Monthly Archives: December 2008

umbrellas, turbans, farewell tears and..

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Headlines reveal that pilgrims are leaving this Mubarak City of Light and Peace in droves, but thousands are still filling the Masjid and flowing into the courtyards, with the Saff extending into the streets during Salat, SubhanAllah!

Large groups congregate offering their farewell Salam to our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Tears accompany sobbing prayers as wave upon wave jostle to be near the Court of Love and Goodness, the honoured abode of the Mercy to the Worlds SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. None can have faith unless he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam is dearer than parents, children and all mankind. How dear this reality is as the faithful near departure. Ya Rabb, sow this realization deeply and deeper into the hearts of the entire Ummah, Ameen.

The shaded areas are most popular in the afternoon sun, where the most magnificent turbans are paraded.

Others seem oblivious of the crowds around them as they sleep, maybe dreaming of being this close to HabibuLlah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam in Jannah…

…where there will be no need of shade from umbrellas, Ya Rabb.

The installation is progressing rapidly, while at the same time providing a fascinating display of precision technology, attracting a constant gallery of onlookers. The carpets are now spread from Babus Salam almost all the way across to the opposite fence, with Zamzam containers and portable Qur’an cases also being made available.

There are now 16 umbrellas in this section. Still no signs of any in the sisters areas. Insha’Allah soon!

Alhumdulillah the past few days have seen carpets reaching almost to the perimeter of the courtyard for sisters, which previously was ignored.

This article details various statistics regarding the work being done around Masjid Nabawi along with projected figures of worshippers being accommodated with the new extensions. The heading is deceiving as all the work mentioned has been on going for some years now. Plus other features not mentioned include the planned construction of seven more pedestrian tunnels and the extension of the main traffic tunnel to alleviate the heavy congestion in the area around the date market. There has been runours that it is to be relocated away from the immediate Haram area, Allahu ‘Alum.

While information on developments in Makkah are included in the ‘Kingdom in 2008′ supplement in Arab News today.

And just as we thought the net was at the end of its cranky behaviour the news is that it will hobble along for a while longer, ALHUMDULILLAH! Posting has been excruciatingly slow! But a mere hiccup compared to what our brothers and sisters are confronted with in Gaza. Insha’Allah may we all be constant in our Du’a and others acts of Ibadah on their behalf.

I wonder why the Imams do not mention the catastrophe after each Salat in the Haramain. Calling the thousands that are still in Masjid al-Haram and beside Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam to offer Du’a and reciting for the situation would surely reach Allah Ta’ala. La hawla wa la quwata illa biLlah.

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 beast

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the beast boasting bravado and brutality
beats a deathly dirge on its metallic chest
a chest stuffed with hatred greed
stinking of power and oppression
gorged with ballistics reeking of corruption
and yet shaking with cowardice
as trembling remote fingers
hiding behind demonic medals, stripes and vain glorious names
detonate heinous massacres
of barbaric magnitude.
beasts bomb to the hiss of a liturgy of slogans:
‘bombing for freedom, peace and democracy’
‘retaliation’ ‘as long as necessary’
‘the operation may take some time’
‘but we pledge to avoid a humanitarian crisis’
BHAHHHHHHH….bunkum
BHAHHHHHHH….bunkum

see their doom as they cringe
when their bellies fill with festering pus
and molten brass
boiling their insides
hunger satiated with obnoxious thorns and heads of devils
the very devils that are now raging in their bellies
the elitist uniforms they pompously swagger in
to become tailored garments of fire decorated with tar and scabs.
And no ‘as long as necessary’
‘the operation may take some time’
NO,

NOT FOR THE LIKES OF THESE BEASTS
Allah The Just, The Crusher, The Abaser, The Humiliator, The Avenger
smashes tyrants from their pedestals
into His pit of darkness for ETERNITY

E T E R N I T Y

E      T      E      R      N      I      T      Y

So to our dear brothers and sisters

in the all too many places these scavenging beasts
prey
we pray
Ya Rabb, Ya Lateef
Shower your Mercy
Fill hearts with Sabr
Accept the Shaheed in your loving embrace.
As we all beseech
Ya Rabb, Ya Lateef, do not give the enemy power over us
And do not give them authority over us
On account of our sins
Ya Rabb, Ya Lateef, do not give the enemy power over us
And do not give them authority over us
On account of our sins
Ya Rabb, Ya Lateef, do not give the enemy power over us
And do not give them authority over us
On account of our sins.

Ya Rabb, Ya Lateef, make us all steadfast with the recitation of Hizb al-Nasr or ‘The Litany of Triumph’ the supplication read for the victory of Muslims over our non-Muslim foes.
O Allah, O He Whom the eyes do not see,
Allahumma ya Man la tara-hu ‘l-’uyun:
and with Whom mere suppositions do not blend,
wa la tukhalitu-hu ‘D-Dunun:
and Whom the portrayers do not portray,
wa la yasifu-hu ‘l-wasifun:
and Who does not fear misfortunes,
wa la yakhafu ‘d-dawa’ir:
and Who is not destroyed by dire consequences.
wa la tufni-hi ‘l-’awaqib.

He knows the weights of the mountains,
ya’lamu mathaqila ‘l-jibali
and the measures of the oceans,
wa maka’ila ‘l-bihar:
and the number of the drops of rain,
wa ‘adada qatri ‘l-amtar:
and the number of the leaves on the trees,
wa ‘adada waraqi ‘l-ashjar:
and the number of the things on which the night casts darkness,
wa ‘adada ma aDlama ‘alai-hi ‘l-lailu
and on which the day sheds light.
wa ashraqa ‘alai-hi ‘n-nahar.

Not one of the heavens is concealed from Him, nor any earth,
wa la tuwari min-hu sama’un min sama’in wa la ardun min ardin
nor any mountain, without His knowing what is in its very depth,
wa la jibalun illa ya’lamu ma fi qa’ri-ha
and the heavens and the earth are in submission to His Majesty.
wa fi ‘stikanati ‘ADamati-hi ‘s-samawatu wa ‘l-ardu

O Allah, let the best of my work be its final results,
Allahumma ‘j’al khaira ‘amali khawatima-hu
and let the best of my days be the day on which I meet with You.
wa khaira ayyami yawma alqa-ka fi-h:
You are indeed Capable of all things.
inna-ka ‘ala kulli shai’in Qadir.

O Allah, if someone is hostile toward me, treat him with hostility.
Allahumma man ‘ada-ni fa-’adi-h:
If someone deceives me, deceive him.
wa man kada-ni fa-kid-h:
If someone puts my life in danger, destroy him.
wa man bagha ‘alayya bi-mahlakatin fa-ahlik-h:
If someone sets a trap for me, grab hold of him.
wa man nasaba li fakhkhan fa-khudh-h.

Extinguish for me the fire of him who kindles his fire to harm me,
wa atfi ‘an-ni nara man shabba nara-hu ‘alayya
and protect me from what distresses me
wa ‘kfi-ni ma ahamma-ni
in the business of this world and the Hereafter,
min amri ‘d-dunya wa ‘l-akhirati
and confirm my hope with realization.
wa saddiq raja’i bi’t-tahqiq.

O Tender One!  O Gentle One!
ya Shafiqu ya Rafiq:
Relieve me of every hardship,
farrij ‘an-ni kulla diq:
and do not burden me with what I cannot bear.
wa la tuhammil-ni ma la utiq:
You are indeed the Worthy Sovereign!
inna-ka Anta ‘l-Maliku ‘l-Haqiq.

O Radiant Source of the Proof!
ya Mushriqa ‘l-Burhan:
O He of Whom no place is empty, protect me
ya Man la yakhlu min-hu makanuni ‘hrus-ni
with Your eye that never sleeps,
bi-’aini-ka ‘llati la tanam:
and shield me with Your shelter
wa ‘knuf-ni bi-kanafi-ka
and Your pillar, which can never be dislodged.
wa rukni-ka ‘lladhi la yuram

My heart is now fully convinced that there is no god but You,
inna-hu qad tayaqqana qalbi inna-ka la ilaha illa Anta
and that I shall not perish while You are with me.
wa inni la ahliku wa Anta ma’i.

O All-Merciful One, treat me mercifully with Your power over me!
ya Rahmanu fa-’rham-ni bi-qudrati-ka ‘alayya.
O Splendid One, looked to in hope by every splendid being!
ya ‘ADiman yurja li-kulli ‘aDim:
O All-Knowing One, O All-Forbearing One!
ya ‘Alimu ya Halim:

You are Aware of my condition,
wa Anta bi-hali ‘Alim:
and Capable of my salvation, and that is easy for You,
wa ‘ala khalasi Qadir: wa huwa ‘alai-ka yasir:
so treat me with gracious favor in Your judgment.
fa-’mnun ‘alayya bi-qada’i-k.

O Most Noble of the most noble,
ya Akrama ‘l-akramina
and O Most Generous of the most generous,
wa ya Ajwada ‘l-ajwadina
and O Swiftest of the reckoners!
wa ya Asra’a ‘l-hasibin.

O Lord of All the Worlds and O Most Merciful of the merciful!
ya Rabba ‘l-’alamina wa ya Arhama ‘l-arhamin.

O Allah, do not make my life a misery,
Allahumma la taj’al li-’aishi kadda:
and do not cause my plea to be rejected.
wa la li-du’a'i radda:

Do not make me a servant to anyone but You,
wa la taj’al-ni li-ghairi-ka ‘abda:
and do not plant love in my heart for anything other than You,
wa la taj’al fi qalbi li-siwa-ka wudda:
for I do not say that You have any counterpart,
fa-inni la aqulu la-ka diddan
or any partner or any rival.
wa la sharikan wa la nidda.

You are indeed Capable of all things,
inna-ka ‘ala kulli shai’in Qadir.
and there is no power nor any strength
wa la hawla wa la quwwata
except with Allah, the All-High, the Almighty.
illa bi’llahi ‘l-’Aliyyi ‘l-’ADim.

May Allah bless our master Muhammad and his family
wa salla ‘llahu ‘ala sayyidi-na Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali-hi
and his Companions, and may He grant them peace
wa sahbi-hi wa sallama tasliman
in great abundance until the Day of Reckoning.
kathiran ila Yawmi ‘d-Din.

Amin.

(source, audio and Arabic pdf file)

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.

Muharram 1430

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The birth of the new moon of Muharram heralds the new Islamic year of 1430. Allah Ta’ala’s Divine Speech mentions the importance of this month, translated as ‘forbidden’, and being one of the four sacred months:

Surely, the number of months according to Allah is twelve (as written) in the Book of Allah on the day He created the heavens and the Earth, of which there are Four Sacred Months. That is the right faith. So do not wrong yourself therein. (9:36)

JazakumuLlahu khairan to those who have forwarded and posted the following pertinent reminder; a summarized from a talk given by Habib Umar bin Hafiz (May Allah preserve him):[1]

We bid farewell to a to another year of the Hijra of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), a year which contains a number of days and nights which are what makes up your lifespan. If a day passes then a part of you has passed. You are but a body and spirit existent in a limited time period. When that period comes to an end you come to an end. It is only those of sound intellect who realise the true value of these days and nights that pass. They know that it is He Who made the Night and the Day to follow each other: for the one who wishes to reflect or to show gratitude.[2] Whatever anyone has achieved throughout the days and nights that has not increased them in reflection and gratitude has missed the purpose and fundamental wisdom for which these days and nights were created and for which mankind was created.

We witness the passing of time and the alternation of seasons and changes and events. Things which are agreeable to us; things which are unpleasant – all of which test us. We witness the passing away of those who live alongside, some of it expected, some of it unexpected. All of this is by the decree of the All-Powerful Sovereign.

We welcome likewise a new year. Every individual must look at their level of reflection and gratitude so they may obtain their provision from these days and nights. Amongst the meanings of reflection is removing the veils from the spirit to remember the original covenant which it took with its Lord and clearing away the dust to extend its gaze to its eventual destination. As for gratitude, everything which is of any benefit to creation comes into its sphere. The Master of Creation said (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), “Should I not be a grateful slave?” and he is the most grateful of creation to the Creator, and through his gratitude we show gratitude to the Creator. May Allah bind us to him in this life and the next.

It is He Who made the Night and the Day to follow each other: for the one who wishes to reflect or to show gratitude . What are the signs and the attributes of the people of reflection and gratitude? Read the eleven attributes that follow this verse, beginning with: And the slaves of the Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, “Peace!” Those who spend the night in worship of their Lord prostrate and standing[3]

Reflect upon these attributes and ask yourself what portion you have of them. Do not be content merely to pass over them superficially. Delve into them deeply, hold firm to them and actualise their meanings. Each of these attributes has a residing place in your inner being. If each attribute finds its place you will, in your inner being, be one of the slaves of the Most Gracious and every day and night you will increase in reflection and gratitude, and He will prepare you for an indescribable reward. “I have prepared for my righteous slaves that which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and what no man can imagine.”

The majority of the people of Islam and Iman have made no preparation for the vision of the face of the Best of Mankind, accompanying him on the day of Crowding and then in Dar al-Salam, the Abode of Peace. Does this warrant you giving anything less than your all? How much have you put towards this: of your thoughts, your actions, the attributes of your heart, of the hours of your day and night? After the death of the Messenger of Allah Sayyiduna al-Siddiq would spend his nights crying out of his longing for him. Do we allow the ups and downs of this fleeting life and the desires of our enemies to tear these feelings away from us? Will you exchange the better for the worse? All you who believe, accompanying him is greater than anything we can imagine. There is no gift more exquisite that the Lord of the Throne may bless you with than his companionship and the vision of his face and addressing the possessor of that face. He is a man like no other, the Beloved of the Creator.

If these feelings were alive in the hearts of the Umma all causes of evil inward and outward would be blocked and the Umma would be safe from every tribulation. The level of tribulation in which we find ourselves is according to our deficiency in our love for Allah and His Chosen One.

At the end of this year may Allah grant us the ability to please His Beloved through seeking to improve our states and our transactions and what takes places in our houses and what is in our hearts. Nothing should be more beloved to us than Allah and nothing in creation, not even Paradise, should be more beloved to us than Muhammad. No created thing can take precedence over Muhammad, because Allah Himself gave him precedence over all of creation.

For this reason the Companion Salama ibn Rabi`a could think of nothing better to ask from the Messenger of Allah than his companionship in Paradise. The response of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was to order him to make abundant prostration. The closest a slave is to Allah is when he is in prostration. If you desire to be close to the one who is closest to Allah make abundant prostration. One of the meanings of this prostration is to rid our houses of anything which is contravenes his Sunna, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Let this Hijri year finish and with it any contravention of the Sunna. This is prostration. You want to accompany him but you don’t want to live in accordance with his teaching? Let this year finish and you are in a state of preparation to meet the best of Allah’s slaves.

[1] Jalsat al-Ithnayn, Jami` Tarim, the night of 25th Dhu’l-Hijja 1429

[2] Sura al-Furqan, 25.62

[3] Sura al-Furqan, 25.63-74

~*~

Knocking at Allah’s Door, a pdf file (dua_of_habib_ali-alhabshi) of Habib Ali bin Muhammad al-Habshi’s (May Allah Ta’ala preserve him) supplication for the beginning of the new year.

~*~

Our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam affirms in several Ahadith the blessings this month carries:

“The one that keeps a fast in the month of Muharram will receive the reward of thirty fasts for each fast (in this sacred month).” (Tabrani)

“This fast is a compensation for the (minor) sins of the past year.” (Muslim)

“The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadhan is the fasting of Allah’s month of Muharram.” (Muslim)

~*~

Du’a (Arabic) for fare welling Dhul Hijjah, the end of the previous year, along with another for welcoming Muharram, the new lunar year.

~*~

Many pre-Islamic events are attributed to the 10th of Muharram, and Allah Almighty knows best. It is said that this is the day Allah Ta’ala commanded the sea to part so Musa Alaihis Salam and his devoted followers could be saved from the tyranny of Firoun. Other occurrences, linked to this day, as narrated by many scholars include, the creation of the oceans and Heavens, the birth of Adam Alaihis Salam, as well as the day he was granted entry into Jannah.

According to the Tafseer of at-Tabari and al-Baghawi, the Prophet Nuh Alaihis Salam had embarked on the Ark on the 10th of Rajab, and for six months Allah Ta’ala sailed him and all who accompanied him, along with the animals, to the eventual safety of Mount Juddiyy, where the Ark came to rest on the day of Ashurah. SubhanAllah, it is said that Nuh Alaihis Salam gave thanks that day, as well as requesting all on the Ark to do the same. Some even say that all the animals also fasted!

We removed from them the punishment of humiliation in the worldly life and let them enjoy themselves for some time. (10:98)

This verse refers to when the people of Yunus Alaihis Salam collectively repented to Allah Ta’ala for their sinful ways, with forgiveness being granted by Him. Reports say this also occurred on the day of Ashurah.

Prophet Ayyub Alaihis Salam was cured of the illness that he so patiently endured for years on this day, and Sulayman Alaihis Salam was crowned king.

While as part of our Islamic history we somberly remember the martyrdom of Hussein RadhiAllahu anhu, the Prophets grandson. (The History of Karbala from a Sunni perspective)

Allahu ‘Alum, Allah the Almighty knows best, if it is His Decree that Yaumul Qiyamah will occur on the day of Ashurah, as some narrate.

The Illuminated City of Madinah is unusually very quiet during Muharram as the millions who have been in the Kingdom for the Hajj season must have left during the early days of the month.

The Day of Ashurah, as well as the 9th and 11th, sufrahs are spread inside Masjid Nabawi with the usual Iftar consisting of bread, yogurt, dates and Arabic coffee being offered by the generous philanthropists of Madinah. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam advised his Ummah to fast one of the days either side of the 10th to distinguish us from the People of the Book’s tradition of only fasting on the 10th.

Before the fasts of Ramadhan were made compulsory, fasting the day of Ashurah was Fardh, but was no longer Fardh once the fasting of Ramadhan was prescribed as being obligatory. However may we seek the rewards of these days, Insha’Allah.

Unlike some countries and some groups, and according to the purity of the Sunnah, there is no evidence of any excessive behavior across the City on the day of Ashurah, Alhumdulillah.

May the sublime hallmarks of peace and tranquility that define this Radiant resting place of our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam shines upon all as we reflect and act upon his manner of honouring the sacred month of Muharram.

As we become more and more distanced from the luminous generations, the three after our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam being the best, may we be more heedful of our duties throughout this 1430th after Hijrah, to the commands of Allah Ta’ala and the Sunnah as defined by the impeccable life and manners of our Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May we honour with due esteem the reverence assigned to this sacred month by Allah Ta’ala, by increasing our devotion to Ibadah.

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 Wali in Awali

The Awali district (previous entries 1,2,3 ) to the south east of Masjid Nabawi , adjacent to Jannatul Baqi till now exudes an ambience of piety. Partly due to the existence of such old architecture, but also because so many true lovers of the Beloved SallAllahu alaihi wasallam choose to live there, and have been for ages. Masha’Allah.

Alhumdulillah I have been blessed to sit at the feet of some of these Mubarak souls and recently visiting them once again.

This photo, which is to adorn the cover of the upcoming publication by Peter Sanders depicts one such Wali who is of the Abdul Qadir Jilani lineage. He was a Khadim in Masjid Nabawi for decades and shares amazing stories of life and conditions during the times before the modernization of the Haramain. Camel journeys taking several weeks from Makkah to Madinah for a few riyals. Nights spent filling and carrying water barrels on his back to be distributed in the Masjid. He reminisces of times when money, greed and power were not the driving forces behind Umrah and Ziyarah to convey blessings and greeting to our Beloved Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. His advice to all when in the Prophet’s City is to try to accompany every breath with Salawat and to turn the gaze to the Green Abode, or for brothers to seek the vision of the Mubarak Hujrah as much as possible. He speaks ever so gently and softly about the need for a loving role between husband and wife, emphasizing the importance of the husband’s diligence in being ‘the shepherd of his flock’. And he shares deeper spiritual accounts of his intimacy with Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, and the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhu, as well as poignant mysteries from his Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani Rahmatullah alaihi. SubhanAllah!

I include the inspirational Seventy-Seventh Discourse of Abdul Qadir Jilani Rahmatullah alaihi from his Futuh al-Ghaib, Revelations of the Unseen acknowledging the link between him and this Wali of Awali.

‘Be with Allah, the Mighty, the Glorious, as if no creation exists. And be with the creation as if there is no self in you. And when you are with Allah, the Mighty, the Glorious, without the creation you will get Him and vanish from every other thing, and when you are with the creation without yourself you will do justice and keep the path of virtue and remain safe from the hardships of life. And leave everything outside the door while you are entering in your solitude and enter therein alone. And when you have done so, you will see your friend in your solitude with your inner eye and will experience what is besides the creation and then your self will vanish and in its place will come the command of Allah and His nearness. And at this point your ignorance will be your knowledge and your distance will be your nearness and your silence will be your remembrance of Allah and your bewilderment will prove friendship. O you man! There will be nothing left at this stage excepting the Creator and the created. So if you have adopted the Creator, then say to the rest:

Surely they are my enemies but the Lord of the Worlds is my friend. (26:77)

Whoever has tasted it has come to know it.

He was asked: “How can one in whom the bitterness of bile predominates taste sweetness?” In reply he said: “He should with an effort to keep away the sensual desires from himself. O you man! When a believer does a good deed his animal self changes into his heart (that is in response to the dictates of the heart) And the self attains the consciousness of the heart; then this heart changes into a secret; then the secret undergoes another change and becomes annihilated; then the annihilation passes through another transformation and becomes another existence.” He further observed: The friends have an access through every door. O you man! The annihilation (self effacement0 is to deny all creation and transform your nature into the nature of the Angels; then vanishing from the nature of the Angels and then getting back to the first way; and then your Lord will water you as much as He likes and cultivate you as much as He likes. If you want this stage you should adopt Islam and then submission to the decree of Allah, and then acquire the knowledge of Allah and then realize Him and then exist in Him, and then you get such an existence you will wholly belong to Him. Piety is a work of an hour and abstemiousness of two hours and knowledge of Allah is a work for all times.’

While the following stirring Salawaat is from his Al-Fath ur Rabbani, The Endowment of Divine Grace:

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

O Allah! O You Who know my inability to praise You,

I ask of You – for the sake of the most perfect of all those who praise You,

(that is, Sayyidina Muhammad),

to whom You unveiled the realities of Your Names and Your Attributes,

and the subtleties of the emanations of Your Essence,

so that he came to know You in a manner befitting Your Perfection,

and whom You thereupon inspired with Your praises

as You inspired none other than him,

as You will inspire him many times more

on the Day when his uniqueness will be manifested,

(that is, on the Day of Judgement),

when his glorious character will be manifested in all its glory,

(I ask of You, O Allah!)

to bestow upon him,

who is more precious than any other being,

such blessings and salutations that befit Your most Sanctified Perfection,

and let the noble blessings and peace You confer upon him,

encompass the whole of his physical being as well as his essence,

as well as everything that pertains to him

in the world of creation and in the world of the Divine Command,

so that, O our Lord, You leave out none of

Your Prophets, Your Messengers, Your Angels and Your righteous servants,

but include them all

within the compass of Your Tremendous Grace.

Sallu ‘ala’r Rasul

Allahumma Salli wa Sallim ‘alayh.

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.

yesterday and today

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Yesterday

Today

I just lost an entire post, Alhumdulillah…and with the net being ever so cantankerous, and current commitments away from this screen,  to get these photos posted again is all I can manage for the moment :)

Allahu Akbar!

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.

hajj vendors

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These temporary ‘cafes’ are popular with the pilgrims staying in the older quarters away from the dense hotel complexes in the central area around Haram. A carpet was laid behind this counter for customers to sit and relax in the warm wintry afternoon sun…

…like this one across the road, where a young boy is taking an order…

…these small booths are rented out. And even though they stock the common trinkets found in the majority of shops, they still attract buyers…

…hundreds of family and friends in far flung places will be delighted to receive gifts from the Holy Lands, regardless of them being imported from far flung places….

…some scatter their stock on the ground avoiding the cost of renting….while the sisters with their wooden trolleys move about according to where the crowds may be, seeking their rizq…

…while others use their vehicles to display items, the back of pick up trucks line the roads to and from Haram….these shoe traders would be doing a roaring trade in Iraq these days!

Unfortunately too many traders in the established shops try to fleece the Hujjaj, who already have paid extravagant prices for travel and accommodation. During this Hajj season I have needed to purchase various items where the price quoted has been an increase of more than 40% compared to before Hajj. When I confront the shop keepers, asking if it is fair to treat the guests like this, and explaining what I had paid for the same item they happily sell it at the pre-Hajj price, smirking as they take the money. Meeting with friends and hearing of their stories of extortion is a sad reflection on the attitude too many have towards the pilgrims.

One shudders at the thought of how the scene may be on That Fateful Day where we all will be questioned about each and every detail of our existence. Accounts of us drowning in our perspiration due to the length and degree of explaining our actions do not seem excessive. May Allah Ta’ala’s Mercy flood our hearts before it is too late.

O Allah, I seek forgiveness for every sin, I committed, about which, of course, You know inside and out, from the beginning to the end of my life, whether committed deliberately or intentionally, few or many, abstruse or manifest, old or new, secretly carried out or openly done; and for whatever wrong I have done I turn repentant unto You and beseech You to bless Muhammad and the children of Muhammad and forgive all my unjust acts I did to wrong the people (because they have rights which I have to recognize and fulfill) but You have full authority to forgive those wrongdoings whenever and howsoever You wish, O the most merciful. (Arabic and transliteration and more Du’a for seeking forgiveness here and here)

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.

P O U N C E !

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During this past week all the heavy equipment necessary for tarring the roads have been in action. Many of the narrow alleys that recently became rivers when it rained have been resurfaced, including the stretch our home is on, Alhumdulillah.

As the fumes from the asphalt wafted up and the repetitive rumbling of the steam roller filled the morning the machinations of the mind wondered how this new look would affect the daily rituals played out in these alleys. The sweepers would no longer be inhaling so much dust, the local lads and their soccer games would be on a smooth surface, people would not be stumbling into potholes, or cars swerving and dodging the deeper holes. Maybe there would be more respect for not littering, cats would need to be searching for the fewer areas of dirt for their doings. Rents for accommodation in the older buildings in these areas, which are popular with the poorer visitor may increase, due to the ‘improved’ surroundings. This unfortunately is the sad reality when it comes to extracting money from the pilgrims in and around the Haramain. (read this article)

And the rats and mice…maybe they would increase their efforts to take up lodgings in houses as many of their tunnels and hidden crevices have been covered over.

A funny scene, related to these scattered thoughts awaited me whilst walking from home to Masjid Haram in one of the ‘new’ alleyways.

A young girl dressed in hot pink, her very small brother gripping her left hand, while in her right she was carrying a rat trap cage…including a rat! I arrived as she was about to open the door to release the very scared creature into one of the rubbish bins. I tried to tell her that it would soon escape and be back annoying someone. Although reflecting on this later I realized that maybe the rat could not climb back out, unless the rubbish in the bin was high enough for it to scamper up and over, which it was.

This little drama attracted some other young children who are always on the lookout for entertainment, made even more interesting as I had a camera! One was a brave young boy who offered to take the ‘criminal’ off the hands of the even braver girl, who had obviously been sent out to dispatch the nuisance, taking her tiny brother for support. Many would real from such a task, let alone a young girl.

The ‘hero’ boy noticed a cat nearby which was showing a keen interest in the captured rat. The boy’s plan soon became apparent as he held the cage in front of the cat enticing its appetite. The cat stiffened into a stalking posture, at which moment the boy carefully slid the cage door open….

….then POUNCE!

I was stunned at how fast the cat pounced, thinking this rat is fast and these cats get so much food from the bins their natural instinct to hunt is almost a lost art. But within a fraction of a second the rat was pierced by one ferocious bite from the cat, which immediately ran off with its prey.

The children around erupted into squeals of laughter and cheering.  The young girl smiled, taking the empty cage and her tiny brother back home. I would not be surprised if there are repeat performances of this interlude.

Such is the magnificent system of Allah Ta’ala, whereby the nature of all creatures is instinctual. Reacting with unlearned patterns of response to certain situations.  Instinct is hard wired and ready to ‘pounce’ into action without any prior intellectualization.

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The favoured animals in Islam are the camel, the horse, the cat, the goat and the sheep, while the ones regarded as unclean are the snake, the rat, the pig, the fly and the dog.

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I leave you with  some Juma’ah ponderables which has fascinated philosophers, psychologists, theologists and others for centuries: how instinctual is religion? How willing are we to ‘pounce’ on our nafs and Shaytan?

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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.