Masjid Bani Dinaar and Masjid Al-Katibiyah and surrounds
Backtracking a little from previous tours 11 and 12, to refresh your orientation and the relationships between the sites we have been covering. Walking from the south western corner of Masjid Nabawi, we pass Musalla and Munakha (green circled area) to face the Amarah building (pink area), with Masjid Anbariyah (red dot) and the Ottoman railway station just behind it. (blue dot) Making an about turn continue along the southern side of Amarah, where the Bani Dinaar tribe (blue area) was during the time of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Bani Dinaar were a clan of the Khazraj tribe. A small mosque, also referred to as Masjid al-Maghsala, or Ghassalain, as the present suburb is called today, exists amongst the older style residences. The following is an older photo of Masjid Bani Dinaar. The terrain in this area is a slightly hilly rocky outcrop.
Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was reported to have been requested to pray here, so the clan could then pray there after him. Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu also had a wife in the vicinity and once when he was ill the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam visited him there.
Such emotions well up when you feel that you are walking on the same dust that our Beloved Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam trod, not to mention the noble footsteps of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr AsSaddiq RadhiAllahu anhu, and so many of our illustrious Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum. May their shining sifat seep through all of these sites and guide us according to how Rasulullah SallAlahu alaihi wasallam described them, as guiding stars, whoever follows them will be guided. May we be so guided. Ameen.
During the Battle of Uhud when the rumour that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam had been martyred many of the Sahabah RadiAllahu anhum began to lose courage. But, in addition to those like Ali, Abu Dujana, Sahl ibn Hunayf, Talha ibn Ubayd Allah, Anas ibn Nadr and Adbullah ibn Jahsh, who fought so valiantly, some Muslim women, having heard the rumour, hastened to the battlefield. Of them, one from Bani Dinaar was Sumayra RadhiAllahu anha, who had lost her husband, father and brother, but her only concern was the wellbeing of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. When she saw him, she said: "All the misfortunes mean nothing to me as long as you are alive, O Messenger of Allah!" So as we visit the location where such courage and devotion was an attribute of the clan, our Iman sours as imaginary scenes from their daily lives conjure in the mind and heart.
The three aqua areas indicate where all buildings have recently been demolished, leaving huge tracts of flat dusty ground, pierced with twisted remains of steel rods randomly sticking up, transforming the ground into a surreal, and dangerous landscape. Obviously buried too deeply for the men who as the demolishing is happening scavenge for the lucrative steel rods. Mountains of these rods have been carted away for recycling. Standing alone looking like a forlorn sentinel is the partially damaged Masjid Al-Katibiyah. (lime dot) See previous post as to why there is not a current photo! The following image is an old one.
Prior to the demolishing of this area the Masjid was hardly discernable amidst the chaos of the old mud brick buildings. The squat chunky minaret submerged amongst satellite dishes and the usual array of junk collected and stashed on the rooftops, usually "home"to the "guest workers"! Once the dust settled and the rubble cleared this lone edifice proudly stood defying the earthmoving equipment. Until one day it was attacked, leaving gaping holes and a smashed interior, the fate of destruction seemingly written on its walls.
But apparently it drew the wrath of various locals who immediately approached the Amir saying that this Masjid has a significant place in our Islamic history, whereupon he ordered a halt to the attack. When we visited it the other day, noticeable was the addition of the typical red building bricks cemented into all the holes, securing the structure from any body entering. So it seems it has been partially spared until further investigation regarding its status is revealed.
Some of the local historians opine that it is built on or near the grave of the companion Rafi’ ibn Malik RadhiAllahu anhu, who was one of the martyrs of Uhud. I have not been able to verify this, Allah the Almighty knows best. Insha’Allah I will inform readers of any further information once it is known. The fact that the demolishing has been halted indicates that some research is ongoing, but sadly this damage could have been avoided had the homework been done prior to the workings of the bulldozer!
It is very interesting to look at how once hidden buildings now appear as the new front row, like peeling away a layer to reveal a totally different vista. And now with thousands of the cheaper places for accommodation no longer available, many of the poorer pilgrims have to seek rooms further away from Haram. I imagine the owners will be extremely happy with the coming of Ramadhan and Hajj with the demand for lower priced rooms. Sadly it seems that the poorer visitors are also the older and weaker ones, faced with long distances to walk.
I foresee an acute accommodation crisis in the making, as so many of the new residential buildings are not near completion, with so many of the older ones demolished all at the same time. Plus with the extensive work in and around the Haram courtyard, large areas will not be available as in the past to facilitate the thousands for Iftar and Taraweeh. Last year the Saf occupied the entire eastern area which is now fenced off due to construction, as well as spilling over into the streets on other sides. This year they are expecting larger numbers, but there is less space. May Allah Ta’ala make it easy.
I have marked the date market (fuchsia dot) in previous posts, but include it again as it is in the vicinity, and it is such a major non stop hub of activity, SubhanAllah.
And the yellow dot is HOME to almiskeenah! 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. Ameen.
I am aware that Virtual Tour 1 and 7 have "vanished". Insha’Allah I am preparing to post them again, along with two others which seemed to have joined them in this mysterious disappearing act. Alhumdulillah ‘Ala kulli Hal.
