Category Archives: the created

…sheen:kaf:ra:camels:gratitude…

…excerpts from a most brilliant article by Imam Afroz Ali, via Seekers Guidance, where he elucidates and educates about the relationship between the exquisite camel, the exquisite Arabic language and the exquisite state of gratitude…

Well-documented properties of camel’s milk include:

Ten times more iron than cow’s milk
Three to five times more vitamin C than cow’s milk
Rich in B vitamins
High in imuno-globins (note- not goblins)
Very high in protein
Minerals
Low in fat – 1.8-2% fat compared to 3.5-4% in cow’s milk
Much lower in cholesterol
Anti-bacterial properties
Anti-inflammatory properties

That is pretty good for a desert roamer.

And do not worry; I have not side tracked into animal husbandry. All of this information is very important… crucial in fact, in order to understand shukr, or gratitude.

When the she-camel’s udder is full with milk, it is said to be shakar. The operative word is “full”, or “in abundance”, and which we will return to later. The camel with such full and wholesome udder is called shakira, despite the fact is it had only a small share of herbage and pasture to forage on and feed itself with.

The meaning of shukr lies in the entire process of the camel finally giving milk. The camel takes from the praiseworthy bounty of herbage, seeming to the eye scarce and insufficient, takes from it what it needs to sustain itself, but yields a significantly more praiseworthy gift called milk, that benefits everything else- its young as well as human beings. Its sincerity only sees abundance in what others see scarcity; its selflessness sees benefit from it for others in what others see profit for themselves. As a shakira, the camel manifests altruistic benefit. Its gratefulness for existence is seen and experienced in it using the bounties to produce beneficial result over and beyond its self.

Shukr is more than being thankful or grateful; in fact that would be seen as self-indulging and greed. Shukr is only gratefulness if from what one receives out of the beneficence of another, that the recipient utilise it only in ways that is pleasing to the benefactor, primarily that the recipient would utilise such a favour in a beneficial and good manner over and beyond himself. As such, gratefulness carries the condition of unconditional charity from what one receives, after thanking the benefactor. Thus, Shukr has an inward and outward reality; the outward being using the tongue to thank and using the limbs to effect unconditional and beneficial altruism.

The inward reality is a lot more complex. But before that, the use of the tongue to thank the benefactor is also an important element of shukr (unfortunately it is frequently the only aspect of it that is acted upon or known to most). There are three essential forms of the outward reality of shukr.

One must verbalise one’s gratefulness; to say thank you, truthfully.
One must acknowledge the beneficence of the benefactor by utilising the gifts appropriately.
One must commend and praise the benefactor for their beneficence they so generously gave, and to do so frequently.

Shukr therefore rests on five foundations.

Humility in the recipient towards the benefactor, rather than have a selfish expectation.
The recipient to have sincere love for the benefactor shown in limbic action, rather than intent of exploitation.
The benefit in the gift to be acknowledged by the recipient, rather than unchecked abuse.
The recipient to praise the beneficence of the benefactor, rather than heedlessness.
The recipient to verbalise thankfulness and praise, rather than silence and concealing it.

So we observe that there are three parts of shukr: the two outward that we have already discussed in length- the manifestation in the limbs (beneficial altruism) and the tongue (thankfulness). The third, the inward, is the manifestation in the heart, this being the pillar of the entirety of shukr. Without its manifestation in the heart in a specific way, the outward manifestations are futile and even hypocritical.
ALTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

The depths and heights of shukr is beholding a profound state of awe-inspiring consciousness of the benefactor. Its reality is not in the beneficence at all, but in the benefactor. Heedlessness of the benefactor is ungratefulness, regardless of how well what was granted to the recipient was used.

We need to return to the camel!

Continue reading from this brilliant analogy here…

…these magnificent creatures seen on while zooming along the Hijrah Highway…

…and learn of the amazing qualities of camel’s milk through this video series…

Do you not see that to Allah prostrates whatever is in the heavens and on the earth- the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, the moving creatures and many from among the humans? (22:18)

…and while you are looking at the Seekers Guidance site check the inspiring list of online courses being offered in a few weeks…no excuse for not seeking knowledge with their Knowledge without Barriers…

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.

“Fih hayah?”

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This recent dazzling array of flora seen up close in the scorching desert heat, evokes a benedictory hymn from deep within. SubhanAllah!

What marvel it is to be blessed with perceptive senses, which when sparked with the simple wonders of creation, elicits responses of gratitude and reflection:

He has made of benefit to you the many-coloured things He has multiplied on the earth. There are truly signs in this for those who take heed. (16:13)

Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu said that the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: “The example of the believer is like a fresh tender plant; from which ever dorection the wind blows, it bends the plant. But when the wind dies down, it straightens up again. Similarly a believer is tested by afflictions to strengthen his faith and heart, and he remains patient and firm. And a non believer is like a pine tree which remains hard and stiff until Allah breaks it whenever He wills.”

Plants form the first link in the desert ecosystem and food chain. Seeds of the annuals germinate after spring rains, producing an ephemeral greening of the desert. Seed germination is often triggered after several showers rather than just one, increasing the chances of successful growth, although a single soaking rain can have the same result. This vegetation, including unusual plants like the parasitic desert hyacinth, or desert candle, nurtures and shelters insects. These, in turn, provide sustenance for other creatures, such as birds.

Source

Even in the desert, plants are the first, lovely link in the chain of life…
A Bedouin asking a fellow tribesman about grazing conditions in other parts of the country says simply “Fih hayah?”, literally, “Is there life?”.

Source

Narrated Abu Musa RadhiAllahu anhu: The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, “The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. And another portion of it was hard and held the rain water and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, making their animals drink from it and for irrigation of the land for cultivation. And a portion of it was barren which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation, then that land gave no benefits. The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allah’s religion and gets benefit from the knowledge which Allah has revealed through me, the Prophets and learns and then teaches others. The last example is that of a person who does not care for it and does not take Allah’s guidance revealed through me. He is like that barren land.” Bukhari

It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: When you travel through a land where there is plenty of vegetation, you should go slow and give the camels a chance to enjoy the benefit of the earth. When you travel through a land where there is scarcity of vegetation, you should hasten with them so that you may be able to cross that land while your animals ore still in a good condition of health. When you make a halt for the night, avoid doing so on the road, for the tracks are the pathways of wild beasts or the abode of noxious little animals. Muslim

…with the slightest amount of moisture the earth erupts with growth…

Have they not seen how We drive water to the dry land that has no vegetation, and therewith bring forth crops providing food for their cattle and themselves? Will they not then see?
(32:27)

And among His Signs (in this), that you see the earth barren; but when We send down water to it, it is stirred to life and growth. Verily, He Who gives it life, surely, is Able to give life to the dead (on the Day of Resurrection). Indeed He is Able to do all things.
(41:39)

…and We cause (plants) of every goodly kind to grow therein.
(31:10)

And put forward to them the example of the life of this world: it is like the water which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it, and becomes fresh and green. But later it becomes dry and broken pieces, which the winds scatter. And Allah is Able to do everything.
(18:45)

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri RadhiAllahu anhu: Allah’s Apostle SallAllahu alaihi wasallam ascended the pulpit and said, “Nothing worries me as to what will happen to you after me, except the temptation of worldly blessings which will be conferred on you.” Then he mentioned the worldly pleasures. He started with the one (i.e. the blessings) and took up the other (i.e. the pleasures). A man got up saying, “O Allah’s Apostle! Can the good bring about evil?” The Prophet remained silent and we thought that he was being inspired divinely, so all the people kept silent with awe. Then the Prophet wiped the sweat off his face and asked, “Where is the present questioner?” “Do you think wealth is good?” he repeated thrice, adding, “No doubt, good produces nothing but good. Indeed it is like what grows on the banks of a stream which either kills or nearly kills the grazing animals because of gluttony except the vegetation-eating animal which eats till both its flanks are full (i.e. till it gets satisfied) and then stands in the sun and defecates and urinates and again starts grazing. This worldly property is sweet vegetation. How excellent the wealth of the Muslim is, if it is collected through legal means and is spent in Allah’s Cause and on orphans, poor people and travelers. But he who does not take it legally is like an eater who is never satisfied and his wealth will be a witness against him on the Day of Resurrection.” Bukhari

Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children. (It is) as the likeness of vegetation after rain, thereof the growth is pleasing to the tiller; afterwards it dries up and you see it turning yellow; then it becomes straw. But in the Hereafter (there is) a severe torment (for the disbelievers – evil-doers), and (there is) Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the believers – good-doers). And the life of this world is only a deceiving enjoyment.
(57:20)

And the life of this world is only a deceiving enjoyment.

…a desert interlude…

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…stunning in the barren harshness…

Then do they not look at the camels, how they are created?

And at the sky, how it is raised?

And at the mountains, how they are erected?

And at the earth, how it is spread out?

SubhanAllah! The reminders are everywhere…couches…

…cups, cushions and carpets…

…and camels, camels camels…

Then indeed, upon Us is their account. (88)

From a ‘picnic’ to Baida, approximately 25 kilometers north west of Madinah.

…bzzzzzz…

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A fly landing strip! These vivid lime sticky sheaths have been pasted to posts in and around Haram. They are patterned with black silhouettes of flies, along with the real ones that have been unfortunate enough to be captured and permanently stuck there.

And this is another attempt to lessen their numbers; these traps hang on buildings, on palm trunks and fences across the city. The flies are attracted to a syrup, which after seeking it, fall into the bag to struggle and die. This bag was bulging with dead flies.

Many pilgrims comment about the prolific fly population, being surprised that there are so many when the conditions in and around Haram seem so pristine with an impeccable non stop cleanliness program being adhered to.

Most say the Makkan flies are far more plentiful and pesky, Alhumdulillah! Each era has been presented with diverse obstacles and tests to their faith. Maybe this is a minor trial from one of the many trials Allah Ta’ala deems to challenge us with in these ‘modern’ times. How focused are we, how much is our attention diverted, where is our Yaqeen, what veils the object of our desire, what hinders our yearning, how much do we allow ourselves to be preoccupied with externals, and give free reign to a constant ‘buzzing’ in our head, how steadfast is our striving against our nafs, how much time do we dedicate to confessing our shortcomings, begging for guidance, compared to, metaphorically ‘swatting flies’?

Sisters who have been blessed with living in Madinatun Nabi for decades tell how there was no rubbish collection then, and how herds of goats roamed the streets dealing with the edible rubbish. The downside of this was that the fly population was so great due to the goat droppings, that if a window was left open everything appeared to be covered with a dense black cover, including the walls, from the invasion of thousands of flies. SubhanAllah!

~*~

Have you heard that the famous Arabian chieftain Hatim Tai, was deaf? Quite a few people believed that!

But, one morning, there was a fly buzzing as it struggled to escape from a spider’s web. The spider had been so still and silent that the fly had perhaps thought it was a piece of sugar. Now it was about to learn otherwise.

Hatim Tai went over to the corner of the room where the buzzing was. ‘You are caught by your own greediness,’ he said to the fly. ‘You won’t find honey, sugar and candy in every nook and cranny. But that’s where you will be certain to find traps and snares.’ The buzzing stopped. The spider had its prey.

‘But Hatim!’ said a follower who had watched all this, ‘how could you have possibly heard that fly? I could only just hear it myself. Yet everybody says you are deaf!’

“You’re very clever,’ said Hatim with a smile. “Well, I see I must tell you about my deafness. It’s like this: Much of my time, for reasons of state, I had to be among flatterers, the sort of people who hid my faults from me and filled my ears with praise. I couldn’t help but take in some of their talk. I grew proud, and pride made me a wretched man. Then I gradually allowed them to think I was deaf. Naturally, there was much sad shaking of heads. But then came two great advantages. The first was that they stopped bothering to flatter me. They soon saw that it got them nowhere, all they had for their efforts was my blank face.

The second was that I began to hear the truth about myself. When they thought I couldn’t hear, they were quite frank about my good and my bad qualities. It was not always pleasant to hear my sins discussed publicly, but it quickly abolished my pride and helped me in avoiding further wickedness.’

Source

~*~

“Once upon a time, two men travelled together and had a unique experience with a fly. When they died, one of them entered the Hellfire because of it, and the second entered Paradise because of it as well.” Thus Salman Farisi RadhiAllahu anhu began a sermon, as narrated by Tariq ibn Shahab Rahmatullahi alaihi.

The audience inquired, “What happened to them?”

Salman Farisi RadhiAllahu anhu replied, “In times past, two men once travelled together. On their way, their journey led them to a pathway, whereat they met with a group of people who worshipped a deity they made. The idol worshippers had placed their deity at a junction of a road, and they imposed on every passerby to make an offering to their deity. When the two men arrived at that junction, the idol worshippers said to them, “You must make an offering to our deity!” One of the men replied, “I have nothing to offer!” They said, “You can sacrifice anything, even a fly will do!” The man consented; he looked around caught a fly and offered it as a sacrifice, leaving the idol worshippers extremely pleased with him. Later when that man died he entered the Hellfire due to this action.

When the companion was asked for the same thing he replied, “I do not offer anything before anyone except Allah the Almighty.” After a heated argument the angered idol worshippers killed him. When he died he entered Paradise because of his true faith.”

Source

~*~

The person who pays to much attention to the life of this world while neglecting to prepare for the life to come is like a man being attacked by a lion. Imagine that the lion is poised to pounce upon him when a fly suddenly lands on his nose. If the man stopped to swat the fly instead of fending off the lion, wouldn’t he be an idiot? He must have lost his sense of reason! If he had a grain of reasoning power, he would certainly pay attention to the imminent onslaught of the lion with its deadly pounce while ignoring the the disturbance of a mere fly. If people grow preoccupied with their lives in this world and neglect to prepare for the life to come, it proves that they too are idiots. If they had any understanding, insight and reasoning power, they would get ready for the upcoming life after death. That is the ultimate responsibility. For this they will each be held accountable. They should hardly be preoccupied with matters of material provision. Concern for material goods in comparison to concern for spiritual health is like the taking care of the annoying fly instead of the impending pounce of the deadly lion. Idiot!

Source

Seest thou the little winged fly, smaller than a grain of sand?
It has a heart like thee, a brain open to heaven and hell,
Withinside wondrous and expansive; its gates are not closed;
I hope thine are not.

William Blake

~*~

One day Hasan Basri Rahmatullah alaihi saw Rabia Basri Rahmatullah alaiha near a lake. He threw his prayer rug on top of the water and said: “Rabia come! Let us pray two raka’ts here.” She replied: “Hasan, why you are showing off your spiritual power?, She threw her prayer rug into the air and flew up onto it and said “Come up here, Hasan, where people can see us.” Then she said: “Hasan, what you did fishes can do, and what I did flies can do. But the real Power is outside these Miracles. One must apply oneself to Allah alone.

~*~

A previous fly post from long ago here.

Makkah Al-Mukarramah :: bees

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And your Lord inspired the bee, saying, ‘Build yourselves houses in the mountains and trees and what people construct.’ (16:68)

One of the numerous highlights from this blessed Makkan journey was visiting two apiaries in desert areas north of Makkah.

Having kept bees ‘way back when’ rekindled the great memories associated with working with hives. While watching these tiny insects up close once again, sent the Iman soaring! The intricate and fascinating details of their society is awesome, not to mention the miraculous healing properties of the honey, the elixir of life, SubhanAllah! SubhanAllah! SubhanAllah!

From the road one merely sees what looks like tattered covers, over table like structures, flapping in the brisk wind. This area is obviously a conducive place for bee farms as there were many along what was the old road to Madinah, between Jamoun and ‘Usfan. The little vegetation seen was sparse, so where the bees actually go seems a mystery. Allahu Akbar, such is His Greatness!

The first farm we drove into was very basic with dilapidated hive boxes and no sign that the apiarist lived on the sight. He did not have any honey for us to try saying his bees were just beginning to form their hives, but he was very welcoming and eager to show us his simple farm and inviting us to drink tea on a sandy carpet spread beside his ‘flock’.

Older style boxes, some with thick wads of foam wedged into the door as insulation during the cooler months, with tarpaulins protecting the stacks.

A discarded circular barrel shaped container for the hive. The desolate, arid landscape just visible in the background.

‘Then feed on all kinds of fruit and follow the ways made easy for you by your Lord.’ From their bellies comes a drink of different colours in which there is healing for people. (16:69)

With this method the bees are free to ‘design’ their own comb shapes. The precision and engineering makes man made structures seem flimsy and awkward.

The comb is composed of hexagonal cells, which are paper thin walls but support 25 times their own weight. Experts say that any shape other than hexagonal would not support the heavy honey, SubhanAllah! To produce half a kilo of wax, the bees have to digest five kilograms of honey!

In about another month, Insha’Allah, the box will be full of comb dripping with honey and almost ready for extraction.

The Yemeni apiarist was delighted to show us his ‘farm’, and have his photo taken! explaining that his hives were not producing honey yet due to the winter season, all action was on building the waxy comb.

Sometimes mud is used to seal the doors.

These were rectangular boxes in the second farm we stopped at. This method is more geared to commercial production, but this farm also had the smaller frame-less boxes, as seen below.

These removable frames are fitted with ready-made comb foundations, that are wax sheets with imprints of honey cells on them. In this way, the colony expands faster and produces more honey.

Rows and rows ready for more hives.

Ali, the apiarist lived beside his bees in a humble one room tent structure which was his basic kitchen, bedroom, living room and storage space for several 20 gallon containers. This was his water ‘tank’, a flattened balloon! The conditions were harsh as the wind blew sand everywhere.

He had three varieties of honey which we sampled, including the local Sedr, the best of honeys for healing, produced from the flowers of ilb (Ziziphus spina Christi and here)
All were exceptionally delicious, with the Sedr being SR300 for a kilo, which is a good price compared to what one pays in retail outlets.

Busy busy bees!!! The workers never stop. A bee strokes its wings 11,400 times per minute! They have a lifespan between 28 and 35 days in summer, but longer in winter when they do not work themselves to death. They communicate by dancing (pdf file details, and more) and releasing pheromones (more here and here) The female worker produces only one-twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime. A worker will visit between fifty and 100 flowers in a day and return with over half her weight in pollen and nectar. To make 500grams of honey, workers in a hive collectively fly more than 34,000 kilometres and tap more than two million flowers. The yellow seen on the above frame are the wax-capped cells of honey, indicating that the honey in that cell is ripe, meaning that the workers have fanned the nectar deposited in the cells creating a draft that is necessary for evaporating the moisture from the nectar. A colony can have from 60,000 to 200,000 workers!

The male drones do not do any work in the hive, they are designed for procreation purposes only.

Ali looking for the queen bee after smoking the hive ( He simply lit the frayed end of a rolled up piece of hessian bag, dredging it in the sand when he finished ) and wearing this protective head piece. He follows his father and grandfather in this profession.

Finally she was spotted, the central one with the longer golden abdomen.She was surrounded by her guards, but Ali gently put her on his finger to isolate her so we could see how she differs from the workers and the fat stubby drones. The queen lays up to 200,000 eggs in a year.

~*~

Our Esteemed Lady Aishah RadhiAllahu anha narrated: Allah’s Apostle SallAllahu alaihi wasallam used to love sweet edible things and honey.

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas RadhiAllahu anhu: The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, “Healing is in three things: cupping, a gulp of honey or cauterization, (branding with fire) but I forbid my followers to use cauterization “

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri RadhiAllahu anhu: A man came to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallamand said, “My brother has some abdominal trouble.” The Prophet said to him “Let him drink honey.” The man came for the second time and the Prophet said to him, ‘Let him drink honey.” He came for the third time and the Prophet said, “Let him drink honey.” He returned again and said, “I have done that ‘ The Prophet then said, “Allah has said the truth, but your brother’s abdomen has told a lie. Let him drink honey.” So he made him drink honey and he was cured.

Narrated Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu: I used to accompany Allah’s Apostle SallAllahu alaihi wasallam to fill my stomach; and that was when I did not eat baked bread, nor wear silk. Neither a male nor a female slave used to serve me, and I used to bind stones over my belly and ask somebody to recite a Quranic Verse for me though I knew it, so that he might take me to his house and feed me. Ja’far bin Abi Talib RadhiAllahu anhu was very kind to the poor, and he used to take us and feed us with what ever was available in his house, (and if nothing was available), he used to give us the empty (honey or butter) skin which we would tear and lick whatever was in it.

There truly is a sign in this for those who think. (16:69)

sand, sea and rubbish…

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And the mountains, He made them firm..
(79:32)

..when the mountains are set in motion…
(81:3)

One Day the earth and the mountains will be in violent commotion. And the mountains will be as a heap of sand poured out and flowing down.
(73:14)

..then take some clean sand and wipe your face and hands with it. Allah does not wish to place any burden on you:He only wishes to cleanse you and perfect His blessing on you, that you may be grateful.
(5:6)

Almost at this very moment, having been awestruck with the superb artistry of these looming sand dunes on our way to the Red Sea yesterday, we finally were able to receive a crackly radio frequency to a BBC program where the author of Sand, The Never Ending Story was being interviewed along with a female Sufi writer and a surfer/environmentalist. Unfortunately due to the poor reception I was unable to discern these names. The synchronicity of this still makes my head reel, and fills the heart with sublime ONENESS and inter connectivity of our existence.

From individual grains to desert dunes, from the bottom of the sea to the landscapes of Mars, and from billions of years in the past to the future, this is the extraordinary story of one of nature’s humblest, most powerful, and most ubiquitous materials. Told by a geologist with a novelist’s sense of language and narrative, Sand examines the science—sand forensics, the physics of granular materials, sedimentology, paleontology and archaeology, planetary exploration—and at the same time explores the rich human context of sand. Interwoven with tales of artists, mathematicians, explorers, and even a vampire, the story of sand is an epic of environmental construction and destruction, an adventure in staggering scales of time and distance, yet a tale that encompasses the ordinary and everyday. Sand, in fact, is all around us—it has made possible our computers, buildings and windows, toothpaste, cosmetics, and paper, and it has played dramatic roles in human history, commerce, and imagination. In this luminous, kinetic, revelatory account, we do indeed find the world in a grain of sand.

To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.

William Blake

For look! Within my hollow hand,
While round the earth careens,
I hold a single
grain of sand
And wonder what it means.
Ah! If I had the eyes to see,
And brain to understand,
I think Life’s mystery might be
Solved in this grain of sand.

Robert William Service

The sand grain has become a symbol of impermanence and the fragility of our-and nature’s-works.
The birth of a grain of sand in this way signifies the death of a mountain…It has been estimated that on the order of a billion sand grains are born around the world every second…

from the fascinating Chapter 1 of Sand. …must title for the ‘wish list’!

SubhanAllah! How great is Allah Ta’ala’s magnificence! And to ponder on His wisdom in creating an Angel who can count these grains of sand is truly humbling! SUBHANALLAH!

And just as every snowflake is different, so is every grain of sand! Click on these galleries 1,2 for a visual treat, exposing the grandeur of the Makhlooq in one tiny grain of sand.

Ar-Rais is a rather backward town west of Badr on the Red Sea that attracts visitors who either hire simple canvas tents, or bring their own which are erected a few metres apart for privacy. It may seem idylic and offering some recreational relaxation, but the excessive littering and lack of respect for the environment is shameful. Certain groups are concerned for the state of the Red Sea, regulary conducting awareness programs, but the greater problem of educating the average public is huge. it is almost a case of too little too late when one sees the extent of abuse with the rubbish floating in the sea and embedded in the sand.

Interesting textures from the presence of water birds…

…casually sitting on a sand bar…

…as well as ripples created by ‘sand communities’…as discussed in the interview…the same rippled patterns appearing on land and under the sea…reflecting the constant rhythmic vibrations that are the symphony of Universe.

Candid shots of this speck ‘fossicking’ among the rubbish while imbibing the sea air…

..and recalling the time when the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum came on an expedition to the Red Sea.

A vacated hire tent…

…groups of women in ffull burqa and niqab were seen wading waist deep beside some of the tents…

…this is the Masjid set back from the shore, eroded and rusted from the harsh sea air. The adjoining rest rooms made the wayside stops along the Makkah, Madinah highway seem like five star establishments…

…a rugged track leads to the small marina where boats can be hired for short ventures into the sea…this old

…we had intended to drive closer to the unique colourful vessels, resplendent with lounge couches on them for comfort, but as I was taking this photo a security guard stopped us and said he did not give us permission to continue…and yelled at us for taking photos! Meanwhile several cars passed us as we turned around and were not prevented from entering…time to head back to Badr…

…where along the way was an example of how vicious sand storms can be…depositing shifting sands as movable mountains…

…with a ship of the desert appearing as a scene from long ago…

… Badr was decorated with these spring flowers..

…sprouting from roundabouts and lining the main streets. We went to the place of the Battle of Badr to convey our Salam to the noble Shaheed, in the hope that it was not manned by the usual ‘vice squad’, but sure enough they were there, and once more Bid’ah and Mamnou’ was yelled at us…

…so time to head back to our beloved Madinatun Nabi as the sun began to set on little enclaves of villages nestled at the foot of mountains…

…soon to be folded up…

.. .in violent commotion. And the mountains will be as a heap of sand poured out and flowing down.

sweet basil and..

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….then happiness and inner fulfillment and a garden of bliss. (56:89)

…husked grain and scented herb. (55:12)

Allah Ta’ala in His Divine Speech uses the word ‘raihan’ in the above two verses. Various translations are to be found interpreting this word, but generally it means fragrant plant, scented herb and refers to the sweet basil plant.

Abu Uthman an-Nahdi RadhiAllahu anhu narrates that Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, “When one of you is given basil he must not reject it, for it has come forth from Paradise.” Al-Tirmidhi.

The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam also referred to his beloved grandsons, Hasan and Husain as his two sweet basils in this world. SubhanAllah!

While another Hadith mentions Raihan with reference to how one recites the Qur’an Majeed: Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari RadhiAllahu anhu, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, “The example of a believer who recites the Qur’an is like that of a citron which tastes good and smells good. And a believer who does not recite the Qur’an is like a date which is good in taste but has no smell. And the example of a hypocrite who recites the Qur’an is like the raihana (sweet basil) which smells good but tastes bitter. And the example of a hypocrite who does not recite the Qur’an is like a wild gourd which tastes bitter and has no smell.”

This Raihan flower

is what was placed in my lap as I sat in the breezy courtyard of Masjid Nabawi. The Mubarak air is already heavily perfumed, so when wafts of the pungent sweetness of this plant is added to the sensation one’s intoxication reaches realms of sheer bliss!

Medicinally, sweet Basil (O. basilicum) is stimulant, styptic, demulcent and carminative. The juice of the leaves when snuffed causes sneezing and clears the brain. It is a remedy for mild nervous or hysterical disorders. Also, helps in stomach ache and skin diseases.

Sweet Basil, also known as myrtle, holds a special place in the Hadith of the Prophet (SAW) too, and has a long healing tradition. Ibn Abbas narrates that, “When the Prophet Nuh (AS) disembarked from the ark, the first plant that he planted was myrtle.” He also narrated that, according to a Hadith related by Abu Nu’aim, “Adam departed from the garden with three things: myrtle, which is the queen of all sweet smelling shrubs in the world; compressed dates, which are queen of all the dates in the world; and stalk of corn, which is queen of all the food in the world.”

Most likely, basil is referred to as a queen because it combats many of man’s ailments. It is a warming herb, thus working on all problems related to circulation. It also contains estragol, lineol and camphor, which act as lung and stomach tonics. Camphor is a powerful pain reliever so basil is often used for headaches, insect bites and other painful ailments. Since it can stimulate the adrenal cortex, it is often used in anti-depressant formulas.

Basil also contains antibacterial compounds, which make it useful for a variety of ailments such as colds, flu and stomach problems. When combined with cloves, it has been found to leech the body of heavy metal pollutants – probably one reason it is considered among the superior detoxifying and tonic herbs.

The ecstasy that hits the heart as one inhales this heavenly aroma also reflects what many aromatherapists say about its properties:

Basil oil is a very beneficial oil and can be helpful not only for headaches and migraines, but also has an uplifting effect on depression.

and,

In modern aromatherapy, basil is used to cheer the heart and mind. The
sweet, energizing aroma seems to help relieve sorrow and melancholy.

and,

Basil essential oil is also used as a digestive tonic. Since basil oil has carminative properties, it is used for treating indigestion, constipation, stomach cramps and flatulence. It provides immediate relief from the gas in your stomach and intestines. It is also colic and hence is used for bowel pain.

Further searches will reveal so much more about this blessed plant, but its superiority is that is has come forth from Paradise, SubhanAllah!!

Sisters frequently arrive for Salat clutching bunches of Raihan. Some distribute to those nearby, others place it near to where they will do Sujud, while others may have some pinned to their attire. Its presence saturates the air, with hundreds enjoying the fragrance for hours, SubhanAllah!

And basil adorns not only the heads of the living, especially the flower men in the south of the Kingdom, but also the biers of the dead.

Allah Ta’ala’s bounties are countless, unlimited, and our knowledge is minuscule! He Subhanahu wa Ta’ala gifts us with banquets for the soul as seen in the beauty of His Majesty in the flora adorning our lives. After many years of living in this City of Light I only recently discovered places where fresh flowers are for sale. I now regularly wander to these outlets to buy a single flower, which I have been enjoying photographing: