Luminosity

On my recent stay in Makkah, (alhamdulilah) and even during the nightly increase of people, I am currently witnessing at here in Madinah at Masjid an-Nabi, I am experiencing a sound of similarity in humainty through dhikr, salawaat, duaa, with an influx of diversity through dress, language, and gestures.  It seems like everyday there are more and more people pouring in, and the serene environment where my kids could be 20 feet ahead of me without my worries upon them are now officially over!  Many people come here knowing very well that Madinah is a city of peace due to it’s obvious holiness.  Most people here I’d like to think are here for the right reasons, but one can not be overly secure especially with kids well-being.  Keep in mind that although this is a sacred land, a haram, everyone within, unfortunately is not up to par with the identity of an ideal Muslim as one might expect in a place like this.  We all have ‘room for improvement’ and remember that Allah Alone Knows the intention of people’s hearts.  Then there are those who love kids so much but do not put there safety first when pushing them out of the prayer line so they can pray in their spots, or passing out sugar cubes not knowing whether a child is a diabetic or what not.  Many women come here with an over-zeal of emotions and just don’t think before they act, speak or even stare.  They have been invited to this sacred land and become oblivious of the small deeds they should focus on in order to perfect their big deeds, maybe even forgetting that Islam is not just about prayers, supplications and seeking forgiveness with guideance, and need to be reminded that every tiny iddy biddy gesture should be for the sake of Allah, hence: Islam as a way of life. Our Ummah is in so need of Allah’s Help. Allahu Musta’an.     

Masha’Allah, with the increase of population an appreciation develops within for Allah’s Blessings.  Back in the US, I would always get giddy towards meeting a new sister, a revert I mean.  Even though I may have had ‘experience’ as a practicing Muslim longer than them, I looked at them as a motivator and inspiration towards my nafs in loving Islam even more.  It was their newbie eagerness being full-force that seemed to give me the kick I needed (and still need) from time to time (almost all the time!).  It’s sort of like that here,  I mean about living here in Madinah. Alhamdulilah, it is a test filled with blessings.  The thing is, I don’t always appreciate it as I should, nor do I always contemplate the magnitude of this place as I should.  So seeing these visitors who for some, for many, have literally spent their decades of lifesavings on this trip, to be here from all areas of the globe for just a few days and at most a few weeks, jumpstarts my gratitude towards Allah in being a resident of Prophet Muhammad alayhee salat wa’salaam’s City. This further highlights my need for Allah’s Forgiveness for the sins (especially those only He Knows I own), points out how little I do in return towards His Favors, and how ungrateful I am towards the opportunity of purifying my mind, my inner-self, living and growing on the grounds of our role models, and the best of them our Nabi, alayhee salaam.  Only Allah Knows how short my life will last, and how short my life will last living here in Madinatu-Nabi.  Seeing the world surround the sacred ground, increases my desire to know our beloved Prophet Muhammad, alayhee salat wa’salaam even more, and love for him and helps me put things in perspective when trying to get my kids to be his little copycats. May Allah facilitate that forever.                                                       

There are whack things though about this Saudi culture, and there are situations that have come up that  I have been in the face of which are totally backwards.  But looking at it objectively, the only reason why anyone is even here in Madinah-especially right in Masjid an-Nabawi is due to Allah’s Mercy and if a sister, brother or child is seen with faults, then surely I have faults of my own that most probably annoy others as well, yet I’m still here out of Allah’s Compassion.  This is not always easy to remember, but it is sometimes the only way to cope with misdeeds of others, and misdeeds of oneself.  May Allah help us to overlook each others’ faults, not get defensive with suggestions to worship Allah in the way He deserves, and the courage to ask for clarification on what is pleasing towards our Creator without a feeling of embarrassment. Ameen. 

To be a Muslim doesn’t mean one should negate their own cultures, ideas, even style of dress. It just means that one should adapt their ways towards what is accepting on Allah’s standards as expressed to us in the Quran and exemplified through the Sunnah.  Stepping into a collection of Muslim representations is really breathtaking.  When you get to see a modestly suit-like dressed turkish woman making seemingly sincere duaa as evidenced by tears rolling down to her knees, or when you observe the love of an Indonesian mother portrayed in carrying her child towards Rawda where our Noble Prophet, alayhee salat wasalaam is, to send salaams; or even when you are exposed to an African elderly woman sitting in a wheelchair  struggling whole-heartedly to keep her hands above her hands in hope for Allah’s Help; you can’t help but be moved, intrigued, or inspired if you have the least bit of eman.  Being a witness to Muslim diversity, and being a part of it is a blessing that Allah gives many of us to reflect upon no matter where on the face of this Earth we are upon.  The woman’s lifestyle to my right shares a hope in Allah’s tender Love to be thrown upon her in her struggle to live a righteous life.  The woman’s lifestyle to my left shares a fear of destruction and Allah’s horrendous Wrath in the Hereafter if death catches her on a path that is not on the Straight.  Physicians with donia clout yet with weak eman, and unlettered adults with the best of ihsaan..and everything in between is what we get to see at the Haramain.  All of whom are here hoping to build a piece of remembrance to bring back home, worshipping Allah in the blessed lands, and striving to acheive success in both worlds. 

The state of the Ummah has a distinct gift from Allah that we should all stop and really be grateful for.  It’s that we are the Ummah, we are the believers, we are those Allah promises us Jannah, and regardless of what field of study, what degree, what societal status, we are Muslims whom Allah promises us many gifts, not because we are worthy of them, but because He is truly ar-Rahman.  This swelling diversity, this ongoing rush of people jam into the doors of Masjid an-Nabi is not because of intentionally negating the imprtance good manners-but out of an emotional need & emotional excitement with the ironic aims of being content! Subhan’Allah.  Yeah things like this can get annoying, especially since I enter with my 4 small children, and there are situations even at the haram which can be upsetting and stressful..but that is when that little voice on my right-the ’maala’ikka’ remind me: “the reason why these people are here(residents or visitors) is due to Allah’s Will, Blessings, Mercy and everyone has faults so get over it and stress about your own instead of those fall-backs of others.”  The crowds are not expected to let up until after Ramadan insha’Allah for just a little before Hajj.  So we are just trying to go with the flow as they say, and make the best of a beautiful diverse traffic increase as we walk through the Doors of Mercy to visit the Prophet of Mercy and ultimately have gaining Allah’s Mercy.  Resident or visitor of this luminous city, we are all in it together.  May Allah facilitate a visit for those who seek it, and may Allah facilitate a hijrah to Madinah for those who seek it. Ameen. 

Imagine what Makkah must be like now..?! Seeing it on tv is intense enough, masha’Allah!  Just a couple of weeks ago, I was kind of in shock of the amount of people there.  We got there on a Wednesday, and were so grateful we had finished our Umrah right after Isha because by Thursday (which is always seems to be the busiest day of the week, here in Madinah or Makkah) tawaffin’ was very intense…masha’Allah!!  When we were on the second floor watching the masses  some commented that it seemed as packed as Ramadan down there.  Staring at bait’Allah while imagining the Angels encircling up above somewhere in the samawaat around another House of Allah, and contemplating the diversity of a small portion of our world-wide Ummah magnitized to the Kaaba below is something I highly rec’d for any Muslim at Masjid al-Haraam to experience.  Nothing else in the world matters but talking to Allah,askin g Him to assure a spot in Jannah when one sees thousands upon thousands seeking Allah in every Sunnah way possible.  I haven’t gone for hajj yet, but I can only imagine..and to think that we are just in the beginning of Umrah season. Masha’Allah, La Hawla Wala Quwatta illa’billah..

Now about the latest controversy at Masjid an-Nabi women’s section.  Saudi girls are taught from a very young age the importance of dressing modestly outside their homes, and rightfully so.  Though I’m pretty convinced that the belief here is that niqab is fard, even encouraged for the girls who haven’t entered into the age of accountability.  This would make sense seeing that young girls whose moms who wear hijab back in the West often would like to wear the hijabs out to the supermarkets or wherever. The women of Madinah tend to wear the black over-head abayah with the niqab covering the eyes & gloves too.  No peaking into them at all..masha’Allah.  In the haram, their over-head tends to drop to the shoulders while still in their hijab, gloves come off and there is a trail of their abayah dragging across the floor with every step.  At the Masjid an-Nabi’s girls’ school office, one sister kindly advised me to cover my face in the haram too because I guess the King or one of the higher-ups in Madinah, women are now allowed to come in the Mosque wih camera phones.  Subhan’Allah, because right before this ‘naseeha’ was given to me I noticed a group of Egyptian women snapping shots of each other inside and I warned them to hide or get rid of it; that they should stop before the female guards would see them.  Little did I know this was unnecessary.  As far as I remember there have always been video cameras in the women’s section?  I asked the female staff members about this, and they said that men only use the tapes in case of an emergency-with the female staff being aware that is going to happen first.   This might explain why many women guards (all saudi it seems) choose not to reveal their faces in the women’s prayer areas eeven before the let up of the camera phone ban.  But I did ask a few why they did and the response was “just because”maybe they are more comfortable that way in preserving their modesty even infront of other women I guess.  I ascribed that towards the culture and not Islam.  This also explains why the girls halaqas are now held downstairs in the mother-forbidden entry school rather than out in the midst of crowds within the prayer area. Also, probably to avoid distractions as visitors of Rasullilah, alayhee salat wasalaam tend to get all giddy when they see young girls learning Quran in a circle, masha’Allah tabarak’Allah. Kind of gets to me though that I can’t even see my girls physical set up that they spend their nights in.  But I guess I should get used to it as it is not any worse than the fact that I will also be forbidden entry into my son’s future school insha’Allah starting from first grade (…hmm, that’s if I even send him!!).

Nevertheless, the diversity of Muslimaat are in full effect where majority are not in niqab, you hear only the similarity of Islamic terms as common languages, and little girls from nations across the world filling in with their display of baby-doll like hijabs and the cutest of the cute clothing.  These are just a few reasons why I’ve always said that by going to the haram I feel a melting pot of cultures which is something I miss of being back in the US versus the ‘Sa’wadah’ of things here. Kheir insha’Allah.

Subhan’Allah, back to the camera phone issue for a second.  Last night in the courtyard, actually right on the side of the steps to the entrance of the Masjid, I noticed a woman guard raising her voice towards some Turkish women (Turkish sisters tend to be very kind, masha’Allah..). The women from Turkey didn’t speak any Arabic, but it was clear to them what was being said. NO CAMERAS.  The guard was so upset and very emotional, angry & sad..almost in tears about this actually it seemed. I approached her and tried calming her down.  I placed my hand upon her and reminded her to be patient and pointed out that this might be the first and last time these sisters are here and although they shouldn’t be taking pictures of people they are just in an emotional rush, encouraging her to let it go, in a gentle way.  She said to me that she was worried that women’s faces would be put up on the internet and if they wanted to take snap-shots it should be of the buildings not the people. I agreed with her and still continued to calm her down by saying we should make duaa for them to ask Allah for them to be guided..Alhamdulilah, the Iqama was then called and it was over-the ‘fight’.  This is a simple example of how BIG and threatening the camera phones are to the female workers of Masjid an-Nabi, even though this incident was outside.  

Because the nightly halaqas running for the different groups of girls are no longer in the prayer area, which means there are no more unregistered ‘maktaba’ classes for the kids who’d like to learn a thing or two in a playful environment during the week, only Thursdays & Fridays-weekend.  This is also a result of the cameras because the teachers are fearful that visitors will be taking their pictures, and it is not fair for the young girls to learn Quran from a person they can’t even see movement of lips or facial expression.  The haram women are requesting that we write a note of complaint in a book they have in the office with contact details so they can present this to the sheeyookh and managers of the haram, and also encouraging us to get our husbands involved.  They want to be able to expose their faces inside and they believe their right to do so is being infringed upon by allowing these cameras inside. Some of the guards at the entrance are ignoring the dropped rule and continue to search for the camera phones in purses and such.   This is the happening crisis here. 

I’ll conclude this camera phone thing with a personal note inshaAllah. I was outside as my 2 younger kids, Believer and Piety were praying while the older two went in with my mother.  Believer said “Mama, that lady is taking a picture of us.” I turned around and a young woman, she looked like an Emirati woman maybe, had already taken one without me knowing about it and asked if she could take another one…I said no (with a smile).  My mom thought I made a big a deal of it I think, and thought I should have just let her..but the truth is there are lots of other cute kids on the internet praying and such this woman can print out or whatever, and my maternal protectiveness of my children was brought out at that moment.  Back in the US, no one would ever take a random picture of a random someone openly like that.  Namely because privacy tends to be more respected, emphasized, and staring is something taught as very rude.  Here, it’s no problem at all.  I am not talking about lowering ones’ gaze towards the oppposite gender,  I’m saying that women stare at each other, teens, older girls (younger kids its natural and you can’t be upset by that)..it’s almost encouraged! Subhan’Allah. Please be extra careful with them when you are here, the last thing anyone needs to do is earn Allah’s displeasure by offending anyone…camera , staring, whatever. Jazak’Allahu Khair.

In any amount of disclosure of how this place is run, and how the cultural diversity is, the Saudis are, or whatever aspect about this Masjid and City, Masjid an-Nabi’s sweetness cannot be over-rated, and Madinah Munawarra are filled with virtues that can not be overstated.  So we shouldn’t confuse the sanctity of the place with the ill social conduct of some people. I’m not going to delve into all the negativities I see because the good outweighs all of that, and I fear that some reading this would take it as general assumptions about Muslims, worse, Islam. But I will tell you-whoever you are..that if you come here thinking that it is a utopic environment then you will be discouraged.  Because of this expanding diversity of thousands, please be aware that corruption does exist.  A wake-up call to myself first.

What I have discovered here, is that any small tiny bit of sin, wrong-doings or misdeeds is ironically magnified in vision.  It’s really a big deal here because of the sanctity of this luminous city or even in (especially in) Makkah where you have the Kaaba staring back at you.  A sour situation witnessed anywhere else on Earth just doesn’t hurt as much because somehow I tend to rationalize that most people are not aware of the fulfilling ways of Islam so I blame there ignorances of Allah’s deen for their faults and have hope that He will guide them.  On the flipside to that is here in Madinah, a simple tiny bit of goodness being poured out by others revives the spirit of Islam.  This enticement becomes a catchy motivator to the nafs of what Allah loves.  Wallahi, a smile means so much in the midst of a stressful moment, and even moreso here because most of the time, it is from a believer who is on a spritiual retreat.  I am in love with practicing Muslims, our history, and the blessings Allah has always bestowed on us through time.  I am in love with Madinah, it’s history, and it’s blessings of all time. Wa’alhamdulilah. But love hurts when it’s people do not always represent the best of Islam, including myself.  Love hurts when history is forgotten, and blessings are seen as a given rather than something uniquely special to our Ummah.  This is the only way how I can explain that Islam is a perfect system, but us Muslims are far from it.  Aren’t we taught that it is not our good deeds alone that will get us into Jannah? It is the Mercy of Allah.  Here, the goodness is enriched and the corruption is magnified..so my heart’s mission is left to aim at glamourizing the good and suppressing the evil I see..and hope that I can remain positive with all the negativity shouting at me, and praying I can negate the negativity with all the pure good I could rarely ever see living in the US.  Just another part of my jihad in Madinah Munawarra I guess.  Probably the jihad of any Muslim anywhere in the world dealing with others in our Ummah too.  May Allah guide each of us, making our children stronger in faith than we are, and granting us Firdous out of His Compassion and Mercy. Ameen. 

Wa’Alhamdulilahi Rabb’il Alameen.

                                                                                                                     …and Allah Knows Best.

Last year when we first arrived in Saudi everyone thought I was crazy for having light spring like jackets on the kids at the airport, and maybe a sweatshirt or two extra tied around my bag for them.  I thought they were crazy for wearing scarfs, mittens, golves, the heaviest of winter coats as if it were way below zero. Subhan’Allah.  I mean I had just left the icy weather of Boston to the spring like conditions it seemed of Jeddah.  The women and others there went out of their way to indicate to me how much colder Madinah is than Jeddah, and I remember thinking these women think I am neglecting my children!! It was a little windy sure, but “c’mon now” I thought all were comments of exaggeration.

When we finally arrived in Madinah, a few higher-ups of my husband’s worksite picked us up and brought us to a furnished apartment.  For reasons I will not get into, we weren’t impressed to stay for even one night, plus it was no where near the Haram.  This itself was a test on its own.  Alhamdulilah Allah facilitated us to stay in a hotel that was walking distance from the Masjid an-Nabawi.  But by the time we got there there was an hour maybe 30 minutes longer at most and it would be time for fajr.  I got all the kids in clean clothes, washed up and they all crashed. We were beyond exhausted at this point, but my husband and I did not sleep ofcourse.  Way too much excitement at the same time.

Soon after that I threw my baby girl in the stroller, while my husband carried my son and our 2 other ltitle girls walked hand in hand.  No longer than 10 minutes we were there. FINALLY!  I took the girls , the 3 of them, rushed to the door of the Prophet’s Mosque then…I cried as I had to turn around.  I called my husband crying.  I thought this might be a way of Allah telling me that He did not accept this from me, my hijrah and perhaps He facilitated a way for me to be here in Madinah Munawarra for the sake of my husband and children only.  Sometimes I still feel this way. My husband was just about to enter when I called him and the adhan was about the set off and he told me to turn around so I can give him my phone, my CAMERA phone.  I hated that phone!! Believe me, I pleaded with eh women guards and I told them take it I don’t want it!! They wouldn’t budge and just guided me to pray outside.  Anyways, my husband was coming back towards us with my 3 year old son at the time.  I did not want him to miss it though!!! I said NO WAY, that I would just pray outside with my girls in the courtyard.  The floor was so cold and it was real windy.  It was that point that I began to understand the so-called frigid winters of Madinah!  After the salah, he offered to take the kids so I can get a chance to enter, he took my phone and alhamdulilah I was finally in.  That was a blessing that came with a price, that I had entered the 2nd holiest site once more after 4.5 years..but this time it was to live, raise, and be amongst the dwellers of Madinah rather than just a 2 day visit.  Alhamdulilah.

Anyways, back about the weather, it’s feeling like freezing point around here at fajr and soon after Isha.  I didn’t think it was necesassary to buy winter coats, and a stubborn side of me still doesn’t think so. But the other day we went to City Plaza, a store similar to JCPenny, Macy’s.., and we found these cute winter vests.  You know the coats without the sleeves.  So this was a good compromise. The girls pleaded for gloves, hat and a scarf like the rest of their classmates and we would have bought them if there sizes were available..but they were not. So they wear lots of layers alhamdulilah.  Last night at Masjid Quba the girls spotted another girl wearing gloves and Mercy asked me to ask her mother where she got them from.  I didn’t, I just smiled at her and thought to myself alhamdulilah she has what she needs.  As I am not even convinced that the gloves are necessary.  OK..enough about that.

My point of this post is to prove how cold it can really get here, and if my words are not convincing then you’ve got to check out these links! Friday..3 hours of rain in Makkah.  Lost of duaa for rain has been made over the past weeks in the Kingdon.  Plus snow. YES SNOW! Hasn’t happened here in I guess 20 years or so!! No, not in Madinah or Makkah, but other cities like Tabuk, Hail and another city too…

Check out these articles..

Kingdom Finds itelf in Icebox

Snow in Saudi

Subhan’Allah its pretty amazing how Allah adapts our own bodies to live in the environement with ease.  My husband told me when we came here 2 years ago for Hajj, it was wearning very light clothes without difficulty, and now stepping out for Fajr he comes home reminding me to bundle up the kids for school!! 

Alhamdulilah, may Allah keep everyone warm this winter..wherever we are..Looks like I really was the crazy one at the airport afterall.

…and Allah knows best.

Cloudy!! Sun actually hides here in Madinah!! Rain! Thunderstorm!! Even Lightening!!! Subhan’Allah. We loved it! The kids were just waking up from a well-needed nap while I read, and prepared homeschool lessons they needed to complete for the afternoon. I noticed in our apartment it was darker than usual, I went to the window and experienced the scent of rain. Masha’Allah, although I didn’t see the rain, I felt a few drops on my face. So excited was I, let me tell you! Being used to rainstorms back the northeast of the US it was no big deal when it rained. Here it is HUGE! I rushed my kids out of bed and straight to the window with the stand we have for them to climb upon so they could stick their faces out. Soft occasional drops to hard hail like water plunging down from Allah’s sky! Subhan’Allah wa’Bihamdi. Since we’ve been here, January 8^th, we haven’t seen a single tiny droppling. Even thought we wouldn’t be able to make it to the Haram for Isha (thinking it was going to rain all afternoon into the night or something!). The kids really wanted to go so they could experience the jumping in puddles and all as they saw other little boys doing walking to the masjid for Asr Salah. For the most part it dried up by then, and it only rained where we are for about 30 minutes. My 2 older girls, almost 6 insha’Allah, and 7.5 both reminded me how I would say “One thing I miss is the rain!” They quickly noted that perhaps it rained as a gift from Allah because He knew that’s one of the things I miss about our previous appointed location. Then I added how for every drop that fell on their face and arms was a Mercy from Him. Indeed He is Ar-Rahman.   Even though this seemed like a miraculous event, the reality is that miraculous events are constantly around us..no matter where we are. It just takes a reflective Allah and a yearning heart towards Allah to see it. I pray that Allah always makes us of the Muslimeen, and that we all die in a state of those who are marked as Mumineen. 

As far as the geography of Madinah, some may say it’s pretty boring. There aren’t the greens and deep forests I am used to being surrounded with all my life. There aren’t rivers and boats anywhere in sight around here either. But that doesn’t mean dull sand is the only thing we are encompassed in. There are deep mountains and terrains in some areas along with the desert that you’d think was desolate, but have random shacks with lambs or camels around them. Then ofcourse is the volcanic side of this illuminated city; lava plains that play an important role in it’s physical landscape. These lava formations have been formed into various shades of black, grey and brown with irregular shapes and sizes of burnt molten rock, magma and interesting volcanic emissions spreading for miles along the land.  The sharp and unsteady volcanic coverings of the land make it quite difficult to walk or drive upon.  There is a station prior to entering this area, and I guess it’s for safety reasons.  But their wasn’t a problem for my husband, 2 young kids and I to drive upon the road-strip through the vacant region.  Guards here usually only stop single men, or cars filled with men-but if they see a woman in the car then it’s sort of a like a pass not to bother the driver by stopping them; because here in Madinah there are random stoppings and not just around the Haram. Not sure if they are looking for terrorists, criminals or whatever.  But speaking of terrorism, it’s hard to imagine that there could even be horrible people here. Sure, sometimes there is a severe lack of adab, but seeing tens of kids at a time in the streets, men stepping back so the elderly and women can walk ahead of them,  and hearing the adhan 5 times a day, and female guards at the haram sweet most of the time, it’s hard to think the need for security here for those major problems. What is needed is the urgency of a penalty system that is actually enforced and not so lax. For example, anywhere around Masjid an-Nabawi people shouldn’t be smoking..even in their cars. The lack of adab I was referring too has something to do with the more simple courtesies that every Muslim should be required not only by Sharia Law but by rules of this Holy Land.

Anyways, back to my story… the dessert sand continued to get darker and darker and on one side a mountain would seem nearly black while on the other a deep brown color with streaks of red glitter.  Out of nowhere it seemed, Allah created plants growing right through the dead lava.  As we further drove we saw small patches of land-pure tan sand that is, with the plants almost raised in appearance and probably due to the ruling that naturally grown trees are not to be harmed or dug out in this holy land. But mostly we saw billions of black lava rocks everywhere with deep crevices in the ground, along with circles of the smoothes compacted deep gray sand. There was something real scary about this place, just standing there imagining that more than 100 miles everywhere around us, and 10 feet deep was active volcanic activity that lasted for almost 60 days straight.  Read more about the history of this intense geological happening here in Madinah and check out some pics insha’Allah: http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/200602/volcanic.arabia.htm Islamic history teaches us that the people of Madinah, and at that time meaning closer to the Masjid an-Nabawi, were absolutely petrified. However, they didn’t give up hope that Allah would protect them. They never ceased in supplicating to Allah that He would preserve Madinah and protect them from destruction. Alhamdulilah Allah did protect the haram area of Madinah leaving everything surrounding it corrupted as a wasteland. Subhan’Allah. Anyways, we drove further in and stopped again. As we stepped out my husband told me to hold onto my 3 year old son tightly as he carried our baby girl, because the ground was sharp and if Allah had willed any of us could have easily fallen. A few more steps forward and then I saw one of the most remarkable things. An earthquake wide about 10 feet and sharp-mountain like formations of lava below is a crack we witnessed. I wonder how many more of them were around? My husband threw a few rocks down and what we heard was an echo of them falling down without really hearing it stop, but more like a turning down of the volume.  I don’t know how deep it was, but it certainly was not shallow by any means. I asked, what was the purpose of this sign? It made sense to me that perhaps Allah committed this for people like us to ponder about, reflect, and appreciate that it is Madinah that Allah will protect from insha’Allah and prove to the people that the sanctity of the city will be preserved as He promised as He wills.  The fact that people in Syria even feared it, the fierceness of it aided in increasing piety to the believers souls. Volcano’s and earthquakes are abundant these days on every continent. But the decisive planning of Allah to destroy everything surrounding Madinah with the exception of Madinah itself has to be a sign for those who reflect. Subhan’Allah. Many scholars have even said this enormous event is one of the signs of the Day of Judgment stated by Rasullilah (as) as related by related by Abu Huraira (ra):  

“The Last Hour would not come until fire emits from the earth of Hijaz which would illuminate the necks of the camels of the Busra.” (Source: Muslim-Book 41, Number 6935)

A week later, we started to consider visiting the land of one of our prophets’ Saleh (as). Remember, he is the prophet who Allah told to warn his community, society known as the people of Thamud in the Quran.  They are known for having committed in great corruption and mischief with their wealth encompassed by their arrogance as other nations mentioned in Quran. But a unique factor about them is that they were very physically powerful people and build their homes out of rocky mountains in thinking that they could never be destroyed.  Allah explains to humanity           their destruction:

“The (mighty) Blast overtook the wrong-doers, and they lay prostrate in their homes before the morning - As if they had never dwelt and flourished there. Ah! Behold! For the Thamud (Hijr) rejected their Lord and Cherisher! Ah! Behold! Removed (from sight) were the Thamud!”             (Surah Hud: 67- Read more here: http://www.perishednations.com/thamud.html. After some research, and looking up current pictures of this ancient land, I became excited in planning to go visit and thought it would be an excellent historical lesson for the girls, even for my younger son. I began reminding them of this story as well.  But then another mumin in Madinah here told my husband that there is a specific hadith in which Rasullilah (as) tells us not to enter this shattered territory.  I didn’t understand why not and needed some proof, then I found this hadith related in Muslim:

“Do not enter but while weeping (the habitations) of these people who have been punished by Allah, and in case you do not feel inclined to weep, then do not enter these habitations; that you may not meet the same calamity as had fallen to their lot.”

This is a clear warning from Rasullilah (as) not to enter these dwellings for if we do, we may feel some effect of the catastrophe upon us.  Was Rasullilah (as) referring to a poison in the air over there, like harmful radiation? Because in other saheeh hadiths I’ve read that no one should drink from its wells or even produce food with it’s water or land. I am not a scholar, and I’m not even sure if they know.  But because it is authentic, I took it as enough to convince me that it wouldn’t be legit to make a 5-6 hour drive out there from Madinah (not even on the way to Makkah). Don’t want to mess with a place that Allah destroyed and Rasullilah(as) told us to refrain from entering.  So I just showed the pictures of Mada’in Saleh (people of Thamud), after reminding them what the people of Thamud were like, and especially what they did to the she-camel that was sent as a test for them.  This link is supporting pictorial proof of Thamud’s existence, already the explained in Quran: http://www.travel-images.com/saudiarabia5.html. This other link here, http://www.mshotel.com.sa/destination.htm#madain-saleh, explains how particular the Mada’in Saleh (people of Thamud) were towards their meticulously detailed burial graves. May Allah protect us from His Wrath and purify taking Thamud as a severe warning and reminder that we reflect upon from time to time so as not to commit those crimes they loved to do. A’uthubillah.

One more thing, yesterday after Asr my husband, children and I went out to a few stores then we made to a valley like area surrounded by Jabal Uhud. Now we’ve been here for 3.5 months and haven’t really driven within Uhud. Maybe we take the view for granted, and with getting into a routine and such..the place we mostly end up at is Masjid an-Nabawi, Alhamdulilah.  It was again another chance to talk with the kids about the battles that happened there between the early Muslims, early Muhajjirin and the Kuffar who came to attack.  It was hard for them to get a grip of the scenario as the kids were struggling just walking because of the rocky terrains. But they enjoyed seeing the small modest homes surrounded by dozens of goats, chickens and kids running around with lollipops and such. I got the impression that these people living in this valley like strip probably didn’t have too much money. Could be wrong though. So, my husband tried explaining to the older girls of how the spot we were in was where the Mumineen had brought Rasullilah(as) when he got hurt and pointed out an area where there was once water that Ali(ra) brought water from to wash down Rasullilah’s (as) face that was injured.  Check this out for more details on the Battle of Uhud amongst others: http://www.anwary-islam.com/battle/ghazwah_uhud.htm Prophet Muhammad, (sal’Allahu Alayhee wa’salam) said,  

“Uhud is a mountain that loves us and is loved by us.”

 Taken from that link, it explains: “Some scholars say that what is meant in the above hadith is the mountain of Uhud itself. The latter quote the following Qur’ainc verse to support their opinion,

“And others (rocks) which sink for fear of Allah.    (Al-Baqrah: 74)”

Truly there’s so much richness here in Madinah, and I’ve never really been into history, it was one of my most dreaded subjects in school growing up. But now that I am older, and that it’s Islamic history whether it’s about geology or battles I am intrigued. Maybe the pull is, is that I am in Madinah now too, so it’s not so extraneous. But then again, growing up in the US, I was there and yet I just couldn’t get into it. Hmm, Ill stop here. May Allah increase our desire to learn and live for Allah, and Allah alone. For that is the only reason of our existence whether we admit it or ignore it. and ALLAH Knows Best.