JazakumuLlahu khairan for your comments on the previous post ‘to market to market’. I decided to reply here. I appreciate your interaction, and your time, comments do inspire

Replying to Muslimah

The majority of pilgrims when they come to this Resplendent City remain within the confines of the First Ring Road where all the main hotels are situated. Looking at the google map, this central district is almost circular, with Masjid Nabawi being the focus in the middle. I have previously likened it to a huge setting of a ring, with the Mubarak Abode of our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam being the rare bejewelled diamond that glistens and sparkles more than anything else in the Universe. It is understandable given many considerations that the movement of pilgrims away from this concentrated area is limited; the spiritual desire to spend as much time as possible in and around Haram with the short time span of the visit. Many aim to offer forty continuous prayers for the great reward awaiting this effort. All shopping is conveniently nearby. Sometimes the extreme weather conditions do not seem conducive to adding extra sightseeing to an already full timetable. And maybe many are unaware of what is beyond the hotel complexes, while many may not have the slightest interest in wandering through the older places. Most tour groups include Ziyarah to the main historical sites of Quba, Qiblatain, Khandaq and Uhud as part of the package deal, where glimpses of the main streets of Madinah are possible. With large swathes that were demolished a few years ago, and the subsequent construction boom, the older areas are less frequented, and their demise is not far off.
Many of these narrow alley ways are within an easy walking distance from Masjid Nabawi, and they do reflect, how not so long ago, the living conditions were when houses were all clustered around the Masjid.
As much as we would love to believe otherwise, sadly crime does exist in the cities of the Haramain, AudhubiLlahi minash-Shaytanir-Rajeem. Years ago when I expressed shock in reaction to various sad stories, I was told that the degree to which people seek Allah Ta’ala, then Shaytan will try to match that with his tempting guile. May Allah Ta’ala protect and guide us all. However, for women moving about without a mehrim is very safe if they do not consciously place themselves in a vulnerable position. Being out alone at night, or riding alone in a car with an unknown driver, and not arranging any meeting from any online connection, which unfortunately is beginning to reveal some horror stories here, should all be avoided, which is common sense anyway.
Many women are seen in groups as they go about their business, or mothers will be accompanied by her children. Some women from families who have their own private driver may travel alone with them, but this is a controversial matter, connected to the topic of driving being forbidden for women here. Male members of the family usually drop the female members at a shopping complex and collect them later.
For women living in the older areas where all the basic requirements are readily available in the small ‘baqalas’, (corner stores) or the likes of the places I previously spoke of, or walking to Masjid Nabawi, then it is very safe to be out an about alone.

Replying to Nausheenk

It has only been relatively recent that photography has been permitted at all in the Kingdom. Less than two years ago a mobile phone with a camera was banned!! Alhumdulillah, like so many ‘modern’ things, the authorities eventually realize that they have to move with the times. Only fifty years ago the humble bicycle was regarded as the ‘devils donkey’!! I am saying this because there is a huge section of the society here who still believes photography is Haram. Mainly the older generation and the Bedu tribes, and yet many have the latest camera phones. The scope for photography is tremendous. I see so many wonderful subjects, but am always conscious of how out of place it is for me to be taking photos, so have to be content with the image in my head only, and move on. Somewhat frustrating, but I guess in the grander scheme of things this is nothing. So whatever does make it on the blog is not necessarily how I would ideally love to compose and take my time with a shot, but as I mentioned before, a quick point and shoot.

Replying to Digital Nomad

You raise a very interesting topic, as so many who have known the Haramain before the massive transformation to the beginnings of this modern trend, emphatically state that they prefer the former. Changes needed to be made, but I personally feel what is necessity, to house millions for Hajj and Umrah, could have been so much simpler in design and style with greater concern for the realities of an efficient transport system connecting the main pilgrimage sites and more public facilities, especially in Makkah. The Ummah come here for Hajj and Umrah, and yet what we see now are lavish hotels based on any other hotel throughout this global village. Being in these places has the same atmosphere as so many capitals in the world, and unfortunately I feel due to such comfort and luxury the heart soon becomes negligent and lazy to why it is actually here in the first place. New buildings could have been constructed providing basic accommodation at far less cost, and thus not incurring that the pilgrim be the one to repay the investors original outlay.
I look at how mountains have literally been removed, and are still being removed. Entire mountains! And zillions of tons of earth that was witness to the life of our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and his Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum, our heritage, our Deen was built on this soil. Soil that has been taken away from its origin. There is a Hadith stating to the effect that on the Day of Qiyamah any stone, or soil that is taken out of Madinah will cry, asking why it was removed. Allahu ‘Alum is this also applies to Makkah. Just as all this has been, and is being stripped away to make way for architecturally glamorous cities, because that is what is planned, so the legacy of the greatest time in the history of mankind is being stripped from the heart. Unfortunately power and greed has become the motivation behind the development seen in the Haramain. This is why those who have been privileged to have experienced staying in humble accommodation speak so passionately about that time. Alhumdilillah, like you, I have been blessed with the ni’mah of being part of the simpler style of our two Holy Sanctuaries.

And Dear Brother Mahathir, I thank you for your kind words. I often question where this blog is going, whether to continue, and so on…sometimes a comment such as this keeps me going for a little longer!

I finish with Rumi’s version of a market.

Can you find another market like this?
Where,
with your one rose
you can buy hundreds of rose gardens?
Where,
for one seed
get a whole wilderness?
For one weak breath,
a divine wind?
You’ve been fearful
of being absorbed in the ground,
or drawn up by the air.
Now, your waterbead lets go
and drops into the ocean,
where it came from.
It no longer has the form it had,
but it’s still water
The essence is the same.
This giving up is not a repenting.
It’s a deep honoring of yourself.
When the ocean comes to you as a lover,
marry at once, quickly,
for God’s sake!
Don’t postpone it!
Existence has no better gift.
No amount of searching
will find this.
A perfect falcon, for no reason
has landed on your shoulder,
and become yours.

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.