Mumbai Terrorists Succeed

The Mumbai terror attacks have left some deep scars. In terms of numbers, perhaps more Pakistanis are dying every day; but as it is, Mumbai is turning out to be more significant. India and Pakistan are back to rhetoric, and indeed, back from the brink of a war! Progress made in the past few years are gone in a few days. That event is tending to divide the Muslims and the Hindus in India.  Many Muslims are apologetic about crimes that they did not participate in, and had nothing to do with except as a victim. Pakistani seems to have become an abuse. (Not so long ago Obama was “smeared” by the horribly offensive term- “Muslim,” against which he rightfully protested; but did not do the right thing by saying- “(No I’m not), but why would that be a bad thing?.”) We have these beer drinking terrorists- who they are, what they want we do not know. We have these people who are confused. We have other political entities who benefit from our loss and others’ loss. The terrorists seem to have won the battle. We have to win the war.

Du’a is the least we can do. Today, as three million Muslims stand at Mecca, we can make du’a for ourselves, and make du’a for them, and for everybody in the Ummah, and for every person in the whole wide world.

Eid Wishes, y’all.

[Image courtesy: Ron Gonzalez]

New Opportunities

Organic, (via brother Naeem)

 “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah then these ten days – i.e., ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah).” They said: “O Messenger of Allaah, not even jihad for the sake of Allaah?” He said: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allaah, unless a man goes out himself with his wealth and does not come back with anything (i.e., he expends all his wealth and is martyred).” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 969. (source).

What to do if you aren’t performing Hajj or Umrah this year?

1) Fast the first nine days:
“The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast nine days of Dhu’l-Hijjah and the day of ‘Ashoora’ and three days of each month – the first Monday and two Thursdays.” Narrated by Imam Ahmad, 21829; Abu Dawood, 2437; classed as da’eef in Nasab al-Raayah, 2/180, but classed as saheeh by al-Albaani.”

Brother Naeem:

 Today marks the first of the 12th month, Dhul-Hijjah, of the Islamic calendar. It has been reported that while the last 10 nights of Ramadan are the most blessed nights of the year, these first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah are the most blessed days.

Fast, Pray, and Worship all you can.

[Image courtesy: la_imagen]

Lady Evelyn Cobbald – First British Muslimah to perform Hajj?

Rhyme and Reason links to a very interesting article on a British-born Muslim lady’s Hajj pilgrimage in 1933:

Lady Evelyn Cobbald achieved celebrity at age 65, in 1933, when she became the first British-born Muslim woman to perform the pilgrimage to Makkah. She was a Scottish aristocrat, a grandmother and a Mayfair socialite, and an accomplished deerstalker, angler and gardener, and, uniquely, she was both a Muslim and an Arabic-speaker. Yet the story of her colorful career has been overlooked, as has her contribution to the literature of the Hajj. Nor has she been studied for what her life has to say about being a Muslim in a western society.

She was not born into a Muslim family, yet Lady Evelyn claimed to have been a Muslim from as early as she could remember.

Continue reading this fascinating account here ..

The Ruins of Hira

Yursil shares photographs from the Cave of Hira, littered with graffiti and garbage. While the site may not be considered a “holy site” of any sort, it is certainly an extremely historic site, as the location of the first revelations of the Quran. Forgetting Hira is to forget an important part of our history.

However, few places are mentioned as often in childrens tales as the Cave of Hira at Jabl al-Nur (Mountain of Light). Even these people with confused ideologies find their hearts drawn to the stories of the cave. What would it be like to see that cave, pray where the Prophet (S) first received Quran?

Recently family members have come back from Umrah and took some pictures of the situation of the cave.

During my own climb up the Mountain of Light to the Cave of Hira, nearly 10 years ago, I recall a man in the cave who would dress you up in traditional Arab garb and take a picture of you pretending to make du’a – just five riyyals! It offended me that such a historical site would be exploited for business, with the act of prayer also being mocked. I’m not sure what is more offensive; that we are selling our history for money, or that we are selling it for so cheap.

Footsteps to Hajj

The Footsteps to Paradise organization has created a website to share inspirational stories, tips, and anecdotes pertaining to Hajj.

This blog is dedicated exclusively to topics related to Hajj. We will try to supply you with helpful information as well as stories, poems, and videos. That which is helpful comes from Allah. Any mistakes are our own; may Allah forgive us. Please keep your comments on topic and respectful of others.

Masjid Haram and Madinah Expansion Plans

Darul-Ishaat has collected a number of models and mockups of expansion and renovation plans in and around the Haramain.

The projects, including expansion of the mosque’s northern courtyard and construction of residential towers, are aimed at providing more housing and prayer facilities for pilgrims.

The projects include the SR12 billion Jabal Omar residential towers, one of the largest ventures aimed at developing areas surrounding the Holy Haram. Spread over an area of 230,000 square meters, the project includes five-star hotels, commercial centers and prayer facilities for 200,000 worshippers.

Other projects dedicated by the Crown Prince were: Development of Ajyad General Hospital, which is located close to the mosque, and construction of another road to Haram parallel to the existing road from the Jeddah-Makkah Expressway. The new five-km road, to be named after King Abdul-Aziz, is designed to benefit pilgrims.

Hajj & the Blight of the Black Dots!

Okay, so it sounds like I’m linking to a straight-to-DVD, B-movie horror film with that title – but the thought of sharing a bathroom with two million strangers is enough to give anyone the shivers… Anyhoo, this post by IlmFruits reminds us why we should always concentrate on the positive – especially during Hajj:

Take a look at the following picture. What do you see?

Most people will say they see the black dot. Not the whole field of white dots.

Thats people for you! Despite all the white dots around usour health, wealth, youth, our household, our family, our fine clothingwe only see the black dots… But one of the main ways to increase the quality of your Hajj is to focus on the white dots, not the black dots. Because Allah will test youguaranteedin ways you cannot imagine.