Bism Illah wa as salaamu alaykum wa Rahmat Allah wa Barakatuh.
Two weeks ago we had a national prayer for rain. It is a very powerful thing to witness, and this is my second year to be here for it al hamdul'Illah. For those of you who don't know how it goes, schools will adjust their start times and people will adjust their work times to go to this prayer. All the masaajid hold the prayer and it is held shortly after sunrise.
Subhaan Allah, we pulled up to school as the prayer was going on and I could hear the dua' being made for Allah's forgiveness, mercy, blessings, and of course, rain. It brought tears to my eyes, because this is true tawakkal - total reliance on Allah with the knowledge that only He can bring the relief of rain to dry desert and life to the dead. Subhaan Allah, it is these things that strike me and remind me how fortunate I am to be in a country focused on tawheed. All thanks and praise to Allah, the Perfect Provider of all needs!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
Ahhhh....Bliss!
Bism Illah wa as salaamu alaykum.
Perhaps people imagine that living in Madinah means praying every day in Masjid an Nabawi and making ziyaarah to the Prophet's grave (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) as often as one likes. Not so! This is the second most important stop for all the hujjaj and umrah visitors, so those places are packed to bursting most of the year. After over one year living here, I still haven't made ziyaarah, Qadr Allah.
Imagine then, the feeling of us residents when all the hujjaj leave. There is a hiatus on umrah visas for a period of 6-8 weeks after the deadline date for the hujjaj to leave and finally there is a chance for us. Today was the first jumu'ah since the hujjaj left. We went for the prayer...and it was so empty we could sit wherever we liked, mashaa'Allah. We could see the beauty and grandeur of the Masjid. We could sit in peace and read surah al Kahf before the prayer. Subhaan Allah, we could just walk up and get a drink of Zamzam water without waiting for anyone ahead of us! These are precious days for us. Days when we can finally enjoy and spend quality time at Masjid an Nabawi and know the peace (sakinah) of Madinah.
I'm hoping that these days will provide me with the opportunity to make ziyaarah. I missed the chance today after Jumu'ah, but inshaa'Allah next week. Then I'll give salaams from all of you dear sisters as well, bi ithn Illah, taala.
Perhaps people imagine that living in Madinah means praying every day in Masjid an Nabawi and making ziyaarah to the Prophet's grave (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) as often as one likes. Not so! This is the second most important stop for all the hujjaj and umrah visitors, so those places are packed to bursting most of the year. After over one year living here, I still haven't made ziyaarah, Qadr Allah.
Imagine then, the feeling of us residents when all the hujjaj leave. There is a hiatus on umrah visas for a period of 6-8 weeks after the deadline date for the hujjaj to leave and finally there is a chance for us. Today was the first jumu'ah since the hujjaj left. We went for the prayer...and it was so empty we could sit wherever we liked, mashaa'Allah. We could see the beauty and grandeur of the Masjid. We could sit in peace and read surah al Kahf before the prayer. Subhaan Allah, we could just walk up and get a drink of Zamzam water without waiting for anyone ahead of us! These are precious days for us. Days when we can finally enjoy and spend quality time at Masjid an Nabawi and know the peace (sakinah) of Madinah.
I'm hoping that these days will provide me with the opportunity to make ziyaarah. I missed the chance today after Jumu'ah, but inshaa'Allah next week. Then I'll give salaams from all of you dear sisters as well, bi ithn Illah, taala.
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