ALMISKEENAH

backtracking…..with a few scans……

 

A panorama of the new Jamarat bridge, the direction of Arafat towards the right, Makkah to the left via a pedestrian tunnel. On the original Masjid Aqaba was visible, behind the bridge (approximately 3cm in from the left hand edge of this image) while the compound we were in hugs the mountain just beyond the new group of residential towers to the right.

The following three images are from "The View From Above: Superb, Refreshing and Fantastic"

 

I have included this one that appears in the article as a slightly larger version as it is such a stunning photo. 

 

"an imposing structure, lined with tower cranes just waiting to start working again. The pilgrims are mere dots creeping slowly up, down and around the bridge. They cluster tightly around the three Jamrat, which are walls jutting up from the bridge’s surface." Construction has already resumed, the massive support columns lining the sides of the walkway awaiting the addition of more levels.

 

"At Mina, the tents stretch out in waves with Al-Kuwaiti Mosque floating in the center of the swells. King Abdul Aziz Bridge is a slash through tent city."

I realize these scans from print editions are somewhat hazy, but still do not diminish the grandeur of the Hajj. The following images document, for those who have just completed the Pilgrimage, the improved system of clearing the areas around the Jamarat, as well as for those who witnessed how congested it was in the past, and for those who Allah Ta’ala is preparing to call to Him for next Hajj. now being the time to firm your intention and beg in Tahajjud for this invitation, Insha’Allah. The red barriers indicating areas to be kept vacant, patrolled around the clock by security personel.

 

 

 

 

An aerial view of the thousands of vehicles parked on the Day of Arafat, SubhanAllah. Any wonder the short journey to Muzdalifah became a marathon of sitting in the bus for twenty plus hours! This surely is the next project for the authorities to be thinking of implementing a better system, with many suggesting rail links between the three main Holy Sites. 

A section of the tedious stop start traffic entering Makkah. While some were in air conditioned coaches, others had standing room only in the back of cattle trucks, or in cramped conditions on the top of buses and vans. Studies have been made regarding the toxic fumes of carbon monoxide, especially in the long tunnels were transport can be stuck for hours, with frightening levels recorded. May Allah Ta’ala accept all the various hardships all may have endured and guide those in planning to continue to make improvements. Ameen.

 

 

And congestion of a different kind….a herd of camels off to the slaughter house.

No person does anything on the day of sacrifice that Allah the Most High likes more than the shedding of the blood of a sacrificial animal, for the animal will appear on the Day of Judgment with its horns and hoofs, and the blood is spilt in the presence of Allah Most High even before it touches the ground; therefore, be pleased with it." In the Tradition it is related that "Every bit of wool on its skin is accounted to you as a good deed and likewise every drop of its blood; it will be put on the scale; therefore, rejoice." The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassalam said, "Select your sac­rificial animal, for they are your mounts on the Day of Judgment."

Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu reported that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassalam said: "One who performs Hajj and one who performs Umrah are Allah’s guests; if they invoke Allah, He responds to them, and if they seek his forgiveness, he forgives them."

May all Hujjaj be blessed with this Promise, Ameen, and their actions reflect this blessing for the sake of the entire Ummah, 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. 

 

 

 

 

 

NASCENCY

 

 

Janazah after Salatul Asr, may Allah Ta’ala fill their Qabr with Nur and the fragrance of Jannah and bless all the dwellers of Jannatul Baqi with peace and tranquilty as they await to be raised with our most beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassalam. Ameen.

I then visited a group of "Hajj-Radiant" sisters from Karachi who were staying on the top floor of the Movenpick hotel, where the following photos were taken from. 

 

Looking south, the direction of Qiblah on the western side of Masjid Nabawi. The new construction running the length of Haram on the right. 

 

Just to the right of this new construction is the lush garden of Saqeefa, and the four Musalla masaajid at the opposite end to the left. Jabal Eyr, the Bab of Jahannam in the background marking the southern sacred boundary of  of Haram.

 

The Jewel of Domes, protecting the Jewel of Creation SallAllahu alaihi wassalam. Jannatul Baqi to the left. You can see the closed umbrellas rising up from the two central courtyards.

 

Adahn at Maghrib 

 

 

Women offering Salat in the western courtyard. 

 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.

 

 
Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah is once again overflowing with seekers. A gentle calm permeates the throngs, the Hajj, the object of their journeying now in the past. Maybe hearts are turned to expectant reunions with loved ones, to inner reflection on all they have been through, to sharing experiences with others. But mainly the visit to this Chosen Sanctuary is to come close to Allah Ta’ala’s Habib SallAllahu alaihi wassalam, whispering the sweetest of greetings to the most gentle of mankind, SubhanAllah. Imploring the Master of the Highest Station SallAllahu alaihi wassalam with such hidden intimacies, and seeking his intercession, having arrived cleansed and forgiven after fulfilling the rites of the Pilgrimage.

The longing to be invited by the King of Kings to His House now transformed into an inevitable departure. The rehearsal of severing ties to face our Rabb, stripped of all attachments about to end. Decisions and planning having blossomed.  Preparations for the enactment of the awesome Day of Reckoning now in the past. May we have learnt the parallels between this journey and that which awaits us to our Final Abode. Every step, every breath, every sigh, every tear, every utterance, every hardship, every encounter, every Du’a, cemented as a reminder of our final journey. Are our plans for this as diligent as they have been for this Hajj? Do our goodbyes truly reveal a total submission to The Almighty? Do the attachments of all that this world contains, claim too much of our attention? What provisions are we now concerned with? The dress we all will be wearing in our Qabr, the bier we will be transported on, the quality of the creatures destined to devour our flesh that is so concerned about what it consumes, the decorations on the walls of this temporary home of dirt?

 

A timely reminder; taken from the window of one of the newly completed hotels I had the opportunity to visit. Jabal Uhud in the background.

May the journey we have just completed make the eventual one to our everlasting abiding place, to which all things return, easier, with lessons learnt, purpose oriented, priorities etched, goals marked, determination strengthened, Iman renewed, steadfastness on the obedience to the Commands of Allah Ta’ala, and an unadulterated passion for implementing the Sunnah of our Noble Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassalam. Ameen.

And for all who may not have been physically present in the roll call of this year, your participation in following the rites and rituals, and the inherent longing of every Muslim heart to fulfill this duty surely is witnessed and Insha’Allah rewarded. Now being the time to establish the firm intention to be called in the future. May we all waver between hope to be a guest, and fear not to be, and willingly be stripped of all might and power.

Imam Ghazzali says in his "Secrets of Hajj"

"As for longing [to perform the Pilgrimage]: this results from understanding and from the realization that the House belongs to God Most High, that it was established on the analogy of a royal palace such that whoever visits it is [in reality] visiting God Most High and whoever betakes himself to the House [while] in this life is worthy not to have his visit wasted, for the object of the visit, which is the vision of God Most High, will be granted to him in its fixed time in the Eternal Residence. For the finite and perishable eye is not prepared, while still in this life, to receive Light with which to see the Face of God Most High; it is not able to bear that Light, nor is it fit, because of its finiteness, to be adorned [with that Light]. But when it is granted immortality in the life to come and freed from the cause of change and mortality, it becomes ready for the vision and the Sight. And because of [its intention] to visit the House and to look at it, it deserves to meet the lord of the House by virtue of Gracious Promise. The longing to meet God Most High most surely makes one long for the means of that meeting. Besides, every lover is longing for everything that has any connection with his lovers, the house is connected to God Most High; therefore it is pro­per for [the pilgrim] to have a keen desire for it just because of this connection, quite apart from any desire to receive the great re­ward which has been promised to him."

May all be blessed with facing Him with the face of the heart as we face His House with the face of our ex­terior.

The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassalam ­said, "Allah most High has promised this House that six hundred thousand persons will make a pilgrimage to it every year; and if the pilgrims are short of that number Allah most High will complete their number with the angels. And He has promised that the Ka’bah will be surrounded by crowds, like a bride in procession, while all the pilgrims cling to its curtains and run about it until it enters Paradise with them along with it."

 

Standing in front of the Abode of Peace, a mellow afternoon sun’s warmth caressing the Soul of Peace. Fusing a bond, a celestial love. Energizing a conduit like connection. Such bliss to be "home". Alhumdulillah that Allah Ta’ala has blessed us with a heart that can contain this bliss from wherever we may be throughout His planet earth. And with the ability to conjure that notion of "home" from any corner of the globe, SubhanAllah!

My reverie broken with: "Hajjah" from beside me….a stout Turkish man requesting me to take his photo. Proudly standing as an army general in his grey uniform with red national flag sewn on the front, in front of the Green Dome. Such happiness beaming from his face. One in millions who have come to offer their Salam, and being the messenger for other distant lovers.

Imam Ghazzali continues: "As for the visit to Medina: when your eyes catch of its walls, remember that it is the town that was chosen by God Most High for His Prophet - the Blessing and Peace of God be upon him — and made the des­tination of his Flight (hijra); that it was his dwelling place, in which he promulgated the Laws of his Lord Most High and the Sunna, fought his enemy and proclaimed his religion, until the time when God Most High caused him to die; then God established in it a burial ground for him; and for his two ministers who maintained the truth after him – may God be pleased with them. Next, imagine to yourself the places where the feet of the Apostle of God — the Blessing and Peace of God be upon him – [have trodden] as he went about [the city], and [consider to yourself] that wherever your feet have trodden there too have his dear feet trodden; therefore take each step with tranquility and with awe. And remember his walking and traversing upon [the city’s] roads; picture to yourself his humility and tranquility while walking, despite what God Most High has entrusted to his heart, such as his great knowledge [about God], the exaltation of his name alongside the name of the Most High to the extent that [God] has joined him to the rememb­rance of Himself, and the rendering vain of the deeds of those who vilify him even by way of raising their voice higher than his. And remember the Grace that God Most High bestowed on those who enjoyed his companionship and were fortunate to have been with him and to have listened to his speech. Be exceeding by sorrowful over having been de­nied [the opportunity to be] his companion or the companion of his com­panions — may God be pleased with them. Remember that it has not been given to you to see him in this life, and that to see him in the life to come is to place yourself in jeopardy; for it may be that you will grieve when you see him, having been barred from him [after] he had blamed you for bad deeds, as he said — the Blessing and Peace of God be upon him — "God will bring before me [on the Day of Resurrection] some people [who will call on me] saying, ‘0 Muhammad! ‘0 Muhammad! Then I say, My Lord! They are my companions! And God will say, ‘You do not know what they have introduced after you [had died]. Then I say, ‘Go away." Therefore, if you neglect the sanctity of his law, even of a minute thing, you have no guarantee that you will not be barred from him because of you straying from his right way. Nevertheless, have great hope that you will not be barred from him, for you have been blessed by God Most High with faith and have been brought hither from your home country in order to visit him, [being motivated], not by any [concern with] commerce or worldly gain, but only by your love of him and your longing to see his traces and the wall of his tomb. Since, having not been [privileged to] see the Prophet [in this world], you have been prompted to travel by these considerations alone, you are most worthy to be looked upon by God Most High with [His] Gracious Eye.                                

When you reach the mosque [of the Prophet at Medina], remem­ber that it is the place that has been chosen by God Most High for His Prophet — the Blessing and Peace of God be upon him — and for the first band of Moslems and the best of all, that the laws of God Most High were the first thing to be established in that place and that [this mosque] contained the best of all the creatures of God, living or dead. Increase your hope in God Most High, that He will forgive you for entering it. Enter with solemnity and reverence. How deserving it is [of solemnity and reverence it is] from the heart of every believer, as Abu Sulayman is reported to have said: "’Uways al-Qarni — may God be pleased with him — has performed Pilgrimage and entered Medina. When he stopped by the gate of the mosque, it was said to him,’ This is the grave of the Prophet — the Blessing and Peace of God be upon him’–­Thereupon, he fainted. When he awoke, he said, "Let me go out, it is not proper for me to be in a town where Muhammad — the Blessing and Peace of God be upon him — is buried."
[the pilgrim] should keep his heart in [a state of] sadness, and fear; [it is proper that] he remain uncertain whether his Pilgrimage has been accepted, [in which case] he has been confirmed as belonging to the group of beloved ones, or not, [in which case] he has been included among the banished ones. Let him find this out through [the testimony of] his heart and his actions; if he finds that his heart is more disenchanted with the Abode of vanity [i.e. the World], and more inclined toward the Abode of Fellowship with God Most High to the Law, let him be certain that [he is] accepted; for God accepts only him whom He loves. And whomever He loves He helps, show­ing to him the effects of love; such a one he protects against the power of his enemy, ‘Iblis — God curse him. If this apparent [from the pil­grims piety and lawful behavior], then it is an indication of his ac­ceptance. If the opposite is the case, then it is certain that toil and trouble will be the reward of his journey. We seek protection through God Most High from that."

 

Glory and praise belong to You, O my Lord, and I am unable to glorify You as You have glorified Yourself. You have blessed Your slaves from every corner of Your Earth, bringing them to the light of belief, to the Majesty of Your House, and the honour of Your Habib SallAllahu alaihi wassalam’s presence, allowing us to complete the rites of Pilgrimage. O Allah, send blessings, prayers and peace upon our Master Muhammad SallAllahu alaihi wassalam, the unlettered Prophet, the beloved of great worth and standing, and upon his family and Companions. 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. 

 

 

 

 

NASCENCY

 a new beginning, birth.

Ya Allah, Ya Lateef, may the reality of emerging from responding to Your call, of being Your guest, be that all are blessed with being cleansed and purified. Make us ardent devotees, so enamoured of You and Yours SallAllahu alaihi wassalam, that joy and contentment are as encrusted jewels in all of our affairs.

 

The yellow banner on the central concrete wall was where we were staying. Four thousand internal Hujjaj from all over the Kingdom were in this group, predominantly Saudis, with a few of us being the exception, originating from Jordon, America, Egypt, Kenya, Australia, that I was aware of. Allahu ‘Alum, there may have been others.

There were fifty one steps up to the first level, seeming like Mount Everest after returning from walking to Makkah or from the Jamarat! Being a group organized by and for Saudis, segregation on the buses and in the compounds was strictly in place, the men’s section to the left with the ladies to the right with security checks at the main entrance as well as entering the women’s area. The Madian women occupied the equivalent of five tents, divided into two sections. Staff in the ladies section were mainly Nigerian and Indonesian girls.   

 

 

Overlooking the sea of tents from the compound. One of the Royal Palaces on the mountain in the background.

 

"Hajj is Arafat"; a day far too precious to be thinking of taking photos. This was quickly taken as Maghrib was approaching, many had already left this hill, making their way towards the main arteries to Muzdalifah.  

 

Looking from one of the two outer edges of the Shaytan pillar after stoning on the second day. SubhanAllah with the new arrangements the stoning ritual has become so easy compared to before. I was able pelt the Shaytan with so much venom from the immediate edge of the huge elliptical rim without fear of being trampled. The constant clicking sound of pebbles reverberating off the rugged texture of the pillar, along with the emotional outbursts against all that the Shaytan represents, created an amazing electric atmosphere in the massive lower enclosed area.

 

 

An evening view from our tents. The blue lights indicate where the Jamarat was, just behind the corner of the mountain. Note the people without tent accommodation already settled along the roadside for the night. It was very cold during the nights and mornings, and at times extremely windy, making the conditions quite harsh for those seeking a place to sleep. The security men attempting to move them from blocking the roads, so groups would be seen gathering their meager belongings seeking another piece of ground to settle, to be told to move on again and again. The squatting was far less around the vital routes leading to and from the Jamarat. The main tent city area was beyond the stoning towards Makkah, past Masjid Aqaba, where the tents were dense along with hundreds selling the usual trinkets, clothing and food.

 

 

Every possible patch of land was prime real estate!

 

The entrance to our Mina "home", decorated with coloured flags, artificial trees and greenery and flashing fairy lights! After returning from Arafat tinsel was strung along the corridors adding even more of a festive air to the maze inside. Many of us giggled as "couples" would "rendezvous" at the various scattered plastic chairs creating a "romantic" ambiance!

 

 

While walking to the Jamarat on the last day we saw the crew dismantling this arrangement.   

In many ways I felt this Hajj to be far too luxurious compared to past memories of walking the entire time. Alhumdulillah, circumstances dictate different requirements. There were the usual 5 Star suites at SR80,000 for the few days! This bought the occupants a ritzy place with satellite dish and full internet connection, a Jacuzzi, international cuisine with professional chefs etc. The detail that amused me was that a tray of "selected" pebbles was presented to the Hajji so they could hand pick the best ones to be thrown!

May Allah Ta’ala guide us all to that which earns his favours and pleasure. May we all develop a love and desire to make this journey, supplicating tirelessly to Allah Ta’ala to grant us this so we may have the ability to see His House again and again. 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. 

 

 

 

NASCENCY

This photo epitomizes my Hajj.

 

Burning of desires to complete Hajj Maqbool.

Shining sparks of newly kindled friendships.

Incandescent glow exuding from every soul present.

Searing meltdown of hearts.

Brilliance of the ultimate focus.

Warm fervor amidst grueling hardship.

Crimson tones of Dhikr filling the air.

Flickering lights inspiring the next step.

Tempestuous whirlwind flaming passions for The Beloved.

Fiery furnace reminding of all that is anathema.

Scorching of the separation of the dross.

Illuminance of the Farewell Hajj in the imagination.  

Smoldering incinerator of nefarious nafs.

Sizzling emotions as Shaytan is stoned.

Torrid flames as a deterrent of potential punishment.

Striations of a corrugated Dunya to seek beyond.  

Combustion of love for Rasulullah SallAllahi alaihi wassalam.  

Ignition heralding a new birth.  

Celebratory fireworks symbolic of completed rituals.

Dazzle of new born souls!

 

The image was taken from the bus journey from Arafat, looking across a rickety corrugated fence towards the lights of Masjid Namirah. This interlude in the bus grew to be twenty hours!

Do you also see Alhumdulillah emblazoned in lights?

May Allah Ta’ala accept the efforts of all Hujjaj. May they be the recipients of the promises of our Rabb. And may all who were called to Allah Ta’ala for this Hajj have the courage and conviction to make glowing changes from within as a result of their experiences and in gratitude for this journey. Ameen.

 

Jazakumullahu khairan katheeran abadan for all have left comments during my absence. May Allah Ta’ala shower you and yours with His best Barakah. Ameen.

The following articles are from recent editions of Arab News. The print edition throughout the Hajj published many photographs, but they do not seem to be available online.  

 

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=90667&d=6&m=1&y=2007

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=90627&d=5&m=1&y=2007

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=90592&d=3&m=1&y=2007

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=90593&d=3&m=1&y=2007

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=90594&d=3&m=1&y=2007

 

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 this miskeenah has been invited to the House of the King of Kings. Insha’Allah I will post in the two entries a detailed account of Hajjatul Widaa, The Farewell Hajj, for those who may want to spend some time vicariously journeying with our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam on his one and only Hajj.

 

Saturday 26-11-10 A.H. 22-2-632 A.C.

The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam stayed in Madinah for ten years, offering sacrifice every year, but did not perform Hajj. In Dhul-Qa`dah, 10 A.H., he announced his intention to perform for Hajj, and publicly announced this calling from Allah Ta’ala to visit His House, and thus leaving the legacy of how the Hajj is to be enacted. Thus, when the people living around Madinah, and throughout the land, knew about this, they joined in with the throngs, whether riding or walking. Scholars vary on the numbers, some citing 30,000, up to in excess of 100,000, and Allah Almighty knows best. All of them were eager to imitate Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and follow his example, and to be part of the only Hajj performed by our Beloved Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam appointed Abu Dujanah Sammak Ibn Kharshah Al-Sa`idi RadhiAllahu anhu as the ruler of Madinah. It is said that the appointed ruler was Sabba` Ibn `Arfatah RadhiAllahu anhu. Allah Ta’ala, Exalted and Almighty, knows best.

 

Having performed the Noon Prayer, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam delivered a sermon in which he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam taught people the rituals they were to perform. Then he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam called for his she-camel and marked it on the right side of its hump, removed the blood from it and tied two sandals around its neck; and the rest of the she-camels were then marked and two sandals tied around their necks by other people. He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam put his she-camel in the charge of Najiah Ibn Jundub Al-Aslami RadhiAllahu anhu. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam bathed, applied perfume, put on a gown and wrapper and said: "O Allah, A Hajj free of hypocrisy and showing off.”

The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam left Madinah, with his nine wives accompanying him SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, on Saturday, the 25th of Dhul-Qa`dah on Al- Shajjarah [The Tree] route, which he used to take. He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam prayed in the mosque therein.

Dhul-Hulaifah

Saturday 26-11-10 A.H. 22-2-632A.C.

Dhul-Hulaifah is five kilometers from Madinah. It is located in `Aqiq Valley. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam arrived at Dhul-Hulaifah in the afternoon, and there he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam performed the Afternoon prayer in its shortened form. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam made a stop under an acacia tree at the site of the mosque at Dhul-Hulaifah on the right side of the road. Then he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam performed both the Sunset and Night prayers. After bathing and being perfumed by `A’ishah RadhiAllahu anha, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam paid a visit to his wives and spent the night at Dhul-Hulaifah. After performing the Morning prayer, he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said to his Companions: "Tonight a messenger came to me from my Lord and said, ‘Perform prayer in this blessed valley and say: (I have intended to perform) `Umrah together with Hajj.’" The command to perform prayer in Al-`Aqiq Valley is actually a command to stay in Dhul- Hulaifah until performing the Noon prayer and embarking on Ihram.

When the traveling party reached Dhul-Hulaifah, Asma’ Bint `Umais, wife of Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq RadhiAllahu anha, gave birth to a son, Muhammad Ibn Abi Bakr. She sent a message to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam asking him, "What should I do?" Thereupon he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "Take a bath, bandage your private parts and put on Ihram."

Sunday 27-11-10 A.H. 23-2-632 A.C.

Upon performing the Noon Prayer the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam entered in the state of Ihram. He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam took a bath different from that of the previous day. He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam washed his head with hollyhock and potash. Then, he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam put a little oil on his hair and rubbed his head up and down with his fingers. `Aishah RadhiAllahu anha applied so much musk to his body and head that the glisten of musk could be seen in the partings of his hair.

A man asked him, "What clothes must a Muhrim wear?" He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam replied, "Do not wear shirts, turbans, trousers, hooded cloaks or leather stockings except scuffs beneath one’s heels."

The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam entered Dhul-Hulaifah Mosque where he performed four rak`ahs. Afterwards, he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam pronounced Talbiyah inside the mosque. Meanwhile, the people inside the mosque heard him and said, "He pronounced Talbiyah in the mosque." He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam did the same when he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam mounted his camel. Therefore, those who were outside the mosque said, "He pronounced Talbiyah when his she-camel stood erect with him on its back." When he went out to a plain land, he pronounced Talbiyah. Hence those at the plain land heard him and said, "He pronounced Talbiyah at the plain land." Thus they all told the truth.

He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam pronounced Talbiyah for Hajj and `Umrah at the same time. In another occasion, he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam pronounced a separate Talbiyah for `Umrah and another for Hajj, since `Umrah is a part of it. Hence, it is said that he intended to combine Hajj and ‘Umrah (Qiran Hajj). It is also said that he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam intended to combine Hajj and ‘Umrah with a break in between (Tamattu` Hajj). Other scholars say that he intended to perform Hajj alone (Ifrad Hajj). The soundest viewpoint is that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam intended at first to perform Hajj only. Then he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam put on Ihram for ‘Umrah and combined it with Hajj.

The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam proclaimed Talbiyah thus:"

O my Lord!

Here I am at Your service.

Here I am.

There is no partner with You.

Here I am.

Truly, all praise and grace are Yours and so are the dominion and sovereignty too. There is no partner with You."

He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam raised his voice in Talbiyah until it was heard by his Companions RadhiAllahu anhum who repeated it after him SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam also pronounced Talbiyah thus:

"O Allah! Here I am at Your service,

I respond to Your call.

Here I am at Your service.

Grace, good fortune and happiness are from You, and the whole of goodness is in Your Hand.

Here I am at Your service.

Unto You is the petition and hope.

Reward for deeds is from You.".

Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: "Gabriel came to me and said, ‘O Muhammad! Tell your Companions to raise their voices in Talbiyah, for it is the slogan of Hajj’."

Al-Rauha’

Monday 28-11-10 A.H. 24-2-632 A.C.

Al-Rauha’ is about fifty kilometers from Dhul-Hulaifah. In view of the fact that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam  left Madinah on Saturday after the Noon Prayer, he, undoubtedly, spent Monday night in some place between Dhul-Hulaifah and Fajj Al-Rauha’. In the morning, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam proceeded while pronouncing the aforementioned Talbiyah.

In Al-Rauha’ he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam saw a slain zebra and said to his Companions, "Keep away from it; its hunter is about to come." Its hunter, a man from the tribe of Bahz, came to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and said, "O Apostle of Allah! This zebra is at your disposal." Thereupon, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam commanded Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu to divide it among the comrades.

The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam performed Prayer in a small mosque, located in front of the great Mosque of Al-Rauha’, on the right side of the Yemeni route leading to Makkah.

Al-`Arj

Tuesday 29-11-10 A.H. 25-2-632 A.C.

Al-`Arj is a place near Badr where the great Battle of Badr took place. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam stopped at Al-`Arj near Al-Uthaiah where he spent Tuesday night.

The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu had only one camel carrying their food and belongings. Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu charged a boy to take care of it. While stopped over at Al-`Arj, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam sat down and on one of his sides sat Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu and `A’ishah and Asma’ Bint Abi Bakr on the other side. Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu waited for the boy to appear. At last, he appeared but without the camel. Thereupon, Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu asked, "Where is the camel you are charged with?" "It got lost yesterday." answered the boy. In a rage, Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu exclaimed, "Can you not take care of only one camel?" and he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam began to lash the boy. Meanwhile, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said while smiling, "Look at what this man in the state of Ihram is doing." The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said no more than this, all the while smiling.

When the family of Fadalah Al-Aslami RadhiAllahu anhum knew about the loss of the camel carrying the belongings of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam they immediately brought a bowl of pottage for him. Thereupon, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam cried, "Come hither! Abu Bakr; Allah has brought us better food." Seeing that Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu was still furious at the boy, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said to him, "O Abu Bakr! Don’t worry! The matter is neither at your or our disposal. The boy was careful not to lose the camel and, moreover, here is a recompense for what he had lost." The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam then ate together with his family and Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu and his family until they all were full.

Safwan Ibn Al-Mu`ttal came surrounded by people and driving the camel carrying the provisions. He knelt the camel down before the door of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said to Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu, "Are these your belongings?" Nothing is missing," replied Abu Bakr, "but a wooden bowl." The boy said, "That bowl is with me." Abu Bakr said to Safwan, "May Allah pay for you whatever is held in your trust."

Sa`d Ibn `Ubadah RadhiAllahu anhu and his son, Qais RadhiAllahu anhu, came with a camel carrying food and went to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. They found him standing at the door of his house, after Allah Ta’ala, had brought his camel back. Sa`d RadhiAllahu anhu said, "O Apostle of Allah, we have heard that you lost your camel early this morning. Here is a camel loaded with food in recompense for the lost one." The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "May Allah bless you both! Take your camel back, for Allah has brought ours back."

Al-Abwa’

Wednesday 30-11-10 A.H. 26-2-632 A.C. 

The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam set out until he reached Al-Abwa’ where Al-S`ab Ibn Juthamah gave him a zebra as a present. In another narration, he gave him half of a zebra. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam rejected it, saying, "We reject it only because we are in the state of Ihram." On Wednesday, the traveling party continued the march to `Usafan Valley in Makkah.

`Usafan

Friday 2-12-10 A.H. 28-2-632 A.C. 

The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam spent Wednesday night at a place between Al-Abwa’ and `Usafan. On Thursday, he continued his journey and also spent Friday night in travel. By Friday, he had reached the Valley of `Usafan. Passing by `Usafan, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam asked, "What valley is it, Abu Bakr?" "`Usafan," answered Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "This valley was passed through by Salih and Hud riding two young camels whose bridles were made of flax fibres. Their [the prophets’] wrappers were cloaks and their gowns were of striped wool, pronouncing Talbiyah and performing Hajj to the Ancient House

Sarif

Saturday 3-12-10 A.H. 29-2-632 A.C.

When he was in Sarif, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said to his Companions, "Whoever has no sacrificial animal and desires to make it `Umrah, may do so. But whoever has a sacrificial animal may not (he must keep on his state of Ihram)." This command is called "Hajj Conversion" by jurists. Fourteen Companions, narrated the command to convert Hajj into `Umrah after the Prophet in authentic hadiths. 

When the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was in Sarif, `A’ishah RadhiAllahu anha menstruated after she had intended to perform `Umrah. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam found her crying and asked her, "Why do you cry, `A’ishah? Have you entered the monthly period?" "Yes," she answered. He said, "It is a matter Allah has ordained for the daughters of Adam. So do as one performing Hajj should do, but do not perform Tawaf."

Dhi-Tuwa

Saturday 3-12-10 A.H. 1-3-632 A.C.

The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam continued the march until he stopped over at Dhi Tuwa, which was known in the past as Abar Al-Zahir [Al-Zahir Wells] where he spent Sunday night and performed the Morning Prayer. Thereafter, he took a bath and set out for Makkah.

Makkah

Sunday 4-12-10 A.H. 1-3-632 A.C

The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam set off for Makkah, and entered it by way of the upper hill overlooking Al-Hajjun. Then, he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam proceeded until he entered Makkah before noon. He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam finally reached the door of the Sacred Mosque where he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam knelt his she-camel and entered through `Abd Manaf Gate which people call Banu Shaibah Gate. He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam looked at the House [Ka`bah], turned his face towards it, raised his hands and said:

"O Allah! You are the source of peace. From You comes peace. O Allah! Greet us with peace. O Allah! Endow this House with more honor, dignity and respect, and grant all those who come to it for Hajj or `Umrah honor, dignity, respect and piety." Upon entering Makkah, he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam went directly to the House without performing two rak`ahs as a salutation to the mosque, for the salutation to the Sacred Mosque is, in fact, to perform Tawaf.

The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam began Tawaf by touching the Black Stone without shoving others there, and his eyes began to flow with tears. He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam placed his gown over his right shoulder while leaving the other uncovered. After making four rounds, he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam kissed the Stone, put his hands on it, then kissed his hands and rubbed them over his face. In this Tawaf, he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam jogged from and to the Black Stone three times. He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam walked fast taking short steps.

Every time he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam passed the Black Stone, he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam would touch it with a stick and then kiss the stick. Upon touching it, he would say: "In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest”. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam would say said to `Umar Ibn Al-Khattab RadhiAllahu anhu "O `Umar! You are a stout man. Do not push others while at the Black Stone lest you may hurt a weak person. But if you find an opportunity to reach it in order to kiss it or touch it, do it. If not, turn your face towards it and say, “Here I am at Your service and Allah is the Greatest”.

Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi  wasallam would say: "Our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter and defend us from the torment of the Fire."

 

Having finished his Circumambulation, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam went to the Station of Ibrahim near the Ka`bah and said:

"And adopt the Station of Ibrahim as a place of Prayer."

He stood at a place where the Station was between him and the House and performed two rak’ahs. In the first he recited Al-Fatihah then Surah Al-Kafirun, and in the second rak’ah he recited Al-Fatihah followed by Surah Al-Ikhlas. Concluding his Prayer, he returned to the Black Stone and kissed it. Then he went out through the Banu Makhzum Gate, which is against Al-Safa Hill, to start Sa`i.

 

When he approached Al-Safa he recited: "Behold! Al-Safa and Al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So if those who visit the House in the seasons or at other times should compass them round, it is no sin on them. And if any one obeys his own impulse to good be sure that Allah is He Who recognizes and knows." He said, "I begin with what Allah began." He ascended Al-Safa until he saw the House. Facing the Qiblah said, "There is no god but Allah. Allah is the Greatest."

He also said, "There is no god but Allah alone, Who fulfilled his promise, helped His servant and alone defeated the Confederates." In his Sa`i the Prophet said, "Al-Abtah can be crossed only through strain." He said so just to urge people to keep up a fast pace. People were in front of him and he was to their rear pacing so fast that his knees could be seen. Jogging at the bottom of the valley, he said, "O Allah! Grant us pardon and mercy; You are the Mighty, the Glorious." The people crowded around him saying, "This is Muhammad." Even young girls came out of their houses to see him. So, the site became overcrowded with people, and the Prophet mounted his camel. People were not beaten away before the Prophet (to clear a space for him). He mounted his she-camel, Al-Qaswa’, and went on performing his Sa`i.

The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was seen uncovering one shoulder and wrapping the other with a Najrani garb during Sa`i between Al-Safa and Al-Marwah. It is narrated that upon reaching Al-Marwah, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam turned his face towards the House and said, "Allah alone is the Greatest," and did as he had done on Al-Safa.

The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam gave his Companions the choice to convert their intention from Hajj to `Umrah. Upon completing his Sa`i, he commanded his Companions to remove their Ihram; that they may have intercourse with their wives, apply perfume, wear sewn clothes and remain in this state until the day of Al-Tarwiah (the 8th of Dhul- Hijjah). The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam did not remove his Ihram because he had brought a sacrificial animal with him from Madinah. Thus, everyone removed Ihram except the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and those having sacrificial animals; and among them were Abu Bakr, `Umar, Talhah and Al-Zubair, Allah may be pleased with them all.

Regarding the women in the Prophet’s company, they all removed Ihram except `A’ishah RadhiAllahu anha because her monthly period delayed her from removing her Ihram. Having no sacrificial animal, Fatimah RadhiAllahu anha, daughter of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, removed the Ihram. Ali Ibn Abi Talib RadhiAllahu anhu came from Yemen with a sacrificial animal and found Fatimah  RadhiAllahu anha among those who had removed Ihram, put on dyed clothes, and applied Kohl. `Ali RadhiAllahu anhu showed his disapproval of this. Whereupon, she said, "My father has commanded me to do so”. Ali RadhiAllahu anhu asked the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam regarding what she had said. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "She told the truth; she told the truth. I commanded her to do so." 

Ali RadhiAllahu anhu had put on Ihram while he was in Yemen saying, "O Allah! I put on Ihram for the same purpose your Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam has put it on”. Abu Musa RadhiAllahu anhu was one of those who came with `Ali RadhiAllahu anhu from Yemen, but he drove no sacrificial animal. Thereupon, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam commanded him to remove the Ihram after he had circumambulated and jogged between Al-Safa and Al-Marwah. So he converted his Ihram for Hajj into `Umrah and therefore continued on Hajj to `Umrah.

It reached to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam that some people were saying, "We have proceeded intending to perform Hajj only. When we came to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, he commanded us to make it `Umrah, and to have intercourse with our wives. We reached Mina in a state as if we had just had intercourse”. Having finished his Sa`i, Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam stood among the people and said, "I have learned that some people say so and so. By Allah, I am more righteous and God-fearing than they. If I were to know what this matter of mine would come to, I would not have brought sacrificial animals with me. (In another narration: O people! If I were . . .) whoever, among you, has no sacrificial animal should remove Ihram for Hajj and make Ihram for `Umrah." So people at large removed their Ihram.

While he was at the bottom of the valley, Suraqah Ibn Malik Ibn Ja`tham RadhiAllahu anhu said, "O Apostle of Allah, is it (this conversion of Hajj into ’Umrah) meant only for this year or is it forever? The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam intertwined his fingers and said, "It is forever, forever, forever." "`Umrah," he added, "has been joined with Hajj until the Day of Judgment."

Jabir Ibn `Abdullah RadhiAllahu anhu reported, "We accompanied the Apostle of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam on the fifth day of Dhul-Hijjah. We were in the state of Ihram for Hajj; but he commanded us to make it `Umrah. This (removal of Ihram for Hajj) was so hard for us to bear. When this attitude of ours came to the Prophet’s knowledge, he said, ‘O people! Remove your Ihram. Had not I had a sacrificial animal, I would have done what you did. ‘We did so and went to our wives for intercourse as one not in the state of Ihram might do”. On the day of Al-Tarwiah, we went outside Makkah and proclaimed Talbiyah for Hajj.

 

To be continued, Insha’Allah, then Labbaik. 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. 

 

 

 

THEN and NOW merge.

Shaikh Abu Muhammad ibn Abd al-Basri Rahmatullahi alaihi (d.A.H. 580)
was one of the preeminent Shaikhs of Iraq. He was one of those scholars whose knowledge is based on direct experience, and one of the most splendid of those drawn near to the Lord. He had an exquisite way of speaking about the paths of the realities saying:

• The spirits of those who experience ecstasy are fragrantly perfumed. Their speech revives the dead at heart, and increases their faculties of understanding.
• The genuineness of ecstasy depends on the severance of the properties of human nature from all attachment.
• Ecstasy annihilates. For one who has no experience of loss, there can be no experience of finding.

 *

This morning we arranged to take a van of Hujjaj to the Uhud Cave after Fajr. We had plans, but Allah Ta’ala is the Greatest and Best of Planners, SubhanAllah. Negotiating with the drivers to take you there is now a delicate task, as they know that if they are caught going there the least that can happen is to loose their license, the worst, to be carried off. We managed to convince a very amiable one to take us. Some of the group were sitting in the van awaiting for the rest of the small group to arrive, when a policeman on his motor bike came along side the van asking if we, the Madians, were acting as "middle men" in arranging Ziarah, as we had been "seen" in the vicinity over the past week or so. Three different groups we know are currently residing in three different hotels which happen to be in the very same block, so we have been coming and going visiting and bringing others to visit. One would think this is not so unusual in this season of Hajj. He was told yes, we act as the middle man for Allah Ta’ala. It seems gone are the days and the qualities of Ansar as being admirable. He soon rode off, leaving us to begin our little journey. The driver was extremely amenable, stopping at some of the notable places along the way as was requested while we spoke of the significance of the places. It was agreed that he would drop us before the cave and wait around the corner until we had finished, so that his presence was not obvious.

We stopped at the place where Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam had his wounds bandaged by his noble companions RadhiAllahu anhum, then moved to Masjid Fash, and then to the path leading to the cave. (see previous post for details)

I quote the words above, of our illustrious predecessor, as the feeling that lovers of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam exude when following in his footsteps seems to emit such a fragrance and serenity of being. I become witness to an inner ecstasy within others, which however momentary, or however deep, and only Allah Ta’ala knows this secret, but for an instant there are such changes where worldly attachment is obliterated. SubhanAllah, I am grateful for this gift from others.

The group proceeded up the mountain, and four managed to enter the cave. I had the intention of taking some photos for this post, and was adjusting the view of Masjid Nabawi in the distance when an all too familiar vehicle suddenly appeared. It was the VICE SQUAD!!! Three of the ‘promotion of virtue and eradication of vice’ men swiftly jumped out and began shouting and yelling for all to come down! Eventually they did, with the word Bid’ah being repeated over and over and the statement that they may as well go back to their country as they had violated their Hajj by visiting such a place. One of the gentlemen from the group even had his pockets frisked. As this was happening other vehicles were driving up the narrow road with the same intention of visiting the cave. The "authorities" inspected the license of one driver, but we had time to warn others to turn around.

Our driver had disappeared. Insha’Allah we hope that he was able get away before they got him. We then began walking to Shuhadah, where by now thousands were arriving by the bus load. Police in their cars seemed to be in every direction, yelling instructions through their load speakers. We felt like criminals, wondering how we would get back. One of the group thought the vice squad cars were a private taxi and began to ask if they were available for hire!

There were hundreds of buses and vans in the designated car parks so we merged with the crowds and finally found a van who would take us back to Haram.

I relate this little tale as like all our experiences there are lessons to be learnt. And upon reflection the sentiments quoted above epitomize the inner of what we shared this morning; ‘For one who has no experience of loss, there can be no experience of finding.’ The pilgrims in this group experienced a loss of sorts, but due to their devotion to our Beloved Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, and retracing his ordeal after the Battle of Uhud, there seemed to be a deep sense of finding. May Allah Ta’ala shower His Hidayah all over the world during this spiritually uplifting time of Hajj. May He protect all the places our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam’s Mubarak feet stepped for the sake of his Ummah. Insha’Allah make Du’a for our heritage sites. Ameen.

Back to THEN….

Shaikh Ali al-Khabbaz relayed: "I was once in an orchard in Basra, together with its owner, who was one of my companions. In came a dusty, disheveled pauper, who said to the owner of the orchard: ‘Give me some figs, enough to satisfy my appetite!’ My friend presented him with a helping of figs, and he ate them all up, then he said: ‘Give me more!’ He gave him another helping, and he ate them up and then he said: ‘Give me more!’ He kept giving him helping after helping, until he had eaten the weight of a thousand ratl (Approximately one pound in Iraq). Then the pauper went to a nearby stream, and started scooping water from it. He drank a huge amount of water from the stream, then he went on his way.

After some years had elapsed, the owner of the orchard told me that the quantity of its annual produce had multiplied many times over. Then, in the year when he told me this, I went on the Pilgrimage, Hajj. One day, while I was walking along by myself, in front of the caravan, I found myself thinking about the condition of that man, and I wished that I could see him. To my amazement, he appeared there and then, at my right hand side. I saluted him with the greeting of peace, and we continued our journey, he and I walking along together. Whenever he sat down to rest, the entire caravan would come to a halt, and as soon as he started walking, the whole caravan would move forward.

One day, we came to a large lake, the water of which had subsided to the bottom, so he carved out a lump of clay, and made a meal of it. Then he fed me some of the clay, and it tasted like a delicious fruit pudding, with an aroma like that of fragrant musk. He also drank a lot of the apparently stagnant water. Then he said to me: ‘O Ali, this is the first meal I have eaten, since that one you saw me eat in the orchard. I have done no eating or drinking in the meantime.’ ‘O my master, how did you come to be as you are?’ He said: ‘ Shaikh Abu Muhammad ibn Abd al-Basri Rahmatullahi alaihi, once cast a glance upon me, so my heart was filled with love, and my innermost being [Sirr] attained to my Lord, Glory and Exalted is He. All the realms of being were folded up for me, and all substances were transformed for my benefit. Through that glance of his, the remote was brought near to me, and I reached the desired goal. He clothed me with a spiritual essence, which rid me of the need for food and drink, except at the point of contact with humanity.’ The he disappeared from my sight, and I have never seen him since that moment."

May Allah Ta’ala be well pleased with them all.

May He change our dead hearts and ways so that He may be well pleased with us all too. Ameen.  

 

 

 

 

Three images of the narrow laneway as you approach the cave.

From todays Arab News, which seems at variance to what we experienced this morning.

And more on the organizational aspect of Hajj, with predictions of rain, plus a focus on the Indian Hujjaj.

DHUL HIJJAH MUBARAK and Juma’ah Mubarak. With the announcement of the new month it means that this year will be al-Hajj al-Akbar. May Allah Ta’ala bless 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. Ameen. 

 

 

 

 

THEN…

Hadhrat Ibraheem Khawwaas Rahmatullahi alaihi narrates: “Once when I went for Hajj, the heat was intense. It was hotter than usual. Scorching winds were blowing. One day when we reached in the middle of the desert in Hijaz, I became separated from the caravan. Overcome with fatigue, I fell asleep. When my eyes opened, I saw a person at a distance. I quickly went towards him. When I reached him I saw that he was a small boy. His face glittered like the moon of the fourteenth night. I could discern the rays of spiritual jubilation on his face. I said: ‘Assalaamu Aalaikum, Son!’ He responded: ‘ Wa Alaikumus Salaam, O Ibraheem!’
I was amazed and I began having misgivings about him. I exclaimed: ‘Subhaanallah! How have you recognized me? We have never met before.”“

The Boy: “O Ibraheem! Since I gained recognition of Allah Ta`ala, I did not remain ignorant, and since I was united with Allah, I did not become separated.”
Ibraheem: “Why have you come into this wilderness in this intense heat?”
The Boy: “O Ibraheem! Besides Him, I have not befriended anyone. I perpetually remain aloof from all people, and I am going to Him. I have proclaimed that only He is The Ma`bood.”
Ibraheem: “From whence do you obtain your food and water?”
The Boy: “It is my Friend’s responsibility.”
Ibraheem: “By Allah! I fear for your life in this intense heat.”
The Boy (Tears like pearls flowing down his cheeks): “O man! You try to terrify me with the hardships of the journey when in fact, I am proceeding to my Friend. Love has thrown me into restlessness and eagerness drives me along. Does a friend of Allah also fear? Thikr-e-Ilaahi suffices for hunger and shukr quenches the thirst. What if I am small and weak? His Love has taken me from Hijaz to Khurasaan. (Today part of Khurasaan is in Afghanistan and part in Iran). You despise me because of my childhood. Whatever has to happen, will happen.”

Ibraheem: “By Allah! Tell me honestly what your age is?”
The Boy: “Twelve years. Why do you enquire my age?”
Ibraheem: “I am bewildered by you statements.”
The Boy: “Alhamdulillah! I have been given excellences over many special people of Iman.”

Hadhrat Ibraheem Khawwaas Rahmatullahi alaihi continues: “I was truly astonished by his handsomeness and his sweet words of wisdom.
After some time the boy said: ‘O Ibraheem! The one whom the Friend abandons is in separation. The one who has acquired a share of obedience to Allah, he has reached the destination. O Ibraheem! You are separated from both roads, the Road of Divine Love and the road to Baitullah.”

Ibraheem: “Why am I so deprived? For Allah’s Sake, make Du’a that I link up with my companions of the caravan.

“The boy looked towards the heaven and moved his lips. I became drowsy and lapsed into a deep sleep. When my eyes opened I discovered myself in the caravan. I do not know what happened to the boy.
Ultimately our caravan reached Makkah Muazzamah. As I entered the Haram Shareef, my eyes suddenly fell on a boy who was holding the cloth of the Ka’aba and shedding tears in profusion. It was the boy I had met in the wilderness. After a while he went into Sajdah. I stood watching him. After some time had passed I went near and discovered that he had surrendered his life to Allah Ta’ala. May Allah Ta’ala be pleased with him. A state of intense grief and sorrow settled over me. I went to my place of residence to procure whatever was required for the boy’s burial. On my return, his body was no longer there. On making enquiries, I realized that no one had any information about the boy. No one besides me, had seen the boy. He was invisible to the eyes of others.
I returned to my residence and went to sleep. I dreamt about the boy. He was the chief of a large assembly of people. He was clad in the best of garments which were glittering on him. Its beauty is beyond description. I asked: ‘Are you not my friend?’ He answered: ‘Yes.’
I said: ‘By Allah! I had searched much to bury you. I had desired to perform your Janazah Salaat.’ He said: ‘O Ibraheem! Know that The One Who had brought me out of my city; Who had instilled His Love in me and Who had separated me from my family - He attended to my burial and to all my needs.’
I said: ‘How did Allah, The Gracious treat you?’ He said: ‘I was ushered into His Presence and He said: ‘What is your desire?’ I replied: ‘O Allah! Only You are my desire.’ Allah said: ‘You are My true servant. I shall not conceal anything from you.’ I said ‘I wish that my intercession be accepted on behalf of the people of my time.’ Allah Ta`ala said: ‘Your intercession is accepted.’
In my dream the boy shook hands with me. My eyes then opened. In the morning I fulfilled the rites of Hajj, but I was extremely restless. The memory of that boy, grief and sorrow had settled over me. Then together with the other Hujjaj we commenced the return journey. Along the journey everyone was saying: ‘O Ibraheem! Everyone is wonder-struck by the fragrance of your hands.’”

This wonderful fragrance remained on Hadhrat Ibraheem Khawwaas Rahmatullahi alaihi for as long as he lived. May Allah’s Rahmat be on him.

*

Hadhrat Shafeeq Balkhi Rahmatullahi alaihi narrates: “In the year 149 Hijri I set out for Hajj. I halted in Qadisiyyah. While I was viewing the large crowds and their pomp, my eyes fell on a young man clad in fine garments. He had wrapped a woollen shawl around him (in the style of the Sufis). He was sitting alone. I thought he was a pretender. I went near to him with the intention of reprimanding him. He looked at me and said: ‘O Shafeeq! Abstain from suspicion because some suspicion is sinful.’ So saying, he went away. I said to myself: ‘Indeed I had committed evil.’ He had said what was in my heart. He even mentioned my name. He appears to be a pious man. I resolved to locate him and apologize. Although I hastily pursued him, he was nowhere in sight. Then I saw him at Waaqisah, I was trembling and tears were flowing. I delightfully said to myself: ‘This is that same friend of mine.’ I was determined to seek forgiveness from him for my error of suspicion. I waited a long time. After he completed his Salat, I turned towards him. When he saw me approaching, he said: ‘O Shafeeq! (He recited the Aayat)-‘Verily, I am Most Forgiving for him who repents…..’ He then departed and disappeared from my sight. I said to myself: ‘This young man is certainly one of the Abdaal. He twice revealed what I was thinking.’ When we reached Mina, I saw the same young man standing at the well with a mug in his hand. The mug slipped from his hand and fell into the well. He lifted his gaze to the heaven and supplicated. By Allah! I saw the water rising to the top of the well with the mug. The young man filled it with water and engaged in Salat. After Salat he went to a sand dune and filled his mug with sand. He drank the contents. He repeated this act several times. I went up to him and made Salam to which he responded. I asked him to give me some of the contents of his mug. He acceded to my request. I never drank anything sweeter and more delicious than the juice in his mug. Nothing was more fragrant than it. I stayed a few days at this place without feeling hungry or thirsty.
The youth said: ‘O Shafeeq! Allah`s zaahiri and baatini bounties are always with me. Cherish a lofty opinion of your Rabb.’

I then did not see the young man along the road to Makkah. Once at midnight in Makkah I saw him performing Salat with profound humility. I heard the sound of crying. He spent the entire night in this state. In the morning after Fajr Salat he made Tawaaf of the Kaabah. Thereafter he came out of the Haram. I followed him. Suddenly I observed many servants and assistants around him. People gathered around him to pay their respects. I was surprised at this transformation from a lonely young man to an important personality. When I enquired from someone, I was told that the young man, was Hadhrat Ja`far Saadiq Rahmatullahi alaihi. I was truly astonished. Undoubtedly, the miracles which I had witnessed were the effects of such a noble Sayyid.’”

NOW….

 
After Asr from the ninth floor hotel window where a friend is staying. This is one of the many new buildings being occupied for the first time by the Hujjaj. In the rush to have pilgrims stay in some of these buildings many features are not complete. This is looking towards the south through a tinted window, and a layer of the Mubarak Madinah dust. Masjid Bilal is on the left. The main Madinah water tower appears as a blob on the horizon. Move along the horizon to the left of this to a brownish building block, where the four minarets of Masjid Quba are to the left of this. If you could turn a complete 180 degrees you would be exactly opposite Bab Salam of Masjid Nabawi. It is agreed that when Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi and the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum walked to Masjid Quba they would almost be walking up the middle of this photo.

To the left of the above. Masjid Quba minarets on the far left horizon. The small white building squashed between the two new ones under construction is Masjid Uthman. The low flat Jabal Eyr, the Bab of Jahannam is in the distance. Jabal Eyr demarcates the sacred boundary of Madinah. Our humble home is almost in the centre of this photo, a little beyond the clump pf green trees. This hotel is equidistance from our home and Masjid Nabawi.

 

Just before Maghrib in the western ladies courtyard, which was quite full…and the marble freezing after a glorious sunny, and warm day. 

 

After Maghrib looking towards Bab Salam. 

 

One of the street stalls on the way home, selling the traditional ceramic water coolers, only SR20!!! Not exactly the ideal gift to take back after Hajj! Two of the minarets of Haram visible…one to the right, the other a mere tip appearing above the central building.

* 

The latest news on the conditions in Mina 

Plus today, Al Watan, one of the Arabic daily papers was a report that marble slabs had fallen from one of the main hotels on the northern side of Haram. Alhumdulillah that nobody was hurt.

I saw this today. An excellent program from an excellent contemporary scholar. Do try to take advantage of this opportunity, Insha’Allah: 

http://www.sunnipath.com/LiveEvent/LivingHajj/

And more fascinating accounts of Hajj from so many perspectives:

http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/search/search.aspx?tbSearchCriteria=hajj&SearchForm.x=16&SearchForm.y=27

 
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. 

 

 

THEN…

"Hadrat Ibrahim bin Adham Rahamtullahi alaihi was on his way to Hajj on foot when someone asked him his destination. He answered that he was going to Hajj and so the man was surprised because on foot this would be an insurmountable journey and said, “But you need transportation for Hajj.” Hadrat Ibrahim bin Adham Rahamtullahi alaihi replied that he not only had a means of transportation but also had many such means.

The man was perplexed by this reply because he could not see any such mode of transport and asked Hadrat to show him. Hadrat Ibrahim bin Adham Rahamtullahi alaihi said: “When in difficulty I will rely on patience as my transportation, and when I am blessed I will use gratitude as my transport. During sorrow I will rely on inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon to carry me, and on La hawla wa la quwatta illa billa to carry me whenever combating nafs and Satan. If I encounter any circumstances of sin I have the vehicle of tawba to see me through. If someone bigger confronts me I will use the vehicle of Allahu Akbar, and I shall complete my Hajj using these different means at every point.”

*

A seeker studying under Hadrat Shibli Rahamtullahi alaihi appeared at a gathering after being absent for some time. Hadrat Shibli Rahamtullahi alaihi asked where he had been and so this young man answered that he had just returned from Hajj. The following is the conversation that ensued.

Hadrat Shibli : “When you took off your clothes in order to don the ihram, did you also make intention of stripping the clothes of sin from your body?”

Student : “No I did not make such an intention.”

Hadrat Shibli : “Did you make intention to present your whole body and soul in front of Allah when you said Labbaik?”

Student : “No I did not make such an intention.”

Hadrat Shibli : “During tawaf did you realize that you were touching the Right Hand of Allah when you greeted Hajr-e-Aswad with your salams?”

Student : “No I did not realize any such thing.”

Hadrat Shibli : “Did you feel that you were hugging the Messenger of Allah when you hugged the draperies of the Kaaba?”

Student : “No I did not feel that.”

Hadrat Shibli : “When you passed by the door of the Kaaba did you beseech your Lord like a beggar beseeches a king?

Student : “No I did not beseech Him like that.”

Hadrat Shibli : “Did you make intention for total and sincere repentance from all your sins no matter how small when you were at Arafat?”

Student : “No I did not make such a strong intention.”

Hadrat Shibli : “Did you make firm intention to make Satan your mortal enemy when you stoned the devils?”

Student : “No I did not make an intention like that.”

Hadrat Shibli : “Did you make intention to sacrifice your nafs and desires for the sake of Allah when you performed the animal sacrifice?”

Student : “No I did not make an intention like that. I only sacrificed the animal.”

Hadrat Shibli : “Did you see the Beloved when you performed the Tawaf-e-Ziyarah?”

Student : “No I did not see anything like that.”

Closing this discussion Hadrat Shibli Rahamtullahi alaihi said to the young man, “My dear child, you have not performed Hajj. You should don the ihram anew next year as if you are going for the first time and perform Hajj exactly as I have taught you.”

These are just some examples of the vast difference between the Hajj of the common man and that of the auliyaa (Friends of Allah). We should all learn lessons from the lives of these magnanimous people and try to implement these ways in our lives.

Read here for the article, The Urgency of Hajj, by Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmed (bd) the above is from. The same link also has an Urdu audio option.

NOW…. 

The "Hajj flu" is greeting many pilgrims as well as the locals. One report stated that of the 26,000 Malaysians here this year already 11,607 have been given treatment as out patients, with 60 hospitalized and five deaths.
This is a report, just released, on infections related to Hajj.

We are experiencing very cold mornings and evenings, with many visibly feeling how temperatures in a desert environment can drop so low during winter. I think the shops selling warm clothing and blankets are extremely happy. As are many other traders.

Then there are others who suffer in a different way. Or abuse the system.

This year the authorities are promising extremely strict measures for all those within the Kingdom, (locals and expats) who in the past would perform a "sneak" or "illegal" Hajj, myself included! It has been estimated that last year 1.29 million performed Hajj without any official permits.

Arabic papers have drawn attention to how many Bedouins who know the harsh terrain surrounding Makkah, use Hajj as a time to smuggle pilgrims in for substantial sums of money. The following was reported the other day, as well as alerting hopeful illegal pilgrims to the fact that any body without a valid permit, even if they do manage to get through checkpoints, will be asked to show their permits on the way to the Jamarat, and turned away of they do not have the correct permit. Also, over the past few years small tents pitched on any available space, (I even saw them inside the ablution blocks in the past!!) are banned this year. It remains to be seen how all of these rules will be enforced. And how the usual loop holes will be manipulated.

The following links are inspiring and informative about the ritual of Hajj. I post them for all who may not be here physically for this Hajj, but whose hearts will be spiritually with the millions seeking all the rewards of a Hajj Mabroor, enacting the journey to the Hereafter. Also Imam Zaid Shakir clearly elucidates the importance of fasting the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. May this be a time for the entire Ummah to unite as one, just as we witness the realization of this human potential with the coming together of pilgrims from every corner of the globe.

http://www.sacredlearning.org/classrooms/hajj/index.htm
mp3 format series
This classroom is dedicated to lectures covering both the inner and outer aspects of Hajj and Umrah, from waiting for the days of Hajj, to preparing for the Hajj and the journey, to the Hajj itself, to carrying over the benefits of Hajj & Umrah in our lives. While these lectures were focused on Hajj and Umrah, many of the lessons and principles discussed are relevant to everyday life. 

http://www.islam786.org/hajjumrah.htm

http://www.islam786.org/hajjwithmyshaykh.htm

 

May this be a time when Allah Ta’ala’s Mercy heals hearts and wounds, showering His Justice where it is needed most, along with rains where needed the most, balance where needed the most; nurturing security, harmony and love in every heart of every Muslim. May He grant safety and Ridwaan for all the Hujjaj, accepting their efforts and pleading, as a means to uplift the state of the Ummah of our Beloved Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. 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. 

 

 

"Hajj Art"

Village walls in some parts of Upper Egypt blossom with naive and colorful paintings that commemorate the homeowner’s safe return from Hajj. A form of folk art expressing their piety and joy; sharing with others the blessing of having completed their obligation to Allah Ta’ala. Many of these people are very poor and are subsidized or even paid fully by the government to embark on this journey of a life time. Egyptian Hujjaj are here in the thousands. The village ladies are quite distinct with a small colourful headscarf tightly binding their head, a larger flowing scarf placed over this. The older women have dark blue face tattoos consisting of patterned dots and lines.

   

"For the 13 centuries until 1950, the hajj journey from Upper Egypt to Makkah took more than a month; there was no way for the pilgrim to stay in touch with his family during that time. It was a journey into the unknown, with an uncertain conclusion, and the return of the traveler amounted almost to a rebirth. Joyful family members greeted the pilgrim at the boat in Suez or another Egyptian port or at the hometown train station, or awaited the camel caravan’s return to the oasis. Thus the hajj paintings expressed the family’s happiness at the pilgrim’s safe return, and at the same time provided religious inspiration to anyone viewing the murals."

 

One of the artists: "My art, my poetry, just pours out of me," he declares. "I work very fast while I am inspired by the scriptures; my brush flies across the surface. Sometimes I can finish an entire mural in one day."

From "Mural Celebrations" SaudiAramco. A lively article resonating with the jubilation these pilgrims experience in fulfilling their duty to Allah Ta’ala.

At the end of the article you will see: Check the Public Affairs Digital Image Archive for May/June 1993 images. Clicking on the link takes you a series of small images found in that edition. Then, if you want to view these as larger ones, click on one image and register, taking only a few minutes to be able to access their truly amazing digital image archives.

Scroll down the alphabetical list on this site to ‘Hajj Art’ for more images.

Insha’Allah you enjoy these whimsical images, depicting an imaginative aspect of a different culture’s way of conveying their jubilation and gratitude to Allah Ta’ala.  

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. 

 

 

THEN….

Camel Tales…..

"Imam Zayn al-‘Ābidin, Rahmatullahi alaihi, performed the Hajj on foot more than one time, as his father and his uncle, al-Hasan, RadhiAllahu anhuma, did. It took him twenty days to perform the Hajj to the House of Allah.

He also performed the Hajj on his she-camel twenty times, and he took great care of it. The historians say he never whipped it. Ibrāhim ibn ‘Ali said: “I performed the hajj with ‘Ali b. al-Husayn Rahmatullahi alaihi. His she-camel was moving slowly, hence he pointed to it with the stick, and then he withdrew it and said: ‘Woe if there was any retaliation in the next world!’ Again it moved slowly among the Mountains of Radawā , Hence he showed it the stick and said to it: ‘You should walk; otherwise I will do!’ Then he mounted it, and it walked” His soul exalted to this level of mercy, pity, and gentleness to the animal, Hence he never whipped and frightened his she-camel. He thought that aggression against an animal would result in punishment and reckoning in the Next Abode."

*

Joseph Pitts, England CA 1685  p.121

"If it happens that the camel dies by the way, the carrier is to supply us with another, and therefore those carriers who come from Egypt to Mecca with the caravan bring with them several spare camels; for there is hardly a night passes but many die upon the road. For is a camel should chance to fall, ’tis seldom known that it is able to rise again; and if it should, they despair of its being capable of performing the journey or ever being useful more. ‘Tis a common thing, therefore, when a camel once falls, to take off its burden and put it on another and then kill it, which the poorer sort of the company eat. I myself have eaten of camel’s flesh, and ’tis very sweet and nourishing…..

They travel four camels in a breast, which are all tied one after another, like as in teams. The whole body is called a caravan, which is divided into several kitars, or companies, each of which has its name and consists (it may be) of several thousand camels, and they move, one kitar after another, like distinct troops. In the head of each kitar is some great gentleman or officer, who is carried in a thing like a horse litter, borne by two camels, one before and the other behind, which is covered all over with searcloth (cloth coated with wax) and over that again with green broadcloth, and set forth very handsomely. If the said great person has a wife with him, she is carried in another of the same. In the head of every kitar there goes likewise a sumpter camel, which carries his treasure, etc. This camel has two bells, about the bigness of our market bells, hanging one on each side, the sound of which may be heard a great way off. Some other of the camels have round bells about their necks, some about their legs, like those which our carriers put about their fore horses’ necks, which together with the servants (who belong to the camels and travel on foot) singing all night, make a pleasant noise, and the journey passes away delightfully. They say this music makes the camels brisk and lively. Thus they travel in good order every day…..and if it were not for this order, you may guess what confusion would be amongst such a vast multitude.

They have lights by night (which is the chief time of traveling, because of the exceeding heat of the sun by day), which are carried on the tops of high poles, to direct the Hajjis in their march. They are somewhat like iron stoves, into which they put short dry wood, which some of the camels are loaded with. ‘Tis carried in great sacks, which have a hole near the bottom, where the servant takes it out as they see the fires need a recruit. Every kitar has one of these poles belonging to it, some of which have ten, some twelve, of these lights on their tops, or more or less. And they are likewise of different figures as well as numbers; one perhaps oval like a gate; another triangular, or like an n or m, etc, so that everyone knows by them their respective kitar. They are carried in the front and set up in the place where the caravan is to pitch, before that comes up, at some distance from one another. They are also carried by day not lighted, but yet by the figure and number of them the Hajjis are directed to what kitar they belong, as soldiers are by their colours where to rendezvous; and without such directions to would be impossible to avoid confusion in such a vast number of people. Every day, viz., in the morning, they pitch their tents and rest several hours. When the camels are unloaded, the owners drive them to water and give them their provender, etc. So that we had nothing to do with them, besides helping to load them."

 *

Winifred Stegar, Australia 1927.  p.359

"Departure for Mecca.
The days raced by. All too soon for me it was time to move on again. We found our camels beside the town hall, in a scene of sheer bedlam-choking dust, shouts, arguing agents and camel drivers, camels loose and camels held in check.

Don’t ever tell me of love between camel and owner. The camels loathe their drivers, their passengers, and anything connected with them. They snarl and show their filthy teeth at all and sundry. I have been amongst camels the greater part of my life; have known them from their birth to their death. That animal scorns the human race.

In this batch were old beasts and young ones, many of the latter tossing their loads sky high, for with such a mighty influx of pilgrims thousands of beasts not yet properly broken were pressed into service.

If you have never heard a thousand or so camels squealing in rage as they are being loaded, then you have something yet to hear….

It was sundown when, finally mounted on our animals, we passed through the city wall and out into the great desert beyond. Once clear of the wall the beasts were stopped and everyone dismounted and prepared for prayers. These were barely finished when there came a sudden rush to hoosh down the camels and take refuge beside them with covered heads from a great red wall of choking sand advancing on us, but it only lasted a few minutes, then was gone.

Two pilgrims rode on each camel; there was an arrangement of two string beds, one hanging on each side of the animal, with his hump running up between them. They were lightly fastened and one passenger, the first up, had to balance himself on the hairy hump till the other party arrived; otherwise one bed went earthwards and the other aspired to heaven. I learnt my lessons of ascent and descent the hard way.

The camels could not be properly hooshed down because of these beds. Some agents had short ladders to help pilgrims mount, but of course they were a drop in the bucket for such a crowd. The usual way to mount was to place your foot on the camel’s neck, then leap backwards onto your bed contraption. The first time I did it, as I reached the creature’s neck, he snarled angrily and looked back at me. I missed the hump in my fright and shot back to earth. Ali said he was sure the scream was heard back in Australia.

Over and covering both beds was erected a beehive cover of jute, its centre prop in a direct line with the animal’s neck. On this upright stick you lashed your red crock water bottle. Your spare gear rode at the back of your pillow. When weary you could lie down full stretch. This then was your home-a home on a camel’s back. In assigning pilgrims to the camels, the drivers tried to match the weight on either side; thus Janey and I rode on one side and Ali on the other. Two fat men would be allotted to a stronger beast, probably a bull camel, and lighter weights to lighter camels.

The long camel trains ran snake-like, tied tail to nose, maybe thirty or forty to a string. Two drivers walked alongside with sharply pointed sticks.

It was a frightening land we traveled through-stark, bare, inhospitable with its collars of dead volcanoes and naked mountains dotted with black basalt boulders, a land of hunger and fear-yet perhaps today, since oil has been given to it, the people may be better off. I certainly hope so. The emaciated Arabs who ran out begging to the camel trains were terrible to see. All the long night the beast plodded almost silently along, and Ali and Janey slept soundly. It grew very cold towards morning, a peculiarity of that land, where you can scorch by day and freeze by night."

 *

Harry St John Philby, Great Britain 1931  p.397

"Motor cars were tending to become an increasing element in the pilgrimage scene. At the time of which I write, the privilege of using them was still confined to the royal family and officials on duty, but in 1933 permission was granted to a wider circle, while in the following year all restrictions were removed, and the number of motor vehicles taking part in the ceremony was not less than four hundred. Since then the number has steadily increased, and foreign pilgrims who can afford the luxury have now little to complain of in the manner of comfort.

All around the murmuring of camels and the cries of men calling to their missing companions-a veritable orchestra of discord. How anybody found anyone else in that mushroom city of a night, which none had seen nor was to see by day- for we would be on the move again long before sunrise-was a mystery to me."

[approximately 100,000 pilgrims performed Hajj in this year, and yet regarded at the time a huge crowd!]

NOW…..

Air-conditioned coaches, video screens, snack bars, toilets, aeroplanes, even so, many aspects are still difficult with the movement of millions in a limited time frame and specific  locations. I wonder what the readers of history books in one hundred years time will think about this forth coming 1427 Hajj?

Click to see how a recently approved project for this Illuminated City is to be built, heralding the way for all sorts of futuristic possibilities. 

  

 

And a "modern-day" camel…..which happens to be on my son’s "wish-list". Maybe this, with wings is what the furture holds?  Meanwhile, I would happily settle with this beauty below that I recently met posing in the nearby desert!

 

Recent local articles related to Hajj:

Helicopters to assist with safety measures: 

http://arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=89865&d=11&m=12&y=2006

Modern day Ibn Battuta issued a visa:

http://arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=89867&d=11&m=12&y=2006&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom

First stage of the new Jamarat ready:

http://arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=89810&d=10&m=12&y=2006&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom

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 pilgrimage takes place during the prescribed months. There should be no indecent speech, misbehaviour, or quarrelling for anyone undertaking the pilgrimage. Whatever good you do, Allah is well aware of it. Provide well for yourselves: the best provision is to be mindful of Allah- always be mindful of Me, you who have understanding. (2:197)

Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam once said, "Near the time of Qiyamah the rich ones from amongst my Ummah will perform Hajj for the sake of travel and holiday. The middle class will perform Hajj for commercial purposes, thereby transporting goods from here to there while bringing commercial goods from there to here. The Ulema will perform Hajj for the sake of show and fame. The poor will perform Hajj for the purpose of begging." (Kanzul Ummaal)

THEN…. 

Sheikh Abu Abdur Rahmaan Bin Khafeef Rahmatullahi alaihi narrates:

“On my way to Hajj I entered Baghdad. I underwent considerable mujaahadah to banish from my heart everything besides Allah. I abstained from eating for forty days, nor did I drink a drop of water. I perpetually remained with Tahaarat. In this condition, I set out from Baghdad. In the wilderness I saw a buck at a well. The water had miraculously risen to the top. I too was extremely thirsty. But when I reached the well, the water had receded to the bottom. The buck had left. I too then left and lamented: ‘O my Rabb! To You I am not equal to even this buck.’

I heard a voice behind me saying: ‘We tested you. You had no patience. Now go and drink the water. The buck came without bucket and rope, while you have with you a bucket and rope.’

I went to the well and found that the water had once more risen to the top. I filled my bucket. I continued making wudhu with this water until I reached Madinah, but the water remained the same.

After Hajj when I went into Jami’ Masjid of Baghdad, Junaid Baghdadi’s gaze fell on me. He commented: "If you had exercised patience for a little while, the water would have gushed around your feet.’"

* 

Maalik ibn Dinar Rahmatullahi alaihi narrates:

"On my way to Hajj, I met a man who was proceeding on foot to Baitullah. He was walking enthusiastically with delight in his every step. He had neither food nor water nor any provisions whatsoever for the road. I made Salam to him. After he responded, I said: ‘O young man! From where are you coming?’

Young man: ‘I come from Him.’

Maalik: ‘Where are you going?’

Young man: ‘To Him.’

Maalik: ‘Where are your provisions for the journey?’

Young man: ‘It is His responsibility.’

Maalik: ‘How can you traverse a journey without food or water?’

Young man: ‘Yes, when I set out from home, I had five huroof, letters for provisions.’

Maalik: ‘Which letters?’

Young man: ‘Kaaf, Haa, Yaa, Ain, Saad.

Maalik: ‘What are their meanings?’

Young man: ‘Kaaf means He Who is Sufficient. Haa means Haadi, the Guide. Yaa means The One Who gives Refuge or Place. Ain means Aalim, The Knower. Saad means Saadiq, the Truthful One. The man whose companion is self sufficient, the guide, the giver of a place, the knower and the truthful, will not be destroyed. He has no fear and is not in need of provisions.’

Maalik ibn Dinar Rahmatullahi alaihi offered his kurta to the young man. Refusing he said: ‘O Shaykh! It is better to be without a kurta of the world. There will be a reckoning demanded on the Day of Qiyamah for Halal things and punishment for Haram things.’

‘When all the people donned Ihram and proclaimed Labbaik, I did not hear you say Labbaik?’

The young man said: ‘O Shaykh! I fear to say Labbaik! Perhaps the Divine Presence will respond with Laa Labbaik! Wa Laa Sa’daika (Your presence is not accepted)

So saying, he left.

Maalik ibn Dinar Rahmatullahi alaihi says: “Then I saw him again in Mina. He was proclaiming; ‘My Friend is He who loves that I be killed. For him my blood is lawful in the Haram. O you who criticize! Don’t criticize me for His Love, for if you should see His excellence and beauty which I am seeing, you will never be saved (from death). Like me, you too will sacrifice your life at the altar of His Love. People have sacrificed animals on the Day of Eid, while my Friend has sacrificed my life.

O Allah! People have gained Your Proximity by sacrificing animals. Besides my life I have nothing to sacrifice. I offer this life to You. You accept it.”

He then emitted a loud, chilling shriek and fell down dead. A voice proclaimed:

“He is the friend of Allah. He has been killed by Allah. He has been killed by the Sword of Allah.”

Maalik Ibn Dinar Rahmatullahi alaihi performed his burial. That night Maalik slept in great agitation and restlessness. In a dream he saw the young man and enquired about his condition. The young man said: “Allah Ta`ala treated me like the Shuhadaa of Badr. In fact, he gave me more.”

Maalik asked in his dream: “Why did He give you more?”

Young man: “The Shuhadaa of Badr were killed by the swords of the kuffaar, whereas I was killed by the Sword of Allah’s Love.”

*

NOW……..

 

9pm, 18^th Dhu’l Qadah, the next night from the photos in the previous post, when the majestic moon was swimming above the Abode of Peace. Whereas last evening while present for Ziarah from outside I could not sight the moon until on the way home when I saw it low on the eastern horizon.

It is an extremely emotional energy pervading Haram and the immediate surrounds. Observing the pilgrims seems a form of Ibadah in itself. Uplifting the senses, with the realization that the journey for many has been undertaken with great sacrifice. So many faces appear like contours of the harsh landscapes they have temporarily abandoned so they can visit the Best of Creation SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Tears run down furrowed cheeks drenching weathered shawls spun and woven by gnarled fingers. Hands wrinkled by the fashioner of time reach out to the only one SallAllahu alaihi wasallam capable of interceding for us. A gathering of beggars congregating; hopeful of promised handouts in exchange for love and obedience.    

The physical effort of coming and going to Masjid Nabawi reflects the inner spiritual struggle, an inner arousal of the soul reaching to connect with our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. It is as if the air is no longer the fine particles we associate with breathing, but a heady fragrant concoction of humility, exuding from the throngs constantly moving in and around the courtyard, mixed with a fervent devotion and praise for the one SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, whom Allah Ta’ala sent for our salvation. And just as the various perfumers impregnate their essences with exquisite precious drops distilled from exotic sources, so does Allah Ta’ala deem the air to be saturated with the radiant presence of His Habib SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Any wonder that one is overcome by a drunken stupor and is reluctant to move away from this intoxicating delirium. Ya Allah Ya Lateef, allow our hearts to drink of this wherever and forever. Ameen.

Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu, mere meters from this Mubarak hallowed ground, said the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was asked: "Which action is best of all?" He said: "To believe in Allah and His Messengers." He was further asked: "And what next?" He said: "Jihad (striving) in the cause of Allah." He was asked again: "And what after that?" He answered: "The Pilgrimage, free from vices and defects."

May all Hujjaj keep their focus on this PRIZE, 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. 

 

 

 

 

THEN…..

A certain saintly person, resident in Makkah, used to perform Hajj annually until his seventieth Hajj. Yet every time we entered into Ihram, crying Labbaik out loud, he used to hear in reply: "Laa Labbaik." Once a young man was with him when the same thing happened. The young man said in surprise: "O Uncle, a cry of Laa Labbaik has come in answer to your call." The old man asked: "O son, did you also hear it?" The old man cried bitterly and said: "O son, for seventy years now I have heard that reply time after time." The young man asked: "But dear Uncle, why should you cast yourself in so much difficulty by performing Hajj every time?" The old man replied: "O son, on which other door can I knock except His, and who else is there to whom may I go except Him. It is my duty to continue begging for mercy. If He so desires, He may accept, and should He desire, He may reject. O son, it is not permissible for a slave to flee from the door of His Master for any reason that may not suit him." Saying this, the old man wept bitterly that tears covered his chest. Thereafter he again cried Labbaik, but this time both heard in reply: "Now we have indeed accepted your presence here. And so we act with those who keep their faith in our goodness, but not so with those who follow their vain desires and still hope for Our Mercy." The young man having heard this asked his uncle: ‘O Uncle, did you too hear this reply?" The old man said: "Yes, I have also heard it." Thereafter the old man wept so much that he died.

*

Ali ibn Muwaffaq Rahmatullah alaihi, says: "Once on the eve of Arafat I slept in the Masjid at Mina. I saw two Angels in green clothes descending from above. The one asked the other: ‘How many pilgrims are present here this year?’ When the other replied he knew not, the first one said: ‘There are six hundred thousand. But do you know from how many of them Allah Ta’ala accepted Hajj?’ The second replied he did not know. The first one went on: ‘Allah Ta’ala has accepted the Hajj of only six from them.’ Saying this they both departed towards the sky.

Ali ibn Muwaffaq Rahmatullah alaihi states further: ‘Greatly filled with fear and anxiety for what I heard, I woke up deeply distressed for my own Hajj. If only six pilgrims had their Hajj accepted, then what chance is there that I would be among them?’ On the way back from Arafat I looked at the great congregation distressed and worried again. How is it that of such a huge gathering only six should succeed? In this distress, I fell asleep at Muzdalifah and again I saw the same two Angels asking the same question and giving the same answers as before. Then the first one further asked: ‘And do you know what Allah Ta’ala commanded regarding this situation?’ The second one replied: ‘I know not.’ The first one continued: ‘Allah Ta’ala looked at them with His Mercy has decreed that on account of the blessings of each of them, the Hajj of one hundred thousand Hajjis will be accepted. This indeed is Allah Ta’ala’s favour which He bestows on whomsoever He pleases.’"

It is also reported that Ali ibn Muwaffaq Rahmatullah alaihi had performed more than fifty pilgrimages, praying that every time the reward be granted to Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, and the Khalifas and his parents and to any who’s Hajj had not been accepted. While on the plain of Muzdalifah, Allah Ta’ala appeared to him in a dream saying: "O Ali, are you trying to be more generous than I am? I have created generosity. I have created generous ones and I am the most generous of all. Verily through that Hajis’ Hajj that has been accepted, I have accepted that Hajj of each and everyone who’s Hajj had not been accepted."

*

Hisham bin ‘Urwa narrated, that upon his martyrdom, al-Zubair bin al-Awwam RadhiAllahu anhu, did not leave a single dinar or dirham in cash, except for two estates and some houses he owned. He incurred his debts from his practice of not accepting to keep anything on consignment, for during the pilgrimage season, and whenever a travelling merchant brought him his remaining goods to sell for him and to keep the money until the next season, al-Zubair RadhiAllahu anhu would reply: "I do not accept anything on consignment, but I will take the goods as a loan, for fear I mix them with other merchandise."

Later on, after he died, and when his son counted his debts, they added up to two million. To satisfy his father’s debts, Abdullah bin al-Zaubair used to attend the pilgrimage season annually, and he called the pilgrims to come forward to claim the monies they loaned to his father. Abdullah did that for four consecutive years until everything was repaid. Only after the four years passed that Abdullah divided the remaining balance between the heirs. Al-Zubair had four wives, and each of them inherited one million and two hundred dirhams.

*

Hafs ibn Amr al-Hawdhi narrated that Nafi’ heard Abdullah ibn Umar RadhiAllahu anhu pray at the Hill of Safa, during a pilgrimage to Makkah: "My Divine Lord, protect me by helping me to correctly comply with Your religion. Guide me to obey Your commands and to comply with the guidance of Your Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Lord protect me against infringing upon the limitations set by You. Lord fill my heart with love for You, and gather me among those who love Your Angels, Your messengers, and Your righteous servants. My Divine Lord, help me to do my deeds with ease. Help me to avoid the avenues of difficulties, forgive me my sine in this world, do not require them from me thereafter, Lord, and gather me among the blessed pattern of the pious ones in the Hereafter. Lord! You said, ‘Call upon Me and I will answer your prayers.’ Lord, surely You do not fail Your promise. O Allah, indeed<you are the One Who guided me to Islam. I beseech You not to divest me of Your gift. Do not deprive me of it, nor take it away from me. Keep me thus until You take my soul back to You in a state of perfect Islam, submitting to You."

Nafi’ added: "this was only a short passage of an extensive prayer, Abdullah ibn Umar RadhiAllahu anhu prayed at the Hills of Safa and Marwa, and he repeated them at again at the Valley of Arafat, and later on, he invoked the same prayers near the Sacred monument at Jamarat, and then during his final Tawaf of the Ka’aba.

*

NOW…..

A modern ibn Battuta! SubhanAllah!

The sacrificial animals begin to arrive.

More on the attempts to control the crowds, and reduce the presence of those without official permits

 
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. 

 

More mystical sufi tales related to Hajj.

Ali ibn Muwaffaq Rahmatullah alaihi says: "I was once sitting beside the Ka’aba at such a time that I had already performed Hajj sixty times. Through my mind there passed a thought that sixty times were quite enough, and that I shall not come again. How much longer shall I continue to cross this vast uninhabitable desert? At that thought I suddenly became drowsy and fell asleep. A voice spoke to me: ‘O ibn Muwaffaq, when you invite people to your house, you call such people with whom you are pleased. Blessed indeed are these whom Allah has called and placed in elevated ranks.’

Then these lines were recited:

‘Those who love Me do I invite to visit Me and no one else;

They have come to My house with honour. So blessed are those noble folk and blessed is He Who has invited them.’"

*

Sayyid Samhoudi Rahmatullah alaihi says that Abdullah ibn Mubarrak Rahmatullah alaihi used to perform Hajj one year and go for jihad the other year. He relates: "One year I took five hundred dinars and set out on the road to Makkah. At Kufa I stopped and went to the camel market with the intention of buying a camel. On the other side of the road I saw a dead duck. A woman came and started plucking its feathers. Seeing this I approached her and asked: ‘What are you doing dear woman?’ She replied: "Why do you inquire about things which do not concern you?’ This set me thinking, however I insisted on an answer. Then she said: ‘Your persistence has forced me to open my heart. I am a lady among the Sayyids-the family of Rasulullah, SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. I have four young daughters whose father passed away. This is now the fourth day we have not tasted a thing and are in now such dire need that eating of a dead thing has become permissible. I am taking this duck to feed my daughters.’

Abdullah ibn Mubarrak Rahmatullah alaihi says: ‘her story filled me with sorrow. I told her to stretch forth her hand and in it I placed five hundred dinars. She took it and went home, while I postponed my intention for Hajj and returned home. After Hajj I was so amazed that whenever I met any of the returning Hujjaj and wished them Hajj Maqbool, they would wish me the same. Then, when I said anything further they would remind me about having met me at such and such a place. I could not understand this. That night I saw a dream wherein Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said to me: ‘O son of Mubarak, there is no need to be astonished. You have assisted a distressed one from among my children, whereupon I begged of Allah to appoint one Angel to perform Hajj in your form and on your behalf until Qiyyamah, and now you have a choice. You may perform Hajj or you may leave it.’"

It is related in Tawthiq ‘Ura al-Ayman, "It is known that someone who stays behind because of a valid excuse shares with those who go since the Prophet, SallAllahu alaihi wasallm, said when he returned from the expedition to Tabuk that there were people in Madinah who had not travelled at all nor crossed a desert, but they had been with them. A valid excuse had kept them behind. A poet said:

"O travellers to the Ancient House,
     you have travelled in body while we have travelled in spirit!

We stayed behind with valid excuse while they travelled.
     Whoever stays behind with a valid excuse has travelled."

*

It is related that Ibrahim Adham Rahmatullah alaihi, (d 165 A.H./782 A.D.) spent fourteen years traversing the desert until he arrived at the Ka’aba. "Others walked on foot to Makkah," he remarked, "while I tread on my eyes."

His habit was to make two prostrations of ritual prayer for every one step forward. On reaching Makkah, however the Ka’aba had disappeared. "What has happened?" he asked, rubbing his eyes, "perhaps I’ve become dim sighted."

"Your vision is fine," a mysterious voice informed him. "Only the Ka’aba went to receive a lady on her way here."

"Who can she be?" he cried, aghast with envy. Then he beheld Rabi’ah hobbling along the way, cane in hand. The Ka’aba returned to its place. "O Rabi’ah, what is this riot and commotion you have created in the world?" Ibrahim demanded.

Rabi’ah retorted, "You who waivered fourteen years crossing the desert to reach the House of Allah are the real commotion in the world."

"Of course," he pleaded, "for fourteen years I was preoccupied in ritual prayer on my journey."

"Through ritual prayer you journeyed," Rabi’ah replied, "whereas I made my way by means of desperate spiritual supplication and need." Rabi’ah then completed the pilgraimage and wept in grief, saying, "O Allah! You have given assurances of Your approbation and goodwill, both for our pilgrimage and for our adversity. If my pilgrimage is unacceptable now (which is itself adversity), where is Your reward for the adversity I have endured?" She them returned to Basra until the next year. "If last year," she commented, "the Ka’aba came out to greet me, this year I shall go to greet the Ka’aba."

*

And to flash forward to the "here and now":

Reports in the local papers say that new crowd- management forces have been in training to prevent street vendors, pilgrims and vehicles from stopping and squatting along the streets leading to the Jamarat in Mina. These special security arrangements, along with the expanded new Jamarat bridge will allow up to 1.5 million pilgrims to perform the stoning within five hours! The Haj Ministry is planning to dispatch pilgrims to the Jamarat area in groups, and these special forces have been instructed to prevent any pilgrim without a Hajj permit from stoning.

*

This article tells how the new towers being constructed near the new bridge will partly be open for pilgrims this Hajj.

 

This was taken a couple of weeks ago of these towers.

 

An artist’s impression of how many of these blocks will soon be hugging the mountain side to increase the capacity of pilgrims in Mina.

* 

And another new development is the presence of "language experts" to help pilgrims.

*

The oldest pilgrim to perform Hajj this year will be an Indian pilgrim, 110 year old Jamila Khatoon, who will be accompanied by her son. It didn’t say how old he was! The second oldest is 106 year old Amjad Khan also from India. Last year ten centenarians successfully performed Hajj! May Allah Ta’ala give them taufiq and a Hajj Maqbool. Ameen.

May all who have been summoned by the King of Kings to His house perform a Hajj Maqbool. Ameen.

A comprehensive reader on the Fiqh of Hajj from Sunnipath

A sampling of sites, from the hundreds available on line, offering detailed information include:

http://www.islam786.org/hajjumrah.htm

http://www.islam786.org/hajjwithmyshaykh.htm

http://www.islamonline.net/english/hajj/2004/index.shtml

http://sufi.forumup.co.uk/about802-sufi.html

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/ABewley/hajjprep.html

http://www.weneedtounite.com/articles.htm#hajj

 
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.