November 6, 2008
JUMA’AH MUBARAK!!!
May it be a Juma’ah where we take extra time and effort to polish the mirror of the heart with the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala and Salawaat on His Habib SallAllahu alaihi wasallam so that our hearts may reflect the attributes of Allah Ta’ala across the Universe, 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.
November 5, 2008
SubhanAllah, the Angel of Rain still following the commands from Allah Ta’ala in sending the allocated drops of mercy on this Luminous City. No sooner have the workers dealt with one downpour, than the next lot of clouds share their load, Alhumdulillah:
..the veering of winds and clouds which are held between the sky and the earth, are indeed signs for people of understanding. (2:164)
The following photos from the courtyard were taken within approximately ten minutes of each other this afternoon, and in this sequence. I was taken aback by how the heavens changed so rapidly, being mirrored on the ground with the continuous changing movement of people. An interlacing of cloud and light, shapes and space, movement and stillness, expanse and constriction, gathering and separating. A poignant enactment starring Allah Ta’ala’s signs; for those who believe with certainty, for those who remember, for those who are guided, for those of understanding, for those who are grateful, for those who know.
Allah oversees all affairs from the sky to the earth, and everything will ascend to Him in the end, on a day that will measure a thousand years in your reckoning. (32:4)
One of the magnificent heavenward signs of Allah Ta’ala’s arrangement for this existance is the rain. A tangible sign of the Divine Presence that He wills to descend to sustain all life. Understanding this sign in the material world around us is one of the keys to understanding the signs of the Hereafter. Just as Allah Ta’ala’s planning in providing all our needs stems from the heavens, so we need to reciprocate by ascending back to the Divine Presence with gratitude, glory, praise and awe. May our perceiving of His signs spark this intricate interplay in a manner that benefits our Akhirah.
Moving from the side of Jannatul Baqi towards the Abode of Peace seemed as though the transition was to an entirely differnt time and place. Sombre clouds hovering above as waves of seekers passed to give Salam…
to float, move away. And so too were groups of commandoes gathered as a security precaution for the visiting Pakistani President…
to then move away.
The dynamics of gathering and separation, as expressed by the Sufis to point to Allah Ta’ala’s unrestricted power over the whole creation. Al-Qushayri says: "All are comprehended in His freedom of action and government of events, inasmuch as He is the originator of the essences and the source of the attributes of everyone. Then He separates everyone by making them of differnet sorts: a portion of them He makes happy and a portion of them He makes distance from Him and miserable; a portion He guides and a portion He leads astray and blinds; a portion He veils from Himself and a portion He draws to Himself; a portion He makes intimate with His union and a portion He makes despair of His mercy; a portion He honours with His acceptance and a portion He causes to lose themselves in the realization of their desire; a portion He grants clear sobriety and a portion He obliterates; a portion He draws close and a portion He sends away; a portion He brings near Him and into His presence, then gives them to drink and makes then drunk; a portion He hinders and sets back, then drives them away and leaves them behind. The varieties of His actions cannot be confined by any boundary, and neither explanation nor recounting can approach them in detail."
While the varieties of His actions, most glorious and grand, can change the grey sky to a brilliant azure in the blink of an eye, SubhanAllah. All the more miraculous that this brilliant blue framed the most brilliant piece of ground in the Universe…
caressing the Most Loved in the Universe SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, whose mercy rains perpetually and abundantly upon his Ummah.
While the slight turn of the gaze echoes the stark contrast witnessed in Allah Ta’ala’s signs, speaking to the heart of His Omnipotence and His power of gathering and separating. May we be people of understanding.
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.
November 4, 2008
…its been raining in the City of Light…
as well as raining with new Hujjaj…
with hearts flowing with gratitude…
senses with awe…
intentions focused…
steps with direction…
souls with hope…
and aspirations…
to be cleansed…
faults rectified…
Iman strengthened..
deeds accepted…
worship deepened…
faith renewed…
glory restored…
peace to descend…in abundance equal to every drop of rain commanded to sustain and nourish…
and salutations upon our Beloved al-Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam…
equal to the number of drops that have fallen from the beginning of time, multiplied by the number yet to fall, multiplied by the number just fallen these past days over his Mubarak Dome of Felicity, multiplied by the number that has ever showered his Radiant City multiplied by the number of breaths of the total number of Hujjaj to grace the Sacred Places this year.
Iman ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Alawi al-Haddad Rahmatullah alaihi, (may we recall the anniversary of his demise being on the 8th Dhul Qa’ada with prayers for him and his lineage) complemented the Imam Busayri’s famous poem the Mudariyya (transliteration, translation) by adding additional verses. With every two couplets of the original Imam al-Haddad added an additional three, thus multiplying the blessings upon the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Hence it is known as the Quintet or Takhmis. It is assumed that this poem was penned in 1079 the year Imam al-Haddad performed Hajj.
I include a selection from this Quintet. (from the Key to Arriving at the Door of the Messenger)
May the fragrance be guided to his presence in a sequence,
By the numbers of people that fill the streets,
Whenever the eyes blink,
May it be multiplied by the number of leaves that the trees hold,
And by every letter ever to be uttered, read and scribed.
And by the number of everything that Allah has bestowed or taken,
And by the number of portions of sustenance that have always been distributed,
And by the number of souls in the creation that seek sustenance,
And by the weight of the mountains
Followed by the drops of water and rain.
And by all the hours that have passed by in the universe from eternity,
And by every creature that has walked on foot, on the face of the earth,
And by the number of all the nations that Allah has created,
And by the number of birds, beast, fish,
Followed by the jinn, angels and human.
May the blessing be coupled with endless peace,
May its fragrance rise among the people,
By the number of plants on the earth that have been consumed,
By the number of atoms, ants and all the grains,
And also by the number of hairs, wool, feathers and fur.
And by the number of all things in existence, of every kind,
And by the number of all the things that are in Allah’s knowledge,
And by the amount of all sustenance that Allah has distributed,
And by the amount of knowledge that Allah encompasses,
And by what the Pen of decree and destiny has written.
And by the number of all the wonders on the earth,
And by the number of people who travel its highlands,
And by the number of things that rise to the highest level,
And by the number of all the blessings that Allah has bestowed
Upon the creation from the time of their creation to the time of their resurrection.
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.
July 28, 2008
Alhumdulillah: to experience Allah Ta’ala’s unlimited bounties brings unlimited joy. And unlimited joy is to be found in excessive wishing to be called back to Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah.
Impossible to describe the feeling of seeing the illuminated minarets as shafts of light piercing the dark horizon as we drove over the higher incline just past Meeqat in the early hours of the morning of our return. A return that can never be taken for granted. To be invited back after leaving is a blessing beyond mortal words. The soaring minarets symbolically representing protection, security and peace. The glow from the heart of this Radiant City immediately permeates a thirsty soul; one that has just imbibed in a myriad of Dunya luxuries and ease, satiated with pleasantries, jovial laughter, familial love, friendships, gourmet delights, sane living standards, vibrant and verdant landscapes, a clean and respected environment, all this and yet the soul yearned for the one presence SallAllahu alaihi wasallam that defines Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, that IS Madinah. The Beloved Al-Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam is the shining light that beckons.
His SallAllahu alaihi wasallam’s Abode is drenched in the intense rays of summer light. May our hearts likewise be drenched in the intense love and compassion he has for his Ummah, reflecting the sifat, qualities, he was sent to teach and guide us with.
Whilst nearby the installation of the first five, from a total of 182, of the courtyard umbrellas opposite Bab As-Salam is underway.
‘Each of these umbrellas will cover about 600 square meters and provide shelter from the sun and rain to about 900 worshippers.
The umbrellas will surround the Prophet’s Mosque from three sides after covering the eastern expansion that was ordered by the King. Six passages will also be covered on the southern side.’
The majority of the eatern expansion now marbled, Insha’Allah it will be ready for the Ramadhan crowds.
The subdued dusk light produces a soft glow after the glare of the day. A gentle reminder of the honour and respect this Radiant City deserves. This chosen sacred place that once was filled with revelations of the Divine Scriptures. Where Jibreel Alaihis Salam frequented, where the constant echo of celebrated praises was heard for miles. Where the dust and the earth became honoured through the blessed presence of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Where the commands of this glorious Deen were announced and proclaimed and immediately implemented.
May we all yearn to inhale the lingering fragrance and the inner essence of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, 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.
September 10, 2007
My leave for a ‘moment’ has extended into what seems like decades. Sorry.
Such can be the nature of time.
In another few ‘moments’ the Shayateen will be chained. They must be running scared right now; this is the feeling in and around Masjid Nabawi as the number of the faithful increase day by day and the atmosphere of anticipation is vibrant. May we do our part by restraining our nafs and solemnly making the intention to maximize all aspects of our Ibadah, fervently seeking all the promises made by Allah Ta’ala for our efforts of fasting purely for His pleasure. Ameen.
And in another few ‘moments’ we will be wondering where the Mubarak visitor, Ramadhan, has gone and maybe regretting lost moments when it will be too late to utter sorry.
Such can be the nature of time.
Whether your destiny is glory or disgrace,
Purify yourself of hatred and love of self.
Polish your mirror; and that sublime Beauty
From the regions of mystery
Will flame out in your heart
As it did for the saints and prophets.
Then, with your heart on fire with that Splendor,
The secret of the Beloved will no longer be hidden.
Jami from ‘Perfume of the Desert’
Photos from this morning.
Here are
the charts I did last year to ease the Qur’an Khatam over the month, along with last years Ramadhan 01-15 series. Insha’Allah, by the grace of Allah Ta’ala, and your needed Adiyah I will endeavour to spare some ‘moments’ for the blog during the blessed month.
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 SPAMINATOR…is refusing to allow me to post this comment….so I include it here:
Assalamu alaikum,
Dear ALL,
and such a joy to be given the opportunity to be back, made more felicitous by seeing you all appear in this space once again…Ameen thumma Ameen to all your Adiyah. Insha’Allah my endeavours to post photos will be granted….it is still "frowned" upon, and each photo has a tale 
…maybe the tough guys in their little match box cars cruising around Bab Salam and Bad Baqi will have a rest during Ramadhan…and give me a break
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
March 1, 2007
A silvery mist, as though Allah Ta’ala had spent the morning spray painting, shrouded the entire city. The glimpses of Jabal Uhud between the buildings is a gentle hue of a pale, almost transparent curtain, while the delicate creams of the imposing minarets seemed to melt into the softness of the sky like the finest chiaroscuro painting technique the Renaissance artists strived to perfect. Al-Khaliq Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala is the only supreme Perfectionist, SubhanAllah.
Walking around the maze the courtyard has become with all the fenced off construction areas was akin to floating in a surreal other-world, where the senses are muffled, the body unconsciously gliding. Effortlessly, the feet empowered by the seventy thousand Angels we are told accompany us if we are on the path of knowledge. This path, offering the experiential teachings of knowledge, is momentarily devoid of book learning. Floating in this space provides a time for the mind to abandon the tangible and allow the heart to be doused in the cleansing environment of this Pure City, At-Tayba. SubhanAllah! From the unseen world the phenomenal world emerges, from the unseen realm of our hearts actions spring.
How to share this space, this City of Cities, the Abode of the Prince of Peace? The essence of his SallAllahu alaihi wassalam peace permeating every particle one inhales, the fragrance inebriating one into a trance-like stupor, the subtle heart rejoicing as the polishing process is activated, revealing the inner recesses of the unseen, and thus our link to Allah Ta’ala, through His Habib SallAllahu alaihi wassalam. The heart is that which is designed to be imbued with peace and calm, which can only be achieved with the remembrance of Allah:
Truly, it is in the remembrance of Allah that hearts find peace. (13:28)
The message of the Qur’an states that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassalam came first to purify, then teach the Book and then impart Wisdom, exhorting how to abide by the message of the Qur’an Majeed This is the essence of "Tazkiya" that wafts from the Abode of Peace, waiting for all to imbibe from it.
Rowdha As Shareef during these days is truly a haven of peace and calm. The area at the blessed feet of Rasulullah SallallAllahu alaihi wassalam and of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq and Umar RadhiaLlahu anhuma, the raised platform behind the house of the Beloved Fatimah RadhiAllahu anha and the place of Tahajjud, are all accessible after months of being fenced off during the Ziarah times for ladies. Further abandoning the self by meditating on the small green grill, resembling a flowering plant, high above the wall opposite the Muwajaha marking the place where Gibril Alaihis Sallam would come for his intimate revelations to our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wassalam. SubhanAllah.
Places demanding tears, extracting tears. Tears washing away all that is not Him, attempting to annihilate all that comes and goes, leaving only the Presence which forever remains.
"Never be without remembrance of Him,
for His remembrance
gives strength and wings
to the bird of the Spirit.
If that objective of yours
is fully realized, that is
"Light upon Light"…
…But at the very least, by
practicing God’s remembrance
your inner being
will be illuminated
little by little and
you will achieve
some measure of detachment
from the world."
Jelaluddin Rumi
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. Ameen.
September 9, 2006
Ajeeb!!! Weird, strange AJEEB!
AJEEB! Strange, weird things happening recently.
Posts disappearing, titles misbehaving?? Is blogsome being slightly bothersome, or some other "jinnish" theatrics taking centre stage? Or? Insha’Allah I will attempt to set things right soonish!
We borrowed a camera the other day with the intention of taking some photos of a particular masjid nearby, but the plan was thwarted when we went down to find the car had a flat tyre. By the time it was fixed it was too late to go out. So we continued on this mission the next day. After taking several photos with a very recalcitrant borrowed camera, we noticed that they were not appearing as having been taken! All the images I was wanting for the blog gone! We decided to drive around taking random images, rather than back tracking. The heat some times decides ones moves, rather than one pursuing the logical start all over again.
I like driving around this Mubarak City of Light observing the people and the massive changes taking shape with the destruction/construction activity. An on going disappearing- appearing act. The crowds are becoming denser by the day as we approach Ramadhan, Insha’Allah. They have predicted a record number of one million expected to flood Madinah during Ramadhan.
I do not enjoy the chaotic driving habits on the roads in the Kingdom at all, but this was a relatively quiet time after Salatul Zuhur, when the traffic is slightly less in quantity, but never the less still erratic. Such a test of patience, not to mention digging deep in the well of forgiveness for ones fellow brothers (can’t say sisters in this context!!) for the inconvenience of their driving "skills".
Shock and horror when we uploaded the photos! Instead of the sky revealing the mid afternoon glare all shots are mysteriously dark and gloomy, as well as twisted and distorted. Ajeeb! I decided to share these unusual images anyway!
A photo of the front of new Amarah building mentioned in the "virtual tours" 11 and 12. Surreal lighting effects emanating from this building. It was not like this at all. I rather like the muted salmon/cream colour scheme and the simplicity of the design compared to other so many other examples where the layering of too many features and styles are combined creating garish mixtures. Notice the distinctive minarets of Masjid Anbariyah to the right.
VERY WEIRD!
Driving around the back of the Amarah building was an imposing view of Masjid Anbariyah, with the Ottoman railway station just behind it. As we were taking this photo from the window of the car, a policeman suddenly appeared from behind us. Alhumdulillah he did not confiscate the camera, he was just curious as to what we were doing, and I guess worried as we were beside the back of this major government building. A new law has recently been passed in the Kingdom that photography is now "permitted". But our experiences since then have not been very pleasant. Like so many things here, I think it will take a few years before the truth of this decision is understood by everyone, especially the police.
Looking towards the Haram, Bab Salam side. The imposing construction on the left will be a six story building extending the entire western side of the courtyard, continuing the trend of suffocating the Haram from all sides. The fence to the right enclosing yet another excavation site preparing for yes, another hotel complex.
Another view of this building under construction. The Green Dome was visible in the middle of the concrete frame. Once this building is complete the minarets will barely be visible from this position. The huge area of the courtyard in front of this building is currently fenced off as workers have removed all the marble tiles and in the process of digging the necessary trenches for the facilities for the addition of the umbrellas on the light pillars. Another large section in front of the Green Dome is also having the same changes made. This is a massive undertaking, where it seems that eventually the entire courtyard will be lifted for the operation of attaching umbrellas to every light pillar. Allahu ‘Alum, this project was announced when the king visited a few months ago.
In lightof these bizarre dark photos I have made the decision not to borrow a camera again. Insha’Allah one will be written for blog purposes in the not too distant future. Ameen! In the meantime I will rely on archives, scans and images from others.
"Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler."
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. Ameen.
