Ziarah to Jabal Uhud early morning of Juma’ah with visitors.

Jabal Rumah to the left. Ulema say that Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam received his battle injury at the place in the middle foreground approxiamately where the darker stone beyond the concrete strip is located.  Jabal Habshi in the background with the Royal Palace on top, where Dajjal will look down upon Haram.

Looking at Jabal Rumah, the Archer’s Hill, from where the battle took place.

These makeshift markets are far too numerous, making the movement of visitors difficult. Construction is underway of a formal building for trading. 

From Jabal Uhud part way to the cave (1, 2) where the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anahum carried our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam when he was wounded. The minarets of Haram in the distance to the left. The authorities have announced plans to relocate all buildings from the foothills of Jabal Uhud. Whether this happens remains to be seen, it would be a massive project, and certainly an admirable concept to preserve the natural features of Jabal Uhud, Bab Al-Jannah.

Jabal Uhud glowing with love for us, and we love it, as Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said! Taken from just below the cave. 

From the same place, looking to the right. All of these houses would be demolished if the plan is executed. The rooftops are fascinating. Some are carpeted, others had fresh foliage spread over the area, maybe as insulation against the heat.  

The rugged terrain. The two white dots were part of a group walking along the top! 

Alhumdulillah when we first arrived we were the only ones, before a van load of Turkish pilgrims arrived. And Alhumdulillah there was no sign of the "vice squad" who recently have been making their presence felt demanding that people do not visit the cave, and making all sorts of threats!

Herds of inquisitive goats are always scrambling about, obviously gaining nourishment from this blessed mountain, where it is said everything from it is Shifa’. I did not notice when I quickly took this photo the graffiti "heart" painted on the rock with La ilaha illAllah below it! Pity I cannot upload the larger images to the blog as much is lost when compressed.

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. 

Days of guests, Alhumdulillah. A special Hafizah, Alimah, Muftiah all in one, SubhanAllah! with her two dear daughters, whom I have not seen for nine years! After Salatul Asr we went to Starbucks!!! where I took the following photos from very dirty windows.

The eastern expansion excavation with the beginnings of construction appearing. 

A sense of the depth of the excavating. Brothers inside Jannatul Baqi for Ziarah.  

The crowded narrow pathway between Haram and the construction fence. 

Looking over the northern ladies courtyard area where the preparatory work for the installation of the outside umbrellas continues. 

JUMA’AH MUBARAK, the last Juma’ah in Rabi’al Awwal.

Insha’Allah time for reading Surah Al-Kahf, when Allah Ta’ala will create a Nur for the reciter which will remain with him until the following Juma’ah. And other narrations mention say that a Nur is illuminated between the reciter and the Ka’abah, another says that the Nur for the reader will stretch from the earth to the heavens and on the Day of Qiyamah this Surah will be a shining light for it’s reader. And send abundant Durood and Salaam on our Beloved Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam as it is presented to him and he in turn prays and begs forgiveness for us.

O Sustainer, shower Salat and Salaam forever and ever upon Your beloved, who is the best of all creation.

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. 

DU’A 

What hidden secrets the earth and the air particles must hold in this Blessed City, the Abode of the Chosen. All the impassioned tears of Allah Ta’ala’s chosen one SallAllahu alaihi wasallam flowing from his mubarak beard, spilling on the mubarak dust.  Words of love for his Lord, concern and fear for his Ummah, and pleas for mercy from the Most Merciful, Subahanahu Wa Ta’ala, filling the skies, heard by all the heavenly Angels, reaching the Arsh. Utterances from the thousands who obediently acted upon every revelation, answered every call for the sake of this new message also reside in the realm of this collective memory. Added to this rich treasury of devotion are the sentiments of every notable scholar throughout the history of this precious Deen, as well as the thousands of contemporary pious Ulema, then finally the voices of millions living and visiting this Abode of the Chosen. The image of sound waves constantly rippling from the soul of the earth, vibrating through the atmosphere and intermingling with all those from across the globe has a breathtaking impact. I am referring to Du’a.  

Du’a; praising, supplicating, humbly requesting, begging, pleading, imploring, entreating, confidential communicating with Allah Ta’ala, invoking, repenting, hoping, seeking from the all-embracing Mercy.

According to the sayings of our Beloved Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam,

·         Du’a is the marrow of worship,

·          Whoever wants Allah to respond to his supplications at the time of his calamities should engage in frequent supplications during the times of his happiness,

·         Ask Allah for His favour, because Allah likes to be asked; and the best worship is prolonged hope for relief.

·         Du’a is the weapon of a believer, the pillar of Deen and the Nur of the heavens and earth.

·         One of three things never fails to come to a man from supplication: either is sin is forgiven him, or something good comes hurriedly to him, or something good is stored up for him.

·         When Allah loves a man, he puts him on trial until He hears his humble request.

Allah Ta’ala in His Book enumerates many verses for us to ponder and act upon related to Du’a. I include only a few, realizing that this topic is  huge. Insha’Allah you can refer to Tafseer for deeper elaboration.

When My servants ask about Me, I am indeed close to them.  I listen to the prayer of every supplicant, when he calls on Me.  Let them also, with a will, listen to My call, and believe in Me, so that they may walk in the right way.  (2:186).

Seek Allah’s help with patient perseverance and prayer. It is indeed hard except for those who are humble. (2:45)

Oh you who believe! Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer, for God is with those who patiently persevere. (2:153)

Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods, lives, and the fruits of your toil. But give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. Those who say, when afflicted with calamity, ‘To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return.’ They are those on whom descend blessings from their Lord, and mercy. They are the ones who receive guidance. (2:155-157)

Oh you who believe! Persevere in patience and constancy. Vie in such perseverance, strengthen each other, and be pious, that you may prosper.  (3:200)

They were competing with one another in doing good deeds and supplicating unto Us in longing and in fear. (7:55)

Supplicate unto your Lord humbly and secretly. (21:90)

And be steadfast in patience, for verily Allah will not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish. (11:115)

Be patient, for your patience is with the help of Allah. (16:127)

Verily, with every difficulty there is relief. Verily, with every difficulty there is relief. (94:5-6)

Patiently, then, persevere – for the Promise of Allah is true, and ask forgiveness for your faults, and celebrate the praises of your Lord in the evening and in the morning. (40:55)

No one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint, none but persons of the greatest good fortune. (41:35)

Verily man is in loss, except such as have faith, and do righteous deeds, and join together in the mutual enjoining of truth, and of patience and constancy. (103:2-3)

Du’a is an act of worship and a means to fulfill our needs, the servants of Allah Ta’ala. Not a second passes without someone somewhere being without need. And our needs are constantly changing in this ever constant flux of change, and they vary as much as does the creation. Not one particle moves without the Will of Allah Ta’ala, so how prepared are we when we are faced with a multi-zillion particles in motion setting up all the various tests destined for us?  All the worldly activities move to a Divine Scheme, continually presenting us with one test followed by another followed by another. All the while we are being scrutinized. Every single human is under the microscope of examination; however the conditions under which this examination is being conducted is the variable.

The exquisite world of Jannah is for those who, of their own free will, subordinate themselves to Allah Ta’ala’s Will, regardless of what that may be for us. His Garden is promised to those who adhere to His Commands, even though they have been given the free will to stray from this noble path. Jannah is for those who, even though not compelled to do so, choose to obey His Commands, entrusting and submitting to every aspect and issue that confronts them.

The true servant is the one who seeks everlasting reward for his actions, concentrating on the eternal goal, longing for Allah Ta’ala’s mercy and grace alone. Outwardly belonging to this world, but inwardly absorbed in the promise of the Unseen and striving for this, regardless of what afflictions, desires, poverty, luxuries or any other condition may be tempting to deviate him from this goal. Patiently submitting to what has been Written, and then accepting with the utmost humility and gratitude for all the other unlimited bounties we are granted. Du’a not only brings the heart back to the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala, but is that which brings the heart back to humility and submissiveness to Him, the knowing that Allah Ta’ala knows more than us what is in our best interests. SubhanAllah! We need to recognize our servanthood, our helplessness, our impotence, our inability to control, our perpetual reliance on Allah Ta’ala.   

The following from Ibrahim bin Adham, Rahmatullah alaihi, from Al Basra, is his response from when people complained to him that despite calling on Allah, they did not receive what they asked for. He explained that it was because their hearts were dead due to the following ten factors:

1.) You know Allah (SWT), yet you do not fulfill His rights
2.) You read the Qura’an, yet you do not follow it.
3.) You claim to love the Prophet (Sal Allah Alayhi Wa Salaam), yet you do not act upon the sunnah.
4.) You claim the devil is your enemy, yet you agree with him.
5.) You claim to love Paradise, yet you do nothing to earn it.
6.) You claim to hate the Fire, but you do nothing to flee from it.
7.) You claim that death is real, yet you do not prepare for it.
8.) You are preoccupied with the faults of others, yet you do not think of your own faults.
9.) You eat the blessings of Allah, yet do not thank Him (SWT).
10.) We bury the dead, yet take no lesson from it.

This is part of our “Madanian Wall”. Many of these images have been on the wall of places we have been living since our concerted efforts of making Du’a to be residents of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah. The visual reminder seemed to focus the heart on wanting to be here. I share this with you ALL, especially sisters Tasnim, M, J and S!

A beautiful translation of the Du’a for Salatul Haajaat.

Al-Hisnul Haseen is a comprehensive book of Du’a, as well as explaining the Adab and information pertaining to the acceptance of Du’a.

A diverse collection of Du’a for various occasions.

Hujjatul Islam Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali’s excellent book, Invocations and Supplications.

Abu Dawud RadhiAllahu anhu reported that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: Whenever a Muslim supplicates on behalf of his brother in his absence, an angel repeats, “May you also have the same.” (Muslim)

O Allah, make my love for You the most beloved thing to me, and my fear for You the most fearful thing to me, and remove from me all worldly needs and wants by instilling a passion for meeting You, and when You have given the people of the world the pleasures of their world, make the coolness of my eyes in worshipping You.  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. 

A Prophet came while people were wrapped in pride
and in the pitch-black darkness of the night of unbelief,
Whereupon he dispelled this darkness with abundant light,
and in this matter he was helped by each of those who submitted.

 ‘Abdur Rahman ibn `Awf, RadhiAllahu anhu

* 

 When you were born, a light rose over the earth
until it illuminated the horizon with its radiance.
We are in that illumination, that original light,
those paths of guidance.
And thanks to them we pierce through.

Al-`Abbas ibn `Abd al-Muttalib, RadhiAllahu anhu, the Uncle of the Propeht SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

* 

Insha’Allah, may we submit to the “abundant light” and be in “illumination”, steadfastly treading the paths of guidance, as we continue to bring the essence of the birth of our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam into our hearts. A daily celebration of the legacy of the Sunnah Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam so lovingly sacrificed for us, his constant concern being “Ummmati Ummati”. We need to ask ourselves what is our constant concern?

I found the following to be an inspirational dissertation offering a different perspective on our potential, along with ways to assist our ongoing efforts of self reform to make the Sunnah a reality in our lives in the here and now.

From Necklaces of Gems by Shaikh ‘Abd Al-Qadir Al-Jilani, Rahmatullah alaihi concerning the nature of the human being:

·         How marvelous is the creation of this human being, and how marvelous is the wisdom of the Maker in His work! Blessed and Exalted is He!

·         The human being would be a sovereign ruler, by virtue of his intellect, but for the inclination to follow his passionate desire. He would have a truly gracious character, but for the coarseness of his constitution.

·         The human being is a treasure house, stocked with the wondrous mysteries of the Unseen, along with vast hoards of every kind of fault.

·         The human being is a vessel, filled with light and darkness, in which the veil of the bride of the Spirit has called for the veiling of all forms, to screen them from the eyes of jealous rivals.

·         The human being is the prodigious wonder, whose beauty the Power of the Lord displayed to His servants, the Angels, clad in the fine garments of: And we indeed honoured the Children of Adam (17:70), at a session held in His presence, where He also said: And We have granted them a special favour. (17:70), meaning the faculty of reason, with an indication that it is a favour from the Knower of the Unseen and the Visible.

·         The oysters of the temples carried the pearls of the spirits through the oceans of existence, aboard the ships of knowledge, in order to perfect the radiance of the light of certainty. Driven by the wind of the Spirit, they voyaged to the treasuries of the sacred struggle.

·         Within the human being, the Sultan of reason stood opposite the Sultan of passionate desire, and the two of them clashed and fought in the courtyard of his breast.

·         The lower self was one of the marshalls of the armies of Sultan of passionate desire, and the spirit was one of the generals of the armies of the Sultan of reason.

·         The herald of judgement called out amongst them: O cavalry of Allah, ride forth! O squadrons of the Truth, appear! O troops of passionate desire, advance!”

·         Each of them wished for a victory of his own forces, and each of them tried to conquer his opponent.

·         The voice of enabling grace spoke to the pair of them, in the ancient tongue of the Unseen, saying: “Whomever I support, the flag of victory will be tied to his banners. Whoever I assist, he will be the fortunate one in this world and in the Hereafter. Whomever I am with, I shall not part from him, until I have brought him to the seat of truthfulness.

·         Enabling grace is the approving glance of the Lord of Truth (Glory be to Him), directed toward His protégé [wali] through the eye of His providential care.

·         O young man! You must follow reason, for it will steer your course on the path of the greatest bliss. You must become detached from your lower self and your passionate desire, for then you will see the true marvel.

·         The spirit is heavenly, invisible, while the lower self is terrestrial, earthy.

·         The bird of the graceful flies out of the nest of the course, on the wing of providential care, up into the tree on high. It rests on the bough of nearness to the Lord, warbles with the musical tone of the language of ardent yearning, sings the song of intimate friendship, and gleans the jewels of the realities from between the wings of direct experience.

·         As for the bird of the course, it stays trapped in the cage of the gloom of existence.

·         When the molds become extinct, the inner secrets of the hearts remain intact.

·         If He cats an approving glance into your heart, He will set it on the platform of His Throne, entrust it with the true facts of the sciences, and make it the treasury of the secrets of direct knowledge. Then you will behold, with your rational intellect, the beauty of eternity-without-beginning. You will turn away from everything qualified by the attributes of novelty. The vision of your innermost being will perceive the shapes of the worlds of the Realm of Sovereignty, in the mirror of nearness to your Lord. Displayed to the eye of your secret soul will be the brides of revelation, in the session of the disclosure of the real meanings of the signs, for all traces of the scribbling of the universe will have been erased from the tablet of your aspiration.

·         Hey, you there! When the faculties of reason are unfolded, the stallions are saddled in the shade. Pure thoughts are the signposts of the lords of direct knowledge and predestined providence.

·         When suspicions abound and the will is thereby affected, you must remove the veil of your doubt from the faces of the maidens of certainty. When the signposts become too few and far between, you must cut off the thoughts of falsehood with the hand of Truth.  

O Allah, illuminate our hearts with the love of your Habib SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, brighten our sight with the noble vision our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam had for us, his Ummah, and bless us with the courage and ability to actualize his Sunnah. Eternal peace and blessings on the best of creation, Al-Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, his family, companions and all pious flag bearers of this glorious Deen, who light their hearts from his SallAllahu alaihi wasallam light. 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. 

Ya Rabb,

Praises swirl.

Are swirling.

Will swirl,

Since You commanded the Pen

To write

Laa ilaha illAllah Muhammadur Rasulullah.

Until  Your Divine Decree is revealed.

Ya Rabb,

Tears fall.

Are falling,