بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Assalamu Alaikum.

(Here are Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ,8, 9 and 10.)

Alhamdulillah, this is the last part of this series and it includes a range of topics including Madinah, Masjid An-Nabawi and Masjid Al-Aqsa.

Hope you enjoy it.

HAJJ AND IBRAHIM (ALAIHISSALAAM) 

Hajj is always connected with Ibrahim (alaihissalaam) but it was only after working on the last few parts of this series, that I realised just how MUCH Hajj is connected to him.

It was known that the pagans used to do both Hajj and Umrah prior to Islam.

عَنْ جَابِرٍ، قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَعْرِضُ نَفْسَهُ بِالْمَوْقِفِ فَقَالَ ‏ :‏ أَلاَ رَجُلٌ يَحْمِلُنِي إِلَى قَوْمِهِ فَإِنَّ قُرَيْشًا قَدْ مَنَعُونِي أَنْ أُبَلِّغَ كَلاَمَ رَبِّي ‏‏ ‏

 عن أَبي هُرَيْرَة، قَالَ بَعَثَنِي أَبُو بَكْرٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ فِيمَنْ يُؤَذِّنُ يَوْمَ النَّحْرِ بِمِنًى لاَ يَحُجُّ بَعْدَ الْعَامِ مُشْرِكٌ، وَلاَ يَطُوفُ بِالْبَيْتِ عُرْيَانٌ‏.‏ وَيَوْمُ الْحَجِّ الأَكْبَرِ يَوْمُ النَّحْرِ، وَإِنَّمَا قِيلَ الأَكْبَرُ مِنْ أَجْلِ قَوْلِ النَّاسِ الْحَجُّ الأَصْغَرُ‏.‏ فَنَبَذَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ إِلَى النَّاسِ فِي ذَلِكَ الْعَامِ، فَلَمْ يَحُجَّ عَامَ حَجَّةِ الْوَدَاعِ الَّذِي حَجَّ فِيهِ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مُشْرِكٌ‏

رَّبَّنَا إِنِّي أَسْكَنتُ مِن ذُرِّيَّتِي بِوَادٍ غَيْرِ ذِي زَرْعٍ عِندَ بَيْتِكَ الْمُحَرَّمِ رَبَّنَا لِيُقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ فَاجْعَلْ أَفْئِدَةً مِّنَ النَّاسِ تَهْوِي إِلَيْهِمْ وَارْزُقْهُم مِّنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَشْكُرُونَ

The pilgrim does the following acts in Hajj and Umrah:

1.Assume ihram before crossing the Meeqat

One cannot go to Makkah without ihram if one intends to do Hajj and Umrah. One of the wisdoms behind the Meeqat was mentioned in Part 5 of this series. It had to do with fortifying the Haram (Sanctuary). Interestingly enough, the one who made Makkah a sanctuary was Ibrahim (alahissalaam).

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ : أَنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَرَّمَ مَكَّةَ، وَدَعَا لَهَا، وَحَرَّمْتُ الْمَدِينَةَ كَمَا حَرَّمَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ مَكَّةَ، وَدَعَوْتُ لَهَا فِي مُدِّهَا وَصَاعِهَا، مِثْلَ مَا دَعَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ ـ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ ـ لِمَكَّةَ ‏

Narrated Abdullah ibn Zaid (radiallahu anhu): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Ibrahim made Makkah a sanctuary, and asked for Allah’s blessing in it. I made Madinah a sanctuary as Ibrahim made Makkah a sanctuary and I asked for Allah’s Blessing in its measures the Mudd and the Saa as Ibrahim (alaihissalaam) did for Makkah. [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Hadeeth No. 339]

2. Say the Talbiyah

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ أَنَّ تَلْبِيَةَ، رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ‏

Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar (radiallahu anhu): The Talbiya of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was : ‘Labbaika Allahumma labbaik, Labbaika la sharika Laka labbaik, Inna-l-hamda wan-nimata Laka walmulk, La sharika Lak (I respond to Your call O Allah, I respond to Your call, and I am obedient to Your orders, You have no partner, I respond to Your call All the praises and blessings are for You, All the sovereignty is for You, And You have no partners with you. [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadeeth No. 621]

As mentioned in Part 5, the first part of the Talbiyah is “I respond to your call O Allah” which is a response to the call of Ibrahim (alaihissalaam).

وَأَذِّن فِي النَّاسِ بِالْحَجِّ يَأْتُوكَ رِ‌جَالًا وَعَلَىٰ كُلِّ ضَامِرٍ‌ يَأْتِينَ مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍ

And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj). [Surah Al-Hajj (22) : 27]

Then he (Ibn Abbas) said: Do you know how the Talbiyah came about? I (Abu Tufail said)said: How did it come about? He said: When Ibrahim was commanded to proclaim the Hajj to mankind, the mountains lowered their heads for him and the cities were raised up for him and he proclaimed the Hajj to mankind. [Musnad Ahmad, Hadeeth No. 2707. Shuaib Al-Arnaut pointed out that most of this narration has chains and evidence that strengthen it. More of this narration can be found in Part 10.]

3. Do Tawaf around the Kabah

According to one opinion, the Kabah was built by Ibrahim (alaihissalaam).

وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

“Our Lord! And make us submissive unto You and of our offspring a nation submissive unto You, and show us our Manasik (all the ceremonies of pilgrimage – Hajj and Umrah, etc.), and accept our repentance. Truly, You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful. [Surah Al-Baqarah (2) : 127]

Both Ibrahim (alaihissalaam) and Ismail (alaihissalaam) were ordered to purify the house. One reason for this was for those who did tawaf around it.

 وَإِذْ جَعَلْنَا الْبَيْتَ مَثَابَةً لِّلنَّاسِ وَأَمْنًا وَاتَّخِذُوا مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى ۖ وَعَهِدْنَا إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ أَن طَهِّرَا بَيْتِيَ لِلطَّائِفِينَ وَالْعَاكِفِينَ وَالرُّكَّعِ السُّجُودِ ‎

And (remember) when We made the House (the Kabah at Makkah) a place of resort for mankind and a place of safety. And take you (people) the Maqam (place) of Ibrahim [or the stone on which Ibrahim stood while he was building the Kabah] as a place of prayer (for some of your prayers, e.g. two Rakahs after the Tawaf of the Kabah at Makkah), and We commanded Ibrahim (Abraham) and Ismail that they should purify My House (the Kabah at Makkah) for those who are circumambulating it, or staying (Itikaf), or bowing or prostrating themselves (there, in prayer). [Surah Al-Baqarah (2) : 125]

The pagan Arabs used to do tawaf too (albeit naked as mentioned in Part 3) and they must have learnt this from Ibrahim (alaihissalaam) and Ismail (alaihissalaam).

As mentioned in Part 3, the pagans rebuilt the Kabah upon other than the foundations of Ibrahim (alaihissalaam) i.e. their Kabah was smaller than his Kabah. Only two of the corners of the rebuilt Kabah were upon the foundations of Ibrahim (alaihissalaam) and those are the only two corners that we are supposed to touch during tawaf.

عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ لاَ يَسْتَلِمُ إِلاَّ الْحَجَرَ وَالرُّكْنَ الْيَمَانِيَ

When Ibrahim (alaihissalaam) built the Kabah, he stood on a stone.

The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) added, “Then they raised the foundations of the House (i.e. the Kabah). Ismail brought the stones and Ibrahim was building, and when the walls became high, Ismail brought this stone and put it for Ibrahim who stood over it and carried on building, while Ismail was handing him the stones, and both of them were saying,

رَ‌بَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

“Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily! You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” [Surah Al-Baqarah (2) : 127]

[Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Hadeeth No. 583. The whole narration can be found in Part 3.]

The people were commanded to pray behind the stone which is referred to as Maqam Ibrahim.

 وَإِذْ جَعَلْنَا الْبَيْتَ مَثَابَةً لِّلنَّاسِ وَأَمْنًا وَاتَّخِذُوا مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى ۖ وَعَهِدْنَا إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ أَن طَهِّرَا بَيْتِيَ لِلطَّائِفِينَ وَالْعَاكِفِينَ وَالرُّكَّعِ السُّجُودِ ‎

And (remember) when We made the House (the Kabah at Makkah) a place of resort for mankind and a place of safety. And take you (people) the Maqam (place) of Ibrahim [or the stone on which Ibrahim stood while he was building the Kabah] as a place of prayer (for some of your prayers, e.g. two Rakahs after the Tawaf of the Kabah at Makkah), and We commanded Ibrahim (Abraham) and Ismail that they should purify My House (the Kabah at Makkah) for those who are circumambulating it, or staying (Itikaf), or bowing or prostrating themselves (there, in prayer). [Surah Al-Baqarah (2) : 125]

One needs to pray two rakahs behind Maqam Ibrahim after doing tawaf. After this, one is meant to drink some Zam Zam water.

عن جابر بن عبد الله أنَّ النَّبيَّ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسَلَّم رَمَلَ ثَلاثةَ أطْوافٍ مِن الحَجَرِ إلى الحَجَرِ، وصلَّى رَكعَتَينِ، ثُمَّ عادَ إلى الحَجَرِ، ثُمَّ ذَهَبَ إلى زَمزَمَ فشَرِبَ منها، وصَبَّ على رَأْسِه، ثُمَّ رَجَعَ فاستَلَمَ الرُّكنَ، ثُمَّ رَجَعَ إلى الصَّفا، فقال: أبْدأُ بما بَدَأَ اللهُ عزَّ وجلَّ به

Jaabir ibn Abdullah (radiallanhu anhuma): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) performed three rounds of Tawaf walking briskly (starting) from the Stone to the Stone (i.e. ending with it). He performed two units of prayer, returned to the Stone, then went to Zam Zam and drank from it and poured some over his head. Next, he returned and touched the corner, and then went to As-Safaa and said, “Begin with what Allah began with.” [Musnad Ahmad, Hadeeth No. 15243. Shuaib Al-Arnaut stated that its isnad (chain of narrators) was authentic upon the conditions of Muslim.]

As mentioned in Part 7, Zam Zam is connected to Haajar (radiallahu anha), the wife of Ibrahim (alaihissalaam).

فلماأشرَفَت على المروةِ سمعَت صوتاً فقالت: صَهٍ ـ تريدُ نفسَها ـ ثمَّ تسمَّعَتْ أيضاً فقالت: قد أسمعتَ إن كان عندَكَ غِواث، فإِذا هيَ بالملَكِ عند مَوضعِ زَمزم، فبَحَثَ بعَقِبهِ ـ أو قال بجَناحهِ ـ حتى ظهرَ الماءُ، فجعَلَت تَحُوضهُ وتقول بيدِها هكذا، وجَعلت تَغرِفُ منَ الماءِ في سِقائها وهوَ يَفورُ بعدما تَغرِفُ. قال ابنُ عباسٍ قال النبيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلّم: يَرحَمُ الله أمَّ إسماعيلَ لو تَرَكَت زمزَم ـ أو قال: لو لم تَغرِف منَ الماء ـ لكانت زمزمُ عَيناً مَعيناً.

When she reached the Marwah (for the last time) she heard a voice and she asked herself to be quiet and listened attentively. She heard the voice again and said, ‘O, (whoever you may be)! You have made me hear your voice; have you got something to help me?” And behold! She saw an angel at the place of Zam-Zam, digging the earth with his heel (or his wing), till water flowed from that place. She started to make something like a basin around it, using her hand in this way, and started filling her water-skin with water with her hands, and the water was flowing out after she had scooped some of it.”

The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) added, “May Allah bestow Mercy on Ismail’s mother! Had she let the Zam-Zam (flow without trying to control it) (or had she not scooped from that water) (to fill her water-skin), Zam-Zam would have been a stream flowing on the surface of the earth.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Hadeeth No. 583. This is only part of the hadeeth. The full story was mentioned in Part 3.]

4. Do Saee between As-Safa and Al-Marwah

Saee is connected to Haajar (radiallahu anha), the wife of Ibrahim (alaihissalaam).

وجَعَلت أمُّ إِسماعيلَ تُرضِعُ إِسماعيلَ وتَشربُ من ذلك الماء، حتى إِذا نَفِذَ ما في السِّقاءِ عَطِشَت وعطِش ابنُها، وجعَلَت تَنظُرُ إِليه يَتلوَّى ـ أو قال: يَتلبَّط ـ فانطَلَقَتْ كراهيةَ أن تَنظُرَ إِليه، فوَجدَتِ الصَّفا أقرَبَ جَبلٍ في الأرضِ يَليها، فقامَت عليهِ، ثمَّ استقبَلَتِ الوادِيَ تَنظُرُ هل تَرَى أحداً، فلم تَرَ أحداً، فهبَطَت مِنَ الصَّفا، حتى إِذا بلَغَتِ الواديَ رَفعَت طرَفَ دِرعِها، ثمَّ سَعَت سَعيَ الإنسانِ المجهودِ حتى جاوَزَتِ الواديَ، ثمَّ أتَتِ المرْوَةَ فقامت عليها فنظَرَت هل تَرَى أحداً، فلم تَرَ أحداً، ففعلت ذلك سبعَ مراتٍ. قال ابنُ عباسٍ قال النبيُّ: فذلك سعيُ الناسِ بينهما

Ismail’s mother went on suckling Ismail and drinking from the water (she had). When the water in the water-skin had all been used up, she became thirsty and her child also became thirsty. She started looking at him (i.e. Ismail) tossing in agony; She left him, for she could not endure looking at him, and found that the mountain of Safa was the nearest mountain to her on that land. She stood on it and started looking at the valley keenly so that she might see somebody, but she could not see anybody. Then she descended from Safa and when she reached the valley, she tucked up her robe and ran in the valley like a person in distress and trouble, till she crossed the valley and reached the Marwah mountain where she stood and started looking, expecting to see somebody, but she could not see anybody. She repeated that (running between Safa and Marwah) seven times.” The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wassalam) said, “This is the source of the tradition of the walking of people between them (i.e. Safa and Marwah).  [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Hadeeth No. 583. The whole narration can be found in Part 3.]

The men are supposed to run between the green markers in As-Safa and Al-Marwah. That is the sunnah of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). It might have some connection to Ibrahim (alaihissalaam) as well, as his wife ran between the mountains, and it seems he raced the devil between them.

 ذلك سُنَّةٌ؟ قال: صدَقوا، إنَّ إبراهيمَ لمَّا أُمِر بالمناسِكِ، عرَضَ له الشيطانُ عندَ المَسْعى فسابَقَه، فسبَقَه إبراهيمُ، ثم ذهَب به جِبْريلُ إلى جَمْرةِ العَقَبةِ، فعرَضَ له شيطانٌ -قال يونُسُ: الشيطانُ– فرماه بسبْعِ حَصَياتٍ، حتى ذهَب،

I [Abu Tufail] said [to Ibn Abbas]: And your people are claiming that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) trotted As-Safa and Al-Marwah and that this is the Sunnah. He said: They are telling the truth. When the rituals were enjoined upon Ibrahim, the Shaytaan (devil) appeared to him at the place of saee and started to race with him, but Ibrahim beat him to the race.  Then Jibreel (alaihissalaam) took him to Jamratul Aqabah, where a Shaytaan (devil) – Yoonus said: the Shaytaan (devil) – appeared to him, so he stoned him with seven pebbles until he went away. [Musnad Ahmad, Hadeeth No. 2707. Shuaib Al-Arnaut pointed out that most of this narration has chains and evidence that strengthen it. More of this narration can be found in Part 10.]

5. Going to Mina, Arafah and Muzdalifah for Hajj

In Mina, one stones the pillars and slaughters an animal, whereas Arafah and Muzdalifah are for the remembrance of Allah.

All of these have a connection to Ibrahim (alaihissalaam).

أَن يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ

قَدْ صَدَّقْتَ الرُّؤْيَا

The sacrifice of Ismail (alaihissalaam) is mentioned in more detail in Part 10.

As you can see from all the above, Hajj and Umrah are deeply connected to Ibrahim (alaihissalaam), the Khalil (close friend) of Allah.

In today’s time, people are trying to connect Islam with two false religions and are using his name in the process by referring to the three as “the Abrahim Faiths”.

However, there is no such that as “Abrahim Faiths (plural)”. There is only the “Abrahamic Faith (singular)” i.e. the religion of Islam. Ibrahim (alaihissalaam) was a Muslim, not a Jew nor a Christian, and he worshipped Allah alone.

 قُلْ يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ تَعَالَوْا إِلَىٰ كَلِمَةٍ سَوَاءٍ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ أَلَّا نَعْبُدَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ وَلَا نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ ۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَقُولُوا اشْهَدُوا بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ

يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لِمَ تُحَاجُّونَ فِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمَا أُنزِلَتِ التَّوْرَاةُ وَالْإِنجِيلُ إِلَّا مِن بَعْدِهِ ۚ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ

 هَا أَنتُمْ هَٰؤُلَاءِ حَاجَجْتُمْ فِيمَا لَكُم بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَلِمَ تُحَاجُّونَ فِيمَا لَيْسَ لَكُم بِهِ عِلْمٌ ۚ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

مَا كَانَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ يَهُودِيًّا وَلَا نَصْرَانِيًّا وَلَٰكِن كَانَ حَنِيفًا مُّسْلِمًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

إِنَّ أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِإِبْرَاهِيمَ لَلَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُ وَهَٰذَا النَّبِيُّ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ۗ وَاللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

وَدَّت طَّائِفَةٌ مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ لَوْ يُضِلُّونَكُمْ وَمَا يُضِلُّونَ إِلَّا أَنفُسَهُمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ

يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لِمَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَأَنتُمْ تَشْهَدُونَ

يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لِمَ تَلْبِسُونَ الْحَقَّ بِالْبَاطِلِ وَتَكْتُمُونَ الْحَقَّ وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ ‎

Say (O Muhammad): “O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah. Then, if they turn away, say: “Bear witness that we are Muslims.”

O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Why do you dispute about Ibrahim, while the Taurah (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) were not revealed till after him? Have you then no sense?

Verily, you are those who have disputed about that of which you have knowledge. Why do you then dispute concerning that which you have no knowledge? It is Allah Who knows, and you know not.

Ibrahim was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a true Muslim Hanifa (Islamic Monotheism – to worship none but Allah Alone) and he was not of Al-Mushrikoon (polytheists).

Verily, among mankind who have the best claim to Ibrahim are those who followed him, and this Prophet (Muhammad) and those who have believed (Muslims). And Allah is the Wali (Protector and Helper) of the believers.

A party of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) wish to lead you astray. But they shall not lead astray anyone except themselves, and they perceive not.

O people of the Scripture! (Jews and Christians): “Why do you disbelieve in the Ayat of Allah, [the Verses about Prophet Muhammad present in the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] while you (yourselves) bear witness (to their truth).”

O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): “Why do you mix truth with falsehood and conceal the truth while you know?” [Surah Aal-Imran (3) : 66 – 71]

All Muslims need to study the proper aqeedah (creed) so that they do not fall for the plots of the enemies of Islam*.

[*Warning: When I say “the enemies of Islam”, I am NOT referring to the Muslim rulers. The fact that some people think so just shows that the Khawarij mentality seems to be spreading. Truly, Allah’s refuge is sought.

The Muslim rulers are just that – Muslims, just like us. Please don’t forget that. I’m not saying that to avoid a jail term, rather I say that in defense of the Sunnah. The Sunnah makes it clear that we are supposed to be patient with the rulers, even if we see them doing things we dislike. Referring to them as “enemies of Islam” is not from the Sunnah, nor is defaming them. The other extreme is overpraising the rulers and obeying them in matters where they disobey Allah (and being pleased with them when they do this). None of this is from the Sunnah. Rather both groups are those that are hungry for the temporary life of this world.

Rather the sunnah with regards to the rulers is supplicating for them (i.e. to be guided and steadfast), not revolting against them, advising them (in an appropriate manner, obeying them in good and not being pleased with their disobedience (however, one should not defame them in public, due to this).

As the scholars said, the rulers are a reflection of the ruled. So, if you don’t like the actions of the Muslim rulers, my advice would be to first look at yourself and your own actions, and work on improving yourself. If every Muslim, whether ruler or ruled, did that, the world would look quite different.]

HAJJ AND UMRAH IN THE COVID ERA

Hajj 2020-2022 (i.e. the last 3 years) took place during Covid. This year’s Hajj (2023) will be the first normal Hajj since 2019.

Let’s take a look at how Hajj and Umrah looked like in the Covid era (especially at the peak of the virus), so that we can be grateful to Allah for causing us to have a normal life again.

Let’s start with the masks. Remember those?

This is what Masjid Al-Haram and the Kabah looked like during Covid:

This is what tawaf in the Covid era looked like:

Remember the “social distancing” that we all used to practice? We went from being brothers and sisters to behaving like cold fishes.

This is what Maqam Ibrahim looked like in the Covid era:

This is what saee looked liked in the Covid era:

In the Covid era, robots were introduced to distribute Zam Zam:

This is what it looked like inside a tent in Mina, in the Covid era:

This is what stoning the Jamraat looked like in the Covid era:

This is what Arafah looked like in the Covid era:

Here’s what congregational prayer in Masjid Namira (in Arafah) looked like in the Covid era:

This is what Muzdalifah looked like in the Covid era:

Truly, all praise is due to Allah who raised this pandemic from amongst us. All those who do Hajj this year and in the coming years should be grateful that they are getting to do a normal Hajj.

VIRTUES OF MADINAH

Madinah is a special place. It is the best place on earth after Makkah. Now, visiting Madinah is not connected to Hajj or Umrah at all. However, as people who come for Hajj or Umrah are already in Saudi Arabia, they take that opportunity to visit Madinah as well so they can pray in Al-Masjid An-Nabawi. Due to this, you will find the mention of Madinah in just about all the books on Hajj and Umrah.

Here’s what Madinah looked like in the past.

Here’s what it looks like at the present time:

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The Boundaries of Madinah

Like Makkah, Madinah is also a sanctuary. However, in the today’s time, the city of Madinah has expanded to include areas outside the Haram as well, so the whole of Madinah city in today’s time is not a sanctuary. The sanctuary is the area designated by the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).

عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ التَّيْمِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ قَالَ عَلِيٌّ ـ رضى الله عنه مَا عِنْدَنَا كِتَابٌ نَقْرَؤُهُ إِلاَّ كِتَابُ اللَّهِ، غَيْرَ هَذِهِ الصَّحِيفَةِ‏.‏ قَالَ فَأَخْرَجَهَا فَإِذَا فِيهَا أَشْيَاءُ مِنَ الْجِرَاحَاتِ وَأَسْنَانِ الإِبِلِ‏.‏ قَالَ وَفِيهَا الْمَدِينَةُ حَرَمٌ مَا بَيْنَ عَيْرٍ إِلَى ثَوْرٍ

Markers have been set up to show the haram (sanctuary) limits.

Here’s where all the markers have been set up:

Some of Madinah’s Other Names

Madinah is some other names. Prior to the Prophet’s (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) arrival, it was called Yathrib.

عن هُرَيْرَة ـ رضى الله عنه ـ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏‏ :‏ أُمِرْتُ بِقَرْيَةٍ تَأْكُلُ الْقُرَى يَقُولُونَ يَثْرِبُ‏.‏ وَهْىَ الْمَدِينَةُ، تَنْفِي النَّاسَ كَمَا يَنْفِي الْكِيرُ خَبَثَ الْحَدِيدِ

However, one should not refer to Madinah as Yathrib anymore. Please refer to this article for more information.

Madinah is also called Taabah and Taibah.

Please note that Madina’s name is actually Al-Madinah An-Nabaweeyah (the Prophet’s City), not Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah.

Virtues of Madinah

As it is in the Arabian Peninsula, Madinah shares the virtues of this region along with Makkah. You can read about the virtues of the Peninsula in Part 6 of this series.

Madinah also has virtues of its own, some of which it shares with Makkah.

1.It is a sanctuary

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ : أَنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَرَّمَ مَكَّةَ، وَدَعَا لَهَا، وَحَرَّمْتُ الْمَدِينَةَ كَمَا حَرَّمَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ مَكَّةَ، وَدَعَوْتُ لَهَا فِي مُدِّهَا وَصَاعِهَا، مِثْلَ مَا دَعَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ ـ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ ـ لِمَكَّةَ ‏

Narrated Abdullah ibn Zaid (radiallahu anhu): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Ibrahim made Makkah a sanctuary, and asked for Allah’s blessing in it. I made Madinah a sanctuary as Ibrahim made Makkah a sanctuary and I asked for Allah’s Blessing in its measures the Mudd and the Saa  (two standards of weight and measurement) as Ibrahim (alaihissalaam) did for Makkah. [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Hadeeth No. 339]

عَنْ عَمِّهِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ زَيْدِ بْنِ عَاصِمٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ :‏ إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَرَّمَ مَكَّةَ وَدَعَا لأَهْلِهَا وَإِنِّي حَرَّمْتُ الْمَدِينَةَ كَمَا حَرَّمَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ مَكَّةَ وَإِنِّي دَعَوْتُ فِي صَاعِهَا وَمُدِّهَا بِمِثْلَىْ مَا دَعَا بِهِ إِبْرَاهِيمُ لأَهْلِ مَكَّةَ ‏

Abdullah ibn Zaid ibn Asim (radiallahu anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as saying: Verily Ibrahim declared Makkah sacred and supplicated (for blessings to be showered) upon its inhabitants, and I declare Madinah to be sacred as lbrahim had declared Makkah to be sacred. I have supplicated (Allah for His blessings to be showered) in its saa and its mudd (two standards of weight and measurement) twice as did Ibrahim for the inhabitants of Makkah. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 3150]

عَنْ أَنَسٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ  : الْمَدِينَةُ حَرَمٌ، مِنْ كَذَا إِلَى كَذَا، لاَ يُقْطَعُ شَجَرُهَا، وَلاَ يُحْدَثُ فِيهَا حَدَثٌ، مَنْ أَحْدَثَ حَدَثًا فَعَلَيْهِ لَعْنَةُ اللَّهِ وَالْمَلاَئِكَةِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ

عن عَاصِم، قَالَ قُلْتُ لأَنَسٍ أَحَرَّمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْمَدِينَةَ‏.‏ قَالَ نَعَمْ مَا بَيْنَ كَذَا إِلَى كَذَا، لاَ يُقْطَعُ شَجَرُهَا، مَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِيهَا حَدَثًا فَعَلَيْهِ لَعْنَةُ اللَّهِ وَالْمَلاَئِكَةِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ‏.‏ قَالَ عَاصِمٌ فَأَخْبَرَنِي مُوسَى بْنُ أَنَسٍ أَنَّهُ قَالَ أَوْ آوَى مُحْدِثًا‏.‏

2. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) supplicated for it to be blessed

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ كَانَ النَّاسُ إِذَا رَأَوْا أَوَّلَ الثَّمَرِ جَاءُوا بِهِ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَإِذَا أَخَذَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ :‏ اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي ثَمَرِنَا وَبَارِكْ لَنَا فِي مَدِينَتِنَا وَبَارِكْ لَنَا فِي صَاعِنَا وَبَارِكْ لَنَا فِي مُدِّنَا اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَبْدُكَ وَخَلِيلُكَ وَنَبِيُّكَ وَإِنِّي عَبْدُكَ وَنَبِيُّكَ وَإِنَّهُ دَعَاكَ لِمَكَّةَ وَإِنِّي أَدْعُوكَ لِلْمَدِينَةِ بِمِثْلِ مَا دَعَاكَ لِمَكَّةَ وَمِثْلِهِ مَعَهُ ‏‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ ثُمَّ يَدْعُو أَصْغَرَ وَلِيدٍ لَهُ فَيُعْطِيهِ ذَلِكَ الثَّمَرَ

عَنْ أَنَسٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ : اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ بِالْمَدِينَةِ ضِعْفَىْ مَا جَعَلْتَ بِمَكَّةَ مِنَ الْبَرَكَةِ 

عَنْ عَمِّهِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ زَيْدِ بْنِ عَاصِمٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ :‏ إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَرَّمَ مَكَّةَ وَدَعَا لأَهْلِهَا وَإِنِّي حَرَّمْتُ الْمَدِينَةَ كَمَا حَرَّمَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ مَكَّةَ وَإِنِّي دَعَوْتُ فِي صَاعِهَا وَمُدِّهَا بِمِثْلَىْ مَا دَعَا بِهِ إِبْرَاهِيمُ لأَهْلِ مَكَّةَ ‏

Abdullah ibn Zaid ibn Asim (radiallahu anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as saying: Verily Ibrahim declared Makkah sacred and supplicated (for blessings to be showered) upon its inhabitants, and I declare Madinah to be sacred as lbrahim had declared Makkah to be sacred. I have supplicated (Allah for His blessings to be showered) in its saa and its mudd (two standards of weight and measurement) twice as did Ibrahim for the inhabitants of Makkah. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 3150]

 عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ :‏ اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي صَاعِنَا وَمُدِّنَا وَاجْعَلْ مَعَ الْبَرَكَةِ بَرَكَتَيْنِ‏

4. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) loved Madinah and prayed that others would love Madinah

عَنْ أَنَسٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ إِذَا قَدِمَ مِنْ سَفَرٍ، فَنَظَرَ إِلَى جُدُرَاتِ الْمَدِينَةِ أَوْضَعَ رَاحِلَتَهُ، وَإِنْ كَانَ عَلَى دَابَّةٍ، حَرَّكَهَا مِنْ حُبِّهَا

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ قَالَتْ لَمَّا قَدِمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْمَدِينَةَ وُعِكَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَبِلاَلٌ، فَكَانَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ إِذَا أَخَذَتْهُ الْحُمَّى يَقُولُ كُلُّ امْرِئٍ مُصَبَّحٌ فِي أَهْلِهِ وَالْمَوْتُ أَدْنَى مِنْ شِرَاكِ نَعْلِهِ وَكَانَ بِلاَلٌ إِذَا أُقْلِعَ عَنْهُ الْحُمَّى يَرْفَعُ عَقِيرَتَهُ يَقُولُ أَلاَ لَيْتَ شِعْرِي هَلْ أَبِيتَنَّ لَيْلَةً بِوَادٍ وَحَوْلِي إِذْخِرٌ وَجَلِيلُ وَهَلْ أَرِدَنْ يَوْمًا مِيَاهَ مَجَنَّةٍ وَهَلْ يَبْدُوَنْ لِي شَامَةٌ وَطَفِيلُ قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ الْعَنْ شَيْبَةَ بْنَ رَبِيعَةَ، وَعُتْبَةَ بْنَ رَبِيعَةَ، وَأُمَيَّةَ بْنَ خَلَفٍ، كَمَا أَخْرَجُونَا مِنْ أَرْضِنَا إِلَى أَرْضِ الْوَبَاءِ ثُمَّ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ :‏ اللَّهُمَّ حَبِّبْ إِلَيْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ كَحُبِّنَا مَكَّةَ أَوْ أَشَدَّ، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي صَاعِنَا، وَفِي مُدِّنَا، وَصَحِّحْهَا لَنَا وَانْقُلْ حُمَّاهَا إِلَى الْجُحْفَةِ ‏‏.‏ قَالَتْ وَقَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ، وَهْىَ أَوْبَأُ أَرْضِ اللَّهِ‏.‏ قَالَتْ فَكَانَ بُطْحَانُ يَجْرِي نَجْلاً‏.‏ تَعْنِي مَاءً آجِنًا‏

5. Dajjal will not be able to enter it

عن أَنَسُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ : لَيْسَ مِنْ بَلَدٍ إِلاَّ سَيَطَؤُهُ الدَّجَّالُ، إِلاَّ مَكَّةَ وَالْمَدِينَةَ، لَيْسَ لَهُ مِنْ نِقَابِهَا نَقْبٌ إِلاَّ عَلَيْهِ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ صَافِّينَ، يَحْرُسُونَهَا، ثُمَّ تَرْجُفُ الْمَدِينَةُ بِأَهْلِهَا ثَلاَثَ رَجَفَاتٍ، فَيُخْرِجُ اللَّهُ كُلَّ كَافِرٍ وَمُنَافِقٍ ‏

Narrated Anas ibn Malik (radiallahu anhu): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “There will be no town which Ad-Dajjal will not enter except Makkah and Madinah, and there will be no entrance (road) (of both Makkah and Madinah) but the angels will be standing in rows guarding it against him, and then Madinah will shake with its inhabitants thrice (i.e. three earthquakes will take place) and Allah will expel all the non-believers and the hypocrites from it.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Hadeeth No. 105]

عن أَبي سَعِيد الْخُدْرِيَّ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَدِيثًا طَوِيلاً عَنِ الدَّجَّالِ، فَكَانَ فِيمَا حَدَّثَنَا بِهِ أَنْ قَالَ ‏ :‏ يَأْتِي الدَّجَّالُ ـ وَهُوَ مُحَرَّمٌ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ نِقَابَ الْمَدِينَةِ ـ بَعْضَ السِّبَاخِ الَّتِي بِالْمَدِينَةِ، فَيَخْرُجُ إِلَيْهِ يَوْمَئِذٍ رَجُلٌ، هُوَ خَيْرُ النَّاسِ ـ أَوْ مِنْ خَيْرِ النَّاسِ ـ فَيَقُولُ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ الدَّجَّالُ، الَّذِي حَدَّثَنَا عَنْكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَدِيثَهُ، فَيَقُولُ الدَّجَّالُ أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ قَتَلْتُ هَذَا ثُمَّ أَحْيَيْتُهُ، هَلْ تَشُكُّونَ فِي الأَمْرِ فَيَقُولُونَ لاَ‏.‏ فَيَقْتُلُهُ، ثُمَّ يُحْيِيهِ فَيَقُولُ حِينَ يُحْيِيهِ وَاللَّهِ مَا كُنْتُ قَطُّ أَشَدَّ بَصِيرَةً مِنِّي الْيَوْمَ، فَيَقُولُ الدَّجَّالُ أَقْتُلُهُ فَلاَ أُسَلَّطُ عَلَيْهِ ‏

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ : يَأْتِي الْمَسِيحُ مِنْ قِبَلِ الْمَشْرِقِ هِمَّتُهُ الْمَدِينَةُ حَتَّى يَنْزِلَ دُبُرَ أُحُدٍ ثُمَّ تَصْرِفُ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ وَجْهَهُ قِبَلَ الشَّامِ وَهُنَالِكَ يَهْلِكُ

6. The Plague will not be able to enter Madinah

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏.‏ ‏ :‏ عَلَى أَنْقَابِ الْمَدِينَةِ مَلاَئِكَةٌ، لاَ يَدْخُلُهَا الطَّاعُونُ وَلاَ الدَّجَّالُ ‏

The plague (Taoon) referred to in this hadeeth might be referring to the bubonic plague (Black Death) and those caused by the same strain of bacteria. This bacteria caused multiple pandemics throughout history, it seems.

Prior to Covid, I (and many others) were under the impression that plague was a general term only to discover that the general term was epidemic. The Plague is a type of epidemic.

Here are two articles that explain this issue in more detail:

Are Makkah and Madinah protected from the plague and pandemics such as swine flu? – Islam QA

Can COVID-19 enter Makkah and Madinah? – Brother Farhan Ali Khan

And here are two diagrams from this article (please be wary regarding the shirk) that discuss all the major epidemics in history along with their death tolls. The article mentions the virus or bacteria that caused each pandemic.

Truly, we should be grateful to Allah that we only saw Covid and not Black Death.

7. Iman (faith) returns back to Madinah

Here’s a short article on the meaning of this hadeeth.

8. Those who hold ill-will or plot against the people of Madinah will be destroyed

عن عَامِر بْن سَعْدِ بْنِ أَبِي وَقَّاصٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏.‏ ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ مِثْلَ حَدِيثِ ابْنِ نُمَيْرٍ وَزَادَ فِي الْحَدِيثِ ‏ : وَلاَ يُرِيدُ أَحَدٌ أَهْلَ الْمَدِينَةِ بِسُوءٍ إِلاَّ أَذَابَهُ اللَّهُ فِي النَّارِ ذَوْبَ الرَّصَاصِ أَوْ ذَوْبَ الْمِلْحِ فِي الْمَاءِ 

عَنْ سَعْد ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ :‏لاَ يَكِيدُ أَهْلَ الْمَدِينَةِ أَحَدٌ إِلاَّ انْمَاعَ كَمَا يَنْمَاعُ الْمِلْحُ فِي الْمَاءِ ‏

9. One should try to live in Madinah and not leave it

Those who stay in Madinah despite any hardship will be interceded for by the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) on the Last Day.

عن عَامِر بْن سَعْد، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ :‏ إِنِّي أُحَرِّمُ مَا بَيْنَ لاَبَتَىِ الْمَدِينَةِ أَنْ يُقْطَعَ عِضَاهُهَا أَوْ يُقْتَلَ صَيْدُهَا – وَقَالَ – الْمَدِينَةُ خَيْرٌ لَهُمْ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ لاَ يَدَعُهَا أَحَدٌ رَغْبَةً عَنْهَا إِلاَّ أَبْدَلَ اللَّهُ فِيهَا مَنْ هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِنْهُ وَلاَ يَثْبُتُ أَحَدٌ عَلَى لأْوَائِهَا وَجَهْدِهَا إِلاَّ كُنْتُ لَهُ شَفِيعًا أَوْ شَهِيدًا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ

عن أَبي هُرَيْرَة ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ :‏ يَتْرُكُونَ الْمَدِينَةَ عَلَى خَيْرِ مَا كَانَتْ، لاَ يَغْشَاهَا إِلاَّ الْعَوَافِ ـ يُرِيدُ عَوَافِيَ السِّبَاعِ وَالطَّيْرِ ـ وَآخِرُ مَنْ يُحْشَرُ رَاعِيَانِ مِنْ مُزَيْنَةَ، يُرِيدَانِ الْمَدِينَةَ يَنْعِقَانِ بِغَنَمِهِمَا، فَيَجِدَانِهَا وَحْشًا، حَتَّى إِذَا بَلَغَا ثَنِيَّةَ الْوَدَاعِ خَرَّا عَلَى وُجُوهِهِمَا

10. Madinah removes the evil people from within in and purifies the good

عن هُرَيْرَة ـ رضى الله عنه ـ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏‏ :‏ أُمِرْتُ بِقَرْيَةٍ تَأْكُلُ الْقُرَى يَقُولُونَ يَثْرِبُ‏.‏ وَهْىَ الْمَدِينَةُ، تَنْفِي النَّاسَ كَمَا يَنْفِي الْكِيرُ خَبَثَ الْحَدِيدِ

عن أَنَسُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ : لَيْسَ مِنْ بَلَدٍ إِلاَّ سَيَطَؤُهُ الدَّجَّالُ، إِلاَّ مَكَّةَ وَالْمَدِينَةَ، لَيْسَ لَهُ مِنْ نِقَابِهَا نَقْبٌ إِلاَّ عَلَيْهِ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ صَافِّينَ، يَحْرُسُونَهَا، ثُمَّ تَرْجُفُ الْمَدِينَةُ بِأَهْلِهَا ثَلاَثَ رَجَفَاتٍ، فَيُخْرِجُ اللَّهُ كُلَّ كَافِرٍ وَمُنَافِقٍ ‏

Narrated Anas ibn Malik (radiallahu anhu): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “There will be no town which Ad-Dajjal will not enter except Makkah and Madinah, and there will be no entrance (road) (of both Makkah and Madinah) but the angels will be standing in rows guarding it against him, and then Madinah will shake with its inhabitants thrice (i.e. three earthquakes will take place) and Allah will expel all the non-believers and the hypocrites from it.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Hadeeth No. 105]

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ :‏ يَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ يَدْعُو الرَّجُلُ ابْنَ عَمِّهِ وَقَرِيبَهُ هَلُمَّ إِلَى الرَّخَاءِ هَلُمَّ إِلَى الرَّخَاءِ وَالْمَدِينَةُ خَيْرٌ لَهُمْ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لاَ يَخْرُجُ مِنْهُمْ أَحَدٌ رَغْبَةً عَنْهَا إِلاَّ أَخْلَفَ اللَّهُ فِيهَا خَيْرًا مِنْهُ أَلاَ إِنَّ الْمَدِينَةَ كَالْكِيرِ تُخْرِجُ الْخَبِيثَ ‏.‏ لاَ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى تَنْفِيَ الْمَدِينَةُ شِرَارَهَا كَمَا يَنْفِي الْكِيرُ خَبَثَ الْحَدِيدِ

11. Innovating in Madinah or accommodating an innovator in it results in the curse of Allah, the angels and all of mankind

Innovating in the religion of Allah and harbouring innovators is a grave thing no matter where it is done but if done in Madinah, it becomes a graver issue.

12. Whoever is able to die in Madinah, should do so

عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ يَمُوتَ بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَلْيَفْعَلْ فَإِنِّي أَشْهَدُ لِمَنْ مَاتَ بِهَا

عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ : مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ أَنْ يَمُوتَ بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَلْيَمُتْ بِهَا فَإِنِّي أَشْفَعُ لِمَنْ يَمُوتُ بِهَا 

عَنْ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنِي شَهَادَةً فِي سَبِيلِكَ، وَاجْعَلْ مَوْتِي فِي بَلَدِ رَسُولِكَ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏.‏

Here are some article about Madinah and its virtues:

The Virtues of Al-Madeenah and Manners of Residence and Visiting – Shaikh Abdul Muhsin Al-Abbad

If you want to listen to the above book, you can find the audio files here.

The Virtues of Makkah and Madinah – Islam QA

Rules associated with Madinah

As Madinah is a sanctuary, there are certain rules associated with it. Some of these can be found in the following ahadeeth.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَقُولُ لَوْ رَأَيْتُ الظِّبَاءَ بِالْمَدِينَةِ تَرْتَعُ مَا ذَعَرْتُهَا، قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ مَا بَيْنَ لاَبَتَيْهَا حَرَامٌ 

عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ  : الْمَدِينَةُ حَرَمٌ، مِنْ كَذَا إِلَى كَذَا، لاَ يُقْطَعُ شَجَرُهَا، وَلاَ يُحْدَثُ فِيهَا حَدَثٌ، مَنْ أَحْدَثَ حَدَثًا فَعَلَيْهِ لَعْنَةُ اللَّهِ وَالْمَلاَئِكَةِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ

AL-MASJID AN-NABAWI (THE PROPHET’S MASJID)

The Prophet’s (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) masjid, Al-Masjid An-Nabawi, is the greatest masjid after Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah.

Here’s what it looked like in the past.

Here’s what it looks like at the present time:

This masjid, being the second greatest one, also has some virtues:

1.Prayer in it has more reward

Some people think that praying 40 prayers in it has a special reward but that is not true. What is true is that the reward of praying in this masjid is 1000 times more than in any other masjid, except for Masjid Al-Haram.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: صَلاَةٌ فِي مَسْجِدِي هَـذَا، خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ صَلاَةٍ فِي غَيْرِهِ مِنَ الْمَسَاجِدِ، إِلاَّ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامَ

Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as saying: Prayer in my masjid is more excellent than a thousand prayers observed in other masjids except the Masjid al- Haram. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 3210]

عَنْ جَابِرٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ ‏ :‏ صَلاَةٌ فِي مَسْجِدِي أَفْضَلُ مِنْ أَلْفِ صَلاَةٍ فِيمَا سِوَاهُ إِلاَّ الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ وَصَلاَةٌ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ مِائَةِ أَلْفِ صَلاَةٍ فِيمَا سِوَاهُ 

It was narrated from Jabir (radiallahu anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “One prayer in my masjid is better than one thousand prayers elsewhere, except Masjid Al-Haram, and one prayer in Masjid Al-Haram is better than one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere.” [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadeeth No. 1406. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

It is obvious from the above ahadeeth that Al-Masjid An-Nabawi is the second greatest masjid, right after Masjid Al-Haram, and ahead of Masjid Al-Aqsa. Interestingly enough, it was the last of the three to be built, which makes sense given that it was built by the last of the Prophets (alaihimissalaam).

 عن أَبي هُرَيْرَة يُخْبِرُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏:‏ إِنَّمَا يُسَافَرُ إِلَى ثَلاَثَةِ مَسَاجِدَ مَسْجِدِ الْكَعْبَةِ وَمَسْجِدِي وَمَسْجِدِ إِيلِيَاءَ ‏

3. It is a masjid built on piety

4. In it is a garden from the gardens of Paradise

There is an area referred to as “Ar-Rawdhah” (the garden) in Al-Masjid An-Nabawi.

This area is usually difficult to get to but it is possible. There are special timings for women as well.

One can pray there if one wishes or anywhere else in the masjid.

 عن يَزِيد بْن أَبِي عُبَيْدٍ، قَالَ كُنْتُ آتِي مَعَ سَلَمَةَ بْنِ الأَكْوَعِ فَيُصَلِّي عِنْدَ الأُسْطُوَانَةِ الَّتِي عِنْدَ الْمُصْحَفِ‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَبَا مُسْلِمٍ أَرَاكَ تَتَحَرَّى الصَّلاَةَ عِنْدَ هَذِهِ الأُسْطُوَانَةِ‏.‏ قَالَ فَإِنِّي رَأَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَتَحَرَّى الصَّلاَةَ عِنْدَهَا‏

However, there is no prayer specific to this place nor is there is any proof that supplication is answered here. Do voluntary prayers or other acts of worship have a distinction in this area compared to the rest of the masjid? I came across two opinions on this. One group said yes and another said no. Allah knows bettter.

One may also visit the grave of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) if one wishes but one should not travel to Madinah with that intention. The graves of Abu Bakr (radiallahu anhu) and Umar (radiallahu anhu are also there.

Please do not touch the grave seeking blessings from it as that it a type of shirk (polytheism).

Here’s an article that discusses the etiquettes of visiting the masjid and the grave.

OTHER PLACES TO VISIT IN MADINAH

Another important masjid in Madinah is the first masjid in the Islamic era – Masjid Al-Quba. Here’s what it looked like in the past.

Here’s what it looks like at the present time:

This masjid is mentioned in the Quran as being built on piety.

وَالَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا مَسْجِدًا ضِرَارًا وَكُفْرًا وَتَفْرِيقًا بَيْنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَإِرْصَادًا لِّمَنْ حَارَبَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ مِن قَبْلُ ۚ وَلَيَحْلِفُنَّ إِنْ أَرَدْنَا إِلَّا الْحُسْنَىٰ ۖ وَاللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَاذِبُونَ

لَا تَقُمْ فِيهِ أَبَدًا ۚ لَّمَسْجِدٌ أُسِّسَ عَلَى التَّقْوَىٰ مِنْ أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ أَحَقُّ أَن تَقُومَ فِيهِ ۚ فِيهِ رِجَالٌ يُحِبُّونَ أَن يَتَطَهَّرُوا ۚ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُطَّهِّرِينَ

And as for those who put up a mosque by way of harming and disbelief, and to disunite the believers, and as an outpost for those who warred against Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad) aforetime, they will indeed swear that their intention is nothing but good. Allah bears witness that they are certainly liars.

Never stand you therein. Verily, the mosque whose foundation was laid from the first day on piety is more worthy that you stand therein (to pray). In it are men who love to clean and to purify themselves. And Allah loves those who make themselves clean and pure (i.e. who clean their private parts with dust [i.e. to be considered as soap) and water from urine and stools, after answering the call of nature]. [Surah At-Taubah (9) : 107 – 108]

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏:‏ نَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ فِي أَهْلِ قُبَاء ‏:‏ ‏(‏فِيهِ رِجَالٌ يُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يَتَطَهَّرُوا وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُطَّهِّرِينَ ‏)‏ ‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ كَانُوا يَسْتَنْجُونَ بِالْمَاءِ فَنَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ فِيهِمْ ‏

Praying in Masjid Al-Quba gives one the reward of Umrah.

عَنْ أَبي الأَبْرَد، مَوْلَى بَنِي خَطْمَةَ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أُسَيْدَ بْنَ ظُهَيْرٍ الأَنْصَارِيَّ، وَكَانَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يُحَدِّثُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ أَنَّهُ قَالَ ‏

 عن سَهْل بْن حُنَيْفٍ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏ :‏ مَنْ تَطَهَّرَ فِي بَيْتِهِ، ثُمَّ أَتَى مَسْجِدَ قُبَاءٍ، فَصَلَّى فِيهِ صَلاَةً، كَانَ لَهُ كَأَجْرِ عُمْرَةٍ ‏

 عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَأْتِي مَسْجِدَ قُبَاءٍ كُلَّ سَبْتٍ مَاشِيًا وَرَاكِبًا‏.‏ وَكَانَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ يَفْعَلُهُ

Another place that one may visit is the Baqee cemetry. A lot of Sahabah are buried there.

Before you go, please read the etiquettes of visiting graves. And please remember that there is a difference of opinion with regards to the permissibility of a woman visiting graveyards.

One may also go visit the martyrs of Uhud. These are those that were killed in the Battle of Uhud, which was the second battle in Islam (after the Battle of Badr).

One of the martyrs was discussed in this post of mine.

In the last picture, you can see some mountains in the background. That is Mount Uhud.

There is something rather lovely about this mountain.

VIRTUES OF ASH-SHAM

Over two decades ago, someone told me that in the past, people would go to Masjid Al-Aqsa after visiting Makkah and Madinah, in order to complete the visit to all the three most important masjids. That’s why I decided to talk about Masjid Al-Aqsa (my favourite masjid) in this series.

Masjid Al-Aqsa is in Palestine, which is part of the region known as “Ash-Sham” ie. the Levant or Greater Syria. Ash-Sham includes Lebanon, Palestine (the West Bank, Gaza and the illegally occupied areas), Jordan and Syria, along with some parts of Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

[The above picture was taken from a book that talks about the virtues of Ash-Sham.]

This part of the world, like the Arabian Peninsula, is a special place due to its many virtues. What virtues does it have, one may ask?

Well, to begin with, the area is blessed.

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ

Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing. [Surah Al-Israa (17) : 1]

Imam Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) states in his explanation of this ayah (verse):

That’s not all. The angels spread their wings over Ash-Sham.

 عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ، قَالَ كُنَّا عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم نُؤَلِّفُ الْقُرْآنَ مِنَ الرِّقَاعِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ طُوبَى لِلشَّأْمِ ‏‏ ‏.‏ فَقُلْنَا لأَىٍّ ذَلِكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ ‏:‏ لأَنَّ مَلاَئِكَةَ الرَّحْمَنِ بَاسِطَةٌ أَجْنِحَتَهَا عَلَيْهَا

عَنِ ابْنِ حَوَالَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ سَيَصِيرُ الأَمْرُ إِلَى أَنْ تَكُونُوا جُنُودًا مُجَنَّدَةً جُنْدٌ بِالشَّامِ وَجُنْدٌ بِالْيَمَنِ وَجُنْدٌ بِالْعِرَاقِ‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ ابْنُ حَوَالَةَ خِرْ لِي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنْ أَدْرَكْتُ ذَلِكَ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ :‏ عَلَيْكَ بِالشَّامِ فَإِنَّهَا خِيَرَةُ اللَّهِ مِنْ أَرْضِهِ يَجْتَبِي إِلَيْهَا خِيَرَتَهُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ فَأَمَّا إِنْ أَبَيْتُمْ فَعَلَيْكُمْ بِيَمَنِكُمْ وَاسْقُوا مِنْ غُدُرِكُمْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ تَوَكَّلَ لِي بِالشَّامِ وَأَهْلِهِ

 ثُمَّ يَدْعُو رَجُلاً مُمْتَلِئًا شَبَابًا فَيَضْرِبُهُ بِالسَّيْفِ فَيَقْطَعُهُ جَزْلَتَيْنِ رَمْيَةَ الْغَرَضِ ثُمَّ يَدْعُوهُ فَيُقْبِلُ وَيَتَهَلَّلُ وَجْهُهُ يَضْحَكُ فَبَيْنَمَا هُوَ كَذَلِكَ إِذْ بَعَثَ اللَّهُ الْمَسِيحَ ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ فَيَنْزِلُ عِنْدَ الْمَنَارَةِ الْبَيْضَاءِ شَرْقِيَّ دِمَشْقَ بَيْنَ مَهْرُودَتَيْنِ وَاضِعًا كَفَّيْهِ عَلَى أَجْنِحَةِ مَلَكَيْنِ إِذَا طَأْطَأَ رَأَسَهُ قَطَرَ وَإِذَا رَفَعَهُ تَحَدَّرَ مِنْهُ جُمَانٌ كَاللُّؤْلُؤِ

عَنْ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:  بَيْنَا أَنَا نَائِمٌ إِذْ رَأَيْتُ عَمُودَ الْكِتَابِ احْتُمِلَ مِنْ تَحْتِ رَأْسِي، فَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُ مَذْهُوبٌ بِهِ، فَأَتْبَعْتُهُ بَصَرِي، فَعُمِدَ بِهِ إِلَى الشَّامِ، أَلَا وَإِنَّ الْإِيمَانَ ، حِينَ تَقَعُ الْفِتَنُ ، بِالشَّامِ

It was narrated that Abu Dardaa (radiallahu anhu) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Whilst I was sleeping, I saw the pillar of the Book being taken from beneath my head, and I thought that it was being taken away, so I followed it with my gaze, and it was taken to ash-Shaam. Verily faith, when tribulations come, will be in Ash-Sham.” [Musnad Ahmad, Hadeeth No. 21733. Shuaib Al-Arnaut said that its “isnaad” (chain of narrators) was “sahih” (authentic).]

When the inhabitants of Ash-Sham become corrupt, there will be no good in us.

عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنِ قُرَّةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ إِذَا فَسَدَ أَهْلُ الشَّامِ فَلاَ خَيْرَ فِيكُمْ لاَ تَزَالُ طَائِفَةٌ مِنْ أُمَّتِي مَنْصُورِينَ لاَ يَضُرُّهُمْ مَنْ خَذَلَهُمْ حَتَّى تَقُومَ السَّاعَةُ‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْمَدِينِيِّ هُمْ أَصْحَابُ الْحَدِيثِ ‏

AL-MASJID AL-AQSA (BAIT AL-MAQDIS)

Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa, also referred to as Bait Al-Maqdis (the sacred house), is the third greatest masjid on this planet. However, most people don’t  know much about it.

Firstly, what constitutes the masjid exactly? This is really important to know because there is a great reward for praying in Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa so we have to know which areas constitute the masjid.

As you can see, the whole area is referred to Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa. The shiny yellow dome is called the Dome of the Rock (Qubbatus-Sakhra) and this is the prayer place for the women in today’s time.

The men pray in Al-Masjid Al-Qibly, which is the masjid with the black dome.

Here’s an important article on this issue.

Now, a lot of people refer to this area as Al-Haram Al-Sharif, implying that this is a sanctuary. However, unlike Makkah and Madinah, this is NOT a sanctuary so its trees can be cut, its game can be chased, etc. Please refer to this article for more information.

Here’s what the Al-Aqsa complex looked like in the past:

In most of these photos, Al-Masjid Qibly is hard to spot whilst the Dome of the Rock stands out.

Here’s what the whole complex looks like in today’s time:

What are the virtues of Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa?

1.It was the first Qiblah (prayer direction) of the Muslims

عن الْبَرَاء يَقُولُ صَلَّيْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَحْوَ بَيْتِ الْمَقْدِسِ سِتَّةَ عَشَرَ شَهْرًا أَوْ سَبْعَةَ عَشَرَ شَهْرًا ثُمَّ صُرِفْنَا نَحْوَ الْكَعْبَةِ ‏

2. It was the second masjid built on earth

عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ ، قَالَ: قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللّهِ! أَيُّ مَسْجِدٍ وُضِعَ فِي الأَرْضِ أَوَّلاً؟ قَالَ: الْمَسْجِدُ الْحَرَامُ. قُلْتُ: ثُمَّ أَيٌّ؟ قَالَ: :الْمَسْجِدُ الأَقْصَى. قُلْتُ: كَمْ بَيْنَهُمَا؟ قَالَ: أَرْبَعُونَ سَنَةً، وَأَيْنَمَا أَدْرَكَتْكَ الصَّلاَةُ فَصَلِّ فَهُوَ مَسْجِدٌ. وَفِي حَدِيثِ أَبِي كَامِلٍ :ثُمَّ حَيْثُمَا أَدْرَكَتْكَ الصَّلاَةُ فَصَلِّهْ. فَإِنَّهُ مَسْجِدٌ

Abu Dharr (radiallahu anhu) reported: I said: Messenger of Allah, which masjid was set up first on the earth? He (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: Al-Masjid al-Haram. I (again) said: Then which next? He said: It was the Masjid Al-Aqsa. I (again) said: How long the space of time (between their setting up)? He (the Prophet) said: It was forty years. And whenever the time comes for prayer, pray there, for that is a mosque; and in the hadith transmitted by Abu Kamil (the words are):” Whenever time comes for prayer, pray, for that is a mosque (for you).” [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 1056]

3. Prayer in it has more reward

عن أبي ذر رضي الله عنه أنَّهُ سأل رسولَ اللهِ صلَّى اللهُ عليْهِ وسلَّمَ عَن الصَّلاةِ في بَيتِ المقدِسِ أفضلُ أو في مسجِدِ رسولِ اللهِ صلَّى اللهُ عليْهِ وسلَّمَ فَقالَ صلاةٌ في مسجِدي هذا ، أفضلُ من أربعِ صلواتٍ فيهِ ، ولنِعْمَ المصلَّى

Abu Dharr (radiallahu anhu) narrated that he asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) about whether prayer was more virtuous in Bait Al-Maqdis or in the masjid of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). He said: “One prayer in this mosque of mine is better than four prayers offered there (in Bayt al-Maqdis), and what a good place of prayer (it is). [Sahih At-Targheeb Wat-Tarheeb, Hadeeth  No. 1179] 

4. It is permitted to set out on a journey to visit it

عن أبي هريرةَ رضيَ اللَّهُ عنهُ عنِ النبي صلى الله عليه وسلّم قال: لا تُشَدُّ الرِّحالُ إلاّ إلى ثلاثةِ مَساجِدَ: المسجدِ الحرامِ، ومسجدِ الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلّم ومسجد الأقصى

Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Do not set out on a journey except for three masjids i.e. Al-Masjid-AI-Haram, the Masjid of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), and the Masjid Al-Aqsa, (Masjid of Jerusalem).” [Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadeeth No. 281]

Setting out on a journey to pray in Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa has become a forgotten sunnah these days.

5. The area surrounding it is blessed

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ

Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing. [Surah Al-Israa (17) : 1]

Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa actually means “the furthest masjid”.

6. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) led the other Prophets (alaihimissalaam) in prayer in this masjid

This happened during the night journey (Al-Israa).

7. The Dajjal will not enter it

فقال: أنذَرتُكمُ المَسيحَ، وهو مَمسوحُ العَينِ -قال: أحسَبُه قال: اليُسْرى- يَسيرُ معه جِبالُ الخُبْزِ، وأنهارُ الماءِ، علامَتُه يَمكُثُ في الأرضِ أربَعينَ صباحًا، يَبلُغُ سُلْطانُه كُلَّ مَنهَلٍ، لا يَأتي أربعةَ مَساجِدَ: الكَعْبةَ، ومَسجِدَ الرَّسولِ، والمَسجِدَ الأقْصى، والطُّورَ

He (the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)said: “I have been warning you about the Dajjal who has one abraded eye.” [The narrators] said: I think he said the left eye. “He will have with him mountains of bread and rivers of water, and his sign will stay in the earth for forty mornings, and his authority will reach everywhere. He will not come to four mosques: the Kabah, the Masjid of the Messenger, al-Masjid al-Aqsa and (the masjid of) at-Toor (Sinai).” [Musnad Ahmad, Hadeeth No. 23090. Shuaib Al-Arnaut said that its “isnaad” (chain of narrators) was “sahih” (authentic).]

In fact, he will be killed at a place called Ludd which is close to Bait Al-Maqdis.

عَنْ مُجَمِّع بْن جَارِيَةَ الأَنْصَارِيَّ يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ :‏ يَقْتُلُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ الدَّجَّالَ بِبَابِ لُدٍّ 

As you can see, this masjid is full of virtues and we need to strive to visit it, if possible, and also increase in supplication for the Palestinians, and indeed for all the oppressed Muslims around the world, like the Uyghurs, Rohingya and the Kashmiris (and now the Assamese). May Allah aid them and grant them victory over their oppressors.

AFTER HAJJ

As discussed in Part 1 of this series, the purpose of our lives is to worship Allah alone.

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ

And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone). [Surah Ad-Dhaariyaat (51) : 56]

قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّـهِ رَ‌بِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

Say: “Verily, my salaah (prayers), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the Alameen (mankind, jinns and all that exists).” [Surah Al-Anaam (6) : 162]

So, worshipping Allah does not end with Hajj. A person who returns back from Hajj should be a better person than when he or she left for it.

Make sure to ask Allah to accept your Hajj and increase you in righteousness and faith (iman). Also, make a firm commitment to change and make sure you have an ibaadah (worship) routine. If you slip, get right back up. One of the ways to remain steadfast is by seeking authentic Islamic knowledge for the entirety of one’s Islam.

Remember, we need to keep worshipping Allah until death comes to us.

وَاعْبُدْ رَبَّكَ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَكَ الْيَقِينُ

And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the certainty (i.e. death). [Surah Al-Hijr (15) : 99]

FOR THOSE NOT GOING FOR HAJJ THIS YEAR

What if you are not going for Hajj this year? Well, there are plenty of acts to do. Here’s a poster that I prepared for my telegram channel:

Here are some of my previous articles on this topic:

The 10 Best Nights Vs. The 10 Best Days

An easy way to enjoy the Day of Arafah

Resources for Eid

Some resources for the Last Ten Days and Eid

And here are some articles on Udhiyah (slaughtering):

What is Udhiyah? – Islam QA

Conditions of Udhiyah – Islam QA

Who should offer Udhiyah – Islam QA

I originally taught my Hajj course in 2008. At that time, I started typing out my notes. In 2011, I started working a private website based on the course and the notes. Then, in 2016, I publish Part 1 of this series (an upgrade on my course and prior notes).

Today is Arafah of 2023 and I have finally finished this series, alhamdulillah. It took 15 years to get to this stage. All praise is due to Allah for causing me to start, continue and finish.

I will try to update each part of the series over the coming year, in shaa Allah.

I hope you enjoyed reading this series. Your thoughts on it would be most welcome.

At the end, the only thing that I can say is:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the Alameen (mankind, jinns and all that exists). [Surah Al-Fatihah (1) : 2]