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.
It rained today! Alhumdulillah, it rained! Just before Asr mercy began to fall, Alhumdulillah!
This is how they deal with rain…this sweeper and his broom take on an almost impossible task.
The grey softness calms the heart, the reflections invite one inward.
May we reflect on all that this Dome of Felicity symbolizes for us, and may our hearts mirror the Sunnah of the resident of this Abode SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, Ameen.
The Mirror
Your eye has not strength enough
to gaze at the burning sun,
but you can see its burning light
by watching its reflection
mirrored in the water.
So the reflection of Absolute Being
can be viewed in the mirror of Not-Being,
for nonexistence, being opposite Reality,
instantly catches its reflection.
Know the world from end to end is a mirror;
in each atom a hundred suns are concealed.
If you pierce the heart of a single drop of water,
from it will flow a hundred clear oceans;
if you look intently at each speck of dust,
in it you will see a thousand beings.
A gnat in its limbs is like an elephant;
in name a drop of water resembles the Nile.
In the heart of a barleycorn is stored a hundred harvests.
Within a millet-seed a world exists.
In an insects wing is an ocean of life.
A heaven is concealed in the pupil of an eye.
The core at the center of the heart is small,
yet the Lord of both worlds will enter there.
Mahmud Shabistari
Rain on the Prophet’s Tomb.
"O God, bless our master Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and the family of our master Muhammad in every drop of rain falling from Your heavens to Your earth and in all the rain that will fall until the Day of Resurrection!"
"O God, bless our master Muhammad and the family of our master Muhammad in every bead of dew, in every drop of rain and in every plant from the day You created the world to the Day of Resurrection!"
-Dalail al Khayrat, Andrey Hassan Rosowsky translation.
(and bless Ukhti Farah for reminding me of this ennobled reference)
Many of the cleaning staff wore yellow bin liners as protection against the rain. Groups of them appeared as canaries fluttering by in the silvery light.
The Hujjaj numbers dwindle as each hour passes, while the red and white tape is still prolific!
The white marble was opalescent as the faithful were drawn to prayer.
All the workers were out in force to clear the slippery surface, the green, the fawn, the blue and the orange uniforms usually assigned to specific tasks were all involved in moving the blessed and welcomed Rahmah.
The group of sisters in black were associated with one of the Janazahs.
Three more were carried to their next home, may Allah Ta’ala grant all in Jannatul Baqi a fragrant garden, Ameen. I thought how beautiful it would be to be lowered into the Mubarak Madanian dust on a rainy day.
A splash of colour as sisters from Mumbai pay their respects at the viewing platform outside Jannatul Baqi.
One of the many local sisters selling seed for the pigeons, wheat in the foreground and a seed mix in the other bags. There were several sisters sitting on the damp pavement winding beside the newly surfaced area which has become a car park for the buses that transport the various labourers and workers to and from their compounds and their places of employment.
Looking like an artists canvas…the grains and seeds thrown for the pigeons…who had all disappeared.
This old chevvie is regularly parked in a small open lot near our home. I thought it was abandoned, but often see it driven about. Meanwhile whenever I walk past numerous of our feline neighbours jump out from the non-existant back window, which is draped with a prayer mat…a warm protected hotel of sorts!
O Allah! Make this a pleasant rain.
O Allah! beautify our land and give us peace.
O Allah! send upon us helpful, wholesome and healthy rain, beneficial not harmful rain, now, not later.
O Allah, relieve us, O Allah, relieve us, O Allah, relieve us.
O Allah! provide water for Your servants and Your cattle, spread out Your mercy and resurrect Your dead land.
Ameen Ameen 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.
Do you not see that Allah drives the clouds, then gathers them together and piles them up until you see rain pour from their midst? He sends hail down from mountains in the sky, pouring it on whoever He wishes and diverting it from whoever He wishes. (24: 43)
These seem to be the days that Allah Ta’ala permitted Jahannam to take two deep breaths to prevent its parts from destroying itself. We are experiencing the severest cold blast, a chilly contrast from its scorching heat blast in summer.
My shivers are given flight back to the times of our Beloved SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. To the Battle of Khandaq, the Trench, which challenged the resolve of the Believers during the month of January 627 Gregorian.
Allah Ta’ala sent
a violent wind….there the believers were sorely tested and shaken with a mighty shock. (33:10-11)
Narrated Anas RadhiAllahu anhu: Allah’s Apostle SallAllahu alaihi wasallam went towards the Khandaq and saw the Muhajjirin and the Ansar digging in a very cold morning as they did not have slaves to do that for them. When he noticed their fatigue and hunger and the freezing conditions he said, "O Allah! The real life is that of the Here-after, so please forgive the Ansar and the Muhajjirin." In reply they said, "We are those who have given a pledge of allegiance to Muhammad that we will carry on Jihad as long as we live."
During this wintry snap our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam requested one of his companions to spy on the enemy. Hudhaifa RadhiAllahu relays the incident: I was with the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam on the night of the Battle of Khandaq and we were gripped by a violent wind and severe cold. The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: Hark, the man who goes reconnoitering and brings me the news of the enemy shall be ranked with me on the Day of Judgement by Allah the Glorious and Exalted. We all kept quiet and none of us responded as we were struck with being too cold. Again he said: Hark, a man who goes reconnoitering and brings me the news of the enemy shall be ranked with me on the Day of Judgment by Allah the Glorious and Exalted. We kept quiet and none of us responded to him. He again said: Hark, a man who goes reconnoitering and brings me the news of the enemy shall be ranked with me on the Day of Judgement by Allah the Glorious and Exalted.
Then he said: Get up Hudhaifa, bring me the news of the enemy. When he called me by name I had no alternative but to get up. He said: Go and bring me information about the enemy, and do nothing that may provoke them against me.
When I left him, I felt warm as if I were walking in a heated bath until I reached them. I saw Abu Sufyan warming his back against a fire. I put an arrow in the middle of my bow intending to shoot at him, but I recalled the words of the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam: “Do not provoke them against me." Had I shot at him, I would have hit him. But I returned and felt warm as if I were walking in a heated bath. Presenting myself before him, I gave him information about the enemy. When I had done so, I began to feel cold, so the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam wrapped me in a blanket that he had in excess to his own requirement and with which he used to cover himself while saying his prayers. So I continued to sleep until it was morning. When it was morning he said: Get up, O heavy sleeper.
Numerous Ahadith inform us of the coldness of the touch of our Blessed Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Once he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam visited Ali and his honoured daughter, Lady Fatimah RadhiAllahu anhum, when they had already gone to bed. They wanted to get up but our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam bade them to stay where they were and he then sat between them. Ali RadhiAllahu anhu recalls in the Hadith how he felt the coolness of his mubarak feet on his body. This visit was on the evening after our esteemed Lady Fatimah’s had requested a servant, and when she was given the Du’a for retiring and told it was better than a servant: ‘Subhan Allah’ thirty-three times, ‘Alhamdulillah’ thirty three times, and Allahu Akbar’ thirty four times.
‘Aishah the mother of the faithful believers RadhiAllahu anha narrates she saw the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam being inspired Divinely on a very cold day with sweat dropping from his forehead like pearls, even though it was winter, and that was because of the heaviness of the Statement which was revealed to him.
Sa’d RadhiAllahu anhu was extremely ill in Makkah when the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam visited. He placed his mubarak hand on Sa’d’s forehead and passed it over his face and abdomen and said, "O Allah! Cure Sa’d and complete his emigration." Sa’d would say that he could feel the coldness of his mubarak hand on his liver ever since.
Abu Juhaifa RadhiAllahu anhu narrates: Once Allah’s Apostle SallAllahu alaihi wasallam went to Al-Batha’ at noon, performed the ablution and offered prayer while a spearheaded stick was planted before him as sutra. After the prayer, the people got up and held the hands of the Prophet and passed them on their faces. I also took his hand and kept it on my face and noticed that it was colder than ice, and its smell was nicer than musk.
Anas ibn Malik RadhiAllahu anhu reported that when Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam had completed his dawn prayer, the servants of Medinah came to him with utensils containing water, and no utensil was brought in which he did not dip his hand; and sometimes they came in the cold dawn but he never felt reluctant in acceding to their request even in the cold weather, always dipping his hands in the chilly water.
SubhanAllah, how such accounts immediately remove the chill from the air.
And now, even though houses here are not designed for the cold, having no insulation or heating, compared to the conditions at the time of our Blessed Al-Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and his esteemed Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum our living is luxurious. Then, no running water, no bathrooms, no electricity, no convenient shopping facilities, no enclosed transport…on and on we could keep adding to the list. But what they had is what we do not have; their Deen was in their heart and Dunya in their hand, whereas we have flipped this over. So much focus on the external appearances and comforts to the detrimental neglect of the internal spiritual state of our soul. We seem to be not only feeling the cold physically, but have allowed a stone- like winter bitterness erode our Iman. May we work at transforming this to be an inner glow that warms from within and radiates to all around us, as do the examples bequeathed to us from the giants of our glorious past.
Istisqa was prayed last week in Masjid Nabawi, but Allah Ta’ala decreed for His Mercy to descend in torrents on Makkah (2) and snow in the north instead. Insha’Allah this Enlightened City will be blessed with its share soon. Please make Du’a for rain here. Meanwhile the Kingdom is in the throws of that breath from Jahannam. Madinah’s mornings have dropped to 6 degrees centigrade. Read fellow Madanian Sister Suhaa’s entry on her reflections.
And regardless of the conditions wherever we may be and however they may be manifest, may we maintain our focus on the Creator of the conditions, Subahanhu wa Ta’ala, forever striving and rejoicing in all the bounties bestowed upon 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.
Narrated Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu: The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "I have made Medina a sanctuary between its two (harrat) mountains." The Prophet went to the tribe of Bani Haritha and said to them, "I see that you have gone out of the sanctuary," but looking around, he added, "No, you are inside the sanctuary." (Bukhari)
Volcanoes….revisited.
Known as Harrat, the shiny black lava tracts form a large area in Al-Hijaz mountain chain, extending along the coast of the Red Sea covering about 1760 kilometers. The main Harrrats almost surrounding this most Radiant of Cities is the most northern section of this long impressive feature. Harrat Rahat extends from the south east of Al-Madinah all the way to Taif. Herbs and wild plants abound in the streams of the valleys and slopes, and this is where the original villages and tribes would settle to capitalize on the fertility of the soil between these tracts.
The official Saudi tourist department are planning to make Harrah Rahat an Eco-Tourist Centre, as reported in the current edition of Arab News. Insha’Allah this becomes a reality, instead of the more common quarrying, excavating and devouring by companies extracting the resourses for commercial use. There needs to be a balance. To see some of these magnificient cones and mountians eroded away is akin to inflicting them with wounds. Many significant events during the time of the Prophet’s 10 years in and around this Enlightened City specifically refer to the Harrah in various Ahadith.
It has been narrated on the authority of A’ishah RadhiAllahu anha, wife of the Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam who said: The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam set out for Badr. When he reached harrat-ul-Wabara (a place four miles from Medina) a man met him who was known for his valour and courage. The Companions of the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam were pleased to see him. He said: I have come so that I may follow you and get a share from the booty. The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said to him: Do you believe in Allah and His Apostle? He said: No. The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: Go back, I will not seek help from a Mushrik (polytheist). He went on until we reached Shajara, where the man met him again. He asked him the same question again and the man gave him the same answer. He said: Go back. I will not seek help from a Mushrik. The man returned and overtook him at Baida’. He asked him as he had asked previously: Do you believe in Allah and His Apostle? The man said: Yes. The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said to him: Then come along with us.
Insha’Allah, future generations are aslo able to visit such places and relive some of these momentous events in their hearts making the places a means of connecting and relating to our blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.
Yathrib at the time of Hijrah, another one of the large maps from the current historical display at the Ottoman Railway station. The darker areas represent the volcanic eruptions of almost 10 million years ago, with the central greener area being Yathrib, to become the sanctuary. Qaswa, our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam’s camel chose the place for the establishment of Masjid Nabawi in the midst of this fertile land (Almost in the middle of this map….slightly to the left of the middle is an isolated dark area, which is the volcanic Jabal Sal’e, with Masjid Nabawi eventually built just to the south east of it.) The younger volcanic activity came in 1256 A.D. when the city was threatened, see previous entry for details.
The following photos were taken by an enthusiastic and energetic and extremely generous sister during her very recent visit. I appreciate her kind and open hearted gesture of presenting me with all of her photos from her trip, which I will be sharing with you when appropriate, Alhumdulillah. May Allah Ta’ala accept the efforts of all who make sacrifices to come to the place where His Habib SallAllahu alaihi wasallam is resting, and where he sacrificed his all for his Ummah, Ameen.
Once the people doubted the appearance of the moon of Ramadan, and intended neither to offer the tarawih prayer nor to keep fast. A bedouin came from al-Harrah and testified that he had sighted the moon. He was brought to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. He asked: Do you testify that there is no god but Allah, and that I am the Apostle of Allah? He said: Yes; and he testified that he had sighted the moon. He commanded Bilal who announced to the people to offer the tarawih prayer and to keep fast.
Narrated Jabir ibn Samurah RadhiAllahu anhu: A man alighted at Harrah with his wife and children. A man said (to him): My she-camel has strayed; if you find it, detain it. He found it, but did not find its owner, and it fell ill. His wife said: Slaughter it. But he refused and it died. She said: Skin it so that we may dry its fat and flesh and then eat them. He said: Let me ask the Apostle of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. So he came to him SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and asked him. He said: Have you sufficient for your needs? He replied: No. He then said: Then eat it. Then its owner came and he told him the story. He said: Why did you not slaughter it? He replied: I was ashamed (or afraid) of you.
Rabi’ah ibn al-Hudayr RadhiAllahu anhu said: I did not hear Talhah ibn Ubaydullah RadhiAllahu anhu narrating any tradition from the Apostle of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam except one tradition. I (Rabi’ah ibn AbuAbdurRahman) asked: What is that? He said: We went out along with the Apostle of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam who was going to visit the graves of the martyrs. When we ascended Harrah Waqim, and then descended from it, we found there some graves at the turning of the valley. We asked: Apostle of Allah, are these the graves of our brethren? He replied: Graves of our companions. When we came to the graves of martyrs, he said: These are the graves of our brethren.
Narrated Abu Sa’id RadhiAllahu anhu: A person belonging to the clan of Aslam, who was called Ma’iz ibn Malik, came to Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and said: I have committed an immoral crime, so inflict punishment upon me. Allah’s Apostle SallAllahu alaihi wasallam turned him away again and again. He then asked his people (about the state of his mind). They said: We do not know of any ailment of his except that he has committed some crime and he thinks that he will not be able to relieve himself of its burden unless the Hadd is imposed upon him. He (Ma’iz) came back to Allah’s Apostle SallAllahu alaihi wasallam who commanded us to stone him. We took him to the Baqi’ al-Gharqad. We neither tied him nor dug any ditch for him. We attacked him with bones, clods and pebbles. He ran away and we ran after him until he reached the stony ground al-Harrah and stopped there and we stoned him with the heavy stones of the Harrah until he became motionless and died. The Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam then addressed us in the evening saying: Whenever we set forth on an expedition in the cause of Allah, some of those connected with us shrieked like the bleating of a billy-goat. It is essential that if a person having committed such a deed is brought to me, I should punish him. He neither begged forgiveness for him nor cursed him.
A story from the time of the Caliphate of Umar RadhiAllahu anhu.
Abdullah bin Qart was appointed by Umar RadhiAllahu anhu as the Governor of Emessa. When Umar RadhiAllahu anhu went on a tour of Syria, he enquired of the people of Emessa as to how was their Governor. The consensus of opinion was: "He is a good man, but he has some pride and haughtiness about him, and he has constructed a double storied house for himself, while the houses of all other Muslims are single storied." Umar RadhiAllahu anhu deputed an agent to verify whether Abdullah had in fact built a double storied house. The agent was further instructed that if the house was in fact double storied the door on the upper storey should be burnt as indicative of the displeasure of the Caliph. The agent found that a double storied house had actually been constructed. He, therefore, in compliance with the order of Umar RadhiAllahu anhu had the door burnt. Abdullah watched the burning of the door with a sense of hurt pride. This was reported to Umar RadhiAllahu anhu.
When Umar RadhiAllahu anhu returned to Madina, he summoned Abdullah bin Qart to Madina. Having arrived at Madina, Abdullah bin Qart waited on Umar RadhiAllahu anhu. Umar RadhiAllahu anhu did not see him for three days and kept him waiting. When after three days, Abdullah was admitted to the presence of Umar, Umar RadhiAllahu anhu asked him whether he had built the second storey with his own money, or with money produced through unlawful means. Abdullah produced accounts to show that the house had been constructed with his own money. Umar RadhiAllahu anhu showed his satisfaction on that count. Thereupon Abdullah behaved haughtily and asked "When the house was constructed with my own money, where lay the offence."
Umar RadhiAllahu anhu cast a searching look at Abdullah and then said with some show of anger, "As a Governor of a Muslim state, you had to set a standard of equality among the Muslims. You have violated this principle by constructing a double storied house for yourself, thus placing yourself above the people."
Umar RadhiAllahu anhu ordered Abdullah to see him at Harrah the following day. Harrah was the state pasture a few miles from Madina. When Abdullah appeared at Harrah, Umar RadhiAllahu anhu ordered him, "Take off your costly clothes, and don this dress of a shepherd. Till further orders you have to look after the camels in this pasture". Abdullah reluctantly complied with the orders. Umar RadhiAllahu anhu visited Harrah a fortnight later and asked Abdullah as to how he felt. Abdullah said, "I feel repentant". Thereupon Umar RadhiAllahu anhu said, "A Muslim Governor cannot be haughty or proud. If you are repentant I send you back as Governor. I hope you have learnt the lesson that a Governor is not superior to the people; he is only one of them, with great responsibilities." Abdullah returned to Emessa a changed man.
Such a harsh environment, lava tubes, air vents, huge fissures more than 20 meters deep, crusty ash deposits, razor sharp shards of rock….all the result of temperatures in the thousands, forces beyond our comprehension, the incredible power of the Qudrat of Allah Ta’ala. Desolation, decay and destruction….may we be among the heedful, Ameen.
Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah serenely nestles in the distance.
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.
SUNSET
Verily, We made the mountains to glorify Our Praises with him (Dawood) in the Ashi (i.e. after the mid-day till sunset) and Ishraq (i.e. after the sunrise till mid-day). (Sad 38:18)
And the lofty mountains would respond to Dawud alaihis Sallam and echo his glorification of Allah, along with the birds. SubhanAllah!
Maulana Mufti Muhammad Shafi in Ma’ariful Qur’an comments on this verse, posing the question: "how did this become a blessing for Sayyidna Dawud, alaihis Sallam, and what particular benefit accrued from the Tasbih of mountains and birds? One answer is that it unravels a miracle at the hands of Sayyidna Dawud aliahis Sallam, and it goes without saying that it is a great reward and blessing. In addition to that Maulana Thanawi has given a subtle explanation about it. (Masa’ilu-s-Suluk) He says that the Tasbih, performed by mountains and birds had created in him a special taste for the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala, something that generates initiative, courage and verve in acts of worship. Collective Dhikr has another benefit that the Barakah that issues forth from it reflects on each other from the participants. There is a particular method of Dhikr and spiritual engagement (shughl) recognized among noble Sufis in which the participant imagines the whole universe is making Dhikr. This method has an unusual efficacy of its own in correcting and purifying one’s inner state as well as in his enthusiasm for Ibadah. The basis of this method of Dhikr is also deduced from this verse."
How sublime….resonating with the mountains, and all that they contain, during this charismatic time of sunset! The rocks, minerals, dust, gems, elements, flora and fauna, all singing the praises of our Lord in unison! This intimacy with these lofty sentinels, the pegs of the earth, is felt deeply as one takes in the vista south of this Radiant City, the awe transferred from the eyes to the heart, filling it with the tranquility of His Words mirrowing back our humble words of Dhikr.
Sunset, a time when conditions visibly change, the beginning of night, and hence darkness. The harbinger of the constancy of change, in the natural world, and in the human condition. From lightness to darkness, and if it is the Will of Allah Ta’ala, then the darkness will be dispelled with the dawn. Symbolic of the waves and patterns of tests, conditions and situations we are all an integral part of. Darkness to light, light to darkness. Struggles and hurdles, ease and comfort, unexpected phases, dancing in a state of flux.
Allah Ta’ala swore by many phenomena in His Book, the sunset being one.
So I swear by the afterglow of sunset. (Al-Inshiqaq 84:16)
So I swear by the Lord of all (the three hundred and sixty points) of sunrise and sunset that surely We are Able. (Al-Maarij 70:40)
While other verses draw out attention to the importance placed at this time:
So be patient (O Muhammad). Verily, the Promise of Allah is true, and seek forgiveness for your sins, and glorify the praises of your Lord in the Ashi and in the Ibkar. (Ghafir 40:55)
(He is) the Lord of the two Easts (places of sunrise during early summer and early winter) and the Lord of the two Wests (places of sunset during early summer and early winter). (Al-Rahman 55:17)
Numerous Ahadith reveal various aspects related to sunset.
Narrated Abu Dharr RadhiAllahu anhu: The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassalam asked me at sunset, "Do you know where the sun goes (at the time of sunset)?" I replied, "Allah and His Apostle know better." He said, "It goes (i.e. travels) till it prostrates itself underneath the Throne and takes the permission to rise again, and it is permitted and then (a time will come when) it will be about to prostrate itself but its prostration will not be accepted, and it will ask permission to go on its course but it will not be permitted, but it will be ordered to return whence it has come and so it will rise in the west. And that is the interpretation of the Statement of Allah:
And the sun runs its fixed course for a term decreed. That is The Decree of (Allah) The Exalted in Might, The All-Knowing. (36.38)
Narrated Qais RadhiAllahu anhu: Jarir RadhiAllahu anhu said, "We were with the Prophet and he looked at the moon–full-moon–and said, ‘Certainly you will see your Lord as you see this moon and you will have no trouble in seeing Him. So if you can avoid missing a prayer before the sun-rise and a prayer before sunset, you must do so.’ He then recited Allah’s Statement:
And celebrate the praises of your Lord before The rising of the sun and before (its) setting. (50.39)
Narrated Umm Salamah, Ummul Mu’minin RadhiAllahu anha: The Apostle of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wassalam taught me to say when the adhan for the sunset prayer was called; "O Allah, this is the time when Thy night comes on, Thy day retires, and the voices of Thy summoners are heard, so forgive me."
Narrated Ibn Umar RadhiAllahu anhu: Allah’s Apostle SallAllahu alaihi wassalam said, "When the upper edge of the sun appears in the morning, don’t perform a prayer till the sun appears in full, and when the lower edge of the sun sets, don’t perform a prayer till it sets completely. And you should not seek to pray at sunrise or sunset for the sun rises between two sides of the head of the Shaytan."
Narrated Salim bin ‘Abdullah RadhiAllahu anhu: My father RadhiAllahu anhu said, "I heard Allah’s Apostle saying, ‘The period of your stay as compared to the previous nations is like the period equal to the time between the ‘Asr prayer and sunset. The people of the Torah were given the Torah and they acted (upon it) till mid-day then they were exhausted and were given one Qirat (of gold) each. And then the people of the Gospel were given the Gospel and they acted (upon it) till the ‘Asr prayer then they were exhausted and were given one Qirat each. And then we were given the Qur’an and we acted (upon it) till sunset and we were given two Qirats each. On that the people of both the scriptures said, ‘O our Lord! You have given them two Qirats and given us one Qirat, though we have worked more than they.’ Allah said, ‘Have I usurped some of your right?’ They said, ‘No.’ Allah said: "That is my blessing I bestow upon whomsoever I wish."
Narrated Abi Aiyub RadhiAllahu anhu: Once the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassalam went out after sunset and heard a dreadful voice, and said, "The Jews are being punished in their graves."
Narrated Muslim at-Tamimi RadhiAllahu anhu: The Apostle of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wassalam told him secretly: When you finish the sunset prayer, say: ‘O Allah, protect me from Hell" seven times; for if you say that and die that night, protection from it would be recorded for you; and when you finish the dawn prayer, say it in a similar way, for if you die that day, protection from it would be recorded for you. Abu Sa’id RadhiAllahu anhu told me that al-Harith RadhiAllahu anhu said: The Apostle of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wassalam said this to us secretly, so we confine it to our brethren.
O Allah, O You of Whom it is true,
that there is no sunset in the skies,
and no mountains rising high,
and no trees bending in the breeze,
and no movement in the clouds,
and no appearance of the stars,
and no emotions in people’s hearts,
and no actions from their limbs,
and no sounds from their lips,
and no gazing from their eyes,
unless all is bearing witness to You.
may the Shahadah shine
from every setting and rising sun
and every heart You made from clay.
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.
[AHHHH…the joys of this blog….I have just given up the struggle of why it has stubbornly decided to go all BOLD on me, Allah Ta’ala testing my written words about the constancy of change, I surrender, like the light at sunset to the darkness of the "unknown" PHENOMENA indeed!]
And the changing of the winds and the clouds made subservient between the heaven and the earth, there are signs for a people who understand. (2:164)
The Radiant has been blessed by subservient clouds and caressing winds for many days now, Alhumdulillah. Dull skies but enlightened hearts, as "winter" wraps its welcomed grey blanket around the thousands flocking, as seasonal migratory birds to this Haven of Peace.
The following are another morning’s meanderings, beginning at the women’s western prayer area.
It is deserted at this time, as this is when the Rowdha is open for women which is accessed on the eastern side of Masjid Nabawi, (the opposite corner in the distance) where these days it is quite congested. I wanted to take photos there, but still feel hesitant taking candid shots of people. There were many large groups congregating in the courtyard between the Masjid and Jannatul Baqi, with guides addressing the new arrivals. Getting into Rowdha for women is akin to a cattle round up. Sad.
The ripping up of the courtyard on the western side, through the slats of the safety fence, with a Bin Laden construction the entire length of this side under way. Cureently there are three huge areas in the courtyard under renovation in readiness for the erection of outdoor umbrellas.
A few meters to the south of the above, looking across to Masjid Ali with the dense clusters of new decorative buildings.
Masjid Abu Bakr adjacent to the above. A study in monochrome greys, with a dash of red from the red Shammagh that happened by!
Four new hotels on the south side of Masjid Nabawi, the date market opposite to the left. The grey clouds slowly passing as the morning awakens.
A verdant patch of green in front of the date market, with "walls" of packaged dates awaiting collection to be sent to the home countries of the newly arrived pilgrims.
A newly exposed row of "shops" hitherto hidden by buidings recently demolished. this is nearing "home" and only minutes from Haram, but clearly a vast difference from the previous buildings. These older areas are bustling with the "poorer" pilgrims at the moment. Landlords revelling in the demand for rooms at a lower price, and the local businesses jubilant for the passing trade.
Buildings become festooned with flags indicating the nationality of the pilgrims. These old American school buses are used for transporting the local labourers to and from their place of work and their living quarters, mostly outside the sacred Haram.
Two of the older narrow alley ways. Gloomy in the early morning, coming alive with activity nearer the time for Salatul Zuhr. Many of these humble places also take in pilgrims.
Such is the earth supporting all these different structures and activities, with varying weather conditions. But never far from whatever may be happening on the physical level is the realization that this very same earth and air was once filled with the revelations of Allah Ta’ala, through the presence of His Beloved Angel Jibreel Alaihis Salaam, and His Most Beloved of Creation, Al-Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Along with so many other Angels, and the shining stars of the Prophet SallAllahu alahi wasallam, his family and the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum, the Taba’een, all the thousands of righteous scholars throughout our history Rahmatullahi alaihum, all gracing the honoured dust and earth, all hearing the echo of the celebrated praises of Allah Ta’ala and His Habib SallAllahu alaihi wasallm. May all treading this noble earth be enlightened by inhaling the fragrance carried on the clouds and winds and embedded in the walls and dust. May we all be "a people who understand." 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.
SubhanAllah!
And thunder celebrates the praise of Allah, as do the angels from awe thereof. (13:13)
A glittering golden cloud crown illuminates the already luminous City of Light, while blessed jewels of raindrops sprinkle the sacred dust. A thunderous fanfare amplifies a rejoicing canticle orchestrated by the Master Virtuoso. An ambrosial balminess intoxicates the senses, as the heavenly scented liquid pearls hit the heavenly sent presence of the Sealed Nectar, SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.
While our Lord’s House is drenched with the essential essence of Graciousness and Benevolence, and the mizāb al-Rahma pours a sanctifying infusion of Loving Forgiveness and Kindness on the visitors in Hateem.
O Allah, make it a profitable downpour. 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.
Volcanoes.
No kind of calamity can occur, except by the leave of Allah: and if anyone believes in Allah, (Allah) guides his heart (aright): for Allah knows all things. (64:11)
Jabel Abiyadh White Mountain.
This is part of a cluster of volcanoes north east of Madinah. Stark evidence of the Qudrat of Allah Ta’ala. How easy it is for Him to cause cataclysmic forces from deep below the Earth’s crust, spewing forth a boiling inferno of masses of molten rock and lava, acrid gasses and suffocating smoke. Harsh reminders that His Hell is far worse.
The topography of this area is the result of intense volcanic and seismic activity triggered by Allah’s Command, to move the tectonic plates that formed the Arabian Peninsula tearing away from Africa eons ago.
The black remains of lava flow, Harrah, weaves south from Madinah almost to Makkah. The Madinah eruption in 654 AH (1258 AD) forms part of this much earlier feature. (see the map in the article linked below)
The landscape is spectacular in its diversity as the result of this ancient activity. Shiny black swathes, like a gooey melted treacle give way to surreal clumps of basalt, deep ravines suddenly appear as if attacked by a huge clever. Vegetation is almost non-existent in these desolate areas. Amazingly so, enough to see camels sauntering and eating from the sparse spindly growth! Allahu Akbar. SubhanAllah.
Juxtaposed to this massive black Harrah, perfect volcanic cones pierce the surrounding flat somber landscape, many discernable on the highway south towards Makkah.
Jabal Abiyadh is clearly defined as a light area to the east of the black Harrah on the satellite image. This enormous pale cone appears as if trickled with honey, is in sharp contrast to the ink splotched area it hugs
Notice how close the flow came to the eastern side Jabal Uhud, which is the reddish brown area directly north of Masjid Nabawi.
It started with tremors.
Citizens, pilgrims and visiting traders in Madinah all felt them. The new moon had announced the start of Jumada al-Akhira, the sixth month of the year 654 of the Muslim, or hijri, calendar— ad 1256 of the Gregorian calendar. Over the next four days, the tremors became more frequent and more intense. On the morning of the fifth day, a Friday, at least 18 shocks occurred, and as people prepared for midday congregational prayers at the Prophet’s Mosque, a strong earthquake rocked Madinah, spreading alarm throughout the city and in outlying villages.
The above is an excellent article with stunning photographs, which I have uploaded here. A must read for learning more about this unique area that Allah Ta’ala has chosen for the birth and propagation of this glorious Deen. ‘The Madinah Eruption’ insert describes the intensity of this historic event.
Narrated Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu Allah’s Apostle SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "The Hour will not be established till a fire will come out of the land of Hijaz, and it will throw light on the necks of the camels at Busra." This proved to be true with various reports detailing how the Bedouins saw the necks of their camels and the light was enough to read by in places as far away as a five day journey!
The Prophet SallaAllahu alaihi Wasallam had a dream where Allah Ta’ala told him to tell Umar Radhiallahu anhu, that there will be a volcano during his Khalifat and when it happens he is to find a Sahaba called Tamin Ad Dar and tell him to go to the source of this volcano and put his hands up and tell it to stop. And true enough, during the Khalifat of Umar Radhiallahu anhu when the volcano was erupting Umar Radhiallahu anhu found this Sahaba and told him what to do….of course he was taken aback and said he had no such powers, but due to his Tawakkal and Yaqeen on Allah Ta’ala, went and did as instructed….and hence the miracle that Madinah was spared. Subhanallah. A truly incredible sign from the Signs of the Almighty Ta’ala. This place is very nearby and amazing to visit…as of course are all the places around in around Madinah.
Allah has full power and control over His affair; but most of mankind know it not. (12:21)
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.
Subhanallah, temperatures have been nudging 50 during this past week.
The heat radiates from the walls and floors, the head seems as though it is on the boil, throat gags on dust, a whirring cacophony of air conditioners vibrates the entire City. We run from our air conditioned cars to our air conditioned homes, to our flashy drink coolers, and freezers full of an array of icy cold drinks. Plans are announced that the entire courtyard of Haram is to be covered with the gracious umbrellas already inside Masjid Nabawi Al-Shareef, for the comfort of worshippers.
Is this is the same city where there was no electricity not so long ago?
The same place where our Beloved Rasulullah SallAllahu alahi wasallam, and his esteemed Companions Radhiallahu anhum, walked mile upon mile delivering the message of Islam, collected water from distant wells, milled flour, chopped wood, cooked with fire, harvested crops, tended flocks, fought battles. Traversing rugged terrain, many without shoes. Without food or water for days; in this searing heat.
Now, the same place, same functioning humans; seeking air, water and shade in this furnace.
In scorching wind and scalding water, and shadow of black smoke. Neither cool, nor refreshing.
This could very well be a current account of any Madani heading for the Masjid, performing Wudhu with the hot water, seeking a brief respite in a weak shadow posing as shade.
But this is Allah Ta’ala revealing just three of the numerous severe conditions to expect in Jahannam, Audhu bilAllah, Suarh Al-Waqi’ah verses 42-44.
La ilaha illallah. How hot is this day. O Allah, protect me from the heat of Jahannam.
Abu Hurairah Radhiallahu anhu, narrated: The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "In very hot weather delay the Zuhr prayer till it becomes (a bit) cooler because the severity of heat is from the raging of hell-fire. The hell-fire of hell complained to its Lord saying: O Lord! My parts are eating (destroying) one another. So Allah allowed it to take two breaths, one in the winter and the other in the summer. The breath in the summer is at the time when you feel the severest heat and the breath in the winter is at the time when you feel the severest cold." (Sahih Bukhari)
If we take heed of these poignant reminders one’s focus can be guided away from the physical discomforts of the conditions, and Insha’Allah turn to the Creator of the conditions.
Endeavouring to change the attention of the mind from the immediacy of "swimming in sweat and tanning in flouro," as some one described summer here, to how did our Illustrious Sahabah Radhiallahu anhum survive these same conditions. Without complaint. They knew that complaining is akin to voicing criticism of the Wisdom of the Planner of Everything.
The Sahabah Radhiallahu anhum, knew the reality of Jahannam, and Jannah. Their hearts were imbued with the Truth directly from their teachings with Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. The reaction of being told details of how conditions are, for example Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam narrating that fire as we know it is merely one-seventieth part of the Fire of Hell, immediately impacted on their heart, sinking to depths where understanding was instantly acted upon. We have access to this rich treasury of knowledge. May we too, allow our heart to be more receptive to the whole array of conditions Allah Ta’ala wisely presents us with. Ameen.
The Sahabah Radhiallahu anhum had Dunya in their hands and Deen in their hearts.
May we too beg from Allah Ta’ala to work towards the same resolve, and take the symbolic "heat and dust" of the Dunya from our heart, placing it in our hands, and taking the Deen from our hands, supplanting it firmly in our heart. Ameen.
May Allah Ta’ala bless all readers.
Dust Angels
Powdered The Humble.
Every vista
Shrouded in a gossamer gauze.
Mirror glaze concealed.
Shuffle tracks converge
On the sacred Abode of Peace.
Haram Raptors in
Ant like regiments
Meticulously,
Reveal ephemeral ribbon strips of shine
Uhud,
Today parading in a
Allah haze-grey creation.
Loves us
We love Uhud.
Prayer beads click.
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| « Nov | ||||||
| 1 | ||||||
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
| 30 | ||||||
Al-Madinah |
Get free blog up and running in minutes with Blogsome
Theme designed by Dave Shea