Comments on: Pictorial Makkah: Safar 1430/1

By: almiskeenah

almiskeenah — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:16:30 +0000

Assalamu alaikum Dear Brother Abdul Muneer,
yes, all the projects in Makkah and Madinah are investments that are calculated to bring massive returns for the investor!!! If you were aware of some of the finer details about how they scrimp and save at every step of planning and development your hair would stand on end, as mine seems to have done when told of some of the dealings. And that is what makes it all the more shameful from an Islamic point of view. Not one Muslim should be denied the opportunity to fulfill their religious duties due to the prohibitive cost of fancy accommodation. May Allah Ta’ala save us all, Ameen.
Wassalamu alaikum

By: Abdul Muneer

Abdul Muneer — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:00:43 +0000

Wa alaikumussalaam.
I never thought that those structures that are being built around Haramain were commercial buildings! Subhanallah! I thought those were part of the initiative to accommodate the increasing number of people and would be offered as a service to the pilgrims by the ‘custodians’. After all it is their responsibility!
It never occurred to me that those ‘developments’ were intended to milk money out of the rich pilgrims while possibly spoiling them with luxury and raising the expense bar even higher for the rest of the people in that process.
—–
I got some old photos of Haj from a friend and I posted it in my blog. They are very beautiful! For the very latest photos I have rightly given a link to your blog.
Please keep me in your Duas. Wassalam.

By: almiskeenah

almiskeenah — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:24:02 +0000

Wa ‘alaikumus Salam Dear Brother Abdul Muneer,
‘The words of Azan are still there, but the spirit of Bilal RadhiAllahu anhu is missing’
So true…and I think this symbolizes the effect the transformation of the Haramain has on the heart. The more lavish and luxurious the surroundings become, the more money available to be spent as pilgrims take on the role of consumer while visiting, surely this affects the spirit in performing the religious duties. These ‘attractions’, ‘distractions’ seem to erode the Iman. I agree that convenient and clean accommodation is needed, but as many of the newer, and renovated hotels are advertising, a DAILY change of the floral feature in the reception area is not what pilgrims need, and I feel is not a justifiable way for money to be spent. This is a small example of how extravagance has crept into the facilities. Plasma TV, multiple framed prints, elaborate light fixtures etc add to the non essential list.
I am not sure that we can call pilgrims/visitors ‘guests’. Yes, guests of Allah Ta’ala and His Habib SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, with the heart being honoured as only these Two Loves can bestow upon us. But the true notion of a ‘guest’ does not encompass having to ‘pay’ for that title, which is what pilgrims have to do, and the cost of being in the Two Holy Cities is becoming so prohibitive. Local families who may have been able to set out for Umrah a few years ago on a regular basis can no longer afford it. The options of staying in Makkah are no longer there, and even hotels in Jeddah, where people can commute to Makkah, are capitalizing on huge price hikes. Our religious rites are fast becoming for the rich only. This is a shame.
And JazakumuLlahu for the insights you share on your blog

Wassalamu alaikum

By: Abdul Muneer

Abdul Muneer — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 05:52:11 +0000

Assalamu Alaikum Dear Sister

“SubhanAllah! Makkah would be unrecognizable to our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and his esteemed family and Sahabah RadhiAllahu anahum. Tears fill the eyes.”

Though our Rasool (S.A.) and Shabas (R.A.) lived in simple and humble ways their guests are being greeted with more and more comfort day by day. All the prosperity we see there come from the hospitality and prayers of Prophets and sahabas. Our prophet has specifically mentioned the prayers of Ibrahim Nabi (A) as a reason for the prosperity of that place.

On the outer side it is good to see such convenience and facilities being built up for people. Along with the luxuries and comfort there is also a sad side that the lives of Sahabas are fading away from people’s hearts.

There were so many small mosques built by so many Shabas. They were all demolished to create big Masjids over them. They could have preserved these Masjids. But apparently they were more interested in demolishing them lest people would attach importance to praying there!!! The authorities considered it ’shirk’ if someone does so!

Allama Iqbal (R.A.) said, “Rasm-e- Azan Reh gaya, Ruh-e-Bilali na rahi” (The words of Azan are still there, but the spirit of Bilal(R.A.) is missing.)

By: Muslimah

Muslimah — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 21:32:41 +0000

visiting your blog keeps Makkah and Medina alive in my heart, so jazkallah Khayr .
x

By: almiskeenah

almiskeenah — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:32:50 +0000

Wa ‘alaikumus Salam Dear Muslimah,
JazakiLlahu khairan for your Umrah Du’a. May Allah Ta’ala accept it from all, and continue to call His slaves to His Presence to wipe away sins, Ameen.
I am not sure ‘which’ work you are referring to as there is work on virtually all sides, so I am in the process of trying to clarify your query in the next post, Insha’Allah. Am always touched by your inquiring mind about our glorious Deen, Masha’Allah.
Wassalamu alaikum

By: Muslimah

Muslimah — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 20:08:50 +0000

Salam aunty,
Mubarak on the Umrah, May Allah accept it from you.

Which side of the masjid is the work taking place? is the work being done near the Bab Al Aziz or the opposite side?

take care
wassalm
R