Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Ramadhan in Al-Madina Al-Munawarah
Ramadhan in Al-Madina Al-Munawarah
Oh! Lord, take me to the place where my beloved is in Eternal Rest.
DR FIAZ FAZILI.
Ramadhan is a bounty that Allah (SWT) blessed His servants with, to strengthen their faith, and increase their piety (Taqwa). Allah (SWT) said: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become pious.” (Holy Quran) If you are looking for tranquility, solace and purification of soul during this holy month, at this time, there is only one destination for Muslims all over the world and that city is; Al-Madina Al-Munawarah- a great place for the deprived souls, and broken hearts.Masjid Al-Nabawi and Al-Medinah Al-Munawarah hold a special place in the hearts of all believers. The experience of spending Ramadan at holy place like Masjid Al-Nabawi, where the good deeds of Ramadan can be performed with much pleasure and devotion, cannot simply be forgotten.
The pull of the Haram, the Sanctuary, is everywhere, and as the sun rises whether in the east or west the pilgrims have thoughts only for the Prophet’s Mosque. Despite travel advisory precautions by Fatwa committee (There is no harm if you fear catching a contagious disease, to postpone your Haj or Umrah quoting hadith, Prophet (saw) ordered people not to enter a land that has an epidemic, nor to exit from it [if one is in it]. So if a disease spreads in a certain country, one should not travel from that country so as not to spread that disease, nor should a person travel to the country that has that disease. Al-Medinah Al-Munawarah has been witnessing, for more than three weeks, an influx of thousands of people. It is expected that many more devotees will arrive from abroad during the coming month of Ramadan, in addition to
Umrah performers from inside the Kingdom. With folding sunshades near completion in the compound of Masjid Al-Nabawi more devotees can now be accommodated, Medina gears up to receive rush of Umrah pilgrims during Ramadan--- have you already planned your holiday for this years Ramadan? if given the means, who wouldn’t desire to spend Ramadan at Masjid Al Nabawi. What is so special about Ramadhan in Al Medinah al Munawarah?The Ramadan here is very special and unique, light upon light and
recitation of the Noble Qur’an during taraweeh, heart breaking standing supplications penetrates our souls when darkness fades away and vanishes from people’s souls, once they repent to Allah; special midnight prayer during last ten days humbles your burdened heart with a feeling, if having worshipped for more than a thousand months and wiped of all wrongdoings! Anyone who hasn’t seen the Ramadan of Medinah Munawarah, can’t appreciate the real Islamic values. Hundreds of thousands are being fed. These guests of the Prophet (saw) sit, while those honored with this service circulate, smilingly handing out dates, or small containers of “zabadi” (yoghurt) and water. In this palace of the Prophet, no one, howsoever poor, goes hungry when the time of the fast is ended. Where is it, millions of hungry people are invited to take
food at one time, without any stampede - a classical example of charity, equality, discipline and hygiene to witness. The character, ultimate love for the Prophet (SAW) and his city, devotion to the religion, hospitality, exemplary charity and duty to propagate Islam makes the people of Medina very special. The city of the Prophet is like home to all Mulsims. You may travel through the world but I doubt that you will see a city where tranquility, serenity, solace is guaranteed. With such wonder as Medinah, with the azan from Masjid al-Nabi, I feel the strange sensation cooling me. Visitors who have not set foot in Medina before are often in tears by now. Shops and buildings pass by, but visitors come here for one place, and for one person alone. Whenever we approach our Beloved’s Green Dome of Peace and Felicity, the heart feels lighter upon wave after wave, drowned in a love so awesome that all else fades into oblivion and numbness. Visiting such a sacred place full of awe and reverence, a dream is accomplished, hearts softened, and tongues vibrate involuntarily with dhikr (remembrance) and durood (praise and prayers for prophet), tears fill the eyes. The proximity is overwhelming for some pilgrims, whose humility and awe forces them to sit at a respectful distance, perhaps some way down the mosque. Others cannot sit
too close. Everywhere, there is worship, bowing and prostration, the mellifluous murmuring of the Qur’an, and wordless contemplation. `Enter it in peace and safety’, says the inscriptions in Arabic above all the entrances, reminding the blessings of Allah (swt) on this blest place.
Prayer in the Rawda (Riyazul Jannat) is especially sought after. A hadith affirms that ‘the space between my grave and my pulpit is one of the Meadows of Paradise.’ Here, listening to the awesome gravity of Allah’s word, the continuity with the blessed past is felt intensely. If there is one month that can be designated the month of personal piety, then it has to be Ramazan. It is the month for striving against oneself and conquering one’s will. And how honoured are the chosen inhabitants
of this ground - At the same time, as each year passes living in the Radiance of city of Prophet, to communicate individually to readers and meet those visiting have increased to a point where sometimes unfortunately I do not seem to be able to fulfill all requests. This saddens me, and highlights the reality of my limitations . Most of the neighbours of our Beloved Prophet (saw), acknowledging the blessing Ni’amah from Allah in being here, desire to emulate the Khidmah of the Ansar within whatever limitations have been bestowed upon them.
Insha’Allah, this speck is in need of your prayers for the ability to continue to serve. Prophet (saw) said: “For the believer, Madinah is the best place. If only they could understand its virtue fully, they would never leave it, and whoever departs from Madinah, having become disenchanted with it, Allah will send someone better to replace him. And whoever bears patiently the ordeals of Madinah, for him shall I be an intercessor on the Day of Qiyamah.” May this write up refresh the hearts of those who have been to Madinah, inspire those yet to visit, (may Allah (SWT) answer the prayer of all with this desire and hope and bring you here soon. Ameen! May we all continue to deepen our connection and love for this Holy City of Radiance , seeking and searching for piety, more knowledge and understanding of this glorious religion. May Allah accept the fast and worship from us and from you!
Oh! Lord, take me to the place where my beloved is in Eternal Rest.
DR FIAZ FAZILI.
Ramadhan is a bounty that Allah (SWT) blessed His servants with, to strengthen their faith, and increase their piety (Taqwa). Allah (SWT) said: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become pious.” (Holy Quran) If you are looking for tranquility, solace and purification of soul during this holy month, at this time, there is only one destination for Muslims all over the world and that city is; Al-Madina Al-Munawarah- a great place for the deprived souls, and broken hearts.Masjid Al-Nabawi and Al-Medinah Al-Munawarah hold a special place in the hearts of all believers. The experience of spending Ramadan at holy place like Masjid Al-Nabawi, where the good deeds of Ramadan can be performed with much pleasure and devotion, cannot simply be forgotten.
The pull of the Haram, the Sanctuary, is everywhere, and as the sun rises whether in the east or west the pilgrims have thoughts only for the Prophet’s Mosque. Despite travel advisory precautions by Fatwa committee (There is no harm if you fear catching a contagious disease, to postpone your Haj or Umrah quoting hadith, Prophet (saw) ordered people not to enter a land that has an epidemic, nor to exit from it [if one is in it]. So if a disease spreads in a certain country, one should not travel from that country so as not to spread that disease, nor should a person travel to the country that has that disease. Al-Medinah Al-Munawarah has been witnessing, for more than three weeks, an influx of thousands of people. It is expected that many more devotees will arrive from abroad during the coming month of Ramadan, in addition to
Umrah performers from inside the Kingdom. With folding sunshades near completion in the compound of Masjid Al-Nabawi more devotees can now be accommodated, Medina gears up to receive rush of Umrah pilgrims during Ramadan--- have you already planned your holiday for this years Ramadan? if given the means, who wouldn’t desire to spend Ramadan at Masjid Al Nabawi. What is so special about Ramadhan in Al Medinah al Munawarah?The Ramadan here is very special and unique, light upon light and
recitation of the Noble Qur’an during taraweeh, heart breaking standing supplications penetrates our souls when darkness fades away and vanishes from people’s souls, once they repent to Allah; special midnight prayer during last ten days humbles your burdened heart with a feeling, if having worshipped for more than a thousand months and wiped of all wrongdoings! Anyone who hasn’t seen the Ramadan of Medinah Munawarah, can’t appreciate the real Islamic values. Hundreds of thousands are being fed. These guests of the Prophet (saw) sit, while those honored with this service circulate, smilingly handing out dates, or small containers of “zabadi” (yoghurt) and water. In this palace of the Prophet, no one, howsoever poor, goes hungry when the time of the fast is ended. Where is it, millions of hungry people are invited to take
food at one time, without any stampede - a classical example of charity, equality, discipline and hygiene to witness. The character, ultimate love for the Prophet (SAW) and his city, devotion to the religion, hospitality, exemplary charity and duty to propagate Islam makes the people of Medina very special. The city of the Prophet is like home to all Mulsims. You may travel through the world but I doubt that you will see a city where tranquility, serenity, solace is guaranteed. With such wonder as Medinah, with the azan from Masjid al-Nabi, I feel the strange sensation cooling me. Visitors who have not set foot in Medina before are often in tears by now. Shops and buildings pass by, but visitors come here for one place, and for one person alone. Whenever we approach our Beloved’s Green Dome of Peace and Felicity, the heart feels lighter upon wave after wave, drowned in a love so awesome that all else fades into oblivion and numbness. Visiting such a sacred place full of awe and reverence, a dream is accomplished, hearts softened, and tongues vibrate involuntarily with dhikr (remembrance) and durood (praise and prayers for prophet), tears fill the eyes. The proximity is overwhelming for some pilgrims, whose humility and awe forces them to sit at a respectful distance, perhaps some way down the mosque. Others cannot sit
too close. Everywhere, there is worship, bowing and prostration, the mellifluous murmuring of the Qur’an, and wordless contemplation. `Enter it in peace and safety’, says the inscriptions in Arabic above all the entrances, reminding the blessings of Allah (swt) on this blest place.
Prayer in the Rawda (Riyazul Jannat) is especially sought after. A hadith affirms that ‘the space between my grave and my pulpit is one of the Meadows of Paradise.’ Here, listening to the awesome gravity of Allah’s word, the continuity with the blessed past is felt intensely. If there is one month that can be designated the month of personal piety, then it has to be Ramazan. It is the month for striving against oneself and conquering one’s will. And how honoured are the chosen inhabitants
of this ground - At the same time, as each year passes living in the Radiance of city of Prophet, to communicate individually to readers and meet those visiting have increased to a point where sometimes unfortunately I do not seem to be able to fulfill all requests. This saddens me, and highlights the reality of my limitations . Most of the neighbours of our Beloved Prophet (saw), acknowledging the blessing Ni’amah from Allah in being here, desire to emulate the Khidmah of the Ansar within whatever limitations have been bestowed upon them.
Insha’Allah, this speck is in need of your prayers for the ability to continue to serve. Prophet (saw) said: “For the believer, Madinah is the best place. If only they could understand its virtue fully, they would never leave it, and whoever departs from Madinah, having become disenchanted with it, Allah will send someone better to replace him. And whoever bears patiently the ordeals of Madinah, for him shall I be an intercessor on the Day of Qiyamah.” May this write up refresh the hearts of those who have been to Madinah, inspire those yet to visit, (may Allah (SWT) answer the prayer of all with this desire and hope and bring you here soon. Ameen! May we all continue to deepen our connection and love for this Holy City of Radiance , seeking and searching for piety, more knowledge and understanding of this glorious religion. May Allah accept the fast and worship from us and from you!
