…sitting here with blessed visitors the conversation was constantly glittered with SubhanAllah superlatives…the heart and soul tugging strings that were  anchoring us to how we were perceiving what was around us…however allowing these strings to be released one is able to descend beyond the real and to be free to be transported back in time…imagine…even  a thousand years before our Beloved Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam a letter being stored in the area approximately corresponding to the right edge of this photo…the place marking where the house of Abu Ayyub Ansari RadhiAllahu anhu’s house was…imagine even then, of some one realizing the sacredness of the Mubarak dust of this Enlightened City (link to a moving five minute clip with Shaykh Ibrahim Osi-Efa…a MUST watch!)….imagine a love so intense for one who was a thousand years away from entering this world, and yet believing in him and seeking his intercession…read of the incredible story of a Yemeni King who sent a letter to our Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam a thousand years before his birth, seeking his intercession! And Allah the Almighty knows best of the authenticity of this account…

They took the soil of Medina and smelled it…they wished to live in Medina and stated that if they were fortunate, one day they would meet the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. But if they didn’t, the dust from the Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam’s sandals would land on their graves. This at least, they thought, would bring blessings and be their salvation.

~*~

…imagine hearing the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam saying: ‘I can smell the beauty of my friend from the land of Yemen’…and ‘I feel a sweet, peaceful breeze (naseem-e-rehmat) from Yemen’…while referring to the esteemed Owais al-Qarni who never sighted our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, but whose love was so intense and would invoke Allah Ta’ala:

“O Allah, You created me when I was not worthy of mention;
And You provided for me when I had nothing;
And I wronged my soul and sinned, and I confess my guilt.
If You forgive me, that will in no way diminish Your sovereignty;
And if You punish me, that will in no way augment Your authority.
You can find others to punish besides me,
But I can find no one to forgive me but You.
Truly, You are the most merciful of those who show mercy.”

~*~

…imagine the immense blessings and honour that Allah the Most High has bestowed upon the lands of Yemen and giving it a unique status that no other place, besides the two sacred cities of Makkah and Madinah, enjoys…read about these from the serene and tranquil Tarim, where the family of our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam continue with teaching and living his  noble Sunnah… whose gems and treasures can be found in these pages: Habib ‘Umar, Habib Ali, Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf…may Allah Ta’ala preserve and sanctify their secrets, Ameen…

…so vicariously sit right now…give freedom to the heart and soul to journey back in time and space and imbibe in Hadramawti love and belief…and then access the wealth of knowledge that continues to flow from this Mubarak land via the noble lineage of our Beloved Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam…and Insha’Allah make Du’a for them and for all students sacrificing for the Deen as they study there, Ameen…

JUMA’AH MUBARAK!

 

…an archival photo…

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.