ummtaalib

Waadi Al-Muhassab It is Mustahab (desirable) for pilgrims to stop at Al-Muhassab after leaving Mina. It is in Makkah on the way to Mina and it is where Allah's Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam stopped. Narrated Al-Qasim bin Muhammad (RA): ' Aisha (RA) said, "We set out with Allah's Apostles in the months of Hajj, and (in) the nights of Hajj, and at the time and places of Hajj and in a state of Hajj. We dismounted at Sarif (a village six miles from Mecca). The Prophet (ﷺ) then addressed his companions and said, "Anyone who has not got the Hadi and likes to do Umra instead of Hajj may do so (i.e. Hajj-al-Tamattu) and anyone who has got the Hadi should not finish the Ihram after performing ' Umra). (i.e. Hajj-al-Qiran). Aisha (RA) added, "The companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) obeyed the above (order) and some of them (i.e. who did not have Hadi) finished their Ihram after Umra." Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) and some of his companions were resourceful and had the Hadi with them, they could not perform Umra (alone) (but had to perform both Hajj and Umra with one Ihram). Aisha (RA) added, "Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) came to me and saw me weeping and said, "What makes you weep, O Hantah?" I replied, "I have heard your conversation with your companions and I cannot perform the Umra." He asked, "What is wrong with you?' I replied, ' I do not offer the prayers (i.e. I have my menses).' He said, ' It will not harm you for you are one of the daughters of Adam, and Allah has written for you (this state) as He has written it for them. Keep on with your intentions for Hajj and Allah may reward you that." Aisha (RA) further added, "Then we proceeded for Hajj till we reached Mina and I became clean from my menses. Then I went out from Mina and performed Tawaf round the Ka'ba." Aisha (RA) added, "I went along with the Prophet (ﷺ) in his final departure (from Hajj) till he dismounted at Al-Muhassab (a valley outside Mecca), and we too, dismounted with him." He (ﷺ) called ' Abdur-Rahman bin Abu Bakr (RA) and said to him, ' Take your sister outside the sanctuary of Mecca and let her assume Ihram for ' Umra, and when you had finished ' Umra, return to this place and I will wait for you both till you both return to me.' " ' Aisha (RA) added, ' ' So we went out of the sanctuary of Mecca and after finishing from the ' Umra and the Tawaf we returned to the Prophet (ﷺ) at dawn. He (ﷺ) said, 'Have you performed the ' Umra?' We replied in the affirmative. So he announced the departure amongst his companions and the people set out for the journey, and the Prophet too left for Medina.'' [bukhari] Nowadays, the conveyance of Motor Lorries is not usually in one's own control. It is therefore very difficult to stay anywhere on the way. As such, there is no harm if due to this helplessness one does not stay at Al-Muhassab

Spiritual Highs “Many people whilst performing worship feel that devotion void of some kind of spiritual ecstasy, such as tears in du‘ā or total concentration in ṣalāh, is useless. However, this notion is incorrect, for neither are they a means of pleasing Allāh ta’ala nor by their absence will Allāh ta’ala be displeased. People who aim for these things feel despondent when they cannot achieve them or after they disappear, and they eventually abandon all their practices. Remember our ultimate goal is the Pleasure of Allāh ta’ala and this will be achieved through fulfilling His commands, whether we feel a high in worship or not. This can be understood by the following example. When you travel on a train during your journey you may see some beautiful scenes, some that are not so beautiful, and others that are plainly horrible. Do these affect you in anyway? No! Your journey continues, because the objective is your destination, not the sceneries you see on the way. Likewise, in your spiritual journey remember your destination is Allāh ta’ala and His pleasure and not the spiritual highs that you may experience during worship.” Courtesy of In Shaykh's Company: a blog maintained by the students of Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullah www.shaykh.org

Saqifah Bani Sa'edah A Beautiful Garden. A Cool, Shaded Sanctuary in the Marble & Concrete Surrounding. Saqeefa (the dark blue circled area) is one of the few tiny patches of garden 200 meters north-west of Masjid Nabawi. Banu Sa’edah, an eminent tribe of the Ansar resided here at the time of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam used to visit Saqeefa, offering Salat there, sitting in the shade with his Companions. Sahl ibn Sa’d RadhiAllahu anhu drew water for him from a nearby well called Bir Budha’ah. This well existed just north of Saqeefa until the second Saudi extension of Masjid Nabawi. The death of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam led to the question as to who was to be the leader of the Muslims after the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. While the noble body of the Prophet of Islam SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was being prepared for burial the Ansar of Madinah assembled at their meeting place Saqeefa Bani Sa’edah to discuss the question of succession. Read more on al-miskeenah A Peek through the Gate Inside Insha’Allah, if you are called to this Mubarak Radiant City, take the time to visit Saqeefa. A secluded, shaded sanctuary See more beautiful pictures on almiskeenah here

Jannatul Baqee Affectionately called “Jannatul-Baqi’” by some, Baqi’ al-Gharqad is the proper name of the graveyard of Madinah, which is the sole resting place for the city’s Muslim inhabitants since the time of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace). Imam Malik is reported to have held that 10,000 Companions are buried in al-Baqi’, including most of the wives of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace), his son Ibrahim, and many senior Companions such as ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan, Ibn Masud and others, may Allah be pleased with them all. Click on the map to enlarge Grave of Uthmaan (Radhiyallaahu 'anahu) More details of the layout of the graves Here Along with this best generation, descendants of the Ahl al-Bait, pious scholars and saints, and countless devoted pilgrims have been buried there over the centuries till this day. As the graves of each true believer are “gardens from the gardens of Paradise”, this blessed company alone, of course after the fact that one is a neighbor of the Best of Creation Allah bless him and grant him peace) who rests not far away, immediately tells us there is good reason to ask to be buried there. Still, we can explore further why Madinah has been singled out for this distinction. A clear, authentic and decisive narration that establishes the virtue of wanting to die in Madinah states that the son of `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “Whosoever is able to die in Madinah, then let him die there, for indeed, I will intercede for the one who dies there.” (Ahmad, Musnad; Tirmidhi, Sunan) To get to the point where one desires and strives for a death in Madinah for this purpose, we must first develop our love for the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace), through things such as learning his life, following his sunnah, and sending blessings upon him. We ask Allah Most High to increase us in love for His Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace), and to grant us his company in this world and in the Hereafter. (seekersguidance.org) Jannatul Baqee before Demolition of 1925

The Survival Tactics of Polar Animals Emperor Penguins Emperor penguins are able to dive to depths of 500 meters (1,640 feet) for up to 20 minutes with no adverse effects to their respiration or blood pressure. They also possess the ability to adapt to these conditions in different ways. While diving, they are able to lower their heartbeats from 200 a minute to only 60, thus allowing them to store extra myoglobin. How Can Penguins Hold Their Breath for So Long? Myoglobin is a protein present at high levels in these birds’ muscles. These myoglobin proteins bind to themselves high numbers of oxygen molecules. In other words, the penguin conserves the oxygen it will need not in the air held in its lungs, but directly inside its muscles. This lets penguins swim underwater for long periods and to dive as deep as they wish, without relying on the breathed-in air held in their lungs. Why Do They Not Suffer from the Bends? Penguins are able to continue swimming even when the oxygen in their blood drops to the lowest levels. Human beings suffer from the bends under such conditions. The level in question is 20 mm Hg for penguins and 25 mm Hg for humans. However, scientists have been unable to explain how penguins can to overcome this in the water without being affected by low levels of oxygen in the blood. How Can They Go Without Food for 65 Days? Male penguins have a secret that lets them survive without eating anything for 65 days, until the females arrive to take of the young in order to protect their eggs: they possess a structure capable of blocking their digestive systems. Their Magnificent Diving Costumes Adult penguins on the ice eat nothing for months until after they shedd their coats in the summer. All their old feathers are shed, and new ones emerge from underneath. The result is a windproof, insulated and waterproof diving suit that prevents cold—whether from icy wind or frigid water— reaching their skin. The most striking feature of their new plumage is that it appears just when the penguins need it most— when the time to migrate has arrived. Brief Facts from the Pole In the middle of winter, daylight at the North Pole last for only three hours. In order to protect themselves from the freezing cold during the other 21 hours, penguins huddle up against one another in the dark. By huddling up to one another, the male penguins are able to raise their body temperatures to up to 20° C (68 °F). Since solitary penguins are unable to benefit from other penguins’ body heat, they cannot survive in temperatures any lower than -10° C (14 °F) Under Such Conditions, How Can Penguins Walk for Many Kilometers with Such Large Bodies and Short Legs? In order to conserve energy when they walk, penguins waddle from side, to side, which tires their muscles less. In this way, at the end of every step, they store up enough momentum for the next. If they employed a normal gait, their short legs would force them to expend twice as much energy as any other animal their own size. However, penguins exert the most energy only when they start to walk and when they want to stop. These features of penguins are some of the greatest proofs of Allah Ta'ala’s affection and compassion for living things. Walking in such a way as to conserve energy by using the conversion of kinetic and potential energy and back again is something no bird can learn on its own. No penguin can know about potential-kinetic energy conversion and develop such a gait as to take advantage of this, unless so inspired by Allah Ta'ala. Allah Ta'ala’s sovereignty over living things is revealed as follows in one verse of the Qur’an: "I put my trust in Allah, My Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving creature, but He hath grasp of its fore-lock. Verily, it is my Lord that is on a straight Path.” (Surah Hud, 56) How Do Seals Locate Their Prey in the Dark? A seal locates its prey without using its eyes by following traces that its quarry leaves behind it in the water. These traces, invisible to the naked eye, are hydrodynamic waves set up by the movement of the prey. Just by following these traces, a seal is able to catch its prey. Thanks to this ability, seals have no difficulty in hunting in the dark or in murky water. Secret Whale Feeding Techniques The cold waters of the North Pole are actually very rich in nutrients—for which reason, whales deliberately migrate to these from warmer waters. During their time near the Pole they consume small, shrimp-like fish known as krill, and store up nutrients in their blubber. When a pod of whales locates a school of fish or krill, they act in unison. When the fish sense danger and start diving to the bottom, the whales dive down even deeper, en masse, and immediately begin exhaling air bubbles, which form a kind of stockade or barrier cage around the fish. These bubbles that spread around the fish and stop them getting away form a round wall. Then all the whales need to do is to open their mouths as they begin returning to the surface through the middle of this ring. Thanks to this planning and joint action, they are easily able to engulf their prey. For all this astonishing behavior, there is only one explanation: These birds and marine mammals behave in accordance with the inspiration of Allah Ta'ala, their Creator. islaaminfo.co.za

"Women's Guide in Madinah Munawwarah" by Mufti Muhammad Faruq Brilliant book with advices specially for women and brief history on all the historical places At Amazon

Al-Masjid An-Nabawi - Old Pictures AlAynea Street, Madinah Rare black and white photos of Madinah Extremely Rare View: 1850

The Pillars Following diagram and article on the Various Pillars from "How to perform Ziyaarah" by Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat, Position of the Major Pillars inside the Masjid The diagram above is a plan view of the front part of Masjid Nabwi and identifies pillars (ustuwaanah) where a significant event or act occurred (the pillars themselves are not important). Note that the position of these pillars was the same as in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). 1. Ustuwaanah Hannanah (the weeping pillar) This is also called the Ustuwaanah Mukhallaq. This is the most blessed of the pillars for this was the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him)’s place of Salat. On this spot there once used to grow a date palm tree. Before the advent of the mimbar, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) used to lean on it while delivering the khutbah (sermon). When the mimbar was made the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) used it for the khutbah. It so happened when the change took place, such a bitter sound of weeping was heard from the tree that the whole masjid echoed; and those in the masjid started weeping. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) then said: “The tree cries because the zikr of Allah was near it, and now that the mimbar is built it has been deprived of this zikr in its immediate vicinity. If I did not place my hand on it, it would have cried thus till the Day of Qiyamat.” Afterwards the tree dried up and was buried. 2. Ustuwaanah Sareer ‘Sareer’ means sleeping place. It is reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) used to make i’tikaaf here also, and used to sleep here while in i’tikaaf. A platform of wood used to be put here for him to sleep on. 3. Ustuwaanah Tawbah Also known as Ustuwaanah Abu Lubabah. Abu Lubabah (may Allah be pleased with him) was one of the famous Sahaba. Before Islam, he had much dealings with the Jews of Banu Quraizah. When they acted treacherously during the Battle of the Trench and were taken captive he told them that they were to be killed by making a sign across his throat. After having done that he become so grieved at this indiscretion that he could not rest. He thereupon came to the masjid and at this spot where a date-tree used to stand, he bound himself to the trunk saying: “As long as my repentance is not accepted by Allah, I shall not untie myself from here. And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) himself must undo my bonds.” When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) heard this he said: “If he had come to me I would have begged forgiveness on his behalf. Now he had acted on his own initiative, I cannot untie him until his repentance has been accepted.” For many days he remained tied there, except for Salat and the call of nature. At such times his wife and daughter used to untie him and then again tied him to the tree. He remained without food and drink as a result of which his sight and hearing were affected. Then after a few days one morning while the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was in tahajjud prayer in the house of Umme Salamah (may Allah be pleased with him), he received the good news that his tawbah had been accepted. The Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with him) conveyed the news to him, and wanted to untie him but he refused, saying: “As long as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) does not untie me with his blessed hands, I shall not allow anyone else to do so.” When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) entered for Fajr Salat he untied him. 4. Ustuwaanah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her): The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) used to say his prayers here and afterwards moved to the place at Ustuwaanah Hannanah. It is also called the Ustuwaanah Qu’rah. The reason for this is that Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reports that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said: “In this masjid is one such spot that if people knew the true blessed nature thereof, they would flock towards it in such in a manner to pray there they would have to cast such lots (i.e. Qu’rah).” People asked her to point out the exact spot which she refused to do. Later on, at the persistence of Abdullah bin Zubair (may Allah be pleased with him) she pointed to this spot. Hence it is called Ustuwaanah Aisha, because the Hadith is reported by her and the exact spot was shown by her. It is a fact that Abu Bakr and Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) very often used to pray here. 5. Ustuwaanah Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) Also known as Ustuwaanah Mah’ras or Hars. ‘Hars’ means to watch or protect. This used to be the place where some of the Sahaba (may Allah be pleased with him) used to sit when keeping watch or acting as gatekeepers. Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) used to be the one who mostly acted as such, for which it is often called Ustuwaanah Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) entered the masjid from the door of Aisha’s (may Allah be pleased with her) room, he passed this spot 6. Ustuwaanah Wufood ‘Wufood’ means delegations. Whenever deputations arrived to meet the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) on behalf of their tribes, they were seated here and here he used to meet them, conversed with them and taught them Islam. 7. Ustuwaanah Jibraeel This was the usual place where Jibraeel (upon him be peace) used to enter to visit the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Today it cannot be seen as it lies inside the sacred chamber of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). 8. Ustuwaanah Tahajjud It is reported that this was the spot where late at night a carpet was spread for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) to perform tahajjud prayer, after all the people had left. Ashaabus Suffah Platform This diagram marks the location, towards the front of the present Masjid-e-Nabwi, of the platform that housed the Ashab us-Suffah (The People of the Bench). The platform was originally on the north wall of the masjid and was moved back when the masjid was extended in 7 AH. The Ashab us-Suffah were companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) who, along with the performance of religious duties, were mostly tradesmen or farmers. Some had, however, dedicated their lives exclusively for prayer and spiritual discipline in the close company of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). (islamiclandmarks.com)

The Rowdhah Garden of Paradise Riadhul Jannah i.e. Garden of Paradise. It is presently distinguished by a green carpet (different from the red carpets of the rest of the Masjid) and is called the Rawdhah. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said: “Between my house and my pulpit lays a garden from the gardens of Paradise, and my pulpit is upon my fountain (Al-Kauthar).” [bukhari] The Mihraab The Mihraab of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) is identified by the inscription on the wall "Haadhaa Musalla an Nabiyy sallallahu alaihi wasallam" and his place of Salaah is directly in front of that sign (not in front of an alcove that is next to the sign). ("Women's Guide in Madinah Munawwarah" Mufti Muhammad Faruq) When the Masjid Al-Nabawi was first built, there was no Mihraab in it, as the place where the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was leading prayers was already known by the people. In the reign of Omar Ibn Abdulaziz, however, small niche was added to the front wall of the mosque when it was re-constructed. Since then there has been only one Mihrab in the Masjid Al-Nabawi. Throughout time, however, renovations and reconstructions have been made on the Mihraab, as in other parts of the Masjid. The Mimber Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam initially delivered the Khutbah leaning on a palm tree trunk which was positioned near the original Mihraab. During the eighth year after hijrah, when the number of Sahabah had greatly increased, and it was difficult for the assembled crowd to see and hear the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, it was suggested that a new raised Minbar be constructed. (ALMISKEENAH) The Sacred Chamber This gold grill is the front part of the Rowdhah, the Sacred Chamber in which the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) passed away and where he is buried. It also houses the graves of the first two Caliphs of Islam, Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) and Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). Original Prayer spot of the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam This pillar, the fifth one down from the ‘Aisha’ pillar and in line with Bab-e-Jibraeel is the approximate spot where the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) led salat in Madinah when the Qiblah was still towards Jerusalem and at the opposite direction of Makkah

The Dome Sultan Qalawun, in 678 Hijri (1280 AD), made the first dome above the sacred room. In later years the dome was renovated as necessary. Eventually Sultan Mahmud bin Abdul Hameed Uthmani, in 1233 Hijri (1809 AD) had this dome demolished due to the appearance of cracks. A very strong dome was constructed of square bricks covered in lead sheets and painted green. This is the same dome we see today although it is repainted whenever necessary. ("Women's Guide in Madinah Munawwarah" Mufti Muhammad Faruq)

Al-Masjid An-Nabawi Panorama View Sattelite View Beautiful View At Night In the Morning In the Evening Ramadhaan 2013 Lightening! Masjid Nabawi & Jannatul Baqee Umbrellas in the Forecourt

Al Madinatul Munawwarah! Al-Madinatun Nabi! The City of Light! The City of the Prophet! The Abode of the Best of all Messengers, the Final of all Messengers The City wherein lies the Beloved Rasool of Allah sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam The Beloved Messenger of Allah prayed, “O Allah! Bestow on Madinah twice the blessings You bestowed on Makkah.” [bukhari] The Beloved Messenger of Allah had such love for Madinah that, Sayyidina Anas b. Malik narrates, “Whenever the Prophet returned from a journey and observed the walls of Madinah, he would make his mount go fast, and if he was on an animal (i.e. a horse), he would make it gallop because of his love for Madinah.” [bukhari] The Beloved Messenger of Allah said, “Madinah is a sanctuary from that place to that. Its trees should not be cut, and no heresy should be innovated, nor any sin should be committed in it, and whoever innovates in it a heresy, or commits sins (bad deeds), he will incur the Curse of Allah, the Angels, and all the people.” [bukhari] The Beloved Messenger of Allah said, “There are angels guarding the entrances (or roads) of Madinah, neither plague nor Dajjal will be able to enter it.”[bukhari] Our Collection of Pictures, Old & New! Al-Masjid An-Nabawi! & Places of Historical Significance in & around Madinatul Munawwarah! Information & News! Remember to click on the pictures to enlarge

Waadi Muhassar Waadi Muhassar is a place between Mina and Muzdalifah; it is here that Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) destroyed Abraha and his army of elephants. This incident in mentioned in Surah Feel. It is sunnah for Hujjaj (pilgrims) to walk briskly pass this area as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) did as it was a place of punishment from Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He).(Islamic Landmarks.com)

Masaajid In & Around Makkatul Mukarramah Information from "Women's Guide to Hajj & Umrah" by Mufti Muhammad Faruq Masjid Al-Jinn The site where the jinn heard Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallm reading the Qur'an Masjid Jinn, also known as Masjid Haras, is built on the place where the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) drew a line for Abdullah bin Mas’ood (may Allah be pleased with him) who had accompanied him after he had been commanded to recite the Qur’an to the Jinn. Abdullah bin Mas’ood (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates, “While in Makkah, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) once said to the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them), “Whoever wishes to see what the Jinn are all about should come along.” Besides myself no-one else came. When we reached the place in the Ma’la district of Makkah the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) used his foot to draw a circle on the ground. He then instructed me to sit inside the circle. After proceeding a little further, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) started reciting the Qur’an. It then happened that Jinn started to arrive in troops as they gathered there. So many came that I could not even see the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) nor hear him. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) then continued talking with a group of them until Fajr, when he came back to me saying, “I have given them bones and dung as their provisions so you people should ensure that you never use bones and dung to clean yourselves after relieving yourselves.”” [Tafseer ibn Kathir] References: The History of Makkah Mukarramah – Dr Muhammad Ilyas Abdul Ghani Masjid Al-Shajarah This building is Masjid Shajarah (Masjid of the tree) and is located opposite Masjid al-Jinn. The Masjid marks the spot from where the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) called a tree and it came to him. Note that this masjid is not to be confused with the masjid in Dhul Hulayfah which is sometimes referred to by the same name. Masjid Ar-Ra'yah On the Conquest of Makkah, Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam embedded the flag of Islam at this place. It is situated on the way to the Graveyard of Jannatul Ma'laa. Masjid Al-Aisha / Masjid Al-Tan'eem The Ihram of Umrah is worn at this place by the people of Makkah. It is approximately three miles north of Makkah. It is also called Masjd Al-Tan'eem. During Hajjatul Widaa, Aisha could not perform her Umrah after coming into Ihram due to menstruation. She mentioned it to Rasoolullaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam who instructed her to leave the Iram of Umrah by combing the hair. AFter Hajj she was told to go to Tan'eem with her brother and perform the missed Umrah. Masjid Tan'eem in 1908 Masjid Az-Zeetowa On the way to Tan'eem in the state of Ihraam, Rasoolullaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam stopped at this place Masjid Al-Ijabah Masjid Al-Khaif (Mina) Masjid Al-Khaif in 1908 Masjid al-Nimrah On the outskirts of Arafat and most of it is within the boundry of Arafah. Masjid Al-Masha'ril Haram (Muzdalifah) After leaving Arafat on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, Maghrib and 'Isha Sallat are performed together in this Masjid Masjid Al-Bay'at Aqabah This Masjid is just before the big Jamarah, on the left hand side when going towards Mina. This Masjid, in Mina commemorates the spot where the Ansar of Madinah pledged their allegiance to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) in the year 621 A.H. The group included leaders of the Aws and Khazraj tribes of Madinah and were twelve in number. The second such pledge called the second Aqabah pledge (Bay’ah Aqaba Thaaniya) took place the following year, the thirteenth year after the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) proclaimed his Prophethood. It was built in the year 144 AH by the Abbasid Caliph Abu Jaafar al - Mansur. The Masjid remained hiding behind the mountain until after the new expansion of Mina and the removal of the mountain to make way for pedestrians and bus routes.

Q. When growing up , we were taught that any piece of clothing worn , towels and bedding used while a woman is menstruating is considered impure and must be washed. These items cannot be worn after menses if it has not been washed. Is there any basis for this. In todays times when cost of living is so high , and wearing so much of clothing in winter , washing , coats , blankets , sheets , scarves , hats , etc maybe impractical for the working women and very expensive. A. This is not true. As long as there is no trace of impurity on such clothing and dress, it will be considered pure and does not have to be washed. And Allah Knows Best Mufti Suhail Tarmahomed Fatwa Department Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

Jabl-e-Abee Qubais This mountain was directly opposite the Ka’aba close to Mount Safa. At present this large structure, adjacent to Mount Safa, is the location of Mount Abu Qubays. It is believed that it was from the top of this mountain that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) pointed to the moon and split it into half.

Birth Place of Rasoolullaah sallallaahu 'alayhi waslallam Behind Safaa and Marwah, approximately 25 metres from the main road is the birthplace of Rasulullah (S.A. W). Currently a small library is situated on this place. From Al-Miskeenah I too remember the deep disappointment I felt when I could not enter. I sat just behind the door while my husband entered the library. One of the brothers was kind enough to get me a couple of books to look at and one of them happened to be the atlas of biography of Rasoolullaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam! I bought the book later to bring home..... Maybe they should have a time for sisters only.... (ummi taalib)

Shayba Abee Taalib It is situated close to the tunnels leading to MIna approximately 200 metres from Jaba-e-Qubais, where there is a small bus stand. At this place Rasoolullaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam took refuge for three years with the Believers during the Boycott. When Islam began to spread the Makkans asked Abu Talib, the uncle and protector of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), to hand him over to them for execution but he steadfastly refused. Abu Talib acted fast and called on the members of Banu Hashim and Banu al-Muttalib to meet at the Ka’bah and convinced them to pledge that they would protect their clansman, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Abu Lahab, another of the Prophet’s uncles and self-proclaimed sworn enemy, refused to take the pledge and declared he was on the side of the Quraysh. The Quraysh held a meeting and decided to outcast the Banu Hashim and Banu al-Muttalib by placing them under a total social boycott. The other clans from the Quraysh would not marry their daughters, transact business with them, keep company with them, nor would they accept any peace overtures from these two clans until they handed over the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Once all the people present had agreed with the points mentioned above, Baghid bin Amir bin Hashim put this pact in writing. The Quraysh chiefs signed this document and the parchment was hung in the Ka’bah in order to give it authority. This was done on the 1st Muharram, in the seventh year of the Prophet’s (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) mission. When the deed was done, Baghid’s hand, or at least some of his fingers, became paralyzed. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), along with Abu Talib and and clan memebers of Banu Hashim and Banu al-Muttalib were forced to withdraw from Makkah and live in She’b Abi Talib, which was a subsection of one of the gorges that ran down to Makkah. The boycott was devastating and for many months they lived in misery. It was so rigorously applied and food was so scarce that they had to eat the leaves of trees. The women, and more specially the children and suckling babies would cry with hunger which could be heard all over the valley. The Quraysh told the merchants not to sell any goods to them. Prices were increased to prevent them from buying even essentials. They remained in that state for three years. Apart from some kind Qurayshi people who secretly sent food to them they were totally abandoned. Despite such grim circumstances, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) never ceased inviting non-Muslims to Islam. He was particularly active during the time of Hajj. It was at this time that he would speak to tribes that had travelled to Makkah from all over the Arab world. A group of fair-minded Quraysh, led by Hisham ibn ‘Amr, hated this unfair boycott. Hisham was highly respected among his people. He contacted some men of the Quraysh whom he knew to be kind-hearted and considerate. He told them it was shameful to allow such tyranny to continue and asked them to abandon the unjust contract. When he had persuaded five men to agree, they met togather to work towards this end. When the Quraysh were assembled the next day, Zuhayr ibn Abi Umayyah, whose mother was the aunt of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), faced the people and demanded, “People of Makkah! Do we eat and clothe ourselves while the Banu Hashim are perishing, unable to buy or sell? By Allah, I will not sit down until this unjust document is torn up!” Abu Jahal became suspicious of the sudden rebellion but Abu Talib saw his opportunity to step in. He had come into the precincts of Ka’bah to tell the Quraysh that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) had received a revelation about the fate of the wicked parchment. He stood up, and facing the Quraysh, told them that Allah had revealed to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) that termites had eaten the parchment inside the Ka’bah. The only thing that remained of the document, Abu Talib said, were the words “In Your Name, O Allah.” Abu Talib then challenged the Quraysh, saying that if the Prophet’s claim turned out to be false, he would no longer stand between them and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). However, if the Prophet had spoken the truth, the Quraysh should end the boycott. The Quraysh accepted Abu Talib’s challenge. When Mut’im bin Adiy rose to retrieve the parchment, the assembly saw that it had been destroyed. Its only remaining words were “Bismika Allahumma” (In Your Name, O Allah) and Allah’s name. Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) had given the Quraysh yet another sign but once again they refused to admit their error and accept Islam. Their only concession was to end the boycott. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and his Companions came out of the mountain pass and were allowed to live in Makkah once again. References: When the Moon Split – Shaikh Safiur-Rahman Mubarakpuri, Fazail-e-Aamal – Sheik Zakariyya Kandhalvi, Muhammad the last Prophet – Sayyed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi islamiclandmarks

Jannatul Ma'laa The picture shows Jannatul Ma’la, the principle historical graveyard in Makkah which is located in a valley east of the Masjid ul Haram. Several members of the Prophet (s.a.w.)’s family (INCLUDING Khadeejah (Radhyallaahu 'nhaa) and many Sahabah (r.a.) are buried here.It is the greatest graveyard after Jannatul Baqee in Madinatul Munawwarah. (From Al-Miskeenah) An historic photo of how Mu’alla was before the demolition of the tombs. The main central tomb was of Ummul Mu’mineen Khadijah RadhiAllahu anha. Others known to be resting here include Abd Manaf, the great, great-grandfather, Hashim the great-grandfather, Abdul Muttalib the grandfather and Qasim the son of the our Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Another closer view of the tomb of Ummul Mu’mineen Khadijah RadhiAllahu anha Now The graves of the notable predecessors are behind the green gate and grills while others are placed in walled areas as such…quite different from Jannatul Baqee in Madinah The Graveyard where Daughters were buried alive in the time of Jahiliyyah It is situated outside the Haram in front of Bab-e-Fahad. It is under the bridge of the road leading to Jeddah. Small of small graves can clearly be seen in a four-walled compound. "Women's Guide to hajj and Umrah"

Al-I'tidaal (Islamic Politics) By Shaykh Muhammad Zakariyyah Kandhelwi A book dealing with all major issues faced by the Ummah around the world.The book provides not only the answers to the problems we are facing but also served as a guide according to which a Muslim's life can be conducted. itidal.pdf cetral-mosque

Uswai Rasool Akram The Ways of the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam by Dr. Abdul Hai A compilation of the complete way of life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam. His Traits and Character Ways and Manners His Worship & A compilation of the Rights & Social Etiquettes List of Du'as for Various Occasions and much more

Bani Israel and the Muslim Ummah by Shaykh-al-Hadith Fazlur Rahman Azmi BaniIsraelAndTheMuslimUmmahbyShaykhAl-hadithFazlurRahmanAzmi.pdf

Words & Reflections of Mawlana Muhammad Ilyas (Rahmatullaahi 'alayhi) by Mawlana Mazoor Nu'mani HERE

Importance of Hajj If a person has wealth which is over and above his basic necessities and which will be sufficient for him to make the onward and return journey for hajj, then hajj becomes fard upon him. There are great virtues in performing hajj. Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: "There is nothing in return for a hajj that is free of sins and evils except paradise." Similarly, great rewards have been mentioned for performing umrah. Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: "Hajj and umrah wipe out sins just as a furnace removes the rust that has settled on steel." Warnings for Not Performing Hajj (When it becomes Compulsory) Severe warnings have been mentioned with regard to the one who does not perform his hajj despite it being fard upon him. Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: "The person who has food, drink, and the means of transportation in order to undertake the journey of hajj and still does not go - Allah Ta'ala has no concern if the person dies as a Jew or a Christian." He has also said that the abandoning of hajj is not the way of Islam. From Bahishti Zewar by Shaykh Ashraf Ali Thanwi (حديث مرفوع) حَدَّثَنَا سَلَمَةُ بْنُ شَبِيبٍ , قَالَ : ثنا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ , قَالَ : أنا الثَّوْرِيُّ ، عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ ، عَنْ فُضَيْلٍ ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ جُبَيْرٍ ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا , قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : " تَعَجَّلُوا إِلَى الْحَجِّ ، يَعْنِي الْفَرِيضَةَ ، فَإِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ لا يَدْرِي مَا يَعْرِضُ لَهُ " Sayyidina Rasul-ullah (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said, Hasten to do Hajj, for no one of you knows what will happen to him." من مات ولم يحج وله جدة فلا عليه أن يموت يهوديا أو نصرانيا Sayydina Umar ibn al-Khattaab (RA) said, “Whoever dies without having done Hajj when he had the means to do so, he might as well die as a Jew or as a Christian.” Rulings Regarding Hajj (Bahishti Zewar) 1. Hajj is fard at least once in a life time. If a person performs the hajj several times, the first one will be regarded as fard and the rest will be regarded as nafl hajj. There is also great reward in offering nafl hajj. 2. Hajj that is offered before one can reach the age of maturity is not considered. If a person is rich, hajj will become fard upon him once he reaches the age of maturity. The hajj that he performed before maturity will be regarded as nafl hajj. 3. Hajj is not fard on a blind person irrespective of how rich he may be. 4. Once hajj becomes fard on a person, it becomes wajib on him to go for hajj in that very year. It is not permissible to delay in performing the hajj without a valid reason. It is also not permissible for a person to think that he is still young and that there is still plenty of time to perform the hajj. If a person delays in performing his hajj and performs it after a few years, his fard duty will be fulfilled but he will still be regarded as a sinner. 5. If a woman is going on hajj, it is necessary for her to be accompanied by her husband or some other mahram. It is not permissible for her to go on hajj without a mahram. However, if a woman lives within 77 kilometres of Makkah, it is not necessary for her to go with her husband or a mahram. 6. If the mahram has not reached the age of maturity, or he is so irreligious that he cannot even be trusted with his mother, sister, etc. it will not be permissible to travel with such a mahram as well. 7. Once a woman finds a reliable mahram, her husband cannot prevent her from going on hajj. Even if he prevents her from going, she should not pay any heed to him and she should continue on her journey. 8. A girl who is on the verge of reaching the age of maturity cannot go for hajj without a shar'ee mahram. She cannot even go alone. 9. If a mahram takes a woman for her hajj, all his expenses will have to be borne by the woman. It is wajib upon her to pay him for all his expenses. 10. If a woman cannot find a suitable mahram throughout her life, she will not be sinful for not performing her hajj. However, at the time of her death it is wajib on her to make a bequest that hajj be performed on her behalf. After her death, her inheritors should find someone to perform the hajj on her behalf. The expenses for this hajj should be paid from the money that she left behind. In this way she will be absolved of the duty of performing hajj. This type of hajj is known as hajj-e-badal. 11. If hajj was fard on a person but he delayed performing it until such a time that he became blind or became so sick that he is unable to undertake the journey, then he will also have to make a bequest for hajj-e-badal. 12. If a person dies, leaving behind so much of wealth that after paying all his debts, there is sufficient money to pay for the hajj-e-badal from one third of his wealth, then it is wajib on the inheritors to fulfill his bequest for hajj-e-badal. But if the money is so little that hajj-e-badal cannot be made from one third of his wealth, then the person's relatives should not undertake to have the hajj performed. The inheritors could also take the entire one third for the purpose of hajj-e-badal and supply the balance of the money from their own side so that the hajj-e-badal could be made. In other words, they should not give more than one third from the wealth of the deceased person. However, if all the inheritors happily agree to give their share of the inheritance for the performance of hajj-e-badal, it will be permissible to use more than one third of the wealth of the deceased. However, the permission of immature inheritors is not considered in the Shariah. Therefore, no money should be taken from their share. 13. A person made a bequest for hajj-e-badal and thereafter passed away. However, the wealth that he left behind was very little and hajj-e-badal could not be made from the one third. In addition to this, the inheritors refused to forego their shares in order for the hajj-e-badal to be performed. Bearing all this in mind, if the hajj is not performed, there will be no sin on the deceased. 14. The same rule applies to all bequests. If a person had many fasts to keep, many salaats to make qada of or some zakaat to be given, he therefore made a bequest for all this and passed away, then all these payments will have to be made from the one third. It is not permissible to use more than one third without the permission of all the inheritors. 15. If a person did not make a bequest for hajj-e-badal, it will not be permissible to do so by using the money which he had left behind. But if all the inheritors agree to this, it will be permissible. Insha Allah, the obligation of hajj will be fulfilled. But it should be borne in mind that the permission of an immature inheritor is not considered. 16. If a woman is in her iddah, she cannot go for hajj. 17. If a person has sufficient funds for the onward and return journey to Makkah but not sufficient enough to visit Madinah as well, hajj will still be fard upon him. Many are of the incorrect opinion that as long as you do not have sufficient funds to go to Madinah as well, hajj does not become fard. This notion is absolutely wrong. 18. When a woman is in her ihraam, she cannot cover her face in such a way that the piece of cloth touches her face. These days, a latticed screen or fan is available for this purpose. It should be tied to the face with the screen in line with the eyes and with the burqah worn loosely above it. This is permissible. 19. The rules and regulations of hajj cannot be understood and remembered without really going on hajj. On going for hajj, one is taught all the rites of hajj, etc. We therefore do not feel it necessary to enumerate these rules and regulations. Similarly, the method of performing umrah can be learnt by going to Makkah.

Jabale Noor (Mountain of Light) Jabal al-Noor is located in the Hejaz region of Saudi Arabia, just outside of Mekkah. Jabal al-Noor translates to “Mountain of Light.” Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) received his first revelation from Allah (the Glorified and Exalted) through Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) in the Hira cave which is on this mountain. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to climb this mountain often even before receiving his fist revelation from Allah (the Glorified and Exalted). Cave of Hira The Cave of Hira is situated two miles away from the holy city of Mecca in Jabl al Nur. It is a small cave with about 3.5 meters long and 2 meters wide. The cave was Allah’s apostle (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) place for mediation. It was in this cave that Angel Gabriel revealed the first divine revelation. Here Gabriel appeared for the first time to order him to read. However, his reply at that time was “ I cannot read” . “Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who created, created man from a clot. Read! and your Lord is the Most bountiful, (he who taught) the use of pen taught man which he knew not.” (Al-Qur'an 96:1-3) Jabale Thaur It is in this mountain that the houses the cave where prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) stayed for three days and nights fleeing persecution from the Quraysh during their migration to Medinah. The mountain is at the southern end of Mecca and rises about 760 meters above sea level Cave of Thaur During the Prophet’s migration (“hijrah”) from Makkah to Madinah with his companion, Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him), they were being pursued by the Quraish who were attempting to harm him. The two hid in a cave in the mountain of Thaur for three days, until their pursuers had given up looking for them and returned to Makkah. Then, the Prophet and Abu Bakr continued their journey to Madinah. It was narrated from Anas that Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with them both) told him; “I was with the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the cave, and I saw the footsteps of the ‘mushrikun’. I said, ‘O’Messenger of Allah, if one of them were to lift his foot, he would see us.’ He (peace be upon him) said, ‘What do you think of two people when Allah is the third one with them?’ ” [Al-Bukhari (4663)]