THE HAJJ SEASON 1428
The Hajj is over for this year but the season continues for another few weeks as pilgrims continue to arrive and depart from this City of Light and Delight. The crowds are not as dense as before Hajj, but the thrill of being able to visit our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam adds to the permanent air of joy and smiles. Winter has finally arrived, such a contrast for the Hujjaj from the heat of Hajj. The scene now is one of Hujjaj wrapped in thick shawls, or newly acquired jackets that are being snapped up from the street vendors and shops.
One local brother has set up a makeshift cafe, tempting passers by with hot drinks from the large urn sending puffs of steam into the crisp air.
I have often uploaded photos of this overpass with the minarets of Masjid Nabawi just visible in the background and the building being constructed behind the bridge. The last time this building was just peeking over the bridge, now several floors have rapidly appeared. Soon the time will be when the minarets will no longer be seen from here. The pathway leading all the way to Haram from here is lined with temporary stalls and the ‘trolley sisters’, all hoping that rizq is written for them from this Hajj Season.
The couryard between Jannatul Baqi on the right and Masjid Nabawi to the left becomes a bustling bazaar in the warmth of the after Asr sun. Sounds of so many languages bargaining fill the space with an excited resonance….
….. Jabal Uhud sends calming vibes from the north, its warm glow adding to the mellow tones…
….while love and light embrace and are embraced.
The view from a room of a sister I was visiting…also overlooking Jabal Uhud, but also soon this will be blocked by the addition of yet more hotels….the ring road is seen here, delineating the dense inner central district surrounding Haram.
zooming in…beyond the ring road the typical suburban landscape.
Looking down from the seventh floor at the loading of a truck with luggage…..some companies send the luggage separate from the bus…
….the foundations for the next building on the opposite side of the street to where I was…
….a detail of the excavation….
….a sister with her trolley of fabric and clothing….they spend hours every day selling and then walking miles to their home pushing heavy loads….
….the view to the other direction…a line of hotels leading to Jabal Sala’ in the background. Traffic is constantly heavy in this central area.
Insha’Allah I will be back into a more regular blogging routine soon….am still enjoying the company of many visiting Hujjaj….just quickly sharing the above for the moment. May Allah Ta’ala’s bounteous blessings be surrounding you all, 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.
Oh I’m missing the streets of Madinah and you sooooo much!!
Subhan’Allah it still looks so busy!
Muchos love and hugs
Your beti
x x x
Comment by Sidra — December 28, 2007 @ 9:32 pm
As-salaamu alaikum,
The minarets look like sentries all in a line - watchful!
I miss it too. Jazak Allah Khair for these glimpses.
wasalaam and love
farah
Comment by Farah — December 29, 2007 @ 12:09 am
Dearest khala nur,asslmkm ww. Hope ur well.will email AsAP.Thinkin of u daily..just didnt get down to contacting u earlier.requesting ur special dua4my family especially my sister sumayya,plz..lots of luv,tasnim
Comment by Tasnim — December 29, 2007 @ 12:13 am
as-salamu ‘alaykum Umm Bilal,
JazakAllahu khayran for everything, subhanAllah! Your kindness and generosity was very touching for my family and me, I wish we could have given you a gift. Thanks for the Hajj book that you made for my daughter and the maps you made for me and the lovely cakes! Please keep us in your duahs and every time you visit the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) please relay my salams to him.
wa’as-salam
Mas’ud
Comment by Mas'ud Ahmed Khan — December 31, 2007 @ 1:12 am
while love and light embrace and are embraced……oh yes beautiful caption for alovely picture…….while love and light embrace and are embraced ..while love and light embrace
and are embraced
Comment by saimah — December 31, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
Assalamu Alaikum,
I guess the lady
pushing the trolley
must be very hot and
sweaty!
WASSALAM
Comment by asiyah — December 31, 2007 @ 2:34 pm
Assalamu alaikum Dear Hajjah Bheti! I am sure Madinah misses all the beloved of the Beloved SallAllahu alaihi wasallam too….I have this idea that Madinah is exceptionally sweet and radiant due to the presence and blessedness of our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, but also because I feel that so many leave the sweetest, purest inner nectar of their heart here…adding to the intoxicating mix that is the permanent nature of this City of Light, and this explains why all who have ever been here miss being here as they have left without a part of them self, and are forever connecting back to that…Ukhti Farah, may you return soon, along with all who yearn, Ameen.
I was reading this today, http://blog.sunnipath.com/ Habib Umar bin Hafiz, may Allah Ta’ala increase him in all that is good in both worlds, says in such a beautiful way how the Hujjaj performing Hajj this year connect with those who were not present and goes on to say how all is connected…Insha’Allah take a few minutes to read this.
Alhumdulillah to see you dear Tasnim, Insha’Allah I will email soon…just a tad busy these days.
Dear Sidi Mas’ud, you are all on the list for Salam and Du’a. The greatest gift is to meet with such seekers, and to feel the love they have for everything about our Deen and our being so close to our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, Masha’Allah. May this essence of love be all that binds the Ummah and our salvation, Ameen
Dear Sister Saimah, Insha’Allah your Hajji is back sharing his experiences and through his efforts and your sacrifice this Hajj is embracing you and written in your books, Ameen
Dear Asiyah, maybe the sister was hot and sweaty….but we are being blessed with a “little cold SNAP”, where the air is crisp and fresh for most of the day, so maybe she is happy for this respite from the months of intense heat…I certainly am, Alhumdulillah. I think these sisters may get very tired as apart from walking long distances they sit by and then wheel the trolleys for very long hours. Sometimes I see the trolleys all securely wrapped with canvas and/or bits of carpet, and then tied with ropes and then chained to a post. So maybe some leave them close to Haram rather than exerting themselves by wheeling them long distances, Alhumdulillah most of the time such goods are respected and are not tampered with. Some street vendors have regular places on the footpath, leaving their things all covered and then place rocks or lengths of wood over the top, and even though we know there is some element of crime here, it seems these stalls are not tampered with. May Allah Ta’ala keep it that way, and restore respect and honesty in all dealings here and across the world, Ameen.
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — December 31, 2007 @ 10:45 pm
Salaam Dearest Sister
The last photo looks a street scene in New York City, bustle and tall buildings.
Your words and photos are as poignant and beautiful as ever
Happy New Year to you and your family
May Allah bless you with health, happiness, joy, and ever increasing love and wisdom. Ameen.
Ya Haqq!
Comment by Irvingi — January 1, 2008 @ 1:53 am