…goose-bumpy…that’s how it is when pondering on the way Allah Ta’ala has planned, is planning and continues to plan…

…a child born in the Ka’abah…the only one ever from the entire history of mankind…approximately five years before our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam…he was from a very affluent family and possessed a sharp intellect…they developed a lasting friendship…time passes…as an adult he purchases a slave from the famous Okaz market place…gifting it to his Aunt…the sister of his father Hazm…the Aunt…is our Noble Lady Khadija RadhiAllahu anha…who marries Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullah and gifts her slave boy…Zayd, to her newly wed husband SallAllahu alaihi wasallam…Hakim ibn Hizam RadhiAllahu anhu was that blessed child to be born inside the Ka’abah…and how could the only one ever to be blessed with such an entry into the world never be destined to be given Hidayah…but it was not until almost twenty years after Prophethood, during the time of Conquest of Makkah that his heart finally submitted…SubhanAllah…goose-bumpy!

Just as we are astonished at the late acceptance of Islam on the part of Hakim, he himself later in life was also amazed. In fact, as soon as he accepted Islam and tasted the sweetness of iman (faith), he began to feel deep regret for every moment  of his life as a mushrik and a denier of God’s religion and of His Prophet.
His son once saw him weeping after his acceptance of Islam and asked: “Why are you weeping, my father’?” “Many things cause me to weep, my dear son. The most grievous is the length of time it took for me to become a Muslim. Acceptance of  Islam would have given me so man opportunities to do good which I missed even if I were to have spent the earth in gold.  My life was spared at the battle of Badr and also at the battle of Uhud. After Uhud. I said to myself. I would not help any  Quraysh against Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of God be upon him, and I would not leave Makkah. Then, whenever I felt like accepting Islam I would look at other men among the Quraysh. Men of power and maturity who remained  firmly attached to the ideas and practices of Jahiliyyah and I would fall in line with them and their neighbors… Oh, how I wish I had not done so. Nothing has destroyed us except the blind following of our forefathers and elders. Why should I not  weep, my son?”

Hakim ibn Hazm performed the Hajj after becoming a Muslim. He took with him one hundred fine camels and sacrificed them all in order to achieve nearness to God. In the following Hajj, he stood on Arafat. With him were one hundred slaves. To each  he gave a pendant of silver on which was engraved: “Free for the sake of God Almighty from Hakim ibn Hazm.” On a third Hajj, he took with him a thousand sheep – yes a thousand sheep and sacrificed them all at Mina to feed the poor Muslims in order to attain nearness to God.

Source…plus more here

Two additional inspiring incidents from Hakim ibn Hazm RadhiAllah anhu’s life, firstly, from before he embraced Islam, at the time when the Quraysh boycotted the Muslims.

One day Abu Jahl, who was continually on the look out for those trying to assist the Muslims, met Hakim, RadhiAllahu anhu with a slave carrying a bag of flour, and they appeared to be making for the dwellings of the Bani Hashim. He accused them of taking food to the enemy and threatened to denounce Hakim before Quraysh. While they were arguing, Abu l-Bakhtari, another man of Asad, came and asked what was the matter, and when it was explained to him he said to Abu Jahl: “It is his Aunt’s flour and she hath sent to him for it. Let the man go on his way.” Neither Hakim nor Abu -Bakhtari were Muslims, but the passing of this bag of flour from one member of the clan of Asad to another could concern no one outside that clan. The interference of the Makhzumite was outrageous and intolerable; and when Abu Jahl persisted Abu l-Bakhtari picked up a camel’s jaw bone and brought it down on his head with such force that he was half stunned and fell to the ground, whereupon they trampled him heavily underfoot, to the gratification of Hamzah RadhiAllahu anhu who happened to come by at that moment.

Source

And secondly after his Hidayah:

Abu Hiam says that they had never heard of anyone in Madinah who provided more transport for people proceeding in the path of Allah than Hakim bin Hizm RadhiAllahu anhu. Two Bedouins once came to Madinah to ask for someone to provide them with transport to proceed in the path of Allah. When they were directed to Hakim bin Hizm RadhiAllahu anhu they approached him while he was with his family. When he asked them what they required and they duly informed him, he told them not to be hasty and to wait until he comes out to see them. (When he came out) He was wearing clothing that was brought from Egypt. It resembled a spider’s web and cost four dirhams. He took his staff with him and his slaves also accompanied him. Each time he passed by a rubbish dump he used the end of his staff to pick up any piece of cloth that could be used to patch the satchels of the camels going out in the path of Allah. He would then dust off the cloth and hand it over to his slave saying: “Keep this piece of cloth to mend the satchels.”

One of the Bedouins said to the other: “Oh dear! Save us from him! By Allah! All this man has with him are pieces of cloth from rubbish dumps.” The other said: “Shame on you! Do not be hasty. Let us first wait and see.” Hakim bin Hizm RadhiAllahu anhu then took them to the market place where he saw two large, fat pregnant she camels. He purchased them along with their supplies and said to his slave: “Use the  pieces of cloth to mend any of the satchels that need mending.” Thereafter he loaded on the camels some food , wheat and fat, Furthermore he gave the two men money for their expenses and made over the camels to them. The one Bedouin then said to his companion: “By Allah! I have never seen a better collector of cloth pieces than this man!”

Source Hayatus Sahabah (download 1,2, purchase)

Inside Ka’abah video (amateur quality but from a real visit) plus 3D diagrammatic model

The photo is of the curtain that adorns the upper walls and ceiling of inside the Ka’abah and, like the Kiswah, is made in Makkah, with a new one being replaced every five years.

…goose-bumpy!…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.