ALMISKEENAH

 

Updates on constuction around Masjid Nabawi from this afternoons wanderings…. 

 

Salatul Asr with the single Saff extending from Bab Salam with the single outdoor umbrella…  

 

..many of the pillars are stripped bare like this one as part of the preparation for the installation of the outdoor umbrellas…. 

…these two photos (grabbed from online long ago…apologies for not knowing who to thank for these)  are of some of the six existing umbrellas in the two open courtyards inside Masjid Nabawi…looking almost balletic in their unfurling….all the work in the outside courtyard is in preparation for almost two hundred umbrellas to be installed…

…they operate on a hydraulic system, explaining why the entire marble area has to be lifted to lay  pipes and cables necessary for this….

 

….one of the completed areas…now deserted after the crowds of Hajj, SubhanAllah….and the sky so blue after days of cloud…and the sun so warm before the chilly evening…changes; the exquisite constant rhythm of change… 

…Masjid to the left, Jannatul Baqi to the right and Jabal Uhud peeking from the distance… 

….just days ago this was hustle and bustle with hawkers…. 

…the eastern carpark and courtyard extension…each week sees the ground level being extended… 

….Jannatul Baqi fence in the distance…. 

….looking towards the northern side of the Masjid….ripped up after the last of the Hujjaj left… 

 

…same side just before Esha…

 JUMA’AH MUBARAK!

Durood ibn Kasir Rahmatullah alaihi.

When the time of death arrived for Khalid ibn Kasir Rahmatullah alaihi people around him found a scroll made of paper with something emblazoned upon it. This was: “O Khalid ibn Kasir! You are liberated from the fire of hell.” When the people saw this piece of paper, they were greatly amazed and everyone immediately gathered at his house. They learnt about his excellence from his family members. Everyone became baffled and exclaimed: “What is this?” Thereupon his family members related that: “Khalid ibn Kasir Rahmatullah alaihi recited this Durood Sharif every eve of Juma’ah with the utmost reverence and sincerity. By virtue of this Allah Ta’ala informed him of his forgiveness and liberation from the fire of hell.” Therefore whosoever even now wishes to die as a faithful believer and also attain salvation, he should recite this Durood Sharif ten thousand times on the eve of Juma’ah. Then if Allah Ta’ala Wills, at the time of his death, he will die with Iman. Such Grace and Bounty will be bestowed upon him, that everyone will become baffled.

 

JUMA’AH MUBARAK!

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. 

 

 

 

Home Schooling and… 

According to our Islamic tradition the lap of the mother is the first Madrassah. A beautiful Hadith expounding a simple but profound image of the foundation of the child’s education.  A child snuggled on the mother’s knee immersed in the blessed mercy Allah Ta’ala has bestowed upon the mother. Initially listening, feeling, smelling, seeing, touching the world around them from this unique lap of learning and interacting.

Home schooling, home education seems the logical extension of this nurturing and intimate basis for Tarbiyah, especially in these times of trial and turmoil for those who feel so inclined. I am a staunch advocate for this method of education for the future flag bearers of this glorious Deen, and deeply admire the many families I know who make the effort in accommodating the needs of their children in the home environment.

"Whatever an education is, it should make you a unique individual, not a conformist; it should furnish you with an original spirit with which to tackle the big challenges; it should allow you to find values which will be your road map through life; it should make you spiritually rich, a person who loves whatever you are doing, wherever you are, whomever you are with; it should teach you what is important, how to live and how to die."  John Taylor Gatto, a prominent figure in the home schooling arena, who along with Sheikh Hamza Yusuf is one of the advisory board members of Kinza Academy, an excellent site to explore if you are interested in home education.

It seems more and more Muslim families are embracing this way as an alternative to the mainstream systems. So much is now available online offering all the various supportive areas to make home schooling a successful choice, and so many blogging on their activities, positive outcomes and posting a variety of links. (A few sites that will lead you on an inspiring journey of discovery 1, 2, 3, 4, and two audios on Classical Education for Muslim Children by Mustafa Styer 5, 6 )

Apart from the religious and academic side of the curricula, the creative, fun times need a time and place too, offering a happy balance and an expressive outlet for the mind. Using recycled bits and pieces teaches a respect for materials and the environment whilst at the same time provides an array of stimulating activities, and an alternative to mass produced toys, giving young ones the opportunity to engage in artistic and engineering concepts. I was recently asked for some advice with the two following rather ‘eccentric’ outcomes, combining recycling of common objects and card with a dash of jollity with words. And even if you are not home schooling time spent with your little, and not so little ones crafting and designing makes for a happy and loving family.

ZANY ZOO 

Whacky woo

welcome to my zany zoo

are you a zebra or a gnu?

please tell me who

a-r-e  y-o-u?

 

I am far from true

but don’t be blue

I am merely paper pegs n glue

without a shoe

but who plays on cue

all fun games anew.

 

And this is bug

who is always snug

as he lives on a rug

he likes to tug

the bathroom plug

to remove the glug

he drinks from a jug

not a mug

and gives the best squeezy hug.

 

And here is bubbly guinea pig

she wears a fancy spiky wig

as she dances a jazzy jig

on a huge plump purple fig

hanging from a twig

which is not very big.

but she is happy to dig

while singing ig ig ig…. ig ig ig.

 

Here is dippy dinosaur

he does not have a claw

or a paw

but can open a door

with his mighty roar

he knows funny tricks galore

while flying high to soar

giggling and shouting more more more

 

These zany riddles we adore

please add more for an encore

you as sure to guffaw

and it is not against the law

as we are not humour poor.

 

So go and make a zany zoo

take some time to be wacky woo

thanking AllaHU

for all He has blessed you to do.

*

 

MR DINGLE DANGLE JANGLE 

 

 
Bounce me up and down

I will never frown

Throw me on the floor

I will beg for more and more

Float me in the bath

For a jolly good laarrrfff

Dangle me in the air

Or sit me on a chair

Hang me from a tree

Or use me as a tasbee

Learn all my bright colours

Then teach them to others

Give me a tap and I will spin

Sure to make you giggle and grin

Madly shake me all about

You may even hear me shout

Wriggle me from side to side

So all aboard for a ride.

As we giggle and go he he he

Don’t forget to say ALHUMDULILLAHI

ALHUMDULILLAHI ALHUMDULILLAHI.

*

More from Mr Gatto for contemplation: 

"Don’t cooperate with your children’s school unless the school has come to you in person to work out a meeting of the minds - on your turf not theirs. Only a desperado would blindly trust his children to a collection of untested strangers and hope for the best. Parents and school personnel are just plain adversaries. One group is trying to make a living; the other is trying to make a work of art called a family. If you allow yourself to be co-opted by flattery, seduced  with worthless payoffs such as special  classes or programs, intimidated by Alice in Wonderland titles and degrees, you will become the enemy within, the extension of state schooling into your own home. Shame on you if you allow that. Your job is to educate, the schoolteacher’s is to school; you work for love, the teacher for money. The interests are radically different, one an individual thing, the other a collective. You can make your own son or daughter one of a kind if you have the time and will to do so; school can only make them part of a hive, a herd or an anthill."

 

 

 

Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. But the good righteous deeds that last, are better with your Lord for rewards and better in respect of hope.    (18:46)

HabibuLlah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said to the effect in the following two Hadith: 

When the belly of Makkah will be cleft open and through it will be dug out river-like passages and the buildings of the Holy City of Makkah will rise higher than its mountains. When you observe these signs, then understand that the time of Fitna is near at hand.

A time will come when the best property of a man will be his goats with which he can go up to the mountains peaks, leaving the hustle and bustle of town life. For his sustenance he should depend on his goats. He will be much safer in the mountains than in the towns where visible and invisible trials are ready to descend upon him.

* 

Imagine the area your footprints occupy while standing to be worth SR250,000? Or increase that to an area you could reach by slightly stretching your arms and splaying your legs…about one square meter to be worth one million riyals? (‘approximate’ exchange rates: US$250.000, AD$350,000, pounds sterling 140,000) This is the projected value for land (Property Prices to Soar Due to Grand Mosque Expansion) adjacent to Masjid Haram Makkah after a few weeks when the next large area for development will see hundreds of the older buildings demolished. 

I wonder whose footprints graced this very land in times gone by? Did our Noble Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam tread pathways there as he visited Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum, did he wander these mountains so close to his home with our Lady Khadijah RadhiAllahu anha, or maybe his esteemed daughters RadhiAllahu anhunna played and frolicked in the desert sand in this place so near to where they were born and spent the early days of their lives.

Maybe it was land owned by Abu Bakr as-Siddiq RadhiAllah anhu who being one of the most wealthy of the Quraish left his entire property and possessions when he fled with our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alahi wasallam. A sacrifice so many of the illustrious companions made for their Akhirah. We could allow the mind to wander, just as the certainty is that this land was traversed by previous Prophets alaihumus-Salam, the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhuma and thousands of our pious predecessors in their search and sacrifice for Truth.

Maybe some of the following accounts from the Awliyah took place on this sacred land about to be redeveloped?

* 

Once Sheikh Abu Ya`qub Basri Rahmatullah alaihi remained in I`tikaaf for ten days in the Haram Shareef. He did not get a morsel of food in all this time. Finally hunger and weakness overcame him. He set out with the intention of obtaining some food. When he came to a desolate place in the desert he saw a decaying turnip laying on the ground. As he picked it up, a fear settled in his heart. It was as if someone was rebuking and taunting him:

“After starving for ten days, your reward is a rotten turnip”

Sheikh Ya`qub threw away the turnip and went to Musjidul Haraam. After some time a man appeared. Placing a bag in front of Shaikh Ya`qub, the man said:

“This bag containing 500 Ashrafis (gold coins) is for you.”

Sheikh Ya`qub: “Why is it specially for me?”

The Man: “I was on a voyage for ten days. The boat was about to sink. Everyone in the boat made a pledge to Allah Ta`ala, vowing to give some Sadaqah if he was saved. I vowed to give 500 Ashrafis to the first person by the Ka`bah on whom my eyes fell.”

Sheikh Ya`qub: “Open the bag.”

When the bag was opened, instead of Ashrafis, it contained some delicious varieties of foods. (The coins were miraculously transformed into food). Sheikh Ya`qub ate from the food and instructed the man to distribute the remainder among his children. Sheikh Ya`qub Rahmatullah alaihi said to himself:

“O nafs! Your rizq was coming towards you since the last ten days while you went in search of it to the wilderness.”

*

Hadhrat Sheikh Abu Bakr Kitaani Rahmatullah alaihi narrates:

“I was once in Makkah Muazzamah in the company of a group of Sufiyaa Kiraam who were discussing the question of Allah’s Love. The youngest of the group was Hadhrat Junaid Baghdaadi Rahmatullah alaihi. The Sufi’s urged him to speak on this question.

Hadhrat Junaid Rahmatullah alaihi lowered his head and shed tears profusely. Then he said: “A lover is such a servant whose ego has been eliminated. He is absorbed in the thikr of Allah. He fulfills the rights of Allah. He looks with his heart towards Allah. The rays of Divine Fear have consumed his heart. The cup of Wine of Divine Love is for him. From behind the unseen veils Allah has become manifest to him. When he speaks, he speaks with Allah. When he moves, he does so with Allah’s command. When he rests, he rests with Allah. He is constantly with Allah he exists with Allah and he is in Allah’s companionship.”

All the Mashaa-ikh shed tears in abundance and said: Can anyone say anything more superb? O Taajul Aarifin (crown of the Awliyah)! May Allah increase your intelligence and wisdom.”

*

An Aabid who lived near to the Haram Shareef fasted every day. Every evening a man delivered two bread to him. The Aabid dissociated himself from every one and was engrossed only with Allah Ta`ala.

One day it occurred to him that he was relying on the man for his rizq, not on Allah Ta`ala. He said to himself: “You have forgotten the One who is the Sustainer of the entire creation.” When the man came with the bread, the Aabid refused to accept it. Three days went by but the Aabid had nothing to eat. He supplicated to Allah Ta`ala. That night he dreamt that he was in Allah’s Presence. Allah Ta`ala said to him: “O My Servant! Why did you reject whatever I had sent to you with one of My servants?”

The Aabid: “O Allah! I derive no solace from anyone besides You.”

Allah Ta`ala: “Who used to send the bread to you?”

The Aabid: “O Allah! Only You had sent it.”

Allah Ta`ala: “From whom were you taking it?”

Aabid: “From You, O Allah!”

Allah Ta`ala: “Henceforth accept it and do not reject it.”

Suddenly the Aabid saw the man who used to deliver the bread. He too was standing in Allah’s Presence. Addressing the man, Allah Ta`ala said: “Why did you terminate the rizq of this servant?”

The man: “O Allah! You are fully aware.”

Allah Ta`ala: “O My Servant! To whom were you giving?”

The man: “To You, O Allah!”

Allah Ta`ala: “Continue your practice and be firm. The thawaab for your practice (of delivering the bread to the Aabid) is Jannat.”

[When charity is given, it is given in reality to Allah Ta`ala, and when accepted, it is taken from Allah Ta`ala.]

*

Once Sheikh Shibli Rahmatullah alaihi debated with himself: “Am I a miser or not.” He could not resolve his inner dispute. He pledged that whatever wealth he receives he would give it to the first faqeer he met. Even before completing his vow, a man appeared and presented 30 dinars to him. Taking the dirhams, Hadhrat Shibli set out in search of a faqeer. At the barbers shop he saw a blind faqeer whose hair the barber was cutting.

When Hadhrat Shibli offered the dinars to the blind faqeer, he said: “Give it to the barber.” Hadhrat Shibli said: “These are dinars (i.e. gold coins).” The faqeer, raising his head, said: “Did we not say to you that you are a miser?”

Hadhrat Shibli then presented the dinars to the barber, but he said: “When this faqeer came to me, I pledged to Allah that I will not accept any fee.” Feeling highly ashamed, Hadhrat Shibli flung the dinars into the river and commented:

“O wealth of the world! May Allah disgrace you like this. Whoever loves you, will be disgraced by Allah.”

*

Hadhrat Ibraheem Bin Ad`ham Rahmatullah alaihi said to a man who was making tawaaf:

“You will never attain the elevated ranks of the pious as long as you have not traversed six difficult valleys. First Valley - The closing of the door of bounties and the opening of the door of hardship. Second Valley - Closing of the door of honour and opening of the door of disgrace. Third Valley - Closing of the door of comfort and opening of the door of toil. Fourth Valley - Closing of the door of sleep and opening of the door of wakefulness during the night. Fifth Valley - Closing of the door of wealth and opening of the doorof poverty. Sixth Valley - Closing of the door of wishes and opening of the door of preparations for Maut.”

*

How much closer are we to the End of Times as predicted signs manifest before our very eyes? Are we prepared? What more can we do with our time to earn a place in Jannah? How much responsibility are we shouldering by instilling the love of the Deen in the younger generation? Are we steadfast with a daily practice that assists our focus on our Akhirah rather than this temporal Dunya?

Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. But the good righteous deeds that last, are better with your Lord for rewards and better in respect of hope. 

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. 

 

 

 

Since then till now

 

 

an amoebic behemoth

has surreptitiously crept

like a sneaky slinking slithery spill

 

and seeping across the globe.

 

some say oh you exaggerate…you old fuddy duddy

intolerant of progress, technology, development, embellishment

 

acrobating in the mind

tormenting the senses

assailing the heart

denuding the resplendent particles painted with hues of taqwa iman ihsan

and a passion for how things were prior to this creature being on the rampage.

 

this wild drunken euphoria of acceptance and bewilderment

deluded by mirrors juggled

until the sane are transmogrified  to a torpor of topsy turvy confusion;

a prediction of the Prince of Peace.

 

 

tentacles gripping then devouring sacred ground

masticating blessed dust along with pious values

fearless and bold

 

seventy thousand Angels dip Wings of Light

echoing a rhythmic flutter of an antique psalm

sung to arrest the satellite dish of the heart

but the gyrating of the giant voracious machinations

muffles the syrupy sweetness

for all captivated by the jangle of ostentation.

and when the earth trembles

and bellows in agony

dispelling the dross

what then of this monsters efforts?

 

whitherto man’s gluttonous lust

of glittering windows and elaborate trimmings

 

there is no bubble to pop

for those waging war against this predator

as they dwell behind humble mud and cardboard

with sparks exploding from lustrous hearts

polished with the sublime simplicity of

Dalil al-Khayrat

The Guide to all Good Things

SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. 

* 

Yaa Nabi Salaam ‘alaika
Yaa Rasul Salaam ‘alaika
Yaa Habib Salaam ‘alaika
Salawaatu’llah ‘alaika

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. 

 

 

 

 

 

From  Hayat Al-Hayawan The Life of Animals by al-Kamal ad-Damiri

In the chapter headed by the Arabic letter Shin, he states:

“Our Shaikh, the enlightened Imam Abu ‘Abdillah ibn As’ad al-Yafi (may Allah Ta’ala be pleased with him), has informed me: ‘It has reached me, on the authority of our master, the enlightened Imam Abu ‘Abdillah al-Qurashi, on the authority of his Shaikh, Abu ‘r-Rabi alMaliqi, that the latter once said:

“’”Shall I teach you something precious, from which you can always derive benefit, and which will never be exhausted?” [Shaikh Abu ‘Abdillah said]: “Yes of course!” said I, so he told me to say:

O Allah! O Unique One! O Originator!

ya Allahu ya Wahidu ya Mujidu

O Generous One! O Expander! O Noble One!

ya Jawadu ya Basitu ya Karimu

O Ever-Giving One! O Lord of Might!

ya wahhabu ya Dha’t-Tawli

O Self-Sufficing One! O Enricher! O Opener!

ya Ghaniyyu ya Mughni ya Fattahu

O Provider! O All-Knowing One!

ya Razzaqu ya ‘Alimu

O Ever-Living One! O Eternally Self-Sustaining One!

ya Hayyu ya Qayyunu

O All-Merciful One! O All-Compassionate One!

Ya Rahmanu ya Rahimu

O Creator of the heavens and the earth!

ya Badi’a ‘s-samawati wa ‘l-ardi

O Lord of Majesty and Honour!

ya Dha’l-Jalali wa ‘l-Ikramu

O Tender One! O Beneficent One!

ya Hannanu ya Mannan:

Blow upon me, from You, a breath of goodness,

Infah-ni min-ka bi-nafhati khairin

With which You will make me independent

tughni-ni bi-ha

Of everyone apart from You.

‘amman siwa-ka

If you sought a victory, now has the victory come to you.  (8:19)

in tastaftihu fa-qad ja’a-kumu ‘l-fath.

We have surely given you a clear victory. (48:1)

inna fatahna la ka fathan mubina

Help from Allah and a victory near at hand. (61:13)

nasrun mina ‘llahi wa fathun qarib

O Allah! O Self-Sufficing One! O Praiseworthy One!

Allahumma ya Ghaniyyu ya Hamidu

O Initiator! O Restorer! O Ever-Loving One!

ya mubdi’u ya mu’idu ya Wadudu

O Lord of the Glorious Throne!

ya Dha’l-‘Arshi ‘l-Majid:

O Doer of whatever He wishes!

ya fa’ilan li-ma yurid

Suffice me with Your lawful sustenance,

ikfi-ni bi-halali-ka

To the exclusion of what is unlawful in Your sight.

‘an harami-ka

And make me independent, by Your grace,

wa aghni-ni bi-fadhli-ka

From everyone apart from You.

‘amman siwa-ka

And protect me with that

wa ‘hfaz-ni bi-ma

With which You protected the Reminder.

hafizta bi-hi ’dh-Dhikra

And help me with that

wa ‘nsur-ni bi-ma

With which You helped the Messengers.

nasarta bi-hi ‘r-Rasul.

You are indeed Capable of all things. (22:8)

inna-ka ‘ala kulli shai’in Qadir.

“’”He said: ‘If someone makes a regular practice of reciting this, after every ritual prayer, especially the Friday congregational prayer [Jum’a], Allah will keep him safe from every cause of fear. He will help against his enemies, enrich him, and provide him with sustenance from sources he could never have imagined. Allah will make his life easy for him, and He will settle his debt for him. Even if he owes a debt as big as the mountains, Allah will discharge it for him, through His gracious favour and His noble generosity.”’”

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. 

 

 

PONDER…PONDER….PONDER….

I recently received the following ‘ponderables’, JazakumuLlahu khairan katheeran. In turn I invite you to also ponder aspects of this enormous topic, understanding that pondering for the sake of Allah Ta’ala is itself a form of worship….and realizing that scholars throughout the centuries have dealt with, and still are expounding volumes on such topics related to the purification of the heart.

      …"can love and disobedience exist in the same heart? Is this then not true love? Or is it not love at all? Maybe love by its definition is something which constitutes an inability to disobey…? I’d like your thoughts…

Also, I ponder on that heavenly statement…

If you really love Allah, then follow me, and Allah shall love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.  (3:31)"

* 

My humble responses, acknowledging the grand scope of this topic alongside my limited knowledge. This is merely a ponder….

The heart, as a receptacle is capable of containing many states. And as we are encouraged through numerous Ayat and Ahadith to be in a continual process of cleansing this receptacle, then it follows that it surely is holding a concoction of all that is humanly possible; the good, the bad and the ugly, the pure, the impure, and the innumerable diseases that accumulate, blackening the heart, hence the Iman, leading to the obstruction of the Nur of Allah Ta’ala.

Verily, he who fears Allah with obedience to Him, and is patient, then surely, Allah makes not the reward of the Muhsinoon to be lost.   (12:90)

Nay, to Him belong all that is in the heavens and on earth, and all surrender with obedience to Him.  (2:116)

Alhumdulillah the conditions of the heart’s fluctuations are commensurate with the efforts we make on it. Maybe the sign of love co-existing with a temporary disobedience is firstly the recognition of a disobedience followed by the conscious effort to eradicate it? Maybe this could be called true love as one sets out to wage an inner jihad on that which is recognized as not being of any benefit, which requires a true love as the motivating energy? Maybe it is a sign of love by being mindful that disobedience is not the path that leads to eternal bliss and a close proximity to Allah Ta’ala and His Habib SallAllahu laihi wasallam in the Garden?

Verily, those who believe  and do righteous good deeds, and humble themselves (in repentance and obedience) before their Lord, - they will be dwellers of Paradise to dwell therein forever.    (11:23)

There are visible acts of disobedience; lies, backbiting, bribery, usury, drinking, robbery along with inner acts, including pride, jealousy and malice and we have been commanded to cultivate the best of attributes and work to nurture the best moral character. Maybe if there was no love for Allah Ta’ala’s Commands then there would be no striving or struggling to avoid disobedience?

And Allah guides not the people who are Al-Fasiqoon (the rebellious and disobedient).     (5:108)

Your Lord knows best what is in your inner-selves. If you are righteous, then, verily, He is Ever Most Forgiving to those who turn unto Him again and again in obedience, and in repentance.    (17:25)

And turn in repentance and in obedience with true Faith to your Lord and submit to Him, before the torment comes upon you, then you will not be helped.    (39:54)

Abdullah b. Amr b. al-’As RadhiAllahu anhu reported that he heard Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam  as saying: Verily, the hearts of all the sons of Adam are between the two fingers out of the fingers of the Compassionate Lord as one heart. He turns that to any direction He likes. Then Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: 0 Allah, the Turner of the hearts, turn our hearts to Your obedience. 

Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas RadhiAllahu anhu: The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam used to supplicate Allah: "My Lord, help me and do not give help against me; grant me victory, and do not grant victory over me; plan on my behalf and do not plan against me; guide me, and made my right guidance easy for me; grant me victory over those who act wrongfully towards me; O Allah, make me grateful to Thee, mindful of Thee, full of fear towards Thee, devoted to Thy obedience, humble before Thee, or penitent. My Lord, accept my repentance, wash away my sin, answer my supplication, clearly establish my evidence, guide my heart, make true my tongue and draw out malice in my breast." 

Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu narrated that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: Allah Almighty said: The striving of my servant to please Me does not receive a reward greater than that of fulfilling what I have commanded him to do. My servant volunteers in his perseverance, offering supererogatory devotion to please Me and to earn My love. Once I cast My love upon him, I become his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees, his hand with which he extends justice, and his foot that carries him. Should My servant then pray for something, I will answer his prayers, and should he seek refuge in Me, I will protect him. Indeed, there is nothing I have decreed, and which I hesitate to do for the sake of a believer except causing him to experience death. He dislikes it, and I hate to displease him, but I have thus ordained.

Abi Imama RadhiAllahu anhu reported that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: Among my followers, I love most a believer who controls his emotions, who gives prayers and fasts a good share in his life, who is known to worship his Lord, and who obeys Him in secret. No one recognizes him, and he arouses no curiosities. He subsists on meager sustenance, and exercises patience. His Lord awaits to bring him to stand before Him, few will know of his death, and fewer are his heirs.   

*

That which is absolutely lawful is that which involves no sinful disobedience of Allah, and in which Allah (Exalted is He) is not forgotten.  Shaikh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani

*

Contentment means the expulsion of disagreeable feelings from the heart, so that nothing remains except happiness and joy.  Dhul n-Nun al-Misri

*

Fellowship with Allah (Exalted is He) is maintained through good conduct, constant respect, and persistent obedience. Fellowship with Allah Ta’ala’s Messenger SallAllahu laihi wasallam is maintained by following his Sunnah and embracing religious knowledge.  Shaikh Abu Bakr ibn Huwara al-Bataihi

*

If someone loves the Lord of Truth, and wishes to find Him, he must cause that wish to dwell within his heart.  

The seeker is a lover, engaged in a quest, while the one who is sought is a loved one, the object of the quest. When the seeker is sought, he is captured, wrested away, and drawn aside. Love’s ardour overwhelms and conquers him, for he has found what he was seeking. He has travelled the road and covered the distance. He has abandoned his personal identity, and forsaken it completely. He has erased all shades of colour from his sight, so he no longer sees them.  Shaikh ‘Ali ibn Wahb ar-Rabi’i

*

Seeking nearness to the Sovereign Master; By obeying him and forsaking disobedience.

Performing these acts of obedience – especially the obligatory ones and leaving the sinful ones – draws one closer to Allah and leads to Him. In a sacred tradition (hadith qudsi) it states: “My servant does not draw closer to Me with anything more beloved to Me, than the obligatory duties that I have enjoined upon him. Me servant continues to draw closer to Me by performing optional deeds, until I love him. From The Exquisite Pearl

*

The Prophet (s) said: al-mujahidu man jahada nafsahu fi ta`at Allah `azza wa jall [The fighter against unbelief is he who fights against his ego in obeying God; Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Ibn Hibban, Tabarani, Hakim, etc.]… Sufyan al-Thawri said: "I never dealt with anything stronger against me than my own ego; it was one time with me, and one time against me"… Yahya ibn Mu`adh al-Razi said: "Fight against your ego with the four swords of training: eat little, sleep little, speak little, and be patient when people harm you… Then the ego will walk the paths of obedience, like a fleeing horseman in the field of battle."   GHAZALI ON JIHAD AL-NAFS [FIGHTING THE EGO]

*

…Love of Allah

And the abandonment of every distraction,

(That distracts) the heart and body

From the obedience of the Most Merciful.  From Preserving the Heart

 *

The best you can seek from Him

is what He seeks from you.

A sign of being deluded is:

sorrow over loss of obedience while failing to get on with it.

Ibn ‘Ata’ Illah

*

The world is but a moment

so make it a moment of obedience

Imam al-Shafi’i

*

Disobedience is leaving a Command of Allah Ta’ala, or not doing what has been Commanded by Allah Ta’ala. In the eyes of Alah Ta’ala this is far greater than committing a forbidden act, manha.

Iblis disobeyed a Command by not performing sujud to Adam Alaihis Salam. As a result of this disobedience Allah Ta’ala cursed him till the Day of Judgement, and would not accept his repentance.

On the other hand Adam Alaihis Salam was forbidden to eat of the fruit of one tree in Jannah, however he did so, but when he repented it was accepted by Allah Ta’ala. Fulfilling the Command of Allah Ta’ala is a worship and part of our servitude to Him. Allah Ta’ala’s Commands are meant for themselves, whereas all forbidden acts are meant to protect the Commands. Fulfilling, or obeying a Command reaps a reward multiplied by ten, while performing the forbidden attracts one  sin, sayeah.

And as for the heavenly statement:

If you really love Allah, then follow me, and Allah shall love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.  (3:31)   the Divine Speech elaborates with:

And obey Allah and the Messenger so that you may be blessed. (3:132)

Saying that to be deserving of Divine Mercy, the obedience to Allah Ta’ala has been declared necessary and binding, along with the obedience to our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. This is oft repeated throughout our Holy Book, the obedience to Allah Ta’ala immediately followed by the command to obey the Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, the basic qualities of Islam and Iman.

And whoever obeys the Messenger, he surely obeys Allah. (4:80)

*

May we all be watchful of Allah the Ever-Watchful. We ask Allah Ta’ala to bestow upon our nafs purity and taqwa, He alone is the Most Excellent in turning our hearts to His obedience and opening our hearts to the love of His Habib SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and all he left us. May we all strive to be counted among the obedient. 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. 

 

 

 

 

It rained today! Alhumdulillah, it rained! Just before Asr mercy began to fall, Alhumdulillah! 

This is how they deal with rain…this sweeper and his broom take on an almost impossible task.

 

The grey softness calms the heart, the reflections invite one inward.  

 

May we reflect on all that this Dome of Felicity symbolizes for us, and may our hearts mirror the Sunnah of the resident of this Abode SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, Ameen. 

The Mirror

Your eye has not strength enough
to gaze at the burning sun,
but you can see its burning light
by watching its reflection
mirrored in the water.

So the reflection of Absolute Being
can be viewed in the mirror of Not-Being,
for nonexistence, being opposite Reality,
instantly catches its reflection.

Know the world from end to end is a mirror;
in each atom a hundred suns are concealed.
If you pierce the heart of a single drop of water,
from it will flow a hundred clear oceans;
if you look intently at each speck of dust,
in it you will see a thousand beings.
A gnat in its limbs is like an elephant;
in name a drop of water resembles the Nile.
In the heart of a barleycorn is stored a hundred harvests.
Within a millet-seed a world exists.
In an insects wing is an ocean of life.
A heaven is concealed in the pupil of an eye.
The core at the center of the heart is small,
yet the Lord of both worlds will enter there.

 Mahmud Shabistari

 

Rain on the Prophet’s Tomb. 

"O God, bless our master Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and the family of our master Muhammad in every drop of rain falling from Your heavens to Your earth and in all the rain that will fall until the Day of Resurrection!"

"O God, bless our master Muhammad and the family of our master Muhammad in every bead of dew, in every drop of rain and in every plant from the day You created the world to the Day of Resurrection!"

-Dalail al Khayrat, Andrey Hassan Rosowsky translation.

(and bless Ukhti Farah for reminding me of this ennobled reference) 

 

Many of the cleaning staff wore yellow bin liners as protection against the rain. Groups of them appeared as canaries fluttering by in the silvery light. 

 

The Hujjaj numbers dwindle as each hour passes, while the red and white tape is still prolific!

 

The white marble was opalescent as the faithful were drawn to prayer.

 

All the workers were out in force to clear the slippery surface, the green, the fawn, the blue and the orange uniforms usually assigned to specific tasks were all involved in moving the blessed and welcomed Rahmah. 

 

 

The group of sisters in black were associated with one of the Janazahs.

 

 

Three more were carried to their next home, may Allah Ta’ala grant all in Jannatul Baqi a fragrant garden, Ameen. I thought how beautiful it would be to be lowered into the Mubarak Madanian dust on a rainy day. 

 

A splash of colour as sisters from Mumbai pay their respects at the viewing platform outside Jannatul Baqi.   

 

One of the many local sisters selling seed for the pigeons, wheat in the foreground and a seed mix in the other bags. There were several sisters sitting on the damp pavement winding beside the newly surfaced area which has become a car park for the buses that transport the various labourers and workers to and from their compounds and their places of employment.

 

Looking like an artists canvas…the grains and seeds thrown for the pigeons…who had all disappeared.

 

This old chevvie is regularly parked in a small open lot near our home. I thought it was abandoned, but often see it driven about. Meanwhile whenever I walk past numerous of our feline neighbours jump out from the non-existant back window, which is draped with a prayer mat…a warm protected hotel of sorts!

 O Allah! Make this a pleasant rain.

O Allah! beautify our land and give us peace.

O Allah! send upon us helpful, wholesome and healthy rain, beneficial not harmful rain, now, not later.

O Allah, relieve us, O Allah, relieve us, O Allah, relieve us.

O Allah! provide water for Your servants and Your cattle, spread out Your mercy and resurrect Your dead land.

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. 

 

 

 a ramble….

leading to…

submission….

A boney wrinkled hand extended in front of me before I had the chance to sit inside Masjid Nabawi. I was being offered two dry biscuits, the crumbs from them and others already consumed specked the plush red carpet. The empty wrapper was tucked inside an ancient pair of shoes forlornly peeking from under a dark patterned chador also showing signs of antiquity, apart from the bright yellow beads adorning the border. One two three, then two above…one two three, two above, a rhythmic witness to busy fingers some time back in the annals of history.

As eyes met two hearts sung the only words we both knew: La ilaha illa Allah. The refrain uniting all the nations present, echoing high beyond the domes, far above the minarets, carried by Angelic Hosts to unseen realms we all aspire to. One could almost hear the Heavenly doors open to allow this pledge to reach the ‘Arsh. SubhanAllah.

A smile so warm caressed my soul, from a face etched with a thousand unsung stories of a life in a harsh and unforgiving land. Wars still lingered in each wrinkle, along with a myriad of life’s gifts of hardships. The struggles we all try to run far away from had bought this old sister to the Sanctuary of Peace. An inner light shone; illuminating beams of peace. Mubarak dust captured in a dance of rainbows sprinkled all.

*

Her body was permanently bent in Ruku as she searched for a small place in the crowded courtyard just before Salat. Placing her shoes in a plastic bag, she then spread her mat, squashed between a wheel chair and the wall of a rotunda and immediately began countless optional prayers, oblivious to the commotion unraveling around her. Masjid ‘security’ men and women seemed frenzied with a repetitive collection of various words in a few languages attempting to move sisters away from the walkway. A game of stubborn refusal to move and moving the red and white tape line to make space inside the approved area ensued, with the yelling and the pushing reaching strident levels. One ‘security’ brother huffed, his breath filling the crisp air with heated mumbles grabbed a huge roll of the infamous red and white tape and strung it from one pillar to another. The sister engrossed in her prayer was suddenly on the outer…but absorbed in far great events and continued with her worship. This angered the brother even more, who pulled her prayer mat, yelling for her to move, which she finally did when she was finished, but not before she loving and calmly bent even more to kiss all around her.

*

Love. Submission. Acceptance. Gratitude.

Lessons abound all around us.

*

“You should know that the repeated mention of submission (al-islam) is to emphasize its power and to extol its importance. Submission has both an outer and an inner dimension. The outer dimension of submission is acting in accordance with God’s will (al-muwafiqa). The inner dimension is the desisting from struggle against God (al-munazi’a). Thus outer submission is in the dimension of the bodily action, while the inner dimension of ceasing to struggle and reposing in resignation (istislam) is in the dimension of heart-felt attitude. Submission is like the form and tranquil resignation is like the spirit that enlivens the form. Submission is the outer appearance, while resignation is the inner beauty of that appearance. The Muslim is one who submits the whole self to God: its outer appearance is carrying out divine commands while its inner beauty is resignation to divine force. The spiritual station of resignation only achieved after the self struggles with God in coming to grips with divine commands and finally relinquishes control to God without demanding in the slightest appeal or repeal to any commands. Therefore, those who claim for themselves “Islam” as their path of religious obligation (din) must also take on the responsibility of complete resignation.

Say, Bring us your proofs if you are sincere!  (27:64)”

(from The Book of Illumination)  

* 

And lessons abound from our glorious past.

We have just witnessed the historical day of ‘Ashura. A day when Allah Ta’ala accepted the repentance of Sayyidina Adam ‘Alaihis Salaam after he was expelled from Jannah, the day when Sayyidina Nuh ‘Alaihis Salaam and his followers were saved from the Flood. The day when Allah Ta’ala ordered the fire to be cool for Sayyidina Ibrahim ‘Alaihis Salaam, the day when Allah Ta’ala gave Sayyidina Musa ‘Alaihis Salaam the Commandments and spoke directly to him. The day when Sayyidina Ayyub ‘Alaihis Salaam was blessed with health after long years of suffering, the day when Sayyidina Yusuf ‘Alaihis Salaam was finally reunited with his father Ya’qub ‘Alaihis Salaam, when Sayyidina Yunus ‘Alaihis Salaam was released from the belly of the whale, when the sea parted for the Bani Israel but destroyed Firoun and his army, the day when  Sayyidina Dawud ‘Alaihis Salaam was forgiven, when the Kingdom of Sulaiman ‘Alaihis Salaam was restored, when Sayyidina Isa ‘Alaihis Salaam was raised to Jannah and Sayyidina al-Hussain RadhiAllahu anhu was blessed with the rank of Martyr.

Such inspirational reminders; May we take heed and gain solace from the trials and conditions bestowed upon our esteemed forefathers, learning from their resignation to what had been willed, and be awake to whatever contemporary lessons may be presented to us.

And a new year has begun. A renewed opportunity to assess our path to Our Rabb Subhanahu wa Ta’ala and His Habib SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. We still have time to submit to what is loved and be firm in our determination to refrain from that which may be a difficult winding path to the Garden, Insha’Allah. 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. 

 

 

 

 

O MAJESTIC MOON…

I saw you

teetering

on a minaret crescent

competing with the earthly masquerade

of parading shawls, hats, fabric ruffled and charmed by an icy wind

as sequins and beads dazzled

in a random balletic swirl

while your celestial companions obey an orbital script

in this panoramic departure

 

O Majestic Moon…

suspended in a glassy glacial void as

heavenly harmonics lull an epiphany

entitled “the leaving lament”

with a plaintive chorus of earthly sobs of grief

as souls reconcile separation

is that a tear 

about to drop? 

O Majestic Moon…

I too weep seeing lovers disappear

a giddy vanishing act

as numb farewells  fade into an inaudible hush

then silence.


O Majestic Moon…

disguised as a golden bowl

if tilted

a spill

of silky mercurial luster

would fossilize all

to become sculptural effigies  

permanently transfixed on the Abode

but how then would mysteries be transcended

and ardent yearning

lead to inebriation and delight

in the Garden

where the obedient will frolic with our noble martyrs,

reclining on brocade couches with the Beloved

and the Beloved of the Beloved

 

O Majestic Moon…

as you glide

over valleys and mountains

preoccupied with the reality of certainty

inspire our hearts with your faithful shine

so the Truly Magnificent  

rolls up distances of space and time

blessing all with the grace of proximity

obliterating all  but Him and His.

 

O Majestic Moon…

as all depart

you gambol in hide and seek

the vista is now painted

with a palette of silvery grey hues

imbibing a feathery soft

canopied veil of emptiness

fresh scrolls lay before us

the shade of the tree beckons

may our musing be transient

as travelers in orbit

to where separation is nonexistent

and existence is bliss.

 

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. 

 

 

 

 

 

Three construction projects plus one analysis….

Firstly the new Al-Saba’a Masaajid Masjid, that has been standing completed but idle for almost two years will officially be opened by the Amir of Madinah next week, Alhumdulilah. This one large Masjid symbolically represents the original seven places the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and various Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum established strategic command points during the digging of the ditch and the subsequent battle of Khandaq.

Only three other Masaajid remain that mark the location of this historic battle, Masjid Fath, below, atop the rock where our Beloved Prophet supplicated for victory… 

 

…interior of Masjid Fath, below, interior of Masjid Salman Farsi. The third place still marked with a building is Masjid S’ad (see link above) The places where Ali ibn Abu Talib and Umar ibn Al-Khattab RadhiAllahu anha had their camps are no longer left for the Ummah to recognize as such. Many are apprehensive that once the new Masjid is opened the fate of these three remaining sites may be dealt with like the others and be demolished. Insha’Allah, Du’a for this not to happen. Ameen.

 

Secondly, plans for further extensions to the north of Haram in Makkah have been launched. The coming expansion of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, ordered by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, will facilitate the accommodation of an additional 500,000 worshippers.

A lengthy article appeared in the Arabic Al Watan today. In addtion to the one diagram accompanying the online edition, I have scanned the pictures and graphs that appeared in the print edition. This project is in addition to others previously posted here.

 

A model showing how it is envisaged looking northward from Haram.  

 

Artists impression of the exit elevators from one area of the courtyard.

 

Diagram above indicats the eight areas to be extended, the number of refer to square meters that will be added. The red bar in the graph below corresponds to  each of the eight areas above. The first bar represents the new Sa’i at 2,381.32 square meters, while the blue bar indicates the potential number of people able to pray in that area. So by linking the information from the two diagrams, a sense of the increase in numbers can be comprehended. The concern with this project is the fate of the Mubarak birth place of our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam which presently borders on the green, orange area to the right. More Du’a for this to be preserved, Ameen.

 

I scanned the following graph in two section so the figures could be read. This gives the number who performed Umrah in each Umrah season from 1986-2004. A gradual increase over the years. I have  read that they hope to bring the projected number to near the ten million mark within the next few years! Some days ago an article complaining about the governments lack of current data in most of its ministries was published, hence no figures beyond 2004. I feel that unless massive inprovements to the infrastructure and transport in Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah and all the sites associated with the Hajj are  made then the problems already faced will be compounded beyond the level of safety for all pilgrims. Discussions are under way regarding a monorail system to cater for some of the major times and places of congestion, but how long that may be before it is a reality is an unknown.

 

 

And thirdly…the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. 

"It is a great time to be alive, for we are today in the presence of history. Right under our eyes a dramatic historic process is taking place, transforming Saudi Arabia from an oil-rich country to a knowledge-rich one, with the former readily coming to the aid of the latter. Oil is a daily necessity, but there is a price tag attached to it. Knowledge is a value and it is priceless. Knowledge gives power, invincible and for all time."

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has called a new house of wisdom (bayt al-hikma) — “a forum for science and research, and a beacon of knowledge for future generations.” At the heart of KAUST is an enlightened Islamic spirit, a spirit that loves knowledge not only for its own sake but also for its promise to better the human condition…..this new house of wisdom will “be a source of knowledge and serve as a bridge between people and cultures … delivering its humane and noble message … with the help of God and the minds and the ideas of enlightened people, who will participate in this educational mission without discrimination.”

The following are impressions of some of the various features of this complex!

 

 

And finally, a team will be conducting an analysis of the Zamzam water, so the pumping of Zamzam will be terminated for a two week period while various tests are conducted.

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. 

 

 

Do you not see that Allah drives the clouds, then gathers them together and piles them up until you see rain pour from their midst? He sends hail down from mountains in the sky, pouring it on whoever He wishes and diverting it from whoever He wishes. (24: 43)

These seem to be the days that Allah Ta’ala permitted Jahannam to take two deep breaths to prevent its parts from destroying itself. We are experiencing the severest cold blast, a chilly contrast from its scorching heat blast in summer.

My shivers are given flight back to the times of our Beloved SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. To the Battle of Khandaq, the Trench, which challenged the resolve of the Believers during the month of January 627 Gregorian.

Allah Ta’ala sent

a violent wind….there the believers were sorely tested and shaken with a mighty shock. (33:10-11)

Narrated Anas RadhiAllahu anhu: Allah’s Apostle SallAllahu alaihi wasallam went towards the Khandaq and saw the Muhajjirin and the Ansar digging in a very cold morning as they did not have slaves to do that for them. When he noticed their fatigue and hunger and the freezing conditions he said, "O Allah! The real life is that of the Here-after, so please forgive the Ansar and the Muhajjirin." In reply they said, "We are those who have given a pledge of allegiance to Muhammad that we will carry on Jihad as long as we live." 

During this wintry snap our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam requested one of his companions to spy on the enemy. Hudhaifa RadhiAllahu relays the incident: I was with the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam on the night of the Battle of Khandaq and we were gripped by a violent wind and severe cold. The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: Hark, the man who goes reconnoitering and brings me the news of the enemy shall be ranked with me on the Day of Judgement by Allah the Glorious and Exalted. We all kept quiet and none of us responded as we were struck with being too cold. Again he said: Hark, a man who goes reconnoitering and brings me the news of the enemy shall be ranked with me on the Day of Judgment by Allah the Glorious and Exalted. We kept quiet and none of us responded to him. He again said: Hark, a man who goes reconnoitering and brings me the news of the enemy shall be ranked with me on the Day of Judgement by Allah the Glorious and Exalted.  

Then he said: Get up Hudhaifa, bring me the news of the enemy. When he called me by name I had no alternative but to get up. He said: Go and bring me information about the enemy, and do nothing that may provoke them against me.

When I left him, I felt warm as if I were walking in a heated bath until I reached them. I saw Abu Sufyan warming his back against a fire. I put an arrow in the middle of my bow intending to shoot at him, but I recalled the words of the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam: “Do not provoke them against me." Had I shot at him, I would have hit him. But I returned and felt warm as if I were walking in a heated bath. Presenting myself before him, I gave him information about the enemy. When I had done so, I began to feel cold, so the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam wrapped me in a blanket that he had in excess to his own requirement and with which he used to cover himself while saying his prayers. So I continued to sleep until it was morning. When it was morning he said: Get up, O heavy sleeper. 

Numerous Ahadith inform us of the coldness of the touch of our Blessed Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Once he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam visited Ali and his honoured daughter, Lady Fatimah RadhiAllahu anhum, when they had already gone to bed. They wanted to get up but our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam bade them to stay where they were and he then sat between them. Ali RadhiAllahu anhu recalls in the Hadith how he felt the coolness of his mubarak feet on his body. This visit was on the evening after our esteemed Lady Fatimah’s had requested a servant, and when she was given the Du’a for retiring and told it was better than a servant:  ‘Subhan Allah’ thirty-three times, ‘Alhamdulillah’ thirty three times, and Allahu Akbar’ thirty four times.

‘Aishah the mother of the faithful believers RadhiAllahu anha narrates she saw the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam being inspired Divinely on a very cold day with sweat dropping from his forehead like pearls, even though it was winter, and that was because of the heaviness of the Statement which was revealed to him.

Sa’d RadhiAllahu anhu was extremely ill in Makkah when the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam visited.  He placed his mubarak hand on Sa’d’s forehead and passed it over his face and abdomen and said, "O Allah! Cure Sa’d and complete his emigration." Sa’d would say that he could feel the coldness of his mubarak hand on his liver ever since.  

Abu Juhaifa RadhiAllahu anhu narrates: Once Allah’s Apostle SallAllahu alaihi wasallam went to Al-Batha’ at noon, performed the ablution and offered prayer while a spearheaded stick was planted before him as sutra. After the prayer, the people got up and held the hands of the Prophet and passed them on their faces. I also took his hand and kept it on my face and noticed that it was colder than ice, and its smell was nicer than musk. 

Anas ibn Malik RadhiAllahu anhu reported that when Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam had completed his dawn prayer, the servants of Medinah came to him with utensils containing water, and no utensil was brought in which he did not dip his hand; and sometimes they came in the cold dawn but he never felt reluctant in acceding to their request even in the cold weather, always dipping his hands in the chilly water.   

SubhanAllah, how such accounts immediately remove the chill from the air.

And now, even though houses here are not designed for the cold, having no insulation or heating, compared to the conditions at the time of our Blessed Al-Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and his esteemed Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum our living is luxurious. Then, no running water, no bathrooms, no electricity, no convenient shopping facilities, no enclosed transport…on and on we could keep adding to the list. But what they had is what we do not have; their Deen was in their heart and Dunya in their hand, whereas we have flipped this over. So much focus on the external appearances and comforts to the detrimental neglect of the internal spiritual state of our soul. We seem to be not only feeling the cold physically, but have allowed a stone- like winter bitterness erode our Iman. May we work at transforming this to be an inner glow that warms from within and radiates to all around us, as do the examples bequeathed to us from the giants of our glorious past.  

Istisqa was prayed last week in Masjid Nabawi, but Allah Ta’ala decreed for His Mercy to descend in torrents on Makkah (2) and snow in the north instead. Insha’Allah this Enlightened City will be blessed with its share soon. Please make Du’a for rain here. Meanwhile the Kingdom is in the throws of that breath from Jahannam. Madinah’s mornings have dropped to 6 degrees centigrade. Read fellow Madanian Sister Suhaa’s entry on her reflections.

And regardless of the conditions wherever we may be and however they may be manifest, may we maintain our focus on the Creator of the conditions, Subahanhu wa Ta’ala, forever striving and rejoicing in all the bounties bestowed upon us. 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. 

 

 

 

 

THE HAJJ SEASON 1428.. 

….is still so vibrant, filling this Luminous City with love, hope and longing.

Everywhere you look, there is the face of Allah. (2:115)

 

…treading the dust on the path to Muhammad SallAllahu alaihi wasallam….feet rhythmically patter towards the sprawling Masjid attached to the refined Abode for Asr Salat.

Everywhere you look, there is the face of Allah. (2:115)

 

During prayer I am accustomed to turn to God like this

and recall the meaning of the words of the Tradition,

“the delight felt in the ritual prayer.”*

The window of my soul opens,

and from the purity of the unseen world,

the book of God comes to me straight.

The book, the rain of divine grace, and the light

are falling into my house through a window

from my real and original source.

The house without a window is hell;

to make a window is the essence of true religion.

Don’t thrust your ax upon every thicket;

come, use your ax to cut open a window.

*The Prophet Muhammad SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said Prayer is one of the three things he loved best in the world.

  

Essence is emptiness.

Everything else, accidental.

Emptiness brings peace to your loving.

Everything else, disease.

In this world of trickery emptiness

is what your soul wants.

 

Since You are the one who takes life

It is the sweetest of all things to die.

Life is sweet

But merging with You is far sweeter.

Come into the garden!

Join the Friend of the Truth!

In his garden you’ll drink the Water of Life,

though it seems like fire to die.

In one moment someone dies,

In the next moment someone is born.

There is a lot of coming and going

no one really dies

nor will I ever die.

Forget the body, become pure spirit.

Dance from here to the other world.

Don’t stop. Don’t try to escape,

even if you are afraid to die.

I swear were it not for His pure nature

The wheel of heaven would turn to dust.

Merge with Him now,

And you’ll be sweeter than halva

when it comes time to die.

 

Why hold on to this life?–

True living comes by giving up this life.

Why cling to one piece of gold?–

it is a mine of gold to die.

Escape from this cage

and breathe the scented air of His garden.

Break this hard shell–

It’s like a shining pearl to die.

When God calls and pulls you close,

Going is like paradise–

It’s like a heavenly river to die.

Death is only a mirror

And your true nature is reflected there.

See what the mirror is saying–

it’s quite a sight to die!

If you are kind and faithful

Your death will also be that way.

If you are cruel and faithless,

that is the way you will die.

If you are like Joseph,

full of goodness,

That’s how your mirror will be.

If not, you will see

only fear and torment

when it comes time to die.

These words are sweet,

but they always fade.

Sh . . . The eternal Khezr

and the Water of Life

have no idea what it means to die.

 

What is the soul? A joy

when kindness comes, a weeping

at injury, a growing consciousness.

The more awareness one has

the closer to God he or she is.

 

Dearly I hold

This longing in my heart,

For I know it is only found

in sacred places.

 This longing,

too large for heaven and earth,

fits easily in my heart,

smaller than the eye of a needle.

 

To You belong mercy and intercession for the sin of

disbelief;

For me, You’re still Lord of the hard-hearted.

If an unlimited bounty should offer kingdoms,

If a buried treasure should grant me gems,

I would bow my soul low, lay my face in the dust

And plead, ‘Grant me instead the Love of God!’

 

To fly towards Heaven, this is Love,

Every instant, to hear a hundred veils.

The first moment is to renounce life;

To travel without feet the final step.

Look upon the world as invisible,

Doubt what is visible to oneself.

 

Here and there a world: I sit on the threshold.

Those who sit there remain mute with silence;

It’s enough to imitate this; hold your tongue, say no

more.

 

Toward the gardens,

Toward the orchards,

I am going.

If you want to stay here,

Stay here–

I am going!

My day is dark without His Face,

Toward that bright flame

I am going.

My soul is racing ahead of me.

It says, The body is too slow for me–

I am going.

The smell of apples arises

from the orchard of my soul.

One whiff and I am gone–

Toward a feast of apples

I am going.

A sudden wind won’t blow me over.

Toward Him, like a mountain of iron,

I am going.

My shirt is ripped open

with the pain of loss.

Searching for a new life,

with my head held high,

I am going.

I am fire, though I seem like oil–

Seeking to be fuel of His fire,

I am going.

I appear as a steady mountain

Yet bit by bit,

Toward that tiny opening

I am going.

 

I WILL NEVER LEAVE THIS HOUSE OF LIGHT, I WILL NEVER LEAVE THIS BLESSED TOWN. FOR HERE - I HAVE FOUND MY LOVE - AND HERE I WILL STAY FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. IF THIS WORLD TURNED INTO A SEA OF TROUBLE - I WILL BRAVE THE WAVES AND STEER THE SHIP OF MY MIND ONTO THE SAFE SHORE OF LOVE.

IF YOU ARE A SEEKER LOOKING FOR PROFIT - KEEP GOING, AND MAY GOD BE WITH YOU. BUT - I AM NOT WILLING TO EXCHANGE MY TRUTH. I HAVE FOUND THE HEART AND WILL NEVER LEAVE THIS HOUSE OF LIGHT.

 

This is love–to fly upward

toward the endless heavens.

To rend a hundred veils at every moment.

At the first breath, to give up life;

At the final step, to go without feet.

To see the world as a dream

and not as it appears.

I said, O heart

What a blessing it is

To join the circle of lovers,

To see beyond sight,

To know the secrets within every breast.

I said, O soul

From where comes your life

And the power of your spirit?

Tell me, speak in the language of birds,

And I will understand.

My soul said to me:

They brought me to God’s workshop

Where all things take form–and I flew.

Before this form of mine

Was even shaped–I flew and I flew.

And when I could fly no longer

They dragged me into this form,

and locked me into this house

of water and clay.

 

O lovers, lovers, it’s time to abandon the world;

From Heaven, the drum of departure pounds on my

spirit’s ear.

Behold, the driver has risen, made ready each line of camels,

Begging us not to blame him; why, O pilgrims, are you

still asleep?

At front and behind there’s din of departure and the

sound of camel-bells;

At every moment a soul and spirit is setting off into the

Void.

 From the sky’s blue awning and candle-lit stars

Have emerged people of wonder, mysteries revealed.

 A deep sleep fell upon you from the orbiting planets:

Beware of the easy life, the unawakened doze!

 O soul, find the Beloved, O friend, find the Friend,

O watchman, remain awake: it does no good for you to

fall asleep.

 On every side hubbub and chaos, in every street candles

and torches,

Tonight the world teems, giving birth to a new and

everlasting order.

 Once dust you’re now spirit, once ignorant now wise;

He who has led you so far will guide you further.

 How pleasant are the pains he makes you suffer, while

drawing you gently to himself!

His flames are like water: their wetness won’t burn.

 Inhabiting the soul is his task, breaking vows of penitence

also;

His artifice causes every atom to tremble at its core.

 *

Everywhere you look, there is the face of Allah. (2:115)

All verse from Rumi.

All photos from yesterday between Asr and Maghrib. 

And 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. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My dear grandmother would darn, knit, crochet and tat along with a myriad of other talents that define grandmothers. As a child I would love to hide inside the cupboard where she kept all her treasures….tall antique tins, displaying the faded remains of painted Victorian pictures and labels held such intriguing delights…and smells. Smells I can still inhale, conjuring such happiness and memories of her so patiently passing on her nifty thrifty skills to a small avid learner.

The wooden darning mushroom was so smooth to hold and feel as I rubbed it against my cheek. Years of holey socks, having been draped over the convex top by at least two generations before her, were given a new life as deft fingers wove strands of wool into a rich textured pattern, like flowers blossoming on the ragged heal or toe. This intertwining of threads to form a whole has long held a fascination. The fabric of life. Such a wondrous, harmonious weave.

I still have some of these treasures; knitting needles, crochet hooks, threads and examples of her delicate linen embroidery. And that innate desire she so lovingly nurtured in me to create, remains so alive, but is rarely given expression since living in a climate where temperatures for the major part of the year soar near 50 degrees. Wool sticks to hands and refuses to swish and slide along needles, or cottons become so drenched in perspiration its impossible to satin stitch or french knot.

I was thrilled when I saw the following: (click on image)

 

The call for participating came at a time we were blessed with a short ‘cold snap’ here in this City of Light. I extend heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Sister Farhana for her caring efforts with this charitable gesture, and for the motivation for me to rummage through my ‘granny’ box of goodies.    

 

This is the letter I wrote to be sent with the scarf.

“Dear Owner of this rainbow scarf,

This has been made with love, may it be worn with love and bring love.

It has been made by fingers blessed to have been taught how to knit by the dearest Nana, long departed from this world. A Nana who taught me not only to value my time and value the simplest of things, but to value all mankind regardless of race, creed, education or wealth.

It has been made with bamboo needles brought in Germany, wools not only from various countries purchased over the span of decades, but that have also traversed oceans multiple times in cargo holds to be knitted by an Australian living in Saudi Arabia, and finally destined for you in Canada.

 

Some of the remnants remind me of long ago projects also made with love for so many I cherish. Hours of addictive, hypnotic clicking; twisting to and fro, creating the warmth and magic of many rainbows. Colours to inspire contemplation, meditation, reflection and hope.  

A scarf knitted with 33 stitches, symbolic of prayer cycles, intended to not only weave a functional piece for you to wear, but to relay a message of PEACE from one unknown being in this huge Universe to another.  

It has been knitted with two strands of wool, for extra warmth, but also symbolic of how I sense God’s relationship is with us. One strand representing the connection He has established with every human He has ever created, while the other representing our relationship reaching back to Him.

I have woven the loose ends in, but purposefully left them attached. Life is forever throwing us loose ends…sometimes we can meet the challenge of dealing with such circumstances, other times we flounder. All is fine if we embrace the moment with Truth and Trust and do not lose sight of those two connecting threads. May all your loose ends be on the scarf only!

I have also attached some special perfume from this very special City of Radiating Light in Saudi Arabia. It is called the Garden of Paradise. It is my prayer that it and the scarf bring you warmth and joy and that you are lead to the Ultimate Garden of Paradise. Ameen."  

 

and the gloves…another story…another time….

May we all take a little time to make extra Du’a for those less fortunate than ourselves. For those who are yet to be blessed with Hidayah. May we ask Allah Ta’ala to grant us Taufiq in giving Da’wah, to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. All souls, ALL SOULS have made the covenant with Allah Ta’ala asserting He is our Rabb. Let us all make more effort in reaching out, in living according to the Commands that will bring this Ummah to its former glory once again, when love and concern for all of mankind was in the heart. Insha’Allah. Please make Du’a for all the recipients of this project including Sister Farhana and her caring for others. 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. 

 

 

 

THE HAJJ SEASON 1428 

Reflections from a new HAJJAH!!! 

The Hajj experience…

by Sidra Mushtaq from the UK.

The journey begins from home

The much anticipated day arrived, the day we were leaving everything behind to depart to the blessed lands to perform Hajj- the journey of a lifetime. The thought of being chosen and invited by the Almighty Allah to perform the pilgrimage at such a young age was quite overwhelming. By the grace of Allah Ta’ala, I was fortunate enough to attend the Deen Intensive Rihla in Madinah and Makkah last year, where I also had the opportunity to perform my first Umrah, therefore I was confident that I would still be familiar with the Umrah rituals, and surrounding areas in Madinah and Makkah. However, I decided to erase my Rihla and Umrah experience from my mind temporarily, as I knew Hajj was going to be a totally different experience. I wanted to embark on my journey with no expectations whatsoever, and to avoid making comparisons between both experiences.

Although I didn’t have much time to prepare for my Hajj trip, I managed to study the Hajj course on SunniPath with Shaykh Sohail Hanif. The course did prepare me to a certain extent of what Hajj will involve, and the rituals that we must perform in order to fulfil the obligations of Hajj. However, I knew I wasn’t going to fully know what Hajj is all about until I practically experienced it myself.

My heart was feeling really heavy for some reason and I couldn’t decipher why. I embraced my mother and father tightly, and was really sad to leave them, because I knew that they were going through a very tough time. We (my brother, his wife and I) then met up with the rest of the group at Aylesbury Mosque, and we all made our way to Heathrow Airport.

The waiting around at Heathrow airport enabled us to bond with fellow pilgrims. Although I knew some of the people from our group like Mas’ud bhai & family, some fellow companions I met for the first time in my life, which resulted in interesting introductions! By this time, my excitement for Hajj was increasing, I just could not wait to get on board and start my pilgrimage! Furthermore, I was really looking forward to seeing and meeting my beloved Aunty Noor in Madinah again. 

We had a rather long routed flight: Heathrow, Cairo, Sanaa (Yemen), Jeddah and then Madinah.  The view from the aeroplane when we were flying into Sanaa airport was quite interesting; all we could see were high mountains, which were very dry. We stayed at Sanaa airport for approximately 3 hours. I remember saying to Mas’ud bhai that it would be brilliant if we see any of the Haba’ib Shayukh at the airport. We knew they would be going on Hajj as well, so there could have been a possibility. But sadly, the dream didn’t come true.

When we got to Jeddah airport, we had prepared ourselves mentally to be stuck at immigration for a few hours at least, but by the grace of Allah Ta’ala, we all cleared within an hour. However, there was a change of plan; we were initially supposed to fly from Jeddah to Madinah but due to some complications, we had to go via bus.

Madinah

 

So after nearly three days of travelling, we reached Madinah, the city of our Beloved Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Alhumdulilah, we felt like true pilgrims. I reflected on how in the olden days, people would set off for Hajj weeks and months in advance, and the trials they had to face during their travels. Despite the exhaustion, I was really eager to see the green dome of felicity, pray inside the mosque, and visit the Rawdah of our Beloved Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. However, I didn’t want to meet our Beloved Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, looking really tired and messy! I felt it was really bad adab to go in such a state, so thought it was necessary to look afresh and tidy. I also arranged to meet Aunty Noor shortly after; I just couldn’t wait any longer!

As I walked through the courtyard of our Beloved Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam’s mosque, my heart was dancing with joy and I still couldn’t believe where I had finally arrived. The place was overcrowded with people from all different nations and cultures. The view was quite extraordinary; I had never in my life seen so many different people, different in their physique and attire, but the fact that we all worshipped the same God, we are visiting the same Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and the fact that we are all the same in the eyes of the Almighty Allah, it was a powerful thought and feeling indeed.

I felt really emotional as soon as I stepped inside the mosque, but prayed my 2 rakats and then engaged in Du’a. I really wanted to visit the Rawdah of our Beloved Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, but it wasn’t open for the women at the time. Soon after I met up with Aunty Noor and we spent hours together. The Rawdah was normally open for women after Isha prayers, so Aunty Noor agreed to take me to the Rawdah the same evening after 9pm. When we got to the Rawdah, it was just congested with women, and in order to get inside, we had to go with a group. The groups were allocated according to the country you came from, or language you spoke. There was a lot of pushing going on, and we decided not to proceed further, as we didn’t want to dishonour our Beloved Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, by pushing and hurting fellow Muslims. Aunty Noor and I went and sat outside the Green Dome of Felicity instead, and made Du’as for everyone. It was really beautiful sitting there; feeling the breeze of Madinah, and knowing how physically close you are to the Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam’s, grave, it was all quite overwhelming.

I was unsuccessful in getting into the Rawdah on a couple of occasions, mainly because it was flooded with women, and I did not want to be pushed, or push any one. On one occasion, the female guards refused to let me go with the Pakistani group! They insisted on me to go with the Iraqi group, and would not listen to me when I affirmed I’m Pakistani! I even tried conversing in Urdu with them so they would believe I was Pakistani, but still they were convinced I was of Iraqi origin! I didn’t want to cause any further argumentation, so went to the back of the queue, and sat there. I started conveying my Salams to our Beloved Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, from where I was sat. I thought that the Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is already aware of who is here and who is not, who is at the Rawdah, and who cannot get inside the Rawdah, no doubt he sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, will hear my Salams.  Shortly after, they allowed the Pakistani group of women to enter the Rawdah. I thought to myself that there is no harm in trying again; the worst that will happen is that they will refuse to let me go in, but I was prepared for that. By the grace of Allah, and the Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam’s, invitation, I somehow managed to walk pass the security guards without being questioned or stopped! As soon as I got onto the green carpet, I started praying my 2 rakats, but I was pushed from women behind me, and from both sides. They continued to do this until I was right at the front! Alhumdulilah I thought, but equally I was sad to have had to broken my prayer because of being pushed. I started reading my two rakats again, without being pushed this time. We were given about 15-20 minutes inside the Rawdah, all of the guards were telling women off for making supplications and saying how it was a ‘bida’ to say Salams to the Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, but everyone ignored their pleas! Tears were flowing everywhere, the women were conveying their Salams, and showing their love to the Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.

Leaving the Rawdah was heart-breaking, I just wanted to spend more time there talking to our Beloved Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and making lots of Du’as.

We were in Madinah for only 5 days, we begged our Hajj tour operator to extend our stay in Madinah, but due to logistical reasons, they were unable to. Everyone was quite emotional to leave Madinah, but equally grateful to have visited the Beloved sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, before performing Hajj.
Now it was time to move onto the next stage in our journey: Makkah to perform Umrah and then Hajj after a few days.

Makkah

We got to Makkah slightly before Fajir, but were faced with some unexpected inconveniences which outraged everyone in the group. I was as equally disappointed and annoyed with the situation, but felt that nothing was going to be resolved any time soon, so decided to go and perform my Umrah in the interim.
I managed to perform the Umrah with ease, although I decided to do Tawaf on the 2^nd floor to avoid the crowds, and concentrate on my supplications. When I saw the Kaaba for the first time on this trip, my feelings and emotions were somewhat different than seeing the Kaaba the very first time in my previous trip. In fact, there was a different feeling each time I laid my eyes on the Kaaba, something which is beyond words; a very deep and personal connection which I simply cannot express and share. Its intensity is something which an individual has to experience themselves in order to really know what it feels like, but the feeling should most definitely be treasured.
We had 6 days in Makkah before we were to depart to Mina for the actual days of Hajj. During the 6 days, we were advised to do as many Tawafs as we can around the Kaaba, but at the same time try not to over do it, as we needed a lot of energy and strength during the actual days of Hajj. I found doing Tawaf round the Kaaba downstairs really difficult because it was just overcrowded with people. Also I felt that I couldn’t actually concentrate on my supplications because I would constantly be in fear of being pushed and squashed by people. This got worse as the days of Hajj drew closer; crowds were getting larger and larger, day by day.  In order to avoid the crowds, I did most of my Tawafs on the 3^rd floor, the roof of Masjid Haram. Initially I thought it would take me twice as long, but in effect it’s the same distance as doing Tawaf on the second floor. I felt doing the Tawaf on the 3^rd floor more beautiful because it was less crowded, and the view was just spectacular. I was able to see pilgrims from the top performing Tawaf round the Kaaba downstairs, and at times I couldn’t even spot an empty space! SubhanAllah, you could really feel the intensity of being at such a place.

Just like in Madinah, there were people from all different nations and cultures in Makkah as well. The Malaysians and Indonesians looked really cute as they all dressed the same, according to their respective groups, but no matter what happened, they would not let go of each others hands! This proved to be quite dangerous for the poor souls who were actually trying to get through, but I guess it’s the way they had been trained. I also noticed how they were really calm in their conduct towards others, and displayed good adab, along with the Turkish people. If they accidentally stepped on you, they would come back and kiss your hand (I’m talking about the women kissing hands of other women!). I found this gesture really beautiful, and it showed their compassion for other fellow Muslims. On the other hand, I would bump into people who were really rude and aggressive in their conduct, and I witnessed a lot of selfishness, which was really sad. But then I realised that this is the true state of our Ummah; in the real world, it’s all about me, me and me! Getting through these crowds required a lot of patience. We were taught that no matter what happens, we must not retaliate or show any aggression. This for me was a great lesson in enduring patience, and improving ones character and relations towards others.  

I also witnessed people who were not in a good form physically, but I was moved to see their struggle, determination and commitment to Almighty Allah. They were all working as hard as they could, despite not being physically fit/well, just to please the Almighty Allah. It really did make me realise of the blessings Allah Ta’ala has bestowed upon me, and how I realised that there is more to life than just the outward form. I know our Shayukh have always taught us this, but to accept it was quite difficult, especially since the culture and society we come from, pays so much attention to the necessity of the outward form being beautiful/attractive.

I was happy to have met up with one of my really close friends, “F” in the Kaaba. She lives miles away from me, and I never get to see her so it was a great blessing from Allah Ta’ala that we happened to be on Hajj the same year and in Makkah at the same time.
I was really disturbed to see all those sky scrapers just outside the Kaaba. I had read articles in the past regarding them, but wasn’t really sure what people were debating about until I witnessed it all myself. For some reason, I was really missing Madinah even in Makkah. The only thing I loved in Makkah was the Kaaba itself. I felt at peace when I was inside Masjid Haram and around the Kaaba. It was really sad to see such commercialism just outside the blessed sanctuary; it kind of makes you lose that spiritual connection you build yourself up to feeling.

Mina

On the 8^th Dhul Hijjah, all pilgrims proceeded towards Mina. Half of our group went to Mina the night before on the bus as they had children with them, or were physically unable to walk. I decided to walk with the other half of our group. We left after Fajir, and it took us 2 hours to reach Mina by foot. I really did feel like a pilgrim walking to Mina, whilst reciting the Talbiyya! I reflected on how our Beloved Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, walked to Mina, and it’s an honour for us to even be following his footsteps. We prayed 5 Salats in our tents in Mina, before proceeding to Arafat the following day. We then returned to Mina on the 10^th Dhul Hijjah and stayed in the tents until the 12^th. Although I got along with everyone in our Hajj group, I had spent little time with them as I wanted to do my rituals and Ibadah alone; i.e I would go to the Kaaba or Masjid Nabi by myself, where as other women in the group would go in small groups together. Therefore, in Mina I had the opportunity to spend time and bond with the women from our Hajj group. Everyone got on really well, Alhumdulilah and there were no arguments or fights! Mas’ud bhai’s little daughter and I bonded really well. Masha’Allah she had been a brave and patient little soul throughout the journey, but was missing her brothers a lot. She would often sing songs saying their names. Whenever she would spot me, she would come and sit on my lap and play with me, however she couldn’t say my name so decided to name me Maryam! J And what a beautiful name she chose indeed, Alhumdulilah.   

Arafat

The actual day of Hajj finally arrived. It was manic trying to get onto the bus and get to Arafat, but Alhumdulilah we managed to get there before midday. We went straight into our respective tents as soon as we got to Arafat. A lot of people wanted to go to Jabal Rahma, but we were advised not to go there because it was going to be too crowded, and could prove to be dangerous. The weather was quite hot on the day of Arafat, but nonetheless, we were not going to waste a minute complaining, as it was the most important day. Our Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said that “Hajj is Arafat”. I remember Shaykh Sohail Hanif advising us to find a quiet spot and just engage in making Du’a. I found myself a nice spot underneath a tree just outside our tent, and spent the day supplicating to Allah Ta’ala; it was just me and my Lord, and I was supplication to Him. I made my supplications with convictions that they will be answered. It was the most beautiful and special day. Everyone was just immersed in making Du’as, and seeking forgiveness. Just before Magrib, we had a short speech by an Imam and then he made a Du’a, which really moved us. The Imam then congratulated everyone on becoming “Hajjis”, and asked everyone to embrace and congratulate their fellow pilgrims. Everyone was really emotional, and it was a very touching moment I think in every pilgrim life.

We then moved onto the next stage: spending the night at Muzdalifah.

Muzdalifah

It took us about 20 minutes to get to Muzdalifah from Arafat. Since our group left Arafat quite late, the view as we entered Muzdalifah was quite amazing. You could just see the flow of pilgrims, where the majority were dressed in white. As soon as we got to our spot in Muzdalifah, we prayed Magrib and Isha in Jamaat with our group Imam, and then the search for pebbles to hit the Satan with began. Collecting the pebbles is a form of Ibadah, as taught by our teachers so it’s something which I did enjoy. After collecting 70 pebbles (you only need 49, but to be on the safe side, it’s better to have extra) we slept underneath the stars. It was a very humbling experience, but the best sleep I ever had, even though I only slept for 2 hours.

Some groups left before Fajir, but I was grateful to be at Muzdalifah after Fajir because I remembered Shaykh Sohail teaching us that we must make a special supplication to Allah Ta’ala after Fajir and before Sunrise. The supplication was to ask Allah Ta’ala to take care of the rights that we owe to fellow men. It is said that Allah Ta’ala will not forgive us until the people we have hurt or offended have forgiven us, but Shaykh Sohail said that, on Hajj at Muzdalifah after Fajir and before sunrise, it is the only time that Allah Ta’ala will accept this supplication and forgive you. Allahu Ta’ala Alim.  

After sunrise, half of our group decided to walk to the Jamarat, where as the other half decided to wait for the bus to come.

Jamarat, Sacrifice, and Day of Eid

There were 15 of us walking together from Muzdalifah to the Jamarat, and it was quite a long walk indeed. It took us 2 hours to walk to the Jamarat, where as it took the other half of our group, 2 hours to get on the bus and back to Mina. Walking to the Jamarat was the first time in Hajj I saw and felt the intensity of the crowd, and the fact that I was amongst 3 million people! I knew how many people were on Hajj, but didn’t witness the crowds until the Jamarat because everyone was in their respective tents in Mina and Arafat. The Jamarat was the only thing on Hajj I had some apprehension in my heart for. The Jamarat is notorious for being the place where so many people meet their death, although dying on Hajj would have been such an honourable death*, but the thought still did scare me. As we were walking up the Jamarat, my heartbeat was getting faster and faster. We walked passed the small Jamarat, then the middle one, and then we approached the big Jamarat, which was the only one we had to stone the first day. By the grace of Allah, I managed to get to the front with ease and stone the Jamarat. As soon as I finished, I just wanted to get out. The stoning was quite an experience, but what I was really shocked to see was people throwing the stones from such a distance where they were not even hitting the wall, rather hitting the pilgrims.  After the stoning, we decided to treat ourselves to some lovely Al-Baik chicken, which out of convenience was located right opposite the Jamarat. After indulging on yummy chicken, and having regained our energy from all the walking and stoning, we proceeded back to our hotel in Makkah. Once our sacrifices were done, we exited out of Ihram and went to perform the Fard Tawaf.  Some people had to do the Saee (walk between Safa and Marwa) as well after the Tawaf. I managed to do my Saee the night before departing for Mina so I would avoid the crowds of people.

It was also the day of Eid for the majority of Muslims around the world, but for the pilgrims it honestly did not feel like Eid at all because we were just so busy trying to complete all the Hajj rituals.

After everyone had performed their Tawaf and Saee, we all made our way back to Mina, which ended up being quite an expedition indeed.

Most of the Hajj rituals were completed by now for most pilgrims. The only thing left was the Jamarat on 11^th and 12^th Dhul Hijjah. On these two days, we had to stone all three pillars which proved to be really testing, especially on the third day when it was terribly overcrowded with pilgrims. In order to stone all three pillars, you really have to be quick and fast. It’s like playing tennis but your speed has to be 5 times faster! I was amazed to see how the old and disabled people managed to do it; my heart really did go out to them and their struggle, but Allah is the one who gives courage and makes it easy. There was an occasion where I felt people would fall on top of each other and I will trip and die with them! Seriously, that’s how intense and difficult it was. After the stoning was finished, I was really relieved, Alhumdulilah. I was so grateful that Allah Ta’ala gave me the opportunity to perform Hajj, especially the Jamarat when they had made the stoning really easy for pilgrims. I really did wonder, and commend the people who did it when the Jamarat didn’t have the one way traffic system.

By the 12^th of Dhul Hijjah, everyone was exhausted, and the walk back to Makkah proved to be quite taxing. Fortunately the Saudi authorities have made one way systems for all pedestrian, so in essence it was safe to walk, where as in the past there used to be so many deaths due to the walking traffic coming from both sides.

Farewell Tawaf

Since we were leaving Makkah to come back home two days after Hajj was over, it was important for us to get our Farewell Tawaf done as soon as possible. The Farewell Tawaf was quite poignant for me because the realisation of having completed Hajj, and actually going back home really struck me then. I prayed Allah accepted mine and all the Hujjaj’s Hajj as Hajj Mabroor- A righteous Hajj, and that we would be blessed and honoured to visit the holy sanctuaries again and again.

Masud bhai, Bhabhi (Mas’ud bhai’s wife), their daughter and I were invited for dinner by our friends Cheikhna and Habeeba in Jeddah, where we were also blessed to meet and give Salams to Shaykh Abdullah Bin Bayyah. It was wonderful to see Shaykh, and he was looking really well despite his accident a few months ago. (May Allah Ta’ala preserve and protect him). So it was a perfect ending to a very fascinating Hajj trip. All praise is due to Allah Ta’ala.

The journey back home

The journey back home was slightly easier than the journey there, well I think it was. Then again, I just remember dozing off as soon as the aircraft lifted off in Jeddah, and I woke up a little while before it landed in Heathrow!

Overall, the Hajj is a journey of a lifetime and I pray everyone gets invited, especially when they are young and have their health. Throughout the days leading up to and during Hajj, I was unable to think and reflect on my experience. Everything is just so busy out there and you seriously do not get the time to reflect deeply on what you have accomplished. However, I was told by friends who had performed Hajj that the true realisations and lessons you pick up from Hajj do not actually strike you until you are back home, and have recovered from your tiredness. Allahu Ta’ala Alim.

I personally think everyone is at different stages in their lives and in their faith when they set off to perform Hajj, therefore the realisation and after effects of Hajj is different for everyone. Some managed to determine what directions to take in life whilst they were out there, where as some needed to come back, settle into the daily routines of life before realising the changes Hajj had made for them, and what else they wanted to achieve.

I just pray that the Hajj experience brings good changes within us, and we maintain the spirit of our Ibadah that we had during Hajj in our lives over here as well. May Allah Ta’ala continue to invite us all again and again to the blessed lands, and may all the Hujjaj’s Hajj, Du’as, Ibadah be accepted. May we all be united in Paradise without reckoning, where we will be granted the company of our Beloved Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, the Awliya, the Righteous, all our loved ones, and with closeness to Allah Ta’ala.

Amin ya Rabbil ‘alameen!

~*~~*~

Ameen Ameen Ameen to Sidra’s final Du’a.

 

*More than 800 Hujjaj were called back to Allah Ta’ala during the Hajj. Inna liLlahi wa Inna ilaihi rajioun. More statistics; the local journalists love this style of reporting!

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.