The Fear of God - Robert Frost

Bismillah. I'm currently listening to Shaykh Hamza Yusuf's Refinement of the Heart CD set. Masha'Allah, as Salik commented, "classic Shaykh Hamza!" Anyhow, he mentions the following poem by Robert Frost which is just beautiful!

The Fear of God

If you should rise from Nowhere up to Somewhere,
From being No one up to being Someone,
Be sure to keep repeating to yourself
You owe it to an arbitrary god
Whose mercy to you rather than to others
Won’t bear to critical examination.
Stay unassuming. If for lack of license
To wear the uniform of who you are,
You should be tempted to make up for it
In a subordinating look or toe,
Beware of coming too much to the surface
And using for apparel what was meant
To be the curtain of the inmost soul.

- Robert Frost

Night among the ‘Alawiyya - The Wandering Troubadour

Bismillah. Our city was recently honoured by a visit by the noble master, Shaykh Nuh Keller. Among his many students, was our dear brother, the Wandering Troubadour. Below is his poem for the fuqara...yet another beautiful composition!

Night among the ‘Alawiyya

Paradise is in your company
O brethren hearts of ‘Alawi.

I came to your perfumed garden,
Your wandering cousin of Hashimi.

You took me in a full embrace.
Sweet love burned between you and me.

Paradise is in your company
O brethren hearts of ‘Alawi.

We poured our hearts into the air,
Loosed all chains, and set them free.

You took me and lowered my hood
And pure love was all I could see.

Paradise is in your company
O brethren hearts of ‘Alawi.

In your tender gaze, I was a
Virgin bride unveiled and ready.

We shared more than words understood.
Words danced in speechless ecstasy.

Paradise is in your company
O brethren hearts of ‘Alawi.

Hand-in-hand and hand-in-sleeve
We danced and roared our love fully.

With your eyes you pointed our hearts,
Your breath was ours, a living sea.

Paradise is in your company
O brethren hearts of ‘Alawi.

Wave upon wave pounded until
No cruel shore could resist our plea.

Allah. Allah. Allah, Sidi!
This port of love was destiny.

Paradise is in your company
O brethren hearts of ‘Alawi.

It's that special time of year...Mawlid Season!

Bismillah. Alhamdulillah wa shukrulillah ta'Ala, the Mawlid al-Nabi is just around the corner!

Mark Sunday March 8th @ 5pm on your calendar for a great mawlid celebration at Risalah Foundation. Click here for details.

See you there, insha'Allah!

Ottawa / Montreal Dhikrs?

Bismillah.

Does anyone know of any dhikrs in Ottawa or Montreal?

Please reply here or email me at salikah@hotmail.com

Shukran!

SeekersGuidance Spring 2009!

Bismillah.

SeekersGuidance's Spring 2009 Courses are Open for Registration!

I attended the Fiqh of Life: The Essentials of Halal and Haram course live the past few months in Mississauga and can say that it is well worth signing up for!

Accessible AND affordable knowledge from the convenience of your own computer.

Other particularly excellent and relevant courses are: Money Matters and Commercial Transactions.

For the complete course catologue, click here.

May Allah give you much success in your studies and may He bless the shuyukh and people at SeekersGuidance. Ameen

Wassalam.

Toronto Suhba with Shaykh Nuh Keller: February 26th-March 1st

Alhamdulillah wa Shukrulillah, we are pleased to announce that the Toronto Suhba with Shaikh Nuh Keller will take place from Thursday February 26, 2009 to Sunday March 1, 2009. everyone is invited to attend. Only those of you who plan to attend for the entire suhba are encouraged to preregister in order to make the appropriate khidmah arrangements

Toronto Suhba 2009 with Shaykh Nuh Keller

Speaker Bio: http://shadhilitariqa.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3

Dates: Thursday February 26, 2009 to Sunday March 1, 2009

Location:
Islamic Society of York Region (Stouffville Masjid)1380 Stouffville Road Richmond Hill, Ontario

Registration and further info: www.torontosuhba.com

Monthly Mawlid at Risalah - Sunday February 1st, 2009

The monthly mawlid gathering at Risalah Foundation is this

Sunday February 1st, 2009 at 11am

If you haven't yet attended, we highly recommend taking part in this mubarak gathering - the revival of a very traditional practice.

Burda Sharif & Dala'il al-Khayrat

Dalail al-Khairat is the famous collection of litanies sending blessings and peace upon the Prophet Muhammed (S), authored by the great scholar and Gnostic Imam abi-AbdilLah Muhammad bin Sulaiman al-Jazuli (RA) The majlis will include recitations of The Holy Quran, the Dala'il text and a reading of the renowned ode of praise to the Prophet (S), Qasida al- Burda of Imam al-Busairi. In addition, the majlis often includes readings from the grand compositions of various Awliya and Imams of Islamic tradition.

Risalah Foundation will endeavour to hold this gathering on the first Sunday of every month, insha Allah. You can find details on our website, http://www.risalah.ca/burda.php.

Love Post-Hadra

So many warm smiles that care.
So many shoulders to lean on.
So many to share in our happiness.

...So many that love us ever so sincerely.

But why? What does it mean?

Perhaps it is that Allah's Love, so Intensely Powerful and Strong, in its Purest form, is a Love that we cannot bare -- one by which, enraptured, we would cease to live.

Perhaps this is why our Loving Lord has put these people in our lives. The warm smiles of loved ones and passing strangers. The counsel and support of shoulders we lean on. The joy-lit eyes of well-wishers. The love in all forms, shapes, sizes, and means.

Perhaps this is the way by which Allah lets the Rays of His Loving Light come to us in a way that we can bare.

They are His Smiles, His Support, His Joy...His Love. Glory be to Him.

One of the Greatest Afflictions of Our Ummah

Salik and I were reading a little booklet from Shaykh Yahya, and something the author says really stood out for us as a very poignant remark about the ummah in our times.

"One of the most dangerous things that has afflicted the youth of the community is their ignorance of the life and pure, fragrant characteristics of their Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), such that, were you to say to one of them, 'write what you know about your Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace)', their knowledge would not exceed a page!"

May Allah protect us from ignorance of our beloved and noble Messenger; the Chosen One; the Beloved of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace).

- Wamadat min hadyi al-Nabi al-Khatam (alayhi salat wa salam) by 'Abd al-Majid al-Bayanuni

The Human Heart and Gaza

It is indeed sad that the same heart that, when nurtured and cleansed, is capable of knowing Allah and saving the lives of strangers, can, when hardened, become blind and inhumane.

It is indeed sad that the offspring of those who suffered, can inflict such horror on others.

BBC Story on the hospital in Gaza

The Koran is like a Bride - Mawlana Rumi

The Koran is like a bride. Although you pull the veil away from her face, she does not show herself to you. When you investigate the Koran, but receive no joy or mystical unveiling, it is because your pulling at the veil has caused you to be rejected. The Koran has deceived you and shown itself as ugly. It says, "I am not that beautiful bride." It is able to show itself in any form it desires. But if you stop pulling at its veil and seek its good pleasure; if you water its field, serve it from afar and strive in that which pleases it, then it will show you its face without any need for you to draw aside its veil.

Translated in William Chittick, The Sufi Path of Love: The Spiritual Teachings of Rumi (Albany: State University of New York Press, 1983), 273.

Shaykh Habib Umar bin Hafiz - A Message for the New Year

By: Al-Habib Umar bin Hafiz, Director, Dar al-Mustafa for the Islamic Sciences (Tarim, Yemen) Translated by: Amin Buxton

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

The following is summarised from a talk given by Habib Umar bin Hafiz (Allah preserve him):

[1] We bid farewell to a another year of the Hijra of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), a year which contains a number of days and nights which are what makes up your lifespan. If a day passes then a part of you has passed. You are but a body and spirit existent in a limited time period. When that period comes to an end you come to an end. It is only those of sound intellect who realise the true value of these days and nights that pass. They know that it is He Who made the Night and the Day to follow each other: for the one who wishes to reflect or to show gratitude.

[2]Whatever anyone has achieved throughout the days and nights that has not increased them in reflection and gratitude has missed the purpose and fundamental wisdom for which these days and nights were created and for which mankind was created. We witness the passing of time and the alternation of seasons and changes and events. Things which are agreeable to us; things which are unpleasant – all of which test us. We witness the passing away of those who live alongside, some of it expected, some of it unexpected. All of this is by the decree of the All-Powerful Sovereign. We welcome likewise a new year. Every individual must look at their level of reflection and gratitude so they may obtain their provision from these days and nights. Amongst the meanings of reflection is removing the veils from the spirit to remember the original covenant which it took with its Lord and clearing away the dust to extend its gaze to its eventual destination. As for gratitude, everything which is of any benefit to creation comes into its sphere. The Master of Creation said (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), “Should I not be a grateful slave?” and he is the most grateful of creation to the Creator, and through his gratitude we show gratitude to the Creator. May Allah bind us to him in this life and the next. It is He Who made the Night and the Day to follow each other: for the one who wishes to reflect or to show gratitude . What are the signs and the attributes of the people of reflection and gratitude? Read the eleven attributes that follow this verse, beginning with: And the slaves of the Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, "Peace!" Those who spend the night in worship of their Lord prostrate and standing

[3] Reflect upon these attributes and ask yourself what portion you have of them. Do not be content merely to pass over them superficially. Delve into them deeply, hold firm to them and actualise their meanings. Each of these attributes has a residing place in your inner being. If each attribute finds its place you will, in your inner being, be one of the slaves of the Most Gracious and every day and night you will increase in reflection and gratitude, and He will prepare you for an indescribable reward. “I have prepared for my righteous slaves that which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and what no man can imagine.” The majority of the people of Islam and Iman have made no preparation for the vision of the face of the Best of Mankind, accompanying him on the day of Crowding and then in Dar al-Salam, the Abode of Peace. Does this warrant you giving anything less than your all? How much have you put towards this: of your thoughts, your actions, the attributes of your heart, of the hours of your day and night? After the death of the Messenger of Allah Sayyiduna al-Siddiq would spend his nights crying out of his longing for him. Do we allow the ups and downs of this fleeting life and the desires of our enemies to tear these feelings away from us? Will you exchange the better for the worse? All you who believe, accompanying him is greater than anything we can imagine. There is no gift more exquisite that the Lord of the Throne may bless you with than his companionship and the vision of his face and addressing the possessor of that face. He is a man like no other, the Beloved of the Creator. If these feelings were alive in the hearts of the Umma all causes of evil inward and outward would be blocked and the Umma would be safe from every tribulation. The level of tribulation in which we find ourselves is according to our deficiency in our love for Allah and His Chosen One. At the end of this year may Allah grant us the ability to please His Beloved through seeking to improve our states and our transactions and what takes places in our houses and what is in our hearts. Nothing should be more beloved to us than Allah and nothing in creation, not even Paradise, should be more beloved to us than Muhammad. No created thing can take precedence over Muhammad, because Allah Himself gave him precedence over all of creation.

For this reason the Companion Salama ibn Rabi`a could think of nothing better to ask from the Messenger of Allah than his companionship in Paradise. The response of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was to order him to make abundant prostration. The closest a slave is to Allah is when he is in prostration. If you desire to be close to the one who is closest to Allah make abundant prostration. One of the meanings of this prostration is to rid our houses of anything which is contravenes his Sunna, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Let this Hijri year finish and with it any contravention of the Sunna. This is prostration. You want to accompany him but you don’t want to live in accordance with his teaching? Let this year finish and you are in a state of preparation to meet the best of Allah’s slaves.
________________________________________
[1] Jalsat al-Ithnayn, Jami` Tarim, the night of 25th Dhu’l-Hijja 1429
[2] Sura al-Furqan, 25.62
[3] Sura al-Furqan, 25.63-74

RIS

...the conference is done...let the retreat begin!

Alhamdulillah, the convention was nice...saw lots of people I hadn't seen in a while as well as those I'm blessed to see regularly.

Insha'Allah, more on RIS after the retreat is over.

Allah Ma'ak.

Shaykh Ramzy on Forgiveness and Madinah

Bismillah.

I was looking through my notebook during the break in Shaykh Faraz's halaqa last week and started reading through previous notes I'd taken. I came across many beautiful words from our teachers and journal entries from Hajj.

On our second night in Madinah, once the entire group had arrived, Shaykh Ramzy gathered us all in the lobby of our hotel and gave us some advice. He spoke of forgiving one another for what happened in the past and what for what will come (especially given the intimate nature of the pilgrimage) -- in the city of our Noble Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), we should intend to forgive, as this is his sunnah. Allah pardons and loves those who pardon. We expect Allah to forgive us and yet cannot find it in our hearts to forgive others -- if we do not forgive, our hearts will have something in them that will interfere in receiving the forgiveness of Allah.

The Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) has the greatest heart for forgiveness -- on the yawm al-hashr, all Prophets (upon them be peace) will say, "this affair is not for me", but he (Allah bless him and give him peace) will say, "this is for me" and will not rest until each Muslim is forgiven -- and then he will ask for the pardon of other communities, Allah bless him and give him peace.

About Madinah, the blessed companion, 'Umar said, it is the holiest place on earth, and 'Uthman agreed with him (Allah be well-pleased with them both).

The soil mixes with his blessed living body, he hears each and every salam and responds, and Allah sends His salam on each person ten times.

"Allah and the angels bless the Prophet,

O you who believe, send peace and blessings upon him."

As we watch what we eat and purchase despite knowing the waste they will eventually end up in, we should watch what goes in our hearts, for the heart and its deeds live on in the grave.

***

This last note that Shaykh Ramzy made is, I believe, of utmost importance. Far too often we neglect to realize, or we brush off, the impact of what we expose our senses to. I remember years ago Shaykh Abdallah Adhami said that whatever our ears and eyes and limbs are exposed to lives on in us forever -- he cautioned us to pay heed to what words we listen to and what scenes we watch. How many conversations to we expose our ears and soul to that our full of backbiting, tale-baring, vulgarities? How many lyrics and sounds to we listen to that perturb the heart and throw us into heedlessness? How many violent, vulgar scenes do we see, even for a split second on television and in movies, thinking we're unscathed, but they live on in the recesses of our hearts forever?

Food for thought.

Love is All You Need

Love is All You Need
Strengthening Communal Ties

Wednesday, December 24th, 6.30 to 9 pm

Imam Zaid Shakir
Shaykh Jawad Qureshi (Chicago)
Shaykh Omar Qureshi (Chicago)
Shaykh Zahir Bacchus
Shaykh Ramzy Ajem
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

At the IMO (International Muslim Organization)
65 Rexdale Blvd, Rexdale, ON
Google Maphttp://www.imooftoronto.com/
IMO

The Prophet (alayhi salat wa salam)

...Light Embodied.

Fatiha

Bismillah.

AsSalamu'alaykum wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatuhu,

Verily, from Allah we came and to Him we are returning.

My mother's last surviving uncle -- my grandfather's brother, passed away a few days ago in Lahore, Pakistan. He was a righteous man in his mid-eighties, and I have fond memories from when I spent time with him as a young girl.

Please make fatiha for him. May Allah have mercy on Him, make easy the trials of the grave and the next world, and make his union with Him, one of intense sweetness. May we be united in Jannah. Ameen.

Wassalam,
Salikah

Welcome Back, Hujjaj!

Bismillah.

Insha'Allah, this is the week that many of our dear brothers and sisters who embarked on the noble journey of hajj are to return home to us.

Hajj Mabrur, insha'Allah!

In honour of the hujjaj, the monthly Burda and Dala'il Reading at Risalah will be taking place this Sunday Decemeber 21st, 2008 from 11am-1pm.

Please join us in welcoming back the hujjaj!

Wassalam,

Salikah

And which of your Lord's bounties, will you and you deny?

These trees, their leaves and flowers. Were they created to witness the filthy sight of sin?

This earth. Was it created so that we might sin upon it?

The sky. Was it created to watch our heedlessness?

How often have we gone about disobedience of our Lord and not once thought to how we have offended the nature that surrounds us?

How often have we neglected to think how are sinful acts, words, deeds must make the purity of trees, leaves, flowers, the sky, the earth...all cringe at our pitiful state?

How often have we not thought how nature must weep that its destiny was so poor as to be made witness to egos engulfed in sin?

Indeed we are taught that the trees lay in wait of someone to pass them who is in the remembrance of Allah so they may boast to the other trees of the good that they have been made witness to. And so do we not pause to reflect on what shame they must feel when not only is such a person absent, but in their place passes a person who is in opposition to the command of Allah?

On that Day, those trees, those leaves and flowers, that sky, that earth...all will be given a voice and all will cry out to their Lord as witnesses against us for having sinned near, below, or upon them. Pay heed, dear brothers and sisters. Pay heed.

We should not let time pass us by, we should not neglect a moment of life that Allah bestows upon us, but that we retrace those sinful steps, and in each place of disobedience, return in an act of obedience and penitence, seeking Allah's forgiveness and that of each witness. We must humble ourselves. We must weep. We must beg our Lord that He write us from amongst those who were penitent and remembered Him. We must beseech our witnesses to remember only the good that we did before them, and not the evil.

How Merciful is Allah, that not only did He not take us in such a filthy state, but that He gave us life. Life to repent. Life to learn. Life to return to that very place, a person transformed, a person realized, a person aware.

And which of your Lord's bounties, will you and you deny?

Welcome, Dhul Hijjah!

Bismillah.

Peace & blessings upon our noble messenger, his family, companions, & those who follow him.

Today marks the start of Dhul Hijjah!

Subhan'Allah, last year at this time Salik and I were in the most blessed lands on earth. This year as the hujjaj leave -- including Shaykh Ramzy and Shaykh Zahid who were with us, in addition to Shaykh Abdallah who is joining them this year! -- my heart really isn't here right now...it seems to have run off with them. Before they left I asked them to remember us there, as bits of my heart are spread throughout the mubarak lands to which Allah has returned them. May Allah bless their journey and that of all of the hujjaj. Hajj Mabrur insha'Allah.

We must however, remember that even if we aren't able to be in those luminous lands, we should nevertheless, pay heed to the days that are upon us and honour them.

Some advice on what to do the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah from Shaykh Faraz.

Please remember us in your prayers these blessed days.

May He Most High, return us to the sacred sanctuaries again. Ameen.

Wassalam,
Salikah

Shaykh Abdallah al-Haddad on the Signs of Allah's Love Upon One...

Bismillah.

AsSalamu'alaykum wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatuhu,

The past three weeks we have been blessed in Toronto with the luminous company of our noble teacher, Shaykh Abdallah al-Haddad of Fez. Prior to his arrival, a dear sister of mine said "get ready to fall in love!" Shaykh came and enveloped us with his love and mercy, and a man we little knew before his arrival has become over the course of a few weeks the most beloved to our hearts. Indeed, we fell in love with his loving smile, his sweet words, his care and concern. Seeing one of our elders, a wali of Allah, a descendant of the Noblest Messenger Sayyidina Muhammad (salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam), a Shaykh, a manfull of humility, give of his time and self completely to the fuqara',has been inspirational.

As he parts us to make hajj before returning home to his family in Fez, we thank Allah for having blessed us with his company and we pray that Allah bless his every moment, make easy his hajj and travels, return him safely to his family, grant him ease, and unite us once more.

Below are some notes I took at the Sunday night dars with Shaykh, where he spoke of the signs of Allah's love upon one.

May Allah love and bless you all. Please pray for Shaykh and those left saddened by his departure.

Wassalam,

Salikah

Signs of the love of Allah upon one:

Hadith:

"I declare war upon anyone who shows enmity towards My friends.... My servant continues to draw close to Me through supererogatory works until I love him. And when I love him, I am his hearing through which he hears, his eyes through which he sees, and his foot upon which he walks."

Three things have been hidden in three:

1) Allah's dispeasure is hidden in disobedience of Him.

• Therefore, do not underestimate even what you deem to be the smallest sin because it could be that Allah takes your life at a moment in which you die in a state of sin. It is said in a hadith that a man may do the actions of the people of Paradise unti there remains between him and Paradise an arm-span. Then the decree will catch up with him and he will do the actions of the people of Hell and will be placed therein. Likewise a man may do the actions of the people of Hell unti there remains between him and Hell an arm-span. Then the decree will catch up with him and he will do the actions of the people of Paradise and will be placed therein.
• Do not underestimate small sins because a large bonfire starts as asmall flame.

2) Allah's pleasure is hidden in obedience of Him.

• Therefore do not belittle any religious act, even the removal of a banana peel from the road, for that could save somebody else a lot of hardship (i.e., if the peel were not removed, they could fall, get hurt, etc.)
• Superogatory works are never equal to obligatory works. Both are a means of drawing closer to Allah. Also, we often leave an easy means of benefit for an action which requires much work and no benefit at all. For instance, commiting adultery and drinking alcohol are mandatory to avoid and you are rewarded simply by not doing anything, whereas doing them requires time, effort, and money.
• Rewards/punishments are eternal except for the one who sincerely repents.
  

3) Allah's awliya' are hidden amongst the people.

• A hadith speaks of dishevelled one whose du'as are accepted because he is hidden and goes unnoticed. Allah loves the pure and pious whose name nobody knows when they walk in and whom nobody misses when they are not present. Therefore, never disdain any of the creation because you don't know who the awliya' are. You cannot create something better, so do not despise the creation of Allah, lest Allah declares war upon you.
• Do not mock, backbite, or speak ill of anyone.
• Do not wink and laugh with your friends at others because Allah says in the Qur'an that the disbelievers do this to the believers when they see them pass by.
  

Nafilah (superogatory) works of the limbs:

• Eyes lowered, heart cleansed of ailments, ears from bad language/sounds, lead to external and inner purity. When this happens, a person's system changes and Allah becomes, as the hadith says, the eyes with which they see, the hearing with which they hear, the foot upon which they walk. In such a state, resulting from leaving what has been forbidden, such a person becomes as if controlled by a satellite: he can communicate with Allah as he likes, and He with him.
• When Allah loves a person He tells Jibril, "I love so and so, so love him." Jibril then tells the angels, "Allah loves so and so, so love him" until he is loved by the people.

*Be persistent in du'a and prayers of the heart.

Baba Bullay Shah and the Charlatan's Lota

During the lifetime of the wali Allah, Baba Bullay Shah, there was a charlatan who claimed knowledge of the unseen. People visited the man in regards to their affairs, and would honour him with money and gifts for his "wisdom". When Baba heard of him, he had his suspicions and so went to meet him. While with him, Baba hid his lota*. At the end of their meeting, they exchanged pleasantries, and the charlatan exclaimed, "wait! where did my lota disappear to?!". At this Baba Bullay Shah said, "you claim to know the ins and outs of the unseen world, but you cannot find your lota?!".

*Lota (Urdu/Punjabi): watering jug used for cleansing in the washroom.

Yup, that's a real Punjabi saint...wisdom with a sense of humour! : )

Filth

There was a man who was very concerned with the outwards of purification, always making sure he was clean and polished. Upon seeing him, a saint exclaimed "you are so concerned about the purification of your outward, and yet you have never looked to the purification of your inward filth!".

A good reminder to those of us with mild symptoms of OCD : )

Obama Wins!

May Allah make this a means of better times for people all around the world. May He guide Obama to do that which is just, always. Ameen.

In Chicago...

for another day. Any tips on good food and good places?

Shukran!

Salikah

Pink Hijab Day - Oct. 29

Wednesday October 29th, 2008 is Pink Hijab Day.

Muslim women across the world will be wearing a Pink Hijab or headscarf, to raise awareness for breast cancer and show their solidarity with those who are battling this disease.

So, girls, remember to wear your pink hijabs!

Addendum: I decided to try "Pink Hijab Day" at work (I teach high school). Alhamdulillah, it went well...for practical purposes I extended it to wearing anything pink...but one teacher asked to wear hijab and she kept it on all day, and another man wore one around his neck as as a scarf...tonnes of teachers and students came out in pink and we did a homeroom collection of donations for the Canadian Cancer Society. Overall, it was quite fun -- good dawah, good cause.

In the agony suffered for You...

In the agony suffered for You,
the wounded find the scent of balm:
The memory of you consoles the souls of lovers.
Thousands in every corner, seeking a glimpse of You,
cry out like Moses, "Lord, show me Yourself!"
I see thousands of lovers lost in a desert of grief,
wandering aimlessly and saying hopefully,
"O God! O God!"
I see breasts scorched by the burning of separation from You;
I see eyes weeping in love's agony.
Dancing down the lane of blame and censure,
your lovers cry out, "Poverty is my source of pride!"
Pir-i Ansar has quaffed the wine of longing:
Like Majnun he wanders drunk and perplexed
through the world.
- Abd Allah Ansari's introduction to the Munajat

Words of the Awliya'

Was having a qabd kind of day so I decided to open up a book and see what my masters Abd Allah Ansari and Ibn Ata'illah had to say to me. May Allah have mercy on them, and benefit us by their wisdom.

O God,
If I have not been a friend,
I have not been an enemy either.
Although I persist in sinning,
still I confess your oneness.
No matter how much you take away from me,
I take nothing away from you.
- Abd Allah Ansari (Munajat)

That which the gnostics seek from God
is sincerity in servanthood
and performance of the rights of Lordship.
- Ibn Ata'illah (Hikam)

Hajj Tips: For Those Intending to Make the Journey, by Allah's Permission

Intellectual Preparation:

Know your fiqh! The greatest cause of confusion, argument, and mistakes I saw in people on hajj was a lack of knowing the fiqh of hajj. Alhamdulillah, Sh. Ramzy had prepared us extraordinarily well, but other groups we met were often quite confused.

• Read up! Get a good, reliable book(s) of one madhab.
• Ideally, go with a group that knows what they're doing. Traditionally trained scholars as leaders are indispensible.
• Whatever madhab you follow, Imam al-Ghazali's book on pilgrimage is worthwhile in pointing out points of adab that could make a big difference on your hajj experience.
  

Spiritual Preparation:

Try and spend time with your group and group leader – build bonds with them. Talk to people who have gone recently – everyone who goes, longs to go again and their longing will, insha’Allah, increase yours and raise your excitement about going. Take the books that speak to your heart and those that are super mubarak. My favourites:

• Qur’an – Arabic and a good translation like Arberry
• Prayers for Forgiveness
• Dalail Khayrat
• Salat and Salam
• A Sira book

Listening to Shaykh Hamza Yusuf’s lessons on the Life of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) are a good way to increase in one’s love for him (Allah bless him and give him peace) before visiting Madinah. Remember to make as much salawat as possible, going to, and staying in Madinah, and remember to take advantage of the barakah and purity of the masjid.

• Take a nice misbaha with you, since you are visiting the most Mubarak sites on the planet. There you can make du’a on them, and get the tabarruk of the kaba and the rawdah.
• Make a lot of istighfar from the heart. Salat al-tawbah. Prayers for Forgiveness helps with tawbah, too.
• Make du’a that Allah make your hajj Mubarak and accepted.
• Send salawat in abundance in preparation for your visit to Madinah.
• Read the accounts of others who have gone, like Malcolm X. There are some such books. Additionally, there is our own account.
  

Physical Preparation:

Exercise. In the weeks leading up to hajj, try and start walking and doing some exercise to strengthen your body.

What to pack? Pack Light! I definitely over-packed when we went...I’m quite particular about my “needs” and quite sensitive on the whole...so sisters out there who are like me, rest-assured.

• A nice warm shawl, sweater, or poncho. Makkah is hot. Mina is hot, the tents are AC’d. Madinah is hot in the days, very nice at night. All you need by way of keeping warm in terms of clothing is a nice warm shawl or sweater.
• A good sleeping bag. I get cold very easily so I took a nice insulated Columbia sleeping bag with me – because I’m sensitive to hotel detergents, etc. I actually used to lay this out even in the hotels...it became my means of comfort...I could sleep anywhere so long as I had this sleeping bag! In Mina we were give a mattress, sheet, pillow, and blanket – again, I just put my sleeping bag on top! In the tents at Mina I’d often bury my face in it to avoid the AC and various coughs that rang around me.
• Three Abayas or Thawbs will suffice. And some shalwar kameez or pajamas to wear underneath. Laundry is very easy and quick to get done!
• A Small Bag. I took a Mountain Co-op shoulder strap bag with me. It was just big enough to put my sandals in, along with hotel cards, etc.
• Money Belt. No need to worry about your passport (since the Saudis hold it), but for credit/debit cards and cash, it’s useful. Better, in my opinion for a woman to wear it underneath the layers of clothes. Men, for whom it’s easier for pick-pockets to get to, might also want to keep their valueables out of sight. Stashed money in a pant pocket that can be buttoned, is pretty safe if kept under a thobe. Take a few hundred dollars in cash, and if you need more you can take it out using the ATM (call your bank/credit card company ahead of time and let them know you'll be travelling). One finds not much cash is needed since most meals are covered by the group.
• Cell Phone. Our group provided us with SIM cards, so all we did is take our SIM compatible cell phones with us and we could all stay in touch with local Saudi numbers. Very useful in case of separation, but be prepared to deal with poor signal reception.
• Cameras. The guards are quite strict about cameras. In Madinah you and your bag are searched thoroughly and even cell phones with cameras are not permitted. In Makkah things are a little less tight, but guards do still search. My camera broke the day we began hajj and I think it was for the best because it prevented me from getting distracted.
• MP3 Player. Nice to listen to Qur’an, hadras, dhikrs, qasidas, and lessons on hajj from the Shuyukh. I also used mine to record the adhan and recitation in the haramayn. Men should be careful about headphones during ihram.
• Undergarments. So I must say, I personally believe that in all the hustle and bustle of hajj, one should not be worrying about washing undergarments. Taking enough old ones to have one for each day, or purchasing enough from a dollar store so that you can simply dispose of them as you go is a really good idea!
• Seal Skin Socks or Khuffs. Very useful, especially during the days of hajj so you can just wipe in public washrooms.
• Comfy Sandals. This depends on you, but it’s rather warm so I preferred sandals (the kind you can wear with Seal Skins on) and even outside of the days of hajj, I like to be able to make wudu and put on my sandals without having to deal with socks). Having something with a heel strap might be more secure.
• Unscented Soap. A few bars worth – something for Mina, as well as to keep with you when you’re moving around during the days of Hajj. Natural Health stores carry them.
• Unscented Deodorant. Really important, especially at Mina since showering isn't always easy, especially since you don't want hair falling out.
• Hand-Sanitizer. For use outside of the days of Hajj.
• Medical Kit. Very important. I packed:

1. Vitamin C. Start taking this way before you leave and continue daily!
2. Birth Control: For the ladies, as much as I dislike these, it’s a good way to be able to make all the rights of hajj with one’s group. But see your doctor!
3. Glucose pills: for when you feel dehydrated, but don’t want to drink a tonne of water).
4. Tylenol: good for when you start feeling flu symptoms, are fatigued or feverish.
5. Advil: for any other pains, inflammations, etc.
6. PeptoBismol: For those times that the food just doesn’t sit too well.
7. Tums. Heartburn, indigestion, and the like.
8. Gravol: When you really feel like the food didn’t sit well!
9. Cough Drops: Whichever ones you like. My preference is Ricola and cough drop-centred Halls.
10. Vicks Vapo-Rub: This is good for if/when you do get sick. When I couldn’t stop coughing at night in Makkah, my dear friend and roommate with mommy experience, taught me a great trick so I’ll share it here. Rub Vicks on your neck/chest and then wrap a towel around it...helps the cough go away at nights so you can sleep.
11. Band-Aids, alcohol wipes.

Madinah:

• Adab! You are in the city of the Chosen One (Allah bless him and give him peace) – show adab to the ground, to the people, and most of all, to him and Allah. Make ghusl and go to visit him as soon as you can. Thank him for allowing to come to his city, Allah bless him and give him peace, and thank Allah for His Mercy upon you.
• Visiting the Rawdah. From what I know, the Rawdah is always open to brothers. It opens to sisters after fajr until 10am, after dhuhr for one hour, and from 8pm to midnight. The morning and night are the best times to visit since the hour in the afternoon is a short time and most who try to go, don’t get in. If you use that time to eat lunch and rest, you have more energy to go at night. Go early and wait for the gates to open. The guards try to divide you by country of origin – speaking English only helps because they give up on you. Don’t push! Be patient when pushed! Allah will reward your good adab.
• Salah. One’s prayers have 1000 times the reward if prayed at the haram. Unless there is a serious reason one cannot go, one should try to make each prayer in congregation at the masjid of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). Most hotels are within a five or ten minute walking distance.of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). Most hotels are within a five or ten minute walking distance.
• Walks. Some of the most peaceful moments I had in Madinah were each night after midnight when the Rawdah closed. I would walk once in the courtyard around the entire masjid, alone – take your misbaha and just make dhikr. One never feels alone or frightened in and around the masjid.
• Ziyarah. Your group will likely plan the ziyarah to key sites for you. Places such as Masjid Qiblatayn, Masjid Quba, Jannat-ul-Baqi’, Uhud, Khunduq, and the well of ‘Uthman ibn Affan.

Mina:

Dhikr and Suhba. Mina is a good time to talk to one another about things that are of benefit. Do private dhikr, little mawlids, etc. This is where one really develops a bond with brothers and sisters. We had a yummy doughnut stand outside our tents and chicken nuggest place, too!


Arafat/Muzdalifah/Jamarat:

• Dhikr, Istighfar, Du’a. This is the best day of the year and the best place. Make use of it with earnest du’a for forgiveness and salvation. Bust out your awrad books. Remember Allah. Pray.
• Jabl Rahmah. Try to get to Jabl Rahmah – the place where our Master Adam (peace be upon him) made tawbah, and where the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) gave his final blessed sermon.
• Walk to Muzdalifah! I say this with complete sincerity and seriousness. Walking from Arafat to Muzdalifah is generally not something on the itinerary of one’s group. The scholars always mention its merit, and for us, by Allah’s Mercy, a group of us became separated from the rest and ended up having to walk. Alhamdulillah, that we did because it was by far, the best day of my life! One really feels that they’ve left the world behind and are marching for Allah Ta’Ala. Nothing is sweeter than the sounds of every tongue shouting “Labayk, Allahuma Labayk!” (At Your Service, O Allah, at Your Service!), on foot, in and on buses. The truth is that on a bus one generally falls asleep or feels separated from the blessed earth and the other hujaj, but on foot one feels connected to the earth, the sky, and the people, and experiences what the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) did. The himmah comes from another realm and one doesn't even become fatigued!
• Sleep at Muzdalifah. Even if it’s for an hour, this sleep is unlike any other.
• Jamarat. Be aware of your surroundings. It’s quite safe now. Once you’ve stoned, just be careful not to run into the crowd head-on, lest you be hit by a stone!

Makkah:

Salah. One’s prayers have 1000 times the reward if prayed at the haram -- you can also fast a day or two if you feel up to it. Unless there is a serious reason one cannot go, one should try to make each prayer in congregation at the haram -- and remember there is more than one floor! Go about three hours eary for Jumuah. Praying Fajr/Maghrib on the roof is stunningly beautiful...with the sun coming up or setting, the melodious voice of the imam seems as if it is coming straight from the heavens and into your heart. Subhan'Allah.


General Tips/Advice:

• Don’t waste too much time shopping. Set aside one or two trips to the market, but that’s it. One doesn’t know when and if they’ll ever return to these Mubarak lands. Markets and items can be found everywhere – there aren’t any “great deals” during hajj and they’re not worth giving up “eternal deals” for, anyways.
• Be patient! Know that everyone is coming from different places with different social norms. They are guests of Allah as much as you are, so show them love and respect even if they do not. They love Allah.
• Smile! Really!
• Have something to do during delays which can happen anywhere at any time. Shaykh Faisal once suggested that if one has a goal to read the entire Qur’an, one welcomes delays! Listening to the khayr on your MP3 or better yet getting everyone to sing together is another great idea.
• Know that you will get to where Allah wants you to be and has destined you to be. You may have plans, but Allah’s plans are better.
• Keep us in your prayers.

If you're making the journey, and have questions, please feel free to email me or post them here. Also, if you're going please email me :)

I pray insha'Allah, that these were of benefit. Please remember Salik and I in your du'as. That Allah allow us to really know Him in this world and the next, grant us salvation, a high station in Paradise with the Prophet (Allah bless him and give peace), bless our parents, families, and loved ones, and give us good health, happiness, and tawfiq. And du'a that He answers our prayers.

May Allah accept your hajj, Hajj Mabrur, insha'Allah. Ameen.

Links:

Hajj Tips Posted from Readers on My Blog Last Year

My Hajj Account

Shaykh Nuh Ha Mim Keller: 2 files on Hajj > Free Lessons > The Hajj

Shaykh Hamza Yusuf: Hajj – Journey to the House of God

Shaykh Murad on 10 Good Manners for Hajj

A Poem for Arafat > Remember the poet in your du'as.

Travel Medicine for Hajj > Remember the doctor in your du'as.

Hanafi Q&A

Shafi'i Q&A

Maliki Fiqh (Malikis, be prepared for the one time you might be forced to take a rukhsa.)

Reader on the Fiqh of Hajj

Wassalam,
Your Sister,
Salikah

Kulama Nadayt Yahu - Yemeni Style

I'm looking for the full version of the qasida Kulama Nadayt Yahu, in the Yemeni style.

You can hear it at the end of this video and other Guidance videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqzYhs8NsxM

Please help!