Luminosity

Asalaam Alaikum Warahmat Allah Wabarakatu, wa’salaat wasalaam a’la Rasullilah…

It’s been months since I’ve last posted due to family, travels, homeschooling, seeking knowledge and just life changes in general.  This is a long awaited post I’ve been meaning to publish since May! Subhan’Allah. I hope that whoever is blessed to come here to Madinah Munawarra will see it’s true luminosity and use these tips below in consdering their travels insha’Allah. Especially those with children. There are things I’ve learned (and believe me, I’m still learning) since I’ve moved here back in January. Forgive me for any mistakes and anything good that comes out from this is due to the blessings of Allah. All praise belongs to Him. May Allah facilitate what is best for all of you, and please keep my family and I in your duaa….

JazakAllah Kheir 

25 Tips on Visiting Masjid An-Nabawi

1. NO Camera Phones

Women and camera phones don’t mix! No cameras inside the masjid period! They will not let you inside with them, they will not hold them for you either. (This goes for pictures too!) The guards will ask you: “Fee Jawal?”: (“Is there a phone?”) Don’t even try to hide it, because then they will physically check it even if you tell them there isn’t a camera in it. If you do have one, give it to your husband because they will confiscate it from him only if they see him taking a picture.  I had just got off the plane and on my way to the Haram hoping to pray Salat al-Fajr with my girls but was told to come back later without my camera phone, this was back in January, and almost every time I enter Masjid an-Nabawi, I see women prohibited to enter because of the same reason.  Don’t be like a good friend of mine who didn’t listen and was scheduled to be here in Madinah for barely 24 hours and missed the opportunity of entering the first time because she didn’t listen thinking that if she explained her case to the guards (fear of getting lost from her husband) that it would suffice them. Also, for those with regular mobile/cell phones, out of respect please turn those ringers on vibrate. So annoying to hear music tones that are totally inappropriate at one of the most sacred places in the world.

2. NO Life-Like Toys

Tiny animal toys, action figures or dolls keep out!  Anything that can be considered as an idol..even though it is not, should not accompany your child into the Prophet’s Mosque.  You might hear the guards telling you it is “haram”.  Their job is to keep this sanctity free from any sort of corruption, even potential corruption.  Even though Muslims entering would not consider a toy as an idol, it makes sense to keep these things away as Shaitan’s plot at first was not to have the Kuffar worship idols either. Save yourself a headache and forget you’re child’s stuffed whatever at home.  I have 4 small children 7 years old and younger…trust me on this one, because you don’t want any of your kids screaming while entering because you had to snatch a toy out of their hands!

3. NO Teen Styles Dress of the West

Clothing of children shouldn’t be a distraction for others. Little kids can wear anything there, true. But it has been my experience not to dress our son up in really eye-catching vibrant colored dinosaur shirts.  People are attracted to kids no matter what they wear, because of their beautiful profile and natural beauty they are created with, masha’Allah.  So people are naturally flattered by them and we don’t want other visitors of the Prophet’s Mosque to be more interested in our children than in ibadaat-worhsip.  Girls in short skirts looking too cute dressed like teenagers is not advisable either. Guards wouldn’t say anything to you, but why should you dress them like this if one of the goals here is also to give our children a true Islamic experience? (But if your young daughters are on the older side -say 6ish or so then they may be asked to wear a longer dress if they attend the halaqat/classes that are desigend for their age-group, more on that below). Make this a learning opportunity of the importance of dressing more modestly.   Longer skirts, skipping the tank tops and bellies exposed. Slip on hijab’s are comfortable for the girls so encourage them to wear it even for just a little.  Cute dishdashs for the boys, kufis are found everywhere for boys.  Might not be your taste, but realize that Allah willed for you to be in Madinah (insha’Allah) and so take advantage of the Islamic society and always refer to what Rasullilah(as) wore, did throughout implementing your few days, or life here in Madinah with yourmost perfect gifts from Allah-your children.   One more thing, even though we are in year 2007, and life back then was nearly 1500 years ago, principles don’t change.  Meaning the concept of modesty is still as valid and so is the necessity to teach our kids the love for it, especially in Madinah Munawarra. You are worshipping Allah and visiting the Mercy sent to humanity, so think of the kids back then and dress them likewise in hopes it will reflect on their character encouraging pious behavior insha’Allah.

4. AVOID LOSING Children

Way too many kids get lost here. Don’t be naive that because this is a holy place, in believing that only God-fearing people are here (although most insha’Allah are).  Just last night I was sitting outside with my four small children, during Maghrib Salah, (I had a valid reason not to pray) and there was a woman in front of me with a baby who was in the intial stages of walking.  First of all, she was praying while the baby was behind her, and didn’t budge at all as her baby crawled over to the other side of the marble floors where other women were praying (about 25 feet away!).  I am guessing that she was too focused on salah to pay attention to her baby, and she was probably being way too trustworthy. I nearly ran to grab the baby and brought her back to his mamma. Even though you may do this at your local masjid in South Africa, Egypt, the US, or UK..you should never do this here. This place is a melting pot of Muslims world-wide and I have seen horror in mother’s faces while screaming for their children not knowing if they will ever be found or not. I am scaring you for this purpose. Teach your kids never to leave Masjid an-Nabawi if they should ever get lost. May Allah forbid that, but the reality is that there are people from all walks of life here and it is very easy to lose track of where your children are.  As crazy as this sounds, we actually just got the kids a cell/mobile phone to keep on them to use in emergency purposes.

Keep them busy with your eyes magnetized to them. There is ZamZam water through-out Masjid an-Nabawi.  Try to have them sit near it if they are older (and won’t waste it) so they can have the freedom to walk independently (only a few feet) in your view. Make sure they make Wudu before going, if they are old enough, or even close to being old enough, so you can practice with them reading from al-Quran or just listen to their recitation in an encouraging way, even if filled with mistakes.  Bring a pad of paper and pen and ask them to tally mark how many times they say Subhan’Allah, or hear the best words of Thikr from other Muslimaat.  Doing these things with them prior to salah will help your attention on them while worshipping Allah, and insha’Allah will decrease the likelihood of those cuties of yours getting lost. YOU can NOT go into the Masjid with the intention of reading so much Quran, doing so much solo worship, encouraging your children to go play as if they are in a park.  Don’t laugh! Because even though it may not be you doing this, it just might be the other mother who forgets these essential principles of adab.  Do not leave your baby screaming infront of you as you pray with the excuse that prayer is more important. What is more important for you as a mother is that you worship..and worship is not just about salah. Worship is also caring for your child in a merciful manner and respecting others.  It is not FARD upon you moms to pray at the haram but it is FARD upon you to care for your kids!!! Please don’t have a blind love of being in this Blessed City, so much so that your eyes leave your children.  Parenthood responsibility needs to be in the forefront, even here.  Get a badge or lanyard for them with your telephone number, hotel and room information, name of child and name of parents/guardians’ written in both Arabic and English.  Teach them to go to the women guards showing it to them. They are distinguished by there extra long black jilbaab and an oval white patch on their sleeve.  They tend to wear niqab even inside (i was told this is to refrain from getting their pics taken by visitors who smuggle them into the Masjid), but not always..and even they are through-out the women’s section they are always at the doors. Teach your precious kids NEVER to leave the doors of the Masjid. One more thing that may sound harsh, but get a “leash” for them too if they are too young and practice with it on so they get used to it before your travel to the Prophet’s Mosque to avoid them protesting it insha’Allah.  Even an extra long hijab that is tied around their waist might just do too.  Some places in the States might sell those safety straps for kids.  Target, Walmart, Babies R’ US have them.  We actually bought one for my 2 year-old.  The only thing is, is that it has a stuffed animals on it you can choose a dog, monkey or bear one and it’s not possible to remove.  So I just threw one of my daughter’s small hijabs around it and pinned it so the bear wouldn’t be noticed in the Haram as it may be viewed at as an old type of idol as explained in point #2. May Allah protect our children and keep them in His Protection.

5. NO PUSHING on Rawdah   

Visit times to pray on Rawda (piece of Jannah) and to be in the closest physical space to where Rasullilah (as) is (under the Green Dome) for women are around 7-11 am and 1:30-3:30 7x/sweek.  Here’s the catch though, at times they don’t let you in past 10:30 to give to avoid traffic jams out of that area by 11.  These days in the afternoon, they won’t let you actually enter the area within after 1:45.   So 15 minutes to enter, and a shorter time to stay than in the morning.  BUT keep in mind that these times may and do change 1 -2 hours give or take depending on the time of year you are coming.  Rawda is a small most special area of Masjid an-Nabawi, and not all of it is open for women (even during the women’s allotted time for visit).  So the earlier you go during these time slots the better insha’Allah.  To pray on Rawdah is possible insha’Allah. Make duaa for Allah to facilitate it for you and your kids too.  Keep going in that direction and once you are standing on the green carpets you know you’re there. (Red throughout the haram, green on Rawdah). The days that seem most challenging are on Thursdays and Fridays because that’s the weekend here and people from neighboring cities of Saudi or nearby countries tend to swarm in here these days, masha’Allah.  The easiest day for visit or the least crowded day of Masjid an-Nabawi I’ve witnessed and continue to experience are on Sundays. (Weekend visitors from local arab countries are gone and the locals of Saudi are usually back at work). You will need to bring extra sabr to get within Rawdah due to the women eagerly wedging themselves by through any sort of open-space.  Please do not be one of these women though! Etiquette is sometimes ignored, which can be real scary for children, and if you are waiting in the middle of a group of women to get a chance on Rawdah and they get frightened by being sandwiched in, then please leave!! You don’t want to cause more harm than good and they will not see it as something special. Positivity in every aspect is a must. Turn around go back and find a quiet place and send your salaams to Rasullilah (as) from a further spot in the Masjid.  Ajr for your intention and insha’Allah wherever you are, your salaam from Rasullilah(as) will be returned.

 6. Enter the Right Way with the Right Foot in the Right Area!

Teach your kids the duaa that should be sent when entering any masjid, it’s short and sweet“Allahumma Aftahhna Abwaab Rahmaatik” (“Oh Allah open up your doors of Mercy for us”).   Now is the time to teach them their right foot from their left foot, doesn’t matter how young they are.  Get them to enter with their right foot insha’Allah.  If you are splitting your kids up with your husband then you take the girls, and let him take the boys. If you don’t have sons and only have small girls then let him take the youngest of them.  Our girls dressing up in cute dresses with jeans is modest, but sometimes they are just too beautiful masha’Allah and guards at the men’s doors will notice this and request that next time they enter with their mothers, yes, even girls as young as 4-5 and up. This why it is best to throw a jilbaab on them with a hijab insha’Allah especially if you feel that they need to be with their father. We don’t even try anymore to have our oldest daughter who’s 7.5 go with her dad anymore, because of being told to turn right around a few times! You can explain to your girls who have a hard time understanding this by saying to them “Masha’Allah you are so beautiful, and are getting so big, like a teenager.” This insha’Allah will give them a pat on the back while teaching them the importance of modesty in all aspects.  Teach them that because here is a special place that they expect the girls to pretend to be like grown-ups (which the girls love anyway, right?) MOMS, modesty for you too insha’Allah! I have seen women coming wearing clothes that cover their bodies yet in a very trendy way if you know what I mean, being told by both male and female guards to get an abaya on.  Colors, languages, styles of dress are abundant in varitey here and that is a beautiful thing about Muslims from all over Earth visiting this place.  So leave those tigher fitting rainbow short hijabs at home and bring your beautiful colorful long loose and flowing khimars instead. Easier if you come with the intention of pleasing Allah alone, and remember how the Mothers of the Believers dressed in this sacred area before choosing your clothes to pack.

7. Desired Places in Women’s Section     

 If there aren’t any children with you then the best places to pray inside the Masjid is the furthest spot in.  Masjid an-Nabawi is set up with tall marble pillars from which the a/c blows cool air. Once you see a wall, you will also see an entrance area.  These are sections for women without children and the guards will not allow kids to enter.  Less crowded in there too because it seems that many women don’t know about it.  If you do have kids, then the special spot (hmm, I wonder if I should tell you?!) is  if entering the Masjid from Baab 25, take a right and go all the way down and take a left and then another left. You can’t go further because there is a wall that separates the women from the men. This is the calmest section of the masjid because it is the furthest away from the outside doors and it’s sort of hidden. Just a couple minutes of walking and you’re there, best spot for women with kids because there is less distraction and easier to keep an eye on them.

8. Women and Children Classes

8.  If you are there between Asr-Maghrib, or Maghrib-Isha and have girls at least 4 years old (or even young boys 5-6) then there is a class you can enroll them in.  Some kids have great manners waiting in line, while others cut, push and shove so I recommend that if you plan on getting them in then you should pray the fard right in front of that area (to the far left of door 25) because the sign-up is right after salah.   

9. Leaving the Masjid    

Walking out of Masjid an-Nabawi, which can be like a mad rush, and can be overwhelming to little children.  It is best, if you have the time, to just wait until the rush is minimal.  Always hold your children’s hand tightly and keep them in front of you, not behind you.  This will allow you to keep your kids from getting pushed by others. To you it may seem like a few seconds, but remember you are holding up traffic and this poses an inconvenience to people.  On the flipside of that please don’t push! Be considerate of women in wheelchairs, elderly, and small children who can get easily frightened.  You are there with women and children of all ages, nationalities, of various health situations and disabilities too. One of the most humbling things I continue to notice is a woman who has a deformed posture at about 90 degree trunk and hip flexion walking out of the Haram almost every night I am there.  We should envision that there are many people without noticeable impairments and disabilities that are just as significant or more struggling that have trouble making it by; and put that into consideration before getting frustrated that people aren’t walking fast enough.  Remember you have been invited by Allah to visit Rasullilah (as)..so don’t lose it, and do whatever it is to gain more ajr insha’Allah through patience!!  

10.    Don’t Lose Shoes!

Place your shoes in a bag, or in your baby stroller in a designated spot, or take them with you in a grocery bag inside (remember everything in bags, purses will be inspected for safety reasons). But don’t just randomly take them off thinking that they won’t be kicked or even taken by accident.  One of my husband’s students told him the best thing to do is to split up a pair of shoes by placing them in 2 different locations so as not to be enticing to others who may think they belong to them! Whatever you do, just have a plan, and don’t worry if you do lose them because you there are shops and malls all around the haram in case if you have to be barefoot once you leave the Masjid!  But if you bring them with you inside, in a bag, When you do exit this holy spot, don’t just stop throw them on the floor and slip them on the  first step out of the Prophet’s Mosque. MAJOR traffic jams happen as a result!   

11. Hush Up Cuties!!

If your baby/babies or child/children is/are crying in the middle of salah, running around infront of worshippers praying, being loud and distracting… then there is NO reason why you should be praying while ignorning them!! It is fard upon women to pray, but not to pray in congregation and not even fard to pray in the Masjid. I know, I know.   Many, if not most of the women come from distant lands to make it here and the last thing they desire is for their kids to make a ruckus.  But the reality is, is that it is your responsibility to get them to stop! Because there are other women who are aiming at khushoo, and find it difficult to ignore your (our kids) doing even though you might be able to!!.  It should actually be imore incumbent upon you to care for your cuties than to pray at that time in the haram to preserve the sanctity of this luminous setting.  Insha’Allah, you will be rewarded for that.  Respect Female GuardsAt all the door to the women’s section of the Masjid there are female guards.  They have a very challenging job.  Don’t forget to greet them with Salaam. They have a very difficult job managing all these women and children entering so if they say..something can’t go in (like an empty water bottle for example to fill zamzam, or that bag you are carrying is way too big) then just accept it!  Maybe at a later time it is possible (but nothing ofcourse that would be controversial like pictures, camera phone or some children’s toys as discussed above).

11. Fill Up on ZamZam

Outside of baab (door) 18 there is a place where you can bring large containers to fill ZamZam Holy Water.  Mostly busy during Maghrib and Isha, but frees up a little around 10:30pm. This goes for off-peak seasons.  I guess that after Fajr and after Asr the lines of people won’t be so long insha’Allah.  

12. Don’t Bring/Bring your Quran

   There are Quran’s all over the Haram so there is no need to bring a copy of your own unless you read it in a different language. Although there are many in various languages there, they are usually contained to one or two locations inside which you may end up sitting far away from, so you shouldn’t rely on those-bring a small copy of your own.

13. Bring on the Dowah

13.   If you have spare Islamic info in your language drop it off at the women’s offices located at baab 26 and 28, or just ask any of the guards where to do so.

14. Send your Salaams 

   Don’t forget this! Anywhere in the Masjid is suitable insha’Allah..don’t get carried away and start asking him for things..this is shirk, only to Allah we seek from.

15. Rid those Gaps 

   Please fill in the gaps during salah, don’t feel like you will offend someone if you are shoulder to shoulder, this is the way it should be.  Place your bags infront of you not beside you, and encourage others to do so in a kind way.

16. Got Allergies? 

  Masha’Allah always clean but if you have allergies then you might want to bring a small sajada or extra scarf to throw upon the rug.  The women who clean wear a beige outfit and try their best to keep the Prophet’s Mosque clean, but if you see something on the floor then pick it up and trash it. A good deed that you will be rewarded for insha’Allah.

17. Bathroom Advice 

  Bathrooms bathrooms are below the masjid and to enter them u need to exit the masjid and take the escalator downstairs. If you have to change a diaper then try to be discreet about it, and although it is clean you should bring your sanitary napkins or antibacterial hand gel too.  The normal toilets here are not raised. They are down on the floor.  Many people will say they are cleaner.  However, many other people such as elders who have a hard time, or those inexperienced with it will prefer the raised ones-like you’d always see in the West.  There are both types, but maybe less of the raised.

18. Outdoor Option 

Some women choose to pray outdoors with their children in hopes this wont distract others as much..while others allow to have their children rollerskate on the marble floors although outdoors you can be more lenient with the kids, people are still praying and at the time of prayer we should keep them distracted with quiet things to listen to the beautiful Quran..especially convenient when we can’t sit in the Masjid during our menses.

19. Getting Errands Done

If you need to step out to get something from the store between Maghrib and Isha, then do it right after Maghrib.  Stores are swarmed with people during this time and its best to get there in and out early rather than risking being late for salah. After Isha it is even more packed and makes shopping very difficult with kids. Partly because Masjid an-Nabawi closes every night between 11pm-2am. During this time those who maintain the Masjid, whom we should be extremely respectful towards, are busy cleaning and rejuvenating it.  So many people desire to shop before they make it back to their hotels or homes.  In general the best time to get what u need here in Madinah is between Asr & Maghrib, and in the morning (if where you need to go is open) which reminds me, Friday mornings are often to a slow start around here!  Back in the US where stores generally could open a couple hours later than usual, the same thing applies here in Madinah on Fridays, including coffee shops!  But If you are hear for just a few days..spend as much time as u can in the Haram and rest as much as you can..especially if you have children. The times you think they won’t sleep..they will insha’Allah!

20. Going to the Center of Earth?

 Now I know this is supposed to be a list of tips for Masjid an-Nabawi, but I can’t resist… If heading off to Makkah, try to schedule it during the week instead of a Wednesday or Thursday bus route..due to the crowd.  Masjid al-Haram in Makkah is always busy, but I would say that Thursdays you’d find the most people, masha’Allah. By Friday night it begins to lighten up-but ofcourse still there are ALWAYS people upon people!

21. From Madinah to Makkah 

 Bathroom stops between Makkah-Madinah are not the cleanest so once again bring unscented antibacterial hand gel, and unscented feminine moist or baby wipes to assure cleanliness. Unscented because if going to Makkah most probably you are in ihram and you don’t want to jeaopardize that.  If you really need to use the bathroom then I would highly suggest the one on the bus. If you are potty training any of your children, then wait until after your trip to Saudi and after your Umrah particularly.  This is definantly not the time, easier to just throw a diaper on! Pack snacks, coloring books, and although drinking is important in the desert, think about the bladder factor!  Taking a bus may end up as a 6 hour trip with the stops, but if you rent a car and drive at a reasonable speed it will take you 4 1/2 hours inshaAllah. Some have told me it has taken them 3 1/2 speeding and not stopping. If you take a Taxi though-which is extremely dangerously fast we’ve heard 2 1/2 hours. Would definantly not rec’d this for the obvious reasons. Have your kids look out for those desert monkeys. Really!! This is always a highlight for our kids. Last time we saw at least 10 of them, subhan’Allah.

22.  Emergency Numbers  

At either of the Holy Mosques there are always people around and security, so if someone gets hurt, or if an ambulance is needed then insha’Allah they are available. (May Allah keep you all safe). But just in case, and for peace of mind here are the numbers you should know of:

Police-999; Fire-998; Ambulance-997; Traffic Accident-993; Rescue Emergency-911 and you can find more numbers insha’Allah of places like the airports, Red Crescent Society (similar to Red Cross); civil defense and others here: http://www.saudiarabia.alloexpat.com/saudi_arabia_information/useful_telephone_numbers_saudi_arabia.php

23. Madinah away from the Haram 

Know that the culture here, 5 minutes away from Masjid an-Nabawi is very different from the multi-ethnic style of the Haram.  If you venture further away, you will notice the women covered from head to toe with eyes covered a norm, women not exchanging salaams with men when entering stores,  Men wearing white thobes waiting to pass you rather than asking you politely. Women being called Um’___ (mother of____) rather than her personal name being mentioned. Seperate lines and even parkind spaces for families vs. single men.  All in accordance with modesty which may seem extreme to some but the preseverance is a vital part of the way the society works here. It’s not oppression as maybe most of the world think.

24. Sadaqah for and from Kids

An easy way to perform sadaqah here is to buy a pack of candy, snacks and give it to any child you see.  People are very caring towards children and have a high tolerance to them. They might kiss and hug them and such.  For your own kids though please be trusting, but not too trusting! Most people here insha’Allah are here for good intentions in visiting Rasullilah (as) while worshipping Allah (swt) on the 2nd most scared site in the world. But looks may be deceiving so be careful. Teach your kids to grab a cup of zamzam for an elder-another great way to teach them sadaqah (charity).  

25.  Ibada/Worship Rush 

Remember your travels for Allah’s Sake is not supposed to be like a vacation where you can sleep in a hotel as much as you’d like. Expect to be fatigued a bit, but insha’Allah this will be an expiation for past sins (ameen.) Take advantage of this gift of invitation He’s given you. Make duaa to Allah, not to Rasullilah (as) to simplify this trip on you and your family, friends or group. While walking, sleeping, sitting..perform thikr and never forget that you are in a place where deeds are multiplied insha’Allah. That you are walking in the footsteps of our beloved Rasullilah (as) his male and femae companions. This city is filled with rich history, and when you leave insha’Allah you will be a part of that. SO make the best of it insha’Allah so Allah will reward you in the Hereafter for having done so with sincerity and dedication.