ALMISKEENAH

The heart of our Islamic world, the soul of the Islamic cosmos with the Ka’abah as the centre.  It is the axis of the Islamic universe connecting the Eternity of Paradise with our temporal earthly existence. And regardless of the massive changes that have evolved since Ibrahim Alaihis Salam made this Du’a, and regardless of the current transformations that are unfolding, the sanctity of Makkah will remain till the End of Time.  

Concrete and steel may continue to replace mountains, and all traces of footsteps belonging to previous Prophets Alaihumus Salam, of our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and his Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum and a respectable list of thousands of our pious luminaries, scholars, Rahmatullah alaihum, may have disappeared, but etched into the very air and recorded in every particle of dust hovers the spirit of all this former glory.

In this Honourable City all hearts come to reflect the absoluteness of Allah Ta’ala, no matter what the eye may see, or the nafs crave amongst all the glamour and glitter. Because to be there, one is at the centre. All terrestrial wayfaring ends here. Not one Muslim heart is free from the longing to stand within the Sacred Precinct, to circle the House of the One and retrace the frantic footsteps of Hajar Alaihas Salam.

So despite all the outer appearances, our resolve to be focused on the True and Only Reality is the challenge.

Backtracking to a few weeks ago…where some of the towers of the the Abraj al-Bait (yellow area on the map below) are almost near completion, while work on the central tallest one is concealed for the moment. It will be amazing to see that odd building in the front of the whole complex be demolished, as well as the Makkah Towers, or Hilton, the complex on the right (dark blue). This is the news conveyed to us by our current Makkan guest, along with the demise of the exclusive Intercontinental, to the right again of the Hilton (aqua). Orders deliverd by the King.  

Pigeon flying towards the Hilton. Very symbolic after I heard the news of its eventual destruction.

Peering from one of the escalator areas within Masjid Al-Haram to the courtyard, the Hilton on the left with the corner of the Darul Tawheed, Intercontinental to the right. 

A hazy morning, creating an eerie atmosphere.

A view across the courtyard of the same two hotels….  

…all except one of the photos above taken from the hotel (orange dot) we were staying in, which has already been given demolition papers, to be vacated any day we were told, along with all the buildings in this area. This hotel has been our favoured place to stay over the years, which was so close to Haram, clean and reasonably priced, until the Jabal Umar (lime green) project saw hundreds of hotels go. The price hike since then has skyrocketed, as have all of the basic places.  

The road immediately in front of this hotel is so congested. It is the main pick up point for taxis and private cars to collect passengers for Madinah and Jeddah, with these destinations being called out non-stop as they fill vehicles. Trying to cross this street is a treacherous endeavour!  

Looking back up to the left of the same street. The buildings are all under demolition orders, being part of the Shamiah expansion (purple) 

The dark green area is the Khandamah expansion, which is the one feared to interfere with the Library marking the birth place of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. The purple is the current Ajyad Hospital which is to go. The light blue is the royal palace complex, while the red indicates another development called Darb Al-Khalel. I have posted artsists impressions of some of these projects before.

The pink is a rough indication of the size of the new Haram extension taking in the hotel that has been a homely Makkan abode when needed. (model of same at the bottom of this entry)

 Allah guides whoever He will to His Light. (24:35)

May our hearts never veer from this Light regardless of what distractions are placed before us, Ameen. 

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen. 

And he did see him [Jibreel] on the clear horizon.   (81:23)

Jibreel Alaihis Salam usually appeared to our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam in the form of a man, but on two occasions he was seen in his real form; the time of the first revelation and then during the Mi’raj.

Six hundred wings filled the horizon, the distance between each wing being that between the east and the west, with multi-coloured pearls and rubies falling from the wings. And if we could gather all the oceans as fabric it would not be enough to make his cap. SubhanAllah! This was the vision of Jibreel Alaihis Salam as seen my our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam as he ran down Jabal Nur from his retreat in Ghar Hira, that miraculous Night of Power in 610.

‘O Muhammad, you are the Messenger of Allah, and I am Jibreel.’

The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam would gaze at Jibreel Alaihis Salam, and turn away in awe, but whichever way he looked he was there, filling the horizon.

The following is a record of finally fulfilling the desire to climb to Ghar Hira. Leaving Haram immeadiately after Fajr Salat a short taxi ride brings you part way up the foothill of Jabal Nur. Shanty type houses   and makeshift stores line the steep pathway. Alhumdulillah as it was the very beginning of the Umrah season it was almost deserted. Some men were working on adding to a brick wall while three were climbing ahead of us. A strong wind billowed abayas and persistently ruffled niqabs, as a silvery haze was all that filled the horizon. It was enough knowing that all those centuries ago Jibreel Alaihis Salam was astride these grandiose mountains delivering the first verses of revelation to the best of creation SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. This was the motivation for the feet to take one step at a time to reach the summit so the eyes could gaze upon this chosen cave, this was the incentive for the feet to tread where Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam had been seeking seclusion. Climb with me now!

The monkeys were initially intimidating, with some apprehension that they may attack… 

…but Alhumdulillah they merely seemed curious…and playful. 

The looming towers of Abraj al-Bait…so Masjid al-Haram at the base of these…. 

…the rubbish was disgusting. I have been dreaming of some huge vacuum cleaner ever since…or a campaign to clear this mountain of such debris…

…peering down on inhabited shacks built onto the side of the mountain with an ad hoc collection of recycled materials… hard to imagine how people live like this in the intense summer or freezing winter  and no facilities…

…the vista from the summit… 

…zooming into the the Makkan valley, the obvious towers with the minarets of Haram to the right barely visible in the haze….  

Ghar Hira…so small and protected, SubhanAllah!

Read! In the name of your Lord who created:

He created man from a clinging form.

Read! Your Lord is the Most Bountiful One who taught by the pen,

who taught man what he did not know.   (96:1-5) 

 Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam repeated these words after Jibreel Alaihis Salam saying: "It was as though the words were written on my heart."

Looking directly down on the sprawling suburbs of Makkah, the cave down to the right… 

…there were several cats happily living on the summit…I filled this bottle top with Zamzam for this very friendly one who kept lapping up more and more. It seems some men live on the mountain, some offering basic drinks and snacks, while others seem to be positioned along the track in the hope of Sadaqah from those passing by.  

The descent was far easier…looking back on where we had been, the cave to the left of the summit on the other side. 

Home… 

….two children who had just been on an errand to a small shop… 

….the area below Jabal Nur is very dilapidated…the Towers in the distance contrasting the lavish new with the basic necessities….

…with satellite dishes being a basic necessity… 

*

 Hayya ‘ibad Allah

(Come O servants of Allah)

Ahibba Allah

(O you who love Allah)

Sallu ‘ala an-Nabi

(Send salutations to the Prophet)

On a clear and moonlit night

In the dark cave of Hira

A man began to cry

Oh Allah show me the light

Tell me why I was created

Where will I go after I die?

What’s the purpose of this life

Where people murder and lie?

How can I stop their corruption?

Oh Allah You’re my only Guide.

Ya Habibi ya Mustafa

(O my beloved O Chosen One)

Ya Rasula Allah ya Habiba Allah ya Safiyya Allah

(O Messenger of Allah, O Beloved of Allah,

O Intimate of Allah)

Ya Habibi ya Mustafa

Anta gharami, dhikruk kalami, kulla ayyami

(You are the object of my love,

your remembrance are the only words I speak throughout my days)

On that clear and blessed night

Jibra’il came to Hira

He hugged Prophet Muhammad

Until he thought he would die

Read O Muhammad read

In the name of your Lord

By Allah you’ve been chosen

Over the whole of mankind

You’ve been elevated high

Like the moon up in the sky

Chorus

Ya Yasin Ya Khalil Allah

Ya Amin Ya Najiyya Allah

Ya Makin Ya Shahid Allah

Ya Mukhtar Ya Hafiyya Allah

Ya Taha Ya Habiba Allah

[All names of the Prophet (pbuh) ]

Chorus

He’s a mercy for mankind

His speech was gentle and kind

He summoned people to Allah

And led them on his path

Mankind lived in the darkness

Everyone alive was just blind

His message brought the light

To the hearts that had no sight

In mercy he’s the ocean

While others are drops of rain.

Ya Habibi ya Mustafa

Ya Rasula Allah ya habiba Allah ya Safiyya Allah

Ya Habibi ya Mustafa

Anta gharami, dhikruk kalami, kulla ayyami

Forever we’ll be indebted

To him for this Islam

Our life for him we’ll give

His message with us will live

Our love for him knows no bounds

It is loftier than the clouds

Whenever his name is mentioned

Our tears begin to flow

Oh Allah send your blessings

On al Mustafa

Ya Habibi ya Mustafa

Anta gharami, dhikruk kalami, kulla ayyami

Ya Habibi ya Mustafa

Ya Rasula Allah ya Habiba Allah ya Safiyya Allah

Ya Habibi ya Mustafa

Ya Nabiyya Allah, ya Waliyya Allah, ya Khalil Allah

 Sami Yusuf

 *

He stepped inside his home, and he overwhelmed with fear
An angel came with words from God, things were still unclear
Saying read - read, but he couldn’t read, then amazing words he heard
A trembling deep inside his heart, confused by what had occurred

There was only one who could comfort him
And help him see the light
To ease his fears, to reassure
It was Khadijah, his wife…

Chorus
He said Zamilooni, Zamilooni, Dathirooni, Dathirooni, (Envelop me, Embrace me)
A mighty task has come before me…
I need you here with me…
By my side…

She was a woman of nobility, successful in all her trade
Many wealthy men had asked for her, she had turned them all away
But when she saw Muhammad, a shining moon, may peace be on his soul
He was a light for her — so right for her — her life will now be whole

But she had never seen him so distressed, as he was there that day
She would comfort him, and hold him tight, and chase his doubts away

Chorus

We look for stories of love, in places dark and cold
When we have a guiding light, for the whole world to behold
But were so selfish in our ways, and to the ones we hold so close
Our own pleasure and happiness is what we value most

But she sacrificed all her wealth and everything she had
And he honored her, and gave her faith,
when the times were bad, when times were bad…

Now years have passed, times had changed, since Khadijah breathed her last.
Message of the one true God, was spreading far and vast
But then he came across a jewellery, that Khajidah once had worn
His eyes began to swell with tears, his heart again began to mourn

Cause she was there for him, when times were rough, and his enemies were cruel
Was the first believer, so keen and eager, to comfort al-Rasool

Chorus

Mawlaya salli wa sallim da’iman abada
‘Ala habibika khayril khalqi kullihimi
(O my Leader, send your salutations and blessings forever
Upon Your Beloved, the best of the whole of creation)

 Zamilooni, Dathirooni

 *

May it be that the words of revelation be written on our hearts and thus inspire our actions, Ameen 

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen. 

The first House to be established for mankind was the one at Bakkah. It is a blessed place; a source of guidance for all people; there are clear signs in it; it is the place where Ibrahim stood; whoever enters it is safe.   (3:96-97)

Some say Bakkah refers to the Ka’abah and the immediate area around it, while the rest of the city is referred to as Makkah. Bakkah means to annihilate or completely crush, specifically pride and arrogance.

While Makkah means to eradicate, either sins or the eradication or destruction of the oppressor who may be within its locality, as was the case with Abraha and his army in the Year of the Elephant. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

Allah Ta’ala assigns various names to His Baitul Ateeq, the earliest and ancient, the liberating; His Honourable House; the symbolic heart of the Ummah. The circling of the faithful never ceases, even when all are assembled in row upon row for the five Fardh Salat, the beat of the flowing Tawaf is momentarily transformed into a total unity of hearts, souls, minds and bodies bowing and prostrating as one; a constant rhythmic ripple of adoring, praising, seeking, imploring, and repenting. A concentric prayer that radiates out across the globe, while simultaneously absorbing the worship of every Mu’min as they turn to this blessed place, the source of guidance.

The faithful vie for a place as close as possible to Baitul Allah. Prayer mats and other assorted items are used to reserve places in the first Saff for each Salat, while the moment the second Salam is given brothers run to the Hajar Aswad and the Multazam and the Tawaf is resumed. SubhanAllah!

It was not my intention to take the camera into Haram, I did not want the distraction of trying to sneak shots, even though I would loved to have been able to share some of the time with you. However I did manage this photo one afternoon before Maghrib from the second floor. During this time there are many Halaqahs of Qur’an for boys, ranging in ages from five to early adults. Unlike Masjid Nabawi, where facilities are also available for girls, Haram in Makkah only accommodates boys. The entire space is filled with a gentle buzz as if in the middle of a bee hive…and the sensation is as sweet as one could imagine being dipped in a hive bursting with honey! Such a delight sitting in the gentle breeze watching and listening to the boys concentrating on the Divine Words as they strived to commit them to their hearts. While the morning, from Fajr right through to Iqama for Zuhur huge expanses of the Masjid are occupied by the Ulema seated on large wooden throne-like chairs conducting classes for the young adult males. Each Halaqah seemed to have up to forty to fifty students, and there are dozens scattered all around the Masjid. The teaching method retains the simplicity of traditional learning circles. The boys carry a few books, some choose to strap them together, others wrap them in their prayer mat. All seat on the floor, while the teacher remains seated the entire time. I noticed that some use a white board getting one student to scribe whatever is needed.  Some use microphones, and even though these Halaqahs are so close together it obviously is not a porblem. The Adab was impeccable considering these lads sit attentively for more than five hours! May Allah Ta’ala guide and reward all who devote seeking His Knowledge, Ameen.  

It has been some time since I subjected you to some of my coloured dots and squiggles! By using the same photo I will explain a few things to those of you who may not have been to the Honoured House. The balcony from where this was taken is the track reserved for wheelchairs for Tawaf. It follows the circumference of the Mataf, meaning it covers a much longer distance than doing it at ground level, and depending on the crowds sometimes there is no option but to use this track, or the roof during the peak seasons. This can become very congested, especially when the one pushing the wheelchair is slow, or the electric chairs create a traffic jam. There has been a suggestion that a suspended track above the Mataf be made for wheelchairs, but I have not seen or read of any further official plan for this.

You will notice the arches behind the Ka’abah, both the ground and second floor levels now have a solid cream wall behind them. This is the old Masaa area, so the walls have been constructed forming a barrier between the Masjid area and the ongoing work. Small passage ways have been left to be able to reach the new Masaa area beyond these temporary walls. The new Masaa is seen appearing higher than the existing roof of the Haram.

The pink dot to the left indicates the small fenced area reserved for sisters, which is actually on the Mataf. Given the proportionate numbers of sisters to the brothers this is so small. There have been several complaints but nothing has changed to increase the size. What they have changed is the height of the front fence. Previously it was the same height as the two side walls, but now it is lower so that sisters can at least see the Ka’abah when they are enclosed in this space.

The two pink lines indicate sisters areas that are positioned just above the steps leading from the Mataf. These steps are a popular place for sisters to sit when it is not Salat time. Come half an hour before every Salat all ’staff’ are engaged in whatever means possible to get all sisters out of the Mataf area and off the steps into the designated prayer areas. This becomes a source of amusement…or frustration depending on the perspective one is coming from. For the ’staff’, brothers who act as guides, the sisters on duty and the police, when things get heavy, it is a constant battle as the majority of sisters do not want to be shoved far away. There are large areas towards the main entry/ exits to the Masjid for sisters but one cannot see Ka’abah from these places. Some say it is not important to actually see the Ka’abah, which is so, but the elation of watching the Tawaf or the formation of the Saff, or the magnificence of simlpy gazing upon Baitul Allah cannot be described in words…and the magnetic pull being in such close proximity is beyond hypnotic. First the physical gaze becomes mesmerized which captivates the inner gaze until all is obliterated. One does not experince the same sensations when the eye is devoid of this connection.

The green dot is in direct line with the Black Stone, and indicates the beginning and end of each Shawt, or circuit for Tawaf. This being in the sisters area became my favourite position during my visit, and because it was a very quiet week I was able to sit there for hours and offer many Salat and have Iftar there. The ’staff’ did not move sisters who were on the marble above the steps as this was regarded as an acceptable area for sisters to pray, even though the official carpet section was behind  the marble walk way.

The dark blue line is where the Mayyit are placed waiting for the Janazah Salat. I was surpirsed that the bodies on the stretchers would be placed on the ground there but left alone. One time I walked past four bodies in a row but nobody sitting near them. All the deceased in Madinah are covered with a green cloth, but in Makkah it was a dark blue, a dark brown, once it was a tribal striped cloth, while the tiny babies are left in the white shroud and instead of being placed on a stretcher they are lifted up, by the father I suppose. There were three tiny bundles taken back to Allah Ta’ala in the one day. Inna liLlahi wa inna ilaihi rajeoon. May Allah Ta’ala illumine their Qabr with His Nur and give the familes Sabr for all the Janazahs in Haramain, Ameen.

The light blue line is where they are covering the step area with a permanent walk way. The workmen were welding the steel supports earlier in the week and by the time I was to leave it had already been surfaced with marble and a railing constructed beside the new area, thus increasing the space for prayers. Just to the right of this is a wall of Zamzam taps, the ones facing Ka’abah for brothers, while going behind this wall is the place for sisters. This is one of the many places where it is easy to fill bottles rather than having to sit at the usual drinking containers filling the bottle the slow way cup by cup.

The lime dot on the Kiswa is Rukn Yemani, or the Yemini corner. it is Sunnah to touch this corner if possible as Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam did so. Plus this corner is standing on the original foundation that Ibrahim Alaihis Salam built. And like Du’a made at Hajar Aswad, they are also accepted from this corner. Abdullah ibn Umar RadhiAllahu anhu reports that he heard Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam say that touching the Black Stone and the Yemani corner atones for sins. Allahu Akbar. Due to the few in numbers up until last Thursday I was able to kiss the Black Stone, touch the Yemani Corner, offer Salat in the Hatim and gaze upon the footsteps of Ibrahim Alaihis Salam. Insha’Allah if you ever have the opportunity to come at the beginning of Safar try to do so.

The purple dot is Rukn Gharbi, which points to the west, the direction of Eritrea, Kenya, and the orange dot is Rukn Shaami, the direction of north towards Syria, Georgia.

I find this diagram fascinating as it gives the approximate location of a hundred countries in relation to the Ka’abah. Sometimes as I walked past the different sides of Ka’abah I would be thinking of you all across the world in your respective countries, and would make Du’a!

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen. 

 All that dwells upon the earth is doomed to die. But the Face of Your Lord, majestic and splendid will abide forever.  (55:27)

Live in the world as a stranger or a traveler.

These were the ‘anchors’ that assisted my focus as I wandered in what seemed a sci-fi movie of surreal proportions to where the previous Masaa was being relegated to history. 

Deafening sound effects of gorging monster machines swirled dust as they crumbled and spat the sacred land that long ago witnessed the pounding feet of a mother desperate for the life of her thirsty baby. How far removed from the harsh arid land our blessed Hajar Alaihas Salam and beloved son Ismail Alaihis Salam were left by Ibrahim Alaihis Salam.

 Looking into a roofless Masaa from the second level at the Marwa end.

 The exterior facade of the new Masaa taking shape.

The Royal Palace sits on Abu Qubais to the left with the Abraj al Bait Towers looming in the background to the right, while the noble house of our Lady Khadijah RadhiAllahu anha and our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam (an excavated view below, before it was finally covered over) lies under the jumble of equipment in the foreground of the above photo.

 One of the decorative medallions inscribed with Muhammadur RasuluLlah about to be demolished.

 A few days later when only mountains of rubble remain of the old Masaa.

 The length of new three storey plus basement Masaa emerging.

 All of this area, plus the land made available by the demolition of hundreds of the older adjacent buildings will eventually be incorporated into an extended prayer space.

 A model showing the new extension which is the segment to the top of the existing shape of Haram.

While solace comes from:

All that dwells upon the earth is doomed to die. But the Face of Your Lord, majestic and splendid will abide forever.  (55:27)

Live in the world as a stranger or a traveler.

Insha’Allah, more to follow in the next few posts from this time in Makkah.  

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen. 

Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. But the good righteous deeds that last, are better with your Lord for rewards and better in respect of hope.    (18:46)

HabibuLlah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said to the effect in the following two Hadith: 

When the belly of Makkah will be cleft open and through it will be dug out river-like passages and the buildings of the Holy City of Makkah will rise higher than its mountains. When you observe these signs, then understand that the time of Fitna is near at hand.

A time will come when the best property of a man will be his goats with which he can go up to the mountains peaks, leaving the hustle and bustle of town life. For his sustenance he should depend on his goats. He will be much safer in the mountains than in the towns where visible and invisible trials are ready to descend upon him.

* 

Imagine the area your footprints occupy while standing to be worth SR250,000? Or increase that to an area you could reach by slightly stretching your arms and splaying your legs…about one square meter to be worth one million riyals? (‘approximate’ exchange rates: US$250.000, AD$350,000, pounds sterling 140,000) This is the projected value for land (Property Prices to Soar Due to Grand Mosque Expansion) adjacent to Masjid Haram Makkah after a few weeks when the next large area for development will see hundreds of the older buildings demolished. 

I wonder whose footprints graced this very land in times gone by? Did our Noble Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam tread pathways there as he visited Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum, did he wander these mountains so close to his home with our Lady Khadijah RadhiAllahu anha, or maybe his esteemed daughters RadhiAllahu anhunna played and frolicked in the desert sand in this place so near to where they were born and spent the early days of their lives.

Maybe it was land owned by Abu Bakr as-Siddiq RadhiAllah anhu who being one of the most wealthy of the Quraish left his entire property and possessions when he fled with our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alahi wasallam. A sacrifice so many of the illustrious companions made for their Akhirah. We could allow the mind to wander, just as the certainty is that this land was traversed by previous Prophets alaihumus-Salam, the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhuma and thousands of our pious predecessors in their search and sacrifice for Truth.

Maybe some of the following accounts from the Awliyah took place on this sacred land about to be redeveloped?

* 

Once Sheikh Abu Ya`qub Basri Rahmatullah alaihi remained in I`tikaaf for ten days in the Haram Shareef. He did not get a morsel of food in all this time. Finally hunger and weakness overcame him. He set out with the intention of obtaining some food. When he came to a desolate place in the desert he saw a decaying turnip laying on the ground. As he picked it up, a fear settled in his heart. It was as if someone was rebuking and taunting him:

“After starving for ten days, your reward is a rotten turnip”

Sheikh Ya`qub threw away the turnip and went to Musjidul Haraam. After some time a man appeared. Placing a bag in front of Shaikh Ya`qub, the man said:

“This bag containing 500 Ashrafis (gold coins) is for you.”

Sheikh Ya`qub: “Why is it specially for me?”

The Man: “I was on a voyage for ten days. The boat was about to sink. Everyone in the boat made a pledge to Allah Ta`ala, vowing to give some Sadaqah if he was saved. I vowed to give 500 Ashrafis to the first person by the Ka`bah on whom my eyes fell.”

Sheikh Ya`qub: “Open the bag.”

When the bag was opened, instead of Ashrafis, it contained some delicious varieties of foods. (The coins were miraculously transformed into food). Sheikh Ya`qub ate from the food and instructed the man to distribute the remainder among his children. Sheikh Ya`qub Rahmatullah alaihi said to himself:

“O nafs! Your rizq was coming towards you since the last ten days while you went in search of it to the wilderness.”

*

Hadhrat Sheikh Abu Bakr Kitaani Rahmatullah alaihi narrates:

“I was once in Makkah Muazzamah in the company of a group of Sufiyaa Kiraam who were discussing the question of Allah’s Love. The youngest of the group was Hadhrat Junaid Baghdaadi Rahmatullah alaihi. The Sufi’s urged him to speak on this question.

Hadhrat Junaid Rahmatullah alaihi lowered his head and shed tears profusely. Then he said: “A lover is such a servant whose ego has been eliminated. He is absorbed in the thikr of Allah. He fulfills the rights of Allah. He looks with his heart towards Allah. The rays of Divine Fear have consumed his heart. The cup of Wine of Divine Love is for him. From behind the unseen veils Allah has become manifest to him. When he speaks, he speaks with Allah. When he moves, he does so with Allah’s command. When he rests, he rests with Allah. He is constantly with Allah he exists with Allah and he is in Allah’s companionship.”

All the Mashaa-ikh shed tears in abundance and said: Can anyone say anything more superb? O Taajul Aarifin (crown of the Awliyah)! May Allah increase your intelligence and wisdom.”

*

An Aabid who lived near to the Haram Shareef fasted every day. Every evening a man delivered two bread to him. The Aabid dissociated himself from every one and was engrossed only with Allah Ta`ala.

One day it occurred to him that he was relying on the man for his rizq, not on Allah Ta`ala. He said to himself: “You have forgotten the One who is the Sustainer of the entire creation.” When the man came with the bread, the Aabid refused to accept it. Three days went by but the Aabid had nothing to eat. He supplicated to Allah Ta`ala. That night he dreamt that he was in Allah’s Presence. Allah Ta`ala said to him: “O My Servant! Why did you reject whatever I had sent to you with one of My servants?”

The Aabid: “O Allah! I derive no solace from anyone besides You.”

Allah Ta`ala: “Who used to send the bread to you?”

The Aabid: “O Allah! Only You had sent it.”

Allah Ta`ala: “From whom were you taking it?”

Aabid: “From You, O Allah!”

Allah Ta`ala: “Henceforth accept it and do not reject it.”

Suddenly the Aabid saw the man who used to deliver the bread. He too was standing in Allah’s Presence. Addressing the man, Allah Ta`ala said: “Why did you terminate the rizq of this servant?”

The man: “O Allah! You are fully aware.”

Allah Ta`ala: “O My Servant! To whom were you giving?”

The man: “To You, O Allah!”

Allah Ta`ala: “Continue your practice and be firm. The thawaab for your practice (of delivering the bread to the Aabid) is Jannat.”

[When charity is given, it is given in reality to Allah Ta`ala, and when accepted, it is taken from Allah Ta`ala.]

*

Once Sheikh Shibli Rahmatullah alaihi debated with himself: “Am I a miser or not.” He could not resolve his inner dispute. He pledged that whatever wealth he receives he would give it to the first faqeer he met. Even before completing his vow, a man appeared and presented 30 dinars to him. Taking the dirhams, Hadhrat Shibli set out in search of a faqeer. At the barbers shop he saw a blind faqeer whose hair the barber was cutting.

When Hadhrat Shibli offered the dinars to the blind faqeer, he said: “Give it to the barber.” Hadhrat Shibli said: “These are dinars (i.e. gold coins).” The faqeer, raising his head, said: “Did we not say to you that you are a miser?”

Hadhrat Shibli then presented the dinars to the barber, but he said: “When this faqeer came to me, I pledged to Allah that I will not accept any fee.” Feeling highly ashamed, Hadhrat Shibli flung the dinars into the river and commented:

“O wealth of the world! May Allah disgrace you like this. Whoever loves you, will be disgraced by Allah.”

*

Hadhrat Ibraheem Bin Ad`ham Rahmatullah alaihi said to a man who was making tawaaf:

“You will never attain the elevated ranks of the pious as long as you have not traversed six difficult valleys. First Valley - The closing of the door of bounties and the opening of the door of hardship. Second Valley - Closing of the door of honour and opening of the door of disgrace. Third Valley - Closing of the door of comfort and opening of the door of toil. Fourth Valley - Closing of the door of sleep and opening of the door of wakefulness during the night. Fifth Valley - Closing of the door of wealth and opening of the doorof poverty. Sixth Valley - Closing of the door of wishes and opening of the door of preparations for Maut.”

*

How much closer are we to the End of Times as predicted signs manifest before our very eyes? Are we prepared? What more can we do with our time to earn a place in Jannah? How much responsibility are we shouldering by instilling the love of the Deen in the younger generation? Are we steadfast with a daily practice that assists our focus on our Akhirah rather than this temporal Dunya?

Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. But the good righteous deeds that last, are better with your Lord for rewards and better in respect of hope. 

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen. 

 Trackbacking to our day in Makkah last Tuesday, sharing a few miscellaneous photos….

One of the hundreds of Ottoman antique light fittings on the second level of Haram Makkah. Amazing to think of all the artworks, weaponry, decorative features and architectural materials that were transported from so many Muslim countries as gifts to the Haramain, and mostly by camel caravans.

One of the Haram Captors experienced machanical troubles… 

Alhumdulillah, the quick thinking of all the workers in attendance averted a major disaster…within seconds fire extinguishers were in action.  

Partially demolished buildings line many of the streets leading to Haram. Owners seem to try to keep retail outlets functioning as long as possible at street level. This building and the next were only minutes from Haram. 

One of the few traditional styles of architecture for Makkah with the original wooden carved mashrabiyah shutters and balconies….and still inhabited. 

Detail of the above…a Grecian urn feature and a finely welded iron balcony. 

Typical of the mountainous region…buildings built abutting into solid rock…which later is also blasted  accessing every available space. Usually the local neighbourhood is perched on top….being far too difficult to house pilgrims in such extreme locations.

Dozens of tunnels connect mountain suburbs to Haram.

Hujjaj fresh from their Hajj are already entering Madinah, SubhanAllah! We are expecting many visiting during this post-Hajj period, so I am taking time off blogging for a short time so I can be in Khidmah for them. Back soon!!!

May Allah Ta’ala shower you and yours with the best from His Treasuries. Ameen.

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen. 

Jamarat Bridge, the place to avenge the cursed Shaitan.

[Iblees] said, Because You have sent me astray, surely, I will sit in wait against them on Your straight path. Then I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left, and you wil find not most of them as thankful ones. (7:16-17)

O Children of Adam! Let not Shaitan decieve you. (7:27) 

Surely Shaitan is an enemy to you, so take him as an enemy. (35:6)  

Insha’Allah may all those preparing for Hajj be preparing for a powerful onslaught. 

This could very well be an impression of how an attacked and wounded Shaitan may look like during the pelting it gets from the Hujjaj, while actually it is a model based on the first floor of the still under construction Jamarat bridge.

The futuristic multi-tiered series of ramps and towers, decorated with floral-like fluted rosettes  resembles some alien creature about to scuttle off in the rocky desert valley, suq al-Arab (bazaar of the Arabs) as it was here that the pre-Islamic annual fairs were held, also where Ibrahim Alaihis Sallam originally pelted the Shaitan. Images from here.

The new design, which was developed in consultation with Dirk Helbing, a professor in crowd dynamics at the Dresden University of Technology, et al., will be complemented by a reorganization of the streets leading up to the bridge, and a time schedule and route assignments as determined in real time through video monitoring and on-site surveillance. Scroll through this link as there are some excellent photos from last years Hajj, and the information is fascinating if you are interested in the dynamics of crowd control in relation to this culminating ritual of Hajj.

Cranes and concrete of the second phase of the new bridge appear dwarfed by the mountains and the edge of the sea of tents; looking towards Makkah. 

The opposite view, towards Mina. Compare the photo from the same place one year ago. And then a few months after Hajj 06.

Masjid Aqabah has been relegated to being even more obcure since one year ago, with one of the ramps immediately adjacent to it. See previous two posts linked above for comparison.

Looking across the roof of Masjid Khayf to the apartment style blocks. Last year there were four, now six…eventually to be dozens replacing tents. The side of the valley behind where this was taken is known as majar-al-kabsh (the place of the bleating of the ram) where Allah Ta’ala sent the ram to replace Ishmael Alaihis Sallam as a sacrifice.

Ibrahim Alaihis Sallam overcame the menace that runs in our veins in this very valley, and for centuries it echoes with Allahu Akbar as pebbles bash symbolic pillars. Symbolic of the evil and odorous devil.

Verily it is a tree that springs out of the bottom of the Hell-Fire. The shoots of its fruit stalks are like the heads of Shayateen.   (37:64-65)

Verily, the tree of Zaqqûm, will be the food of the sinners, like boiling oil, it will boil in the bellies, like the boiling of scalding water.        (44:43-46)

A repulsive tree, whose roots go deep into the bottom of Hell, and whose branches stretch forth all over. Although this tree is so vile and obnoxious, the people of Hell will become so hungry that they will have no choice but to eat from it until they are full. When they have filled their bellies, this food will start to churn like boiling oil, tearing up the innards, releasing bodily fluids; to be repeated for eternity. Audhu biLlah.  We will never be able to conceive the brutality of this horrendous torture…coming from a fruit that Allah Ta’ala has described as being like the heads of the Shayateen.

One of the best weapons in our war against the Shayateen army, heads like the Zaqqum fruits, is to keep oneself busy with the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala, His Dhikr.

Shaitan lies in wait for us, ready to jump and pounce when we drop our guard. But with the Dhikru Allah, the enemy of Allah Ta’ala withdraws in humiliation, and shrinks away, until he becomes like a wasa’ (a bird smaller than a sparrow), or like a fly. Thus he is called Al-waswaasmal-khannaas (the whisperer who withdraws, Qur’an 114:4, because he whispers in people’s hearts, but cowardly slinks off when we are engaged in remembrance.

Ibn Qayyim Rahmatullah alaihi said: “The devils have control over a person, and they are his enemies. What do you think of a man whose enemies have control over him when they are filled with hatred towards him, and they have surrounded him on both sides, and each of them is attacking him with whatever evil and harm he can, and he has no way of making them disperse except by remembering Allah Ta’ala.”

Then he quoted a hasan jiddan hadith of Abdur Rahman ibn Samurah RadhiAllahu anhu. (it is a very long hadith, of which I quote a relevant section, Insha’Allah another time I will post the entire traditions as it is extremely moving)

He said that the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: “I saw a man from among my Ummah whom the devils had seized, but his remembrance of Allah came and banished the devils from him.”

May our pelting, whether during Hajj at the Jamarat, or through our Dhikr give the Shayateen some mighty bruising, Ameen.

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen. 

Makkawi pigeons… 

…plump; balletic as they strut, bob, peck, flutter….plop….perch and coo and then plop some more and more!! Dressed in a fine silvery sheen, beaded, bedecked, bedazzled….revered by many tracing their sacred lineage back to Nuh Alaihis Sallam, the birds mentioned in Surah Fil, and the blessed one who protected our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam when he was in Ghar Thawr. (see previous entry for details/revision)

And while the Dar Al-Tawhid, Intercontinental hotel is one of the sought after residences for the pilgrims, these feathered guests are free-loaders on this very convenient ledge. No need for room service when all they do is glide down to their huge sufrah, the courtyard below, where a banquet is spread day and night.   

Almost 7am daily the army of cleaners arrive performing their own choreographed balletic routine.  Meticulously disinfecting, scrubbing and dousing the entire area as the venerable flock diligently supervise, ready to swiflty swoop, drinking from the puddles of water. They seem to exude a gregarious nature, with a few squabbles, but without the screeching and attacking seen in many of their other winged families.

The dynamics of the courtyard is a constant flux…the dense covering with pigeons changes to that of worshippers, a patterned canvas of a different texture and colour.

Imagine this sacred ground on That Day….bearing witness to centuries of the devoted coming and going, praying, worshipping, pleading, glorifying, weeping, supplicating, repenting, requesting, serving, maintaining…. feeding the feathered creation…..

….while the roving "sharks" cruise the ocean streets alert for a catch….another regular feature adding to the rhythmic dance that is Makkah. And guess whose car was gobbled this visit?  

Alhumdulillah, Alhumdulillah, Alhumdulillah. 

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.