They ask you about the Hour, ‘When will it happen?’ Say, ‘My Lord alone has knowledge of it: He alone will reveal when its time will come, a time that is hidden from both the heavens and earth. All too suddenly it will come upon you.’ (7:187)
‘When the shepherds of black camels start boasting and competing with others in the construction of higher buildings,’ or in another narration, ‘till the people compete with one another in constructing high buildings.’
Narrated Qais bin Abi Hazim RadhiAllahu anhu: We went to pay a visit to Khabbab RadhiAllahu anhu who was sick and had been cauterized at seven places in his body. He said, "Our companions who died during the lifetime of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam left this world without having their rewards reduced through enjoying the pleasures of this life, they will have perfect reward in the Hereafter, but we have got so much wealth that we find no way to spend It except on the construction of buildings. Had the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam not forbidden us to wish for death, I would have wished for it.’ We visited him for the second time while he was building a wall. He said, A Muslim is rewarded in the Hereafter for whatever he spends except for something that he spends on building. (All Ahadith from Sahih Muslim)
How close is the Hour??? Allah the Almighty knows best.
The old Amercian school buses used for transporting the labourers to and from their compounds and the construction sites.
The area they now park on is one of the many open spaces created by the demolition of the hundreds of older style accommodation places. Up until a few weeks back these open grounds were dust bowls awaiting to be surveyed and then sliced into lucrative hotel plots, now Alhumdulillah they have been levelled and asphalted, providing a respectable much needed car parking area, as well as attracting the swarms of street vendors who never miss an opportunity to catch the passing pilgrims as they come and go from Haram. The minaret of Masjid Uthman stands dwarfed in front of the building with the green safety netting.
….to the right of the previous photo. This time it is the minarats of Haram being dwarfed. This is the bridge that is ear-marked for demolition, to be moved the few meters to almost where I took this photo from, making way for…yes, more hotel complexes to be within the first ring road CBD area. The reasoning I guess behind this decision is that this land under the bridge offers far more as an investment than the refreshing shade it now provides.
A zoom in on the above. The building under construction is the time share one I mentioned in this post.
Compare the massive excavation photo in this previous post with the present height of seven floors. The little touch of green is from a small garden area between the bridge and this building. How long it remains is very doubtful, and yet this is exactly what the city needs. When you consider the millions that come as neighbours to our Beloved Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam during the main peak times and the extended Umrah seasons, coupled with the dense concrete masses in the hundreds, then the amount of carbon dioxide being recycled is almost negligible. Apparently there are two hundred plots of land, in addition to all those under construcion, yet to be developed in the central ring road area alone!
And from the other side…the same side the excavation photo was taken in the Construction 02 post. The rubble in the foreground is the last pile of a hotel recently demolished. It was in a prime place…Haram and Jannatul Baqi were immediately in front of it, but unlike the more recent hotels it did not have any windows facing to the north with views of Haram. Could it be the reason for its demise, who knows? Hotels collect higher rentals for rooms with a view.
They ask about it as if you were eager [to find out]. Say, ‘Allah alone has knowledge of [when it will come], though most people do not realize it.’ (7:187)
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.
What horrible city planning. Only the rich who can afford hotels and time shares will profit from these tall buildings. They could have been built a mile away, with a light rail line connecting them to the Holy sites, which could have been surrounded by gardens and fountains and parks and groves of date trees. Greed is the downfall of humanity, and the tall buildings are a perfect metaphor for it.
May Allah have mercy on us all, who seek comfort only in Hu!
Ya Haqq!
Comment by Irving — November 28, 2007 @ 12:47 am
Assalamualaikum dear sister,
I think Sidi Irving’s comment above says it all! Ameen to yours and his duas.
I’ve always wondered if the ‘powers that be’ over there, ever read the hadith you quoted regarding the competing in the construction of higher buildings, and if they do, how they feel about it.
May His Infinite Rains of Mercy, shower us all. Ameen.
Comment by ikramuddin — November 28, 2007 @ 6:02 pm
Assalamu alaikum Dear Brothers “I”,
Ameen Thumma Ameen to your Du’as that resonate with assurance and truth, so much needed for the state of the Ummah and the direction it is being forced into in these Holy Lands.
Indeed it is a sad reality that the way the surrounds of the Haramain are being developed only the rich are able to afford the costly hotels, when all that is required for the short time in fulfilling ones religious duties are basic, simple, clean rooms. There is no reason why it is compulsory for hotels to have a TV in every room, as an example of the excess. I have seen many of the more recent hotels while visiting pilgrims and cannot fathom why they have become so luxurious, mimicking the grand styles of famous tourist destinations. This seems to be encouraging a form of tourism, which the Hadith does refer to…saying to the effect that Hajj will be for tourism. But if the ‘authorities’ were concerned ‘hosts’ they would be not encouraging the excessive flamboyance we now are bombarded with, but offering simplicity while assisting hearts to be focused on the Akhirah. So many aspects are sad, especially the lack of planning, the lack of concern for the environment, the lack of concern for the average Muslim. One could unfortunately go on and on. Our only recourse is Du’a, and the hope for Allah Ta’ala’s mercy…seeking His forgiveness. Ameen.
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — November 28, 2007 @ 8:51 pm
Assalamu Alaykum wa rahmatullah
BarakAllahu feeki for trying to send me the picture but please forgive me sister that account does not work, i will get back to you inshaAllah with one that does. Please remember the faqir in your dua and give my Salams to our Beloved Messenger (May the infinite peace and blessings of Allag be upon him and his family)
Comment by faqir — November 29, 2007 @ 6:21 am