₦airaland Forum

A good thread, sitting back and enjoying the thread. I love my brothers and sisters here!

On the day the Quraysh caravan was nearing Basra, [21] Bahira, a devout monk, caught sight of it through his monastry's window. He observed the caravan shaded by a little cloud that kept pace with it.



Bahira came out of his monastry, stood in a corner and instructed his servant, `Go and tell them that today they are all my guests'.



All came to him but the Prophet, who was standing beside the property and equipment of the caravan. Seeing that the cloud had ceased to move, Bahira asked his guests, `Are all the members of the caravan present here?' They answered, `All but a youth who is the youngest'. Bahira said, `Tell him to come as well'. So he was asked to come to the monk's room. The keen eyes of Bahira noticed that the cloud over his head moved with him. Taken by surprise, Bahira kept staring at the young boy. When the meal was over, the pious monk told him, `I have a question to ask you and you must swear by Lat and `Uzza [22] to answer my question'.



Muhammad said, `These two you have asked me to swear by are the most detestable things to me'. Bahira said, `Swear by Allah to answer my question'.



He said, `Ask your question'.



After a short interview with him, Bahira knelt down before him and started kissing his hands and feet, saying, `If I live till you start your divine mission, I will most faithfully aid you and fight your enemies. You are superior to all of Adam's offspring, '.



Then he asked, `Whose son is this youth?' The caravan members pointed to Abu Talib, saying, `His son'. Bahira said, `No. His father must be dead!'



Abu Talib said, `You are right. He is my nephew'. Bahira then said, `This youth will have a brilliant, extraordinary future. If the Jews find out what I have realized about him, they will destroy him. Take great care lest the Jews should hurt him'.



Abu Talib said, `What is he destined to do? What have the Jews to do with him?' Bahira said, `He is predestined to become a Prophet, and the angel of inspiration will come down and make divine revelations to him'. Abu Talib said, `God will not leave him alone and will Himself protect him against the Jews and his malevolent enemies'.

Islam is the way! All prophets including Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Jacob, Jesus, Muhammad were muslims. Islam is the only acceptable from God. Accept Quran as a syllabus for your life. Mo n pariwo ooooo

Applications are not even allowed. The hogwash CV remains invalid.

There is no gainsay in the facts that other muslims who have been contributing are doing great job. People like Chakula, Lagosboy, Nopuqeater,Abuzola etc. Kindly open the thread titled 10 main reasons why Jesus is not God. U have really done a good job. May Allah reward u with goodness. Am sure, haters of ur thread are still carefully going thru it, perhaps for months,but surely, coming to trade insults instead of confirming the truth.

Congrats Bro LagosBoy. Your posts amazed me most times

A lady's case is just too pathetic

Question: What is the ruling regarding acts of jihaad by means of suicide, such as attaching explosives to a car and storming the enemy, whereby he knows without a doubt that he shall die as a result of this action?

Response: Indeed, my opinion is that he is regarded as one who has killed himself (committed suicide), and as a result he shall be punished in Hell, for that which is authenticated on the authority of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam).

[((Indeed, whoever (intentionally) kills himself, then certainly he will be punished in the Fire of Hell, wherein he shall dwell forever)), [Bukhaaree (5778) and Muslim (109 and 110)]].

However, one who is ignorant and does not know, and assumes his action was good and pleasing to Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala), then we hope Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) forgives him for that which he did out of (ignorant) ijtihaad, even though I do not find any excuse for him in the present day. This is because this type of suicide is well known and widespread amongst the people, so it is upon the person to ask the people of knowledge (scholars) regarding it, until the right guidance for him is differentiated from the error.

And from that which is surprising, is that these people kill themselves despite Allaah having fordbidden this, as He (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) says:

{And do not kill yourselves. Surely, Allaah is Most Merciful to you}, [Soorah an-Nisaa., Aayah 29].

And many amongst them do not desire anything except revenge of the enemy, by whatever means, be it halaal or haraam. So they only want to satisfy their thirst for revenge.

We ask Allaah to bless us with foresight in His Deen and action(s) which please Him, indeed He is all Powerful over all things.

Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen
Kayfa Nu'aalij Waaqi'unaa al-Aleem - Page 119

Although fighting is a process wherein the people are killed or injured, the Prophet – peace be upon him – has legislated to his people supreme morals and principles governing the manners of the Muslim fighter and imposing severe punishments on the violators in the current life and the hereafter. Accordingly, the holy fighting should not be used except under the permissible means and the fair methods. Safwan Bin Assal – May Allah be pleased with him – said: (The Prophet – peace be upon him has sent me with a brigade and said: Start Fight in the name of Allah The Almighty and don't exceed the proper bounds and don't be treacherous…)) (1)?

Yahia Bin Saeed said: Abu Bakr – May Allah be pleased with him – has sent the armies to Al-Sham and told Yazid Bin Abi Sufian the following: (I have ten commandments to you: Don't destroy inhabited places, don't kill sheep or camels except for eating, don't sink palms or burn it, don't exaggerate, don't be coward, don't kill children, women, or old people, don't cut fruitful trees) (2).

In another narration he said: (You will pass by people who dedicated their time for hermitages, don't bother them). These texts and the other Islamic military rules established by the Prophet comprised the moral principles of war, such as:

1. Dedication and neutrality concerning the actual objectives of the war and leave any thing related to the hatred, treachery, revenge or retaliation.

2- Keep the environment and avoid spoiling the land such as burning trees and killing the animals except when necessary.

3- Not confronting the non-warriors such as the women, children and the old people.

4- Religious forgiveness, respecting the sacred places of the others, not killing the priests or ministers unless they fight Muslims or support fighting the Muslims and avoid their churches and worship places.

Walahu A'lam

May Allah reward them all.

Maybe a new scientific discovery. How would he preserve it in the first place. i guess the man should throw a coconut rice party after his discovery becomes valid.

@poster. Peace be unto u. hope everyone can join the discourse?

@alimat2 thumbs up!

@nuella2 and littlewhenindoubt. From darkness to light. Qur chapter 17 says 'the truth has come, falsehood has vanished. Verily, falsehood is bound to vanish'.Quran has answered u in the most distinct terms.

If christianity doesn't work for why not try the supreme alternative, ISLAM!

If u try some and didn't work, try the supreme one! do exactly as sweetnecta said. You will know that Muhammad brought the world solution from the Lord of the world.

@lagoshia. pls wait for your time.

One man named Mr Younus Madolla from Mauritius sent 21k to the poor in Nigeria in year 2009. He did this after his coming to Nigeria on business trip. Alhamdulilah, Allah granted him last pilgrimage with his family. There is still khair in the hummah though most those that are obliged to do are sleeping, some ignore it while other don't know its importance. This reminds me a question that a lecturer asked yesterday. He asked the listeners 'how many sick did u visit last month?' Everybod was looking and most scholars agree that is sunatul-mu'aqada. Salam

They need to read time management in the life of a muslim!

The truth has come and the falsehood has vanished. Falsehood is bound to vanish. Juses was not God either u like it or not! Can a christian actually state clearly if Jesus was god, or son of God.

What do people really want to gain from putting up issues?

Salam alaikum brothers and sisters. This topic is posted for reading and understanding the virtues of the month of Muharram. I implore everyone to contribute if there is anything missing out or there is something important that ought to be added.

Respected brothers and sisters, don't let us make this an avenue to throw issues that won't be controlled neither do we need to scold anyone with different perspective. We can intelligently make corrections and leave the issue when the person being corrected seems to be dogged, obdurate and arrogant.

May Allah forgive each and everyone of us and reward us with the little we are trying to contribute.

INTRODUCTION


With the sighting of the new moon the Islamic new year is ushered in. The first month Muharram, is a month of great reward and virtue. Muharram itself means `sacred' and is from those months which have been mentioned as sacred in the Holy Quraan.
Almighty Allah states in the Holy Quraan:
"Four of them ( Zil-Qadah, Zil-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab) are sacred."
(Surah At-Tawbah:36)

Virtues

From out of the four sacred months, Muharram has been blessed with certain specific virtues:-
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said:
"The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadhan is the fasting of Allah's month of Muharram."
(Muslim)


In another Hadeeth, Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) reports: "that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said: "The one that keeps a fast in the month of Muharram will receive the reward of thirty fasts for each fast (in this sacred month)."

(Tabraani)

Although the fasts of the month of Muharram are not obligatory, the one who fasts in these days out of his own will and choice is entitled to a great reward by Almighty Allah. The Hadith citied above signifies that the fasts of the month of Muharram are the most rewardable among the Nafl fasts i.e. the fasts one observes out of his own choice without being obligatory on him.

The Hadith does not mean that the reward promised for fasts of Muharram can only be attained by fasting for the whole month. On the contrary, each fast during this month has merit. Therefore, one should take advantage of this opportunity.

The Day of Aashora (10th Muharram)

Although the month of Muharram is a sacred month as a whole, the 10 th of Muharram is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named ‘Ashurah'. It is one of the most important and blessed days of Allah in the Islamic calendar.

According to the Holy companion, Ibn Abbas Radhiallaho Anhu, when the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam migrated to Madinah, he found that the Jews of Madinah used to fast on the 10 th day of Muharram. They said that it was the day on which the Holy Prophet Musa Alayhis Salaam and his followers crossed the Red Sea miraculously, and the Pharaoh was drowned in its water. On hearing this from the Jews, the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam said, “We are more closely related to Musa than you.” So the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam directed the Muslims to fast on the day of Ashura. (Abu Dawood)

According to another Hadith, it is more advisable that the fast of Ashura should be either preceeded or suceded by an additional fast. It means that one should fast two days: the 9 th and 10 th of Muharram or the 10 th and 11 th . The reason of this additional fast as mentioned by the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam is that the Jews used to fast on the day of Ashura alone, and the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam wanted to distinguish the Islmaic-way of fasting from that of the Jews. Therefore, he advised the Muslims to add another fast to the day of Ashura.

Some Ulama (scholars) are of the opinion that before the fasts of Ramadhan were made compulsory, the fast of the day of Aashora was compulsory upon the Ummah.

This is stated in a Hadeeth reported by Hazrat Aisha (Radhiyallahu-Anha):
"that the Holy Prophet Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) ordered the observance of the fast of Aashora. However, when the fast of Ramadhan became compulsory, then whosoever wished, kept this fast and whosoever desired did not observe this fast."
(Bukhari)

But, nevertheless the Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) continued to fast this day and encouraged his Companions to do the same.


Recommended deeds on the day of Aashora

The Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) has exhorted and encouraged his Ummah to fast on this day. He said:
"This fast is a compensation for the (minor) sins of the past year."
(Muslim)

One should also observe the fast of the 9th Muharram to safeguard his deed from resemblance with the Non-Muslims who fast only on the 10th Muharram.

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) said:
"When Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) observed the fast of the day of Aashora and ordered (his Companions) to fast, they said: `O Rasulullah! It is a day revered (glorified) by the Jews and Christians.' Thereupon Rasulullah said: "The coming year, if Allah wills (I remain alive), I will for surely fast on the ninth (also)."
(Muslim)

These Ahadeeth indicate clearly that one should fast on the ninth and tenth of Muharram. However, if one does not manage to fast on the ninth, then he/she should fast on the eleventh of Muharram instead.

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said:
"Observe the fast of Aashora and oppose the Jews. Fast a day before it or a day after."
(Baihaqi)

Hence, it is important to either fast on the ninth and the tenth or the tenth and the eleventh of Muharram. To fast only on the day of Aashora is Makrooh as stated by Allamah Ibn Aabideen Shaami.

One should be generous on one's family and dependants and spend more on them than what is normally spent.
Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said:
"One who generously spends on his family on the day of Aashora, Allah will increase (his provision) for the whole year." (Baihaqi)

These are the only actions supported by Ahadeeth.

Let us observe this great day according to the ways of Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) and the Sahabah (Radhiyallahu-Anhum), and refrain from all innovations which deprive us of the blessings from Almighty Allah.

May Allah guide us all upon the Straight Path and save us from every act which brings His displeasure.
Ameen.




Walahu A'lam

INTRODUCTION


With the sighting of the new moon the Islamic new year is ushered in.  The first month Muharram, is a month of great reward and virtue.  Muharram itself means `sacred' and is from those months which have been mentioned as sacred in the Holy Quraan.
Almighty Allah states in the Holy Quraan:
"Four of them ( Zil-Qadah, Zil-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab) are sacred."
(Surah At-Tawbah:36)

Virtues

From out of the four sacred months, Muharram has been blessed with certain specific virtues:-
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said:
"The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadhan is the fasting of Allah's month of Muharram."
(Muslim)


In another Hadeeth, Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) reports: "that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said: "The one that keeps a fast in the month of Muharram will receive the reward of thirty fasts for each fast (in this sacred month)."

(Tabraani)

Although the fasts of the month of Muharram are not obligatory, the one who fasts in these days out of his own will and choice is entitled to a great reward by Almighty Allah. The Hadith citied above signifies that the fasts of the month of Muharram are the most rewardable among the Nafl fasts i.e. the fasts one observes out of his own choice without being obligatory on him.

The Hadith does not mean that the reward promised for fasts of Muharram can only be attained by fasting for the whole month. On the contrary, each fast during this month has merit. Therefore, one should take advantage of this opportunity.

The Day of Aashora (10th Muharram)

Although the month of Muharram is a sacred month as a whole, the 10 th of Muharram is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named ‘Ashurah'.  It is one of the most important and blessed days of Allah in the Islamic calendar.

According to the Holy companion, Ibn Abbas Radhiallaho Anhu, when the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam migrated to Madinah, he found that the Jews of Madinah used to fast on the 10 th day of Muharram. They said that it was the day on which the Holy Prophet Musa Alayhis Salaam and his followers crossed the Red Sea miraculously, and the Pharaoh was drowned in its water. On hearing this from the Jews, the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam said, “We are more closely related to Musa than you.” So the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam directed the Muslims to fast on the day of Ashura. (Abu Dawood)

According to another Hadith, it is more advisable that the fast of Ashura should be either preceeded or suceded by an additional fast. It means that one should fast two days: the 9 th and 10 th of Muharram or the 10 th and 11 th . The reason of this additional fast as mentioned by the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam is that the Jews used to fast on the day of Ashura alone, and the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam wanted to distinguish the Islmaic-way of fasting from that of the Jews. Therefore, he advised the Muslims to add another fast to the day of Ashura.

Some Ulama (scholars) are of the opinion that before the fasts of Ramadhan were made compulsory, the fast of the day of Aashora was compulsory upon the Ummah.

This is stated in a Hadeeth reported by Hazrat Aisha (Radhiyallahu-Anha):
"that the Holy Prophet Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) ordered the observance of the fast of Aashora.  However, when the fast of Ramadhan became compulsory, then whosoever wished, kept this fast and whosoever desired did not observe this fast."
(Bukhari)

  But, nevertheless the Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) continued to fast this day and encouraged his Companions to do the same.


Recommended deeds on the day of Aashora

The Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) has exhorted and encouraged his Ummah to fast on this day. He said:
"This fast is a compensation for the (minor) sins of the past year."
(Muslim)

  One should also observe the fast of the 9th Muharram to safeguard his deed from resemblance with the Non-Muslims who fast only on the 10th Muharram.

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) said:
"When Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) observed the fast of the day of Aashora and ordered (his Companions) to fast, they said: `O Rasulullah! It is a day revered (glorified) by the Jews and Christians.'    Thereupon Rasulullah said: "The coming year, if Allah wills (I remain alive), I will for surely fast on the ninth (also)."
(Muslim)

  These Ahadeeth indicate clearly that one should fast on the ninth and tenth of Muharram. However, if one does not manage to fast on the ninth, then he/she should fast on the eleventh of Muharram instead.

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said:
"Observe the fast of Aashora and oppose the Jews.  Fast a day before it or a day after."
(Baihaqi)

  Hence, it is important to either fast on the ninth and the tenth or the tenth and the eleventh of Muharram.  To fast only on the day of Aashora is Makrooh as stated by Allamah Ibn Aabideen Shaami.

One should be generous on one's family and dependants and spend more on them than what is normally spent.
Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said:
"One who generously spends on his family on the day of Aashora, Allah will increase (his provision) for the whole year." (Baihaqi)

These are the only actions supported by Ahadeeth.

Let us observe this great day according to the ways of Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) and the Sahabah (Radhiyallahu-Anhum), and refrain from all innovations which deprive us of the blessings from Almighty Allah.

May Allah guide us all upon the Straight Path and save us from every act which brings His displeasure.
Ameen.




Walahu A'lam

I nominate CHAKULA.

allahu akbar! allahu akbar! allahu akbar! lailaha ila lah

Amin thuma amin

Alhamdulilah. May Allah reward you brother. Believe your last response will make me sleep well tonight In sha Allah. Greetings to your family.

Well u don't eed to know the sect that I belong. You may see me as someone who is attacking u but am not. One of the best threads and messages I love to read on this site is yours and i will continue to do that In sha Allah. I always feel dejected and unhappy when i see muslims in this mood. All am saying is peace peace peace for Allah's sake. You have said yours, agreed! The real message has been communicated to everybody. Let anyone who cares to hold firm to the message do that. We all heard it, saw it and read it. Yours is to tell, explain which you have done and to understand and to agree belongs to Allah. U are a good brother to me. I hope my message is clear! Allah will ask and judge me base on my intention of saying this. Peace be unto u.

Assalam alaykum! I wish address muslim brothers and sisters in this forum. May Allah save us from discrimination, hatred, differences, and ideological segregation. So far we still pronounce Tashahud, we are muslims and that should be a unifying factor regardless of d sect you belong. Let us not exhibit d habit of saying heinous things about other sect or throwing words dt we know abuse their ideologies. A sunni should leave the issue of someone casting aspersions at Aisha or AbuBakr neither should a shia reiterate this issue. The issue of Imam Mahdi should be left to his creator and the issue of the 4 Imams should be left alone. If anyone believes in Quran only, why can't you leave him instead of creating issues and enmity amidst ourselves here. Instead of us to keep up our calling people to Islam, we keep on throwing ideological punches. Allah is our creator. He knows the truth and knows d falsehood. Let Him decide the matter. Abuzola i love u, Uplawal i love u, Mukinat, Sweetnect etc. May Allah be with us.

I don't think the poster is a muslim from all indications. A muslim must not separate the Holy Book from the Prophet that brought. I will just take a verse you have quoted above and analyze it perhaps you only know English but don't understand English. Qur 17 vs 78 ' Perform Solat from midday till the darkness of the night.( If you want to go by the ordinary meaning of this verse, you have to pray from the midday till the darkness of the night appears which automatically implies you have nothing to do again in this life other than to observe prayers, non stop! You that are looking for making 5 prayers 3 will never like that. ' From the range (midday till darkness), which prayers are we talking about? Obviously Zhur, Asr, Maghrib, Ishai. You may ask me i do i know. I know this because the person that was sent to me , (Muhammad(SAW)), told me and practicalized it. Henceforth, if you believe they are only 3 prayers are given to us then you don't believe what u quoted above, you don't believe in the messenger.

AMIN thumma AMIN. If all the religious factions, islamic countries re-unite, we can rule the world for centuries ma sha Allah. The problems the islamic community is facing is a function of our disunity. Most of our leaders are flagrantly disobeying the Creator, just like the Yoruba adage says "Aikoworin omo ejo, ni n diya je ejo" i.e the disunity amongst the snake species make them suffer. If mamba leads the front, cobra follows suit, together with anaconda, no one would like to dare them. In other words, if Syria leads the front, Turkey follows suit, and Iran coming behind them, no one would like to look into the muslim faces.

Alsalaamu alaikum Brothers and sisters,
>
>May Allah swt give us the taufeeq to bring His ummah into unity and true
>brotherhood, ameen, ameen, ameen. Please read below.
>
>
>>Friday sermon stirs millions in Makkah
>>By SIRAJ WAHAB | ARAB NEWS
>>Published: Nov 13, 2010 00:17 Updated: Nov 13, 2010 00:17
>>MAKKAH: About two million pilgrims listened with rapt attention to Imam Abdul
>>Rahman Al-Sudais’ soul-stirring 40-minute sermon on Friday from the Grand Mosque
>>in Makkah. The sermon was carried live on state television and many Arab,
>>African and Asian television stations. On many occasions during the sermon the
>>congregation was reduced to tears as the imam spoke about the tough times that
>>Islam faces in these critical times.
>>
>>Calling for the liberation of Palestine, Al-Sudais said now is the time for
>>Palestinian factions to bury their differences.
>>
>>“These differences have only added to the miseries of our brothers and sisters
>>in Palestine. This inhuman blockade has made life hellish for them. Now is the
>>time for Muslim countries to unify their ranks and liberate Palestinians from
>>the shackles of this inhuman bondage,” he said. “All differences among regional
>>countries should be and can be resolved in the true spirit of Islam. The best
>>example of our unity is this congregation in which every Muslim from every
>>corner is united through the love of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
>>and the Holy Qur’an.”
>>
>>Al-Sudais described Palestine as the single biggest problem confronting the
>>nation of Islam.
>>
>>“Every day brings a new form of misery for them,” he said, breaking down in
>>tears. “O Allah, unite all Muslim nations.”
>>
>>The congregation responded with a vociferous “Aameen.”
>>The imam repeatedly stressed the value of unity. “Our divisions have given our
>>adversaries the ruse to exploit us. We are fragmented despite being in such a
>>large number. Unity is the key to our well-being. The message of Haj is unity.
>>Let us pray for the unification of Muslims throughout the planet.”
>>
>>The imam also stressed the need for hope and optimism with trust in Allah at all
>>times of adversity. He quoted the Holy Qur’an: “And never give up hope in God’s
>>soothing mercy: Truly no one despairs of God’s soothing mercy except those who
>>have no faith.”
>>
>>Al-Sudais congratulated the pilgrims for undertaking the most important journey
>>of their lives. “This was your lifelong dream. You always wanted to be here. You
>>always wanted to carry out this important task of Haj. Well, here you are in the
>>holy land. You are lucky. It is all due to the blessings of Allah the Almighty.
>>I congratulate you. From here you should take the most important message of
>>Islam and that is tawheed (the oneness of Allah).”
>>
>>Referring to Iraq, he said the cycle of unending wars has destroyed that nation.
>>“Again, it is the lack of unity and petty issues that have been responsible for
>>the tragedy in Iraq,” he said.
>>
>>Al-Sudais thanked the Saudi leadership, led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques
>>King Abdullah, for landmark projects to provide ease and comfort to the pilgrims
>>during the various rituals of Haj.
>>
>>“The train services for pilgrims that go into operation this year are a
>>remarkable achievement. May Allah protect this leadership, and may He grant them
>>long life,” he said.
>>
>>The Makkah Metro is ready to service pilgrims during this Haj. Saudi Arabia has
>>poured billions of riyals into various infrastructure projects in Makkah, Mina
>>and Arafat. The cost of such projects has never been passed onto the pilgrims.
>>
>>Al-Sudais also paid rich tribute to all those Saudis who have dedicated
>>themselves into the service of pilgrims. “You deserve congratulations for
>>helping the guests of God. Allah has bestowed this rare honor on you to help the
>>pilgrims, and you have not let the pilgrims down. May Allah keep you safe.”
>>
>>“I've never experienced such calmness,” retired Nigerian military officer Salisu
>>Ali said of Al-Sudais’ sermon. “I don’t speak Arabic nor do I understand it, but
>>the verses that he was quoting from the Qur’an are all too familiar to us. And I
>>could understand in what context he was quoting them. I couldn’t control my
>>tears because everyone was crying. The sheikh moved us all.”
>>
>>An aged Pakistani woman, Begum Jahanara Sarwat, said she never felt such peace.
>
>>“We keep hearing all these bad stories and depressing events," she said.
>>"However, today I did not feel weak at all. Why should I? We are this many
>>people,” she added as she gestured to the throng of faithful. “Is it possible
>>for our enemies to destroy us? These are momentary setbacks, my son. Don’t lose
>>hope. Allah se acche ki ummeed rakho (Expect good from Allah)."
>>
>>Every corner of the Grand Mosque was filled by pilgrims as early as 10 a.m. even
>>though the time for Friday prayer was scheduled for 12:05 p.m. The relatively
>>hot weather did not deter the pilgrims from performing the prayer on roads and
>>in alleyways surrounding the mosque.
>>
>>The congregation thinned an hour after the prayer, and outside the mosque
>>pigeons fluttered past the minarets and swooped down on any vacant space
>>available in the mosque’s massive courtyard.
>>
>>Spirituality combined with anxiety was evident on many pilgrims’ faces. With
>>just 24 hours remaining before pilgrims begin the trek to the valley of Mina in
>>the first leg of the five-day journey, the pilgrims’ minds are clearly focused
>>on the rituals that they will perform in fulfillment of their obligations.
>>
>>“We are a little anxious. Being in Makkah is an overwhelming experience," said
>>Syed Abbas, an elderly Indian man making his first pilgrimage.
>>
>> "There are so many people here. We come from a small town. Even performing
>>circumambulation or tawaf is a big task." © 2010 Arab News
>>