Category Archives: Hajj 1430

dither…dithering…dithery…

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…great sounding words, but not such a great state to be in, and yet that’s where I have been with this space…so much else consuming my time and what dwindling energy I have by the time I am in front of this screen, which for days is lumbering with a woeful, go nowhere connection…Khair, Alhumdulillah. One phone call or one email sees me attending to an unplanned encounter resulting in an initial dithering and a resetting of tasks and priorities. Masha’Allah for all that is destined in this Luminous City, even these great gaps between posts. Sharing with you is forfeited for the here and now smiling faces and Mubarak sittings rather than what a mouse may click to reveal.

Other fascinating synonyms for dither from the Thesaurus include: vacillate, fluster,waver, fluctuate, pendulate, oscillate, teeter, totter, shilly shally, dilly dally and wobble…ahhhhh wobble…exuding a wonderful sense of movement…and at the same time balance…

…like those Russian dolls, the matryoshka or babushka dolls, wobbling from a firm fixed base. And that is how it seems being with the last of the Hujjaj around Haram. The inner self stands firm as a pole while a continuous constant movement swirls about. A collective surrender, where one allows all the dithering to melt into being one and thus united with the One, a disappearing and subsequent reconnecting with the Divine, Subhanahu wa Ta’ala, just as one experiences in Tawaf. However here in Madinatun Nabi, there is no BaitAllah, instead there is the ecstasy of being in the presence of the One’s chosen one, SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Here the faithful move in a perpetual coming and going as they offer salutations, flowing tears, eternal praises and soulful gratitude for an audience with Al-Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. The unmoving centre feels nothing but peace as the heart overflows with Sakinah and the united Ummah whirls as the sun rises…with Allah Ta’ala’s gradual and subtle changing lighting effects transforming the Abode of our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam…

…reaches it’s zenith…

…and then begins to sink again…

…caressing everything with its mellow winter tones…

…including the mysterious works on either side of the Green Dome…

…that have dug deep into the historic Madian earth and now encroach upward to the windows of the Masjid…

…still thousands gather as a hushed…

…and contented Ummah, even though farewells are being said as each minute slips by…

…because the hearts leave with a longing and yearning indelibly imprinted on them, and with the hope of returning soon, and to be raised in the company of the one SallAllahu alaihi wasallam whose company they have just been blessed with. SubhanAllah!

Ashurah was commemorated in Haram with many fasting the three days, the 10th seeing the biggest crowd. Some donors provided a few Sufrahs with the usual fare for Iftar in the courtyard, others were seen wheeling trolleys into the Masjid, but the majority came with their own Iftar.

Because this speck has been in a dithery dithering dither the following links are late for this year’s Ashurah, nevertheless I recommend you take the time to listen to why this day is important for all Muslims and thus be prepared for next year, Insha’Allah.

Imam Zaid Shakir explains the blessings found in the Day of Ashurah along with clarifying various misconceptions.

Further events attributed to the Day of Ashurah listed by Muhabbat ul Deen

While Sheikh Nuh Ha Mim Keller offers a wise dissertation on Shi’ites.

Insha’Allah visit Brother Noushad’s Flickr stream for his recent stunning images.

And Insha’Allah your understanding is requested for my recent episodes of dithering :) and Insha’Allah this answers some of the questions that have been asked.

With the passing of each hour the numbers of Hujjaj decreases. The final day for leaving the Kingdom is supposedly in another five days, but there has been a new type of tourist visa made available, apparently at an exhorbitant price, for the coming weeks when Umrah visas are not issued, so many who can afford this are arriving.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us all an inner calm and permanently connect hearts to His Habib SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

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.

back…

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…after being on my back for all this time. Alhumdulillah for Allah Ta’ala’s promises of purification when ‘time out’ has been decreed, and Alhumdulillah for once again feeling the gentle warmth of the winter sun and gazing at the subtle light after the long intense scorching summers…

…and a resounding Alhumdulillah for returning to the Haram after ten days and being really surprised to see the Hujjaj overflowing into and filling the entire courtyard…another Alhumdulillah for the opportunity to saturate their newborn souls with the love and compassion that perpetually overflows from our Beloved Prophet, the Mercy to the Worlds, SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

…a sea aniticpating another one thousand Salats just prior to Asr, SubhanAllah!

…after Asr…

…work never ceases and provides fascinating insights to the amazing engineering expertise, the delegation of skills and thorough planning, captivating a curious audience…

…about a dozen brothers were heaving a rope from the pedestal of the light pillar…it was several metres long requiring a vigorous effort…eventually the one watching the progress of the rope appearing yelled Sabr Sabr…blue tape was wound around the rope indicating the end was near…soon a black pipe firmly attached to the rope emerged from deep under the ground where the maze of water pipes for the hydraulic operation of the umbrellas are laid…

…[Insha'Allah add your own words...and then share them in the comments :) ]

…the array of wonderful turbans, the muted tones of flowing thobes and shawls and the devotional composure of so many turns the heart to how this Mubarak place must have been when the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum graced the earth…a prayer in itself as one wanders with so many of the Ummah…

…workers in a cherry picker so close to the Dome of Felicity were surrounded by hundreds conveying Salam…

…negotiating there was out required tricky maneuvering as they sounded a horn to move Hujjaj relaxing on the marble…

…the crown of the believer, Masha’Allah…a noble sunnah seen in so many sizes, shapes and colours often indicating the origin of the wearer…

…groups sit as sculptures…

…with hearts focused on our True Love, SallAllahu alaihi wasallam as they reflect…

…the only audible sounds are humble whisperings as some recite the Qur’an Majeed, and other various books in so many different languages, and the soft patter of feet on this mirror lake…

…where we can drown ourselves in devotion and love and hopes for being raised with the Bearer of Allah Ta’ala’s Promise, the Bringer of Glad Tidings, the only Intercessor for his Ummah, SallAllahu alaihi wasallam…

…directly opposite the Abode of Peace, across the road were these stunning blooms in the garden of the Shariah Court…

…such hits of nature in this arid city delight the senses more so than in places where beauty dominates, the magnificence of the creation directly in line with Allah Ta’ala’s Magnificent Messenger, SallAllahu alaihi wasallam…the juxtaposition intoxicates the heart…

O Allah, grant us a heart which is full of passionate devotion to You and a strong inclination to follow Your Path and the way of Your Habib SallAllahu alaihi wasallam,

O Allah, do not cause our hearts to waver after they have been blessed with guidance, and fulfill the longings of our hearts,

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.

wild park revisited

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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”

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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.

Eid Day

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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.

EID MUBARAK! JUMA’AH MUBARAK! and the aftermath of rain

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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.

rumbling, puddles and showers of Mercy on the Hujjaj

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…thunder rumbled throughout the night as the Angel of raindrops fulfilled orders to send intermittent rains to these desert lands…

…a not so inspiring picture of the building opposite reflected in a puddle under our kitchen window…but such a sight and the sound of rain in Madinatun Nabi produces squeals of delight, even in the middle of the night and inspires gratitude for Allah Ta’ala’s Mercy, especially after Salatul Istisqa was offered a few days ago in Masjid Nabawi. Prayers answered, parched ground quenched.

Reports (1,2,3) relay that heavy rains have been and are falling in the Makkah region.

Click on the above image for more photos, and here for an interview, organization, flu prevention and information.

May our Du’a's increase for the pilgrims as they present themsleves on this Day of Standing. May all sins be forgiven. May we once again read the Farewell Sermon delivered on Jabal Rahmah by our Blessed HabibuLlah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, allowing the heart to renew the salient advice he shared for his Ummah.

Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds.…Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

Insha’Allah make the intention to fast on this auspicious Day of Arafat and make the time to reflect and offer extended Du’a: “Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.”

~*~

EDITED: Hajj rain photos from the BBC and from AP and Arab News (1,2 Inna LiLlahi wa inna ilaihi rajeoon)

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.