Times are confusing…but do we have to be?
One of the blessed Sahabah, Huthaifa banul Yamman RadhiAllahu anhu, suffered various trials that affect the heart in its process of transformation and development. He observed illnesses of vice and deception while contemplating the nature of misdeeds. He chose to pursue all that was good and rewarding, the virtues of which he promoted. During trials he controlled his stance with stillness and contentment. He sought the avenues of repentance and regret to deepen the soundness of his spirituality, along with sincerity of devotion and gratitude to his Lord, Subhanahu wa Ta’ala.
Umar bin al-Khattab RadiAllahu anhu once asked his companions if they had heard what the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam had said about fitan that will befall the people, where trials will descend one after the other just like the heaving waves of a heavy storm in the high seas. It was Huthaifa RadhiAllahu anhu who answered in the affirmative saying: “These trials will affect the hearts of all people without exception. Whoever refutes them, the trials will etch a white spot in his heart, and whoever absorbs them and is deceived by them, the trials will etch a black spot in his heart. Thus people’s hearts will be of two kinds: 1) A kind that is clear and spotless, and which nothing can affect as long as the heavens and earth remain; and 2) the second heart is one which is dark and opaque and it looks like a crooked corncob, and it will tilt one’s balance and lead him to his eternal demise on the Day of Judgement. Such a twisted heart will not acknowledge what is right and it will not deny what is wrong, and it will only accept what is already absorbed of rapacity and wantonness in this world as normal.
The time of such trials to begin is only held up by a closed door under the unremitting blows of destiny is almost shattering into pieces.” Umar RadhiAllahu anhu inquired: “You mean breaking open?” Huthaifa RadhiAllahu anhu replied: “Nay, I mean shattered into small pieces!” Umar then said: “Perhaps if it becomes open someone can close it again!” ”Huthaifa RadhiAllahu anhu replied: “Nay, it is certain that such a door will shatter into pieces. This door represents a man who kills the true Prophetic Traditions, disallows teaching them, and denies their authenticity.” (from here)
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What are we doing, where are we heading?
A car horn blasts, the sound magnified as it ricocheted off the marble walls of the steps leading up to Jannatul Baqi and the opposite wall. Repeated blasts interjected with aggressive and abusive shouting from the driver, a ‘Commission’ member, attempting to move hundreds of sisters gathering in this area. Another lurch forward with the same yelling hurled from the window, arms frantically alternating between holding the horn and waving about as he remained glued to his position behind the wheel. And so he went, driving along the boundary looking as though any minute he would plough into the groups seated there. Onlookers stood in utter disbelief. I still reflect in disbelief.
Another;, walkie talkie in hand kicking a drink bottle belonging to a small huddled group of sisters sitting beside the farthest fence from the Dome of Peace. When this provocation did not move them he grabbed the corner of one of the spread prayer mats, attempting to pull it out from under them, still no reaction. So he calls for reinforcements! Along comes the ‘matchbox’ car with two commission members and two policemen! Now all five with flaying arms and yelling finally achieve the result of moving these sisters.
Mamnou’ mamnou’, forbidden forbidden, as a sister with a new prayer rug is entering the Masjid. This is new….new rugs are forbidden, this is shopping, new rugs are forbidden….no water bottles…water bottles are forbidden….no camera phones…go back…no camera phones, camera phones are forbidden, hurry, go back. All said in languages supposedly matching the outer appearance of the sister. Candy is allowed for those wanting to hand it out for Ikram, but chocolate covered dates are treated as a suspect camera, until the box is ripped open to find individually foiled wrapped dates…also ripped open as they too are suspected of being a camera! Bread is allowed and dates are permitted on the days of fasting…but simple bread with dates in it is thrown back at the sister.
A nearby commotion shook the reverie of a low hum. Heads turned to a tug between an Omani-masked sister and another from the sub-continent over one of the folding chairs provided by the Masjid. Arguing in languages unknown by either ensued, with others throwing their opinions into the fray. Suddenly the focus moved to a sister seated on another chair beside me. Accusing fingers and sharp tongues indicating she was the one who has taken a reserved chair, and not the Omani sister.
Other altercations pierce the air. Harsh strident words directed to others as they try to seat themselves in available spaces. The body language saying that this place was for another…waving hands gesturing them to move on. Constant instructions from the duty sisters increases in decibels as the time for Salat draws near and the steady stream of worshippers continues to flow into an already overcrowded area.
Outside in the courtyard during the time families are there is yet another dimension of discord. So sad. So very very sad.
Please take time to make Du’a for these sacred precincts. For this blessed land that still holds memories of the most blessed of footsteps of Al-Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Layered with the best of his Companions RadhiAllahu anhu, and then their followers, and their followers and all the illustrious scholars throughout the history of our Deen. How true that each generation has moved further and further from such glory. May we ride waves of hope for change. Change from within as the fitan multiplies. Change that chooses focus over confusion, love for the Ahkirah over this existence. Change that etches a white spot in the heart due to the ever present love and application of the Sunnah, Insha’Allah, Ameen.
all because of love
when it arrived
my temporal life
from then on
changed to eternal
Rumi
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.
