Monthly Archives: January 2010

Makkah Al-Mukarramah :: Jabal Thawr :: Ghar Thawr :: Nur Nur Nur!! [one]

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Words do not come easy to describe the gift of being able to climb Jabal Thawr and spend uninterrupted quality time in Ghar Thawr. Cliches whiz through the mind, but barely reveal the extent of how the heart and soul felt, and still feel.

O Lord! What kind of fountain is the Fountain of Your Love

Of which I tasted but a drop and wept a river.*

The blessing of being in this profound confined space where our Beloved HabibuLlah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, his faithful companion Abu Bakr As-Saddiq, his son ‘AbduLlah, his daughter Asma and his freed slave ‘Amir bin Fuhairah RadhiAllahu anhumma spent days and nights in their flight from the Quraish can never be fully gratified. A dream come true for this speck. Every laboured breath on the ascent repeatedly marvelled at the details of the escape and the intricate Plans Allah Ta’ala had for their safety. One can never tire of the miracles of this story when read over and over but to actually be present on this Mubarak mountain and in this Mubarak cave opened deeper realms of appreciation for the Seerah, exploding a spiritual awakening that will forever resonate in the heart.

The beginning….the usual ‘warning’…unheeded in the determination to physically be present in this cave, fulfilling the desire to be blessed to be in the three caves (previously Jabal Nur and Jabal Uhud) that our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam spent time in…

…I had been told it was an ‘easier and gentler’ climb than Jabal Nur by sisters who had been here, but when I looked up at the task ahead I almost reneged! Alhumdulillah ALLAHU AKBAR became an invisible ‘engine’ and even though the going was slow with many stops to sit, take in the scenery, reflect on how it must have been for RasuluLlah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, and all associated with his flight and catch the breath, we reached the top in about two hours. There was a small group of young lads ahead of us, but apart from that there was nobody else, except a couple of brothers who operated a small shop at the summit. Then as we were almost down, another group of brothers were beginning the ascent.

Names were left along the entire trail. It was enough for me to realize that the earth was my witness.

Various wild plants were in abundance, so beautiful in their struggle amongst hardened granite…a poignant reminder!

Allah Ta’ala’s signs displayed everywhere!

Most of the track has been sculpted with convenient ‘steps’ either shaped into the surface..

…or rocks laid making the way easier.

Examining some of the more prominent signatures and the country of origin of the scribe, it seemed that every Muslim country was accounted for….

….while Allah Ta’ala’s natural ‘calligraphy’ with the expressive veins of quartz and the seepage of mineral patterns affected the Iman in a much more powerful way…

…but not so much the practice of ‘tying knots’ on the trees…I am not sure why this is done??

There are a few ‘shops’ along the way, but due to it still being off season they were not attended to…the structure on the rise in the distance was one of the rest places.

Looking down the valley with the winding track…

…one of the few flat stretches…

…with Burj Al-Bait towering over Makkah in the distance…

…and the sad reality that too many of Ummah are very neglectful of the Hadith that cleanliness if half of Iman…even, or if not more so, on these Mubarak sites..

…Jabal Nur, SubhanAllah! One can hardly conjure how our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam traversed these awesome mountains…such rugged terrain…

…the Burj, beside the Haram, visibly indicates the distance and the harsh conditions they covered when escaping the Quraish…it is said that Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu’s shoes became worn out, and that he tipped toes for most of the way so as not to leave actual footprints! And his son AbduLlah RadhiAllahu anhu made this journey each night, in pitch darkness, and Asma RadhiAllahu anha brought them food, and ‘Amir RadhiAllahu anhu drove his flock to disguise any signs of their movements. Can you imagine making this journey from Makkah to here now??

We were so blessed for the hazy day that Allah Ta’ala gifted us with for this climb…the clouds did not lift until after we were down, SubhanAllah, making the task less gruelling, Alhudulillah!

Immerse yourself in this recent clip of Habib Umar, may Allah Ta’ala sanctify his soul, protect his secrets and increase his rank, and his students as they fill this hallowed place with Salawaat and Du’a, SubhanAllah!

Note the linked photos are images from my dear companion who, Insha’Allah will be updating her site soon with more of her pictures from this Makkan time.

I decided to post this ‘expedition’ in two parts after realizing that 40+ photos were far too many to include in one post. So Insha’Allah more next time, and then still more to follow in documenting this Makkan interlude.

* I have quoted this some time before, but cannot find the source, apologies, and if you know, do tell, Insha’Allah.

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.

Makkah Al-Mukarramah :: blessed water from HabibuLlah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam’s saliva

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SubhanAllah, another of the highlights from the Nur of highlights of the Makkan sojourn was visiting and collecting the Mubarak water from the well in ‘Usfan that our Beloved Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam spat in when on his way to Makkah with the intention of performing Umrah in 6th AH, which was subsequently aborted, leading to the Treaty of Hudaybiyah.

This is also where the revelation of the Ayat for Salatul Khawf was sent down:

When you [Prophet] are with believers, leading them in prayer, let a group of them stand in prayer with you, taking their weapons with them, and when they have finished their prostration, let them take up their positions at the back. Then let the other group, who have not yet prayed, pray with you, also on their guard and armed with their weapons: the disbelievers would dearly love you to be heedless of your weapons and baggage, in order for them to take you in a single assault. (4:102)

Narrated AbuAyyash az-Zuraqi RadhiAllahu anhu: We accompanied the Apostle of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam at ‘Usfan, when Khalid ibn al-Walid was the chief of unbelievers. We offered the noon prayer. Thereupon, the unbelievers said: We suffered from negligence; we became careless. We should have attacked them while they were praying. Thereupon the verse was revealed, relating to the shortening of the prayer (in time of danger) between the noon and afternoon (prayer). When the time of the afternoon prayer came, the Apostle of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam stood facing the qiblah. The people stood in a row behind the Apostle of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and there was another row behind this row. The Apostle of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam bowed and all of them bowed. He then prostrated and also the row near him prostrated. The other people in the second row remained standing and stood guard over them. When they performed two prostrations and stood up, those who were behind them prostrated. The people in the front row near him then stepped backward taking the place of the people in the second row and the second row took the place of the first row. The Apostle of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam then bowed and all of them bowed together. Then he and the row near him prostrated themselves. The other people in the second row remained standing and stood guard over them. When the Apostle of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and the row near him (i.e. the front row) were seated, the people in the second row behind them prostrated themselves. Then all of them were seated. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam then uttered the salutation upon all of them. He prayed in his manner at ‘Usfan as well as at the territory of Banu Sulaym.  (Abu Dawud)

An informative clip on Salatul Khawf on islamictube.

Various other Ahadith mention incidents related to ‘Usfan:

Narrated Tawus: Ibn Abbas RadhiAllahu anhu said, “Allah’s Apostle SallAllahu alaihi wasallam travelled in the month of Ramadan and he fasted till he reached a place called ‘Usfan, then he asked for a tumbler of water and drank it by the daytime so that the people might see him. He broke his fast till he reached Mecca.” Ibn Abbas RadhiAllahu anhu used to say, “Allah’s Apostle SallAllahu alaihi wasallam fasted and sometimes did not fast while traveling, so one may fast or may not (on journeys)”  (Sahih Muslim)

Narrated Anas bin Malik RadhiAllahu anhu: We were in the company of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam while returning from ‘Usfan, and Allah’s Apostle SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was riding his she-camel keeping Safiya bint Huyay RadhiAllahu anha riding behind him. His she-camel slipped and both of them fell down. Abu Talha RadhiAllahu anhu jumped from his camel and said, “O Allah’s Apostle! May Allah sacrifice me for you.” The Prophet said, “Take care of the lady.” So, Abu Talha covered his face with a garment and went to Safiya and covered her with it, and then he set right the condition of their she-camel so that both of them rode, and we were encircling Allah’s Apostle like a cover. When we approached Medina, the Prophet said, “We are returning with repentance and worshipping and praising our Lord.” He kept on saying this till he entered Medina. (Sahih Muslim)

Narrated Saburah: Ar-Rabi’ ibn Saburah said on the authority of his father Saburah RadhiAllahu anhu: We went out along with the Apostle of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam till we reached ‘Usfan, Suraqah ibn Malik al-Mudlaji said to him: Apostle of Allah, explain to us like the people as if they were born today. He said: Allah, the Exalted, has included this umrah in your hajj. When you come to Mecca, and he who goes round the House, the Ka’bah, and runs between as-Safa and al-Marwah, is allowed to take off ihram except he who has brought the sacrificial animals with him. ( Abu Dawud)

‘Amir b. Wathila reported that Nafi’ ibn ‘Abd al-Harith met ‘Umar RadhiAllahu anhu at ‘Usfan as ‘Umar had employed him as collector in Mecca. ‘Umar said to Nafi’: Whom have you appointed as collector over the people of the valley? He said: Ibn Abza. ‘Umar said: Who is Ibn Abza? Nafi’ said: He is one of our freed slaves. ‘Umar said: So you have appointed a freed slave over them. Nafi’ said: He is well versed In the Book of Allah, the Exalted and Great, and he is well versed In the commandments and injunctions of the Shari’ah. ‘Umar said: The Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: By this Book, Allah would exalt some peoples and degrade others. (Sahih Muslim)

This is the sisters section of the Masjid in ‘Usfan where we prayed Asr, Allahu ‘Alum if it marks where Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam offered Salatul Khawf, but in its stark and dusty simplicity one felt enveloped in a cloak of blissful Barakah, SubhanAllah!

As desolate as the surroundings of ‘Usfan are, the sense of the noble presence of our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and his Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum filled the air and was felt in the billowing dust and is certainly tasted in the cherished water that returned with us and is being shared around Madinatun Nabi.

Yaa Seen. By the wise Qur’an, you [Muhammad] are truly one of the messengers sent on a straight path, with a revelation from the Almighty, the Lord of Mercy…(36:1-6)

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.

Makkah Al-Mukarramah :: bees

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And your Lord inspired the bee, saying, ‘Build yourselves houses in the mountains and trees and what people construct.’ (16:68)

One of the numerous highlights from this blessed Makkan journey was visiting two apiaries in desert areas north of Makkah.

Having kept bees ‘way back when’ rekindled the great memories associated with working with hives. While watching these tiny insects up close once again, sent the Iman soaring! The intricate and fascinating details of their society is awesome, not to mention the miraculous healing properties of the honey, the elixir of life, SubhanAllah! SubhanAllah! SubhanAllah!

From the road one merely sees what looks like tattered covers, over table like structures, flapping in the brisk wind. This area is obviously a conducive place for bee farms as there were many along what was the old road to Madinah, between Jamoun and ‘Usfan. The little vegetation seen was sparse, so where the bees actually go seems a mystery. Allahu Akbar, such is His Greatness!

The first farm we drove into was very basic with dilapidated hive boxes and no sign that the apiarist lived on the sight. He did not have any honey for us to try saying his bees were just beginning to form their hives, but he was very welcoming and eager to show us his simple farm and inviting us to drink tea on a sandy carpet spread beside his ‘flock’.

Older style boxes, some with thick wads of foam wedged into the door as insulation during the cooler months, with tarpaulins protecting the stacks.

A discarded circular barrel shaped container for the hive. The desolate, arid landscape just visible in the background.

‘Then feed on all kinds of fruit and follow the ways made easy for you by your Lord.’ From their bellies comes a drink of different colours in which there is healing for people. (16:69)

With this method the bees are free to ‘design’ their own comb shapes. The precision and engineering makes man made structures seem flimsy and awkward.

The comb is composed of hexagonal cells, which are paper thin walls but support 25 times their own weight. Experts say that any shape other than hexagonal would not support the heavy honey, SubhanAllah! To produce half a kilo of wax, the bees have to digest five kilograms of honey!

In about another month, Insha’Allah, the box will be full of comb dripping with honey and almost ready for extraction.

The Yemeni apiarist was delighted to show us his ‘farm’, and have his photo taken! explaining that his hives were not producing honey yet due to the winter season, all action was on building the waxy comb.

Sometimes mud is used to seal the doors.

These were rectangular boxes in the second farm we stopped at. This method is more geared to commercial production, but this farm also had the smaller frame-less boxes, as seen below.

These removable frames are fitted with ready-made comb foundations, that are wax sheets with imprints of honey cells on them. In this way, the colony expands faster and produces more honey.

Rows and rows ready for more hives.

Ali, the apiarist lived beside his bees in a humble one room tent structure which was his basic kitchen, bedroom, living room and storage space for several 20 gallon containers. This was his water ‘tank’, a flattened balloon! The conditions were harsh as the wind blew sand everywhere.

He had three varieties of honey which we sampled, including the local Sedr, the best of honeys for healing, produced from the flowers of ilb (Ziziphus spina Christi and here)
All were exceptionally delicious, with the Sedr being SR300 for a kilo, which is a good price compared to what one pays in retail outlets.

Busy busy bees!!! The workers never stop. A bee strokes its wings 11,400 times per minute! They have a lifespan between 28 and 35 days in summer, but longer in winter when they do not work themselves to death. They communicate by dancing (pdf file details, and more) and releasing pheromones (more here and here) The female worker produces only one-twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime. A worker will visit between fifty and 100 flowers in a day and return with over half her weight in pollen and nectar. To make 500grams of honey, workers in a hive collectively fly more than 34,000 kilometres and tap more than two million flowers. The yellow seen on the above frame are the wax-capped cells of honey, indicating that the honey in that cell is ripe, meaning that the workers have fanned the nectar deposited in the cells creating a draft that is necessary for evaporating the moisture from the nectar. A colony can have from 60,000 to 200,000 workers!

The male drones do not do any work in the hive, they are designed for procreation purposes only.

Ali looking for the queen bee after smoking the hive ( He simply lit the frayed end of a rolled up piece of hessian bag, dredging it in the sand when he finished ) and wearing this protective head piece. He follows his father and grandfather in this profession.

Finally she was spotted, the central one with the longer golden abdomen.She was surrounded by her guards, but Ali gently put her on his finger to isolate her so we could see how she differs from the workers and the fat stubby drones. The queen lays up to 200,000 eggs in a year.

~*~

Our Esteemed Lady Aishah RadhiAllahu anha narrated: Allah’s Apostle SallAllahu alaihi wasallam used to love sweet edible things and honey.

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas RadhiAllahu anhu: The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, “Healing is in three things: cupping, a gulp of honey or cauterization, (branding with fire) but I forbid my followers to use cauterization “

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri RadhiAllahu anhu: A man came to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallamand said, “My brother has some abdominal trouble.” The Prophet said to him “Let him drink honey.” The man came for the second time and the Prophet said to him, ‘Let him drink honey.” He came for the third time and the Prophet said, “Let him drink honey.” He returned again and said, “I have done that ‘ The Prophet then said, “Allah has said the truth, but your brother’s abdomen has told a lie. Let him drink honey.” So he made him drink honey and he was cured.

Narrated Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu: I used to accompany Allah’s Apostle SallAllahu alaihi wasallam to fill my stomach; and that was when I did not eat baked bread, nor wear silk. Neither a male nor a female slave used to serve me, and I used to bind stones over my belly and ask somebody to recite a Quranic Verse for me though I knew it, so that he might take me to his house and feed me. Ja’far bin Abi Talib RadhiAllahu anhu was very kind to the poor, and he used to take us and feed us with what ever was available in his house, (and if nothing was available), he used to give us the empty (honey or butter) skin which we would tear and lick whatever was in it.

There truly is a sign in this for those who think. (16:69)

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.

Makkah Al-Mukarramah :: demise of mountains

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Ginormous, humongous. Such emotive words barely describe the scope of this hubristic project that supposedly will be completed within a year.

An entire city growing from the bowels of what once was a majestic mountain. How many mountains that adorned one of the holiest places on earth have been sacrificed, will be sacrificed? What sobbing will echo across the plains on the Day of Judgement? If rocks and stones weep because they have been removed from Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Madinah Al-Munawwarah, what will be heard from these massive outcrops? These very monoliths that were so esteemed by Allah Ta’ala:

Had We sent down this Qur’an to a mountain, you would have seen it humbled, burst apart out of awe for Allah. (59:21)

Some scholars, according to the tafseer in Ma’ariful Qur’an, have stated that reason and revelation both bear testimony to the fact that everything in nature has sense, perception and intelligence, be it mountain or a tree. Therefore this verse is not merely a hypothetical example but a stark reality! There are so many examples of so-called inanimate things bearing witness to our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. (An example to follow, Insha’Allah in a subsequent post related to this time just spent in Makkah.)

Now we see the mountains, and not just any ordinary mountains, bursting apart at the hand of man. I am not against development, and agreeing to the need of accommodation for pilgrims, but at this expense? Surely far more humble alternative solutions could have intelligently been designed without this mass destruction. And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud RadhiAllahu anhu reported that a Jewish scholar came to Allah’s Apostle SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and said, ‘Muhammad, or Abu al-Qasim, verify, Allah, the Exalted and Glorious would carry the Heavens on the Day of Judgment upon one finger and earths upon one finger and the mountains and trees upon one finger and the ocean and moist earth upon one finger-in fact the whole of the creation upon one finger, and then He would stir them and say: ‘I am your Lord, I am your Lord.’ Thereupon Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam smiled testifying what that scholar had said. He then recited this verse:

And they honour not Allah with the honour due to Him; and the whole earth will be in His grip on the Day of Resurrection and the heavens are folded up in His right hand. Glory be to Him! He is far above the partners they ascribe to Him! (39:67)

And they honour not Allah with the honour due to Him

Do you too search for the justification for such destruction? These huge drilling pillars seem to rape and abuse what Allah Ta’ala honoured this sacred land with, jamming deep into the very ‘pegs’ that clench the Earth’s crust together:

Have we no made the earth as a bed and the mountains as its pegs? (78:6-7)

We placed firmly embedded mountains on the earth, so it would not move under them…(21:31)

Desecration above and incisive excavations below.

Compare the progress with this post on the Jabal Omar project from October 2007.

Wandering past these gigantic chasms the enormity of the following Salawaat from the Dala’il Al-Khayrat took on a powerfully new dimension:

And bless our master Muhammad SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and the family of our master Muhammad RadhiAllahu anhum as much as the weight of all mountains and all rocks!

The sun sets over the current silhouette of Jabal Omar, which will soon be a vista of numerous tall buildings.

Turning away from the Jabal Omar project towards the north-west side of Masjid Al-Haram is the just as humongous devouring of another mountain for the Shamia project, preparing for the next expansion of the Haram.

Nafi’ reported that Abdullah ibn ‘Umar RadhiAllahu anhu informed him that Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam turned his face to the two hillocks which intervened between him and the long mountain by the side of the Ka’ba, and the mosque which had been built there was thus on the left of the hillock. Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam’s place of prayer was lower than the black hillock, at a distance of ten cubits or near it. He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam would then observe prayer facing these two hillocks of the long mountain that is intervening between you and the Ka’ba. (Muslim)

Allahu ‘Alum if this was the mountain referred to in this narration.

With the flattening and laying of stones on the bed of this excavation it appears they have reached the depth required for beginning foundations.

Apart from the obvious mountains being attacked, there are dozens more within the established residential areas also being razed.

~*~

O Allah bless our master Muhammad SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and the family of our master Muhammad RadhiAllahu anhum as much as the dust particles that have swirled, that swirl and will swirl in the sacred precincts of Haramain till the end of time, and as much as the wind that carries them, and as much as every eye that has ever looked upon them, and as much as every footprint that has ever settled on them and multiply this number a thousand times again.

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.

Makkah Al-Mukarramah :: around Masjid Al-Haram

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The glitzy structures provide great reflections of Masjid Al-Haram…turning the focus from the grandiose to the humble austerity of BaituLlah…

…while eerie nightscapes emphasize the impermanence of this Dunya…and the glory of our Akhirah…Ya Rabb, guide us to You and Yours…

…I ask in Your name which humbles with its might the mighty ones, the kings, the lions, the reptiles and everything You have created!

O Allah, O Lord, accept my prayer! O You to Whom is the majesty and omnipotence, O Master of Sovereignty and Kingdoms, O You Who are the Living Who never dies, glory to You! Lord, what is greater than Your Rank, higher than Your Position? You are my Lord! O Holy One in His Omnipotence, I beseech You and I fear You! O Great, O Majestic, O Powerful, O Almighty, O Strong, You have blessed Yourself! O Great One, You have exalted Yourself! O Knowing One, glory to You! (Dala’il al-Khayrat)

the pigeon population seems to multiply every time I visit…brothers are now employed full time inside Haram as permanent pigeon/sparrow/swallow plop cleaners! True! They walk around the Mataf with a cloth in one hand and a plastic bag in the other specifically spying plops, bending to gather them…each having a section they are responsible for. One sister I was sitting with one night was targeted!

For those who may not have read about the Makkawi pigeons here is the link.

…and another…

…our favourite place to stay used to be behind this clock tower where pigeon watching from the window was entertaining, along with the daily cleaning teams…more photos from this development site intended, Insha’Allah…

…work continues on so many different projects…

…for years now the noise around Haram is constant jack hammering, heavy earth equipment, massive Chinese trucks, metal against rock…

…and it will be years before stillness reigns…

…the only stillness is centred in the hearts…

And complete the Hajj or `Umra in the service of Allah. (2:196)

Among the signs of the Hour mentioned by our Noble Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam in Sahih al-Bukhari is “when the destitute shepherds compete in building tall structures.” and from Sahih Muslim: “you shall see the barefoot, naked, indigent shepherds compete in building tall structures.”

The courtyard swells just before Salatul Zuhur with thousands of dusty, dishevelled labourers appearing so tired. Heavy boots line up behind each saff while the brothers stretch and try to catch a few moments napping before returning to the various sites.

Dismantling work has finally begun on this building in front of the Burj complex….

…it seems that it will be slow process of brick by brick as being so close to Haram and the towers it would be impossible to detonate.

Allah Ta’ala treated us to majestic lighting effects…

…or are they armies of Angels passing by?…

…clouds threatened to the extent that the carpets were not laid out in the Mataf for a couple of days and nights.

Amazing to look back to these photos from two years ago to see the changes…

…the new medallion, replacing the previous ones, see the above link.

Allahu ‘Alum how long the library marking the Mubarak birth place of our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam will remain with all the demolition going on near by. Buildings lining the street to the left of this photo have already been vacated and stripped of external fixtures with plans for this mountain to be transformed into yet another plush ‘city’. And Allah Ta’ala knows best but I have heard that the royal complex will be incorporated into this area. (see map in this previous post)

Alhumdulillah, compared to other times of visiting this Sacred Place where Allah Ta’ala’s LIGHT became manifest on earth, and where our Blessed Aminah RadhiAllah anha cradled the last and most cherished of creation SallAllahu alaihi wasallam the walls that were covered in scribbled names had been painted over. I could hardly believe my eyes from the distance seeing the door open! Maghrib was approaching as I hurriedly tried running in the hope of being able to enter…

…inside, just to the right of the inner door sat two brothers…after discreetly taking this photo I indicated to them that I wanted to enter.Alhumdulillah one came to the entrance and was profusely apologetic and in broken English said that it was not his decision, but that of the Hukum that sisters were not permitted inside! This was after days of continually being harassed inside Haram by the guard sisters yelling and pointing Yallo Yallo Yallo. But this brother was very sincere and also showed remorse for sisters not being able to enter. I told him that Insha’Allah with all the  places made forbidden to us in the Haramain that Allah Ta’ala will be more merciful on us in His Jannah and would compensate us for all these ‘rules’ with a high place beside His Habib SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and Insha’Allah allow us to be the ones He visits due to our acceptance of such hardships, He sees our hearts, and not the Hukum! I just wanted to place my feet closer to the Mubarak birth place. Alhumdulillah for this glimpse inside making the heart jump a few beats with a flood of Salawaat issuing forth.

For brothers, the opening hours are from 10am-2pm and from 5pm-after Esha.

One of the booths where security brothers check who enters the Mas’aa construction site…

…with a brother selling miswak beside it…the dust from the ongoing work created a haze on this side of Haram…

…the older style wheel chairs used for Sa’i…

…covered and stored for the next peak season…some are seen still being used…

…but the majority hire these…a veritable mountain of them at the foot of the palace wall…

…lines of a different sort…the regiment of police about to begin their duty. One wonders what the wisdom behind having police inside Haram is?? Seems incongruous for a place of worship…

…many of shops lining the smaller streets still ‘shut’ by hanging sheets over the front…many of these simple establishments are being replaced by modern new buildings…

…the older shops have such character…

…quaint older buildings nestle behind the Burj towers…

…with unique decorative features…

…and ‘unique’ cheap options for meals…I declined a ‘sandwitch’ but did have a delicious tamia sandwich!

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.

Makkah al-Mukarramah :: impressions

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Makkah Al-Mukarramah forever is magnificent, sublime, spiritually opening floodgates of the heart; releasing words seeking forgiveness, freedom from the fire, good in both worlds, guidance; words expressing gratitude, praise, repentance, constantly spiral around and upwards, filling spaces between this earthly plane and the Heavenly Realms.

Alhumdulillah for the Mubarak time just spent in the grandeur of this sacred valley where the blessings streamed in such abundance never felt before.

Insha’Allah the intention is to post a series sharing these amazing moments, but for now, the following random impressions Insha’Allah, suffice as a introduction.

The First House [of Worship] to be established for mankind was the one at Bakkah. It is a blessed place; a source of guidance for all people; there are clear signs in it; it is a place where Ibrahim stood; whoever enters it is safe. (3:96-97)

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.

…Labaik…Juma’ah…Upheaval…

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Alhumdulillah an invite to BaituLlah has been accepted.

The intention was to add a new post to the ‘leaving’ category, but time is limited. Visiting the archives in the ‘leaving’ category provides an interesting flashback. [Note: entries made prior to October 08, before I began with this new host, can be accessed here. Due a recent glitch that has recently been discovered between the two sites, the older 'blogsome' images do not load if accessed from the side bar, but if accessed directly all is in tact. Insha'Allah to soon be rectified.]

People, be mindful of your Lord, for the earthquake of the Last Hour will be a mighty thing. (22:1)

Our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: The Hour shall not come until knowledge has been lifted (from the Earth),earthquakes have increased, time has become shortened, troubles have appeared, turmoil, which is murder, has increased, and until wealth amongst you has increased and become abundant. Bukhari

May we all take heed, and constantly beg Allah Ta’ala to guide and save us before Israfeel Alaihis Salam is instructed to blow the Trumpet, Ameen.

Time for hearts to open with sincere Adiyah for the results displayed in Haiti of power of Allah Ta’ala’s Qudrat. These two articles (1,2) related to the past Turkish earthquake shed light on such calamities.

And for those who can to give generously for the suffering of thousands, Insha’Allah.

Doctors without Borders

Islamic Charity

Islamic Relief US

Islamic Relief UK

Insha’Allah please share other avenues you may know of in the comments.

JUMA’AH MUBARAK!

Insha’Allah make this a Juma’ah of excessive Du’a for all in need, but especially those in Haiti and all other areas of conflict, Ameen.

[There will be no updates from Makkah Mukkaramah, Insha'Allah photos to be posted upon return after a week]

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.