People come to Madinah for different reasons. Some come just to work and earn money. Others come to study Islam or to live in this sacred city where Rasool Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) lived and is buried. Yet others come seeking the barakaat of prayers in Masjid an Nabawi or the security of this place from the Dajjal. So many readers yearn to come here, yet I wonder if they are seeking the biggest thing that Madinah has to offer for their aakhirah - purification and perfection.
There is a hadith from Sahih al Bukhari that is very striking:
Volume 3, Book 30, Number 107
Narrated Jabir:
A bedouin came to the Prophet and gave a pledge of allegiance for embracing Islam. The next day he came with fever and said (to the Prophet ), "Please cancel my pledge (of embracing Islam and of emigrating to Medina)." The Prophet refused (that request) three times and said, "Medina is like a furnace, it expels out the impurities (bad persons) and selects the good ones and makes them perfect."
Well, if you really want what Madinah has to offer, then prepare yourself to be tested - and know that it is nothing but blessing and benefit for your aakhirah.
People have car accidents, serious and fatal ones here. In fact, our good friends had a major accident just a few days ago, Qadr Allah mashaa fa'al. Several people we know have advanced cancer, fatal diseases, and chronic health problems. People face financial hardships, lose money, go through marital difficulties and divorce, and struggle to raise good Muslim children. Children drown, are electrocuted in seemingly harmless play areas or rented istarahas. But what does that mean in relation to Madinah?
Inshaa'Allah, it means that they are being purified, their sins are being expiated, and their religion is being improved and strengthened. Inshaa'Allah, it means that there is a beautiful hope of being moved closer to Ihsaan (perfection - as far as we mere humans can be perfected). The tests and trials faced here are to be embraced by the believer, with hopes and prayers that they are one of those selected by Allah to be purified and perfected in this blessed city
Some may think that Allah has blessed them with living in Madinah because they are good at heart...and inshaa'Allah they are. But human failings are great and multitudinous and purification doesn't come without its price.
Salam sister. I feel very close to Madina. I think a part of me wants to go to Madina to ensure that my du'as are accepted. For the most part, the du'as are for this worldly matter and a small part of it is for the hereafter. Astagfirullah. This post encouraged me to think deeply. Truth be told, just a little part of me thinks about wanting to be in Madina so I could always be purified and perfected. This is not the aspiration of a muslim for sure. Anyway, thank you for this post. Indeed it made me think and I make du'a that allah amend my niyah, inshaallah.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, there is a Malaysian professor newly appointed in Taibah university. He writes a blog, kehidupan ringkas tapi signifikan (a simple, yet a significant life) and his name is Prof Muhd Kamil. Unfortunately the blog is in our national language. I guess you can translate his writings in google translate LOL. He writes a lot about Madina and he mentions again and again that he aims to ensure that all fardh prayers are performed in nabawi, mashaallah. His writings are significant to me and a lot of people, judging from the comments. His relationship with religion undergo a pivotal change at the age of 39 after gaining his professorship and after doing hajj, he devoted his time for worship and work. His wife, Roza, is also an avid writer (again, a malay blog) and both of them writes a lot of piece encouraging people to do ibadah etc. I have much respect for them due to their knowledge and how they apply their knowledge in their everyday life. Do contact sister Roza. She reminds me of you. They live in Madina with their 2 children. They don't know me personally but I have been reading a lot of their writing, I feel like I am a family friend. You can get their contact number at muhdkamil.org. They welcome visitors, since they publish their phone number on their blog should anyone would like to make contact.
wa alaykum salaam dear sis,
ReplyDeleteyour posts are worth the long wait. This post in particular made me reflect on what happened in our life few years back, Qadrallah masha'a fa al. My husband fell chronically ill on his visit to Madinah. Alhamdhulillah, Allah did help us get through our difficult situation and our life has improved considerably in both dunya and deen. Indeed we can't thank Him enough for all that He showers on His believers. I never leave your blog except with eyes welled up in tears.
Jazakallah Khair.
Btw why am I not able to comment on your other blog? Plz do something.
As salaamu alaykum my dear sister தேன் துளிகள்.
ReplyDeleteWa iyaaki wa barak Allahu feeki.
You mean you cannot comment on Mai to the Extreme? That is strange. I have comments from other readers and I haven't changed any settings. Please try again and see what notification you get regarding not being able to comment. We'll try to solve this problem, bi ithn Illah.
Yes, it is amazing how much we benefit from the tests Allah sends us...when we have total faith in Him and that everything He sends us is for our own good. Al hamdul'Illahi Rabbil aal ameen!
Assalamu'alaykum..
ReplyDeleteSubhanAllah.. Your blogpost really is inspiring me to go there.. MashaAllah.
May Allah bless me with going and staying there if there's khayr!!
Aaamin..
Assalamualaikum sister,
ReplyDeleteI stumbled upon your blog while finding information about women and works in Madinah. May Allah bless your writing in the blog which is quite informative for those who might have a plan or thinking of moving to Saudi, esp Madinah.
I have a question if its not much of a trouble for you to answer. What are the possibility for a female with a PhD in Engineering from UK university(specifically Computer/Biomedical/Electrical) and teaching experiences to find a teaching job in Saudi academias. How difficult do you perceive it to be since I think not many universities offers engineering courses for female in Saudi. Is it possible for women to get the job and for her husband to accompany her (initially) while he find other jobs when he is there?
Jazakillah khair.
Wa alaykum as salaam wa Rahmat Allah wa Barakatuh sister.
ReplyDeleteWith a PhD you can get a job in Saudi Arabia, but not necessarily in your field. You would need to look at the vacancies for teaching staff, lecturers, etc. in the various Saudi Universities. As you correctly state, it isn't common for women to be offered engineering courses, but perhaps at King Fahad University for Petroleum and Minerals there may be such an offering.
Here is an interesting article on the subject that is very recent.
http://bikyamasr.com/51304/saudi-women-to-be-allowed-into-engineering-university/
You might well go onto the University's website and look for the faculty positions available. In addition, take note of the private institution's name that is already offering an engineering programme.
If you are hired, most usually you can bring your husband and dependent children with you.
I hope that is of help and wish you every success in finding employment here.
Wa iyaaki ukhti wa Barak Allahu feeki.
Assalamu Alaykum,
ReplyDeleteI have an interest in teaching young children in Madinah. I have my education in early childhood education. Can you give me some information and who I can contact regarding my interest.
Jazakillah khair.
Assalamu alaykum
ReplyDeleteMay i have your favor to provide me some info about working in madinah?My kunya was abu shalih,24 years old and recently graduated in bachelor finance and accounting without any experience from malaysia.I dream to work and having a good life in madinah.But its really difficult to get me there.wallahi i just want to runway from fitna in my country and being close to ulama in there.I dont really care about the wages.Could you help me?with any possible to just to get me in madinah or mecca?
jazakallhukhoir email me; zitex1816@yahoo.com
Abu Shalih: Wa alaikum as salaam. Getting a job without any experience is almost impossible in Saudi Arabia. Don't think Madinah or Makkah are perfect places. There is much fitna here. My advice to you is to make the most of where you are, and if Allah makes a way for you to come to Saudi give thanks, and if He doesn't, give thanks for being saved from the fitna here.
DeleteAssalamu Alaykum sister,
ReplyDeleteSubhanallah all of your posts are beautiful and are very inspiring. I have been seriously contemplating making Hijrah and only recently did Madinah come into my mind, and it looks about perfect. I'm a Canadian citizen and and was wondering if it is a big hassle to get a resident visa in SA. Also, would I have to land a job there before being accepted? I apologize for my ignorance, but I know NOTHING on the subject and I would love to know more inshAllah. Thank you again for your posts and May Allah bless you and your family.
Yaser,
DeleteWa alaikum as salaam. Madinah is far from perfect. I'm not saying don't try to come here, but know, the sahabah are gone, and we're dealing with modern Muslims. It is very difficult to get a visa unless you come for work, school, hajj or umrah, or to start a business. May Allah guide you to what is best.
Asalaamu Alaykum,
ReplyDeleteIm from the Uk,London ive been living in Saudi Arabia Riyadh for 2 years now and Inshallah im going to be returning back to London to complete my Masters in Tesol and after ive finished i want to apply directly 2 the university. I wanted to know do they recruit all year around since I will be finishing my MA inshallah by sep 2013, secondly i hear they have a campus in Yanbu whats the chances of ending up there. Maybe you could forward these questions to your husband Jazakallah khair.
email:salmaan.iqbal@yahoo.co.uk
Sal,
DeleteWa alaikum as salaam. Taibah University hires around March for the September 1st start. The Yanbu campus is staffed by subcontracted teachers from SBC. May Allah make your affairs easy.
Asalaamu Alaykum,
ReplyDeleteBarakallah feek for the prompt reply my Allah bless you. I dont mean to ask to many questions, but is it correct to assume that you mean that only teachers who are subcontracted by SBC end up in Yanbu? ok so they hire around march for September start, but you see the problem is my Masters is for a year and its a full year meaning spetember to september do they still recurit after this date? what would you advise me to do,and are the chances of landing job easier if one has a masters plus 2 half years experience in Saudi Arabia?.
May Allah reward you.
Sal,
DeleteWa alaikum as salaam. Yes, you are correct about the Yanbu teachers. March is the normal recruitment time, during the TESOL convention. In theory, they can hire whenever they like. Having a Masters is the key to landing a job. They want experience, but a Masters is more important.
Barak Allahu feek.
Shariyf,
ReplyDeleteAsalaamu Alaykum,
May Allah shower his mercy and reward upon you. Thank you so much for your help. Alhumdulilah Ive been living in Riyadh for almost 2 years and abit and because I decided to do a masters I thought I would try Madinah. I'm fully aware of how KSA can be I don’t know if you have visited Riyadh but here the people are also less interested in Islam. You mentioned experience I have 2 years under my belt, would that help? I noticed on their website they prefer 3 years post masters experience, how much of that is solid cos like everything in the Kingdom it changes depending on who deals with you. Also I wanted to ask you how efficient are they if you apply through their website because I posted an employment question couple weeks ago but they didn’t reply. I am aware of the convention but it’s in America I live in London, do you known if they will have one in the Uk? I apologize in advance for so many questions but at the same time I’m asking Allah to reward you.
Barak Allah feek
Wa alaykum as salaam wa Rahmat Allahi wa Barakatuh Sal.
DeleteIf possible, could you contact me via Skype so I can answer your questions more fluidly? My Skype address is american_bedu.
Wa feeka Barak Allah.
Salam. I am from India. i would like to work in Madinah as lecturer. my degree is MBA. please let me know are there girl students in College of Business Administration (CBA) in Taibah University so that females like me can teach there. thanks a lot and Allah bless you. my email is shahanafatima@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWa alaikum as salaam. I'm not aware if Taibah has a female section for business; however, you are free to use this link to inquire and submit your CV.
Deletehttp://www.taibahu.edu.sa/cms/pages.aspx?pid=6009&ln=en
salaams sister. We are eager to move to Medinah. I find some of the things you said thought provoking. Please can I email you with some questions? I am a mother of two married to a brilliant husband for ten years, mashallah.
ReplyDeleteMy address is mukhallid@yahoo.com
Jzk
Sabina
Asslm, I would like some help please about moving to madina with my wife and children. Would like to know about how to take first steps. I am in uk, I Dnt have a degree but work in the computer industry. I want to mainly move for Deen and better environment, schools for children. Please advise, jazakallah, Ahmad.
ReplyDeleteWa alaykum us salaam wa RahmatUllahi wa Barakatuh Ahmed.
DeleteIf you read through this blog, and include the comments which have a lot of extra and detailed information, you will find the answers to your questions inshaa'Allah. We have covered steps to take, employment openings, resources for employment searches, schools, Islamic learning, environment, and much more all within the posts herein.
May Allah guide you to all the best - ameen.