October 31, 2008
soon….
…soon, Jabal Rahmah will appear as if covered in snow…with hearts recalling the words of our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam’s
Farewell Sermon…
"Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds.…
Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone."
….soon, millions will flood this plain; "Hajj is Arafat"…
When you surge down from Arafat remember Allah at the sacred place. Remember Him:
He has guided you. Before that you were astray.
Surge down where the rest of the people do, and ask forgiveness of Allah: He is most forgiving and merciful. (2:198-199)
And proclaim among men the Pilgrimage: they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, coming from every remote path… (22:27)
…soon, thousands of animals will be sacrificed reminding us of Nabi Ibrahim Alaihis Salam’s obedience.
The sacrificial camels we have made for you as among the symbols from Allah. in them is good for you: then pronounce the name of Allah over them as they line up (for sacrifice): when they are down on their sides (after slaughter), eat ye thereof, and feed such as (beg not but) live in contentment, and such as beg with due humility: thus have We made animals subject to you, that ye may be grateful. (22:36)
…soon, the faithful will follow the footsteps of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam…"He urged al-Qaswa a little, and, following the middle road, which comes out at the greatest Jamra, he came to the Jamra which is near the tree."
…soon, the Shayateen will be cringing…."At this he threw seven small pebbles, saying Allah-o-Akbar while throwing every one of them in a manner in which the small pebbles are thrown (with the help of fingers)
and this he did in the bottom of the valley."
…soon, may the effect of the stoning by the millions of Hujjaj be as a massive rockfall on the Shayateen.
…soon, these apartment-like towers will replace the tents in Mina….
….soon, may Masjid Aqabah remind hearts to renew the pledge to our Blessed Al-Mustafa, making the Sunnah the focus of our lives.
~*~
Scroll down to the last photos of this
previous post to see the difference between February 2007 Jamarat Bridge and Masjid Aqabah and the now.
~*~
SubhanAllah, this years Hujjaj are flowing into the Kingdom by the thousands each day now. Huge groups from Turkey, Malaysia, India, and smaller numbers from South Africa are already gracing this City of Light, Masha’Allah.
….soon, their numbers will swell to millions. May all be rewarded a Hajj Maqbool, 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.
October 29, 2008
"What an excellent place this graveyard is." said our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.
Mu’alla, the Makkan Maqbarah in the only valley, east of Masjid al-Haram, that precisley faces Qibla, is the resting place of
Ummul Mu’mineen Khadijah RadhiAllahu anha as well as many Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum, Tabi’een, Awliya Rahmatullah alaihum and distinguished scholars. Also known as Al-Hujun, where Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam would frequently visit.
An historic photo of how Mu’alla was before the demolition of the tombs. The main central tomb was of Ummul Mu’mineen Khadijah RadhiAllahu anha. Others known to be resting here include Abd Manaf, the great, great-grandfather, Hashim the great-grandfather, Abdul Muttalib the grandfather and Qasim the son of the our Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.
Another closer view of the tomb of Ummul Mu’mineen Khadijah RadhiAllahu anha.
Khadijah RadhiAllahu anha died on the 10th of Ramadan of the 10th year of the Proclamation of Islam. Also named the Year of Sorrow as our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alahi wasallam also buried his loved uncle and guardian Abu Talib one month later. Some narrations say Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam dug her Mubarak grave, others say he entered it while placing her body therein and after smoothing earth over it. Allahu ‘Alum.
The Prophet SallAllahu alahi wasallam was later to remark of his beloved Khadijah that "she believed in me when all others disbelieved; she held me truthful when others called me a liar; she sheltered me when others abandoned me; she comforted me when others shunned me; and Allah Ta’ala granted me children by her while depriving me of children by other women."
Peace on you, O the mother of the pure Imams
Peace be on you, O the mother of the believing men
Peace be on you, O the first of the believing women
Peace be on you, O the sincere lady among the devoted ones
Peace be on you, O the chief lady of the sacrosanct (haram)
And the queen of Mecca
Peace be on you, O the first one to believe in the Apostle of Allah from among the women
Peace be on you, O the one who observed servitude as it ought to be observed,
submitted herself and discharged her wealth in the service of the chief of the Prophets.
Peace be on you, O the companion of the beloved of the Lord of the Heaven.
The spouse of the epitome of the chosen ones.
O the daughter of Ibraheem, the friend (of Allah)
Peace be on you, O the one to whom Jibraeel used to salute and used to convey to her the salutations from Allah, the Majestic.
Peace be on you, O the protector of the religion of Allah.
Peace be on you, O the helper of the Apostle of Allah.
Peace be on you, O the one whose burial was arranged by the Apostle of Allah and he entrusted her to the Mercy of Allah.
I bear witness that you are esteemed near Allah and the chosen one among His nation and that Allah has placed you in His Mercy in a place built of ruby and in the highest grades of Paradise
May Allah send salutations upon you and His Mercy and Blessings
Source
The mountain and valley in the 50’s…
…and now.
The graves of our notable predecessors are behind the green gate and grills….
….while others are placed in walled areas as such…
…quite different from Jannatul Baqi.
Abdur Rahman ibn Abi Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu, the eldest son of Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu.
Abd Allah ibn Zubayr RadhiAllahu anhu, was the Grandson of Abu Bakr, nephew of our Lady Aishah, son of Zubayr ibn Al-Awwam, one of the ten guaranteed Jannah and Asma (known as the one with the two waist belts). His fellow Sahaabah said three thingsof him: his bravery, eloquence and worship. He was the first child to be born in Medinah. May Allah be pleased with them all.
Abu Talib ibn ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib, the loved Uncle of our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and the father of Ali RadhiAllahu anhu. He was the head of the Banu Hashim clan and married to Fatima bint Asad RadhiAllahu anha, who rests in Jannatul Baqi.
May Allah Ta’ala perfume all these homes of dust with a fragrant breeze from Jannah and fill them with Nur and Sakeenah, forgive all the inhabitants and unite them all in His Garden. Ameen.
[The first four and the last photos from a google search, and the three individual graves a sharing from an ‘Ashiq, Alhumdulillah and JazakumuLlahu khairan, the others from our visit last week]
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.
October 27, 2008
Indeed Safa and the Marwa are among the signs appointed by Allah.. (2:158)
O Our Lord! I have made of my offspring to dwell in a valley without cultivation by Your Sacred House; in order Our Lord, that they may establish regular Prayer: so fill the hearts of some among men with love towards them, and provide them with produce, so that they may be thankful. (14:37).
With all the modern changes to the Masaa area, one wonders how much the heart turns back to the noble Hajar Alaihas Salam’s running as a devastated mother’s concern for the well being of her son.
Her sense of urgency and her unshakable faith in Allah Ta’ala in such harsh circumstances are examples of not only what an excellent mother she was, but also what a strong believer in Allah Ta’ala she was. As we run over smooth marble with air conditioning and fans providing a cool fresh breeze, with the very water she was searching for available all along the way, with food and super fancy rooms to retreat to, with shopping outlets that rival the best in the world beckoning and tempting us, how much are we deepening our trust in Allah Ta’ala? How much do our actions, our Ibadah, honour the poignant Du’a Sayyidna Ibrahim Alaihis Salam made to his Rabb Subhanahu wa Ta’ala? And how much thought do we give to the ’signs appointed by Allah’?
The new minaret beside the Safa Hill. The Palace to the right.
Detail of the minaret with the massive Masaa project taking shape.
The elaborate facade showing the three levels plus the roof for performing Sa’i.
The feature section of the facade towards the Marwa end.
The Marwa end, jutting into the recently demolished area, that eventually will unite with the new extended part of the Haram.
The view looking from Marwa towards Safa. This new section was temporarily opened for the Ramadhan crowds, but now work continues with completing the final decoration and marbling of the floor.
Looking across the new section to what once was the courtyard and the base of the Palace. Earth digging machines were creating a deep trench just outside, but the photo is too dark to see them.
The noise is constant, as are the cleaners who are diligently and methodically at work attempting to combat the ever present dust.
The central section, between the two lanes of Masaa, which is designated for wheelchairs. The framework is the foundation for the barrier dividing the two way traffic.
A section of the central barrier separating the wheelchair pathways, looking over to what will exclusively become the one way path from Marwa to Safa. The area has been massively increased. While work progresses on the Safa to Marwa side, and the pilgrims are few, this one side accommodated the two way flow. Insha’Allah this ground level will be completed for the Hajj season. The second floor that was opened during Ramadhan was not available this visit while work continued to complete the extension.
Marble Zamzam outlets face towards the wheelchair pathway.
Decorative details seem to cover every surface. The absence of the hundreds of the Ottoman lanterns that were previously adorning the Masaa was sad.
This was looking into the Safa Hill. I could not get closer with all the scaffolding, but the drum of the dome that previously was decorated with a huge band of calligraphy had been resufaced with work being done on the dome. I am not sure what the plan is. It seemed the hill was still intact, though jackhammering was constant from this area. Notice the pillar on the right. Hundreds throughout the Haram have been stipped of their covering as they prepare the electrical wiring and whatever else in readiness for the entire structure to be airconditioned. Another awesome project.
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.
October 26, 2008
The first House (of worship) appointed for men was that at Bakka; full of blessing and of guidance for all beings. (3:96)
May this blessing and guidance reach to the far corners of the Universe and the deepest recesses of every heart. The spiritual Barakah emanating from Baitul Allah is felt as a soothing balm erasing every trace of anxiety, remorse and all that does not resonate with the beauty and bliss of being in such a close proximity to our Rabb Subhanahu wa Ta’ala.
The Hadith related by Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu states that our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihiwasallam said that sins are expiated from the performance of one ‘Umrah to the next. How exquisite is the sensation of being a fragment of the Ummah participating in the ritual whereby accumulated sins are eradicated, but more so when the intention is for the sake of Allah Ta’ala, as He Himself has said with His Divine Speech:
And accomplish the Hajj and ‘Umrah for Allah. (2:196)
The following photos are a sample selected over three days and nights from the copious ones taken whilst present in this City of Honouring, ‘visiting a populated place’, as is the translation of the word ‘Umrah. Though as some of the images show, during this time between the season of Ramadhan and Hajj, the attendees were very few compared to a mere few weeks ago. We were exceptionally blessed by the plans of the Best of Planners Subhanahu wa Ta’ala, to once more be gifted this opportunity and this view! Alf Alf Alf as-ShukriLlah!
The tower on the right is the Hajar Tower where
fire engulfed the top ten storeys. The damage could be seen from the opposite side facing the street.
Overlooking the new Masaa, the Safa end with a new minaret under construction. Immediately behind the Tower on the right is a corner of the Palace complex. While the across the temporary extension of the courtyard the Mubarak birthplace of our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam can be seen.
From the Mubarak birthplace on the far upper right, to the Muabrak place where the house of our Lady Khadijah RadhiAllahu anha was…a duplicate image below, with the green dot indicating where Allah Ta’ala chose for the Best of Creation SallAllahu alaihi wasallam to become manifest on earth, and the blue dot indicating the approximate position where he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam spent his married life, and where his six children were born. SubhanAllah…..
….all so close to the Sacred House. How prodigious the time must have been then. It was emotional enough to keep meditating from this height on our glorious past, let alone trying to allow the heart’s imagination to be back more than 1400 years.
The Abraj al-Bayt complex of towers is adjacent to the Adjyad Hospital from where the bodies of the deceased arrive to Masjid al-Haram for the Janazah. They are bourne aloft a narrow stretcher carried by loved ones the short distance across a road and then the courtyard. The small cluster in the above photo, are brothers about to enter Haram, carrying a mayyit about half an hour before Salatul Asr. Once inside, the stretcher is initially placed on the floor of the corridor next to the area where the Imam leads Salat. Once Salat is over, it is moved to the Mataf for the prayers to be read, and then journey continues back across the courtyard to be transported to the graveyard. Some days there were multiple souls returning to their Rabb, Inna LiLlahi wa inna ilaihi rajeoon. Unlike in Madinah where all are draped in green, various colours are used in Makkah; I saw brown, blue, black, fawn and sometimes a traditional tribal patterned shawl.
Insha’Allah, the next few posts will share various aspects of Makkah Al-Mukarramah.
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.
October 21, 2008
I leave a cloak patched with vivid scenes of recent witnessing by eyes filled with tears of gratitude. Tears that trickle as beads of a tasbih falling over a wrinkled landscape of memories and attempted efforts of obedience. A cloak embroidered with threads spun from hearts assembled as they were before time and space echoing the very same resplendent chorus in Tawhid major.
The black net of night bulges with a bulging moon, inebriated from this recently passed spectacle of fasting worshippers, filling the horizon as a quivering shimmer as if the entire collections of stars had been sprinkled over the pristine marble. A glistening repetitive reverie at the Almighty’s command.
Weird and wonderful splashes of colour decorate the surface of this rainbow hued cloak. Superman leaps from tall pillars facing the Dome chasing a cute Tinkerbell type angel whose sparkly dress is aglow with pixie dust. A stooped grandpa bends as a kiss is gently placed on his hollow cheek, innocence instantly plucked akin to a rose bud delivering a romantic message of love. The rattle of cans in a sack being dragged by a grimy and dishevelled wanderer adorn the edges as jangly metallic trims. His gnarled hands rummage in bins searching for more to add to his collection. He momentarily stops in front of the Dome, salutes, and then shuffles off.
A blue, brown army chanting praises glides as a wave made from the pure essence extracted from kernels of joy. Smiles so honest and true seem to melt every atom for miles and years, reducing all animate matter to a honeyed mass of adoration.
Scrawny, beady-eyed cats waddle off a production line that seems to refuse to acknowledge quotas, peer from this huge Madian cloak. They slink by impervious to reality, until a tentative pat transfixes them into a statue, or children chase and torment them with silver guns, baseball bats and wayward maneuvers with their roller skates and runaway baby buggies.
Shiny satiny sections of this cloak glimmer with an eerie midnight light, revealing shadowy shapes of men polishing brass, replacing water containers, twirling monster machines, wielding an artillery of brooms, sticks and mops, riding chrome scooters, bicycles and tricycles while others cruise in the anti-vice matchbox car. All perched on this huge rotating ball as circus acrobats. So securely stitched that none of us fall off. Our falling is not of the physical kind.
I dream of sitting wrapped in this cloak, hoping by looking long enough and hard enough at the deep emerald gem that is the abode of the Prince of Creation SallAllahu alaihi wasallam that all will dissolve into the One.
Instead I momentarily leave this cloak as I seek to stretch out for the Hand of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala as I circumambulate His House.
Labayk Allahumma Labayk
Makkah: STOP PRESS
The top ten floors of the under construction Hagar Tower, part of the Abraj al-Bayt ablaze last night. Arab News site is down as I edit this, but if you check it later you may read the details. Alhumdulillah there were no serious injuries or deaths.
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.
October 18, 2008
….with the discovery of a small shop nestled within these derelict alleys specializing in Indonesian food supplies! So lunch today was
Ikan Bilis and
Tempeh! ENAK ENAK!
ALHUMDULILLAHI RABBIL-’AALAMEEN!
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.
October 16, 2008
Preparing for the Day of Judgement: a brilliant slender volume, brimming with wisdom, has so generously been added to my library. A huge JazakumuLlahu khairan to the giver.
Penned by ‘Abul Fadl Shihab al-Din Ahmad ibn Ali al-Kannani al-Asqalani, better known by the name of Imam Ibn Hajar, who was born in Cairo in 773/1372.
‘This book is a compilation of some of the wise sayings of the Prophet (pbuh), the companions, and of the pious predecessors and ascetics.
Reflecting on these wise sayings and heeding these counsels will assist in infusing us with the requisite awareness and fervour to prepare for the Day of Judgement.
We are all in need of such counsel, for our Day of Judgement begins not when the world ends, but when our life comes to an end - which is indeed imminent - as the Prophet (pbuh) stated.’
The nine chapters are divided into ‘counsels’ according to the number of advises included in each counsel: from Counsel in Twos to Counsel in Tens. The link above shares a selection from Threes, while I will share some that have pierced my heart, from Counsel in Fives. Insha’Allah in the future I will post others that may ripple responses for us to be more serious with our preparation.
“The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, “There will come a time for my ummah when they will love five things and forget five things. They will love this life (dunya) and forget the life to come; they will love property and forget the grave; they will love wealth and forget the [Day of] Judgement; they will love their children and forget the truth; and they will love themselves and forget Allah. They have nothing to do with me and I have nothing to do with them.”
The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, “Allah does not give someone five things until He has prepared another five things for them. He does not give him gratitude except that He has prepared for him an increase [in provision and sustenance], He does not give him supplication (du’a) except that He has prepared its award; He does not give him the asking for forgiveness (istighfar) except that He has prepared for him forgiveness; He does not give him the asking for repentance except that He has prepared for him acceptance; and He does not give him charity except that He has prepared for him its reward.”
Abu Bakr as-Saddiq Radhiallahu anhu said, “Darkness is of five types and its lamps are five. Love of the dunya is a darkness and its lamp is God-consciousness; sins are a darkness and their lamp is repentance; the grave is a darkness and its lamp is: ‘There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah’; the Hereafter is a darkness and its lamp is right actions; and the path is a darkness and its lamp is certitude.”
Umar Radhiallahu anhu said, “If it were not claiming to know the unseen, I would bear witness that these five types of people will surely be from the people of Paradise. The poor man who has to support a large family; the wife whose husband is please with her; the woman who gives her dowry to her husband, considering it an act of charity; the one whose parents are pleased with him; and the one who repents from sins.”
Ali Radhiallahu anhu said, “Were it not for five things all of mankind would have been righteous. Contentment with ignorance, covetousness over this world (dunya), miserliness over what is surplus, insincerity in actions, and conceit over one’s opinion.”
Yahya ibn Mu’ath al-Razi said, “He whose appetite increases, his corpulence will increase; he whose corpulence increases, his desires will increase; he whose desires increase his sins will increase; he whose sins increase, the hardness of his heart will increase; and he whose heart becomes hard will drown in the pitfalls of the dunya and its attractions.”
Sufyan al-Thawri said, “The poor have chosen five things and the rich have chosen five others. The poor have chosen sincerity of the soul, freedom from worries, worship of the Lord, ease of accountability, and the highest position. The rich have chosen weariness of the soul, preoccupation with worries, worship of the dunya, severity in accountability, and the lowest position.”
A sage said, “There are five obstacles to attaining God-consciousness (taqwa), and only the one who overcomes these five will attain it. Choosing hardship over ease, exertion over rest, lowliness over pride, silence over idle talk, and death over life.”
The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, “In the gathering of wealth there are five [blameworthy] things, wearing oneself out in gathering it; neglecting the remembrance (dhikr) of Allah in preserving it; fear of robbers and thieves; being labeled a miser on account of it; and leaving the company of the righteous due to it. In distributing one’s wealth to the poor there are five [praiseworthy] things, ease of mind due to abandoning its amassing; having time to remember Allah rather than the worrying about preserving it; safety from robbers and thieves; gaining the title of ‘generous’; and accompanying the righteous due to leaving it behind.”
Sufyan al-Thawri said, “No one in this age amasses wealth except that he has five traits, the delusion that his lifespan will be long, overpowering greed, intense miserliness, lack of piety, and forgetfulness of the Hereafter.”
Muhammad ibn al-Duri said, “The damnation of Iblis was due to five things, he did not acknowledge his sin, he did not regret it, he did not blame himself, he did not resolve to repent, and he lost hope in the mercy of Allah. The salvation of Adam was due to five things, he acknowledged his sins, he regretted it, he blamed himself, he hastened to repent, and he did not lose hope in the mercy of Allah.”
Shaqiq al-Balkhi said, “Five precepts are obligatory upon you, so practice them: worship Allah to the extent that you need Him; take from the dunya to the extent of your stay in it; disobey Allah to the extent you can bear His punishment; prepare provisions during the dunya to the extent of your stay in the grave; and work for Paradise to the extent of your desired rank in it.”
Umar Radhiallahu anhu said, “I have seen all types of friends but I have never found a better friend than safeguarding the tongue; I have seen all types of clothes but I have never found clothes better than God-consciousness; I have seen all types of wealth but I have never found wealth better than contentment; I have seen all types of good deeds but I have never found a good deed better than giving good advice; I have seen all types of food and I never found food more delicious than patience.”
The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, “There will come a time for my ummah when they will love five things and forget five others, they will love this dunya and forget the next world; they will love life and forget death; they will love palaces and forget the grave; they will love wealth and forget the [Day of] Account; and they will love creatures and forget the Creator.”
Yahya ibn Mu’ath al-Razi said in his entreaties and supplication, “O my Lord! The night is only pleasant to me when I supplicate to You; the day is only pleasant to me when I obey You; this world is only pleasant to me when I remember You; the Hereafter will only be pleasant to me if I receive Your pardon; and Paradise will only be pleasant to me if I see You.”
PREPARED??
JUMA’AH MUBARAK!
PREPARED??
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.
October 14, 2008
The king is currently visiting Madinah. While the permament resident, the Prince of Creation SallAllahu alaihi wasallam’s light perpetually illuminates this City Enlightened by his light.
Allahumma salli salaatan kaamilatan wa sallim salaaman taamman ‘ala sayyidina Muhammadin alladhi tanhallu bihil ‘uqod, wa tanfariju bihil qurob, wa tuqdo bihil hawaaiju, wa tunaalu bihir ragha`ib, wa husnul khawaatiim, wa yustasqal ghamaam, biwajhihil karim, wa ‘ala aalihi wa sahbihi fi kulli lamhatin wa nafasim bi’adadi kulli ma’lumin lak.
"O Allah! Send Your prayers the Salawat of perfect salutations and send Peace of complete fullness upon our Master Muhammad, with whom ceases all that binds, and ends all sadness, and fulfills all wishes, and attains all desires, and ends with goodness, and the pouring of rain, by his generous countenance, and upon his Family and his Companions, as much as every blink of an eye and every breath that is made that is in Your Knowledge."
Salawat an-Nariyyah [JazakiLlahu khairan for Umm Fatima (again!)’s reminder of this heartfelt Salawat]
"Soon on arrival in Madinah, the king visited the Prophet’s Mosque where he performed the Asr prayer and visited the grave of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and of Caliphs Abu Bakr and Omar." Image and article outlining his official role of launching various projects from todays Arab News.
While in yesterdays edition, along with emphasizing the SR12 billion budget for inprovements to the City, this comment was interesting: “The king has approved a proposal to make Madinah a Haj-related zone”. Until now, the general view from the Najd in the east has been that attaching a visit to Madinah, and specifically our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, during the Hajj season, has been considered an innovation.
Alhumdulillah ‘ala kulli hal.
The presence of dignitaries in Haramain is always a spectacle! During Ramadhan while walking strolling in the courtyard after Taraweeh a man with a huge professional camera mounted on his shoulder was filming as he made sweeping moves in every direction. Close upon his heels were commandoes, with h8uge rifles slung across their chest and policemen, arms flaying in the air in their attempt at dismissing any curious onlookers from coming too close. Close upon their heels was a ‘chain’ of commandoes, with guns in holsters tied around their thigh, tightly linked by holding hands, forming a barrier around a small group of ‘dignitaries’, moving as a unit.
Another evening the same gun toting commandoes boomed across the courtyard towards Bab Baqi, forming another human wall extending way out from the Green Dome area. This was the allotted time for sisters Ziarah, but when I entered the usual area to gain access for Ziarah the security sisters said it was closed for the night. Obviously sisters of some standing had the space to themselves, along with hundreds of guards for protection.
On the morning of Eid as the crowds of worshippers were literally pouring into Haram, a swathe of courtyard was cordoned off with the famous red and white tape, and once again lined with the ubiquitous commandoes and police. Fascinated as always with all these antics I stood back to see who may be arriving, and was dumbstruck when a group of Saudi nationals in the typical white thobe and red and white Shammag paraded along this guarded corridor. The amazing part was that each had a huge golden scabbard with sword, more than a metre in length, as well as a distinctive black leather belt holding a pistol slung across their left thigh. These brothers were entering the Masjid! Strange indeed.
The Eid gathering was estimated to be more than one and a half million worshippers here in Madinah! Squashed comes nowhere near to describe the scene of men and women filling the courtyard and spilling into all the arterial streets. For those who know Masjid Nabawi, to offer Salat in the southern courtyard renders the Jammat prayer null and void as it is actually in front of the position of the Imam. Signs in various languages clearly indicate this.
And yet this entire area was packed for the Eid prayer. No passage ways had been left in the advent of anyone trying to move anywhere. Police huddled and even hid in the small rooms housed in the main gate pillars, as they could no longer control any semblance of keeping pathways clear. And yet for ‘dignitaries’ an all out effort is made to clear and maintain space for them.
The worst crush was on Laylatul Qadr in Masjid al-Haram Makkah whilst performing Umrah during Taraweeh. The entire Mataf area was a surge of pilgrims circling the Ka’abah. I have never experienced such congestion. Not even during any Hajj. I wondered, as I was fighting for mere survival in this dense mass of humanity, how is this spiritual? Maybe one’s pleading for salvation as the tears and the perspiration seem to be all that is left defining one’s existence, was the essence of one’s finite link to Allah Ta’ala during such an experience. The imagination jumped to how maybe Yaumul Qiyamah may be. Drowning in our own perspiration, with a similar anxiety about what our fate may be. Ya Rabb.
The worst was to come…trying to negotiate a way out of the Mataf to Masaa. Each circuit while passing Imam Sudais as he was leading the Salat from the raised area opposite the Black Stone, I noticed a wall of brown…police shoulder to shoulder forming a barrier to protect a group of dignitaries. What made a difficult situation even more difficult was that they were occupying the main steps that lead directly to the Masaa. The crush up the adjoining steps was horrifying. No other word can paint this scene. It was surreal, as the Taraweeh was amplified full volume, people attempting to remain focused in their Salat as they filled all passageways, others trying to get out continuing with their Umrah, and yet others pushing to get into do Tawaf.
Eventually, after so many detours, so many doors blocked, so many police saying no entry, we found our way to the second floor. Construction was still ongoing. Stacks of marble slabs, tarpaulins, equipment, electrical wiring hanging from the ceiling, work mess, lined the way, as people vied for a place to join in the prayer, and others moving back and forth from Safa to Marwa.
And then suddenly ahead were the ‘dignitaries’. Spread across the entire width of the Masaa. A small group of brothers, not in Ihram, surrounded by the all too familiar wall of gun toting commandoes with police in front, beside and behind shooing off anyone who seemed they were coming too close, or who wanted to pass.
The crowd was estimated to be more than two million that night. Exiting was the next step in the endurance battle. Hours later one could see the ground beneath them.
SubhanAllah. It was Fajr before we were out of the crowd feeling like an individual instead of a glued component of humanity! Maybe therein lies the lesson! May Allah Ta’ala accept all eforts in our journey to Him, Ameen. And ‘dignitaries’ one and all!
~*~
JazakiLlahu khairan to the dear one whose photos I have used.
~*~
Alhumdulillah I have finally made some sense of trying to organize this blog. Slowly, the categories will be ‘concertinaed’ into some semblance of normality. You may notice that ‘rambling’ now includes all the previous ‘a ramble’ posts, and a ‘month of miscellany’ includes all the entries that previously were listed individually. Another JazakumuLlahu khairan for the kind souls who advised me on this. Maybe there should be a rule that ‘grannies’ are banned from blogging, as I realize that what has been a mammoth hurdle for me is truly so simple. Alhumdulillah. And, Insha’Allah once I have completed this laborious task I intend to take yet another bold leap into other changes. Please keep this humble space in your Du’a.
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.
October 12, 2008
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.
October 6, 2008
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
Praise is to Him who guided the believers to the truth.
And may His blessings and salutations be upon Mohammad SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.
Assalamu alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu
Eesh launik? (what colour are you? This version being addressed to a female) is village Bedu parlance. Repeatedly asked throughout a conversation. Over and over and over again.
This speck’s colour is a bilious green at the moment…in great need of your Adiyah to help get it back to a reasonable human shade, Insha’Allah. Hence this long absence. The many planned posts slipped into some murky space that defines a fuzzy head. Khair.
Briefly….until a shine and some ‘demuddling’ is sprinkled this way….
· Insha’Allah, you are taking advantage of the SHAWWAL SPECIAL OFFER!!!
· Two (1) inspiring Ramadhan pictorial retrospectives….to help nudge the nafs into maintaining some of the wonder of the month just gone forever.
· The changes fifty years can make…from ‘devil’s donkey’, to a monorail.
· A brilliant reminder, from a brilliant scholar, of the benefits in all that has been decreed for us all, Alhumdulillah.
May your ‘colour’ be bright, Insha’Allah!
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.
