After Taraweh on the evening of the 18th of Ramadhan from a nearby rooftop. 

 

And the southern view towards Makkah. 

 

This was a ‘clandestine rendevouz’, and with a camera not really equiped to take such night photos….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. 

 

 

 

BADR 

A deep overwhelming sadness was experienced today. Heart tears still flow while I struggle to maintain patience, the essence of this Mubarak month.

We decided to drive to Badr, to honour yaum ul-furqan, the Day of Distinction, the battle between Truth and falsehood, between right and wrong, between belief and disbelief. The first battle Allah Ta’ala allowed, on the 17^th day of the first Ramadhan decreed by Allah Ta’ala, in the second year after Hijrah. (Previous posts [1,2] cover details as well as other links)

313 unarmed Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum, 70 camels, 2 horses and 8 swords, (according to many narrations) with the only other weapons of sticks and stones, made the arduous journey of 150 kilometers south-west from Madinah towards the Red Sea. The mountain ranges are awesome, the rubble and sand scorching hot. The temperature at Badr today was at least 10 degrees hotter than here in Madinah, the unrelenting sweltering winds showing no mercy.

And this same lack of mercy is what we were greeted with as we drove to the site of the most moving battle in the history of mankind. An arrogant shurta, policeman sauntered out of a structure attached to the low fence where in the past one could stand beside and look inside the Shuhadah area. And before we could even alight from the car he was saying mamnu’ mamnu’, bida’…. forbidden, prohibited, innovation, and gesturing to promptly disappear.

I felt my heart stop. Tears welled. The anger button activated. The temperature under my abaya rising to match that of outside….but what recourse do we have against these “….” (for the sake of politeness, and for the sake of Ramadhan I will suppress these fingers from bashing the letters I would like to.)  Any altercation may have meant we would have been having Iftar provided by the police or the Commission of Commanding Virtue and Preventing Vice, or both.  

So much for vice and virtue. Only a few days ago in one of the local Arabic daily papers the news of an elaborate memorial to be built near Yanbu, not far from Badr, commemorating the meeting of the first Saudi king, Abdul Aziz with his Egyptian counterpart , King Farouq was announced. And yet the treatment given to our noble Islamic history is mamnu’, bida’

The poignant story of Huzaifah ibn Yaman RadhiAllahu anhu, pierced my morose mood. He was migrating from Makkah at the same time as Abu Jahl and the doomed Quraishi army. When Huzaifah RadhiAllahu anhu was asked by Abu Jahl where he was going, he replied to see Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Abu Jahl with a sword to Huzaifah’s throat made him promise that he would not join in the battle against the Quraish. To save his life he complied. When he arrived in Madinah the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam had already assembled the small army, and naturally Huzaifah RadhiAllahu anhu, like all eager to fight for the Truth, he requested to be included. But when the Prophet heard of the promise he had made to Abu Jahl, he refused permission for Huzaifah RadhiAllahu anhu’s presence in the contingency. The integrity of our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, regardless of the urgency of the situation was always of the highest caliber. He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: “What has been held out in assurance and a promise given will not be violated.”  SubhanAllah.

So Huzaifah RadhiAllahu anhu was denied the honour of becoming a Badri. His heart must have been shattered. Upon reflecting on the incident we faced today I feel a far greater empathy for how Sayyidina Huzaifah RadhiAllahu anhu must have felt.  The sacrifices, the tests, the suffering, the zeal come that little closer. SubhanAllah.

And may a miniscule fraction of the sentiments expressed in the following Hadith be showered upon all who intend to go to Badr for Ziarah, but are prevented.

Abdullah ibn Umar Radhiallahu anhu narrated that when the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam saw ‘Uthman RadhiAllahu anhu going back and forth to equip the Army of Hardship (jaish al-usra) before the Battle of Badr took place, the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam prayed: “O Allah, forgive ‘Uthman for every step he takes back and forth, for every deed he hides and every deed he displays, and forgive him for whatever thoughts he conceals and whatever words he utters.”

So we drove the short distance to Masjid ‘Areesh, (below) built on the place where the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum constructed a small shelter for our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alahi wasallam. This is where Allah Ta’ala accepted the Du’a of His Habib SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and where Du’a is accepted for us, SubhanAllah.

 

The wall "protecting" us from the forbidden, the prohibitive, and preventing us from bida’, Astaghfirullah.

We tried to drive around to gain a view inside, but this was the closest we could get, the far ochre wall is that of the Shuhadah area. 

 

On appraoching the township of Badr are massive sand dunes. They are unique and stark amongst the rugged granite mountains….and it from here that it is told the Angels who were sent to fight with the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum appeared from these dunes. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

Along the new highway are the remains of older style mud brick villages. The oasis below was adjacent to a small town called Al-Hasaniyah, where we counted more than twenty minarets…it seemed that there was a masjid for every ten houses or so.

 

The mountains are stunning, the colours muted earthy tones which exude a distinct beauty.

 

To be a “Badri” was a great distinction among the noble Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum. The names of these distinguished warriors from Badr are recited as a Dhikr. (But don’t tell our shurta friend at Badr!!!) So sacred are these names that Allah Ta’ala accepts supplications in token of their piety. Our Beloved Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam had predicted: “A battle is going to take place and Allah Ta’ala has granted salvation to all those who will take part in the battle.”

From manaqib, which I linked to last Ramadhan as well;  audio download of the names of the participants in the Battle of Badr, plus an accompanying booklet espousing the virtues of Noble Companions of Badr.

“May Allah give us the Tawfiq to recite the Manaqib and accrue the many benefits associated with it. May He cause us to rise up in the company of the blessed Companions of Badr who will be uniting again under the banner of the seal of the Prophets (Allah bless him and give him peace) on the Day of Reckoning.”

May we take the time, whether individually, or in community groups to devote time to bring the lessons and dignity of Badr into our hearts during these next few days.

Allah helped you at Badr when you were very weak. Be mindful of Allah, so that you may be grateful. Remember when you said to the believers, “Will you be satisfied if your Lord reinforces you by sending down three thousand angels? Well, if you are steadfast and mindful of Allah, your Lord will reinforce you with five thousand swooping angels if the enemy should suddenly attack you, and Allah arranged it so. (3:123–125)

 

 

Driving back into this Luminous City of Enlightenment…the newly planted avenue of date palms,the minaret of Miqat, and the Royal Palace on top of Jabal Habshi feint in the far distance.

 

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. 

 

 

O MAJESTIC MOON, 

Gliding as a burnished copper disc

On cosmic wave upon wave of ascending repentance

And descending forgiveness.

Your days of expansion

Heard the rumble of scorched stomachs

As dross dripped from sins smoldering.

Seeing parched lips dedicated to reciting

From the Miracle of Miracles, glorifying His Names,

Along with an endless buzz of salutations upon His Habib.

O Majestic Moon,

Swimming in a sweet musky fragrance

Wafting heavenward between the amorous flutter of jubilant angels.

Fifteen days vanished as an explosive starburst,

faithful specks seeking

rewards

hidden from celestial recorders.

O Majestic Moon,

You feast on the fasting of slaves from disobedience

On patience in refraining.

Peering at the dazzle from the doors of Paradise flung wide open

for those who sacrifice

for those whose hearts are illuminated from

charity,

from spiritual contemplation and meditation.

O Majestic Moon,

The elation from rejoicing must reach you.

Abstinence squeezing the nefarious Shayateen from constricted veins,

others shackled, chained,

writhing cries from thwarted tempting

fill a torrid forbidden Hell.   

O Majestic Moon,

Radiant moments from Ramadhans long ago

Inundate our faqir souls.

Births, deaths, marriages from Ahl al-Bayt,

May Hasan, Ruqayyah, Sawdah, Zaynab, Fatimah, Abbas, Ali, Saffiyah, Aishah

 Khadijdah RadhiAllahu anhum,

Victories at Badr and the conquest of Makkah,

Inflame our hearts,

Inspire our deeds. 

O Majestic Moon, 

May your luminance assist us to brighten our pleas for

all who are suffering, mutilated, wounded, incarcerated, orphaned, homeless, abused, ill,

the ‘them’ the ‘us’ the ‘other’,

The Ummah,

To be given strength to embrace the remaining days of this blessed month

To the fullest.

O Majestic Moon,

As we observe you gently glissade in the remaining moments

May our diligence increase,

Our Taqwa soar.

Gaining the best of favours

From our Rabb Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala

AMEEN 

~~~ 

 JUMA’AH MUBARAK!

 

Assalatu wa’s Salaamu ‘alaika Yaa RasulAllah

Assalatu wa’s Salaamu ‘alaika Yaa NabiyyAllah

Assalatu wa’s Salaamu ‘alaika Yaa SafiyyAllah

Assalatu wa’s Salaamu ‘alaika Yaa KhalilAllah

Assalatu wa’s Salaamu ‘alaika Yaa HabibAllah

Assalatu wa’s Salaamu ‘alaika Yaa man Sharrafahu’llah

Assalatu wa’s Salaamu ‘alaika Yaa man Karramahu’llah

Assalatu wa’s Salaamu ‘alaika Yaa man ‘Allamahu’llah

Assalatu wa’s Salaamu ‘alaika Yaa man ‘Adh-dhamahu’llah

Assalatu wa’s Salaamu ‘alaika Yaa man Zayyanahu’llah

Assalatu wa’s Salaamu ‘alaika Yaa Sayyidal Mursaleen

Assalatu wa’s Salaamu ‘alaika Yaa Khaatam an-Nabiyyeen

Assalatu wa’s Salaamu ‘alaika Yaa Imama’l Muttaqeen

Assalatu wa’s Salaamu ‘alaika Yaa Shafi’al Mudhnibeen

Assalatu wa’s Salaamu ‘alaika Yaa Rahmatallil ‘aalameen

Assalatu wa’s Salaamu ‘alaika Yaa Khaira Khalqi’llah

Assalatu wa’s Salaamu ‘alaika Yaa Nura ‘Arshi’llah

Salawaatu’llahi wa malaaikatihi wa anbiyaaihi wa rusulihi

Wa hamalati ‘arshihi wa jami’e khalqihi

‘Alaa Sayyidina Muhammad-in wa ‘alaa aalihi wa sahbihee ajma’een

Ilaa yaumi’ddeen.

 

Blessings and salutations on you, O Messenger of Allah

Blessings and salutations on you, O Prophet of Allah

Blessings and salutations on you, O Sincere Friend of Allah

Blessings and salutations on you, O Intimate Friend of Allah

Blessings and salutations on you, O Beloved of Allah

Blessings and salutations on you, O whom Allah has honoured

Blessings and salutations on you, O whom Allah has made noble

Blessings and salutations on you, O to whom Allah has imparted knowledge

Blessings and salutations on you, O whom Allah has exalted

Blessings and salutations on you, O whom Allah has well-endowed

Blessings and salutations on you, O master of Messengers

Blessings and salutations on you, O last in the line of the Prophets

Blessings and salutations on you, O leader of those who are pious

Blessings and salutations on you, O intercessor for sinners

Blessings and salutations on you, O mercy for all domains of existence

Blessings and salutations on you, O best of the creations of Allah

Blessings and salutations on you, O light of the Throne of Allah

May blessings of Allah, and His angels, His Prophets and His Messengers,

and the bearers of His Throne, and all whom He created, rest on

our master Muhammad, on his family and all his companions

till the Day of Judgement.

 

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. 

 

 

 

 

The plush red carpets are no longer visible during daylight; they are carpeted with sleeping bodies of the fasting millions. This trance-like scene is transformed as the sun reddens and sinks; a stunningly fluid choreographed ensemble, miles of plastic sheets unfurl, sustenance appears, to just as speedily disappear. By the Grace of the Most Generous and Merciful, hunger is abated and thirst satiated, while the heart and soul join to perform the majestic Maghrib to the accompaniment of our Lord’s Speech. The human ocean once more swirls around the austere House.  And tramping feet replicate the running of Hajar Alaiha asSalam in the crowded Mas’aa.  May all this be recorded in the lofty scrolls with the finest of inks as the most noble of intentions.  Ameen.

*

The construction work on the extension of the Mas’aa continues.  The projected plan to have one level ready for the increased numbers in Ramadhan has not materialized. Gone are the times when Insan could enlist the help of the Jinn with such endeavours!

The massive excavation, creating a basement level is to be exclusively for wheelchairs once complete, which is a wise consideration given the thousands that weave in and out of the crowds often causing problems.

There are several other developments that have been approved for the Haramain. As well as the covering of the open Mataf area. An artists’ impression of how this may look.

 

Every Muslim yearns for the elevating spiritual experience accompanying prayers at the two holy mosques. The experience is comparable to a rebirth with absolution from all past sins. The irresistible call of Makkah.

And for those who wish to ensure a place in the crowd, here is one of the sad realities of some of the latest schemes operating. Along with the desire to obtain your supply of ZamZam.

As much as our heart longs for the ideal in our Deen, and especially during the peak rites of Ramadhan and Hajj, many logistical concerns seem to be overlooked. It may be that the Haramain can accommodate so many million, with new projects aiming at increasing the capacity and maximizing the comfort of the pilgrims, but the huge disaster area is the lack of planning regarding transporting these huge numbers. When it takes three plus hours to travel a short distance of three kilometers, with suffocating traffic fumes billowing all around, then why the distorted focus on brilliant facilities and the glitzy hotels when pilgrims cannot get to them in comfort? I feel that until the vital transport problem is resolved the push to continually increase the numbers pouring in is a total misadventure. Apparently deals have been reached for buying land from Makkans in preparation for a rail system. But this could be a decade before it would be functioning.

Meanwhile we are gifted the opportunity of striving to increase our SABR. Alhumdulillah.  

May the collective struggles of the Ummah during this Mubarak Ramadhan be recorded as the best of rewards, 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. 

 

 

UMRAH IN RAMADHAN,

A HAJJ WITH RASULULLAH 

SallAllahu alaihi wasallam 

 

Umrah in Ramadhan is equal to a Hajj with me.  (Bukhari)

And:

Ibn ‘Abbas RadhiAllahu anhu narrated: Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said to a woman of the Ansar , What has prevented you that you do not perform Hajj along with us? She said: We have only two camels for carrying water. One of the camels has been taken by my husband and my son for performing Hajj and one has been left for us for carrying water, whereupon the Holy Prophet  SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: So when the month of Ramadan comes, perform ‘Umrah, for ‘Umrah in this month) is equal to Hajj in reward. (Sahih Muslim)

Insha’Allah we are off to perform Hajj with our Beloved Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

IMAGINE! IMAGINE….allow the heart to imagine how this would truly be, no we cannot….nor can we ever imagine the volume of mercies and blessings showered upon us so abundantly during this sacred month…..

A million plus are already in Makkah, offering Umrah in this month of mercy, forgiveness and freedom from the fire. As if accompanied by our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May all struggles and efforts be accepted, may the Ad’iyah of all coming and going throughout the month be accepted. May the entire Ummah be the recipients of Allah Ta’ala’s glorious promises and rewards and may we all be residents in Jannah, entering through Bab Ar-Rayyan. May our fasting be lighting a blazing lamp of Taqwa, illuminating the ladder to Jannatul Firdaws, where we will meet our Rabb Whom we are fasting for…and Insha’Allah the recompense from Him will be grander than what our feeble imagination conjures. Ameen Ameen Ameen.

And now is the time when millions throughout the world are making the firm intention for this years Hajj. May we take a few moments to include them in our Du’a, during these Mubarak times of Du’a being accepted. May Allah Ta’ala’s invitation reach all with the desire to fulfill this act of worship, and make the process easy.

The following are from a series of photos taken by National Geographic magazine in 1953.

Once again, IMAGINE how it must have been not so long ago….and then stretch the imagination back even more to when our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam performed his one and onlu Hajj with his devoted Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum. IMAGINE.   

 

 

My upload limit is fast running out so I refrained from posting all of these amazing shots. The complete set appears on various sites, one is here.

insha’Allah back in afew days.

I take you all in my little book to supplicate for you and yours, near and far, Insha’Allah. Please keep this needy miniscule speck in your Du’a. We all so much need each other, a needy Ummah indeed.  

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. 

 

Circling Masjid Nabawi from late Asr until one hour after Taraweeh on day 6 of this Mubarak month. Would like to share some more but it will have to wait, apologies….let the photos tell their own story, Insha’Allah.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE MOON! 

 

And the slumbering Abode of the one brighter than the full moon, SallAllahu alaihi wasallam! 

 

Watch Taraweeh from these sites, JazakumuLlahu khairan to brother Mohamed for sharing these.

www.info.gov.sa/portals/tv/index.php  
www.liveislam.net
www.haramainrecordings.com

Article about ZamZam consumption and organization during Ramadhan

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=101320&d=18&m=9&y=2007&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom

 
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. 

 

 

 

 

ARRIVING…..

 

 

 

 

A poetic and pictorial Ramadhan sharing from dear Maryam and Yusuf. JazaKumuLLah Ahsanal Jazaa’ fid-Darain khairan katheeran katheeran adaba. May we all be arriving at the door of Allah Ta’ala’s Mercy, seeking to fulfill the advice from our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam:

"And in this month four things you should continue to perform in great number, two of which shall be to please your Lord, while the other two shall be those without which you cannot do. Those which shall please you Lord, are that you should in great quantity bear witness that there is no deity to worship except Allah, LAA ILAHA ILLALLAH, and make much Istighfar, begging Allah’s forgiveness with ASTAGHFIRULLAH. And as for those without which you cannot do, you should beg of Allah, entrance into Paradise and ask refuge in Him from Jahannam."

May this Mubarak Ramadhan earn our ARRIVING…..to Him and His SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, through Ar-Rayyan, the exclusive doorway to Jannah for the fasting Ummah. Ameen. 

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.