The Haj journey

Once roommates in Madinah - now readying to go home

2006-06-27T11:32:00.000+08:00

Lan ..

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Slight delay

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Among Friends

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KT 45

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Before leaving for the Airport

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Among Friends, the haj and hajjah

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More shopping in Jeddah

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Shopping in Jeddah

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The Mosque

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One more shot before leaving

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Packing for Home

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The Roomates

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The Ladies Tent

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Hajjah, oh Hajjah

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The valley of the tents

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Guess who

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People

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Not Luxurious but confortable

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Calling Home?

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Scences during the field trip

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The field trip to Mudzalifah

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Water is precious here

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Water in so many languages

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The decorated camel at Jabal Rahmah

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Afarah before the season.

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We were shown what to expect before the assembly at the valley of the camps.

More Desert scenes

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Desert scenes

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or the like of it...

Along the Highway

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During the field trip

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Easy hours

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Waiting

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Must be for the Bus to take us for an excursion

I dont suppose the bike belongs there.

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but I guess the owner must have gone inside to pray.

Yes, we know

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Inshaallah

HILTON MADINAH

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A weather station just outside the mosque.

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Our brother, kiiing Azeezz

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Assallamualaikum K Azeez.

Dates to Pick

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Yes, they can even deliver it direct to Malaysia. Else you can also use the services of Pos Malaysia, stationed at the Hotel.

Want to order dates

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while you are in Malaysia? Yes you still can do that. They have a local agent handling that in Malaysia. So says the sign....

Lunch

2006-06-20T16:22:00.000+08:00

Or was it dinner?

View from the Hotel

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The city of Madinah

The Buses below

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Readying to continue the journey to Makkah.

Gifts to take home?

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Pick your choice.

Our young tour guide

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A Sabahan from the University of Madinah.

It must be easy

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because the thousands coming
must buy something for the loved ones back home.

The best dates are from Madinah

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and the preferred dates are called ajwa as those are the ones loved by the Prophet.

and the minarets

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and beyond the palm trees

Still along the highway

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Along the highway

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The Sun, The Desert and the Dwelling

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And in between all those.

Outside

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Busy with people

Yes, it suits the image of the second most revered place on Earth.

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Yes, it definitely suits the title.

As we walk towards the outside

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As we walk towards the outside of the mosque.
Towards the Hotel.

The weather was just nice

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Never too hot never too cold, when we were there.
The sky , blue and the soonest the clouds begin to form
it quickly dries of by the desert heat.

More shopping..well mostly window shopping for me...

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Window Shopping

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In between the Prayers

Still in Madinah

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Listen, Listen

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We will start our tour into the inside of the Prophet's mosque shortly.
Follow the leader.
Follow the leader.

In These Unmarked Graves

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In These Unmarked Graves
The lucky ones
Had been guaranteed
a station that we all
should aspire and seek

We had so little to bring
but we cant afford the
opposite of the promised station

Let's continue to pray
as He listens to all our Prayers.

Smile Doc, Smile...

2006-06-20T14:45:00.000+08:00

In between the makam of shuhadahs
and those closes to the Prophet,
we walked to remember and contemplate
how small we were as compared to those
that sacrificed the life
and wealth for the Cause.

May Allah reserve a place for us
amongst the righteousness.

Between the Prayers

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One moves from the mosque
to and fro
doing their own things
minding their own selves
in remembrance
of the Almighty
continually in connection
and the hearts in sync

yes in dikr
only one finds
comtemplation and happiness

Once a while we hear accidents happen at the Jamrah

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But mostly it is because some ignored the rules and regulations that are displayed.

Hopefully such occurances can be reduced in future.

They say that's how the Inside looks like

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Only the lucky ones will have the opportunity to go inside.

Captured from a documentary when I was there.

Gold to take home

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Captive audiences for gold, Particularly the ladies.

Luckily we had fixed our mind and avoided from being distracted...

We visited the Plantation where dates were harvested

2006-06-18T22:18:00.000+08:00

The date palm (botanical name phoenix dactylifera) belongs to the class Monocotyledons and the family Palm. It has provided mankind with food (pictured) and building materials since the dawn of time and can be found from the Canary Islands across northern Africa to the Middle East; from India and Pakistan to south-west Asia.
Horticultural experts believe that the date palm has been cultivated since about 6000BC, and every part of the tree has its uses. The wood and leaves provide timber and fabric for houses and fences. The leaves are used for making ropes, cord, baskets, crates and furniture. Bases of the leaves and the fruit stalks are used as fuel, and the fruit yields food products such as date vinegar, date chutney or sweet pickle, date paste for bakery products and additional flavouring for oranges, bananas and almonds. The Arabian-flavoured Bedouin dish known as Canua and roasted whole date seeds are popular as far away as Libya. Even the tree's terminal buds make tasty additions to vegetable salads.
The date palm's single, non-branched trunk grows to a height of 100 feet/30m. The trunk is covered in a spiral pattern with leaf base remnants, known as leaf scars. The feather-shaped leaves are about 13-16 feet/4-5m long, and are crowned with male and female flowers, growing on separate trees. Each flower cluster contains about 1,000 blooms. Only young trees, of between three and seven years old, bear flowers; it is the lateral buds of older trees which bear the fruit.
Cultivated date palms undergo a process of artificial fertilization. The male flowers are cut off and tied to the trees above the female flowers. Seeds or offshoots sprouting from the base of the trunk are used in tree propagation. These reproduce the sex and nature of the parent tree and can therefore be used for commercial planting.
According to Professor El-Said of King Saud University, Riyadh, the sex of a date palm is often difficult to determine and the tree can even change its sex before reaching maturity. An examination of the flowers of a young tree may not necessarily be very helpful in revealing its true sex.
The fruit of the date has one seed and can vary in size, shape, colour and quality of flesh. Unripe dates are green in colour, maturing to yellow, then reddish-brown when fully ripe. A single large bunch may contain more than a thousand dates, and can weigh between 13 and 17 lbs. (6 to 8 kg). Each tree produces between five and ten bunches. Date palms begin to bear fruit at 3 to 5 years, and are fully mature at 12 years.
The sugar content of ripe dates is about 80%, and the remainder is a rich blend of protein, fat and mineral products including copper, sulfur, iron, magnesium and fluoric acid. Dates are therefore highly nutritious. Bedouin Arabs, who eat them on a regular basis, show an extremely low incidence rate of cancer and heart disease.
As the Holy Quran tells us, dates have always been considered beneficial to mothers. When Mary gave birth to the Prophet Jesus (may peace be upon Him) under a palm tree, she heard a voice telling her:
"Shake the trunk of the palm tree towards thee: it will drop fresh, ripe dates upon thee. Eat, then, and drink, and let thine eye be gladdened!" (Quran 19:25-26)
The date palm is often the only available staple food for the inhabitants of desert and arid lands, and as such it is vital to millions throughout North Africa and the Middle East. According to the World Food and Agricultural Organization, there are 90 million date palms in the world and each tree can grow for more than 100 years. 64 million of these trees are grown in Arab countries, which produce 2 million tons of dates between them each year.
Date-producing Arab countries are Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the UAE, and Yemen. Between them Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia produce 600 different kinds of dates, which accounts for 60% of the world's production.
The date palm is also highly prized as an ornamental tree throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as it is ideally situated in streets, avenues and driveways. Optimum planting conditions dictate that trees should be set 20-26 feet/6-8m apart and then well soaked with water. The date palm can tolerate a high salinity level of up to 22,000 parts per million.
Iraq is the top commercial producer and exporter of dates, closely followed by Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Algeria. Saudi Arabia contains more than a million date palms, and scored a commendable achievement by doubling its production of dates in 1986. The Kingdom donates 16,000 tons of its annual production of 500,000 tons of dates to the world food programme. Madinah's date market (Souq Al Tumoor) contains about 150 varieties, the most popular of which is Anbara, the most expensive. Other delicious varieties include Ajwa, Halwa, Shalabi, Barnie and Mabroum.

even in black and white

2006-06-13T08:42:00.000+08:00

i could feel the stillness
of being here, yet there
inshaallah
i'll be back
as many dont know
until they experience it.

This young man

2006-06-13T08:31:00.000+08:00

This young man that I met in the Raudhah, is a teacher of Hafz, from Southern Thailand but teaches in a Hafz School in Kuala Lumpur.

He explained to me the geography of the Raudhah, the boundaries, the pillars to recognise Raudhah as well as the parameters of the mosques in the days of the Prophet.

He even told me that here at this location where both of us were, once stood the Sahabah's of the Prophet...

After telling me where Raudhah really is, he left, saying that he is on his way to Makkah.

Thank you.

The Umrah gate of the Masjidil Haram

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The Umrah Gate at night during the haj season. Do they sleep?

Waiting

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Waiting for the Maghrib prayer to commence...

soon, very soon

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we will be on the flight home.

the images of the family left back home slowly begins to reappear.

The decorated camel of jabal rahmah

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for a fee you can take a ride on the camel with your spouse.

Some have other request at this blessed hill where Adam and Eve were reunited after being separated for many years.

Do you see home from here?

2006-06-12T22:22:00.000+08:00

yes, very but only vaguely.
very remote.

here, you dont even remember the children you left.

and that is strange.

very strange.

And The Thousands

2006-04-19T17:21:00.000+08:00

And The Thousands

And The Thousands
that I saw from my Window
busy with their own thoughts
busy

each had many of their own loved ones
separated from them
for the duration
for this journey

and here
the only things that matter
is one's umbilical cord
with the Lord

ALLAH
ALLAH
ALLAH
ALLAH
ALLAH
ALLAH
ALLAH

19.4.2006

Tears flow when I see this bed

2006-04-19T16:53:00.000+08:00

Tears flow when I see this bed

Tears flow when I see this bed
For it was here
That I was placed
to stay for the nights
at 304, Firdhaus Umrah
in Kota Mekah

The picture brings
back the smiles of Bang Shariman
Hj Roslan,
Nik, Kamaludin and Zubir
into the the air

The picture brings back
the laughter, the frowns
the silence
the ambience
And it is still everywhere.

Suddenly this picture
brings back everything.

19.4.2006

two months after

2006-03-27T13:50:00.000+08:00

Here I felt so sheltered
Here I felt so safe
Here I felt so calm
So protected
So at peace with myself

Was it the ceiling
Was it the pillars
Was it the chandaliers
No I know it was not
That I knew for sure

I still feel it so strong
The air
The silence
the ambience
It is still everywhere.

27.3.2006

The Camel of Jabal Rahmah

2006-03-16T21:52:00.000+08:00

Most see the camel at Jabal Rahman as a renewal of the marriage ties but there is another story to the camel at Arafah.

Jabal Rahmah is a sacred hill in the middle of the Plain of Arafat. Riding a she camel near it, the Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him) delivered his famous sermon on the occasion of his Farewell Hajj.

Needs no explaination

2006-03-06T10:48:00.000+08:00

Click on The Picture
to appreciate it.

It must be the work of the angels
that helped paint this one...

Sanctuary

Yes, that must be it,
if there is one word
That fits this place.

From different land comes different people

2006-02-27T18:39:00.000+08:00

comes different people
but over here
every one is the same...

O mankind!
We created you from a single soul,
male and female,
and made you into nations and tribes,
so that you may come
to know one another.
Truly,
the most honored of you
in God's sight
is the greatest of you in piety.
God is All-Knowing, All-Aware.

(Quran, 49:13)

The Clock Tower between the Minarets

2006-02-27T11:57:00.000+08:00

The Clock Tower between the Minarets

It only tells when
the next prayer is
when the next meal is
and when the next nap is

Time
is short
yet lengthy

and in between it
we solicit for forgiveness
we cry for The Lord

Then I, my God, confess my sins,
so forgive me for them.
I am he who did evil,
I am he who made mistakes,
I am he who purposed (to sin),
I am he who was ignorant,
I am he who was heedless,
I am he who was negligent,
I am he who relied (upon other than Thee),
I am he who premeditated,
I am he who promised,
I am he who went back on his word,
I am he who confessed (my sins)
and I am he who acknowledged Thy blessings upon me
and with me and then returned to my sins.
So forgive me for them,
O He who is not harmed by the sins of His servants
nor needs He their obedience.
He gives success through His aid and His mercy to
whomsoever of them works righteousness.
So praise belongs to Thee, My God and My Lord !

If the others knew

2006-02-27T11:26:00.000+08:00

how safe one feels
in this enchanted city

it shouts
out loud

that this
is the city
that the Prophet build

as a model
for the others to see.

Why is my heart still there

2006-02-22T17:07:00.000+08:00

when I am already here
back at home

was it that
I had left a portion of my heart
when I was there

that I longed to go back

Inshaallah

I shall go back.

From far you came

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to visit the Prophet.

May he witness our coming on the day of Ressurection.

Ask HIM, and who knows

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You might even get to pray right at the front saff, right behind the imam in Masjid Nabawi and share the memory with friends.

Thank You God for this opportunity, I knew there were so many there, and yet you gave me this opportunity.

Thank You.

When will I be back again....

2006-02-22T16:46:00.001+08:00

God, allow me to come back again.

Waiting to Pray

2006-02-22T16:46:00.000+08:00

Outside the the Prophet's mosque in Madinah

In Madinah too

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Contruction of newer hotel and shopping
complexes around the Prophets Mosque
is on a very rapid phase.

Beyond the clean courtyard of the Mosque, buildings grow like mushrooms.

How is it, 5 years from now?

New Hotels and shopping complexes

2006-02-20T15:51:00.000+08:00

Around the Masjidil Haram
more and more new buildings
is being put up
and soon the Holy mosque
will be surrounded by this new buildings.
Azaming the number of cranes
that was put up
in one of the construction sites
and most work at night when it is a lot cooler.

sunset at jeddah mall

2006-02-18T21:04:00.000+08:00

A city is a city
and Jeddah is like any other city
only difference is everything stops to halt
during prayers
and the shops close for magrib.

If you want wait until they finished praying.

But Jeddah had a history more than just that.

History: Jeddah has grown from humble origins. It began about 2,500 years ago as a tiny fishing settlement, established by the Quada's tribe. In AD647, Caliph Osman Ibn Affan chose Jeddah as the main port for the city of Makkah, and it became known as Bilad al Kanasil -- the City of Consulates. In the 16th century, the Ottomans built a stone wall around the town, in order to fortify it against attacks from the Portuguese. Originally, four gates were set in these walls, Bab Sherif opening towards the south, Bab Makkah facing east, Bab Madinah in the north wall and a west gate facing the Red Sea. Jeddah remained a fortified, walled town for centuries of Ottoman influence and was not released from Turkish rule until 1915. Further evidence of Turkish influence can be seen in Jeddah's architecture. The buildings of old Jeddah were tall and graceful, constructed of coral limestone and decorated with intricately beautiful wooden facades, known as rawasheen (singular roshan). These were designed not only to break up the sun's glare, but also to take advantage of the cooling sea breezes when the inner windows were opened. One cannot help but feel that, with the enclosure of the town within high, fortified walls, the sea breezes may not have stood much chance of reaching Jeddah's early inhabitants; hence their penchant for building their houses tall and for sleeping on the roofs on hot summer nights. The origin of the city's name poses an interesting dilemma for etymologists. Juddah (pronounced Jiddah) in Arabic means seashore, which seems logical enough, but the school of thought which prefers Jaddah or grandmother, is given credence by the traditional location of Eve's tomb within the city. Jeddah is, in fact, incorrect, but is popularly used by most non-Saudis living there.

Amin, Dilah and Azizah

2006-02-18T20:50:00.000+08:00

The youngest Haj and Hajjah in our group.
The were the cure to missing of our young children left at home.

Yes we missed them. But these children's presences were the God-sent cherishes to our hearts and minds.

Amin would pass you and ignore you on purpose.

When you did not realise Amin would hug you from the back.

Amin would join you when you want to have your snacks.

Your birthday was when we were in Mina.

We had no cakes for you,
but the ice creams of Mina is equally good.
So were the Fried Chicken fron Al Faik.

And the icecream were free in all those fridges.

And fill it up as fast as it empties.
The icecreams of Mina,
if only my coughing was not bothering me.

Dilah is as old as my Safwah
though you are plummer

Azizah had a signature pacifier
her name signed on it.

Thank you Children.Thank you the parents that brought them for the trip.

You had a special role that you all played without your realising, paticularly to the Hajjahs...

304, Firdhaus Umrah, Makkah

2006-02-15T19:03:00.000+08:00

It was written
that we were to be together
on a journey
unlike any journeys
to a place
unlike any place
for a reason
unlike any other reason.

If during the period
I had caused any inconvenience
or discomfort

Please
I seek for forgiveness
and I too
had forgiven
any
though I dont think
there was any.

PEACE BE UNTO YOU

OBMAR

But Peace is the ultimate aim.

2006-02-15T14:40:00.000+08:00

PEACE BE UPON YOU.

Yes, That's the view from my Hotel at about 3.30 at night,
Firdaus Umrah in Makkah.

calm (käm)
adj., calm·er, calm·est.
Nearly or completely motionless; undisturbed: the calm surface of the lake.
Not excited or agitated; composed: The President was calm throughout the global crisis.
n.
An absence or cessation of motion; stillness.
Serenity; tranquillity; peace.
A condition of no wind or a wind with a speed of less than 1 mile (2 kilometers) per hour, according to the Beaufort scale.
tr. & intr.v., calmed, calm·ing, calms.
To make or become calm or quiet: A warm bath will calm you. After the storm, the air calmed.

[Middle English calme, from Old French, from Old Italian calmo, from Late Latin cauma, heat of the day, resting place in the heat of the day, from Greek kauma, burning heat, from kaiein, to burn. N., from Middle English calme, from Italian calma, from Vulgar Latin *calma, from Late Latin.]

calm'ly adv.
calm'ness n.
SYNONYMS calm, tranquil, placid, serene, peaceful. These adjectives denote absence of excitement or disturbance: calm acceptance of the inevitable; hoped for a more tranquil life in the country; a soothing, placid tempermant; spent a serene, restful weekend at the lake; a peaceful hike through the scenic hills.

And the Archers on this hill abandoned their post

2006-02-15T14:23:00.000+08:00

Although The Prophet had preempted them against that.

The result was a massive defeat on the side of the Believers.

But the lesson to learn was not to abandon their post.

The answer is do not abandon the Quran.

The chaotic state of the Muslims today is because we abandon the Quran.

Behind the Uhud Hills

2006-02-15T14:15:00.000+08:00

The Battle of Uhud:

Victory – Not Defeat

Sheikh Abdul-Muhsin Al-Qaasim

All praise is due to Allah. May peace and blessings be upon His prophet Muhammad.

Fellow Muslims! Fear Allah as He should be feared for the fear of Allah increases one in blessings and removes calamities.

The Almighty Allah sent our prophet Muhammad to mankind after a break in the series of messengers at a time when the world was immersed in a deep darkness of ignorance. The Prophet and his companions started spreading the religion and the disbelievers challenged his message and unsheathed their swords to fight him. The Muslims faced them in the battle of Badr and realised a great victory by Allah’s command. The flag of Islam was raised high and the disbelievers returned to Makkah disgraced, everyone mourning the killing of his relative and lamenting over his misfortune.

The defeat was so painful for the disbelievers that they resolved to confront the Muslims again. They spent a whole year amassing as many weapons and men as they could to fight the Muslims. They left Makkah for Madeenah in the third year of Hijrah in order to avenge their defeat during the Battle of Badr.

Upon reaching Madeenah they camped at mount Uhud. Meanwhile some men among the Muslims who were unfortunate enough not to have participated in the Battle of Badr and were enthusiastic about Jihad advised the Messenger of Allah to go out and meet the enemy. The Prophet agreed and all the Muslims likewise were determined to go out and meet them.

After performing Friday Prayers, the Prophet entered his house, and emerged wearing an armoured breastplate, and declared, “It is not appropriate for any Prophet who has once put on his armour to take it off again until Allah has judged between him and his enemy (by granting one victory over the other).”

The Prophet then set out in the company of one thousand men, one third of whom turned back home after travelling part of the way towards Mount Uhud under the influence of the head of the hypocrites; Abdullah bin Ubay. The Prophet proceeded with the remaining men until he camped at the trail of Mount Uhud putting the mountain behind him and facing the idolaters. He assigned some fifty archers under the command of Abdullah ibn Jubair to man a small strategic foothill and commanded them not to leave their position under any circumstances.

On the morning of the following day, the Prophet mobilized his army, inspected their armour, paraded the youths, sent back those of them who were still too young to fight and approved the participation of others. Among those he allowed to participate were Samrah ibn Jundub and Raafi’ ibn Khadeej; they were then but fifteen years old.

The Quraysh, meanwhile, also got ready for the battle. They were three thousand strong; among them were two hundred horsemen led by Aboo Sufyan. Their intention was to put out the light of Allah and mislead His slaves, and the intention of the Muslims – who numbered only seven hundred men – was to attain victory from Allah or achieve martyrdom.

The Messenger of Allah urged his companions to fight and encouraged them to be patient and enduring.

The two armies then confronted each other with unsheathed swords, and a plethora of spears and arrows. Allah then gave permission to His Messenger to fight and the battle commenced in earnest. The Muslims initially gained the upper hand and Allah made them victorious. The disbelievers were exposed. Their standard fell and they turned their backs and fled.

When the archers saw the disbelievers defeated, they thought that there was no way they could make a comeback, and some of them left the position which the Prophet had commanded them to man in search of booty. Their leader reminded them of the Prophet’s order but his reminder fell on deaf ears and they left that strategic foothill.

Khaalid bin Waleed – who was still a kaafir at that time – emerged from behind the mount where the Prophet had positioned the archers; realising that most of the archers had left that strategic position; and killed the remaining ten archers. Thus the Muslims were surrounded by the unbelievers: by their cavalry from behind and their infantry in front. So they encircled them, and a group of the Muslims were defeated while the rest were scattered in disarray. The unbelievers recovered from their initial defeat, returned to their fallen standard and began to cause a disturbance among the broken ranks of the Muslims. And aught befell them but that which was the Will of Allah; and He blessed whom He willed with martyrdom. The Prophet boldly held fast while most of his companions fled away from him while he called to them to come and reap the blessings of the hereafter. Some returned and regrouped around him. The disbelievers too made for the Prophet wanting to kill him. They gashed his face, smashed his teeth with a stone and ruined his helmet, and he fell down into a trench made by Aboo Aamir Al-Faasiq (the Godless). Alee ibn Abee Taalib took him by the hand and Talhah ibn Ubaidillah embraced him, and Mus’ab ibn Umayr was killed defending him.

The disbelievers drew nearer to him, but a group of Muslims numbering about ten protected him valiantly until they were all killed. Then Talhah ibn Ubaidillah fought them courageously until he drove them away but his hand got amputated in the process. Aboo Dujaanah also shielded the Prophet with his back and though arrows were raining down on him he did not move. Then Satan proclaimed at the top of his voice that Muhammad had been killed. This proclamation made the Muslims lose heart and many of them began to turn away. The Prophet then drew near to the Muslims and when they saw him, they gathered around him and followed him to the mountain path where he camped.

Alee ibn Abee Taalib washed the blood from the Prophet’s face and poured water upon his head. When his daughter Faatimah saw that the water only increased his bleeding, she took a piece of straw mat, burnt it and put it on the wound and the bleeding stopped.

The Prophet was so overstrained that when he wanted to mount a rock, he could not until one of his companions aided him. The Muslims became concerned about their fallen brethren, so the Messenger of Allah went to see the martyrs and found that many had been impudently mutilated. He looked for his uncle Hamzah, and found him lying in the wadi (dry river bed), disembowelled with his nose and ears cut off.

The disbelievers also went back to their mounts with their injured and dying victims. Thus was the Battle of Uhud brought to an end, leaving behind seventy martyrs among the Muslims and twenty two perished among the unbelievers; with our victims going to paradise and theirs going to Hell.

Dear Muslims! The Battle of Uhud was a victory for us, not a defeat. The battle is full of lessons and admonitions. Its events are a bright legacy that Muslims inherit generation after generation. Sixty verses were revealed concerning the events of this great battle and they had a great impact on the mind of the Prophet and he continued to refer to them even upon his deathbed.

This religion was only able to reach us as a result of the great and bitter struggle of the Companions and our righteous predecessors. These people underwent huge difficulties and trials for the survival of this religion. Anas ibn An-Nadr was wounded eighty times in this battle and the enemy so mercilessly mutilated him that only his sister could identify him by his fingertips. Sa’d ibn Ar-Rabee’ was stabbed seventy times with spears and arrows. In light of this, stop and think: What have you done for our religion?

The noble companions were by no means the best of this Ummah by virtue of their being the first to embrace Islam, but rather by virtue of their companionship and courage. They sacrificed their lives and bodies for this religion until it reached us in its complete form; some returned with amputated limbs, others with badly torn up bodies, and yet others returned not, leaving behind widows and orphans. Therefore give them their due estimation, thank them for their efforts and invoke Allah’s pleasure on them, for their Lord has expressed His love for them; He is pleased with them and they are well pleased with Him.

Brothers in faith! Acts of disobedience to Allah turn glory into disgrace. Many souls were lost during that battle because of a misdeed. Adam was expelled from Paradise because of a single sin and a woman was condemned to Hell because she starved a cat to death. Therefore obey Allah and worship Him, you will get relief from hardship and do not do any act that may turn your enemy’s weapon against you.

In this decisive battle, Samrah and Raafi’ took part in it and were martyred while they were only fifteen years old. That is an indication that Islam prevailed and has been made great on the strength of the blood of such youths among the companions, and not by wasting time and running after lustful desires. The parents of these admirable youths strove to guide them, and they reaped the fruits of their efforts. But what about us: what have our youths done for their religion? What are their ambitions? What are their concerns? To what do they aspire? How can we attract them to Islam and avert them from bad company? - Those friends who fail you when you need them the most. They pretend to be your friends when you are in prosperity and turn into your enemies when you are in hardship. An prime example of this is how the hypocrites deserted the Sahaabah during their most trying period before the Battle of Uhud. Rather, keep the company of good people, for they guard you in your presence and absence, they strive for your benefit and defend you. Never despair of the reform of your society for success belongs to the righteous. Also do not despair of the mercy of Allah, for the Prophet endured persecution and injury until people entered into the religion of Allah in groups.

The end of all matters is in the hands of Allah; so always pray to Allah. The guidance of mankind is solely in the hands of the Creator of mankind. Consider the case of Aboo Sufyan who was the standard bearer of the kuffar in the Battle of Uhud and yet was seen during the conquest of Makkah saying the Kalimah. Similarly, Wahshee, who killed Hamzah (the Prophet’s Uncle), soon after embraced Islam and later went on to kill the notorious false Prophet Musaylamah the Liar. Be afraid of Allah, lest you be misled, for mankind’s hearts are between two of Allah’s fingers and He turns them about as He likes. Pray to Him for continued steadfastness and strength of heart.

Be also aware that whenever a man falls into sin, repentance always remove them regardless of their multitude and magnitude. Consider the case of Khaalid ibn Al-Waleed who led the disbelievers’ cavalry during the Battle of Uhud and by whose hand many honourable companions were martyred. When Allah opened his heart to Islam, he came to the Prophet and said, “I make one condition: That you forgive me all my past misdeeds.” The Prophet replied him thus: “O Khaalid! Do you not know that Islam negates all that precedes it, and that repentance erases whatever sins one might have committed before?”

Therefore free yourself, my dear brother, from the mire of sins, and repent for good deeds remove the evil ones. Also hold fast to this religion for much blood has been shed in its cause. Further, a man is sometimes tested through his close relations, but one must be patient with whatever they may do, for it was the Prophet’s relatives who came to Madeenah to kill him and they did what most of the other unbelievers would never do by mutilating the Muslim martyrs. Yet, the Prophet forgave them during the conquest of Makkah. Therefore emulate the Prophet, be kind to your kith and kin and overlook whatever they do to you.

Beware also of dissention and controversy for they cause defeat, and do not dispute with one another lest you lose courage and your strength departs and be patient. When ever you are in prosperity do not be lulled into a false sense of security when you commit sins; for sorrow may be disguised beneath a façade of enjoyment. Consider the case of the archers who were delighted when they saw the booty and left their positions in order to get their share of it, hence making the whole army suffer a near defeat as a consequence. No condition is permanent. Therefore be patient in difficulties and thank Allah when you are in contentment.

Prophets were only human beings who suffered just as their fellow human beings suffered; they should not be raised above the position of servitude to Allah so as not to diminish their position. The Messenger of Allah wore his armour, fought along side his companions and Angels Jibreel and Meekaaeel fought for him, and even so his face was cut open and his teeth broken. Allah alone commands all that happens by His Divine Will. Had the Prophet possessed any power for himself then surely not a drop of his blood would have been spilt. Direct all your acts of worship to Allah alone. Humble yourself before Him; He will make your affairs easy for you.

Moreover, Uhud is just a mountain, blessings should not be sought from its soil and pebbles should not be picked up. It was at its side that seventy Muslims were martyred and the Prophet injured. If it had possessed any special benefit, what happened would not have happened. Leave your affairs to Allah, trust Him and take refuge with Him during times of hardship.

It is an ideal of manhood and generosity to appreciate the services rendered for the cause of religion. The ideal was exemplified by the Prophet when he kept the valiant deeds of the Uhud martyrs fresh in his memory until he died. On his deathbed eight years later, he prayed for them as if he was bidding them farewell. So always honour the great men of this religion. Aboo Sufyan said, “I have never seen a person love another person as the companions of Muhammad loved him” Allah says,

“If it had been Allah’s will, He himself could certainly have punished them (without you). But (He lets you fight) in order to test some of you with others. But those who are killed in the way of Allah, He will never let their deeds be lost. He will guide them and set right their state. And admit to Paradise which He has made known to them.”

(Muhammad 47: 4-6)

Fellow Muslims! The only way to attain Heaven is through hardship and toil; the road to it is long and tortuous, filled with trials and difficulties. Only through being humble to Allah during trials does Allah grant one victory. Whenever Allah wants to honour a slave of His, He tests him and He raises his rank according to his humility and submission to Him. Allah has prepared for His believing slaves positions in His Abode of Honour, that can not be attained except through undergoing trials and He has also prepared for them means that can lead them to those positions through different tests. Submit yourself to the will of Allah, and be pleased with what He decrees for you.

One of the righteous predecessors said, “If it were not for trials and calamities (that we have in this world) we would arrive on the Day of Judgement bankrupt.”

Each day of our lives is different, our conditions are always changing; a day of victory and another of defeat; a day of glory, and another of disgrace; a day of good health and another of sickness; a day of wealth and another of poverty. Make use of your worldly blessings to achieve prosperity in your hereafter and know that whoever gives precedence to this world over the hereafter has ruined his chances of success in both of them.

Acknowledgement: Taken from http://www.taiba.org/Khutab/Khutbah30.htm

It could be

2006-02-15T13:56:00.000+08:00

another international entreprenuer in the making..

could it be.

One of the Jamrah's

2006-02-15T13:44:00.000+08:00

Where the throwing is done.
Previously it was just a pillar.

Now they had expanded that to look like a sail.
That way more people can throw safely.

Even then, it still happens.

Can it be prevented,

Could proper crowd control procedures be instituted.

One wonders.

Behind the Minarets and Domes

2006-02-14T23:36:00.000+08:00

Behind the Minarets and Domes
is Truth
for those who search.
is repentance
for those who ask

When My servants ask thee
concerning Me,
I am indeed close (to them):
I listen to the prayer
of every suppliant
when he calleth on Me:

Let them also,
with a will,
Listen to My call,
and believe in Me:
That they may walk
in the right way.

( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara,
Chapter #2, Verse #186)

Two Old Boys at Jeddah Haj Terminal

2006-02-14T23:03:00.000+08:00

Yes, Two old boys, budak kolet, before flying back to Kuala Lumpur. Well there was another in the same KT45, Datok Ghani, but he was nowhere to be seen when this photo was taken.

Site visits

2006-02-13T10:23:00.000+08:00

Near the site where the prophet meditate regularly before the revelations came.

It was in a cave here where the first revelation came.

The traditionists have related on the strength of their respective authorities the story of the beginning of revelation from Imam Az-Zuhri, who had it from Hadrat Urwah bin Zubair, who had it from Hadrat Aishah, his aunt. She states that revelations to the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) began in the form of true (according to other traditions, good) visions. Whichever vision he saw it seemed as though he saw it in broad daylight. Afterwards solitude became dear to him and he would go to the Cave of Hiraa' to engage in worship there for several days and nights (Hadrat Aishah has used the word tahannuth, which Imam Zuhri has explained as ta`abbud: devotional exercises.

This was some kind of worship which he performed, for until then he had not been taught the method of performing the Prayer by Allah). He would take provisions with him and stay there for several days, then would return to Hadrat Khadijah who would again provide for him for a few more days.

One day when he was in the Cave of Hiraa', Revelation came down to him unexpectedly and the Angel said, to him: "Read". After this Hadrat Aishah reports the words of the Holy Prophet himself, to the effect,

"I said: I cannot read! There upon the Angel took me and pressed me until I could bear it no more. Then he left me and said: Read. I said: I cannot read! He pressed me a second time until I could bear it no more. Then he left me and said: Read. I again said: I cannot read! He pressed me for the third time until I could bear it no more. Then he left me and said: Iqra' bismi Rabbi kal-ladhi khalaqa: (Read in the name of your Lord Who created) till he reached ma lam ya` lam (what he did not know).

Hadrat Aishah says: "Then the Holy Messenger (upon whom be peace) returned home to Hadrat Khadijah trembling with fear, and said to her: `Cover me, cover me', and he was covered. When terror left him, he said: `O Khadijah, what has happened to me? ' Then he narrated to her whatever had happened, and said: `I fear for my life'.

She said; `No never! Be of good cheer. By God, never will God debase you: you treat the kindred well, you speak the truth, (one tradition adds: you restore what is entrusted to you), you bear the burden of the helpless, you help the poor, you entertain the guests, and you cooperate in good works.

Then she took him to Waraqah bin Naufal, who was her cousin. He had become a Christian in pre-Islamic days, wrote the Gospel in Arabic and Hebrew, and had become very old and blind. Hadrat Khadijah said: `Brother, listen to the son of your brother. ' Waraqah said to the Holy Prophet: `What have you seen, nephew? ' The Holy Prophet described what he had seen. Waraqah said; `This is the same Namus (the Angel of Revelation) which Allah had sent down to Moses. Would that I were a young man during your Prophethood! Would that I were alive when your tribe would expel you! '

The Holy Prophet said: `Will they expel me? ' Waraqah said; `Yes, never has it so happened that a person brought what you have brought and was not treated as an enemy. If I live till then I would help you with all the power at my command. ' But not very long after this Waraqah died. "

Inside the ladies tent

2006-02-13T10:07:00.000+08:00

In Mina where we camped for 4 nights

Sai Between Safa Marwah

2006-02-12T22:37:00.000+08:00

The devotional act of walking seven times back and forth between the knolls of Safa and Marwah. This act retraces the footsteps of Hajar (wife of Prophet Ibrahim), during her desperate search for water for her infant son Ismail after they were left in the desert by Prophet Ibrahim in response to a divine vision.

A small knoll approximately half a mile from the Kabah inside Al Masjid ul Haram. The pilgrim performs the devotional act of Sai between the knolls of Safa and Marwah.

A small knoll (i.e., hillock) located approximately one hundred yards from the Kabah inside Al Masjid ul Haram. The pilgrim performs the devotional rite of Sai between the knolls of Safa and Marwah.