ALMISKEENAH :: Ziyaratun Nabi

November 9, 2008

Dome of Peace [Ziyaratun Nabi] — almiskeenah @ 9:58 pm

The Dome of Peace as seen towards the end of the Ottoman era, when out of respect for our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, no building was permitted to be higher than the Dome.

The following is copied from the Riyadat an-Nafs blog. JazakumuLlahu khairan to brother Nuruddinzangi for so generously offering this beautiful account to be reproduced. Ameen to his Du’a, "hoping to gain the favor of Allah and to one day be counted among the servants (khuddam) of His Messenger, salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam." May we all echo this Du’a.

Secrets of the Prophetic Chamber

Bism Allah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem, revealer of the Qur’an Kareem that says to His noble Messenger: And We have not sent you except as a Mercy to the aalameen: all the worlds.

And as-Salaatu was-Salaamu upon the most noble of the mursaleen (Messengers), our master Muhammad, and upon his family and descendants until the Yawm al-Deen.

I stood this Sunday morning in London’s V&A Museum before three magnificent pieces of silk in the Islamic Arts section. The most wonderful in design and color was a red band from the Honored Kaaba, dating from the 1800s, because for hundreds of years the Kaaba’s covering was green- not black- in color, with a red band instead of the gold of today.

The two others were green pieces of the silk that once covered the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam). The first from 1517-1600, and the second from 1600 to 1700. For a hundred years each, these pieces of silk were exposed to all the blessings and mercies that were sent down from Allah upon the Noble Messenger, and to the majestic lights that rose up, emanating from the Light of the Worlds himself, Salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

Ever since Abbasid times, the coverings of the Honored Kaaba and the Noble Chamber were made in Egypt; at one point in history the latter was being changed every five years. But after the reign of the Ottomans in the lands, the coverings of the inside of the Kaaba and of the Prophetic Chamber were made in Turkey, while the outer covering of the Kaaba remained the work of Egypt.

But the founder of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Abd al-Aziz bin Abd al-Rahman Aal Saud, ordered that a factory be created in Mecca to manufacture these coverings from his day forward. Journalist Omar al-Midwahy, whose writings focus on the two Holy Sanctuaries and other important Islamic sights, was able to interview in Mecca two of the men who worked on the last covering of the Prophetic Chamber and its installation.

On the occasion of this servant’s viewing of the blessed coverings, and hoping for forgiveness and acceptance from His Lord, he will attempt to translate this interview that reveals some of the secrets of the majestic chamber of Allah’s Beloved, salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam, hoping to gain the favor of Allah and to one day be counted among the servants (khuddam) of His Messenger, salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

Omar al-Midwahy says to Alarabiya.net:

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The Conversations of Tears and Reverence

I still remember the conversations with the two old men in Mecca, while looking at their weaving. I was in Mecca, so I headed toward the factory of the covering of the Kaaba, and there I learned that the factory has another honor, for it produces also a covering for the Prophetic Chamber.

I met at that time- several years ago- with men who partook in the production and installation, and I didn’t want to waste that opportunity as their youngest was in his sixties and I feared that they would leave this world before I could document this work.

I recorded with them conversations that were mixed with tears and reverence; sometimes words would betray them, and at others, their emotions would choke them, as they spoke of their unique experience. Their limbs shook from just the memory- as if it happened yesterday- and not a quarter of a century ago.

Shaykh Muhammad Ali Madani, head of the automated weaving division of the factory at that time, was generous with me. I learned from him that he was one of those who took part in weaving and installing the covering of the Prophetic Chamber. I said to him, tell me about the covering and the Prophetic Chamber- describe them to me.

His sight wandered far, as if he was bringing those treasured memories before him. Then he answered: On that day, I felt a state of complete amazement take over me. It is a grand spot- of utmost grandeur. I do not know its exact circumference, but it seemed to me that the Prophetic Chamber was 48 meters in circumference.

The awe of the place was so overbearing that nothing attracted my attention. I was so dazzled that I only saw the lamps hanging from the chamber ceiling, which were old gifts that would be given to the Mosque of the Prophet in ancient times. I was told that there were some Prophetic relics that were kept in another place- I don’t know where- but I do know that some historical items were kept in the chamber of sayyida Fatima al-Zahraa- the same place that she lived in.

He added: the chamber covering is a weave made of pure silk, green in color, padded with a strong cotton cloth, and it is crowned by a belt similar to that of the covering of the Honored Kaaba, except that it is red in color. A quarter of its space is taken up by an embroidery of noble Quranic verses from Surat al-Fath, made of lines of cotton and wires of gold and silver…

The covering of the Prophetic Chamber is not changed every year like the covering of the Honored Kaaba, because it is kept inside the chamber and far from the hands of the people and of the elements, and so it is only changed when needed.

Then I met shaykh Ahmad Sahirty, head of the embroidery division of the factory. It was apparent to me - back then- how old he was, and how weak his vision. He took the initiative, saying: How can I speak to you about my feelings at the moment I entered the Prophetic Chamber… I can’t.. That is a speech above my abilities of speech, and I never thought that I would one day be asked about this experience. And I guarantee you that I will not be able to go through it again.

When the Doors Were Opened

He drew nearer to me and added: Look at the lenses of my spectacles- and he pointed at their thickness- and look at my white hair and the weight of the years that I carry. My age I do not count, but I’ve heard them say that I was born in the year 1333 A.H. (1917 C.E.). And in all those years, I did not know a single hobby other than the love of beautiful scents and perfumes. I’ve spent such a long period of time in those years that I’ve lived, trying to satiate that voracious appetite that is still with me; I traveled much and learned much, but I can tell you this with confidence: that I have my own special blends that you will not find with anyone else, and that no one else could ever make.

And I tell you this because I discovered my inability and the meagerness of my knowledge on that blessed night, when the doors were opened to us, and we entered the Prophetic Chamber, and I inhaled perfumes and scents that I have never known before, and have never known since. I still do not know the secret of its composition: it was a scent above scents, an aroma above and beyond aromas- something else that us people of expertise, the people of the trade, have never experienced before.

When I asked him to describe to me the Prophetic Chamber, a slight chill struck him and coursed through his body. And he said in a faint voice: I believe that the chamber is 11 meters in height. Below the green dome is another dome on which is written: “The tomb of the Prophet, the tomb of Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq, and the tomb of Umar ibn al-Khattab”. And I saw also that there was another tomb that was empty, and next to the four tombs was the chamber of sayyida Fatima al-Zahraa, which is the house in which she lived.

From our awe we didn’t know how to remove the special pieces made for the dome- our fingers would shake and our breaths would race. We stayed 14 full nights working from after the Isha prayer until the first adhaan of the Fajr, in order to finish our task. We kept removing the pieces, untying the knots of the old covering, and cleaning all the dust and pigeon feathers that were stuck in that pure place. This scene goes back to the year 1971 C.E., and the covering that we changed was old: it was 75 years old according to the date that was weaved on it, and had never been changed since.

I was the first to enter, with the Sayyid Habib, one of the notables of al-Madina al-Munawwara, As’ad Sheera the director of religious endowments of Madina at the time, and Habib Moghrabi from the factory management, and Abd al-Karim Flomban, Nasir Qari, Abd al-Rahim Bukhari and others. We were 13 men, I don’t remember most of them, for they have left unto the Mercy of Allah.

We were accompanied by the chief of the Aghas who kept the keys to the Prophetic Chamber, and a number of the servants of the Chamber. Whispering was our speech, and that was if signaling was not sufficient. I was, and still am, suffering from weakness of vision and these spectacles have not left my eyes since those days, but in that chamber I was another person… I felt it, and the difference was clear to me.

Strange Happenings

The shaykh Sahirti swore, saying: I used to put the thread into the hole of the needle without my spectacles, despite the dim light in which we worked. How do you explain that? And how do you explain the fact that I didn’t feel the allergy that I suffered - and still suffer- from? Because I cough severely from the slightest bit of dust. But that day, I was not affected by the dust of the chamber, or the sand flying into the air. As if sand was no longer sand, and as if the dust became a medicine for my ailment. I used to feel all during those nights that I was a young man, and that youthfulness had been given back to me.

Another strange thing happened to me whose secret I haven’t understood until today. We had to take out the old covering, and it was carried by whoever carried it. The embroidered band, 36 meters long, remained. I said to them wrap it and leave it. I went up to it, and despite my weakness, carried it over this shoulder. I went out of the Prophetic Chamber with it, without ever feeling its weight. But after that, they came with five young men to carry it from where I had put it down and they couldn’t.

The shaykh began to weep silently and continued, while sighing: Someone asked who carried it and brought it here. I replied saying: me. They didn’t believe me. I said to them: Ask Abd al-Rahim Bukhari, the famous calligrapher of the covering.

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[Source]

And may Allah continuously whelm the Messenger and his family with Salawaats, Peace, Blessings, and Light, until the day in which his brother Messenger, Isa son of Mary, is buried in that fourth empty grave of the Prophetic Chamber, and yet even after that, and forever.

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Diagrams:

A previous post about the curtains in the Mubarak Hujrah.

And today….

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.

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August 2, 2008

companions houses [Ziyaratun Nabi] — almiskeenah @ 7:26 pm

One cannot be but awestruck when performing Ziyarah to the Noble Hujrah of our Master Muhammad SallAllahu alaihi wasallam with the realization that also within such a confined space were so many of the houses of the esteemed Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum.

The focus in a previous post was on the houses of the Mothers of the Believers RadhiAllahu anhunna, while this entry looks at the tight-knit community of houses immediately surrounding Masjid Nabawi. The loving intimacy of the greats, the first generation of the Ummah, was not only between their hearts but also in their living arrangements.

Imagine that we are standing immediately in front of the Mubarak Hujrah, as in the photo above, at the time when our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was surrounded by his esteemed wives and Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum. We would be standing in the house of our Lady Hafsah RadhiAllahu anha, which was across a very narrow alley from that of our Lady Aishah RadhiAllahu anha. Their rooms were so close that they would talk to each other while in their respective homes.

While just to the left was the house of Jaafar Radhiallahu anhu, (see 7 on the southern side in the diagram below) who was gifted this piece of land so close to the mihrab, by our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam upon his return from Habsha. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam used to call Jaafar RadhiAllahu anhu Abu Miskeen, the father of the poor saying: ‘Jaafar resembles me very much in figure and character.’ He also became known as Jaafar Tayyar, the flying Jaafar, after his martyrdom when the Prophet SallAllahu alahi wasallam saw him flying with the Angels, SubhanAllah.

Adjacent to the left of Jaafar’s house was that of Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib RadhiAllahu anhu, (8) the Uncle of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. The land was also gifted from the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam who made the following Du’a for his Uncle: ‘O Allah, please shower Your blessings on this home’, and it is recorded that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam personally attached the water spout on the roof while standing on the shoulders of his Uncle.

Umar RadhiAllahu anhu during his Caliphate planned for the Masjid to be extended on the southern side, thus needing the land where Abbas’ house was situated. The following account from the same publication as the diagram below details the events of this story:

“Omar (RU) purchased several houses for the extension of the Prophet’s Mosque. Abbas’ (RU) house was adjacent to the Mosque. Hence Omar (RU) said to Abbas (RU), “Abu Fadhl, the Mosque needs extension. Please sell your house for it and I shall pay you for your house generously from the government treasury.” Abbas (RU) refused to sell his house. Omar (RU) asked him to pick one of the following three choices. Sell your house and I shall pay for it fully. Secondly, I am willing to build a house for you in Madina at a site of your choice. Thirdly, donate your property for the benefit of the Muslims. Abbas (RU) refused to accept any of the above options. Omar (RU) suggested to him to pick an arbitrator between them to solve this problem. Abbas (RU) nominated Obai bin Kaab (RU) who used to write the revelations for the Prophet (SAS). Omar (RU) said, “We have both appointed you our arbitrator. We both will accept your judgment.”

Obai bin Kaab (RU) said to Abbas (RU), “Please relate your side of the story.” Abbas (RU) said, “The land on which I built my house, was granted to me by the Prophet (SAS). Even the Prophet (SAS) took part in construction of the house. He fixed this spout with his own hands.” After this Omar (RU) narrated his side of the story. Obai bin Kaab (RU) said to both of them, “Permit me to relate to you a Hadith of the Prophet (SAS).” Both eagerly agreed. Obai bin Kaab (RU) said to them that I personally heard that the Prophet (SAS) saying, “Allah (SWT) ordered Dawud (AS) to build a house where people may do worship. A site was also earmarked for it that happened to be where Masjid Aqsa is. This piece of land was not a perfect square. There was a house of an Israelite on one corner of it. Dawud (AS) requested this owner to sell his house in order to build a house for the worship of Allah (SWT). The owner flatly refused. Dawud (AS) said to him, “I shall take this corner of the house by force to achieve the noble task.” Allah (SWT) said to Dawud (AS), “O Dawud, I only asked you to build a house for the worshippers. You wish to use force for it. This is not appropriate for My Highness. Consequently you better give up the intention of building the mosque for the worshippers.”

On hearing this Omar (RU) said, “You have related something even more stringent than my intention to extend the Mosque.” Omar (RU) brought them to the Mosque where they saw a few companions sitting together as a group. Obai bin Kaab (RU) said to the participants of this group meeting. “Did anyone of you hear the Hadith about Dawud (AS) pertaining to the construction of Masjid Aqsa from the Prophet (SAS)?” Abu Dhur Gaffari (RU) promptly said, “I heard this Hadith from the Prophet (SAS).” Another companion said, “I heard it too.” Now Obai bin Kaab (RU) said to Omar (RU). “You blamed me about the authenticity of this Hadith.” Omar (RU) said, “O Abu Mundhar, I did not mean to blame you. I only wanted that the Hadith become clearer to us.” Omar (RU) now said to Abbas (RU), “You may go. I shall never say to you anything concerning your house.” At this Abbas (RU) said, “I willingly donate my house for the extension of the Mosque without any compensation for it. If however you try to seize it by force, I shall not let you have it.” Omar (RU) got a house built for Abbas (RU) at another site in Madina from the government treasury and part of Abbas’ house was included in the extension of the Prophet’s Mosque.”

Sisters do not have access to the southern side, but Alhumdulillah, the houses that were on the northern side are within the area allocated for the sisters Ziyarah. One of my favourite places to sit is where the inherited second house of Sayyidatuna Umm Habibah RadhiAllahu anha was (7 on the northern side). It is said that she was naturally calm, peaceful and magnanimous, with a heart firm in faith like high mountains. I like to think that by gravitating to this place there is a hope to be endowed with such qualities, or at least sit and meditate on such noble traits.

May Allah Ta’ala be please with all of these Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum. May He make their abodes honourable and let us join them in the group of His righteous slaves, Ameen.

Allahumma salli ala Muhammadin Nabi yil Ummi yi wa Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa baarik wa sallim

Diagram from: The Houses of the Companions around the Prophet’s Mosque, an excellent publication worth downloading and printing as a reference and guide to this Mubarak area. The more we can learn from how our illustrious Companions lived the more the heart loves to embrace their noble characters. (with many children being on holidays during this time one could encourage them to make a project on this topic by copying the diagram, colouring and labelling the various details and then writing incidents about some of the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum, Insha’Allah)

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June 2, 2008

Hujuratu Ummahatil Mu’mineen [Ziyaratun Nabi] — almiskeenah @ 9:54 pm

Hujuratu Ummahatil Mu’mineen

and other adjacent features.

The heart swims in an elixir of sweetness as it is carried back to when these rooms were of clay bricks, ceilings of dried date palm leaves, doorways covered with the hides of animals or thick sack cloth. Compacted earthen floors blessed by the noble feet of all the beloved wives RadhiAllahu anhunna of our Blessed Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam as they tended to their daily chores and welcomed others into their modest and humble rooms. Spaces that witnessed our Beloved Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam performing domestic tasks, receiving revelations, entertaining his guests, playing with his grandsons, fare welling loved ones. Walls that he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam passed in and out of and that protected him from the elements for ten years. SubhanAllah. By familiarizing ourselves with the details of how these most blessed rooms on the face of the earth were kindles a love that flames the desire to be closer and to help quell the longing for ostentation.

Our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam had he wished, could have built lofty mansions and palaces, but he chose the bliss of the Hereafter as his focus, teaching that pomp and show in this life does not equate with success, that all is temporal.

Say: The provision of this world is but small, while the next is better for whoever is God-wary. (4:77)

Reflecting on how these Hujurat were brings stillness and deepens the understanding of the importance of zuhud, renunciation of that which steals our contemplation from our true purpose here.

Junayd Rahmatullah alaih eloquently said about Zuhud: It is seeing the world as insignificant and erasing its vestiges from the heart, and it is that the hand be free of property and the heart of pursuing it. While Shibli Rahmatullah alaih said: It is to abstain from what is other than God Most High.

Allow yourself to be transported back…and then assess your own Hujurat.

green: Sayyidatuna Aishah bint Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anha

red: Sayyidatuna Fatimah RadhiAllahu anha

yellow: Sayyidatuna Hafsah bint ‘Umat RadhiAllahu anha

dark blue: Sayyidatuna Sauda bint Zama RadhiAllahu anha

lime: originally Sayyidatuna Zaynab bint Khuzaymah RadhiAllahu anha before her untimely passing, followed by Sayyidatuna Umm Salamah bint Abu Umama RadhiAllahu anha

light blue: Sayyidatuna Zaynab bint Jahsh RadhiAllahu anha

lilac: Sayyidatuna Juwayriya bint al-Harith RadhiAllahu anha

purple: Sayyidatuna Umm Habibah Ramla bint Abu Sufyan RadhiAllahu anha

orange: Sayyidatuna Maimoonah RadhiAllahu anha

brown: direction of first Qibla to Jerusalem, when there was a southern door to the Masjid (large pink)

burgundy: Minbar

green area: Rowdha Shareef with the mihrab (small royal blue) position at the time of our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

Abwab, marked by the coloured lines:

pink, Bab Baqi, blue Bab Jibreel, green Babun-Nisa.

The positions of Bab Salam (lime) and Bab Rahmah (orange) at the time of our Blessed Rasulullah SallAllahu alahi wasallam, realizing that they are now positioned on the walls of the extensions

blue X: place where Sayyidna Bilal RadhiAllahu anhu delivered Adhan for Juma’ah, while the orange X indicates where he would stand on the stump of a palm trunk for all other Adhans.

green X: marks the place where a frame was erected for the donated bunches of dates to be hung for the Ahle Suffa from various donors.

pink X: is the approximate place where the Banu Thaqeef pitched their tent when they traveled from Taif seeking teachings from our Blessed Rasulullah SallAllahu alahi wasallam.

Allahumma salli ala Muhammadin Nabi yil Ummi yi wa Aalihi wa baarik wa sallim

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February 10, 2008

curtains [Al-Masjid An-Nabawi As-Sharif, Ziyaratun Nabi] — almiskeenah @ 7:58 pm

Details of various curtains that once graced the Hujrah, the Honoured Room of the most honoured of creation, Muhammad SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

Almutawaj belkarama
The one crowned with miracles

Almuzallal belghamama

The one shaded by clouds

Allah’s peace and blessings be upon the Prophet and his family.

This was the gold medallion shaped embroidered motif that used to cover the Muwajaha, exquisite!

Qur’anic verses and Salawaat adorn one of the curtains that used to surround the Abode of our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

The first cover sent from Istanbul to Madinah, woven during the reign of Sultan Ahmad 1. Old covers would be sent back to Istanbul by the current Amir at the time and taken to the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari RadhiAllahu anhu where they would be displayed for some time before being sent to the Apartments of the Holy Mantle in the Topkapi Palace Museum.

Some narrations say it was the mother of Haroon Rashid, the Abbasid Caliph (786-809 CE) who donated the first curtain for the Hujrah, others say it was the wife. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

After that it was the Prime Minister of Egypt who ordered a white curtain decorated and embellished with Surah Yasin. Two years later the Caliph sent violet curtains with his name being the main motif! The next one recorded was black, which accompanied his mother when she came for Hajj, and then another sent to be placed over these two, forming three layers.

Thereafter, every six years a Kiswa made of white silk embroidered with gold and silver from Egypt was provided.

Kiswa al-Saadat, the Curtain of Bliss

When the Ottomans were in control they established the green curtain with red and gold calligraphy features as above.

Detail of the above,bearing inscriptions and greetings of peace and praise for The Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

These designs are stunning, not only for their artisitic merit, which is superlative, but for the fact that they all once veiled our Blessed Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam! Allahu Akbar!

All of these examples are in the Topkapi Palace Museum, Istanbul, and if unable to visit Turkey then vicariously travel to see these Mubarak relics in the magnificent volume, The Sacred Trusts.

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.

Comments (11)

November 21, 2007

sublime [Ziyaratun Nabi] — almiskeenah @ 9:53 pm

In the luminous Madinah, could I be there, always there!

Could I say with all the pilgrims blessings for the intercessor,

In the luminous Madinah….

Could I pray close to the Ka’aba, bowing down, my humble prayers!

In the luminous Madinah….

Could I tell some little matter of my heart to him, our leader!

In the luminous Madinah….

Could I, the repulsive sinner, could I speak the pure profession!

In the luminous Madinah….could I be there, always there!

‘Abdur Ra’uf Bhatti

Lord of Madinah, you friend of the poor,

You will not turn me back empty-handed!

Now God had completed for us the Divine Law,
And has completed prophethood for our Prophet.
Now the office of cup bearer is given to us:
He gave us the last Goblet He had.

Muhammad Iqbal

From Prophethood is our foundation in the world

From Prophethood has our religion its ritual,

From Prophethood are hundreds of thousands of us one,

Part from part cannot be separated.

From Prophethood we all have the same melody,

The same breath, the same aim.

Muhammad Iqbal

The inner man knows no worries on this path.

The inner heart does not know death.

Bodies perish, but not the soul. Those who are gone don’t return.

Bodies are for dying. That’s not what a soul is for.

The heart will never find the pearl it seeks,

even in a thousand years, unless it’s given.

Be careful, your Beloved’s heart is easily broken.

Such fine crystal once shattered is never restored.

And unless you put your cup to the fountain,

even in a thousand years it won’t be filled.

Both Khidr and Elias drank the water of life.

These days they are not dead.

The world was made for the sake of the Prophet and his friendship.

Those who come to this world do not remain.

Yunus, today while you have eyes to see, do what you must.

Those who attain do not come back.

Yunus Emre

The manuscript of jabr [predestination] and qadr [free will]

Is contained in the form of his face and his hair;

This one becomes known from “By the Night” (Surah 92),

And that one from “By the Morning Light” (Surah 93).

Infidelity and faith, in darkness and purity respectively

Have no other kingdom but Mustafa’s cheek and tresses.

If his hair and his face did not bring to the desert Divine wrath (qahr) and Divine kindness (lutf)

Infidelity would remain without provision and faith helpless.

The radiance of your face is what one calls “morning”;

The shade of your two tresses is where you say “evening.”

Sana’i

O bright one! "By the Morning light" (Surah 93:1) is your forehead,

"By the Night!" (Surah 92:1) is your ambergris-coloured veil,

Taha (Surah 20) is a leaf from your tale,

Yasin (Surah 36) is a border on your sleeve;

Paradise is a result of your overflowing grace;

Hell is a spark from the flame of your wrath.

Jami

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November 14, 2007

sisters pre visit lecture [Ziyaratun Nabi] — almiskeenah @ 11:53 pm

….bringing them from darkness out into light, by His will, and guiding them to a straight path. (5:16)

Picture; a priceless emerald, the deepest, richest green, activating the colour waves that instantly vibrate the spiritual recesses of the heart to sing the praise and glory of Allah Ta’ala and His Habib SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, the blessed resident of this verdant jewel-topped Abode.

This is how the Green Dome, enamoured by all from the best of nations, appeared from the inner courtyard in the mild evening breeze. A glowing emerald set in a sky seemingly woven from the most delicate and silkiest thread directly from the Tooba Tree in Jannah, while diamond-like glints of light danced from the ornate minarets, and the golden glistening from the myriad of chandeliers, adding more and more layers to the ethereal impact.

This was the scene in the open courtyard behind the original Masjid Nabawi, the elegant umbrellas closed as slender sentinels guarding the Sacred Paradise between our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam’s house and his minbar.

Crowds of sisters having just arrived in this City of Radiance stood in awe before stepping on the green carpet designating the Garden of Jannah. Audible sobs of pleading, praising, and gratitude filled the decorative Ottoman domes as foreheads prostrated in adulation and adoration, hands raised, imploring, seeking, revering.

By a new decree from the King, sisters now have the opportunity of visiting a fenced off section of the Rowdha Shareef three times during the day. Previously the times were after Fajr and after Zuhur Salat. The new arrangements have added an evening session from approximately 9pm to midnight. The time between the completion of Salat and the doors to be opened for the sisters to cross the brother’s section to the delineated area for visits can be an hour or so, giving the brother’s time to vacate that part of the Masjid and for the workers to erect the various barriers.

During this waiting time the Masjid ‘duty sisters’ attempt to collect the various nationalities into groups by holding up signs with the names of the main countries for them to congregate around. This previous post details the procedure, while the focus of this entry is on the ‘indoctrination’ that happens while the various nationalities wait to enter the visiting area. The Masjid ‘authorities’ in their organizational plans have employed ‘duty sisters’ capable of conversing in all the main languages, Alhumdilillah, and have obviously trained them to deliver the lecture emphasizing the Adab of going to the Rowdha from a sisters perspective. The duration of the lecture can be at least one hour inside the sisters section…and continuing once the group has moved to the next holding area. Some groups may have to wait longer than others before they are permitted to move to the actual Rowdha area.

The following is gleaned from the talk given in English last night, my comments will follow later.

Sisters need to ask themselves what is their intention in coming from their home country to Masjid Nabawi. If it is to visit the grave of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, then you will be amongst the cursed, as Allah Ta’ala has forbidden women to visit graves. (Supporting Ahadith in Arabic accompanied each point made)

We must obey Allah Ta’ala and the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and not visit graves, as he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam mentioned in the Hadith, so if we love him then we do not come to visit his grave, but to pray in the Masjid. The proof of our love is in how we follow him and his Sunnah. If we go against the Sunnah then we are following our whims and desires and this is very dangerous. Women have been created with a tender heart, men do not have this. Due to the woman having a tender heart she may faint while visiting a grave and some of her body may become exposed. We do not visit graves, this is for the men only.

Women must dress in a humble fashion, loose, thick, non-transparent, covering the body and no perfume to be applied.

We have been told in the Qur’an that we can travel to three places only: Makkah, Madinah and Masjid Aqsa in Al-Quds….the prayer in Makkah is worth 100,000 prayers, while in Masjid Nabawi it is multiplied by 1000.

Some narrations ay that the Rowdha will be lifted and become part of Jannah on the Day of Judgement, others explain that by offering Salat in this piece of Paradise on earth is that it will lead us to Jannah, BUT some commit violations of the creed in the Rowdha and this is very dangerous. Asking for things from Rowdha is very dangerous. Supplication is the right of Allah Ta’ala alone. You are in the Hellfire FOREVER if you do not abide by this as you are commiting SHIRK, and this, unlike other forms of sine will never be forgiven. Another grave sin is wiping, kissing, touching the pillars. Do not seek Barakah from things, nor from the dead, especially the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. The story of the Hawd was narrated, one drink from this and one will never know thirst ever again….but how on the Day of Judgement the angels will tell the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam not to offer a drink from his fountain to certain people as they were involved in innovation, bida, after his time.

Do not raise your voice anywhere in the Masjid, it is sinful, regardless of whether Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam is alive or dead.

Salam will reach the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam form anywhere in the world, it is not necessary to say Salam from the Rowdha. We say our Salam as we enter the Masjid, we give our Salam in Tashahud. And DO NOT CONVEY on behalf of any one to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. We are NOT angels…only Allah Ta’ala and His Angels can give Salam. And women do not offer Salam to Abu Bakr As-Siddiq or Umar Al-Khattab RadhiAllahu anhumaa, this is only for the men.

Islam is clean, it is easy, no complications.

It is not recommended to repeatedly go to Rowdha over and over. This time is enough, stay away so others can have their turn, it is not a Fardh on you, it is not even a Sunnah.

Do not bring Du’a books from your home country, there are too many mistakes and wrong information in them. They do not explain the differences between men and women and their time in the Masjid. Only follow the books you find in the shops around Haram and in the Masjid library.

Do not take your homes as graves, and do not take the grave of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam as an Eid, or festival time. It is not a place to be celebrating the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

Do not sit in group Dhikr, this is not Sunnah, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum never did such an act.

One question was asked at the end….they were not permitted during the lecture. One newly arrived sister asked when the times for Ziyarah were…the reply came that the Rowdha times wer such ans such….a clear indication that we do not use the term Ziyarah, or visiting, as in visiting our Blessed Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

I could spend hours commenting on this sad experience, and to a certain extent I have to be ‘careful’. I realize that some of you may have no hesitation in taking all the above as being ‘normal’, along with the desecration of our sacred sites. But basically what I find offensive is that the Masjid of our Noble Nabi, the City of our Prophet, is under the edicts of one aspect, one narrow interpretation of our multi-faceted ways of practicing Islam. Pilgrims come from every corner of the globe, representing all schools of thought, which all deserve to be respected and allowed the freedom to openly apply the different opinions and not to be indoctrinated, coerced, shamed, brainwashed in this manner.

I was speaking to some sisters after all this who were totally confused. They had come with lists of names from their family and friends to offer Salam as an Amanat, they softly said they participated in Dhikr circles….they quickly shoved Du’a books in their bags, they wondered if they should not come again. Ya Allah Ya Wadud, Ya Lateef. May You guide us all to the Siratul-Mustaqim. Ameen.

For all those reading this and who may be coming for Hajj, my suggestion is that you do not join the designated groups according to nationality….that after the Salat of the time you may intent to offer ZIYARAH, you wait some time towards the back of the main sisters section, allowing all the raised voices on mega phones to complete their ‘indoctrination’ and wait even longer until most of the groups have gone through the doors….and then enter without having to listen to that lecture. Depending on the crowds, and to be realistic they are swelling by the minute even now, you may be held in the next holding area, but you would have escaped the talk. On the other hand if your preference is for this way of practicing your Islam, by all means join the lecture…understanding that respect is due to all the diverse paths.

Come, come, whoever you are,
wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving.
This is not a caravan of despair.
It doesn’t matter that you’ve broken
your vow a thousand times, still
come, and yet again, come.

Rumi

As-salamu alayka ya habibi sayyidi,

As-salamu alayka ya nabi al-arabi

Ya Habibi Sayyidi

As-salamu alayka ya habibi sayyidi

As-salamu alayka ya nabi al-arabi

As-salamu alayka ya shafial-muznibin

As-salamu alayka rahamtallah lilaalamin.

Comments (9)

November 12, 2007

the devoted [Ziyaratun Nabi] — almiskeenah @ 10:52 pm

In an inspired dream tonight I saw Muhammad.

In the clean mirror of the heart I saw Muhammad.

The angels stood in rows and rows,

They donned green garments, beautiful And they exclaimed: “Muhammad!”-Thus

I saw Muhammad.

Muhammad gave a bowl to me,

Intoxicated was I then-

The Lord bestowed such grace on me:

I saw Muhammad.

I, like a drop sank in the seas,

Found healing for my suffering;

Today I was so greatly blessed-

I saw Muhammad!

Yunus Emre

I did not see Muhammad…

but I did see the Abode of Muhammad….

and yesterday we all saw the reflection of the Abode of Muhammad SallAllahu alaihi wasallam….

SubhanAllah….amazing what a difference a day makes….

….today minutes before Maghrib Adhan….water and reflections replaced by the meticulous precision in the placement of the central star shaped marble slabs.

O Messenger of God, with God I speak through veils, with you openly….

He is my hidden One, you are my evident one!

Iqbal

A beloved is hidden in your heart….

In the Muslim’s heart , there is Muhammad’s home,

All glory is from Muhammad’s name.

Iqbal

On the steed of love, God’s Prophet rose, through the blazing heavens,

The messengers of God rose to salute him, noble-browed he blessed them all.

Rumi

After Maghrib….hundreds heralding the arrival of the first Hujjaj of this Mubarak season, Masha’Allah. The majority racing to offer their Salam, swelling Masjid Nabawi, and excitedly bustling around the shops, the majority of the first influx being Turkish, followed by Malay and then Indian.

Ajeeb…look at that figure of light on the right….a transparent figure, looking even more surreal in the original uncompressed photo…this truly is mysterious. And even if it is some photographic illusion, (as life is anyway) I still find it extraordinary to say the least.

I just decided to upload the next photo taken seconds after the above one. It seems identical, but notice the Turkish man holding a pink bag…he has advanced towards the assembled group…but that transparent figure is still in the same place. VERY interesting…..any ideas?

O Messenger of the one God! I am a stranger,

Succor me, O refuge of the strangers!

O Messenger of the one God! a poor man am I,

Help me, O helper of the poor!

O Messenger of the one God! I am ill and weak,

Heal me, for you are sought for healing.

O Messenger of the one God! if you do not help me

To whom could I look to be my recourse?

Nabhani

STOP PRESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alhumdulillah! Du’a has been answered. Alhumdulillah! The hours for sisters Ziarah has been extended! Beginning from tonight after Salatul Esha from 8.30 to 9.30, with the runour that as the Hajj crowds increase the hours will be extended through till Tahajjud time. More Du’a that this becomes a reality, Insha’Allah!!!

UPDATE….my vivid imagination playing tricks…so VERY interesting lol!!!…the way the light is REFLECTING ON THE MARBLE….days of reflection, reflecting…on the bigger things we are here for…so the "transparent man" can be my lesson for the day….to open more to inner reflection.

Comments (7)

November 11, 2007

reflective verse and pictures [Ziyaratun Nabi] — almiskeenah @ 9:37 pm

I have not praised Muhammad with my words;

Rather, my words are praiseworthy because of him.

Hassan Thabit

Such a beloved art thou, that those who see your beauty find their base earth turned into Gold, by the grace of that regard.
Such a lamp art thou, that on the night of Ascension, your discourse brought light to every one of God’s creatures.

Ahmet Pasa

The light of Muhammad has become distributed in millions of pieces

And has encompassed the whole world.

The Prophet was like the lightening of that light.

When it strikes, all veils of disbelief are torn and

Thousands of monks are influenced by Muhammad and run towards him.

Rumi

God made you the mirror of the Essence,

A looking glass for the unique Essence.

M Khaqani in Hilya

His words are all pearls from the ocean of reality

Because his heart was united with the ocean of truth.

Rumi

The fire of the love of beauties is still aglow in my heart and soul; O death! Stay thy hand for a while so that I can narrate my story (of woe) to my beloved.

Persian verse-Hafiz Nur Muhammad.

If perfection were in reading or writing,

Why then was the qibla of the universe illiterate?

Jami

If you want to be rescued from the Hellfire,

Utter the blessings over him with love and [longing] pain!

Sulayman Chelebi

Photos from this morning whilst delivering Amanat for so many blessed souls. And JazakumuLlahu khairan to all who share their souls blessings.

Comments (6)

August 22, 2007

we come [Ziyaratun Nabi] — almiskeenah @ 12:04 pm

We come…..

While….

We come seeking your gaze, eyes impure and blemished from dreams and fantasizing life’s distractions.

While your luminous black eyes, framed by noble long lashes, cast a loving glow illuminating the heavens.

We come searching your smile, mouths sullied and tainted from gossip, backbiting and idle talk.

While the gentleness of your countenance radiates a tranquil aura dispersing all weaknesses.

We come running to you, limbs lazy and heaving as slaves to sloth and consumerist whims.

While your compassionate guiding steps rejuvenate indifferent desires for embracing your Sunnah.

We come greeting you, hands brazenly wretched, time wasting talons clutching fake trinkets.

While you tenderly reach out, your unconditional light of truth obliterating the gloomy darkness.

We come conversing, minds polluted with excessive nonsense, overflowing detritus numbing the soul.

While your sanctified words transform bewilderment to enlightenment.

We come praising your perfection, deeds shamelessly decorated with ostentation and arrogance.

While your dignified station and the bearer of Allah’s promise, endears one to alchemize faults to gold.

We come weeping for your affection, hearts frail, devoid of passion for the Garden’s Eternal Enchantment.

While your presence rouses hopes as you disregard lapses and instill contentment with the mere utterance of your name.

We come addressing you, prayers empty of devotion; a profusion of nagging whispers.

While your worship had no end, a pristine sincerity shining as brightness itself, a beacon for your Ummah.

We come begging from you, relationships smashed, severed, abused and neglected.

While your caress embodied the spirit of justice, a servant of the Majestic, imparting fairness to all.

We come yearning, aching; deeds contrary, a nonillion swarms of disobedience.

While you the preferred one, the emblem of certainty, the holy trusted one, the beloved of Allah, the one brought near to His Divine Presence, our honoured intercessor, sent as a mercy to all the worlds, accept our every Salawaat and Salaam.

Allahumma Salli ‘ala Badrit-Tamaam
Allahumma Salli ‘ala Nuriz-Zalaam
Allahumma Salli ‘ala Miftaahi Daaris-Salaam
Allahumma Salli ‘ala Shafee’i fee Jamee-il Anaam

Allah! Send Blessings upon the Full Moon in brilliance.
Allah! Send Blessings upon the Light overwhelming darkness.
Allah! Send Blessings upon the Key to the Abode of Peace.
Allah! Send Blessings upon the Intercessor of all humanity.
SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam.

‘Jaza Allahu ‘annaa Sayyidina Muhammadin maa huwa ahluhu’

Allah! Grant Sayyidina Muhammad SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam, on behalf of us, his rightful due.

Credit and appreciation once again to the dear sister who has so generously shared this beautiful detail of Bab Baqi, capturing the glint of gold, epitomizing our Prince of Peace SallAllahu alaihi wasallam resting under the Dome of Felicity.

This humble speck is taking ‘leave of absence’ for a short moment. Insha’Allah a few kind words in your Du’a would be greatly appreciated, as I will include you and yours in mine. In the meantime may our hearts be active with Salawaat on our blessed Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, in these Mubarak Shaban days of his, and our spiritual leanings seeking the blessed month of Ramadhan on the horizon.

Comments (9)

August 1, 2007

The Mubarak Hujrah [Ziyaratun Nabi] — almiskeenah @ 10:11 pm

The Mubarak Hujrah

O Allah ! Open for us the gates of Your mercy and forgiveness and sustenance, and send abundant blessings and peace upon the Best of Prophets and Messengers and upon all his Family and Companions Ameen.

His light appeared on Adam’s forehead

So that the angels bowed their heads in prostration;

Noah, in the danger of the flood,

Found help from him in his seamanship;

The scent of his grace reached Abraham,

And his rose bloomed from Nimrod’s pyre.

Yusuf was for him, in the court of kindness

[Only] a slave, seventeen dirham’s worth.

His face lighted the fire of Moses,

And his lip taught Christ how to quicken the dead.

(Jami)

Insha’Allah, the more we invest eagerness in our seeking to learn about our Beloved Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasllam, and his noble resting place, may Allah Ta’ala make it a means to be closer to Him Subhanahu wa Ta’ala and His Habib SallAllahu alaihi wasllam.

According to historian Al-Samhoudi, the length of the Sacred Chamber measured from east to west is 8 meters and the width 5.5 meters with the inner wall being approxiamtely one meter thick. (Unfortunately with compressing the diagram the measurements and numbers are not very clear. Insha’Allah you can ’save image as’ and then use the zoom facility to view it more readily, I have added some coloured dots to assist with some of the details)

1. Resting place of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

2. Grave of Abu Bakr As-Saddiq RadhiAllahu anhu.

3. Grave of Umar Al-Khattab RadhiAllahu anhu.

4. Place reserved for Isa Alaihis Salam. There are two narrations regarding the position, hence the two places marked, however the stringer narration is that he will be beside Umar Al-Khattab RadhiAllahu anhu. And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

5. House of our Lady Ayeshah RadhiAllahu anha. When the room contained our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and her noble father Abu Bakr as-Siddiq RadhiAllahu anhu our Lady Ayeshah RadhiAllahu anha would not wear the veil, but once Umar ibn Al-Khattab RadhiAllahu anhu joined them she covered and then arranged for the room to be divided. The zig zag line represents the wall built to divide the house into two parts, one for her residence and the other housing the three graves.

6. Place where Jibreel Alaihis Salam often came with revelations.

7. Walls of the room of our Lady Ayeshah RadhiAllahu anha that Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam assisted in building, and which still stands within the security walls.

8. Pentagonal walls (solid black) built by Umar ibn Abdul Aziz Rahmatullah alaihi. Made of stone and having five sides so as not to have the shape of the Ka’abah. This barrier wall is 80cm wide.

9. Wall built by Sultan Qaitabai Rahmatullah alaihi. (grey shaded) around the walls built by Umar ibn Abdul Aziz Rahmatullah alaihi.

10. Columns (green dot) supporting the walls (of #9) which are covered by green curtains around the Sacred Hujrah.

11. First window on the western side which originally was part of the Rowdha Shareef and included in the Maqsurah, restricted area, during the time of Sultan Al-Zahir Baibars, the ruler of Egypt in the year 668 A.H. (the first double set of circular motifs in the grill on the left in the above photo)

12. Extension of Rowdha Shareef.

13. Now part of the Masjid.

14. (pink dot) House of Sayyidatuna Fatima RadhiAllahu anha.

15. Mihrab inside the house of Sayyidatuna Fatima RadhiAllahu anha.

16. blue dot, (no number) place of Tahajjud when Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam prayed alone, and Almighty Allah Ta’ala knows best.

17. Place of Tahajjud behind the house of Sayyidatuna Fatima RadhiAllahu anha with Ahl Suffa. (and Allah Almighty knows best)

18. Muwajahah.

19. The circular motif indicating the position of the Mubarak face of Abu Bakr as-Siddiq RadhiAllahu anhu.

20. The circular motif indicating the position of the Mubarak face of Umar ibn Al-Khattab RadhiAllahu anhu.

21. Place of the rooms of Ummahatul Mu’mineen. The home of Sayyidatuna Hafsa RadhiAllahu anha was so close to the home of our Lady Ayeshah RadhiAllahu anha (on the southern side) that they would exchange conversations while both were inside their homes.

22. The column of the bed.

23. The delegation column.

24. The guard column.

25. Door of Tawbah. 25B. Door of our Lady Ayeshah RadhiAllahu anha.

26. Window opposite the Mubarak head of our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

27. Direction of Mubarak feet of our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

28. Doors that are within the Maqsurah.

29. Circumference of the inner small dome (blue dot).

30. Circumference of the blue inner dome.

31. Circumference of the Green Dome.

32. External walls of the Maqsurah.

This site offers a history of the Sacred Chamber, along with accounts of the attempts to steal the Mubarak body of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

Dr. Irfan Al Alawi, Executive Director Islamic Heritage Research Foundation has written the following to dispel many misconceptions about the graves in the Sacred Chamber:

“It will be pertinent to mention here that the companions never put bricks or other similar materials on these three graves. Qasim ibn Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr {Ra} narrated as mentioned in Sunan Abu Dawud, ‘I visited Aaisha {Ra} and requested her to show me these three graves. I observed that the graves were neither very high above the ground nor totally in level with the ground. I saw these covered with reddish color earth.’

It is mentioned in Tabaqatul Kubraa by ibn Sa’ad as narrated by Qaasim, ‘I was only a child when I visited these graves which were covered with reddish colour earth.’

It is mentioned in Fath al-Baari as narrated by Abu Bakr Ajari {Ra}, ‘I saw these graves during the period of Umar ibn Abdul-Aziz {ra}. These were about four inches above the ground level.’ It is also mentioned in Fath al-Baari as narrated by Rija ibn Haiwah, ‘Waleed ibn Abdul-Malik wrote to Umar ibn Abdul-Aziz to purchase the hujrat of the wives of Prophet Muhammad {sallallaahu Alayhi wasallam} and include this area in the mosque as well. When the walls of the hujrats were removed, these graves became visible. The sandy soil on the graves had somewhat levelled off. Umar ibn Abdul-Aziz rebuilt the walls of Aaisha’s chamber during the expansion of the Prophet’s mosque.’

A renowned scholar, Samhoudi, mentioned in Wifa-ul-Wifaa that the walls of the sacred chamber were remodelled in 878H. He had the privilege and honour of entering the Sacred Chamber during these repairs. Samhoudi said, ‘As I entered the Sacred Chamber, I found very delicate fragrance there which I had never experienced in my life before. I offered salutation to the Prophet {Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam} and his both companions. Then I focussed my attention to condition of the graves so that I could describe it fully to others. All three graves were almost even to the ground level. At one place, there was a slight rise above the ground level. It was probably, Umar’s {Ra} grave. The graves were definitely covered by ordinary earth.’

After this occasion, nobody has been able to see these graves since all the four walls of the Sacred Chamber have been fully built up to the roof level and closed for any view.

I may add that some people are carrying pictures of these graves indicating that the graves are built of bricks or stones and are quite high from the ground level. It is total fabrication.”

O Allah send blessings upon this prophetic presence, which is guiding and guided, by Your complete blessings. May it be a blessing that encompasses every kind of knowledge, moreover, may it be a blessing that has no end in its limit, and neither will it sever in its extent.

And convey peace upon this Prophet in the same way. O our master, O Messenger of Allah, you are the purpose of existence. You are the master of every parent and every child; you are the precious orphan around whom all kinds of creation revolved. You are the light, the radiance of which fills the heavens and the earths. Your blessings cannot be encompassed, and your miracles are innumerable.

From salutations of Sayyid ash-Shaykh Muhammad Abu al-Mawahib ash-Shadhili, Rahmatullah alaihi.

Comments (4)

July 26, 2007

sisters ziyarah [Ziyaratun Nabi] — almiskeenah @ 11:30 pm

“A group of Angels travel throughout the earth to convey greetings of my Ummah to me.”

Such a blissful saying of the Noble Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. SubhanAllah, how merciful is our Rabb Subahahu wa Ta’ala in blessing us with such a magnificent gift! There is no geographical restrictions, no time restrictions, no cultural, no national, no social, no age, no status, no educational…..no restrictions. By saying one Durood as you read this, wherever you happen to be on the face of the earth, an Angel will immediately carry this to our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam as he rests under the splendid Dome of Felicity. Alhumdulillah!

And Alhumdulillah that there are thousands who currently have been invited to visit Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah these days, thousands who have just left, and thousands on their way, to be able to greet the best of creation, Al-Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam from within the confines of the city he brought enlightenment to. Brothers are given the opportunity to present themselves within meters of our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, anytime during the hours of Masjid Nabawi, while sisters are restricted in the area they may visit as well as the times. And we are taught to say Alhumdulillah for all circumstances, all conditions and all situations. Alhumdulillah!

This post is in response to Sister Shahida’s inquiry about the conditions of Ziyarah for sisters when visiting our Blessed Al-Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam in this Luminous City of Light and Radiance. Information is not only relevant for sisters but also for brothers to understand, as many visit with their female family members who need the basic information on where and when to go. Sisters often arrive at the wrong section assuming they can access the Rowdha Shareef from there, or some arrive towards the end of visiting times and are prevented from entering. In some cases some miss visiting altogether due to not knowing the routine.

Also, the conditions vary according to the time of the year, between the few months when there are no Umrah visa issued, the low and the peak Umrah seasons culminating in Ramadhan and Hajj.

There are only two prayer areas for sisters; the north western corner (orange line) accessed through doors 13-15, and the north eastern corner (pink line) through doors 25-28. In both sections the areas on the Qiblah side of the light blue lines are for sisters without children with a barrier separating the area for sisters with children. Security sisters are positioned at the openings of this barrier ensuring this rule is abided by. However during the busy times of Hajj and Ramadhan this division usually does not apply as the number of children at these times is far less. Access to Rowdha Shareef for sisters is ONLY through the eastern section, by following the blue path.

The sisters prayer area is separated from the men’s area by a tall finely decorated “mashrabiyah”, the traditional wooden Arabic screen, which allows air to still circulate, but limits visibility either way. The purple dotted line indicates where the huge doorways are for gaining entrance to the Rowdha Shareef. These are only opened during the Ziyarah times for sisters. The main session being after Ishraq until approximately 10.30am, but it is advisable to arrive by 10am the latest as the entry doors will be shut, even though sisters will still be inside the visiting area. During the crowded seasons it is best to remain in the Masjid from after Fajr Salat making your way to as near to the mashrabiyah (purple dots) as possible. The wait may be an hour or so as brothers need to be vacated from the area allocated for sisters and the white canvas fence to be erected. This demarcates the pathway to be followed to reach the visiting area and the greater men’s section of the Masjid, brothers are still able to access the Masjid and cross the sisters’ pathway during their visiting times. The actual position of this barrier tends to change, especially in and immediately around the Rowdha Shareef area, maybe according to the numbers, maybe trying various configurations, as the whole arrangement is far from satisfactory.

The second time for sisters’ ziyarah is after Salatul Zuhur. This session is only very short compared to the morning session so once again wait at the mashrabiyah soon after Salat has finished.

Now all this may sound straight forward…and for certain times during the year it is. However over the past couple of years the plan to bring more and more in for Umrah has increased the number of pilgrims. I read the other day, that just a few years ago, when we first came here, the Umrah figure over the space of a year was 1 million. Now it is 3.8 million, with the projected figure to be 10 million within the next few years!! I find this boggling on so many levels, the most pressing being the conditions sisters are subjected to in visiting Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. And I sense that this has been the least concern for all the “authorities”.

During these peak times they have tried to implement a one way system….the lime green line represents the exit pathway, which is a separate fenced area. Many do not realize this and leave their shoes in shelves on their way into the Rowdha Shareef, and then find they have to walk all the way back to the main sisters area to enter the way in again. Shoes and bags can be a hindrance in the crowds, and yet leaving them somewhere also can cause distress in locating them again, and the issue of “lost” shoes has also become rife! I always recommend you come with a shoe bag….one that has a strap that is across the chest so your hands are free.

The other “feature” employed when the crowds are great is the marshalling into groups according to nationality. Various “security” guards are given placards on sticks with the name of the main different countries on them…they stand in certain places on a chair waving these placards for the sisters to assemble around them. They are given a lecture on the Adab of Ziarah and can be “held” in these holding areas for ages. I have seen physical fights with this arrangement, and there are many cases of broken bones and sisters taken to hospital! Another aspect of trying to organize the crowds is the use of megaphones! Yes….megaphones in the Masjid, as well as under the umbrella area, so close to our Beloved Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam! And then there is the moving canvas tactic! Two “security” guard sisters hold a piece of canvas about one meter wide and five long…they “wrap” this around a group of sisters….and “pull” them into place! And during Ramadhan and Hajj , this holding place is literally a fenced in area positioned in front of one of the doors of the mashrabiyah. Once it is full it is shut. Sisters have to wait in these pens until space is made available under the umbrella area.

If all this sounds like a disgrace it is because it is! It is a shambles. The emotions are high. Thousands of sisters have come to pay their respects, to give their Salam, some having waited decades for this opportunity. Many just sit and cry, Many are too weak or incapacitated to sustain this treatment. Hundreds resign themselves to never making it to the Rowdha area and convey their Salam from the back of the Masjid, or from the other sisters prayer area where it is calm and quiet.

This is a detail of the visiting area. The smaller green section is the green carpet area of Rowdha Shareef available for the sisters. The darker green lines represent the fence that is erected prior to our visiting times. The blue arrows indicate the direction one is to follow, the central green line is the fence separating the going in area to the exit area. It is almost impossible to offer two Raka’ts now, the crowds being too dense, and the "security" guards are on high stools yelling directions, and madly gesturing the whole time. At no time are sisters in the area where the Mihrab or the Minbar are, and as can be seen the closest we can be to our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam is at the far end of what was the house of our Lady Aishah RadhiAllahu anha.

The line of purple dots indicate where the barrier is erected when it is high season, which is the majority of the year now, other times sisters can enter into this larger green area to be near the place of Tahujjud, to have access to the raised platform, which some narrations say was the Suffah, others as written on this diagram. The narrow area is most sought after to offer Salam as it it as the Mubarak feet of our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and those of his blessed companions, Abu Bakr and Umar RadhiAllahu alahi wasallam. The red lines represent what are like wooden counters, reaching about waist high that are placed there during the sisters visits, the "security" guard ladies walk up and down this narrow area looking for "bida’h" and soon pounce on any one they feel is facing the "wrong" way or reading the "wrong" book of Du’a.

From this area you can look ahead to the corner of Bab Baqi, and the Qiblah wall….the pink dot indicates where we have been told, is one of the places where Jibreel Alaihis Sallam would come when visiting Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Brothers can see this as a small wire grill with a beautiful flower design on it, and sisters fortunate enough to be here during the off season can see this, as well as use Bab Jibreel and Bab An-Nissa’. It is not that long ago when sisters could enter and exit from this side of the Masjid for Ziyarah, but for some reason we no longer can access this side. It makes it a very long walk for those staying, or living on the southern side, as you have to walk to the back of the Masjid and then all the way to the front again to be in the visiting area.

“A group of Angels travel throughout the earth to convey greetings of my Ummah to me.”

How blessed we are that these Angels are not confined to only those who are blessed to be in the immediate vicinity of our blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Alhumdulillah.
By saying one Durood as you read this, wherever you happen to be on the face of the earth, an Angel will immediately carry this to our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam as he rests under the splendid Dome of Felicity. Alhumdulillah!

And this is for everyday….EXCEPT Yaumul Juma’ah….when, wherever you are Al-Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam hears your greetings himself! SubhanAllah!

JUMA’AH MUBARAK! to all I see across the globe clicking on this page…..Insha’Allah make your connection to our Blessed and Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam more so on this Mubarak day, knowing that he hears you and he responds wherver you are!

JUMA’AH MUBARAK!

Comments (15)

July 16, 2007

Yaa Nabi Salaam ‘alaika [Ziyaratun Nabi] — almiskeenah @ 10:16 pm

Sallallahu ‘alaa Muhammad

Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa Sallim

Yaa Nabi Salaam ‘alaika

Yaa Rasul Salaam ‘alaika

Yaa Habib Salaam ‘alaika

Salawatullah ‘alaika.

Allah Ta’ala has blessed us with His most glorious of Words and Promises concerning His most Beloved Habib SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Insha’Allah by taking the essence of these lofty stations and attributes into our hearts our love and longing for our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasllam will soar, making our visits, whether vicarious or real, momentous and soulful.

Selected Verses From The Holy Qur’an On OUR BELOVED PROPHET MUHAMMAD Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam.

HIS EXALTED STATUS

1. He is Nur (Sacred Light)

O people of the Scripture! Indeed Our (Prophetic) Messenger has come to you, expounding to you much of that which you used to hide in the Scripture, and forgiving much. Undoubtedly, there has come to you light from Allah and a clear Scripture. (5:15)

2. Allah blesses him

Indeed, Allah and His angels shower blessings on the Prophet. O you who believe! Ask blessings on him and salute him with a worthy salutation. (33:56)

3. Mercy for all the worlds

And We have sent you not except as a mercy for all the worlds. (21:107)

4. His name is Muhammad (Meaning the Most Praised One)

And those who believe and do good works and believe in that which is revealed to Muhammad, and it is the truth from their Lord, He removes from them their ill-deeds and improves their state. (47:2)

5. Allah has exalted his Zikr (remembrance)

And exalted for you your Zikr (remembrance) (94:4)

6. His exaltation on the Night of Mi’raj

Then he drew near, then he came closer

Till he was (distant) two bows’ length or even nearer. (53:8-9)

7. His Station of Praise (Al-Maqam al-Mahmud)

And some part of the night offer Tahajjud (salah), an additional prayer for you. Soon will your Lord raise you to a Station of Praise. (17:79)

The collection of Ayat continues under the following Mubarak headings.

HIS EXALTED STATUS

THE BELOVED OF ALLAH

HE RECEIVED THE HOLY QUR’AN

AMONG THE PROPHETS ‘Alayhimussalam

SERVES ONLY ALLAH, THE GLORIFIED AND THE EXALTED

HIS EXEMPLARY CHARACTER

PREACHES ISLAM

HIS BLESSED HOUSEHOLD AND COMPANIONS, Rady Allahu ‘Anhum

BELIEVE, ASSIST, HONOUR, LOVE, RESPECT AND OBEY HIM

WAGED JIHAD AMIDST PERSECUTION

HIS MIRACLES

INTERCESSOR (SHAFI’)

"Let the visitor imagine the Prophet’s magnificent and generous form, as if he is sleeping in his grave, knowing him (the visitor) and hearing his words. Only then does he say: Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah… and the visitor conveys to the Prophet the greetings of those who asked him to send Salam to to the Prophet, so he says: Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah, from [name of person] the son of [name of parent] who seeks shafa’a (intercession) with you to your Lord, therefore ask for his shafa`a for all believers…."

Read accounts of what the following scholars of Ahl al-Sunna say about travelling to visit the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.
Al-Hafiz al-qadi iyad al-yahsubi al-Mali
Ibn Qunfudh al-Qusantini al-Maliki
Imam Malik’s preference of Madina over Mecca
Al-gawth al-a`azam al-imam `abdul Qadir Jilani al-hasani al-Hanbali
Al-hafiz ibn al-Jawzi al-Hanbali
Shaykh al-Islam al-Hafiz al-Imam Nawawi

The following quotes are from “Baargar-e-Risaalat” “In the Court of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam”, also available to download as a 16 page booklet.

“The grief of my carelessness. The guilt of my inner state. The anxiety of staying unaware. I have come to you from place to place. With this entire caravan”

“Madinah is coming closer and closer, our fortune is escalating higher and higher.”

“Let the darkness of your sins accompany you to the perfect spiritual guide”

"O Allah my eyes are so impure that they do not deserve the vision of the grave of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) - How do I find purity within my eyes that will enable me to set my eyes upon the Rauda Mubarak?

O Allah, if only You can grant me such tears that will purify and cleanse the impurity and weakness of my sight so that I can see the blessed grave of your beloved Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). This purification will enable me to see it with due respect.

O Allah my fortune has proliferated! Your mercy is immeasurable. You have given me the opportunity to make sajdah in Riyadul Jannah, O Allah! upon which ground have I made sajdah today? The ground upon which Sahabah (RA) used to make sajdah!"

"For this lowly unfaithful servant there can be no greater favour and honour than to be given the privilege of making sajdah where the Sahabah had placed their foreheads."

“(Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is Makki, Madani, Hashimi, Muttalibi For mankind this family lineage and genealogy is of great pride Advance gently and respectfully, with lowered gaze and speak softly As the soul of the Arabian messenger is resting here "

Sallallahu ‘alaa Muhammad

Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa Sallim

Yaa Nabi Salaam ‘alaika

Yaa Rasul Salaam ‘alaika

Yaa Habib Salaam ‘alaika

Salawatullah ‘alaika.

(photos taken this afternoon about half an hour before Maghrib on my way to meet a very special sister, Alhumdulillah. The courtyard work having just begun directly in front of the Blessed Green Dome. The grey barrier now extending from Bab Salam to the right to the eastern fence, leaving a very narrow walkway between the Masjid wall and the construction fence. it seems that itr could be months before being able to sit just opposite the Abode of Al-Mustafa.)

Comments (2)

July 3, 2007

swoon [Ziyaratun Nabi] — almiskeenah @ 10:45 pm

Beware of immodesty! Here where Allah’s Beloved is!
To where the Divine look is directed; Maqam al-Mustafa this is!

Only if you resolve to act modestly, Nabi, go in this shrine,
There where angels go round, and whereat prophets always kiss!

The poet Nabi from here

"Burhan ad-din Ibrahim al-Maliki (rahimah-Allahu ta’ala) from here, who passed away in 799 A.H. (1397), told about a very poor man who went to the Hujrat as-Saada and said, ‘Oh Rasul-Allah! I am hungry.’ After a while, someone came and took him to his house and served him food. When the poor man said that his prayer had been accepted, the host said, ‘My Brother! You left your family at home and had a long, strenuous journey to visit Rasulullah; is it appropriate to enter Rasulullah’s audience for a morsel of food? You should have asked for Paradise and endless favors in that high, noble audience. Allahu ta’ala does not refuse requests there.’ Those who attain the honor of visiting Rasulullah should pray for him to intercede for them on the Day of Judgement. More here

Rasulullah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “My shafa’at (intercession on the Day of Qiyamah) is Waajib (on me) for the one who visit my grave.”

More on Ziyarat of our Nabi Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa from Talim-ul-Haq

As-Salatu was Salamu alayka ya Sayyidi ya Rasul Allah

As-Salatu was Salamu alayka ya Sayyidi ya Nabiyy Allah

As-Salatu was Salamu alayka ya Sayyidi ya Habib Allah

As-Salatu was Salamu alayka ya Sayyidi ya Khayra Khaliqillah

As-Salatu was Salamu alayka ya Sayyidi ya Ahmed

As-Salatu was Salamu alayka ya Sayyidi ya Muhammad

As-Salatu was Salamu alayka ya Sayyidi ya Muzzamil

As-Salatu was Salamu alayka ya Sayyidi ya Mudath’thir

As-Salatu was Salamu alayka ya Sayyidi ya Hashir

As-Salatu was Salamu alayka ya Sayyidi ya Mahi

As-Salatu was Salamu alayka ya Sayyidi ya Aaqib

As-Salatu was Salamu alayka ya Sayyidi ya Khayra Khaliqillah

As-Salatu was Salamu alayka ya Sayyidi ya Afdal al-Khalq

Habib Ali Jifri from here

When final entrance to Madina is imminent together with Salawaat (Durood) this duaa should be recited:
"O Allah, verily this is the bounty of Thy Nabi Sal’am. Let it b e for me a means of refuge from the fire of hell, a refuge from punishment and a refuge against the trials of the reckoning."
Pray then for the attainment of the blessings of the Holy City, and for the guidance to uphold the sanctity of Madina, while also praying for help to avoid any undesirable acts.

Hazrat Ibn Ameerul Haaj Rah writes in his book ‘Madkhal’: "With utmost respect and humility more than can ever be written here should one stand in this auspicious spot because there one stands before the only intercessor whose intercession is sure to be accepted by Allah. Whoever intended visiting his home, reaches his desires, aims and whoever had presented himself to the door of his house will not return from there disappointed. Whoever prayed to Allah through his waseelah, has his prayer answered. Whoever asks, receives. These things are proved by the experience of man. For this reason the more respectful and humble one appears in his presence, the better it is for oneself. Indeed one should have the idea in mind that: "Here I stand in his presence as if he is still alive, because as for the knowledge of the position and condition of his Ummat and their intentions are concerned, Rasulullah Sal’am knows of it now in death as he knew about the Ummat in his lifetime." (Madkhal vol.1)

More here

After typing up yesterdays post I discovered this site today with all the 40 stories relating episodes from our illustrious predecessors…. I include the following which was mentioned in a talk given by a visiting Maulana recently, bringing the gathering to tears.

Story No. 13: (Episode)
Hazrat Sayyed Ahmad Rifa’ee Rah is very well known as one of the foremost saints and mystics of Islaam. In the year 555 A.H. he went for Haj. Thereafter he visited Madina and standing in front of the grave of Rasulullah Sal’am he recited the following couplets:
"From far off the thee did I send my soul,
On my behalf to greet you in your resting place,
Here now O Rasulullah Sal’am is my body to greet you,
Stretch forth your hand that my lips may kiss you."
Indeed was the hand of Rasulullah Sal’am stretched from the grave and in the presence of an estimated 90 thousand visitors did Sayyed Ahmad kiss it. (See Al Haawee by Suyuti)

They had the good fortune of seeing our Beloved Rasulullah SallAllahu laihi wasallam’s hand. Among those present was the great saint Hazrat Qutbi Rabbani Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani Rahmatullah alaihi (Al Bayan Al Mushayyad)

When the blessed sanctuary comes into vision, it is better to be on foot. Cry, bow your head, lower your gaze and if possible, walk bare footed.

When you see the lightsome dome, increase salutations uponhim sallAllahu ‘alaihi wasallam.

When you reach the blessed city, become encapsulated in the remembrance of the beauty of the beloved sallAllahu ‘alaihi wasallam. From here.

Two pages of the main salutations offered at the Abode of our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

Visiting The Messeger Of Allah, Shaykh Muhammad Al Yaqoubi

This Historic class was taught in Madina Munawwara during the Rihla program. Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi delivers an amazing talk about how to visit the Messenger of Allah. The proper way of entering Masjid an Nabawi, the proper way of giving salaams, the Adab of inward and outward, the Adab in the city of Madina, and much, much more. This 2 CD Set is a must not only for anyone who is planning to make the pilgrimage of Hajj or Umrah, but for anyone who wants to get closer to the Messenger of Allah.

Tracks (CD 1)

Al-Hammami Nasheed
Neighbors of the Messenger of Allah
Guests of the Messenger of Allah
Description of His Beauty
The Perfect Human
His Inner Beauty: His Knowledge
His Favors to Us
Our Prayers upon Him
Why We Don’t See Him in Our Dreams

Track (CD 2)

The Adab of the Outward: Taking a Shower
Greeting Him (pbuh): Giving Salaam
Asking Him for Intercession
Making Du’a in Front of the Holy Shrine
The Room of Sayyida ‘Aisha & the Holy Grave
Visiting Sayyiduna Abu Bakr & Sayyiduna Omar
Describing al-Rawdah al-Sharifah
The Adab in al-Madinah
Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi’s Biography.

Imam Ahmed Raza Khan Rahmatullahi ‘alaih composed yet one more salaam in Urdu with 45 verses, also given in Hadaaiqi Bakhshish (Gardens of Gifts) whose chorus is the universally familiar Yaa Nabi Salaam ‘Alaika. Its opening couplet is:

Mustafa Khairul Waraa Ho
Sarware har Dosaraa Ho
Apne Ach-chon ka Tasadduq
Ham Bhadon ko bhi Nibhaho

Mustafa you are the best of creation
You are the leader of both the worlds
For the sake of your good followers
Take in your fold us sinners as well.

Complaint and prayer at Rawdha

Allama Iqbal

Peace and Blessings be upon the Holy Prophet

Round you the universe rotates,

From you I beg a kindly glance.

My knowledge, thought meditation are you,

My boat, ocean and storm are you.

The shrine of your street is my refuge, hopefully have I run unto you.

Ah! The agony of my body and soul,

A glance of yours is the sovereign remedy.

Like Busiri I beg deliverance from you,

That the day that was may never return again.

Your mercy on the sinners is greater,

In forgiveness it is like mother’s love.

"If you desire my life, I will sacrifice it. If you desire my wealth I will give it. But, there is one thing that I will never sacrifice, and that is, the love and reverence for the beloved Sayyiduna Rasulullah Salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa ‘aalihi wa Sallam." From here.

And even though the folowing is not directly about Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, I have included it as the majority of the Ummah who travel here are blessed with being at the Ka’abah, and this collection is so moving, SubahAllah.
Hazrat Ibn Abbas R.A. reports that the Messenger of Allah said: "One hundred and twenty mercies descend upon the Ka’ba every day and night; sixty for those performing tawaaf, forty for those performing salaah and twenty for those merely looking at Ka’ba".

Comments (2)

July 2, 2007

illustrious visits [Ziyaratun Nabi] — almiskeenah @ 9:05 pm

“Sire, when in thousands the lips of thousands sing the praise;

From thy side one blessed silence answers all.”
*

“Where my silence can convey the exceeding love that fills this overflowing heart,

Let silence prevail.”

Once a Tabi’e, Muhammadibn Ubaidullah ibn Amr Al-Atabi visited the grave of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. After the greeting at the grave he sat down in one part of the Masjid and saw a person, appearing to be a desert Arab saying: “O you most honoured of all Messengers; Allah has revealed to you the verse:

If only they had come to you when they wronged themselves, and begged Allah’s forgiveness, then the Messenger would have asked forgiveness for them and they would have found that Allah accepts repentance and is most merciful. (4:64)

Then this person cried bitterly and read this poem:

O thou, best of those buried in the earth,

Through whom that very earth became honoured;

May my life be sacrificed for that grave

Wherein thou dwellest,

For therein lies virtue and therein lies

Generosity and goodness.

After this he begged for forgiveness and departed. Muhammad Al-Atabi says further: thereafter I fell asleep on that spot and in a vision saw the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. He said to me: “Go and find that person and tell him that through my intercession Allah Ta’ala has forgiven him.” (Shifa al-Asqam, Mawwaahib) The poem above is mentioned by several writers. Hazrat Iman Nawawi is his book ‘Manasik’ added another couplet:

Thou art the intercessor, whose intercession is desired,

On that bridge when feet are sure to slip;

As for your two companions, them shall I never forget,

Salam to you dear Rasulullah for as long as pens can write.

Iman Nawawi Rahmatullah alaihi states that among the Adab of Madinah it is also required that the visitor should at all times be mindful of the sanctity of the city and that this indeed is the place chosen by Allah Ta’ala for the repose of His Beloved Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam after his flight from Makkah. Here then is the place where Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam used to tread on.

Iman Ghazali Rahmatullah alaihi writes: “When first you set eyes on Madinah let this come into your mind that this is the city which Allah Ta’ala had chosen for His Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and to which he was to flee for safety. This is the city where Allah Ta’ala revealed to him the obligatory duties of a Muslim. He set forth the Sunnah of his Deen and here is the place from where he had to fight against the enemies. Here is the place where his Deen became victorious and here her strove until his death overtook him. Here he lies buried and also his two successors. Here at every step one finds the places where his feet trod. Proceeding forward step lightly in a dignified manner thinking that you are now treading on the soil where surely lie the footprints of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Keep in mind the description of his walk and gait as explained in the Hadith. Keep in mind his greatness and his elevated position. He whose name Allah Ta’ala has connected to His own. Fear for yourself that there is those hallowed surroundings you do not commit such acts which are evil and whereby your good deeds are all wiped out.

Regarding this Iman Ghazali Rahmatullah alaihi actually referred to the verse of the Qur’an:

O you believers, do not raise your voices above the Prophet’s, do not raise your voice when speaking to him as you do to one another, or your good deeds may be cancelled out without you knowing. (49:2)

Iman Ghazali Rahmatullah alaihi continues: Then think about the time when the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum used to be with Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam looking at him, listening to him and benefitting from him.

When in the garden, on the branches,

A beauteous rose did bloom

Thousands were the nightingales around

With sweetly voice,

When came the day of parting as the

Rose ceased to bloom,

Long was the cry of lamenting:

‘Here was the rose.’”

Thereafter feel sorry that before now you have been deprived of the blessing to have visited Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and his Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum. This is the position here in this world. What will be the state in the Hereafter? Will we be allowed to come before Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam with all the excitement and exultation or will you be denied this honour and turned away in disgrace? Will evil deeds deprive you of the pleasure of being in his presence?

Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: “On the Day of Qiyamah some people will be turned away from me.” I shall say: “But these are my people.” To which shall be replied: “You are unaware of what they did after you.”

Thus dear reader, if you acted against the commands of the Shariah of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam then be not unmindful of your position. Do not be at ease thinking that your evil deeds will not come between you and Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

At the time of entering Madinah have the hope that just as Allah Ta’ala had brought you from far off lands to the door of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam so also is it not too much to hope that Allah Ta’ala in his mercy will not deprive us in the Hereafter meeting him, SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

May Allah Ta’ala grant this meeting to you and I, and the entire Ummah, through the Waseelah of our Blessed Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

The following are incidents and stories describing visits our illustrious predecessors made to the Abode of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, may they serve as examples to intending visitors. Insha’Allah I will eventually post more, along with other relevant information regarding visiting this City of Radiance and Light.

Uwais Qarni Rahmatullah alaihi was a famour Tabi’e who was known as the best of the Tabi’een. He lived during Rasulullah SallAlahu alaihi wasallam’s lifetime but because he had to serve his mother he could not meet Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam himself called him; “the best of the Tabi’een” and said of him: “If he should take an oath that something should happen then Allah Ta’ala will let that come to pass, and if anyone should meet him let him pray for your forgiveness.” And Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said to Umar and Ali RadhiAllahu anhuma: “Let Uwais pray for forgiveness on your behalf.”

When he came to Madinah after Hajj he entered the Masjid where someone pointed out to him the resting place of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Beholding it he became so deeply affected that he fell down unconscious. On regaining his senses he exclaimed: “Take me forth from this city for never will I find rest in this place where lies buried the most Beloved Rasul of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

His virtues were great. He died in the Battle of Siffeen fighting on the side of Ali RadhiAllahu anhu.

Once one of the Bedouins visited the grave of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and said: “O Allah you have commanded that slaves be set free. Here lies Your most Beloved Messenger and here stands your slave at the final resting place of Your Messenger. I beseech You, set this humble slave free from the Hell Fire.” From the unseen came a voice: ‘For yourself alone did you ask for freedom. Why not on behalf of all mankind? We have set you free from the Fire.’

Hasan Al-Basri Rahmatullah alaihi says: “Hatim Asam Balkhy was an ascetic sufi who secluded himself in a vault for thirty years. He did not speak to anyone except when it was of dire necessity. When he visited the grave of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam in MAdinah he merely said: ‘O Allah, we have come to the grave of Your Beloved. Do not send us away from here with desires unfulfilled.’ A voice was heard from Heaven saying: ‘Indeed We have granted you the favour of visiting the grave of My Beloved so that your greatest wishes will be granted. Go forth now, We have forgiven you and your companions and all those who are present here.’”

In ‘Qowl Badeeh’ it is reported that Shaykh Ibrahim ibn Shayban Rahmatullah alaihi said: “When I visited Madinah after performing Hajj I said Assalmu Alaikum at the grave of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and behold I heard a voice in reply from the inside of the room wherein he is buried saying ‘Wa ‘alaikumus Salam.’”

Shaykh Abdul Khair Al-Aqta Rahmatullah alaihi said: “Once on a visit to Madinah I suffered such hunger that for several days I had absolutely nothing to eat. I could not even find something to taste. I went to the grave of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasllam and having greeted the Master and his two companions I said to him: ‘O Rasulullah tonight it is my desire to be your guest.’ Having said that I proceeded towards the minbar and went to sleep behind it. In my sleep I saw a vision of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasllam sitting with Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu on his right and Umar RadhiAllahu anhu on his left, and Ali RadhiAllahu anhu on front of him. Ali RadhiAllahu anhu called me and said: ‘Look, Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasllam has arrived.’ I rose and Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasllam gave me a piece of bread in my hand. I ate half of it. When I woke up from that sleep I discovered that I still had the other half of that bread in my hand.”

Once one of the Abdal met Khidr Alaihis Salam and inquired from him if he had ever met anyone among the saints whom he considered higher in rank than himself. To this he replied: “Yes, I have. I was present once in the Masjid in Madinah where I saw Shaykh Abdur Razzak Rahmatullah alaihi dictating Hadith to his students. On one side was a young man sitting with his head bent on his knees. I went to him and addressed him thus: ‘Do you not see the gathering listening to the words of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasllam, why do you not join them?’

Without lifting his head or turning in my direction the youth answered: ‘Over there you see those who listen to Hadith from the mouth of Abdur Razzak (slave of the sustainer) while over here you see him who listens to the Hadith directly from Ar-Razzak (Allah).’

Khidr alaihis Salam said: ‘If what you say is true, then you should be able to tell who I am. Who am I?’

He lifted his head and said: ‘If my intuition does not fail me then you are Khidr alaihis Salam.’ Khidr Alaihis Salam said: ‘From that I realized that among the saints of Allah there are such who are so exalted that I cannot recognize them.’

May Allah Ta’ala be pleased with them and cause us to benefit through them, Ameen.

All extracts are from the chapter The Adab for Ziyarat in this volume.

Dedicated to the Rihla group, who in a few days leave their familiar environments to embark on a journey to our sacred lands. May all the esteemed Shuyukh whose feet they will be seeking knowledge from be blessed and their knowledge preserved, Ameen. And may all the participants turn their hearts only to Allah Ta’ala and His Habib SallAllahu laihi wasallam, gaining His pleasure in every step and every breath they take in their pursuit of learning and seeking a nearness to Him and His SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May every step and every breath also be the means of increase in the raising of their status in Jannah. Ameen.

JazakiLalahu khairan to dear Sidra for the photo of the Masjid door, taken last year when she was a student with the Rihla group.

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.

Comments (2)

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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