ALMISKEENAH

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.

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. 

she said

he wrote

they read

you commented

we discussed

he didn’t mean

she surmised

I speculated

they typed

we reacted 

click….scroll….click….scroll…

….scroll….click….scroll…click…

innuendo

grew

time vanished

irreclaimable

he said

she argued

they asked

a frivolous debate

ricocheting accusations

haranguing, ranting, analyzing, prattling, blabbering

pummeling the soul

and all the while the grave is saying

and all the while the grave is saying

and all the while the grave is saying

welcome to my house of worms

welcome to my house of loneliness

welcome to my house of darkness

I am the place of solitude

I am the lodging of wilderness

I can be a pit of hell

squeezing ribs,

releasing venomous vipers

or a garden of paradise

spacious and fragrant

now is time to

devote time to

assess, amend, strive

assert, testify, proclaim:

LA ILAHA ILLA ALLAH MUHAMMADUR RASULULLAH

"O Allah, I seek Your forgiveness for every sin that Your pen recorded and Your knowledge encompassed, every one that I have committed and that I am to commit until the end of my life. I seek Your forgiveness for all my sins: the first and the last, the intentional and the unintentional, the few and the many, the minor and the major, the subtle and the noticeable, the past and the recent, the secret and the open and the public, and all those I am to commit throughout my life.

O Allah, I seek Your forgiveness for every sin of mine. I ask You to forgive me all the injustices against Your servants that You have enumerated against me; for Your servants have against me many claims of violated rights and injustices to which I am held captive. O Allah, even if these evil deeds of mine are many in number, they are a paltry few in sight of Your forgiveness. O Allah, any male or female servant of Yours who has against me a claim of injustice, that I forcefully seized from him something of his land or wealth or honour or body, whether he was absent or present, or whether he or his representatives demanded from me compensation for it but neither was I able to return it to him nor did I seek to be pardoned for it, I ask that You, with Your benevolence, generosity, and abundant treasures, satisfy them on my behalf; and do not give them over me power to take away and decrease my good deeds. For indeed You possess what can satisfy them on my behalf, and I do not. And do not make a way for their bad deeds to overcome my good deeds on the Day of Judgement.

I seek forgiveness from Allah, besides Whom there is nothing worthy of worship, the Living, the Self-Subsisting Sustainer of all creation. And I turn to Him in seeking forgiveness that increases one hundred million times with every blink of the eye and with every breath, that remains as long as Allah remains and lasts as long as Allah lasts; for his Dominion will never, for all of eternity, come to an end, cease, or die away. O Allah, accept this prayer. O Allah, make mine a prayer that meets with Your acceptance and a request that meets with Your blessing. Indeed You have power over all things.

O Allah, send blessings on our Master Muhammad SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, and upon the family of our Master Muhammad, and upon his Companions; and grant them abundant peace. Grant them abundant blessings and peace that remain as long as You remain and last as long as You last, that have bounds only You can know, blessings that please You and him, and by which You are pleased with us, O Lord of the Worlds! And for this, all praise is due to Allah.

Glory to your Lord, the Lord of All-Eminence, [Who is far above] what they claim. And peace be upon all the Messengers. And all Praise is due to Allah, the Lord and Cherisher of the Worlds."

From Prayers for Forgiveness.  

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 SHROUD

Abi Ishaq narrated that Haritha bin Mudhrab said: “One time, after the passing of Allah Ta’ala’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam we visited Khabbab ibn Al-Arat RadhiAllahu anhu on a day he was cauterized in seven areas of his body to treat some festering wounds he had suffered earlier at the hands of his torturers. When we enquired how he felt he replied, ‘Had Allah Ta’ala’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam not forbade us to wish for death, I would have wished for it right away!’ Someone asked Khabbab, ‘Tell us something about the early days in Islam, about your fellowship with Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and how it was like to visit with him?’

In the course of his talk, Khabbab, RadhiAllahu anhu ‘I know of no one who was subjected to unbearably painful and harrowing physical torture, yielding permanent injury such as I sustained. Furthermore during slavery I was so poor there was a time when I did not even have a decent rag to put on me to go and see him SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, and by contrast, here I am today, sitting on forty thousand Dirham, laying somewhere in the house.

Khabbab, RadhiAllahu anhu then asked for his burial shroud, and when he saw it and held it in his hand, he embraced it and wept over it. When he recouped he resumed: ‘When Hamza RadhiAllahu anhu was killed, we couldn’t find more than a begrimed scanty piece of an old cloak to shroud him with, and which when pulled up to cover his head, it became short of covering his feet, and when we stretched it down to his feet, it exposed his head. Finally we laid it down as it was to cover his head and we then covered his feet with some branches of Athkhar, Makkan grass.’”

*

Ishaq al-Thaqfi narrated that Umm Dharr RadhiAllahu anha, the wife of Abu Dharr al-Ghafari RadhiAllahu anhu said: “When Abu Dharr was dying, he saw me crying and asked me, ‘Why are you crying?’ I replied, ‘I do not know what to do! I surely cannot wash your body and shroud you all by myself. I do not have a single robe that is big enough to shroud you, nor do we have in this entire place enough material to shroud your body with!’ Abu Dharr RadhiAllahu anhu said: ‘Do not cry, listen, I was once sitting in a group of people, and I heard Allah Ta’ala’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam say to us, ‘One of you will die in a desolated place, and near his death a group of believers will pass by and they will bury him and officiate his funeral prayer.’ O Umm Dharr RadhiAllahu anha, none of those who were sitting in that gathering is alive today except me, and each one of them have died in a town, or surrounded with a group of believers, and therefore, I believe that I am the one who will die in a desolated area as predicted by Allah Ta’ala’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. I swear by Allah Ta’ala that I am not lying, nor did I ever disbelieve in what Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said. Go and look outside and perhaps you will see a group of travelers coming this way.’

Umm Dharr RadhiAllahu anha continued: ‘When I understood I had no more excuses but to accept what I was told to do.’ She then divided her attention between attending to her dying husband, and looking outdoors to find out about the traveling group of believers. One moment she stood near a dune looking in all directions, and in the middle of her dilemma there appeared in the horizon the shadows of travelers on their horses, they floated smoothly across the desert, and the winds raised their overcoats to near their shoulders, making them appear from a distance like gliding kites. She immediately waved her extra robe signaling them to come to her rescue. When they arrived, they asked her what she needed. She replied there is a dying Muslim in this dwelling, would you please help me in shrouding and burying him?’ Someone asked who it was and she sobbingly told them: ‘Abu Dharr’ Hearing his name the entire group gasped: ‘This is the beloved companion of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, and by Allah, we will surely sacrifice and risk everything for his sake.

They jumped off their horses and hastened to his bedside. Seeing them Abu Dharr smiled and then told them of what Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam had predicted. He further continued: ‘O good people, did you hear what I said? I swear in the name of Allah that is I had even a single overcoat which could cover me or my wife I would certainly ask to be shrouded in it, and I would not have asked anyone for a piece of shroud. I beg you in the name of Allah and Islam, let no leader among youwash me or shroud me, nor should a corporal, a captain, or a courier among you do that, for no one among your elite but has committed what he admonishes others not to do. Furthermore, let no one who last night had relations with his wife shroud me, except for a youth from Madinah and who is here with you.’

Immediately a young man from the ansar said; ‘O uncle, I am not married, I will shroud you in my own coat, and I will use two extra coats my mother has spun and woven for me.

When Abu Dharr RadhiAllahu anhu died, the young man washed and shrouded him as promised, and a group of Madinites, including Hajru ibnAl-Adbar and Malik ibn al-Ashtar, among others from Yemen officiated at his funeral. May Allah Ta’ala be pleased with them all, Ameen.

*

Abu Hamed ibn Jabl narrated: “Huthaifa RadhiAllahu anhu was leaning on Abu Mas’oud’s RadhiAllahu anhu shoulder when he saw someone bringing a new shroud. He said: ‘Why would you shroud your friend in this new fabric? Surely should your friend be of any worth, the Allah the most exalted, blessed be His Name, will replace it with what is better. Otherwise, should he be unfitting to wear such excess, his shroud will writhe him contortedly between the two walls of his grave and it will throw him perpetually from one side of his grave to the other, from the time he is buried until the Day of Resurrection.’”

*

Hafs ibn Umar, Abu Umar al-Barmaki narrated that Maimoun ibn Mihran said: “I witnessed the funeral of Abdullah ibn Abbas RadhiAllahu anhu at the city of Ta’if. When he was laid down for the funeral prayer, a white bird flew in and alighted on his body, and then it entered in between the layers of his shroud.  We immediately looked for the bird to let it out but we couldn’t find it, so we gave up searching for it. Once we had finished the prayer and laid the body in the grave, the entire congregation heard a distinct voice, although no one was to be seen, reciting the verse,

O soul at peace, return to your Lord well pleased and well pleasing, go in among My servants, and into My Garden  (89:27-30)

All above excerpts from The Beauty of the Righteous and Ranks of the Elite. (contents, preface)

Detailed descriptions and diagrams of the kafn, shroud here, 2, 3, and buy shroud kits here.

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. 

"Every soul shall taste death in the end; to Us shall you be brought back." (29:57)

when i die
when my coffin
is being taken out
you must never think
i am missing this world

don’t shed any tears
don’t lament or
feel sorry
i’m not falling
into a monster’s abyss

when you see
my corpse is being carried
don’t cry for my leaving
i’m not leaving
i’m arriving at eternal love

when you leave me
in the grave
don’t say goodbye
remember a grave is
only a curtain
for the paradise behind

you’ll only see me
descending into a grave
now watch me rise
how can there be an end
when the sun sets or
the moon goes down

it looks like the end
it seems like a sunset
but in reality it is a dawn
when the grave locks you up
that is when your soul is freed

have you ever seen
a seed fallen to earth
not rise with a new life
why should you doubt the rise
of a seed named human

have you ever seen
a bucket lowered into a well
coming back empty
why lament for a soul
when it can come back
like Joseph from the well

when for the last time
you close your mouth
your words and soul
will belong to the world of
no place no time

 Rumi

Fountain of Fire

A Celebration of Life and Love

Inna LiLlahi wa inna ilaihi Rajeoon.

I dedicate this post to Dr. Abu Bakr, the husband of a dear friend, and the father of three young children, whom Allah Ta’ala long before he was born, had written that he be taken back to him yesterday, Yaum al-Juma’ah, and Who instructed the Blessed Dust of Jannatul Baqi to caress him until the Day of Resurrection when he will surely rise to see our Beloved Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wassalam. This dear brother begged to reside in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah from South Africa and then only ever asked to remain here. SubhanAllah, such sincerity of intention that his Du’a has been answered.  Insha’Allah, you can offer Surah Fatiha or Surah Ya Sin for him and all who have recently been called from this existence to the next phase of the journey promised to us all.

JazakiLlahu khairan to Ukht Farhanah for mentioning this beautiful Rumi poem. The way Allah Ta’ala plans is far far beyond our comprehension. 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. Ameen. 

Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wassalam said: "Peace be upon you, O abode of believers. What you were promised will come to pass tomorrow at a fixed time. We shall, Allah willing, soon join you. O Allah! Grant forgiveness to the people who are buried in al-Baqi’ al-Gharqad." (Muslim)

And: "I am the first for whom the Earth will burst open, then Abu Bakr and then Umar. I shall then come to those who are buried in al-Baqi’ and they will be gathered along with me. After that I shall wait for the people of Mecca so as to be gathered among the inhabitants of the two sacred cities." (Tirmidhi)

As gnarled scattered beads from a broken tasbih,

Strewn sentinels of golden nuggets

Guard the veil of fragrant dust

Delineating

Barzakh

From a suffocating marbled glitz

Housing drowsy souls.

Drunk on Dunya’s delusions.
 

Dense clouds of silver wings flutter.

Patterning a polished copper sky

With glints of pearly shell.

Ethereal symphonies

Enchant

As Angels cavort with feathered wanderers.

Swooping in unison to kiss

The blessed dwellers.

Swathed in musk and garlands.

Sipping inebriating wines

Fermeted from pious deeds. 

Blissfully awaiting.

Blissfully awaiting

The Trumpet Blast.

Arousing the slumbering.

The Day souls unfurl

As petals blossoming

From rain-like dew.

New bodies rising

To the examination day of secrets.

Gazes transfixed on Mushaffa’,

The One Granted Intercession.

Brightness Itself.

A brilliance surpassing all superlatives.

Najmun Thaqib, a Piercing Star

Illuminating the path for his noble family

And thousands of Guiding Stars.

Gathering at this abode of believers,

To meet the Lord of the Worlds.

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. 

The Grave.

The sincere seeker spends their entire life preparing for death, as they realize that it is merely a bridge, that by crossing it will lead them closer to the Generous One, Al-Muhyi, the Giver of Life and Al-Mumit, the Taker of Life.

Standing transfixed, peering through the massive fence of Jannatul Baqi, touches so deep in the heart. Thousands upon thousands of the most Illustrious Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum, and thousands more respected scholars and pious people gracing this revered ground. At certain times of the day the light appears unwordly, dramatically highlighting the simple rough stones marking the graves which seemed bleached by the centuries of searing heat. Pigeons tirelessly flutter; the sound of their flight to and from the Green Dome creating a muffled tone in an eerie acoustic concerto. The swish of the sweepers’ brooms brushing the excess seed thrown for the birds, into mounds adds to the reverie. The ambience is surreal, pushing one to unusual depths of contemplation. The Sakeenah so tangible, a deafening hush pervades the space.

Then He causes him to die, then assigns to him a grave.
(80:21)

Wherever you are, death will find you out, even if you are in towers built up strong and high!
(4:78)

Every soul shall taste death in the end; to Us shall you be brought back. (29:57)

Say: "The death from which you flee will truly overtake you: then you will be sent back to the Knower of things secret and open: and He will tell you (the truth of) the things that you did!" (62:8)

When the Angel of Death takes away the soul of a person, the Angel asks Allah Ta’ala, ‘Shall I place it with the souls of the mu’mineen believers or with those of the non-believers?’ Insha’Allah we occupy ourselves with this concern, contemplating what command will be given to Malakul Maut when the time for our soul to be extracted is suddenly upon us. Our other concern is whether we are prepared for the trial in the Qabr.

The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam used to seek refuge in Allah Ta’ala from five things; cowardliness, niggardliness, the evils of old age, evil thoughts, and punishment in the grave. And another narration states that Allah’s Apostle SallAllahu alaihi wasallam used to invoke Allah Ta’ala: "Allahumma ini a’udhu bika min ‘adhabi-l-Qabr, wa min ‘adhabi-nnar, wa min fitnati-l-mahya wa-lmamat, wa min fitnati-l-masih ad-dajjal." (O Allah! I seek refuge with you from the punishment in the grave and from the punishment in the Hell fire and from the afflictions of life and death, and the afflictions of Al-Masih Ad-Dajjal.)

The Best of Mankind SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, the most loved by Allah Ta’ala from His entire creation used to seek refuge from the grave! May we be aware, awake, diligent, obedient, knowing, repentant, remorseful, prepared!

One day when the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam went out from the prayer he saw the people looking as if they were grinning he said, "If you were to keep much in the remembrance of death, which is the cutter-off of pleasures, it would distract you from what I see. Keep much in the remembrance of death which is the cutter-off of pleasure, for a day does not come to the grave without it saying, ‘I am the house of exile, I am the house of solitude, I am the house of dust, I am the house of worms.’ When a believer dies the grave says to him, ‘Welcome and greeting; you are indeed the dearest to me of those who walk upon me. I have been given charge of you today and you have come to me and you will see how I shall treat you.’ It will then expand for him as far as the eye can see and a door to Paradise will be opened for him. But when the disbeliever is buried the grave says to him, `No welcome and no greeting to you; you are the most hateful to me of those who walk upon me. I have been given charge of you today and you have come to me and you will see how I shall treat you.’ Abu Sa’id told that Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam indicated it by interlacing his fingers, demonstrating how the ribs would be squeezed so forcefully they would interlace in a like manner. The earth will be told to press him and continue to press till his ribs are clasped together and he will not be relieved of the torment till Allah Ta’ala resurrects him from his resting-place.
Then he said, "Seventy dragons will be put in charge of him of such a nature that if one of them were to breathe on the earth it would produce no crops as long as the world lasted, and they will bite and scratch him till he is brought to the reckoning." He also reported Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam as saying. "The grave is one of the gardens of Paradise, or one of the pits of Hell."

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar from his father RadhiAllahu anhuma: The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "The deceased is tortured in his grave for the wailing done over him."

Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet passed by a woman who was weeping beside a grave. He told her to fear Allah and be patient. She said to him, "Go away, for you have not been afflicted with a calamity like mine." And she did not recognize him. Then she was informed that he was the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. So she went to the house of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and there she did not find any guard, so she approached him and said, "I did not recognize you." He said, "Verily, patience is at the first stroke of a calamity." 

The deceased hears the sound of the footsteps as the people retreat from the burial. He is now left only with his deeds. His wealth and family depart, and at that moment he is asked: O so and so! Who is your Lord, what is your religion, and who is your Prophet? He will reply: My Lord is Allah. My religion is Islam. My Prophet is Muhammad the Messenger of Allah. Who made you aware of this? He will reply: I read Allah’s Book, believed in it, and considered it true; which is verified by Allah’s words:

Allah will keep firm those who believe with a Word that stands firm in this world and in the Hereafter. (14.27)

After the Angels question the believer in the grave and he answers correctly a voice cries out from Heaven that the slave of Allah Ta’ala has spoken the truth, and he will be supplied with delights from Jannah, and clothing from Jannah and a door will open for him as a window into the Jannah, with it’s fragrance and scent filling his grave, and it is expanded as far as the eye can see. Some narrations say it measures seventy cubits by seventy cubits, and the space is illuminated for them.  A man with a handsome face, fine clothing and pleasantly perfumed comes to the inhabitant giving them the glad tidings from Allah Ta’ala, of everlasting joy in Gardens Divine. They are told that this is the day you were promised. The deceased asks who they are and are told that this is your righteous good deeds. A door to Jahannam is briefly opened and they are told that this would have been your place had you disobeyed Allah Ta’ala. When they see what is in Jannah, they will say, "O Lord, hasten on the hour." They are told be calm and at ease, and to sleep like a newly wed bride.
When a bride sleeps none other than her beloved awakens her. Similarly, the believer sleeping in their grave will be awakened by none other than his True Beloved, Allah Ta’ala on the Day of Judgement. When the newly wed bride awakens she sees the face of her husband. And when the sincere seeker awakens, Insha’Allah they will behold Allah Ta’ala smiling upon them.

The disbeliever will be subject to the same interrogation, the spirit will be restored to his body, Munkar and Nakeer will arrive, tell him to sit up and pummel him with the same demands. Alas, they do not know. Alas, they do not know. Alas, they do not know. Then a crier will call from Heaven: He has lied, so spread a bed for him from Hell, clothe him from Hell, and open for him a door into Hell. Then some of its heat and pestilential wind will come to him, and his grave will be compressed, so that his ribs will be crushed together. One version adds: One who is blind and dumb will then be placed in charge of him, having a sledge-hammer such that if a mountain were struck with it, it would become dust. He will give him a blow with it which will be heard by everything between the east and the west except by men and jinn, and he will become dust. Then his spirit will be restored to him and the action repeated until the Day of Resurrection. Ya Allah Ya Lateef! Save us all from Your punishment.

It is stated that every one will experience the initial squeezing in the grave, even children. Sa’d RadhiAllahu anhu, for whom the Throne of Allah shook due to reverence, and the doors of Heaven were opened for him with seventy thousand angels participating in his funeral prayer, even his grave was compressed and later on it was expanded for him.

Whenever the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam became free from burying the dead, he used to stay to those present: Seek forgiveness for your brother, and beg steadfastness for him, for he will be questioned now. And he would implore, "O Allah, so and so, son of so and so is in Your protection so guard him from the trial in the grave and in Your nearer presence, so guard him from the trial in the grave and the punishment in Hell. You are faithful and worthy of praise. O Allah, forgive him and show him mercy. You are the Forgiving and the Merciful One."

In ‘La’aali Masnoo’ah it is reported from the riwaayat of Bazzaar, which is not considered concocted, "When a man dies and his relatives are busy in the funeral rites, there stands an extremely handsome man by his head. When the dead body is shrouded, the man slips in between the shroud and the chest of the dead person. When after the burial, the people return home, the two interrogating Angels, Munkar and Nakeer, having black faces and blue eyes come into the grave and try to separate this handsome man so they can question the deceased in privacy about his faith. But the handsome man says that the deceased is his companion and friend and that he will not leave him alone, that he will not leave him until he gets him admitted into Jannah. He explains to the deceased that he is the Qur’an that he used to read sometimes in a loud voice and sometimes in a soft voice, and that after the interrogation you will have no grief, as he will arrange from al-Mala’ul A’laa, the Angels in Jannah, to bring a silk bed filled with musk. May Allah Ta’ala make us diligent with our recitation and bless us with such a favour. Ameen.

Ibn Abbaas RadhiAllahu anhu said once Jibreel alaihis Salam, came to Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam who was looking very worried and sad. Jibreel alaihis Salam asked him why he was so despondent, even though Allah Ta’ala knows whatever is hidden in the hearts. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam replied to Jibreel alaihis Salam and said that he was worried about his Ummah and how they will be on the Day of Judgement. Jibreel alaihis Salam, further asked, is it about the Muslims or the non-Muslims, to which the Prophet answered, the Muslims. Jibreel alaihis Salam then took Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam to a graveyard where the people of Banu Salama were buried and he struck one grave with his wing and said, "Stand up by the orders of Allah." An extremely handsome man stood up from that grave, reciting,

Jibreel alaihis Salam told him to return to his place which he did. Then he struck another grave with his wing, and out of this grave came an extremely ugly person with a black face and worried eyes, he was saying, "Alas there is nothing but sorrow, shame and horror!" Jibreel alaihis Salam told him to go back to his place, and then explained to Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, "The people will rise up on the Day of Resurrection in the same state that they were at the time of their death."

According to one Hadith, a person who is steadfast in reciting Laa ilaha  illa Allah daily they will be raised up with their face shining like a full moon, and Abu Darda RadhiAllahu anhu said that those tongues that remain busy with the Dhikr of Allah Ta’ala will enter Jannah rejoicing! May we be from this group. Ameen.
Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas: Once the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, while passing through one of the graveyards of Madinah or Makkah heard the voices of two persons who were being tortured in their graves. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "These two persons are being tortured not for a major sin (to avoid)." The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam then added, "Yes! They are being tortured for a major sin. Indeed, one of them never saved himself from being soiled with his urine while the other used to go about with calumnies to make enmity between friends. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam then asked for a green leaf of a date-palm tree, broke it into two pieces and put one on each grave. On being asked why he had done this he replied, "I hope that their torture might be lessened, till these get dried." 

Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "He who dies of a stomach illness dies as a martyr, or he will be guarded from the trial in the grave, and will have his provision brought him morning and evening from Paradise." And everyone who dies his book of deeds is shut, except one who is protecting the boarders while in Allah Ta’ala’s path, for his deeds will be made to go on increasing till the Day of Resurrection, and he will be safe from the trial in the grave. Also included in this group of  ongoing deeds is continuous charity, knowledge which benefits others, and the Du’a of a pious son.

Two noble traditions from our Esteemed Habibullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam convey the advice he desired us to take heed of; Work for your world in proportion to your stay in the world and work for your Hereafter in proportion to your stay in the Hereafter, and O Allah, let me live as a poor man, let me die as a poor man and raise me to life in the Hereafter among the poor.

Narrated Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu: The angel of death was sent to Musa alaihis Salam and when he went to him, Musa alaihis Salam slapped him severely, spoiling one of his eyes. The angel went back to his Lord, and said, "You sent me to a slave who does not want to die." Allah restored his eye and said, "Go back and tell Musa alaihis Salam to place his hand over the back of an ox, for he will be allowed to live for a number of years equal to the number of hairs coming under his hand." So the angel came to him and told him the same. Then Musa alaihis Salam asked, "O my Lord! What will be then?" He said, "Death will be then." He said, "Let it be now." He asked Allah Ta’ala that He bring him near the Sacred Land at a distance of a stone’s throw. Allah’s Apostle SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "Were I there I would show you the grave of Musa alaihis Salam by the way near the red sand hill."

After passing away Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani Rahmatullahi alaihi, was asked what happened after he passed away and he was in the grave. He said that when the Angels asked him who was his Lord, he replied, "I am surprised that you have descended so far from the Sidrah al Muntahah and have not forgotten Allah, should it be that I have descended a mere few feet that I should forget everything?" There after Allah Ta’ala opened His gates of Mercy and his grave was transformed into a garden!

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. 

Baqi Al-Gharqad

Al-Madinah al-Munawarah, the place chosen by our Lord Supreme for His Supreme Master of creation SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and his Companions RadhiAllahu anhum to lie in rest. Madinah, the nest for Faith, the commanding centre, the school of teaching and learning the correct Islamic guidance, the Pure, the Good, radiates with their collective efforts. Baqi Gharqad, or Jannatul Baqi, with a priceless treasure of truth and purity, of love and dedication buried in this small plot of land! Asleep here are those who had sacrificed the life of this world for the life of futurity. It is a wonderful mind and heart exercise to attempt to envisage the early days of the birth of this great Ummah,

In this context, Baqi Al-Gharqad, is one of the most important features of this enlightened city, since the time of the Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam until today.

Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam maintained regular visits and making Dua for those who are buried in it.

"Peace be upon you, O abode of the faithful! Allah willing, we should soon join you. O Allah, forgive the Companions of al-Baqi". And "Peace be upon you, O inhabitants of the graves. May the Almighty Allah forgive us and you all. You are our forerunners and we shall certainly join you." And finally, "Peace be upon you, O abode of Believers. You are our forerunners and we will surely join you. O Allah! Do not deprive us of the reward of (supplicating for) them, nor lead us astray after them."

Baqi Al-Gharqad was named after a prominent type of tree that was dominant in its ground. The thorny trees of Gharqad. It was not the only graveyard of the people of Madinah before Islam but based on the command of Allah, Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam made it the graveyard for Muslims. Only then did Baqi acquire a special status. Imam Malik mentioned that about 10,000 of the Companions RadhiAllahu anhum are buried in the Baqi.

Many Hadith have been narrated emphasizing the great status of those who are buried in Baqi. Rasullulah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said “Whoever can die in Madinah should do so as I intercede for those who die in it” Insha’Allah we will be amongst them.

The supplication of the Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam for the forgiveness of the people buried in Baqi is implicated from his regular visits to Baqi and attending the burials of his companions. Whenever he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam noticed a new grave he would inquire about the dead person and says “My prayer for the dead is a mercy for him”.

Aishah RadhiAllahu anha, the mother of the believers, said that  Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam upon spending the night with her, would go out to Baqi and say “Peace be upon you, a residence of believing people, you have received the promises, and you are waiting for the day. We, by the Will of Allah, will join you. O Allah, forgive the residents of Baqi Al-Gharqad”.

The residents of Baqi are the first people to be resurrected from the graves of after Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, and his two companions Abu Bakr and Umar RadhiAllahu anhuma. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said “I am the first to be resurrected then Abu Bakr then Umar then I get to the residents of Baqi and they are resurrected with me, then I wait for the people of Makkah to join us between the two holy places.” Isa, alaihis Salam will be buried in the same chamber as Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and Umar and Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhuma will be resurrected after them. And another narration says that Bilal RadhiAllahu anhu, who is buried in Damascus will be resurrected at the feet of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said “Whoever died in either of the two holy places would be resurrected safe on the day of judgment”.

Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said “Do you see this graveyard (referring to Baqi Al Gharqad)? Seventy thousand will be resurrected from it on the Day of Judgment looking like a shining full moon. They will enter Jannah without reckoning”

When Umar RadhiAllahu anhu made the Du’a, "O Allah grant me martyrdom in Your way and cause me to die in the city of Your Rasul and be buried in Baqi." People would ask how he could have martyrdom in Madinah? He answered that if Allah Ta’ala gave me the Du’a then He too will provide the means for that to happen. SubhanAllah, how his Du’a was accepted exactly as he asked. 

Historians have developed a map of Baqi showing known grave sites.

Insha’Allah begin this "tour" at the area circled in pink, then proceeding north to the red dot, following the line of coloured dots to the east. After the grave of Abu Saed Al-Khudry turn westward to the wall directly opposite Masjid Nabawi for the remaining sites indicated by black, white and the lime green dot.

 
Pink area; centre for registering deaths and washing the bodies, if people choose not to do it themselves in their homes.

Red. The graves of the household of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam
Fatimah, Al-Abbas Ibn Abdel Muttalib, Al-Hasan Ibn Ali, the head of Al-Hussein Ibn Ali (according to some narrations), Zain Al-Abedeen Ibn Al-Hussein Ibn Ali, Muhammad Al-Baqir Ibn Zain Al-Abedeen, Jafar Assadiq Ibn Muhammad Al-Baqir and Ali Ibn Abi Talib (according to some narrations that his son Al-Hasan transferred him to Madina.) And Allah Knows Best.

Pink. The graves of the daughters of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam
Um Kulthum, Ruqayah and Zainab.

Purple. The graves of the wives of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam
Aisha Bint Assiddiq, Sawda Bint Zama, Hafsa Bint Umar, Zaynab Bint Khuzayma, Um Salama Bint Abi Umayya, Juwayriya Bint Al-Harith, Um-Habiba Ramla Bint Abi Sufyan, Safeya Bint Huyay Ibn Akhtab and Zaynab Bint Jahsh.

Dark blue. The grave of Aqil Ibn Ibi Talib and those with him from the clan of Hashim Aqil Ibn Abi Talib, Abdullah Ibn Jafar Attayar and Abu Sufyan Ibn Al-Harith Ibn Abdulmuttalib.

Teal. The graves of Anas Ibn Malik and those with him. Imam Malik Ibn Anas and that of Nafi (the teacher of Imam Malik).

Light blue. The grave of Uthman Ibn Mazoun, he was the first immigrant to be buried in Baqi. He died in Shaban, thirty months after Hijrah. Others in the same area are Abdel Rahman Ibn Awf, Saad Ibn Abi Waqqas, Khunais Ibn Huzafa Assahmi and Fatima Bint Asad (the mother of Ali Ibn Abi Talib).

Green. The grave of Ibrahim the son of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam
There are many narrations about his death and burial. Ibn Hajar narrates that when Ibrahim, the son of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam died, Rasulullah  SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said “He has joined our pious predecessor Uthman Ibn Mazoun”. Rasulullah  SallAllahu alaihi wasallam sprinkled water on his grave. It was the first grave to be sprinkled with water.

Yellow. The graves of the martyrs of “Al-Harra” These are those who were martyred during the days of Yazeed Ibn Muawiyah while defending Al Madinah Al Munawwarah.

Orange. The grave of the third Caliph, Uthman Ibn Affan This grave used to be outside Baqi, but it was included during the Umayyad period. Currently, the grave of Uthman Ibn Affan is in the middle of northern portion of Baqi on a slightly higher ground surrounded by passages to the northern and eastern parts of Baqi. It was narrated in history books that whenever Uthman passed by “Hush Kawkab”, he would say “A pious man will be buried here." It was him who was the first to be buried there.

Light pink. The grave of Saad Ibn Muaz. He was injured in the course of the battle of “the Trench” and he made a Du’a, so Allah stopped the bleeding from his injury until the day his Du’a was fulfilled and Allah contented his heart with issuing a judgement about the tribe of “Banu Quraiza”. As soon as he finished with the judgement, his injury exploded with blood and he died in the Masjid of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

Cream. The grave of Abu Saed Al-Khudry It was outside Baqi from the northeastern side on the road leading to the eastern “Harra”. The grave was included in Baqi in the last expansion in the year 1385.

White and black side by side. The graves of the aunties of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam Safiya Bint Abdel Muttalib, Atika Bint Abdel Muttalib

Long white rectangle, approximate place where Masjid of Abi ibn Ka’b used to be, now offices.

Lime green. The grave of Ismail Ibn Jafar Assadiq (moved here during 1412 Hijri expansion)

Insha’Allah this is comprehendible. I intend more posts on this and related topics. 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. Ameen. 

 The Journey.

"Every soul shall taste death in the end; to Us shall you be brought back." (29:57)

Say: "The death from which you flee will truly overtake you: then you will be sent back to the Knower of things secret and open: and He will tell you (the truth of) the things that you did!" (62:8)

Everything will perish save His Face. His is the Decision, and to Him you (all) shall be returned. (28:88)

Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish. And the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honour will abide forever. (55:26-27)

Praise is to Allah Ta’ala, the giver and the taker of life. The one Who puts souls into the bodies and takes them out. The One Who created us from dust and returns us to it, and when He wills, He will bring us back from the dust and will resurrect us.

Blessings and Salutations upon our Prophet of Peace SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. He taught about death in all its guises, as a warning for us to be prepared, waking us from negligence, ridding us from confusion and guiding to the Straight Path.

Blessings and peace upon his pure and noble family and Companions RadhiAllahu anhum, and those who follow them in truth, those who live in this world whilst their hearts long for the hereafter. Striving for that eternal abode, struggling until they meet their Lord, may Allah Ta’ala be pleased with them. And us. Ameen.

O green shrouded traveller

Moving from the shade of a tree.

Swiftly fly

As a feather.

Floating

On the empyreal zephyr

From Mustafa.

O green shrouded traveller,

Newly stung

By the stupor of Azraeel’s

Potent visit.

Wept over, washed, and wrapped

In white

Camphor kafan.

The wayfarers costume,

Embellished with sidr.

Prayers beside the Prophet.

Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar.

A Journey solemnized by thousands.

Below

And above.

Musk fills the ether.

A heavenly host

Presenting a vestment

From The ONE,

Placing your Book in Illiyyeen.

While the soul,

Soft in the folds of

Angel’s wings

Rejoices.

 

O Allah, Bless for me whatever is before death, and whatever is after death

Insha’Allah the above to be recited twenty-five times daily, according to Hadith.

O Allah, grant me martyrdom in Your way and cause me to die in the city of Your Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

O Allah with Your Might we rise in the morning and with Your Might we live, and with Your Might we die, and to You shall be our Resurrection.

Photo taken by a "very precious" one while here for Umrah. Jazakillahu khairan katheeran.

 
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.