Trackbacking to our day in Makkah last Tuesday, sharing a few miscellaneous photos….
One of the hundreds of Ottoman antique light fittings on the second level of Haram Makkah. Amazing to think of all the artworks, weaponry, decorative features and architectural materials that were transported from so many Muslim countries as gifts to the Haramain, and mostly by camel caravans.
One of the Haram Captors experienced machanical troubles…
Alhumdulillah, the quick thinking of all the workers in attendance averted a major disaster…within seconds fire extinguishers were in action.
Partially demolished buildings line many of the streets leading to Haram. Owners seem to try to keep retail outlets functioning as long as possible at street level. This building and the next were only minutes from Haram.
One of the few traditional styles of architecture for Makkah with the original wooden carved mashrabiyah shutters and balconies….and still inhabited.
Detail of the above…a Grecian urn feature and a finely welded iron balcony.
Typical of the mountainous region…buildings built abutting into solid rock…which later is also blasted accessing every available space. Usually the local neighbourhood is perched on top….being far too difficult to house pilgrims in such extreme locations.
Dozens of tunnels connect mountain suburbs to Haram.
Hujjaj fresh from their Hajj are already entering Madinah, SubhanAllah! We are expecting many visiting during this post-Hajj period, so I am taking time off blogging for a short time so I can be in Khidmah for them. Back soon!!!
May Allah Ta’ala shower you and yours with the best from His Treasuries. 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.
As-salaamu Alaikum,
My sister in law and I were talking about these old buildings yesterday. It’s true - they
have so much character…
Comment by Farah — December 21, 2007 @ 7:43 pm
Salaam Dearest Sister:
You lovely and telling photos bring us closer to the blessed city, the humanity and progress as the old gives way to the new. Only the ONE is unchanging and ever present. May Allah bless you and your family. Ameen.
Ya Haqq!
Comment by Irving — December 22, 2007 @ 7:41 am
eid mubarak sister. mashaAllah nice pics above but your post lead me to 2 questions. 1. how did you manage to get a picture of th ceiling with lanterns when cameras are not allowed inside the haram? and 2. how did you manage to get into makkah last tuesday when only hujjaj were allowed to enter the city? hmm, unless you went for hajj and back so quickly? mashaAllah..may Allah reward you for an informative and descriptive post…
barakAllah feeki..
Comment by suhaa — December 22, 2007 @ 3:55 pm
Assalamu alaikum,
Dear Ukht Farah, as I wander around many of the older areas in Madinah and Makkah I feel what a shame it is that some sectors are not kept for historical museums as so many other countries preserve their heritage for younger generations to understand some of their past.
May all your loved ones be the recipients of Allah Ta’ala’s constant blessings Dear Irving Darvish…untold bounties pouring upon us all with every breath, SubhanAllah.
And a felicitous post Eid Mubarak to you and yours too Dear Sister Suhaa…i did email on the day. As you are aware Haram in Makkah rarely search sisters anymore, unlike here in Masjid Nabawi, so having these small cameras to me is no different from the thousands taking photos with their mobile phone cameras…that is why I made the comment about the sister next to at one time, both of us taking pictures of them changing the Kiswa, but she was surprised that I was doing so with a camera, while she was getting the same result with a phone. I do not have TV…but have been told that the cameras zoom in on individuals, brothers and sisters alike…I find if this is sanctioned then how can they make a fuss about cameras. The second floor where I took the light from was deserted when I was there…the massive wide expanses of the marble floor empty…it was amazing. There was one policeman sitting at the barrier looking down on the changing of the Kiswa, and one of the cleaners pushing a mop a little ahead…apart from that there was no one…that is partly why I took the opportunity. I love the lights along the ground floor of Sa’i but it was reasonably crowded so I did not like to take a photo then.
There is no restriction on getting into Makkah on the morning of Yaumul Arafat, many who are not performing Hajj take the opportunity to spend the day in Haram, and as we were not performing Hajj this year we decided to experience this day and watch the changing of the Kiswa. Insha’Allah you can do this one year too! Let me know if you need further explanations
JazakiLlahu khairan for linking to a previous post. Sister Suhaa, also residing in this Radiant City can be found here: http://suhaa.myminaret.com/
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — December 22, 2007 @ 8:57 pm
asalaam alaikum warahmat Allah wabarakatu dear sister, i love you for sabil’illah! i learn so much through your writings and may Allah generously bless you in this donia and akhira. thats a good point you made about pictures at the haram! on tv they always zoom in on brothers at the haram, and even sometimes women in groups. during hajj they have zoomed in on random people and always women were in somewhat focus, subhanAllah..good point. i recognize the 2nd floor celing you have a pic of above and i didnt know that many of what we see were donated on on caravans, mashaAllah a while ago.
and subhanAllah!!! i wish my husband and i knew of getting into Makkah on the morning of Arafat! mashaAllah, that is great news!are the restrictions up again, or not?
although for next year i pray that Allah will facilitate for me a hajj, this year i couldnt , even living here in madinah, because of the kids-couldnt leave them with anyone and at the same time too much to bring all of them along.
jazakAllah kheir for your kind email, ive been having problems with my email and people have been telling me theyve been sending me things and it being sent back to them..forgive me.
may Allah always facilitate what is best for you..
suhaa
Comment by suhaa — December 23, 2007 @ 12:23 am
Assalamualaikum dear sister,
As always your posts tug at the heart! May our hearts be forever ‘tugged’ towards Allah Ta’ala and His Habib Salallahualaihiwasalam.
Comment by ikramuddin — December 23, 2007 @ 8:10 am
Assalamu alaikum Dear Sister Suhaa, yes the restrictions no longer…as from Yaumul Arafat. I do not agree with the televising of the Ummah whilst in Salat at all, but then I am old-fashioned!!!
Insha’Allah you work on plans to perform your Hajj next year, may Allah Ta’ala open very wide doors for you all!! Ameen.
And as always your additions to this little cyberspace are Iman boosters Dear Brother Ikramuddin. May you and yours forever be favoured with the highest of abodes in Jannah, Ameen.
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — December 23, 2007 @ 8:06 pm
As-salaamu’alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu my dearest sister,
Ameen.
Subhan’Allah, what beautiful pictures. I pray some of the buildings will be untouched.. it’s sad to see such beautiful work destroyed.
Jazak’Allah for sharing.
Wa’alaykum as-salaam
Love Farhana
Comment by Farhana — December 26, 2007 @ 5:15 am