1. The first Hujjaj arrive in the Kingdom tomorrow! SubhanAllah! Soon these great empty expanses will be a sea of pilgrims!

2. Sitting for hours in the wide open spaces of the courtyard, in these days devoid of dense crowds, the eyes witness a myriad of activities. Young girls tie their scarves together to make a skipping rope; Ripstix are here, along with all the ‘cool’ gear that must be worn when seen riding one! Roller blades and old fashioned roller skates; toddlers pushing anything and everything that is movable; from signs, poles, rubbish carts, strollers, wheelchairs, mops and brooms! Sisters share foot massages, others lounge on rugs and pillows. Children slip, slide, twirl; kick balls, shoes, bottles as mothers attempt to read a few pages of Qur’an.

3. There are still dozens of umbrellas yet to be installed. Many pillars have the frame work added, some appear as the bare structure without any fixtures, while others remain as the original light pillar, while at least one has had the entire umbrella replaced.

4. ‘Umar RadhiAllahu anhu said: “Ten things are not right without ten others-intelligence without God-consciousness, superiority without knowledge, success without fear, power without justice, noble lineage without manners, happiness without security, wealth without generosity, poverty without contentment, [having] a high and exalted position without humility, and jihad without the guidance and support of Allah.”

5. A text from a dear seeker: “I yearn and sigh for secrets spiritual and Divine to unveil unto me of realms unseen. The earth and planets revolve in obedient motion. Heaven and Earth. A sigh escapes, heart pulsates…”  (Sufi Women)

6. There is no Muslim who visits a sick Muslim early in the morning but 70 thousand Angels send blessings upon him until evening comes, and if he visits him in the evening, 70 thousand Angels send blessings upon him until morning comes, and he will have a garden in Jannah. (Tirmidhi)

7. Despair is the emotional state felt by many as they look upon this ugly new addition on the edge of the northern courtyard.

And despair multiplied as one reads of ugliness on a grander scale in Makkah. May the time be written very soon where a collective body from the Ummah is consulted and has a voice on affairs of the Haramain, Ameen.

8. But then…. first and foremost as a reminder to this humble speck, but to so many others experiencing various states of despair during these testing times, some Rumi eloquence:

Say, do not despair because the Beloved drives you away;

if He drives you away today, will He not call you back tomorrow?

If He shuts the door on you, do not go away; be patient there,

for after patience He will seat you in the place of honour.

And if He bars against you all ways and passages,

He will show you a secret way, which no man knows.

Is it not the case that when the butcher cuts off the head of a sheep with his knife,

he does not abandon what he has slain,

but first slays, and then draws?

When no more breath remains to the sheep,

He fills it with his own breath;

you will see whither God’s breath will bring you!

I spoke this as a parable; else, His generosity slays no man,

rather it rescues him from slaying.

He gives all the kingdom of Solomon to a single ant;

He bestows both worlds, and does not startle a single heart.

My heart has travelled round the world and found none like Him;

whom does He resemble?  Whom does He resemble?

Ah, silence!  For without speech He gives to all of this wine to taste,

He gives to taste, He gives to taste, He gives to taste.

9. Shiekh Hassan Al Shadhili’s (may Allah be pleased with him) intimate prayer sent by a dear friend, and recited from this very place, where during these times the word ‘intimacy’ with our Beloved Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam is felt to the core of one’s being. Here all individual names and requests are spoken, as well in Rowdha Shareef, where the entire area for Ziyarah for sisters is open, Alhumdulillah.

‘Ya Allaho Ya Walliyo (O my Protecting friend) Ya Naseero (O my Ally) Ya Ghanniyo (O Exalted beyond any need) Ya Hameedo (O All Praiseworthy) O Allah I take refuge in you from anything of this world, which is not purely for Your sake, And I take refuge in You from anything, no matter how little movement, that is bare of following the Sunnah of Your messenger Salalaho Alyehe Wassalm or any motion that proceeds from a mere reflex of motion, a reflex in impulse of necessity that doesn’t direct the reality of your ma’rifa, and make my heart in itikaaf in Your Presence and free me of my need to care for myself by Your Care for me. Verily You have power over everything.’

10. Alhumdulillah for the recent unplanned hiatus. Apologies for neglecting comments and the huge backlog of emails piled as veritable mountains, which I doubt, given many circumstances, may be answered. Sorry! Heartfelt appreciation for your communication during this hiding away! So many of you remain constant names in my Du’a, Insha’Allah you remember this needy one in yours.

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.