Category Archives: Ahlul Bayt

…snap::twenty-three…

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…snap twenty-three…this morning’s sunrise ruby…with a dash of Rumi Rahmatullah alaihi…

In the early morning hour,
just before dawn, lover and beloved wake
and take a drink of water.

She asks, “Do you love me or yourself more?
Really, tell the absolute truth.”

He says, “There is nothing left of me.
I’m like a ruby held up to the sunrise.
Is it still a stone, or a world
made of redness? It has no resistance
to sunlight.”

This is how Hallaj said, I am God,
and told the truth!

The ruby and the sunrise are one.
Be courageous and discipline yourself.

Completely become hearing and ear,
and wear this sun-ruby as an earring.

Work. Keep digging your well.
Don’t think about getting off from work.
Water is there somewhere.

Submit to a daily practice.
Your loyalty to that
is a ring on the door.

Keep knocking, and the joy inside
will eventually open a window
and look out to see who’s there.

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.

…recently seen…

…the central pillars at each of the main entrances are wrapped in this protective covering…

…it was a mystery as to what new work was being done until I passed this fenced off entrance…

…it seems new ramps are being installed for wheelchair accessibility, Alhumdulillah…

…the sand storms and haze have finally shifted, Alhumdulillah…but while they were veiling our Blessed City of Light everything was shrouded in a muted silvery effect…

…renovations…constant changes…sounds of drilling, banging, bashing and swirls of dust never far from Haram…

…unprecedented crowds fill the courtyards…

…photos hardly convey the atmosphere or the density of the crowds…

…the pedestrian tunnel is once again closed due to work going on…this is the second time in about one year that changes are being made…

…empties waiting for the Zamzam filling station to open…

…after Ishraq the majority return to hotels for breakfast and rest so the courtyard is a good time to soak in serenity…

…immersed in Dhikr as the brothers roll up the carpets…

…until spreading them again in the afternoon…

…bags of seed being sold for the Jannatul Baqi pigeons…

…umbrella cleaning operation…

…a local tameez, oven baked bread, dhal, or adz and ful shop…

…a nutritious and cheap meal for a few riyals…

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…interesting recent articles I haven’t had time to post…


The Haj and Umrah Research Institute at Umm Al-Qura University has completed studies to introduce a cable car system to transport people to the historic caves of Hira and Al-Thawr in Makkah.

(this is totally mind boggling!! given that there are signs saying to visit these places is bid’ah and how the Mutawwa preach against such visits…AstaghfiruLlah is this a money spinner project?? And HOW do they ever see the elderly going up on a chair lift…to get into Gahr Hirra is an obstacle even from the summit…and how will such crowds manage in these precarious places once they carried to the top??? Boggling indeed!!!)

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Relatives will not have difficulties identifying the graves of their loved ones buried in Riyadh after local authorities approved a project to mark each grave using electronic devices,

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Many children are lining the streets of Madinah and near traffic lights to beg for money while watching out for special anti-beggary units

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Al-Baida valley is known as Wadi Al-Jinn, because the power of jinn is supposed to be present in this place. There are a lot of myths about this valley. Vehicles in this valley reportedly move upward without any need to push the accelerator pedal. If one enters the Wadi and switches off his car engine, it will apparently start going in reverse. It is also claimed that the mountains in this region have some magnetic powers.

JUMA’AH MUBARAK!

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…this post was ready last night, but when I clicked on publish all was lost!!! And after re-doing it, it was lost again!!!!!!!!!!! Some very not nice words…AstaghfiruLlah escaped between gritted teeth and lots of yelling to a Mobily tech support guy ensued…our troubles with their service has annoyed us for months without any satisfactory resolution…I purposefully mention the company so that you avoid them as a choice if you are needing a network when here…
…Alhumdulillah I have been meeting so many wonderful people so far during this Umrah season, with Insha’Allah many more in the next few weeks…trying to even think about the blog, which is still being tinkered with, has been difficult, so I have decided for the month of April to only post a photo a day…this humble speck needs to balance responsibilities and realize limitations…so this idea is to at least have some presence here rather than none at all…sorry dear readers…your understanding and Du’a is very much needed, Insha’allah…

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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.

…Makkan metamorphosis…one…

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…the changes are massive…no photographs could convey the extent of the demolitions…hundreds of buildings, thousands of potential rooms for pilgrims gone…gone before alternatives are ready…hard not to question such decisions…Insha’Allah the next few posts will attempt to cover some of the destruction and some of the construction, with minimal words…the area that is in the process of being demolished is al-Misfalah…a huge wedge beginning between Darul Taqwa, Hilton and Abraj al-Bayt and extending way back away from Haram…the first two photos are of the newly renovated Elaf Kinda…tucked directly behind Abraj al-Bayt…

…during the previous visit to Makkah al-Mukarramah it was thought the work being carried out was preparing it for demolition…but it was totally gutted and now ‘born anew’…maybe this is the fate of many of the following, what seem structurally sound buildings seen being stripped of everything but the skeletal walls…Allahu ‘Alum…

…looking towards Haram with the Elaf Kinda to the right and the side of one of the Abraj towers to its right…Hilton on the left…this bridge marks the beginning of the demolitions…

…some hotels remain standing but are devoid of all internal features and are merely a shell…

…stripped bare…

…even relatively newer buildings…and what of the smaller masaajid that are tucked away in this area??

…some businesses are trying to remain functional for as long as they can…this used to be hub of activity for pilgrims to purchase gifts…and one of the few places for simple food outlets…the sad trend promotes the expensive franchises of fast food companies…

…a ceiling stripped of every conceivable piece of wiring and ducting…

…a sleeping homeless man…

…rubble, rubbish and rats…

…side by side…the demise of one shop next to another determined to seek any last remaining customers…

…establishments displaying whatever could be salvaged for sale…

…the rising new framed by remnants of the old…

…one of the several hotels we have stayed in…empty…

…on and on are vacant ghost like places…

…a film of dust already veiling Haram…imagine how it will be once these hundreds of buildings crumble…people with breathing problems are staying away…

…the contrast…the condemned with the lavish skyscrapers taking over…

…one wonders if any of these older style buildings may be restored so future generations may at least see an example of how some older Makkah styles were…

…many of the features are worth saving for their unique craftsmanship…I have seen such carving painted and used as a wall feature…beautiful…

Our Beloved Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: By Allah, I am not afraid of your poverty but I am afraid that you will lead a life of luxury as past nations did, whereupon you will compete with each other for it, as they competed for it, and it will destroy you as it destroyed them. (Bukhari)

And: The Day of Judgement has come close, and mankind will only increase their desire for this world, and they will only go farther and farther away from Allah.

He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam would make this Du’a:
O Allah! I seek your refuge from the evils of the fitnah of wealth, and the evils of the fitnah of poverty.

Both poverty and wealth are fitnahs — ways by which Allah tries and tests us…may Allah Ta’ala save and guide us, and bless the Haramain, and bless the Haramain, and bless the Haramain, 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.

…10th Muharram 1433::Ashura::Karbala…

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…bloodied swords flashed as lightning, arrows whistled as meteors, bravery of lions…sacrifices that raised the flag of righteousness…fluttering eternally…the tragic events of Karbala…the Shahadah of the blessed grandson of our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, the Master of Jannah, Imam Husayn RadhiAllahu anhu…

…archival links upon links upon links within these previous posts…1432 1431 and 1430

Noble sayings of the noble Sayyidina Imam Husayn RAdhiAllahu anhu:

  • Dishonoured is he, who is a miser.
  • If you wish to become a leader then make action and movement, toil and labour your business.
  • I prefer martyrdom, instead of living a life under these oppressors for such a life is also a crime.
  • The world has changed colours and it has been deprived of good, is there nobody that would stop the oppressor from oppression? The time has come for the Mo’min to come forth and to sacrifice everything for the sake of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala.
  • Do not fear that which you do not understand, nor cannot attain.
  • Do not keep high hopes for any remuneration for work which is more than necessary.
  • If you know the results of a job will be difficult, then do not take its responsibilities upon your shoulders.
  • The highest status amongst the forgiving is of that person who has all the power to avenge himself yet he adopts to forgive.
  • All the people whom I loved have departed from this world and I am left amongst those whom I don’t like.
  • When people in need come to you, then think that this is the grace of Allah and fulfill their needs.
  • One who shows kindness will be a leader and one who is miserly will be disgraced.

May we strive for deeds to be on Haqq so that the darkness of Batil is overshadowed. May our Du’a be asking Allah Ta’ala to deal with tyranny and oppression, and guide us all to that which is just and all that will strengthen and increase our Iman. May our love for the Ahlul Bayt forever be on the increase for the sacrifices they made for the Ummah, 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.

…Muhabbat fountains…

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…links…

…such joy and exuberance from much loved little ones…exuding a happiness born of purity and innocence…in a fresh invigorating clime…but so so so far away…tugging at the heart strings…releasing an inner fountain of Muhabbat…

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…while recently visiting the Awali area for Eid, squashed in a tiny alleyway was a newly installed slide, a whizzy thing and swings…all painted the serene green of the Mubarak Green Dome…squeals of laughter and cute playful sounds ricocheted off dusty mud walls…and dust danced with their happiness…releasing an inner fountain of Muhabbat…

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…let’s go back thousands of years…when this very area was known as Bani Harith bin Khazraj…where Sayyidna Abu Bakr As Saddiq RadhiAllahu anhu first settled after his migration to Madinah…and where later he arranged for his wife, Umm Rooman and daughters Asmaa and Ayeshah, RadhiAllahu anhunna to reside…it was here that the young Ayeshah RadhiAllahu anha would spend time playing with her friends…they loved to swing…just as all children, and many adults, delight in the meditative rhythm…and devise imaginary tales with simple toys made from pieces of palm trunks and fibre and old fabric…one of her toys was a horse with two wings and when the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam gently remarked that horses do not have wings, being a child born into the light of Islam, she intelligently replied that the Prophet Sulaiman Alaihis Salam’s horses had wings…which elicited a smile from her betrothed…releasing another inner fountain of Muhabbat…

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…Lady Ayeshah As Siddiqah RadhiAllahu anha was born in the month of Shawwal four years after Prophethood, and nine years before Hijrah and then six years later, also in the month of Shawwal the Nikkah to our Beloved Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was performed in Makkah, which was ten years after Prophethood and three years before Hijrah…and then a few years after migration she was given to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam from her parental home in Bani Harith…and thus his dream in which an Angel presented him with a gift wrapped in green silk became reality…as it was the beauteous face of our Lady Ayeshah RadhiAllahu anha shining under the silken cover…another effusive inner Muhabbat fountain sprinkles the heart with glistening diamonds…

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…Madinatun Nabi during these current days is devoid of pilgrims from outside the Kingdom, one of the two periods in the year when visas are not issued meaning access for sisters to the Mubarak Rowdha Shareef and the area surrounding it is open and free of pushing and yelling, Alhumdulillah…the blessing of standing mere metres from the Mubarak Hujrah of our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and his beloved wife, our Ummul Mu’mineen, Ayeshah As-Saddiqah RadhiAllahu anha releases a forceful fountain of Muhabbat that belies description…long moments standing literally where the main door to their humble home would have been have been gifted…SubhanAllah…one’s body melts into an intoxicated oblivion…where all sense of what seems to be the reality of plush carpets, gilded decoration, Ottoman features…dissolves…and any moment our Lady Ayeshah RadhiAllahu anha will appear from under the dried palm frond roof carrying an empty clay water vessel…or maybe to attend to the needs of sisters gathered around her door…or to distribute Sadaqah…such is how the inner fountain of Muhabbat is released…

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…may you experience the releasing of an inner fountain of Muhabbat as you reflect upon the exceptional life of our Lady Ayeshah RadhiAllahu anha…may time be devoted to filling the hearts of our young ones with the beauty and simplicity of her life, achievements and dedication to the cause of Islam, Insha’Allah

JUMA’AH MUBARAK!

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.

…Queen of Makkah…

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Jibreel alaihis Salam once said to our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam:

“Allah’s Messenger! Khadija is coming to you with a vessel of seasoned food or drink. When she comes to you, offer her greetings from her Lord, the Exalted and Glorious, and on My behalf give her glad tidings of a palace of jewels in Paradise wherein there is no noise and no toil”.

as narrated by Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah RadhiAllah anhu.

As we pass these Mubarak days fasting may time be spent reflecting on the life of our Lady Khadija RadhiAllahu anha, the impact she has had on the Ummah and the glory she has attained through her sacrifices for our Deen. Turn back time and deeply feel her presence with the intention to try make changes in your lifestyle that emulate her love, devotion, simplicity and unwavering Iman, Insha’Allah.

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Peace be on you, O the mother of the believing men

Peace be on you, O the first of the believing women

Peace be on you, O the sincere lady among the devoted ones

Peace be on you, O the chief lady of the sacrosanct Haram, the queen of Mecca.

Peace be on you, O the first one to believe in the Apostle of Allah from among the women

Peace be on you, O the one who observed servitude as it ought to be observed, submitted herself and discharged her wealth in the service of the chief of the Prophets.

Peace be on you, O the companion of the beloved of the Lord of the Heaven.

The spouse of the epitome of the chosen ones.

O the daughter of Ibraheem, the friend of Allah.

Peace be on you, O the one to whom Jibraeel used to salute and used to convey to her the salutations from Allah, the Majestic.

Peace be on you, O the protector of the religion of Allah.

Peace be on you, O the helper of the Apostle of Allah.

Peace be on you, O the one whose burial was arranged by the

Apostle of Allah and he entrusted her to the Mercy of Allah.

I bear witness that you are esteemed near Allah and the chosen one among His nation and that Allah has placed you in His Mercy in a place built of ruby and in the highest grades of Paradise

May Allah send salutations upon you and His Mercy and Blessings

From a previous post on Mu’alla, a Biography and a moving eight part series by Shaykh Muhammad bin Yahya Al Ninowy Hafithahu Allah.

JUMA’AH MUBARAK!

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.

…there’s hidden sweetness in…

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…There’s hidden sweetness in the stomach’s emptiness…especially seen in the live stream from Masjid al-Haram where worshippers fill the Mataf about forty minutes before Maghrib today…the numbers are unprecedented…these of the faithful are at the end of a long hot day of fasting, SubhanAllah…(read about the 45% increase in Umrah traffic so far this year…and the study to expand the Mataf…)

…There’s hidden sweetness in the stomach’s emptiness…from one of Rumi’s gems appearing in a new blog simply called Ramadan with a daily offering of morsels from Islamic poetic giants…

…There’s hidden sweetness in sharing Iftar with two special sisters, both named Fatimah in a humble house so close to our noble Sayyidatina Zaahira Tayyiba Taahira Fatimah az-Zahra RadiAllahu Ta’ala Anha and remembering the anniversary of her returning to Allah Ta’ala, which was yesterday (apologies for being late with this…click here for a comprehensive list of other illustrious predecessors whom Allah Ta’ala called back during the Mubarak month of fasting)

click the photo of the door that leads to the place where our Lady Fatimah resided for the Queen of Jannah post…

…There’s hidden sweetness in being transported to the Madanian Iftar through the exceptional lens of Brother Noushad…

…There’s hidden sweetness in the inspiring words of our numerous contemporary scholars:

…There’s hidden sweetness in

faces of benevolence
waiting for our cycles of

fasting and eating to become

one lifting of our hungry
full or empty hands held out palms up

for planetary motions
to fill them

with splashes of original amber

Ecstatic Exchange

…There’s hidden sweetness in recitation of the Qur’an Majeed, and accessing inherent lessons from the daily Juz as we proceed through the month…

…There’s hidden sweetness in this Ramadhan’s first Juma’ah…

JUMA’AH MUBARAK!

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.