Alhumdulillah all the major courtyard work is complete with no more areas sectioned off with barriers. So nice to once more wander unobstructed and without detours. The majority of the light pillars are stripped of the external decoration and work goes on under the pedestals in preparation for the installing of the umbrellas. The realization that once the courtyard is covered with these hundreds of umbrellas then the Dome of Felicity will no longer be visible whilst one is in the courtyard bringing a totally different perspective to the entire Haram area. Work is now being carried out on the walkways between the fence and the first line of buildings. The congestion during the peak times requires the the best of Sabr.  

 

 

 

Two new ablution blocks in the eastern extension now extend over the fence. Speculation abounds as to whether this new area will be exclusively for sisters given the drastic overcrowding of their inadequate areas. May Allah Ta’ala guide the decision makers, Ameen. 

 

 

 

Looking south across the new extension area towards Jannatul Baqi. The narrow walkway accessing the eastern entrance for the ladies no longer exists, the construction wall directly abutting on to the Masjid, meaning one must walk all around the Masjid to get from one side to the other.   

 

 

 

Turning 180 degrees from the previous photo Jabal Uhud can be seen between the buildings. The first day in many that there has not been a haze veiling the City of Enlightenment. The green sign on the right is the Starbucks take away!

 

 

 

The view from a visiting sisters hotel room of the north eastern courtyard with the sectioned off ladies prayer court and the extension area at the top and some of the ‘naked’ pillars near the 11b ablution block, with what remains of a few metal barriers as finishing touches to the marble surface is carried out.

 

 

 

From the same room, the Abode of Peace behind the minaret….Darul Qiblah, the huge time share hotel rises far above the Shariah Court in front of it. 

 

 

 

Slighty to the right of the above….and to the right some more below. 

 

 

 

 

 

Assalamu ‘alaika Yaa Rasul‘Allah
Assalamu ‘alaika Yaa Kheerata’llahi min khalqihi
Assalamu ‘alaika Yaa Habib‘Allah
Assalamu ‘alaika Yaa Sayyida‘l Mursaleen wa Khaatama‘n Nabiyyeen
Assalamu ‘alaika wa ‘alaa aalika wa as‘haabika
Wa ahli baytika wa ‘alan Nabiyyeen-a wa saairi’s saaliheen
Ash-hadu annaka ballaghta‘r Risalah
Wa addayta‘l amaanah wa nasahta‘l ummah
Fajazaak‘Allahu ‘annaa afdhala maa jazaa Rasulan ‘an ummatihi

Salaams on you, O Messenger of Allah.
Salaams on you, O Allah’s choicest one in all his creation.
Salaams on you, O the beloved of Allah.
Salaams on you, O the leader of all the Messengers and the last of the Prophets.
Salaams on you and on your family and your companions
and your household and on all the prophets and on all well-known pious people.
I bear witness that you completed your duties as the Messenger of Allah,
fulfilled your trusts, and sincerely advised your community.
May Allah reward you on our behalf better than
the reward that any Messenger received on behalf of his community.

 

 

And thus ends this month of miscellany. JazakumuLlahu khairan to you all for your visits. This humble speck is going to ‘hide’ for a short moment. Insha’Allah back soon.  

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.