Category Archives: Hajj 1431

…intentions…

9 Replies

The Salaf used to say, “Whosoever opens the door of a virtuous intention, Allah will open seventy doors of the doors of tawfiq (success) for him.” This saying encapsulates the tacit prayer of this book: that one’s intention may become a vehicle to tawfiq and a gateway to many more virtuous intentions.

Intentions are inextricably linked to the heart-they emanate from, impact upon and connect hearts; as such, the author of this book invites the reader to a journey of the heart, and to some of the inexhaustible opportunities for devotion, transformation and reward that potentially lie ahead through the alchemy of intention.

From The Book of Intentions by Al-Habib Muhammad bin Alawi Al-Aydarus. A true gem of a book by a true gem of a scholar, gifted by a gem of a Mu’min, SubhanAllah!

The Intentions for Khalwa, Spiritual Seclusion…

1. To devote yourself to worship

2. So that you may be accepted by Allah

3. To protect people from evil

4. To keep away from the evil of people

5. To rectify your heart

6. To gain futuh (spiritual openings) from Allah the Exalted

7. To withdraw from people

8. To purify the inward

9. Sincerity of action for the sake of Allah, Most High

10. To be guided to the Path, in accordance with the saying of the Most High,

As for those who strive for Our sake, We will guide them to Our Paths (29:69)

11. To draw closer to Allah, Most High

12. To gain the pleasure of Allah the Exalted

Imam Abu’l Hasan al-Shadhili RahmatuLlah alaihi has also mentioned ten benefits of Khalwa:

1. Safety and protection form the harm of the tongue

2. Safety and protection form the harm of gazing

3. Shielding and protecting the heart from ostentation, flattery and other diseases

4. Renouncing the world and its pleasures and feelings of satisfaction towards it

5. Safety from bad company and from mixing with those who are abased

6. Devoting yourself to worship, dhikr and the resolve to be God-fearing and pious

7. To attain the sweetness of obedience

8. To comfort the heart and body, since mixing with people brings about the weariness of the heart

9. To protect yourself and your religion from engaging in evil and the disagreements that arise from mixing with people

10. The ability to worship with reflection and contemplation, which is the greatest aim of Khalwa

What needs to be stressed about khalwa is that it is not meant to be continuous. Just as a sick person spends a short spell in hospital to rid the body of illness, after which time he leaves the hospital in better health, with stronger immunity and enjoying the grace of health-similarly, a Muslim who spends a short period in khalwa will subsequently have a strengthened relationship with his Lord and a heart that has been replenished with iman and certainty.

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.

…an Ottoman treasure is finally open…

4 Replies

…a sunset silhouette of Masjid Ghamama, the Cloud Mosque…

…zig-zagging between vendors and the crowds towards Masjid Ghamama after Maghrib Salat…the sun’s final fiery display for another day in the background…

…the small temporary booths line the road beside the orange lit Masjid Ghamama…

…generators whir for lighting, voices haggle for last minute gifts from the fast decreasing number of Hujjaj still in Al-Madinah Al Munawwarah…

…Masha’Allah, the restoration of this Ottoman architectural treasure is complete and after decades of being closed, it is now open for all Salats…ALHUMDULILLAH!!!!!!!!!!1

…and the times in between for Nafl worship…

…two outside areas under the portico are carpeted for sisters…there is a niche either side of the entrance…not sure if these were once mihrabs, and why two?

…the masonry work is unique and irregular with the mortar revealing arch shaped designs…

…Alhumdulillah upon seeing this beautiful Masjid open once again, inspiring the heart to reflect upon the glorious past when the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam graced this very ground…Alhumdulillahir Rabbil Aalameen…

…from the front of Masjid Ghamamah looking west to the other Ottoman treasure, the Hijaz Railway Station…

…previous entries, restoration photos, when the domes were featured with orange lights and Ahadith and accounts of events occurring in this area during the time of our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam

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.

…buzzing…loving…

2 Replies

…still abuzz with love, love, love in the City of Radiance and Light…

SallalLahu ‘ala Muhammad
Allah’s blessings be upon Muhammad,

SallalLahu ‘alaihi wa sallam
Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him.

ala ‘al badru ‘alaina
The full moon has risen over us,

min thaniy-yatil wada`
From the mountains of al-Wada`,

wajaba ashukru ’alaina
We shall ever give thanks for it,

ma da’a lilLahi da’
As long as there will be callers to Allah.

ya nabi salamu `alaika
O Prophet, Peace be upon you,

ya rasul salamu `alaika
O Messenger, Peace be upon you,

ya habib salamu `alaika
O Beloved, Peace be upon you,

alawatulLahi `alaika
The Blessings of Allah be upon you.

ashraqa al-badru ‘alaina
The full moon has risen over us,

wakhtafat minhul buduru
Eclipsing all other moons,

mithla husnika ma ra’aina
Such as your beauty we have never seen,

qa’u ya wajha asururi
No, never, O face of delight!

anta shamsun anta badrun
You are a sun, you are a full moon,

anta nurun fawqa nuri
You are light upon light,

anta iksirul wujudi
You are the quintessence of existence,

anta mi’ba hu’uduri
You are the lamp in every breast.

ya habibi ya Muhammad
O My beloved, O Muhammad,

ya ‘arusal khafiqayni
O bridegroom of the East and the West,

ya mu’ayyad ya mumajjad
The one Allah vindicated and exalted,

ya imam al qiblatayni
O Imam of the Two Directions!

ya nabi salamu `alaika
O Prophet, Peace be upon you,

ya rasul salamu `alaika
O Messenger, Peace be upon you,

ya habib salamu `alaika
O Beloved, Peace be upon you,

salawatulLahi `alaika
The Blessings of Allah be upon you.

~*~

…buzzing…loving…buzzing…loving…

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.

…daghestani hajjis…

11 Replies

…they come in convoys of old vans and rickety buses, traversing inhospitable terrain for thousands of miles…they are the embodiment of these Divine Words:

…they will come to you on foot, and on every kind of swift mount, emerging from every deep mountain pass…(22:27)

…their ‘swift mounts’ become their homes for the arduous physical journey to and from the inner, spiritual journey. The vans and dilapidated old buses have wooden planks as beds with all basic necessities packed in and around them…they have been seen with entire engines out as mechanical problems are fixed…and apparently the same vehicles are passed on to another group to be used the following Hajj…

…special dispensations are made by the Saudi Government regarding their travel as well as being allocated places in Makkah and Madinah where they establish camps during their stay…the above is where they were lined up on the outskirts of Mina…

…trading throughout their journey helps to finance the trip…stopping in major cities along the way…they pass through Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, Syria and Jordan, SubhanAllah! Relations and friends load them with goods to be sold…

…it is no sin to seek bounty from your Lord (during the Hajj season) (2:198)

…bright woolen garments and jazzy patterned booties seemed to be popular as evening temperatures drop across the Hijaz, heralding winter…and the soft fluffy texture of home spun yarns in muted natural tones, knitted with intricate twists and cables showcased the uniqueness of the multi-ethnic Daghestanis.

…like many of the countries neighbouring Daghestan, the Sufi influence, especially Naqshbandi and Qadiri Tariqas, has been widespread since the 14th Century, though destabilizing unrest is still a prevalent threat.

Shaykh Zulfiqar, may Allah Ta’ala’s glance continue to enlighten his soul, records his travels throughout Central Asia and the liberated Russian republics in 1992 in The Return Journey. Recalling the region of Daghestan he says:

…it is the home of those brave warriors who have consistently struggled against the Communist encroachment upon their land and their culture. Most of this area is adorned with lush green mountains. The people are also strikingly beautiful with large black eyes, dark hair and ruddy complexions; it would not be surprising if the mysterious beauties whose moon-like countenance is so admired by poets are from this area! The women here are so stunning they have come to be known as the Fairies of Koh Qaaf (The Caucasus Mountains) Moreover the children here are so beautiful and dainty that one is inadvertently reminded of Yusuf Alaihis Salam. The amazing thing is that the inner character of these people is even more impressive than their outer beauty.

Mawlana Shaikh Sharafuddin Ad Daghestani and Mawlana Shaikh Abdullah Faiz Ad Daghestani, May Allah Ta’ala bless their souls, are renowned scholars from the area. Scroll down here for biographical details.

May Allah Ta’ala protect and strengthen the Deen in these far off lands, Ameen.

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.

…camels…minus a mouse…

8 Replies

A mouse caught hold of a camel’s lead rope
in his two forelegs and walked off with it,
imitating the camel drivers.

The camel went along,
letting the mouse feel heroic.

“Enjoy yourself,”
he thought. “I have something to teach you, presently.”

They came to the edge of a great river.
The mouse was dumbfounded.

“What are you waiting for?
Step forward into the river. You are my leader.
Don’t stop here.”

”I’m afraid of being drowned.”

The camel walked into the water. “It’s only
just above the knee.”

“Your knee! Your knee
is a hundred times over my head!”

Well, maybe you shouldn’t
be leading a camel. Stay with those like yourself.
A mouse has nothing really to say to a camel.”

“Would you help me get across?”

“Get up on my hump. I am made to take hundreds like you across.”

You are not a prophet, but go humbly on the way of the prophets,
and you can arrive where they are. Don’t try to steer the boat.
Don’t open a shop by yourself. Listen. Keep silent.
You are not God’s mouthpiece. Try to be an ear,
and if you do speak, ask for explanations.

…who else other than Rumi!

…camels placidly waiting for more humble passengers around Jabal Rahmah, Arafat.

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.

…Makkah Metro…

2 Replies

…the Mash’air Metro, Makkah Metro…check the discussions and links on this informative forum…articles on statistics, the political, economic, social and controversial mass conversions of hundreds of the Han Chinese workers, along with excellent photographs and video footage…the last pages cover the inaugural service during the recent Hajj…

…when completed and fully operational the transport dynamics of Hajj will be totally transformed…

…the white sails at the foot of the mountain at one of the Muzdalifah stations…

…one of the Mina stations…

…massive pylons dominate the landscape, as does the clock tower peering down as a sentinel overseeing the transformations of Makkah Al-Mukarramah…

…the abrupt end of the line seen top right parallel to the Jamarat…Insha’Allah the second stage of the project will extend the service to be near Masjid Al-Haram, Makkah…

…eventually linking to the Haramain Railway that will connect Makkah to Madinah and Jeddah…the above section is part of this line as seen from Aziziyah…Mina being behind that mountain…

…JazakiLlahu khaira to Sister Iman for this dramatic capture of work suspended in mid air! Spanning the Makkan mountains is an engineering feat!

…the Aziziyah district is now the major alternative area for accommodating pilgrims due to the lack of hotels in Makkah as the major future complexes are still under construction…reflecting the direction of Haram…

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.

…Mash’air…post Hajj…

6 Replies

…the sheer enormity of the scale, size and execution of projects in and around Makkah defies describing…the gigantic clock tower looms from every direction, dwarfing every majestic mountain…

…Mash’air, our holy sites of Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina are now deserted…

…apart from the army of cleaners contracted to clear the tons and tons of rubbish…again, the enormity of the rubbish has to be seen to be believed. While the natural rocky mountains are being eroded away they are being replaced by ‘refuse’ mountains…the size of which reach heights compared to the multiple storey buildings,  punctuating the landscape…

…hundreds of yellow clad men scour all the holy sites that only days ago witnessed the millions beseeching forgiveness and performing the ancient rites of the fifth pillar of Islam…

…these contractors were seen by the dozen in the backs of open garbage trucks…assigned one area after another dealing with the aftermath of the Hajj…

…work that could take many weeks to complete by the vast expanses of litter…

…such signs remain plastered all over Mash’air…but like every year there are thousands, Allahu ‘Alum, maybe a million plus who, despite all the threats against undertaking the Hajj without the ‘official’ permit, still manage to do so…it is Allah Ta’ala who has invited them, not an authority…and surely it is Allah Ta’ala Who is the Master Planner…

…Jabal Rahmah… Hajj visas expire by mid Muharram so remaining Hujjaj take advantage of visiting sites where they recently were part of a throng of millions…

…Ziyarah to these Mubarak sites can now be made with ease and the awe and significance deepened devoid of crowds…

…hundreds of cameleers vie for the remaining pilgrims to ride their decorated camels, tracing the actions of our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam when he rode Qaswa as he delivered the Farewell Sermon from the foot of Jabal Rahmah…(Insha’Allah more photos for camel lovers to follow in another post)

…minaret of Masjid Namirah…

…this huge Masjid is now shut for another year…Wadi ‘Uranah in the foreground…

…moving to Muzdalifah…this is the Mosque of the Sacred Monument, standing where Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam supplicated and where Allah Ta’ala in His Divine Speech says:

When you surge down from Arafat remember Allah at al-Mash’air al-Harâm (the Sacred Monument) Remember Him. He has guided you. Before that you were astray. (2:198)

…royal palaces perched high above

the sea of tents in the Mina valley…

…tent city roads were strewn with piles of rubble that were once elaborate interior decorations for the elite Hujjaj…lime has liberally been spread all over Mina as a health precaution…Jamarat complex begins in the background…

…Masjid Khayf and the massive Jamarat structure…(previous Hajj entries document this modern Jamarat, as well the significance the position of Masjid Khayf…all plumbing fixtures have been removed from drinking taps and toilets avoiding looting… once the cleaning is complete concrete blocks will prohibit entry to the majority of the site…

…decorative detail of the window…

…and the doors which is missed with the surging crowds during Hajj…

…the following photos attempt, yet again to convey the enormity of Mina and the Jamarat…

…a dark makeshift tent still nestles on a precarious ledge…

…a tunnel that roared with transport and pilgrims only days ago…

…while centuries ago, this hidden Mubarak site echoes the beauty of allegiance, where the first noble group pf trusted Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum supported our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, SubhanAllah…

…such a tiny area that dwarfs the physical enormity of all the concrete and steel that surrounds it…Masjid Aqabah…SubhanAllah!

…and just around the bend…Alhumdulillah Jabal Nur…

…where the true meaning of ‘enormity’ echoes with every atom enshrouded within it, above it, below it, around it…SubhanAllah!

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.