The plush red carpets are no longer visible during daylight; they are carpeted with sleeping bodies of the fasting millions. This trance-like scene is transformed as the sun reddens and sinks; a stunningly fluid choreographed ensemble, miles of plastic sheets unfurl, sustenance appears, to just as speedily disappear. By the Grace of the Most Generous and Merciful, hunger is abated and thirst satiated, while the heart and soul join to perform the majestic Maghrib to the accompaniment of our Lord’s Speech. The human ocean once more swirls around the austere House. And tramping feet replicate the running of Hajar Alaiha asSalam in the crowded Mas’aa. May all this be recorded in the lofty scrolls with the finest of inks as the most noble of intentions. Ameen.
*
The construction work on the extension of the Mas’aa continues. The projected plan to have one level ready for the increased numbers in Ramadhan has not materialized. Gone are the times when Insan could enlist the help of the Jinn with such endeavours!
The massive excavation, creating a basement level is to be exclusively for wheelchairs once complete, which is a wise consideration given the thousands that weave in and out of the crowds often causing problems.
There are several other developments that have been approved for the Haramain. As well as the covering of the open Mataf area. An artists’ impression of how this may look.
Every Muslim yearns for the elevating spiritual experience accompanying prayers at the two holy mosques. The experience is comparable to a rebirth with absolution from all past sins. The irresistible call of Makkah.
And for those who wish to ensure a place in the crowd, here is one of the sad realities of some of the latest schemes operating. Along with the desire to obtain your supply of ZamZam.
As much as our heart longs for the ideal in our Deen, and especially during the peak rites of Ramadhan and Hajj, many logistical concerns seem to be overlooked. It may be that the Haramain can accommodate so many million, with new projects aiming at increasing the capacity and maximizing the comfort of the pilgrims, but the huge disaster area is the lack of planning regarding transporting these huge numbers. When it takes three plus hours to travel a short distance of three kilometers, with suffocating traffic fumes billowing all around, then why the distorted focus on brilliant facilities and the glitzy hotels when pilgrims cannot get to them in comfort? I feel that until the vital transport problem is resolved the push to continually increase the numbers pouring in is a total misadventure. Apparently deals have been reached for buying land from Makkans in preparation for a rail system. But this could be a decade before it would be functioning.
Meanwhile we are gifted the opportunity of striving to increase our SABR. Alhumdulillah.
May the collective struggles of the Ummah during this Mubarak Ramadhan be recorded as the best of rewards, 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.
assalamualaykum ww dearest sister, alhumdulillah it is so good to have you back. i hope your umrah was better than your best expectations, may Allah accept ameen. was feeling a bit despondent today… when will Allah honour me as His guest again, but made lotsa dua, inshaAllah Allah is what we expect of HIm and He will grant us barakah in our sustainance and we shall visit the haramain soon ameen. love and duas always, Tasnim
Comment by tasnim — September 25, 2007 @ 5:42 pm
Ameen to your prayer. Another lovely and heart filling post, and inshallah, the rail system, hopefully a monorail, which is much easier and faster to build, will be in place soon. May your prayers, which are all for other people, knowing you, float to the heaven on the winds of His love.
Ya Haqq!
Comment by Irving — September 25, 2007 @ 8:19 pm
As salaamu alaikum,
Hajj Mubaarak dearest
I was just remembering your earlier post about completing an umrah in ramadhan…..
love and duas
farhanah
Comment by Farhanah — September 25, 2007 @ 10:42 pm
Assalaamu alaikum. I just found out about your blog via Deenport. Masha’allah I’ve enjoyed reading through your archives to see sides o f the two Holy Cities that one doesn’t normally see. Jazak Allah Khair.
Comment by Burhan — September 26, 2007 @ 6:51 am
asalaam alaikum warahmat Allah wabarakatu:
i was really saddened, and shocked to read those links you placed about whats going on in makkah with some of the expats and the whole issue with zamzam. this is a clear indication of how people get their priorities messed up by greed and the fitnah of this donia. may Allah keep us on the straight path and protect us from those with ill-intentions. jazakAllah kheir for your info and may Allah accept your umrah..
Comment by suhaa — September 27, 2007 @ 6:17 am
Assalamualaikum dear sister,
Ameen thuma ameen to your duas. Subhanallah half this Blessed month has already passed us by! May Allah Ta’ala give us the strength to increase our works in these remaining days, ameen.
Comment by ikramuddin — September 27, 2007 @ 9:00 am
Assalamu alaikum,
Ameen thumma Ameen to all the soul stirring Du’as. I must confess that when I utter your name dear sister Tasnim a smile immediately bursts forth! May your eagerness to be here soon be fulfilled, Ameen. Dear Irving Darvish….may all our collective efforts float on that glorious wond you mention…heralding a new era of love and peace throughout the Universe, Ameen. Dearest Ukhti Farhanah….it was akin to Hajj with the crowds…may it also be in Allah Ta’ala’s acceptance as you have so generously conveyed….for all struggling with the conditions as they are, especially your blessed father…maybe he will gift one Umrah to you!
Alhumdulillah brother Burhan….may the site be a window that soon opens to a way for you to see the all the Mubarak aspects of our sacred places, Ameen.
Some aspects of how conditions are here are indeed sad sister Suhaa. May we all make more effort on our selves to bring about a change in our conditions from the side of Allah Ta’ala, Ameen.
The pace of time can be quite scary dear brother Ikramuddin….no time for idleness…may we all wake up to the realities of this phase of our existence.
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — September 27, 2007 @ 10:51 pm