribbons, sequins, boas, flowers, pearls, buttons, and more cram every inch of space. One can barely fit in the small isles overflowing with cascading lace, yarn, and fabric. An old man has sat almost trapped in the middle of these decorative and festive trims for the past four decades. (he proudly told me his story) He sits in this one place directing an assistant and sometimes offering advice….but always collecting the money. Customers come in droves seeking that special touch, bringing samples to match colours and design. A few years ago when I first discovered this shop I could barely remain inside whilst choosing ribbons I was wanting as there was no fan or AC in there. It was suffocating. Alhumdulillah, when going there this time an AC had been installed. An amazing little world minutes from home and minutes from Masjid Nabawi. How long some of these older establishments remain is only a matter of time, a short time, as more and more of these prime locations are sought for hotels and thus demolished.
And sitting at regular intervals on the side walks of these streets of Madinah are ladies selling candy and roasted nuts, ‘treasures’ to appease the small children accomanying their mothers as they shop for all their party attire.
The streets of Madinah….treasures above and below….earthly and divine…..
Behold the dancing dust,
still sparkling from the gentle steps
of the pinnacle of messengers.
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.
assalamualaykumWW!hope you’re well.alhumdulillah i did manage to get some work done since i last commented.this week im goin to seemy first patients, plz make dua that all goes well and that Allah continues to make everything easy for me as He always does, im worried about niqaab and being in the clinincs-will the patients have a prob with it…in a bit of a dilemma..special duaz for evrything to fall into place please. but more importantly for Allah to not only grant success in all these wordly tasks, but eternal success and contentment ameen.please make dua for my family and i to also soon be given the opprtunity of enjoying the treasure of the city of peace!ameen. my dad says maybe its better to be yearning for madina, than to be there and lose the value of the bounty of being there-maybe he’s right for i am weak, but Allah understands my desire inshaAllah He will answer my dua.take care, Lots of luv, ws
Comment by tasnim — August 12, 2007 @ 11:17 pm
Salam!
WOWOWOWOWOW!!!!!!!
I could spend ages in those haberdasheries!!!!!
x x x x x x x
See how easily I get tempted my dear Nightingale
x x x x x x x
Wasalam, duas and love
x
Comment by Butterfly of Brum :-) — August 13, 2007 @ 12:50 am
Duas and love for you and your family, dear Sister
You are becoming renown as the Poet of Medina for your lovely words. You bring the noble city to life for us, its treasures above and below 
Thus may Allah guide your pen, for His pen is cut from the reedbed of the heart, and therein lies the truth.
Ya Haqq!
Comment by Irving — August 13, 2007 @ 4:58 am
assalamualaykumWW mashaAllah to all of you who have the gift of using the pen to affect hearts and emotions!.may Allah grant you all baraka in this gift He has bestowed upon you sister almiskeenah and brother irving.
duaz, ws
Comment by tasnim — August 13, 2007 @ 1:33 pm
Assalamu alaikum,
)
JazakiLlahu khairan dear sister Tasnim for sharing your honesty and your concerns, Insha’Allah I will email soon re the niqab issue…give me a few days…I am somewhat occupied at the moment….and I do agree with your dear father…we are rewarded so much for our yearning, still keep up the Du’a, as many of us do and will for you. Oh I SSOOO much am missing brother Ikramuddin and his sharing his gift with the pen….may he soon return with a sparkling new Iman! Ameen.
I love haberdasheries too B of B….especially ones like this ….so unique and so much character, Insha’Allah it is still there when you next visit and we can go together.
Dear brother Irving, your words of wisdom and praise fly straight to the heart, and swirl with that wondrous Muhabbah we have been blessed with. I have a LONG way to go to earn such a title, the illustrious poets praising our Beloved SallAllahu alaihi wasallam were the true ones…but JazakumuLlahu for your kindness
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — August 13, 2007 @ 9:45 pm