ALMISKEENAH

And the Hour is coming without any doubt…(22:7) 

….construction….progress….change…. time…. 

…less than one year ago….

….three months ago….

….this morning…

….how long before this last vestige of green will no longer calm the soul and heart?

Alhumdulillah, he that this Green symbolizes will endure….SallAllahu alaihi wasallam…. 

….the past few days the work of lifting the marble in preparation for the installation of the umbrellas has now encroached upon the area directly opposite the Dome of Felicity….a narrow pathway has been left between the wall and the construction fence….jackhammers pound this sacred ground. It was shared with me, that in the past whenever the earth needed to be dug for extensions near the resting place of our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam the air would be perfumed from the exposed Mubarak earth, and bricks or mortar that required breaking would be carried to the outskirts of Madinah! SubhanAllah!   

There are still many of the older generation residing in this City of Light who recall when houses hugged the immediate precinct of Masjid Nabawi… 

…when date plantations completely surrounded the city, and Bedouins were fearless with attacking any one wandering outside the city walls in the dark of the night…of winding alleys framed by crenellated stone walls that muffled sounds….could in time become this….

…a proposed model by one of the leading construction companies currently at the forefront of all the major projects in the country presented this design to the King for consideration. The buildings within the inner ring road appear to maintain the current height restriction for hotels, while the outer circles present a totally different dimension. One wonders what considerations would be made for the transport system if such plans were approved….

…how would such a plan impact on the Ummah?…the Heart of the City will never change, regardless of the dramatic changes in the spiritual awareness of Islam, regardless of the transformations bricks and mortar are molded into, the outer shapes and forms will never daunt the unbounded, the everlasting love and devotion we have for the Mercy to All the Worlds SallAllahu alaihi wasallam who IS this City of Hope, this City of Enlightenment, this City of Radiance…no matter what structures may surround the Abode of Peace, its inhabitant, SallAllahu alaihi wasallam outshines any external manifestation, if only we allow the heart and soul to embrace his Sunnah.

For the believer, how should the visit to the Prophet’s tomb not be a heavenly journey?

The dust of this Rowdha, replete with light, is the highest Paradise!  (Siddiqi and Asi)

 
And the Hour is coming without any doubt…

….what have we prepared? Tall buildings or a vibrant Iman?  

JazakumuLlahu khairan for those dear readers who have contibuted photos and information to be shared with you all. May Allah Ta’ala reward them by sharing the best from His Treasuries, 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. 

Updates on constuction around Masjid Nabawi from this afternoons wanderings…. 

Salatul Asr with the single Saff extending from Bab Salam with the single outdoor umbrella…  

..many of the pillars are stripped bare like this one as part of the preparation for the installation of the outdoor umbrellas…. 

…these two photos (grabbed from online long ago…apologies for not knowing who to thank for these)  are of some of the six existing umbrellas in the two open courtyards inside Masjid Nabawi…looking almost balletic in their unfurling….all the work in the outside courtyard is in preparation for almost two hundred umbrellas to be installed…

…they operate on a hydraulic system, explaining why the entire marble area has to be lifted to lay  pipes and cables necessary for this….

….one of the completed areas…now deserted after the crowds of Hajj, SubhanAllah….and the sky so blue after days of cloud…and the sun so warm before the chilly evening…changes; the exquisite constant rhythm of change… 

…Masjid to the left, Jannatul Baqi to the right and Jabal Uhud peeking from the distance… 

….just days ago this was hustle and bustle with hawkers…. 

…the eastern carpark and courtyard extension…each week sees the ground level being extended… 

….Jannatul Baqi fence in the distance…. 

….looking towards the northern side of the Masjid….ripped up after the last of the Hujjaj left… 

…same side just before Esha…

 JUMA’AH MUBARAK!

Durood ibn Kasir Rahmatullah alaihi.

When the time of death arrived for Khalid ibn Kasir Rahmatullah alaihi people around him found a scroll made of paper with something emblazoned upon it. This was: “O Khalid ibn Kasir! You are liberated from the fire of hell.” When the people saw this piece of paper, they were greatly amazed and everyone immediately gathered at his house. They learnt about his excellence from his family members. Everyone became baffled and exclaimed: “What is this?” Thereupon his family members related that: “Khalid ibn Kasir Rahmatullah alaihi recited this Durood Sharif every eve of Juma’ah with the utmost reverence and sincerity. By virtue of this Allah Ta’ala informed him of his forgiveness and liberation from the fire of hell.” Therefore whosoever even now wishes to die as a faithful believer and also attain salvation, he should recite this Durood Sharif ten thousand times on the eve of Juma’ah. Then if Allah Ta’ala Wills, at the time of his death, he will die with Iman. Such Grace and Bounty will be bestowed upon him, that everyone will become baffled.

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. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen. 

Three construction projects plus one analysis….

Firstly the new Al-Saba’a Masaajid Masjid, that has been standing completed but idle for almost two years will officially be opened by the Amir of Madinah next week, Alhumdulilah. This one large Masjid symbolically represents the original seven places the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and various Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum established strategic command points during the digging of the ditch and the subsequent battle of Khandaq.

Only three other Masaajid remain that mark the location of this historic battle, Masjid Fath, below, atop the rock where our Beloved Prophet supplicated for victory… 

…interior of Masjid Fath, below, interior of Masjid Salman Farsi. The third place still marked with a building is Masjid S’ad (see link above) The places where Ali ibn Abu Talib and Umar ibn Al-Khattab RadhiAllahu anha had their camps are no longer left for the Ummah to recognize as such. Many are apprehensive that once the new Masjid is opened the fate of these three remaining sites may be dealt with like the others and be demolished. Insha’Allah, Du’a for this not to happen. Ameen.

Secondly, plans for further extensions to the north of Haram in Makkah have been launched. The coming expansion of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, ordered by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, will facilitate the accommodation of an additional 500,000 worshippers.

A lengthy article appeared in the Arabic Al Watan today. In addtion to the one diagram accompanying the online edition, I have scanned the pictures and graphs that appeared in the print edition. This project is in addition to others previously posted here.

A model showing how it is envisaged looking northward from Haram.  

Artists impression of the exit elevators from one area of the courtyard.

Diagram above indicats the eight areas to be extended, the number of refer to square meters that will be added. The red bar in the graph below corresponds to  each of the eight areas above. The first bar represents the new Sa’i at 2,381.32 square meters, while the blue bar indicates the potential number of people able to pray in that area. So by linking the information from the two diagrams, a sense of the increase in numbers can be comprehended. The concern with this project is the fate of the Mubarak birth place of our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam which presently borders on the green, orange area to the right. More Du’a for this to be preserved, Ameen.

I scanned the following graph in two section so the figures could be read. This gives the number who performed Umrah in each Umrah season from 1986-2004. A gradual increase over the years. I have  read that they hope to bring the projected number to near the ten million mark within the next few years! Some days ago an article complaining about the governments lack of current data in most of its ministries was published, hence no figures beyond 2004. I feel that unless massive inprovements to the infrastructure and transport in Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah and all the sites associated with the Hajj are  made then the problems already faced will be compounded beyond the level of safety for all pilgrims. Discussions are under way regarding a monorail system to cater for some of the major times and places of congestion, but how long that may be before it is a reality is an unknown.

And thirdly…the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. 

"It is a great time to be alive, for we are today in the presence of history. Right under our eyes a dramatic historic process is taking place, transforming Saudi Arabia from an oil-rich country to a knowledge-rich one, with the former readily coming to the aid of the latter. Oil is a daily necessity, but there is a price tag attached to it. Knowledge is a value and it is priceless. Knowledge gives power, invincible and for all time."

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has called a new house of wisdom (bayt al-hikma) — “a forum for science and research, and a beacon of knowledge for future generations.” At the heart of KAUST is an enlightened Islamic spirit, a spirit that loves knowledge not only for its own sake but also for its promise to better the human condition…..this new house of wisdom will “be a source of knowledge and serve as a bridge between people and cultures … delivering its humane and noble message … with the help of God and the minds and the ideas of enlightened people, who will participate in this educational mission without discrimination.”

And finally, a team will be conducting an analysis of the Zamzam water, so the pumping of Zamzam will be terminated for a two week period while various tests are conducted.

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. 

They ask you about the Hour, ‘When will it happen?’ Say, ‘My Lord alone has knowledge of it: He alone will reveal when its time will come, a time that is hidden from both the heavens and earth. All too suddenly it will come upon you.’   (7:187)

‘When the shepherds of black camels start boasting and competing with others in the construction of higher buildings,’ or in another narration, ‘till the people compete with one another in constructing high buildings.’

Narrated Qais bin Abi Hazim RadhiAllahu anhu: We went to pay a visit to Khabbab RadhiAllahu anhu who was sick and had been cauterized at seven places in his body. He said, "Our companions who died during the lifetime of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam left this world without having their rewards reduced through enjoying the pleasures of this life, they will have perfect reward in the Hereafter, but we have got so much wealth that we find no way to spend It except on the construction of buildings. Had the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam not forbidden us to wish for death, I would have wished for it.’ We visited him for the second time while he was building a wall. He said, A Muslim is rewarded in the Hereafter for whatever he spends except for something that he spends on building.  (All Ahadith from Sahih Muslim)

How close is the Hour???  Allah the Almighty knows best.

The old Amercian school buses used for transporting the labourers to and from their compounds and the construction sites.

The area they now park on is one of the many open spaces created by the demolition of the hundreds of older style accommodation places. Up until a few weeks back these open grounds were dust bowls awaiting to be surveyed and then sliced into lucrative hotel plots, now Alhumdulillah they have been levelled and asphalted, providing a respectable much needed car parking area, as well as attracting the swarms of street vendors who never miss an opportunity to catch the passing pilgrims as they come and go from Haram. The minaret of Masjid Uthman stands dwarfed in front of the building with the green safety netting.

….to the right of the previous photo. This time it is the minarats of Haram being dwarfed. This is the bridge that is ear-marked for demolition, to be moved the few meters to almost where I took this photo from, making way for…yes, more hotel complexes to be within the first ring road CBD area. The reasoning I guess behind this decision is that this land under the bridge offers far more as an investment than the refreshing shade it now provides.

A zoom in on the above. The building under construction is the time share one I mentioned in this post.
Compare the massive excavation photo in this previous post with the present height of seven floors. The little touch of green is from a small garden area between the bridge and this building. How long it remains is very doubtful, and yet this is exactly what the city needs. When you consider the millions that come as neighbours to our Beloved Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam during the main peak times and the extended Umrah seasons, coupled with the dense concrete masses in the hundreds, then the amount of carbon dioxide being recycled is almost negligible. Apparently there are two hundred plots of land, in addition to all those under construcion, yet to be developed in the central ring road area alone!

And from the other side…the same side the excavation photo was taken in the Construction 02 post. The rubble in the foreground is the last pile of a hotel recently demolished. It was in a prime place…Haram and Jannatul Baqi were immediately in front of it, but unlike the more recent hotels it did not have any windows facing to the north with views of Haram. Could it be the reason for its demise, who knows? Hotels collect higher rentals for rooms with a view.

They ask about it as if you were eager [to find out]. Say, ‘Allah alone has knowledge of [when it will come], though most people do not realize it.’ (7:187)

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. 

Construction…..

An after Asr wander around the eastern side of Masjid Nabawi today. Sub titled "spot the crane/s" in each photo!  

During the week the site is teeming with labourers, but being Juma’ah, they are having their well earned one day of rest. 

Looking back towards the previous photos, taken from the raised viewing balcony of Jannatul Baqi. After Asr is the only time they allow women here. Jabal Uhud in the background.

To the left of the above, showing how close the extension site is to Haram. The narrow walkway, behind the barrier, becomes so congested with the number of pilgrims now in Madinah. 

The crowd of Iranian women outside the fence of Jannatul Baqi. Commandos dressed in their fatigues were just behind me, bashing their batons on the walls yelling for us all to leave the area.  

Looking inside the fence where the men were doing Ziarah. 

Turning to the right overlooking the Dome of Felicity, SubhanAllah! The intense afternoon sun was to the right, affecting the exposure. 

A lonely beach umbrella in the middle of the courtyard renovations!

Walking further south, just past the Shariah Court is this massive underground preparation for the large Dar ul Qiblah; I have previously posted a photo of this along with the artist’s drawing of the final building, which is being offered as a time share investment.

 
And furhter south a construction of another sort!

Aliat Al-Madinah is the name of a slightly raised area just north of the Hijrah route walked by our Blessed Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and Abu Bakr As-Sidiq RadhiAllah anhu as they approached their first stop, today’s  Masjid Quba, prior to entering Yathrib. Up until quite recently it was the largest densely planted area with date palms. At the time of our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam it formed a natural barrier against intruders. It is no longer; it’s name being all that is retained!

Aliat Al-Madinah (2) is now a shopping mall which upon completion will be the largest shopping mall in Madinah comprising an area of 300,000 m2. The mall consists of a hypermarket, 14 anchor stores, food court area, fun zone area and 200 retail shops for a total built up area of around 100,000 m2. The parking area that surrounds the mall fits more than 3400 cars. This mall is expected to become one of the landmarks of the holy city of Madinah that is visited every year by millions of people from all over the world.

I am lost for words. We drove by this "latest" addition to our City of Enlightenment the other evening. The traffic jam was unbelievable, the crowds were magnetized to the disco strobe lights, projecting slide images on the outside facade, and search lights beaming all over the city….your Du’a needed, Insha’Allah.

And this is an update on yet more construction planned for Makkah.

May Allah Ta’ala guide and save us all, 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. 

Transcendent are You! We have no knowledge save that which You have taught us. You are indeed the Knowing, the Wise! (2:32)

Such is the sense of awe one feels while wandering around these sacred precincts of Masjid Nabawi. The magnitude and magnificence of Allah Ta’ala’s Ni’amah upon us is seen everywhere, including the artistry of concrete and steel! May all the changes be of benefit to the Ummah in their journeying and visiting our Beloved Al-Mustafa SallAllahu alahi wasallam, the ultimate focus of our being in this Radiant City.

The following are from the north-western courtyard, where work continues with the infrastructure for the installation of the courtyard umbrellas. This western section, outside the ladies prayer area was the first part fenced off for this massive transformation many months ago.

It is fascinating to see the various stages of work. Here, through the small slit in the steel barrier, one can see they have flooded an area, after laying thick water proof sheeting, secured around the edges with sand bags. Such exacting precision at every step; establishing the underground foundations for the hydraulic mechanism for the umbrellas and ensuring the level for masons to relay the new marble slabs. May Allah Ta’ala continue to oversee this task and bless all involved in the work. Ameen. SubhanAllah for the skills man has been blessed with.

The new building spanning the entire length of the western side can be seen in the background.

Looking north towards the Movenpick and Darul Taqwa hotels. Haram to the right. A still reflective pool.

Stone masons working on the façade of the new building on the western edge of the courtyard. The colour of the marble harmonizing with the light dusty pink theme of the light pillars and other features around the Haram.

Labourers working at the north-western corner courtyard, in front of the Movenpick and Darul Taqwa hotels. The jack hammers would number in the hundreds as they rip through the concrete. The noise piercing the serenity around Masjid Nabawi.  Such back breaking work, the body being jarred so fiercely, hour after hour, day after day, week after week. I make Du’a for these men, leaving their countries and families and working under such extreme conditions for the comfort of all pilgrims. May Allah Ta’ala increase them all in the good of this world and the next. Ameen.  Darul Taqwa is also undergoing maintenance, scaffolding erected on the front as they replace exterior marble slabs, having just completed one side.  Recently some fell, Alhumdulillah there were no reports of injury.

One of the light pillars stripped of its marble decoration, revealing the inner contents of wiring and control boxes.

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 following were taken after Asr today.
Taking photos is becoming more and more a game of "check, press and run"! Check to see if there are any "officials" nearby, quickly press the button and then with even greater speed try to depart the scene of the "crime". There are not many people around Masjid Nabawi these days, more so this eastern side as it is all but blocked except for the one narrow pathway seen in the last photo, but the presence of security men seems to be still the same in number. I think for future updates of the work I will try taking the photos early in the morning when there are even less about.

Also, Insha’Allah we have finally been invited to Makkah for Umrah, so I was a little rushed with these.

Eastern side of Haram, wall of Jannatul Baqi just discernable in the background. 

This massive excavation area now extends from Jannatul Baqi all the way to the Oberoi Hotel, and has now encroached over into the area beyond what was the huge gates and fences of the Masjid. They no longer exist.  

The northern courtyard area just outside the ladies prayer area. Oberoi on the right and Darul Taqwa on the left. The dust is a thick covering all around. It seems with so much work happening it is impossible to keep the courtyard clean anymore. 

Looking back towards Haram from the previous image. 

Back on the eastern side with a monster machine attacking the remains of one of the feature corners of what was the outside fence. The noise is deafening day long with all these machines.  

Turning slightly to the right from the previous image. This newly cemented walkway was a huge excavation in the previous construction post, now it is the only pathway on the eastern side. Notice the policeman on the left! And as I walked away in the same direction as him, a group of the security men, the ones dressed in the usual white thobes, were seated to the right in that recessed section! I inteneded to take one more photo from near the Jannatul Baqi fence looking into this massive cavity, but there were too many workers and official looking men about. For those who know Madinah, the road just in front of the fence of Jannatul Baqi and the construction site, where the taxis would seek pilgrims for Ziarah, is now totally blocked to traffic. Access to the underground carpark from there is also closed.

I have been trying many avenues to get drawings of how the final design will be, Insha’Allah something will present itself soon.  

Insha’Allah you will ALL, along with the whole Ummah, be in my Du’a. Please keep this humble speck in yours as I leave this Radiant City and our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassalam.

I leave with the Prayer of Aisha, May Allah Ta’ala be pleased with her taken from "Invocations and Supplications" by Hujjatul Islam Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali.

Knowing that these words would have been said to our Blessed Mother Lady Aisha RadhiAllahu anha by our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wassalam so close to where all this construction work is happening. SubhanAllah!

"The Emissary of God (may God bless him and grant him peace) said to Aisha, ‘You must use the perfect prayer, whose use is general. Say: "O God, I ask You for all kinds of good, temporal and otherworldly, the good which I know and which I do not know. I take regue with You from all kinds of evil, temporal and otherworldly, the evil which I know and which I do not know. I ask You for Heaven and the word and work which brings us thereto, and I take refuge with You from Hell and the word and work which brings us thereto. I ask You for the good  for which Your servant and Emissary, Muhammad (may God bless him and grant him peace), asked You, and I take refuge with You from that which Your servant and Emissary, Muhammad (may God bless him and grant him peace), took refuge with You. I ask You to bring to a right end, by Your mercy, the course of the things which You have decreed for me. O Most Compassionate of the compassionate!"’

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.

"Overwhelmingly GIGANTIC"….words I expressed in the last construction post about the activities around Haram. And it seems with each passing day the word gigantic bursts its boundaries, while simultaneously outgrowing its synonyms of massive, awesome, monumental, enormous, and astronomical. I seek your forgiveness with what will in all probability become regular postings on the developments with this new extension. I am mesmerized by the scale of work as well as the incredible organizational engineering that is behind the scenes of the visible manual and mechanical displays. This is an amazingly ambitious project which feasibly could take years.

You have been spared of my "dots n squiggle n smudge" images for some time, so I include this one today to help you conceive the dynamics taking place so close to our blessed messenger, SallAllahu alaihi wassalam.

I regularly say the eastern side or the western side, so have drawn a wobbly indicator of direction to, Insha’Allah make comprehension easier!

The pale blue areas are all currently fenced off….the latest huge courtyard immediately outside the north eastern ladies prayer area. Men and machines already lifting all the marble slabs. To access that section for the ladies is becoming an obstacle course, each day one is presented with a different row of fences. Now the only access from the east is via one narrow walkway. For the ladies, the only way for Ziarah, to the Rowdha, is from this side, meaning long detours are necessary, weaving in and around all the barriers.

The picture below is taken from the red dot looking north, our loved Jabal Uhud in the distance. The lone light pillar stands stripped of its decoration, labourers tenderly taking each and every part, placing them on pallets for fork lift trucks to load onto trucks to be taken to the huge Bin Ladin compound outside the Haram area. The noise is a constant cacophany of jack hammering, mechanical chiselling of concrete off the marble slabs and the rumbling earthmoving equipment of every shape and size.

Below, is taken from the lime dot looking south, showing the one path open to the eastern ladies section. And apart from this one doorway, the rest of the entire eastern side of Haram is now inaccessible, for all.  

May Allah Ta’ala facilitate the ease of this massive extension, guiding and blessing each and every person involved with its execution. Ameen.

And on to a slightly differently related topic.

"The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassalam performed prayers in 43 different mosques in Madianh but of that number, only five now remain…." As reported in Arab News.

May Allah Ta’ala bless all endeavours to be carried out with integrity. Ameen.

Other, slightly dated information on this Research Centre. 

One of the many models of Masjid Nabawi as-Shareef at the research Centre, taken from Nadia Saif’s two comprehensive albums on the 2005 Rihla blog

This model represents the 7^th extension made to Masjid Nabawi as-Shareef, under the instruction of the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Majeed. Work began in 1265AH (1849 AD) and continued for 13 years. It is documented that he sent 140 bags of gold for the reconstruction, along with expert architects, carpenters, masons and supplies. The external silver painted domed area remains until today, with the inside of the domes decorated with scenes from nature and verses from the Qur’an Majeed. Originally the names of our Beloved Al-Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wassalam also graced these domes in aesthetic gilded Arabic calligraphy, based on Imam al-Jazuli’s Dala’il al-Khayrat.

Amazing how the current Masjid Nabawi as-Shareef and its surrounding courtyards occupy almost the entire area represented in the model of approximately 150 years ago.

One wonders what has been written for the next 150 years. May Allah Ta’ala guide us one and all. 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. Ameen. 

The scale of the work all around Masjid Nabawi Al-Shareef is overwhelmingly gigantic! 

Meandering from the south towards the Dome of Felicity, the work is now encompassing a much larger area of the courtyard, creeping very close to the Green Dome. All of the photos were taken this afternoon after Salatul Asr. There are still a considerable number of Hujjaj enjoying their last moments in and around the environs of this Enlightened City.

Taken from the ramp leading to Jannatul Baqi. I was tempted to take some photos looking inside, but commandos were lined up against the entire inside wall.

Long before Hajj the shops under the ramp of Jannatul Baqi were closed. Now they have erected a fence along the northern side. Maybe the new extension is to join onto this northern side of Jannatul Baqi. I have not seen any plans or drawings of the new extension. Insha’Allah they may appear in the papers soon. 

The courtyard to eastern entrance of the mens area being ripped up. By the time I was walking home all of these slabs had been cleared away. 

The excavations are deep. One wonders what history is being unearthed. 

A tangle of wires, cables, steel and tentacles of machines. The fences are lined with pilgrims intrigued with the theatrics of this mammoth task. 

Looking north, at the eastern corner of the ladies prayer area. Jabal Uhud just visible through the gap in the buildings. More of the Mubarak Madian earth being chewed up.

After Qaswa knelt at the place where dates were dried, belonging to the orphans Sahl and Suhail RadhiAllahu anhuma, a price agreed upon, Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wassalam and the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum began clearing palm trees and thorny shrubs, leveling the ground and removing old graves. It was the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassalam’s desire that the masjid be a simple edifice in the tradition of the "thatching of Musa Alaihis Sallam." When the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassalam was asked what the thatching of Musa looked like he replied: "It was such that when he stood up his head would touch the roof. However the matter of this life is more transient that would even deserve a building of this magnitude."  

As they laboured, they sang ballads and songs in expression of their joy and happiness at the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassalam’s presence amongst them.

"O Lord, there is no living excepting one for the Hereafter, so help The Ansar and the Muhajirah.

O Lord, there is no good, excepting that of the Hereafter, so help O Lord, the Ansar and the Muhajirah."

I wonder what the workers are singing now?

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. 

Alhumdulillah for the opportunity for khidmah, serving others! Hence posts have been scant, and may be so for another few days.

In and around Masjid Nabawi continues to be alive with activity, both of "Hajj-Radiant" pilgrims, soaking in the Radiance of this Enlightened City, and the many and varied on going construction and maintenance work.

A massive excavation, being shored up with the mandatory lining of walls with concrete, as protetion against the water aquifiers underlying the area. The Shariah courts on the right, beyond which is the Aswaq Al-Haram opposite the glorious Abode of Peace. All construction activuty seems to attract many curious and fascinated on lookers, who line the fences spending time watching the amazing array of machines and equipment operating. The building with the blue tinted windows is where I was visiting before Hajj and the photos in this post were taken from.

An artists impression of the final design being built on this site, scanned from an advertisement. The Arabic saying; OWN IT NOW! I propose we all contribute to purchasing the top floor with a permanent uninterrupted view of where our Beloved Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wassalam is. Imagine! Swoon! SubhanAllahu! Du’a!

Looking south from the Oberoi building onto the eastern side of Haram, towards Janntaul Baqi and the site of the extension of Masjid Nabawi. The work is still at the underground car park stage.

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.