And he did see him [Jibreel] on the clear horizon. (81:23)
Jibreel Alaihis Salam usually appeared to our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam in the form of a man, but on two occasions he was seen in his real form; the time of the first revelation and then during the Mi’raj.
Six hundred wings filled the horizon, the distance between each wing being that between the east and the west, with multi-coloured pearls and rubies falling from the wings. And if we could gather all the oceans as fabric it would not be enough to make his cap. SubhanAllah! This was the vision of Jibreel Alaihis Salam as seen my our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam as he ran down Jabal Nur from his retreat in Ghar Hira, that miraculous Night of Power in 610.
‘O Muhammad, you are the Messenger of Allah, and I am Jibreel.’
The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam would gaze at Jibreel Alaihis Salam, and turn away in awe, but whichever way he looked he was there, filling the horizon.
The following is a record of finally fulfilling the desire to climb to Ghar Hira. Leaving Haram immeadiately after Fajr Salat a short taxi ride brings you part way up the foothill of Jabal Nur. Shanty type houses and makeshift stores line the steep pathway. Alhumdulillah as it was the very beginning of the Umrah season it was almost deserted. Some men were working on adding to a brick wall while three were climbing ahead of us. A strong wind billowed abayas and persistently ruffled niqabs, as a silvery haze was all that filled the horizon. It was enough knowing that all those centuries ago Jibreel Alaihis Salam was astride these grandiose mountains delivering the first verses of revelation to the best of creation SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. This was the motivation for the feet to take one step at a time to reach the summit so the eyes could gaze upon this chosen cave, this was the incentive for the feet to tread where Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam had been seeking seclusion. Climb with me now!
The monkeys were initially intimidating, with some apprehension that they may attack…
…but Alhumdulillah they merely seemed curious…and playful.
The looming towers of Abraj al-Bait…so Masjid al-Haram at the base of these….
…the rubbish was disgusting. I have been dreaming of some huge vacuum cleaner ever since…or a campaign to clear this mountain of such debris…
…peering down on inhabited shacks built onto the side of the mountain with an ad hoc collection of recycled materials… hard to imagine how people live like this in the intense summer or freezing winter and no facilities…
…the vista from the summit…
…zooming into the the Makkan valley, the obvious towers with the minarets of Haram to the right barely visible in the haze….
Ghar Hira…so small and protected, SubhanAllah!
Read! In the name of your Lord who created:
He created man from a clinging form.
Read! Your Lord is the Most Bountiful One who taught by the pen,
who taught man what he did not know. (96:1-5)
Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam repeated these words after Jibreel Alaihis Salam saying: "It was as though the words were written on my heart."
Looking directly down on the sprawling suburbs of Makkah, the cave down to the right…
…there were several cats happily living on the summit…I filled this bottle top with Zamzam for this very friendly one who kept lapping up more and more. It seems some men live on the mountain, some offering basic drinks and snacks, while others seem to be positioned along the track in the hope of Sadaqah from those passing by.
The descent was far easier…looking back on where we had been, the cave to the left of the summit on the other side.
Home…
….two children who had just been on an errand to a small shop…
….the area below Jabal Nur is very dilapidated…the Towers in the distance contrasting the lavish new with the basic necessities….
…with satellite dishes being a basic necessity…
*
Hayya ‘ibad Allah
(Come O servants of Allah)
Ahibba Allah
(O you who love Allah)
Sallu ‘ala an-Nabi
(Send salutations to the Prophet)
On a clear and moonlit night
In the dark cave of Hira
A man began to cry
Oh Allah show me the light
Tell me why I was created
Where will I go after I die?
What’s the purpose of this life
Where people murder and lie?
How can I stop their corruption?
Oh Allah You’re my only Guide.
Ya Habibi ya Mustafa
(O my beloved O Chosen One)
Ya Rasula Allah ya Habiba Allah ya Safiyya Allah
(O Messenger of Allah, O Beloved of Allah,
O Intimate of Allah)
Ya Habibi ya Mustafa
Anta gharami, dhikruk kalami, kulla ayyami
(You are the object of my love,
your remembrance are the only words I speak throughout my days)
On that clear and blessed night
Jibra’il came to Hira
He hugged Prophet Muhammad
Until he thought he would die
Read O Muhammad read
In the name of your Lord
By Allah you’ve been chosen
Over the whole of mankind
You’ve been elevated high
Like the moon up in the sky
Chorus
Ya Yasin Ya Khalil Allah
Ya Amin Ya Najiyya Allah
Ya Makin Ya Shahid Allah
Ya Mukhtar Ya Hafiyya Allah
Ya Taha Ya Habiba Allah
[All names of the Prophet (pbuh) ]
Chorus
He’s a mercy for mankind
His speech was gentle and kind
He summoned people to Allah
And led them on his path
Mankind lived in the darkness
Everyone alive was just blind
His message brought the light
To the hearts that had no sight
In mercy he’s the ocean
While others are drops of rain.
Ya Habibi ya Mustafa
Ya Rasula Allah ya habiba Allah ya Safiyya Allah
Ya Habibi ya Mustafa
Anta gharami, dhikruk kalami, kulla ayyami
Forever we’ll be indebted
To him for this Islam
Our life for him we’ll give
His message with us will live
Our love for him knows no bounds
It is loftier than the clouds
Whenever his name is mentioned
Our tears begin to flow
Oh Allah send your blessings
On al Mustafa
Ya Habibi ya Mustafa
Anta gharami, dhikruk kalami, kulla ayyami
Ya Habibi ya Mustafa
Ya Rasula Allah ya Habiba Allah ya Safiyya Allah
Ya Habibi ya Mustafa
Ya Nabiyya Allah, ya Waliyya Allah, ya Khalil Allah
*
He stepped inside his home, and he overwhelmed with fear
An angel came with words from God, things were still unclear
Saying read - read, but he couldn’t read, then amazing words he heard
A trembling deep inside his heart, confused by what had occurred
There was only one who could comfort him
And help him see the light
To ease his fears, to reassure
It was Khadijah, his wife…
Chorus
He said Zamilooni, Zamilooni, Dathirooni, Dathirooni, (Envelop me, Embrace me)
A mighty task has come before me…
I need you here with me…
By my side…
She was a woman of nobility, successful in all her trade
Many wealthy men had asked for her, she had turned them all away
But when she saw Muhammad, a shining moon, may peace be on his soul
He was a light for her — so right for her — her life will now be whole
But she had never seen him so distressed, as he was there that day
She would comfort him, and hold him tight, and chase his doubts away
Chorus
We look for stories of love, in places dark and cold
When we have a guiding light, for the whole world to behold
But were so selfish in our ways, and to the ones we hold so close
Our own pleasure and happiness is what we value most
But she sacrificed all her wealth and everything she had
And he honored her, and gave her faith,
when the times were bad, when times were bad…
Now years have passed, times had changed, since Khadijah breathed her last.
Message of the one true God, was spreading far and vast
But then he came across a jewellery, that Khajidah once had worn
His eyes began to swell with tears, his heart again began to mourn
Cause she was there for him, when times were rough, and his enemies were cruel
Was the first believer, so keen and eager, to comfort al-Rasool
Chorus
Mawlaya salli wa sallim da’iman abada
‘Ala habibika khayril khalqi kullihimi
(O my Leader, send your salutations and blessings forever
Upon Your Beloved, the best of the whole of creation)
*
May it be that the words of revelation be written on our hearts and thus inspire our actions, 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.
MABRUK ,mabruk !!!!!!!!
Stunning photos.It looks so rugged and higher than expected.Love the cat !
Wassalam
Comment by umm yusuf — February 28, 2008 @ 4:23 am
AsslmkmWW Dear khala Noor..not all the pics showed up on my phone but those that did..wow,jzkiAllah 4refreshing my memory.it seems like just yesterday my dad n i climbed up(after haj last year),it truely is beautiful on all levels, and an emotional experience..lotsa luv n dua(writin a test2day),ws T
Comment by Tasnim — February 28, 2008 @ 7:48 am
SUBHANALLAH!!
I often sit and imagine what it must have been like to be on that mountain side… in complete isolation, lost in contemplation. During the Rihla we visited a masjid near by which is said to mark the spot where our Beloved Rasul Salallahualaihiwasalam would come to meet with our mother Khadija Radiallahuanha, in order to spend some time with her, as well as stock up on more supplies before returning to that mountain retreat… May we all understand the beauty of that moment.
Assalamualaikum my dearest sister! Just the other day we found some OLD pictures from when we ascended Gari Hira for perhaps the first time… and then today I read your beautiful post
The lessons to be learned from our Beloved Rasul Salallahualaihiwasalam going first to his beloved wife, our mother Khadija Radiallahuanha, upon being visited by Jibril alaihisalam are truly very powerful for those who sit an ponder the depth of it all!
Ameen thuma ameen to all your duas and once again, Jazakiallah khair for allowing us to share in your journeys and experiences in that Blessed land.
Comment by ikramuddin — February 28, 2008 @ 9:15 am
Assalamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah
I pray that you are in the best of health & imaan.
This is a short message to notify you that this entry has been selected for publishing on IJTEMA.net, a venture to highlight the best of the Muslim blogosphere. Please visit the site to find out more about our initiative.
May Allah bless you for your noble efforts.
Wa’salam
Comment by Editor — February 28, 2008 @ 10:07 am
Alhamdulillah! And Salaam Alaikum my Dearest Sister:
Ameen to your lovely prayer. And the peace and blessings of Allah be with you always, and with your family. Another beautiful and moving post. Surely, love and mercy will follow you all the days of your life, as you showed love and mercy to that cat by giving him water to drink. That was the real purpose of your climb, dearest Sister, and the true purpose of all who love the blessed Prophet (pbuh) and who love Allah more than themselves.
Your account brought tears to my eyes, and joy to my heart.
Ya Haqq!
Comment by Irving — February 28, 2008 @ 5:37 pm
Assalamu alaikum Dear Umm Yusuf, if I can do it then easy for you! Amazing what shots of determination can do! There were several cats, but this one so friendly.
Insha’Allah Dear Sister Tasnim your test is a success…but more so the BIG ONE we all ultimately face. May you be given the opportunity to climb Jabal Nur over and over. Same for you Dear Brother Ikramuddin…yes I have a photo of that Masjid by one of the Rihla participants…Insha’Allah will post it soon. Accompanying all the huffing and puffing during this adventure were exactly the same imaginative ponderings…just how it must have been for our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam walking to and from Makkah, spending days in this remote cave, receiving revelations from Jibreel Alaihis Salam…the heart almost bursts with Allah Ta’ala’s Wisdom and Generosity He has bestowed upon us.
Dear Editor of Ijtema, JazakumuLlahu khairan for selecting this post. May you all continue to be blessed with Tawfiq for the efforts you promote for Muslims, Ameen.
Dear Irving Darvish..your reason for my climb has sunk deeply…I never thought of this aspect of the struggle…SubhanAllah…a moving observation, JazakumLlahu khairan. You all were in my Du’a there.
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — February 28, 2008 @ 5:50 pm
SubhanAllah, your taqwa is amazing sister! beautifull pictures, I alway wonder how our beloved Rasool Allah spend the nights in dark and cold, with eiry noises around of bugs and little creatures, Rasool Allah’s taqwa was so great, that these things did not bothered him at all, and top of that climbing of Jabal-e-Nur very often. SubhanAllah in todays age we get tired of climbing and complain so much. SubhanAllah.
P.S I love those monkeys! haven’t seen those in a while.
Comment by Umm-e-Shiraaz — February 28, 2008 @ 7:15 pm
very good
Comment by Abdul Sattar Laghari — May 24, 2008 @ 10:58 am
Assalamu alaikum Dear Brother Abdul Sattar,
indeed it was good!Indeed it was a challenge, but well worth every step, Alhumdulillah. I now have the desire to try it again, but not until next winter, Insha’Allah.
Wassalamu alaikum
Comment by almiskeenah — May 24, 2008 @ 6:15 pm