The neighbourhood!
Sign says ‘Abdulla Palace’, and like so many of these older buildings they some how skirt the compulsory inspections giving approval for housing pilgrims. These places overflow with the poorer faithful during the peak seasons, narrow streets bustling with activity. An amorous indiscriminate sky embraces the entire City of PEace and Enlightenemt with its brilliance.
Graffiti one and….
Graffiti two.
Another funduq….the balconies converted into the residences for the staff, accomodation in all other rooms.
Local workers occupy this building…
and this is their ‘window box’….I love this explosion of green and this tiny CO2 factory!
A recently vacated upstairs….the ground floor still occupied….
the building next door to the above….everything and anything goes for home improvements! These street signs appear on most streets, but merely serve as decoration as nobody refers to them for directions or defining where they live, and unfortunately the efforts to implement a postal service has been shoved into the ‘too hard basket’.
Dilapidated remains of the old wooden mashrabiyah style of ventilation and sutrah.
Old wrecks like these litter alley ways already providing inadequate parking space.
Another burst of green reaching for the skies, detail below.
Roadside shopping for interior decoration….and….
leisurely diversions…..ummm.
Neighbours….
Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar RadhiAllahu anhu, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: The best friend in the sight of Allah is he who is the well-wisher of his companions, and the best neighbour is one who behaves best towards his neighbours.
Narrated Abu Dharr RadhiAllahu anhu Allah’s Apostle SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: AbuDharr, when you prepare the broth, add water to that and give that (as a present) to your neighbour.
Narrated Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam observed: He will not enter Paradise whose neighbour is not secure from his wrongful conduct.
On the authority of Ayeshah RadhiAllahu anha who said: the Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: Jibreel Alaihis Salam adivesd me to do good to the neighbor to the point I almost thought he would eventually advise me to make my neighbor my heir.
Narrated Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: By Allah, he does not believe; by Allah, he does not believe; by Allah, he does not believe. When he was asked who does not believe he answered, he whose neighbor does not feel secure from his mischief.
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.
Assalamu alaikum,
JZK for this “stroll” around your Blessed Madinan neighbourhood.I particularly love the old mashrabiyyah style wooden windows.This Eid we made a Yemeni style mafraj stained glass ( cellophane) window decoration.
Alhumdulillah an importanat reminder too about neighbours and their Haqq.We are very fortunate to have many kind Muslim neighbours living close by.Being in a non Muslim western country we appreciate each other I think even more.
Wassalam
Comment by umm yusuf — October 23, 2007 @ 3:30 am
Salaam Dearest Sister
And the small touches of plants on windows, ah. Thank you, as always, for these glimpses of the city 
I love your strolls through the neighborhood
Ya Haqq!
Comment by Irving — October 23, 2007 @ 4:23 pm
masha Allah dear sister. Beautiful… Can you put some pics of the ‘awali area up when you get some time. i often stay in that area and would love to be reminded of my time there!
Comment by Abu Ahmad — October 23, 2007 @ 11:24 pm
Slm.so happy to hear from you again.
alhumdulillah.lotsa luv and duaz, ws
Comment by Tasnim — October 23, 2007 @ 11:28 pm
Assalamu alaikum
Dear Umm Yusuf, the Yemani mafraj sounds beautiful adding to all the other creative expressions usually adorning your home, Masha’Allah. I too wish you and yours could be here to accompany me on these “strolls” Insha’Allah it is written for one day soon, along with you dear Irving Darvish, and dear Tasnim, and all others wishing to have ones feet covered in the Mubarak dust of these older alley ways before they are no longer.
Dear Abu Ahmad, if you go to the Streets entry #13 you will find a visit to Awali, Insha’Allah I plan to visit there next week so will try and take some more photos for you.
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — October 24, 2007 @ 12:43 am