THE HAJJ SEASON 1428
Images from a special time with one of the millions of special Hujjaj, Alhumdulillah. May Allah Ta’ala’s special mercy embrace them all, may He grant them all an accepted pilgrimage to Him, and bless them all with Sabr in whatever circumstances He deems necessary for their journey of renewal and rebirth, Ameen.
The view from the 10th floor of their hotel, with blessed Jabal Uhud peeping over the jungle of concrete and steel….
….a closer look at the ongoing race to fill every space with more concrete and steel….
….windows become clothes lines as the facilities for accommodating the pilgrims do not provide the basics for drying clothes, bathrooms tend to be very compact and small and usually shared by five or six in the better hotels….
…directly below is the fenced off area ready for another building to be constructed…we have been told that there are at least another 200 plots of land available for more hotels within the central Haram ring road!
…another detail…another enclosed construction site…and the stream of pilgrims snaking their way to Masjid Nabawi is a group of Iranians who normally move en masse….
…..the view to the right….the Haram just visible in the background between the two buildings….
….detail of the above…suspended workmen in a cage….
….a clearer impression of Masjid Nabawi….one minaret vying for attention….
….joining the throngs for Maghrib…
….passing one of the many ‘miswak alleys’ along the way….Bab Salam and the Abode of Peace in the distance….
….just before Adhan for Maghrib…traces of a plane adding to the gentle colours of dusk…
….the faithful awaiting Esha Adhan, looking towards Bab Salam….
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By the dawn; by the ten nights … ( 89:1-2)
Allah swears by these days, indicating the esteem He placed in the sacred first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
Our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." The people asked, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?" He said, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing. [Sahih Bukhari].
And if one is not performing the Hajj, these Mubarak ten days of Dhul Hijjah reap countless rewards if the intention is to increase one’s inner reflection, to seek forgiveness along with abundant repenting, and fasting, especially on Yaumul Arafat:
Fasting the Day of Arafah will be credited with Allah by forgiving one’s sins of the previous year and the following year. [Muslim]
Insha’Allah it is not too late to make the intention for the heart and soul to turn to our Rabb Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, and be immersed in excessive Dhikr and Salawaat:
And mention the name of Allah on the appointed days…(12:28)
Insha’Allah it is time to be more mindful of performing good deeds as such deeds are multiplied during these days. And if one is able, to offer a sacrificial animal on the Day of Nahr or the following Days of Tashriq, Insha’Allah.
May Allah Ta’ala give us all Tawfiq in our efforts to draw closer to Him and His Commands and be blessed with a renewed nearness to His Habib SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Ameen Ameen 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.
