Kunafa, basboosa and baklava arrived as syrupy, sugar-oozing rizq, Alhumdulillah.

 

 

 

Transforming the head into a cataclysmic meltdown, as the sweet hit renders the brain to function in numb zombie mode, while nafs dance a lunatic rumba.

After some time, when a blurred composure seemed to slowly return, I began contemplating the word ‘sweet’ in the context of this Mubarak month.

Was it the cool sensation of the Zamzam hitting a parched throat upon hearing the Adhan from Masjid Nabawi?

Was it the salty taste from tears trickling down to the lips? Tears of gratitude for being Muslim and for the honour of welcoming this most generous guest into the home for a month?

Was it hearing the voice of a loved one far away in another corner of the globe?

Was it watching a toddler laugh and play with his father while sitting in the courtyard?

Was it that indescribable feeling of the right hand stretching out to give to one less fortunate?

The more I considered ‘sweet’ the more my thoughts moved from the sensual to the spiritual, and to the notion of ‘sweeter’

The sweet pastries seemed to lose their appeal.

The sensation of the forehead in Sajdah is sweeter.

The finger in Tashahhud, affirming the wonder of Shahadah over and over is sweeter.

The sight of a lone believer, hands raised, engrossed in a private conversation with Allah Ta’ala is sweeter.

The amplified recitation of the Holy Qur’an in the longer standing of Taraweeh, and now Qiyamul Layl is sweeter.

The joy in a young child’s voice telling of their first Ramadhan fasting is sweeter.

The experience of a young couple travelling from Makkah, whilst there for Umrah, catching a bus to this City of Light, giving Salam to the Noble Resident, our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassalm, and then making the return journey a few hours later is sweeter.

Witnessing others seeking Laylatul Qadr, and taking refuge in Masaajid for the last ten days is sweeter. 

And so much more. So much more, SubhanAllah.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But surely the ‘sweetest’ is all that is ghaib. All that we cannot see, taste, hear, touch.

Jibreel Alaihis Salam comes during these last ten nights revealing two wings, from his hundreds , that reach from horizon to horizon, are only ever displayed at this majestic time.

Angels descend giving Salam.

Forgiveness is showered in abundance.

Beseeching is answered.

We are granted freedom the Jahannam.

We are promised prizes beyond our imagination on the last night as rewards for our abstinence.

While ultimately, ‘the sweetest’ would be to see Allah Ta’ala, His Habib SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, all other Prophets and Angels Alaihum Salam, the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum, the Awliya, Rahmatullah alaihum, cherished scholars, martyrs and frolic with all our loved ones.

May our searching throughout these nights, lead to the sweetest for one and all, Ameen.

May we be blessed with the sweetest taste of pure mercy and salvation.

May our hearts sense the placing of the Banner of Praise between heaven and earth, the Banner of Forgiveness on the Dome of Felicity, the Banner of Mercy on the Ka’abah and the Banner of Genresotiy on the Dome of the Rock.

Ameen Ameen Ameen.

~*~

Moses learns of the Night of Power.

The venerable Moses prayed to his Lord on Mt Sinai, saying: “O my Lord, You are close to me. Let me be close to You.” He heard the voice of the Almighty reply: “O My Converser, I bring near to Me those who keep vigil and worship Me on the Night of Power.” Moses continued: “O my Lord, I wish to be worthy of Your Divine Mercy.” The Glorious and Exalted said: O Moses, those who treat the poor with compassion on the Night of Power are worthy of My Mercy.”

Moses then made yet another supplication: “O my Lord, I wish to cross safely over the Bridge.” The Exalted lord replied: “O Moses, anyone who gives alms and spends in charity on the Night of Power will cross that dark and dreadful Bridge in safety and at lightning speed.”

The Bridge called Sirat stretches in darkness between Paradise and Hell. The greater a person’s light of faith, the easier it will be for him to cross that Bridge. We must not forget that the life of this world is also such a bridge and the way of Islam is its safe crossing. For those who have faith, do good works, are content with Allah and earn His approval, it will be a quick and easy matter to cross the Sirat, just as they cross the bridge of this world in safety and without mishap.

To return to the venerable Moses, who was praying to the Lord on Mt Sinai: “O my Lord,” he pleaded, “I wish to enter your Paradise and enjoy its bliss, to shelter in the shade of its heavenly trees and to eat its abundant fruits.” The Almighty reply came: “O Moses, those who glorify Me on the Night of Power will enjoy these bounties in My Paradise.”

The venerable Moses continues: “O my Lord, I beg for salvation from Your Fire.” “O My Converser, those who seek forgiveness on the Night of Power will find salvation from My Fire.”

The venerable Moses then prayed: “O my Lord, I yearn for Your approval. Be pleased with me!” The All-Glorious One replied: “O Moses, My approval will be won by those who perform a prayer of two cycles for My sake on the Night of Power.”

~*~

May all who seek, find Laylatul Qadr. May destinies scribed on this Night lead to an increase in our faith, Ameen

Insha’Allah we are going to perform Umrah, a Hajj with our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, and time calls to focus on the ’sweetest’, so I take your leave for a little while. You are in my Du’a. Please keep this needy speck in yours. Revisit Laylatul Qadr for Adiyah and links.

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. 

 

 

 

Surely Allah and His angels bless the Prophet; O you who believe!  Bless him too and give him greetings of peace.    

(33:56)

 

 

 

 

 

JazakiLlahu khairan to the dear sister who sent this, and to the original soul whose heart was gifted with such a vision. May we all be blessed with meeting the resident of this Abode of Sakeenah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam in the Garden of Bliss, Ameen Ameen 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. 

 

 

 

 

the machine whirs as his white beard fuses with the white cloth he sews

 

 

 

 

spools of cotton whizz

as does time

from crescent to crescent

how many years of fasting have vanished as he sews hunched

and we squander

awaiting the celebratory day

 

 

 

 others wash, chop, cook, mix, pour, stir, fry…

wait

 

 

wait

for the unwinding, unraveling accumulation of knots to dissolve

in pools of gratitude conceived in the union of hunger and thirst

 

 

 

devils squeal

clanging chains

frantic

as sins gurgle and fade as do smudged hieroglyphics on decaying walls.

 

 

 

 

the majestic moon

blazons as a burnished medallion

reminding the specks who constitute this unified felicity

that its fullness

is but a tarnished pendant

in comparison

to the glow of the most beloved face

the only face ever created with light

decreed to shine and illumine all darkness

injecting hearts with the fragrant essence of

 

 

 

 

layer upon layers of seekers from every spectrum colour

and every nuanced tongue 

converge

on this city that is loved like no other

casting a tonal harmony

 

 

  

 

 

suddenly the sun sinks

veins moisten and thirst becomes a distant memory

scribbled

on a scroll

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 E V E R Y T H I N G

 

 

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. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are the names of the Ahl Badr RadhiAllahu anhum, handwritten by a sincere lover who realizes the succor inherent in these names. Insha’Allah you compile your own list, and encourage others to do so too. May our hearts be filled with the names of these true heroes and their stories of gallant sacrifice for truth. May our individual efforts to combat the shadowy darkness in our midst take inspiration from our glorious history, Ameen.

O Allah! O The Ever-Living, O the Self-Existing by Whom all subsist,

O The Responder, O The Giver, O The Loving One,

O The Reckoner, O The Knower of mysteries,

O The Creator of night and day.

 

I beg of you for the sake of Your Most Beautiful Names

and the mystery of the Glorious Qur’an,

and for the sake of Your Chosen Prophet Muhammad,

on him be the choicest blessings and complete peace,

and for the sake of the noble warriors of the Battle of Badr,

 

that You help the religion of Islam and fulfill all our needs

O The Most Merciful of those who show mercy.

 

 

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. 

 

 

Tears trickled as I typed this long account of visiting the Holy Mantle from The Sacred Trusts. Partly for the love of all that reminds us of our Noble Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, and partly that such relics have been preserved, revered and respected. Rescued from imminent destruction if they had remained in these sacred lands where they were part of the fabric of the glorious days of our Deen. Alhumdulillah for the insight of those who transported all sacred artifacts to safety and security.

 

A Ramadhan Visit to the Holy Mantle.

Sultan Selim 1 initiated the beautiful tradition of visiting the Holy Mantle at the Topkapi Palace on the 15^th day of Ramadan. In 1517 and the years following, an air of anticipation would grow among the members of the palace as the day of the visit approached. Receiving incense water in decorative bottles as invitations, high officials and scholars, as well as pashas, viziers, and the Sheikhulislam and Grand Vizier, shared in the excitement. In accordance with protocol, they had new clothing prepared for the event. Medallions and medals, which might catch on the mantle’s cover as officials leaned over to kiss it, could not be worn on the visiting day. To prepare the incense water that was sent in place of an invitation, the following ingredients were boiled for 12 hours in a closed pot: 200 drachmas of yellow sandalwood; 120 drachmas oily incense elixir; 200 drachmas cyclamen; 180 drachmas crude aloe; 30 drachmas calambac agalloch elixir; 140 drachmas storax; 70 drachmas kermes; 30 drachmas lotur; 50 drachmas onion seed; 20 drachmas sesame root; and 11 drachmas musk, all tied in knotted bundles with 15 okkas (400 drachmas or 2.80 lb) flower essence and 212 okkas rosewater. After removing this from the fire and allowing it to cool, 1.5 miscals (1.50 drams) musk and 1.5 okkas flower essence would be added to the lidded copper jug, which was then swung back and forth to mix the ingredients. The jug would be swung until the desired consistency was achieved. Concocted by Mustafa Aga from Ankara, a member of the Inner Court Campaign Dormitory, the incense water had a special aroma particular to the palace. Difficult and expensive to prepare, it was given as a gift in the Inner Court.

On the 14^th day of Ramadan, the Holy Mantle, with its long, wide sleeves, was transferred inside its case to the Revan Mansion (the name Revan is derived from Erivan, a province in Iran, where Sultan Murad IV carried out victorious campaigns).  The Sultan and servants of the Privy Chamber then swept and cleaned the apartments (this task was considered to be a great honour, therefore the Sultan himself was involved); the walls were washed with rosewater, and perfumed with musk….after aloe and incense burned, the Mantle was returned to its place, accompanied by up to 15 officials with prayers and greetings to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

When the 15^th day of Ramadan finally arrived, all gathered at the time of noon prayers around the Gate of Felicity to wait for the Grand Vizier, while Sheikhulislam would proceed to Hagia Sophia to lead the prayer. After prayer and calling blessings upon the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam they would go in procession to the Audience Hall.

 

 

 

 

Two hours before the noon prayer, the golden casket containing the Holy Mantle was placed on cushions embroidered with gold and silver thread. The traditional continuous recitation of the Holy Qur’an would be continued from there.

The Sultan would open the casket with a gold key and remove a golden casket wrapped in seven green silk velvet scarves embroidered with silver and pearls. The ruler would then open this casket with two wings on top, with another golden key, and the Holy Mantle wrapped in seven scarves, would be taken out. All the while, the Holy Qur’an would be recited.

The Sultan would kiss the Holy Mantle and touch it to his face and eyes, asking for intercession from the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. In turn, others would do the same. Then a large golden basin was brought to the visitor’s space, filled with Zamzam water and the edges of the Mantle lightly dipped in it. The Mantle would be held there for awhile, while the muezzins continued reciting the Qur’an and visitors wished peace upon the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

 

 

 

 

 

Later the Holy Mantle would be taken from the golden basin and dried with fragrant incense smoke, cleaning the area that had been kissed, The water used for washing was later put in small bottles and presented to prominent statesmen, who would drink from it to break their fats with it. One or two drops might also be put in the drinking water of those who were ill, with prayers for the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam’s intercession for restoration of their health.  After the ceremonial visit was completed, the Holy Mantle was returned to its golden case, and the Sultan locked it with the golden key. Carefully wrapped in its seven velvet covers, the case was then locked in the chest.

In later times, the tradition of kissing and then washing the Holy Mantle was discontinued. Instead, the Sultan would rub the Holy Mantle with muslin handkerchiefs and then present these to the visitors. Perfumed with incense water, the handkerchiefs were embroidered with inscriptions praising the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and asking for his intercession.

 

 

 

 

Halit Ziya Usakhgil, who had been assigned four times to attend the ceremony, told of the Holy Mantle’s effect on those who came to see it: “I saw the spiritual excitement of those who came from far and near…people whose eyes were full of tears and whose hearts were full of serenity and pious reverence. I myself felt that I had been cleansed of negative feelings and filled with spiritual pleasure.”

Rusen Esref Unaydin describes performing the taraweeh in the Apartments of the Holy Mantle in his book Ayriliklar [Separations]:

“The call to prayer was made in the Tulip Garden: The songs of nightingales sprinkled on faithful proclamations like drops from a rosewater flask. We passed through the boxwood trees arm in arm. Overflowing with religious and historical recollection, my heart was a night filled with stars like those above my head. The darkness between the row of columns in the entrance hall was punctured by tiny red lanterns. I leaned against one of these columns, which had witnessed sultanates and spiritual ecstasy for centuries. The recitation of Qur’anic verses were in my ears, and the magnificent tiles which filled the observer with a yearning for a mystical spring were in y eyes!

The small group, indistinguishable like dream images among the columns, rose for the Taraweeh prayer. After every two units of prayer, hymns were sung by beautiful voices.

I was so excited that I slowly forgot that I was a mortal living in the present. I had forgotten which century I was in. My elbow was touching a Janissary who had returned from the conquest of Egypt centuries ago rather than the member of the Inner Court at my side. The breath I felt was that of a glorious warrior from Zigetvar rather than the wrinkle-faced ak aga whose joints cracked when he bent in prayer. The elderly voice of the imam echoed victoriously as if from the day of the Erivan campaign. At every greeting to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam I thought that our eyes would meet those of old khan’s, with prayer beads on his knees and a dagger at his waist, who was pleading forgiveness for his arrogance and sins. These associations arose because those spirits in that magical hall were lined up beside the holy token from Prophet Muhammad SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

It was such a great gift that the Turkish nation embraced it like mad lovers in their most youthful age, overcoming arid deserts and conquering iron fortresses. They brought it as a fresh meaning to this city which God’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam had pronounced his wish for its conquest. I thought of the first Companions of the Prophet as I stood close to the Holy Mantle which had wrapped the body of the greatest spiritual leader on Earth and rubbed against his skin.

As we performed Taraweeh prayer in the 1337^th Ramadan in a room filled with the highest material veneration and a magnificent spiritual edge, I imagine the ecstasy with which the first Companions had performed the prayer with the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam under the stars of the Hijaz and on the sand just beginning to cool.

Our worship was enriched with a scent of amber. Especially during moments of prostration, it was as if some water was calling from afar and beyond. The scent emanated from a silver incense burner, and the water was emptying from a spout of a porphyry fountain, running like silver thread in a marble water trough adorned with Arabic. Praying at the edges of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam’s Mantle, we felt as if we heard the sound of the Kawthar River and smelled the scent of Paradise."

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swirling….

in this special month

swirl towards the Centre

The One.

sharpening the focus as we turn

 abandoning

to the Divine Presence

heightening the love

magnetized to

the Originator of all manifestation

symbolized 

by the bricks and mortar of the Kaabah

 

 

 

 

Become mesmerized, join the constant swirl, let the soul vicariously fly as you join the thousands, each a drop in this ocean of devotion, swirling now.

 

 

 

‘Gazing upon the Ka’ba and the waves of people almost surreally swirling around it, I thought of a hurricane. Just as the eye of a hurricane is the energy center that spins out bands of clouds in ever expanding circles, the Ka’ba could be viewed as the energy center of the global Muslim community sending out ever wider circles of believers, who, no matter how distant, are united by the power of the core around which they revolve. Just as one who has been into the eye of a hurricane expresses awe at the stillness and indescribable calm to be found therein, so too would I describe the awe I experienced as I viewed the Ka’ba. Despite all of the power emanating from this source, there, right at the core, dwells an indescribable tranquility and calm.

I swam in that calm as I made the obligatory circumambulations of the ancient house.’

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swirl, disintegrate, dissolve, unite.

 

 

 

 A ‘SWIRLING’ 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.