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wild park revisited

backtracking a little in time ….captures of an after Fajr visit to Wild Park with friends prior to their Hajj journey. Here is a previous post that details some of the features along with stories related to the noble times of our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and this area.

We passed an old American school bus as it was returning from dropping off dozens of cleaners who then dispersed across the entire area picking up rubbish, that would soon be replaced by the next lot of visitors.

A detail of the strong sharp thorns of this desert acacia. Reminding us of how the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum used them as pins to button up their clothing. Also of the various Ahadith revealing Allah Ta’ala’s Mercy related to thorns:

Narrated Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri and Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhuma: The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, “No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that.”

Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu reported that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, “A man came across a thorn in the road and said, ‘I will remove this thorn so that it does not harm a Muslim.’ For that reason he was forgiven.”

The friend, upon returning home to Australia one day ago, sent the following message:

…I miss the athan at Fajr particularly and the Haram and Masjid Nabawi,  the breeze there and the focus and everything, even the horrible guards! And the silence through the noise and commotion……

May all be called back again and again, Ameen.

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

“Presence”

How many trillions have come and will come to be in the presence at the doorstep of the Abode of our Blessed and Noble Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam?

Hundreds of thousands new Hujjaj are presenting themselves offering salutations and seeking and hoping for his SallAllahu alaihi wasallam intercession.

Regardless of conditions, cloudy or sunshine, rain or wind, gentle breeze or squally whirlwinds and regardless of status, colour, nationality, seekers mingle with the permanent Haram workers, take time out for shopping, socializing and sight-seeing while they are present in the Radiant City filled with the glowing LIGHT of our Beloved HabibuLlah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

Allow the heart to feel the intense love and be moved to feel in the ‘Presence’ of the most loved of all humanity as you listen to this sneak preview, never published before rendition of ‘Presence’ to be included on the new Nader Khan album. Follow the many links provided by Seekers Guidance for more inspiring songs, especially Take My Hand and engage the heart and soul in the related Remembering the Prophet talk by Sheikh Faraz Rabbani as the eyes transport you to be here in the presence.

ALHUMDULILLAH! ALHUMDULILLAH! ALHUMDULILLAH!

Insha’Allah, be present in the ‘presence’ with copious Salawaat.

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.

Source

ALHUMDULILLAH! ALHUMDULILLAH! ALHUMDULILLAH!

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

Time to reflect upon the glory of Ameerul Mu’mineen, Sayyiduna Uthman RadhiAllahu anhu, on the anniversary of his martyrdom.

* Astonishing is he who finds death a reality, yet continues to laugh.
* Astonishing is he who knows this World will soon perish yet keeps close association with it.
* Astonishing is he who knows about fate yet mourns the loss of a thing.
* The slip of the tongue is more dangerous than the slip of the feet.
* If the eyes are bright and shining daily then it is a Day of Resurrection.
* To stop sinning is easier than to seek forgiveness.
* Make a purpose for life, then utilize all your strength to achieve it, you would definitely be successful.
* I am astonished with that person who recognizes this World as perishable and understands all about fate yet mourns the loss of things. I am astonished with that person who believes in Rewards, Punishment of Hell and Paradise, yet he still commits sins. I am astonished at that person who knows that ALLAH exists yet remembers others and seeks their assistance.
* A family man’s actions are presented together with that of a Mujahid (Muslim soldier) in the court of ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala.
* I am astonished with him who regards the reality of the existence of ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala yet remembers others and asks for their assistance.
* I am astonished by that person who believes in Hell yet continues to sin.
* I am astonished at that person who brings Faith in Paradise yet associates himself to the pleasures of this World.
* I am astonished at that person who regards Iblees (Satan) as his enemy yet continues to follow him.
* Squandered is that ‘Aalim (Learned man) to whom a person cannot ask a question. He is likened to that weapon which is not put to use - that wealth which is not utilised in good work - that knowledge without application - that Mosque which Salaah is not read - that Salaah that is not performed in a Mosque - that good advise which is not accepted - that book which is not read - that worshiper who keeps in his heart the pleasures of the World and that long life which had not stocked on provisions for the Hereafter.
* At times, to forgive or pardon a criminal makes the criminal more dangerous.
* O Mankind! ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala has created you so that you may please him, yet you choose to please others.
*  9/10 of the shares belonging to Peace and Safety are in isolating oneself from the people and the remaining one share lies in meeting with the people.
* A person in times of difficulty acts upon his own devices thus depriving himself of the help of ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala. He turns himself away from ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala, therefore ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala turns His Attention of Divine Grace from him too.
* Isolation is most beloved to the beloved of ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala.
* Excessive politeness is a sign of Malice.
* Do not rely on anyone except ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala and do not fear anything except your sins.
* In whichever manner a person recognizes the World, so too, did his inclination occur towards it.
* To knowingly partake of the pleasure offered by this material World is to reduce the remaining rewards and good deeds.
* Test the worldly people in any matter you wish to and you would find them to be no less than snakes and scorpions.
* The existence of good things and wealth in abundance is also a medical complaint. (meaning unhealthy)
* Knowledge combined with action is profitable and action without knowledge does not benefit anything.
* Do not place your burdens on anyone, whether few or many.
* A pious and practicing Muslim Jurist (Faqeeh) is Superior than thousand worshipers.
* “World” is that work which does not serve the purpose of acquiring the Hereafter.
* Silence is the best treatment for anger.
* To carry the burden of others concludes the respect of a worshiper.
* This World has been created a temporary abode by the Almighty ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala, and placed in trust to the travellers of the Hereafter. Take only those provisions which are beneficial and do not lust after that which you are going to leave behind.
* The slippery tongue is much more dangerous than the slippery feet.
* The one dirham charity of a poor person is better than 10 000 dirham charity given by the rich.
* If you are prepared to commit a sin, then search for a place where Almighty ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala does not exist.
* O People! If you do not want to worship the one true Lord, then do not utilize that which He has created. It is better that the World regard you as a criminal in relations to Almighty ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala thereby regarding you as a hypocrite.
* To see the learned (’Aalim?) and pious keeping the company of the rich and wealthy is a testimony of hypocrisy.
* Do not trade or deal with an oppressor or his associates.
* To cry in Paradise is surprising, yet more astonishing is to laugh in the World.
* When you have no rights on the perfume, you should close your noses to it, for even its scent is forbidden to you.
* Save oneself for praising the corrupt wealthy, for the praise of an oppressor reveals the Wrath of ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala.

* To publicly give charity with an intention to entice people to be charitable is better than giving charity secretly.

* To think that ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala Almighty is present with you at every given moment is the most excellent form of Faith.

* A Polite person who wishes for anything in this World or in the Hereafter will definitely get his wishes granted.

* Those that deal with Almighty ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala with sincerity and honesty hate to deal in any other affairs without sincerity and honesty.

* A beast of burden recognizes his master yet people do not recognise their Master (ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala).

* Once in the reign (Khilafat) of Sayyidun ‘Uthman Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho, there was a great drought. People began to sell their valuables and possessions cheaply to supplement their necessities. Sayyiduna ‘Uthman Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho was informed that a certain orchard was being sold at a very cheap price and he should buy it. So he decided to buy it. On his way to purchase the orchard, he came across many people who were poverty stricken, starving and distressed. On seeing the condition of these people, he became very perturbed and unhappy. He distributed the entire money he had with him amongst the people. When he returned to his home, he was asked if he had purchased the orchard. He answered, “Yes! I have bought an orchard in Paradise for you all.”

* All good deeds are associated with Modesty and all bad deeds are with Immodesty.

* Backbiting and malice causes injury to three people. Firstly to oneself, secondly towards whom it is directed to and thirdly to the person who is listening.

* To desire the administration of justice, is Paradise of the World.

* Whosoever repairs his own shoes, visits an ailing servant, washes his own clothes and also patches it, then that person is free from pride and boastfulness.
* People are spies of your vices.

* The sword wounds the body while insults hurt the soul.distances himself from sin and those that praise and respect him

* A person does not become a Faithful servant, until and unless he (because of his status) become his equal.

* The best sanctity for a Muslim male is, when he guards his tongue, his sexual organ and his gaze.

* Amongst the sinners, the gravest is he who finds the time, to discuss the faults of others.

* The disgrace and disrespect shown to a Muslim is due to him straying from his religion and is not due to lack of gold (wealth).

* For a needy and poor person to come to you, is a gift to you from ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala.

* The skin of a beloved or favorite person becomes soft just like his heart. His dedication is prominent. The softness of his skin and heart is noticeable and he finds peace only in the Remembrance of his Creator.

* To find a person steadfast on Truth are far and few, but many are those with status, dignity and high moral values.

* No matter how destitute a person is, he should never feel subjugated.

* When a person’s tongue becomes quiet and friendly then his heart becomes pious and clean.

* If I sleep at night and awake in the morning repentant, then I find this better in comparison to staying awake the whole night and rising up in confusion.
* To do the most disliked of occupations is better than begging.

* Sin in any manner would at some time, make ones heart restless.

* Remember your kafan (shroud for covering the dead) instead of beautiful clothes, remember the grave instead of the luxuries of lavish mansions and remember all that delicious foods you feast on shall one day make you a delicious feast for the worms.

From Shaykh Abd al Haadi al Qadiri Radawi of Durban, South Africa, as shared by a Madian Aashiq, JazakumuLlahu khairan katheeran.

Original al-Qur’an of Caliph Uthman Edition (Mushaf Imam) - The Qur’an is located in the small Telyashayakh mosque in Tashkent. (details here and here)

Detail of the Kufic script.

Sayyed Shaykh Muhammad Bin Yahya An Ninowy’s moving tribute to Sayyiduna Uthman RadhiAllahu anhu.

And a more detailed dars here. Scroll down to the last category ‘Seerah-Khulafa Ar Rashidun’

The first enlargement of Jannatul Baqi was made by Muawiyah I, the first Umayyad leader. He bought the huge neighbouring farm where Uthman ibn Affan was buried inside Al-Baqi cemetery. Umayyad built the first dome in Al-Baqi over Uthman ibn Affan’s grave.

May peace and the good pleasure of Allah Ta’ala be upon him, Ameen

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

And the mountains, He made them firm..
(79:32)

..when the mountains are set in motion…
(81:3)

One Day the earth and the mountains will be in violent commotion. And the mountains will be as a heap of sand poured out and flowing down.
(73:14)

..then take some clean sand and wipe your face and hands with it. Allah does not wish to place any burden on you:He only wishes to cleanse you and perfect His blessing on you, that you may be grateful.
(5:6)

Almost at this very moment, having been awestruck with the superb artistry of these looming sand dunes on our way to the Red Sea yesterday, we finally were able to receive a crackly radio frequency to a BBC program where the author of Sand, The Never Ending Story was being interviewed along with a female Sufi writer and a surfer/environmentalist. Unfortunately due to the poor reception I was unable to discern these names. The synchronicity of this still makes my head reel, and fills the heart with sublime ONENESS and inter connectivity of our existence.

From individual grains to desert dunes, from the bottom of the sea to the landscapes of Mars, and from billions of years in the past to the future, this is the extraordinary story of one of nature’s humblest, most powerful, and most ubiquitous materials. Told by a geologist with a novelist’s sense of language and narrative, Sand examines the science—sand forensics, the physics of granular materials, sedimentology, paleontology and archaeology, planetary exploration—and at the same time explores the rich human context of sand. Interwoven with tales of artists, mathematicians, explorers, and even a vampire, the story of sand is an epic of environmental construction and destruction, an adventure in staggering scales of time and distance, yet a tale that encompasses the ordinary and everyday. Sand, in fact, is all around us—it has made possible our computers, buildings and windows, toothpaste, cosmetics, and paper, and it has played dramatic roles in human history, commerce, and imagination. In this luminous, kinetic, revelatory account, we do indeed find the world in a grain of sand.

To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.

William Blake

For look! Within my hollow hand,
While round the earth careens,
I hold a single
grain of sand
And wonder what it means.
Ah! If I had the eyes to see,
And brain to understand,
I think Life’s mystery might be
Solved in this grain of sand.

Robert William Service

The sand grain has become a symbol of impermanence and the fragility of our-and nature’s-works.
The birth of a grain of sand in this way signifies the death of a mountain…It has been estimated that on the order of a billion sand grains are born around the world every second

from the fascinating Chapter 1 of Sand. …must title for the ‘wish list’!

SubhanAllah! How great is Allah Ta’ala’s magnificence! And to ponder on His wisdom in creating an Angel who can count these grains of sand is truly humbling! SUBHANALLAH!

And just as every snowflake is different, so is every grain of sand! Click on these galleries 1,2 for a visual treat, exposing the grandeur of the Makhlooq in one tiny grain of sand.

Ar-Rais is a rather backward town west of Badr on the Red Sea that attracts visitors who either hire simple canvas tents, or bring their own which are erected a few metres apart for privacy. It may seem idylic and offering some recreational relaxation, but the excessive littering and lack of respect for the environment is shameful. Certain groups are concerned for the state of the Red Sea, regulary conducting awareness programs, but the greater problem of educating the average public is huge. it is almost a case of too little too late when one sees the extent of abuse with the rubbish floating in the sea and embedded in the sand.

Interesting textures from the presence of water birds…

…casually sitting on a sand bar…

…as well as ripples created by ’sand communities’…as discussed in the interview…the same rippled patterns appearing on land and under the sea…reflecting the constant rhythmic vibrations that are the symphony of Universe.

Candid shots of this speck ‘fossicking’ among the rubbish while imbibing the sea air…

..and recalling the time when the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum came on an expedition to the Red Sea.

A vacated hire tent…

…groups of women in ffull burqa and niqab were seen wading waist deep beside some of the tents…

…this is the Masjid set back from the shore, eroded and rusted from the harsh sea air. The adjoining rest rooms made the wayside stops along the Makkah, Madinah highway seem like five star establishments…

…a rugged track leads to the small marina where boats can be hired for short ventures into the sea…this old

…we had intended to drive closer to the unique colourful vessels, resplendent with lounge couches on them for comfort, but as I was taking this photo a security guard stopped us and said he did not give us permission to continue…and yelled at us for taking photos! Meanwhile several cars passed us as we turned around and were not prevented from entering…time to head back to Badr…

…where along the way was an example of how vicious sand storms can be…depositing shifting sands as movable mountains…

…with a ship of the desert appearing as a scene from long ago…

… Badr was decorated with these spring flowers..

…sprouting from roundabouts and lining the main streets. We went to the place of the Battle of Badr to convey our Salam to the noble Shaheed, in the hope that it was not manned by the usual ‘vice squad’, but sure enough they were there, and once more Bid’ah and Mamnou’ was yelled at us…

…so time to head back to our beloved Madinatun Nabi as the sun began to set on little enclaves of villages nestled at the foot of mountains…

…soon to be folded up…

.. .in violent commotion. And the mountains will be as a heap of sand poured out and flowing down.

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.

Alf alf alf Shukr to you all!

Due to your encouragement, support and appreciation for this humble space I have been awarded an Honorable/Honourable (depending which part of the globe you are from :) ) Mention in the Mideast category of this years Brass Crescent Awards. The nomination was surprise enough, let alone finding out of this surprise. JazakumuLlahu khairan katheeran adaba!

Mabruk to all other winners and nominees, may the Islamophere continue to be blessed in contributing worthwhile sites in cyberspace that benefit the Ummah and Insha’Allah all mankind. Grateful appreciation to Brass Crescent for this annual effort and to all behind the scenes judging! ShukriLlah, Alhumdulillah!

And now to some classic Nasruddin, as the word ‘honourable’ cannot be mentioned without thinking of his tales and the intrinsic lessons within the humour.

He shares with us one banquet in his honour:

One day, it happened that someone said something to someone, who said something to someone else, who somehow formed the impression I was an important person. The result of this chain of folly was that I was invited to be the guest of honor at a banquet.

I was puzzled but honored to be given such an invitation. At the appointed day I presented myself at the door of the banquet hall. I had walked all day in my usual simple garb to get to the city in which the banquet was being held, and I suppose I could have used some freshening up. At any rate, the guards at the door took one look at me and barred the door.

“But I’m Nasruddin, the guest of honor!”

“Of course you are!” the guards laughed. One bent toward me and said, “And I am the caliph himself!” At which they both roared with laughter. Still chuckling, they said, “Go away, old man, and don’t let us see you here again!”

I obliged them with the first part of their request. The banquet hall was located on the city square, and I recognized a friend’s house on the opposite side. I walked there and knocked. My friend answered.

“Nasruddin!” he embraced me and we gave each other warm greetings and gratitude to Allah, glorious and merciful is He, for this meeting. I came right to the point.

“Do you remember that red brocade coat you wanted to give me last year?” I asked.

“Certainly! It still hangs in my closet, waiting for you. Are you ready to receive it?”

“With gratitude,” I replied. “Do you have other plans for it?”

“What do you mean, Nasruddin?” he asked.

“I just wondered if you would like the coat back after I have borrowed it?”

“Oh, no, Nasruddin! It is yours to keep and do with what you wish!”

“Just so, my friend. Thank you.” I visited for a brief while, then received the coat and put it on. I made my apologies and departed back across the square, adorned with a dazzling brocade coat with gold brade and colored stones lining the epaulets. The buttons were ivory, the fastenings were jet black. All in all, I was a wonderful sight.

The guards bowed low at my approach, and ushered me into the banquet hall. The table was richly laid, and all the guests were there. Someone showed me to a seat at the head of the table, and announced “The august, the wise, the true Nasruddin!” I sat, and everyone else sat at the same moment.

They all watched expectantly, waiting to see what the guest of honor would do. The first course was soup. When it was served, all eyes were on me. I picked up my bowl of soup and stood, holding it high. Then I poured the soup down the front of my coat.

The guests were astounded. A gasp arose so that the air was almost sucked from the room. Then they broke into remonstrations and shouts. “What are you doing! What are you thinking!”

When it was quiet enough so I could speak, I addressed my coat. “O coat, I hope you have enjoyed that delicious soup. It is clear that it is you who are welcome here, not I!”

~*~

And another:

A banquet is a wonderful thing for those who attend, but for he or she who is the guest of honor, it is a trial. All the attention is on you, everyone hangs on your every word and move, and your manners are under close scrutiny.

O my beloveds, it befell upon me that I was invited to a second banquet. This surprised me after the story of the first banquet was told far and wide. Yet people are strange, and will admire that which they do not understand.

So it was I was told a special carriage would be sent for me. I could not abide being such a curiosity as the guest of honor is, but what could I do? The carriage pulled up in front of my little home, and I stepped out to meet my doom.

The coachman turned and looked at me. “Where is Nasruddin?” he asked. “I’m supposed to pick up the Great and Honorable Nasruddin, and bring him to the banquet in gracious style.”

“Oh, him,” I replied. “He is almost ready.” Then it struck me. “However, my good man, he has a quirk about which you may have heard.”

“A quirk? What quirk? He is a great man! He is much honored! He has no quirks!”

“Oh, we all have our quirks” I said. “His is benign. His humility is so great that he does not wish to be seen while entering and exiting the carriage. He wishes for you to avert your eyes at these moments so that he is not distressed by undue attention.”

“Ah, is that all?” cried the coachman. “I will oblige the great man, of course. Just warn me before he makes his appearance.”

“Here he comes now,” I said, looking back over my shoulder. “Are your eyes averted?”

“My eyes will not look upon the Great and Honorable Nasruddin if he does not wish it!” he cried. He averted his eyes and covered his head with his cloak. I walked to the carriage and opened the door. “There you are,” I said. “I will sit up with the coachman.” And with that I slammed the carriage door, and climbed up with the coachman, who of course had no idea who I was. He uncovered his head and we began the trip to the banquet hall.

Along the way one of the wheels rolled into a considerable hole in the road, and the carriage gave a mighty jolt. The coachman was much concerned. He turned and addressed himself to the door of the carriage. “Is the Great and Honorable Nasruddin in good order?” he bellowed.

“I’ll check,” I said, and climbed down. I opened the door and looked in. “Everything okey dokey?” I asked. Then I slammed the door and climbed back up. “All is well.” I told the coachman.

“I was surprised at the familiar way in which you addressed the great man,” the coachman said. “It seemed a great liberty, most impolite.”

“It would seem so to the uninformed, it is true,” I replied. “But Nasruddin and I are on very close terms.” The coachman was satisfied and we drove on our way.

We arrived at the banquet hall. There were many carriages and palanquins, and guests dressed in gloriously colored garb. The coachman began to bellow,”All avert your eyes…” but I put my hand on his arm.

“Nasruddin’s humility is so great, he would not want to draw notice in this way. Let us wait for a lull in the crowd.” When the crowd had thinned a little, I instructed to coachman to avert his eyes.

“My eyes will not look upon the Great and Honorable Nasruddin if he does not wish it!” he cried, and he averted his eyes and covered his head with his cloak. I opened the door of the carriage with great ceremony, and said just loud enough for the coachman to hear, “We have arrived, Nasruddin. You may disembark and make your way into the banquet hall. The ushers will guide you. I myself will remain with the carriage to keep the coachman company.”

I waited for a few moments, then slammed the door and climbed back up with the coachman. “Let us ride out to the river,” I suggested. “It is peaceful there, and we can see the banquet hall, so we will know when we are wanted again.”

The coachman agreed it was a good plan, so we spent a quiet evening by the river, watching the sun set over the peaceful water, and listening to the night birds calling to each other. We talked of this and that, of the coachman’s life, and had a very nice time. At last things began to stir at the banquet hall. People poured out, and carriages began to arrive. The coachman was concerned lest we be late.

“Nasruddin will want to wait until the others have left,” I assured him. Let us wait.” So we did. When it was quiet at the banquet hall, we rolled up to the door, and I dismounted. “Please avert your eyes,” I said to the coachman.

“My eyes will not look upon the Great and Honorable Nasruddin if he does not wish it!” he cried, and he averted his eyes and covered his head with his cloak. I opened the carriage door with great ceremony.

“There you are, yes, it’s a little high, watch your step. Good man, you’re in. Settled? Comfy? Good.” and I slammed the door. I climbed up next to the coachman and we rolled back through the town to my little home.

“The Great Nasruddin does you considerable honor to stay with you when he could obviously stay with the Caliph himself,” said the coachman when we had arrived.

“Ah, he is a strange man, that Nasruddin,” I replied. “He does pretty much what he wants. Now please, avert your eyes.”

“My eyes will not look upon the Great and Honorable Nasruddin if he does not wish it!” he cried, and he averted his eyes and covered his head with his cloak. For the final time I opened the carriage door with great ceremony.

“Here we are, home at last,” I said, and waited a few moments, then slammed the carriage door. I opened my door and said,”Go right in, I’ll just say a word of thanks to the coachman,” and slammed the door of my house.

“I thank you for an enjoyable evening, my good friend,” I said. “It was a pleasure and an honor to spend the evening with such a courteous and considerate soul. May the blessings of Allah be upon you and your family.”

“I thank you as well,” replied the coachman. “I have seldom enjoyed such a peaceful and contented evening. I only hope the Great Nasruddin was satisfied with the service. I assure you, I never even peeped at him.”

“I have it from his own mouth that he was fully satisfied. He commends you in the highest terms, and wishes you good fortune always. He particularly wanted me to tell you that he hopes that Allah will smile on you all your days.”

And we both returned to our homes well pleased with the evening, in spite of the strange rumors that circulated for a while that the Great and Honorable Nasruddin never showed his face at his own banquet.
It’s a habit of yours to walk slowly.

~*~

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.

Eid Day

Beauty and excitement symbolize Eid. Allah Ta’ala seemed to have magnified these qualities for the celebration of Eidul Adha in this City of Radiance and Light. Sitting in the courtyard under the velvety dark sky before Fajr until sunrise and Salatul Eid, watching the ever changing heavens, along with the joy effusing from thousands delights all the senses and fills the heart with Sakinah…an attempt to capture the stream of worshippers leaving Masjid Nabawi…a sea of black in the sisters area, which will gradually transform into a sea of colour when the new Hujjaj will assemble here…

…as families leave the courtyard children excitedly gravitate to the balloon sellers…

…the skyline became dotted with joyous little ones holding tight to strings and heads craned to watch the floating treat…

…later in the afternoon, after the first animals are sacrificed, hundreds of sisters line the main roads in the hope of receiving bags of Qurbani that are distributed over the next few days. For some of the poorer residents this is the one of the few times they eat meat. Most traffic light display reminders for Dhikr and Salawaat…

…it is always a treat to drive a little out of the city to nearby desert where the air is fresh with surroundings offering totally different perspectives on life…initially we thought such a sign was strange, as it would be impossible to speed on the rocky, rubble, sandy surface…but within minutes we realized why this isolated warning was there…we became bogged in the sand! A fun time for me as I get to drive while being pushed…I do miss driving…

…there are many of these temporary ‘weekenders’ dotted across the desert…shabby canvas tents, fences and roofs made with dried palm branches, with old couches adding that special touch of ‘home’…

…the sky has been a dramatic moving spectacle for many days…Allahu Akbar!

…a pen of young camels, separated from their mothers for part of the time as her milk is needed for sale…

…one concerned mother began bellowing as I approached her baby…

…and conveying in usual camel grunts and hollers that she was concerned, with the baby replying, SubhanAllah!

…the camel milk ’shop’…

…with the adjoining ‘cafe’ of carpets laid on the ground…authentic decor with matching aromas and replete with very friendly flies…

…vendors offer bundles of firewood for sale as cooking in the open is popular…

…back in the city proper where the silhouette of star lights decorate lamp posts…may light saturate your Eid days and all days to come and light the way to an inner peace, Ameen.

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

It’s a habit of yours to walk slowly.

You hold a grudge for years.

With such heaviness, how can you be modest?

With such attachments, do you expect to arrive anywhere?

Be wide as the air to learn a secret.

Right now you’re equal portions clay

and water, thick mud.

Abraham learned how the sun and moon and the stars all set.

He said, No longer will I try to assign partners for God.

You are so weak. Give up to grace.

The ocean takes care of each wave

till it gets to shore.

You need more help than you know.

You’re trying to live your life in open scaffolding.

Say Bismillah, In the name God,

As the priest does with knife when he offers an animal.

Bismillah your old self

to find your real name.

From “The Essential Rumi”

EID MUBARAK!

if you can’t go to sleep
my dear soul
for tonight
what do you think will happen

if you pass your night
and merge it with dawn
for the sake of heart
what do you think will happen

if the entire world
is covered with the blossoms
you have labored to plant
what do you think will happen

if the elixir of life
that has been hidden in the dark
fills the desert and towns
what do you think will happen

if because of
your generosity and love
a few humans find their lives
what do you think will happen

if you pour an entire jar
filled with joyous wine
on the head of those already drunk
what do you think will happen

go my friend
bestow your love
even on your enemies
if you touch their hearts
what do you think will happen

“Rumi, Fountain of Fire”

JUMA’AH MUBARAK!

…what do you think will happen if the authorities admitted that the infrastructure in the major cities is inadequate, instead of perpetually saying ‘everything is under control’…what do you think will happen.

Scroll down for stark images of destruction and the extent of damage. Some photos are graphic and may disturb. Inna liLlahi wa inna ilaihi rajeoon.

Video clips 1,2,3.

Hajj updates with photo gallery from Al Jazeera, BBC, and BBC clip.

May our Du’a on this Day of Eidul Adha and Juma’ah be for the Hujjaj and for all suffering loss due to the storms, Ameen.

EID MUBARAK! and JUMA’AH MUBARAK!

with full submission to Allah Ta’ala’s Qudrat.

~*~

JazakumuLlahu khairan katheeran to the home educated students of Dharul Khair in Australia for the delightful Eid posters, and for their parents who are currently in Muzdalifah!

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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