Remembrance poem for someone who is dece
i lik the bred
2017.03.23 18:51 Hasnep i lik the bred
Poems based on this one about a cow licking bread by Poem_for_your_sprog: my name is Cow, and wen its nite, or wen the moon is shiyning brite, and all the men haf gon to bed - i stay up late. i lik the bred.
2015.06.21 23:34 hurbraa Don't you know who I am?
This is a place for instances of people not realizing who they're talking to is who they're talking about. Pool's closed, but we're still open!
2008.09.23 12:16 UnsolvedMysteries: This reddit is about unsolved mysteries ...
This subreddit is about unsolved mysteries. Whenever possible, actual redditors have participated in investigating the events. What you are about to read is not a news broadcast.
2024.05.23 23:17 Kindly-Astronaut-660 Questions about Auden's The Watershed [HELP]
I am not a native English speaker. Could someone comment on my questions regarding W. H. Auden's poem?
They are in square brackets:
The Watershed
Who stands, the crux left of the watershed, [this someone, standing on the watershed, looks like a crooss, right?] On the wet road between the chafing grass Below him sees dismantled washing-floors, [what kind of floors are these?] Snatches of tramline running to a wood, An industry already comatose, Yet sparsely living. A ramshackle engine At Cashwell raises water; for ten years It lay in flooded workings [some kind of mine?] until this, Its latter office, grudgingly performed. And, further, here and there, though many dead Lie under the poor soil, some acts are chosen, [what does this mean?] Taken from recent winters; two there were Cleaned out a damaged shaft by hand, clutching The winch a gale would tear them from; [wind made them fall??] one died During a storm, the fells impassable, [stretches of wood where trees were cut down?] Not at his village, but in wooden shape Through long abandoned levels [what is this?] nosed his way And in his final valley went to ground.
Go home, now, stranger, proud of your young stock, [do you think Auden implies the visitor's family or, more broadly, his generation?] Stranger, turn back again, frustrate and vexed: This land, cut off, will not communicate, Be no accessory content to one Aimless for faces rather there than here. Beams from your car may cross a bedroom wall, They wake no sleeper; you may hear the wind Arriving driven from the ignorant sea To hurt itself on pane, on bark of elm Where sap unbaffled rises, being spring; But seldom this. Near you, taller than the grass, Ears poise before decision, scenting danger.
submitted by Kindly-Astronaut-660 to Poetry [link] [comments]
They are in square brackets:
The Watershed
Who stands, the crux left of the watershed, [this someone, standing on the watershed, looks like a crooss, right?] On the wet road between the chafing grass Below him sees dismantled washing-floors, [what kind of floors are these?] Snatches of tramline running to a wood, An industry already comatose, Yet sparsely living. A ramshackle engine At Cashwell raises water; for ten years It lay in flooded workings [some kind of mine?] until this, Its latter office, grudgingly performed. And, further, here and there, though many dead Lie under the poor soil, some acts are chosen, [what does this mean?] Taken from recent winters; two there were Cleaned out a damaged shaft by hand, clutching The winch a gale would tear them from; [wind made them fall??] one died During a storm, the fells impassable, [stretches of wood where trees were cut down?] Not at his village, but in wooden shape Through long abandoned levels [what is this?] nosed his way And in his final valley went to ground.
Go home, now, stranger, proud of your young stock, [do you think Auden implies the visitor's family or, more broadly, his generation?] Stranger, turn back again, frustrate and vexed: This land, cut off, will not communicate, Be no accessory content to one Aimless for faces rather there than here. Beams from your car may cross a bedroom wall, They wake no sleeper; you may hear the wind Arriving driven from the ignorant sea To hurt itself on pane, on bark of elm Where sap unbaffled rises, being spring; But seldom this. Near you, taller than the grass, Ears poise before decision, scenting danger.
2024.05.23 21:46 Trash_Tia Every boyfriend I get is brutally dying. Now I know the truth about them…and me.
“It's me, Brianna. Not you.”
That's what my latest boyfriend told me before walking directly into the path of a truck. There was barely anything of him, just enough to peel off of the sidewalk. I thought our relationship was going well. It's not like I'm desensitised to my boyfriend's dying (or ceasing to exist), but it's almost become the norm.
Ben was my first boyfriend in high school, and my longest relationship to date. Fluffy haired Ben with his dimpled grin and freckles. He was the type of guy who should have been popular, but chose to keep to himself.
I met him in the principal’s office. Ben was being lectured for ‘sneaking around’ and I was handing in a late assignment. All he did was wink at me, and I fell.
Hard.
We dated for two years, and I really thought he was the one. Ben told me he loved me, and every Friday he introduced me to a new restaurant. I was in love. I loved *everything about him.
On the night before our senior prom, a drunk driver t-boned my boyfriend's car, killing him instantly. After his funeral, it's like he stopped existing. His parents left town, and every time I mentioned him, my parents would slowly tilt their heads and act confused when I brought him up.
My brother was the worst for it, considering he and Ben were best friends.
But he just looked at me with this weird fucking look in his eye, like his soul had been ripped out. Eyes are the windows to the soul, apparently, and my brother's soul was MIA. “Ben?” His expression crumpled. “Wait, who?”
Alex was my emotional support, who later became someone closer.
Funny Alex.
Blonde-but-not-quite-blonde, Alex.
I met him in group therapy. My boyfriend was dead, and he had just lost his mother. We didn't label it, because he had a girlfriend, and I didn't want to move on so quickly. I think we just found comfort in each other.
Eventually, though, Alex became something I wanted to label.
His sense of humor was a breath of fresh air. I didn't go to college because of Ben’s death, settling for a mediocre barista stop in town. Alex came in every day with fresh coffee and a sugar cookie. I think I loved him. I told him that. Half asleep, I told him I wanted to try and be something more with him. Alex looked taken-aback, but happy.
We spent the night together.
The morning after, I woke to my mother screaming.
Alex was dead in the bathroom, his blood splattering, staining pristine white. According to the first responders, he died of a self inflicted head injury. The exact same thing followed. I attended his funeral, and Alex’s family disappeared.
This time, I went back to his house. But according to a neighbour, his house had been abandoned for ten years. I had eaten pancakes in his kitchen just days earlier.
I broke in to see myself, but my neighbor was right. The hallway was piled with ancient mail and threats of eviction. Alex’s room didn't exist, instead, a storage room filled with boxes.
When I got home, my family had already forgotten Alex’s existence.
The town had forgotten him, and yet his blood still stained my bathroom.
Following Alex’s death, I was terrified of getting too close to people.
But Esme made it hard.
She was my third relationship. We met at a bar. I was extremely drunk and convinced I was cursed to kill all of my romantic partners. Esme. Cute Esme. Crooked teeth and smudged lipstick and warm Esme.
Do you know that person you meet and you instantly connect with them? The person you're sure is your soulmate?
That was Esme.
I told myself I wouldn't get close to her. But I was already talking to this girl, already pouring my life out to her. Esme sat and listened, her chin resting on her fist. She was a first year creative writing student, and she had a cat called Peanut.
I didn't remember much after that. We hit it off, and next thing I know we’re curled up in the back of her car watching Buffy on her iPad. I told her about my exes, and she nodded and smiled, but I don't think she was listening.
I told her all of my exes have died, and then been erased from existence.
Esme called me cute. She wanted to base a story around the concept, sitting up and grabbing her phone.
I have this memory of the girl I fell in love with at first sight.
She's nodding along to a Smith’s song spluttering from my car radio, typing on her phone. I can hear the tapping of her nails, her lips curving into a smile. I can see the exact moment she gets inspiration, pulling her knees to her chest. She's wearing fishnet tights that are torn, and a jacket that doesn't fit her.
She is fucking beautiful, and I don't want to lose her.
Alex was beautiful.
He had pretty eyes and brown curls that I liked running my hands through. Ben was beautiful. He made my heart swim, my stomach swarm with butterflies, when I first met him. Ben was my first love.
The realization woke me up one night, three months into dating Esme.
Both of them were dead, wiped away like they never existed.
And Esme would follow.
At first, I tried to break it off with her without sounding crazy. I told her it was me not her, and I wasn't in the mindset for a relationship.
Esme understood, but her eyes didn't. I didn't want to lose her. Esme lit up every room she entered. Her obsession with thrifted clothes and badly written poems, and her irrational fear of pandas, made her someone I wanted to be with.
So, I stayed with her. I told myself Ben and Alex were just coincidences that were nothing to do with me, and I wasn't indirectly fucking killing the people I fell in love with.
I avoided the ‘L’ word for as long as I could.
It slipped out on my way to work. Esme was driving.
I just said it, and her eyes lit up. She reached out and squeezed my hand.
At work, one of my colleagues, Jasper, caught my eye. When I twisted around to ask him to grab something, I glimpsed his phone screen. It looked like Tinder, though I didn't recognise the layout. It reminded me of Twitter, in dark mode. Jasper was leaning against the counter, his thumb hovering over a photo of Esme, chewing his bottom lip.
I watched his thumb prance across the screen, before he gave up and swiped left.
Finishing up the woman's coffee, I handed it over.
“Uhh, I asked for cream.”
Ignoring her, I sidled in front of my colleague, hyper focused on whatever app he was playing around with. “What's that?”
Jasper looked up, his eyes widening, lips parting, like a fucking goldfish.
“Clearly nothing.” Jasper side-stepped me, opening the refrigerator and pulling out milk. But he already had milk. The bastard was stalling. We had zero customers waiting, so it was the two of us, and a long, dragged out pause.
Jumping up and down on the heels of his feet, he shot me his usual grin, slipping his phone in his apron.
Jasper may have been smiling, though there was something twisted in his expression.
I couldn't stop myself. “Was that a dating app?”
“Dating app?”
“Excuse me, can I get what I ordered?” The woman demanded, waving her coffee in the air. “I asked for whipped cream.”
Jasper saw that as an excuse, an escape, and nodded, fashioning a grin. He saw an opportunity, and took it. “Of course, Ma’am! I'll get that for you!” He said, with a little too much sarcasm. The boy took her coffee with a spring in his step, ducking in the refrigerator for the whipping cream. Jasper added too much whipping cream, dumping the drink on the counter with a little too much force.
It was a good thing my colleague was marginally attractive guy with cropped blonde hair, and a deadpan voice that somehow attracted the ladies.
Jasper could insult someone directly to their face, and they would just blush and get all tongue tied. I had seen it happen in real time. A girl was flirting with him, and used a bad pick-up line, which was something along the lines of, “Did it hurt when you fell from Heaven?”
He laughed, and her eyes brightened. She giggled along with him, nudging her friends.
But he wasn't laughing with her. I saw the gleam in his eye.
He was laughing at her.
Still laughing, Jasper plonked her milk latte down so hard half of it spewed out.
And, with that exact same charming smile, he deadpanned, “Did it hurt when you dropped out of a drainpipe?”
Yeah, my colleague was blessed with good looks.
Otherwise, he would have been punched in the face by now.
Presently, he was being his usual asshole self. “Is there anything else I can get you?”
The woman shook her head, pulling a face.
Jasper had, essentially, ruined her drink. It was more cream than coffee.
When she left the store, I situated myself in front of him when he was counting cash. “What were you just looking at?” I nodded to the guy’s phone sticking out of his pocket. “Was it like… a dating thing you were on?”
Jasper didn't even look at me, his lip curling.
“That's kinda rude,” he hummed, “I don't peek at your phone.”
“Esme Hope.” Was all I could hiss out. “Was she on that dating app?”
My colleague proceeded to stare at me like I'd grown a second head, before his half lidded gaze flicked behind me. Jasper’s expression brightened.
“Oh, Hanna is calling me!” He said, choking out a laugh. Hanna was not calling him. She was in the break room getting high. Jasper slowly backed away, maintaining his smile. “I'll be back in a sec, all right?” He grabbed that same carton of milk with a grin. “Don't you just love when your milk stays fresh?”
“What?”
“Fresh milk!” He grinned. “Mulberry Farm’s finest.”
Jasper was darting away before I could coerce a sentence.
After work, I texted Esme as usual. She was my ride on Fridays.
Esme didn't reply.
I texted her again, a little more panicked.
Hey, are you okay?”
When I called her, an automated voice told me she wasn't available.
Already feeling sick to my stomach, I drove to her place myself. I could see the flashing lights before anything else, blurred red and blue sending my thoughts into a whirlwind. It took me ten minutes to muster the courage to jump out of my car, and ask a pale looking deputy what was going on.
I tried to jump over the yellow tape, only to be politely pulled back.
“Carbon monoxide poisoning,” the deputy told me. “The whole family is dead.” he sighed. “Mom, Dad, and their daughter in college.” I think he was trying to be sympathetic, awkwardly patting me. But I was already on my knees, all of the breath dragged from my lungs. “Luckily, it's just like going to sleep. Monoxide is a silent killer.”
Monoxide is a silent killer.
Was that the same as, “I'm sorry. Ben was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
And, “Alex was silently suffering. He did what he thought was best.”
I didn't go to Esme’s funeral. Mom and Dad and Will had already forgotten her, just like the others. What I did do, several days later, when her name wasn't even a memory anymore– I bought flowers from the store. Roses were Esme’s favourite.
The seller was around my Mom’s age, a plump looking woman wearing a floral dress, long red hair tied into a ponytail. She was on her phone, humming to a tune on the radio.
The Smiths.
“I hope she likes them.” The woman said, wrapping the flowers in red ribbons. She had a strong southern accent that immediately annoyed me.
I took the roses, stuffing them in my bag. “What did you say?”
The seller cocked her head. “Hmm?”
“How did you know they were for my girlfriend?”
The woman sighed, placing her phone on the counter. I glanced at whatever she'd been so interested in, but the screen was faced down. “Esme came in here a lot,” Her lips broke out into a sad, sympathetic smile. I was quickly growing sick of them.
“Esme. She, uh, she told me you guys were dating,” She smiled, “Esme was always buying roses for her room. Sometimes she would stand in here for hours, and just stare at flowers. I think she found comfort in them.” The woman sighed, fixing me with what I could only describe as a pitiful pout.
Urgh.
“I hope you can find the same comfort,” she murmured. The seller handed me an extra rose, and I found myself reaching out for it, my eyes stinging. Fuck.
I hadn't cracked in at least fifteen hours, and that was a record. But now I could feel myself splintering, tears trickling down my cheeks. The Flower lady squeezed my hand. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. If it makes you feel better, it's just like going to sleep. Monoxide is a silent killer.” Her words were familiar.
Exactly what the deputy said. Before I could speak, she dumped weed killer on the counter. “Did you know our plant killer is ten dollars ninety nine?”
Her sudden bout of energy took me off guard.
I tried to smile. “I don't want any plant killer.”
The seller nodded, handing me another rose. “Oh, of course, Darling! But it is five ninety nine! Just for today!”
Something pricked me, and I hissed out, wafting my hand.
Damn thorns. I could already see a single spot of blood.
I nodded, sucking my teeth against a cry. “Thanks. But I'll skip it this time.”
I took the roses to what used to be Esme’s grave. Now, it was an empty headstone with no name, no memories, no flowers, nothing. Just like Alex and Ben, Esme had been reduced to dirt under my feet. I stayed at her ‘grave’ for a long time, long enough for the sky to grow dark, and my thoughts darker. I tried to find a logical explanation for the sudden deaths of the people I got close to, but all I could think of was a curse.
So, I started googling curses, leaning against Esme’s headstone, my knees to my chest. Had I been cursed?
Was my family cursed?
According to Google, a cursed object connected with the curse itself.
Which could be anything. Though I didn't remember visiting any ancient ruins, or an old church. With zero answers, I headed home. I passed a guy playing The Smiths in his car. Then a group of older women wearing ripped fishnets.
Esme was following me. Just like Alex’s smell. Fresh coffee and rich chocolate.
Ben’s cologne filled my car last summer. His favourite band was playing all day on our local music station. I drove around with no destination, listening to each one on repeat, until I was losing him all over again.
The sweet aroma of flowers followed me all the way home, and I was tipsy on the smell, when I found myself face to face with a boy. Under the overexposed streetlight, this guy was almost ethereal, thick brown hair and freckles.
He reminded me of Ben. Which wasn't fair. I thought I was hallucinating him, before he came closer, bleeding from the shadow. I saw more of him, white strips of something wrapped around his head.
Wrong.
The word slammed into me when I glimpsed his clothes. Filthy. The guy was wearing a white button down, a single streak of bright red ingrained into the material. His white pants were torn, glued to his legs.
He was barefoot, the soles of his feet slapping on wet concrete.
I didn't realize he was in front of me, nose to nose, until he shoved me. Hard.
“Josie.” His voice was a whimper, despite his narrowed eyes, his lips twisted into a scowl. He was crying, and had been crying, every heaving son sputtering from his mouth. The boy shoved me again, and I staggered. His ice cold breath grazed my cheeks. “What the fuck did you do to my sister?”
“Sister?” I whispered.
Something wet landed on my cheek, suddenly.
Rain.
I wasn't expecting a downpour. The weather was forecasted to be clear.
To my surprise, the guy let out a harsh sounding laugh. The two of us were slowly getting drenched, but neither of us were making a move to get out of the rain. My hair was glued to the back of my neck, my clothes sticking to me.
But somehow, I wanted to stay in the rain. It was refreshing.
When a thought hit me, telling me to get out of the rain, it was shoved to the back of my mind. The guy spat water out of his mouth, shaking his head like a dog.
“Of course,” he muttered, “Drown me out with the rain.”
I found my voice, my gaze glued to intense red seeping through the bandage stapled to his head. He looked like he’d escaped an emergency room. “I don't know anyone called Josie,” I said, “I think you've got the wrong person.”
The guy’s eyes narrowed. He stepped closer, grabbing my shoulders, and I noticed how hollow his eyes were, empty caverns carved into his skull. Eyes are the windows to the soul, and this guy was completely soulless. “I'm only going to say this once,” he whispered, “What did you do to my sister?”
Before I could respond, the guy was being violently grabbed, and dragged back.
Figures who appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
“Let me go!” He cried out, struggling. “You fucking assholes! Let me go!”
His screaming became muffling, when his cries were gagged.
“You promised!” He yelled, his cries collapsing into a sob. “You said if you took me, she wouldn't get hurt! So, where is she?” he met my gaze, his expression crumpling, something inside him coming apart, splintering by the seams. “You can't take both of us, this wasn't in the agreement!” When he was dragged further back, I noticed a car parked at the side of the road.
The boy was pulled inside. At first, he refused, before an extra pair of hands shoved him. “You fucking– mmmphmmhphmmm!”
I heard his fists slamming into the windows.
“Don't take me back there! Please! Just let Josie–” His cries once again collapsed into angry muffle screaming, and I felt my hands moving towards my pocket for my phone. This was a kidnapping, right? I was witnessing a kidnapping in broad fucking daylight.
A shadow was suddenly in front of me, and I jumped, tearing my eyes from the car. Jasper, my colleague. He was still wearing his apron, and to my confusion, was swinging a carton of whole milk.
“Sorry, Bree,” He winked, speaking in a single breath. “As you can see, our friend here had a little too much to drink.”
I nodded, craning my neck. Jasper stepped in front of me, maintaining a grin.
“Who is he?” This time, I side-stepped away from him, only for him to copy.
“Just a guy.” He said. “As you can see, he's a little…” Jasper prodded his right temple. “Let's just say he's got a few too many screws loose.” Jasper laughed, staying stock still, blocking my way.
When I made a move to counter him, he stepped in front of me, his eyes hardening. “I heard he lost his family a while ago in a…” He pretended to think. “Oh, yeah, a car crash. Maybe a gas explosion, I’m not really sure.”
I could hear the car behind him, and once again I tried to dart past him. But he was quick to block my way. He was getting closer to me, very subtly backing me in the opposite direction.
“Anyway, this guy is kiiiiind of nuts. Dude still thinks he's got a sister.”
When I lost patience and shoved him out of the way, the car, and the guy, was gone.
“See?” Jasper rolled his eyes. He was still holding milk from work. My head spun. It was 8pm, we were in a suburban neighbourhood, and Jasper was holding half a pint of milk. His apron was stained with coffee, and when I really looked at him, I realized he was out of breath.
He was doing a good job of hiding it, exhaling in intervals, swiping at his forehead to clear sweat. When I noticed, he pretended to run his hands through his hair. “I, uh, I feel for him! Like, I'm sorry his family died, or whatever, but attacking random girls isn't cool, y’know?”
Instead of replying, I stumbled home. It was sunny.
At 8pm.
And when I took notice, I wasn't even wet.
Esme was my last straw. I made a promise to myself to not get close to anyone. The guys and girls I met were friends, and nothing more. Weirdly enough, the only guy I was getting close to was my colleague. I don't know if it was brain damage, or I was finally losing the plot.
But Jasper’s shameless cruelty towards customers, and that quirk in his lips when he made them cry, was kind of hot.
However, he was playing hard to get.
And I mean REALLY playing.
I was in storage trying to find vegan milk, and he was suddenly a fucking expert, spewing milk facts.
When I slammed the refrigerator door shut, he was inches from my face.
In the dim light from a single spluttering bulb, his eyes reminded me of coffee grounds. I thought maybe he was going to kiss me, judging from his softening expression. I felt his hands go around my waist, and I felt myself immediately melt.
I don't know what came over me. It's like, one minute I hated him, and the next… I was suddenly hot. Really hot. And I really wanted to take my clothes off. I thought that's what he wanted to do too.
I mean, his gaze followed mine, piercing, fingers playing with the buttons on his shirt. Before he leaned forward, his breath in my face.
“Did you know that Mulberry Farms is an award winning brand of milk?”
And suddenly, I was no longer hot and bothered.
“I didn't.” I said, ducking into a crouch to search the shelves. “Have you seen our vegan milk? We did have some.”
“Three time winner,” Jasper continued. When I jumped up, he stepped closer, and I felt my cheeks spark. His smile was rare. In fact, Jasper was only smiling when he was talking about milk.
“Mulberry Farms have the best pasteration. It's suitable for everything! Coffee, cereal, or maybe you just want a glass of fresh milk to yourself! Perfect for kids, too! Breakfast time is Mulberry Farms.”
“Are you having a stroke?” I whisper-shrieked.
“Nope!”
Jasper twisted around, shooting me a grin.
I left the storage, however, with butterflies in my gut.
There was no way I was falling for my asshole colleague.
Somehow, though, I was.
Just standing next to him filled me with electricity.
The way he talked down to customers, insulting me to my face… I was thoroughly, and disgustingly, in love.
I tried to stop myself.
I showered in ice cold water.
I ate (choked on) a ghost pepper.
I even asked my BROTHER for advice, who told me to go for it.
I told him Jasper had one (of several) flaws, but this particular one was off-putting.
“He’s obsessed with milk.” I told my brother.
Harry lifted a brow. “Is that a euphemism, or…”
He paused, for way longer than necessary. “So, your would-be-boyfriend has a milk fetish?”
I left his room before he could take that conversation further.
I wanted to say Jasper was the only one who acted weird.
But over the next few weeks, I noticed it in quite a few people.
I was having breakfast with Mom, and she lifted up the box.
“Choco Flakes.” She blurted, “Aren't they just the best?”
I nodded slowly. “Yeah, Mom. They're great.”
I prodded the box with a smile. “Only a dollar ninety nine.”
There were so many townspeople on their phones. They walked around with groceries or briefcases, their eyes glued to whatever they were swiping through.
I was serving an old woman, when I caught her phone screen.
I could have sworn there was an image of Jasper.
She swiped right, and I had a hard time looking her in the eye.
The woman was at least in her 80’s. And I'm talking, can barely walk, and needs assistance.
Was she seriously hitting up 25 year old guys?
Walking home, everyone was on their phones.
I stopped at a crossing, stabbing the red light.
It started to snow the second I stepped out onto the road, white flakes dancing in front of me. It didn't even cross my mind that it was almost June. The snow was pretty, accumulating on the ground.
“Oh shit, sorry!”
Lifting my head, a guy was standing in front of me holding an umbrella.
I knew him.
But not from whatever was trying to pollute my mind.
I knew him from a while ago. I knew him from the rain. I knew the bloody bandages wrapped around his head, and soulless, seething eyes I couldn't understand. It was the boy who was dragged away three months prior.
He looked different, his hair was shorter, his face carved into a thing of beauty.
The white strips of gauze bleeding scarlet were gone, his filthy clothes replaced with a white shirt and pants, a trench coat flung over the top. I didn't remember him being this handsome. His dark brown hair had been tamed and curled.
It was his expression that sent shivers sliding down my spine.
His too wide smile and unblinking eyes made me suddenly conscious of two bright lights on the two of us.
So bright.
Something shattered in my mind, and I was aware of a lot of things.
The snow under my feet was too soft.
I glimpsed a single streak of red seeping from his nose, his hands trembling around a takeout coffee cup.
Behind me, people were staring. I could see a group of teenage girls giggling.
“It's him,” one of them squeaked. “It's the new love interest!”
“Bree?” His grin widened, snowflakes prancing around us. His teeth gritted together. I could tell he hated every word. “Holy shit, long time no see!”
He held out his hand, and I could see visible pain contorting in his eyes.
Help me. He was screaming through a twinkling smile.
“Don't you remember me? It's… it's uh, it's Sam!” he laughed. “From eighth grade!”
The lights blinked out, and the thought crashed into my mind. Static images filling my head. I shook them away.
Oh, yeah, it was Sam.
My childhood friend.
But I didn't reply. Instead of saying, “Sam? It's been so long!” I found myself walking, stumbling over to the girls.
Who were rapidly swiping left on their phones.
“What's that?” I demanded in a sharp breath.
I grabbed for the phone, only for Sam to step in front of me. He settled me with a smile.
Behind me, one of the girls fainted.
Sam’s smile didn't waver. Though he did side-eye the girl being carried away. “Why don't I take you out for coffee?”
Apparently, coffee was the code word for hooking up.
Sam dragged me into the nearest coffee store, straight to the bathroom.
When he shoved me into a stall, I didn't know what to say.
“Take off your shoes,” he said in a hiss, and after hesitating, I did.
Sam pulled off his jacket, shook snow out of his hair, and got real close.
“Look up.” He murmured.
I did, my gaze finding the ceiling.
“To your right, a camera is very well hidden, but can be seen with the naked eye if you catch what looks like a red laser,” Sam said. “To your left, another camera, as well as a vent that is currently pumping the stalls with aphrodisiacs. And right now, we are in the red zone. Meaning, you should be conscious.”
He prodded me, and I flinched.
“Mostly conscious.”
His words went right over my head, my mind was foggy.
I couldn't think straight.
I think I asked him what he was saying, but my mouth was filled with cotton.
“Snap out of it,” he said, “Like I said, they're making you feel like this.”
He shoved me against the door, which broke me out of my trance. Slightly.
“I hate what I'm going to say right now,” Sam groaned, tipping his head back. He was sweating, I noticed. Bad. I glimpsed beads of red pooling down his neck. He noticed me staring. “I'm okay, for now. I’m faulty, so the connection is severed. He squeezed his eyes shut. “I…think.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Sex.” He said, blinking rapidly. I wasn't going to comment on his slurring voice.
Sam stumbled, fresh blood dripping from his nose.
“We need to do the sex. Like…” His eyes rolled into the back of his head, but he managed to stabilise himself. “Nooooow.”
“What?!”
“Is everything okay in there?”
The voice was a woman. She knocked on the stall.
Sam’s eyes widened, coming back to life a little. “They're paranoid,” he whispered. When I could only stare at him, he pounded his fists into the door. “They think we’re fucking,” he hissed, “So, we need to make it believable.”
“They?” I mouthed.
He didn't reply, swiping at his haemorrhaging nose. “Just… move around against the door. That'll fool ‘em.”
I did, doing my best to shuffle around, slamming my back against the lock.
When the metal clanged, he shot me a look. “Sex!” He hissed, “Not murder!”
Sam jumped onto the toilet bowl. There was an open window above him.
“That's enough.” He mouthed, hoisting his way through.
He helped me through, and I expected to land on concrete.
What I did land on, however, was something… squishy.
Something wet sliding between my bare toes.
Looking closer, I recognised the beaded anklet.
Fishnet tights.
Something animalistic clawed from my throat. I was standing on Esme. Or what was left of Esme. She was just a torso and legs, the rest of her ripped away like doll pieces. I couldn't see her face. I looked for it, digging through what could only be old flesh and pieces of limbs.
I felt suffocated. I grabbed half of Ben’s face that had been ripped off, and then Alex’s tattooed arm. There was so much of them, piles and piles of the same heads, the same filthy and rotting clothes. I was screaming by the time I shuffled back on my hands and knees, trying to wipe them off of my skin.
They were all over me, staining me, painting me.
Sam’s hand slick with blood gently covered my mouth.
“Stay calm, all right?” He whispered. “I would tell you everything is going to be okay, but the truth is, it's really not, there's like, a 99.9% chance you're going to… understandably freak out.”
He pulled me to my feet, letting out a heavy breath.
Blinking rapidly, I could only see… pieces.
Pieces of people.
Legs and heads and torsos all piled into one mass of gore.
“We’ve got maybe five minutes before they realize we’re not doing the devil's dance,” Sam sniffled, “Maybe ten, before my brain short circuits and I bleed out.”
I didn't know I was hyperventilating, until I couldn't fucking breathe.
Closer towards the door, and I could hear… machinery.
I couldn't stop myself. Even when I was aware I was standing in congealing blood.
Rotten bodies.
The dim light led me into what could only be described as a factory. There were three levels, and we were on the highest. Sam stepped forward, gripping the metal bar in front of us. I felt my legs buckling, a thick, pukey slime filling my mouth.
“Soo, I guess it all started when Brianna Timberman was seventeen years old, and rejected by her childhood best friend, Sam Thwaites.”
Sam’s words collapsed into a low buzzing in my ear.
All I could see was a conveyer belt, filled with… people.
Boys.
Girls.
But most noticeably, Ben’s, Alex’s, Esme’s, and Sam’s.
But they start as Ben’s, Alex's, and Esme’s.
I could see regular people, their hair stripped away.
Their skin sliced into, cruelly moulding them into the exact same four faces.
When a large looming needle plunged into the back of an Alex’s head, I couldn't not watch. I waited for the guy to wake up, but I don't even think he was alive.
He stood, unblinking, letting this thing twist and contort his face. And it was then, when I realized these things weren't even human. I could see the mechanics built under their flesh, both living tissue and metal melded together. “Brianna’s father, who is a liiiitle on the crazy side, with too much cash and not not enough logic, took his daughter’s rejection a little too personally,” Sam continued.
“So, he promised his daughter he would find her the perfect match.”
I started to speak, the words coming out before I could stop them.
“My father would never–”
“I didn't say it was your father,” Sam said. His eyes darkened. “Anyway, as I was saying, the townspeople became unhealthily obsessed with who Brianna would choose. So obsessed, in fact, that the girl’s day to day life was broadcasted across town, while her potential love interests were ranked, week after week. First, there was Ben.”
Sam’s smile thinned. “Her high school boyfriend.”
Sam shrugged. “She grew bored of him. Also, he kinda did something unforgivable.”
He continued. “Then… Alex. She liked him, but sometimes, he was a little too unserious. The guy was a clown.”
I backed away, but he was quick to grab my shoulders.
“Finally? Esme. Who she truly fell for.”
I swallowed. “Esme is–”
He cut me off. “But I didn't mention that they hurt her, did I?”
Sam leaned against the bar. Behind him, I could see a figure in white pushing a gurney with a Ben strapped to it. “Ben tried to rape her, insisting she wanted it. Alex dumped her on her birthday. Esme ended their relationship with a one word text. Goodbye.” Sam mimed an explosion. “That was the nail in the coffin.”
I caught blood sliding down his nose. “You're still bleeding.”
Sam gingerly prodded his nose.
“Urgh. Yeah, it's an effect of the severing. I've been in the red zone too long. I should probably speed this up.”
He talked faster, his voice collapsing into a mumbled slur.
“Brianna couldn't take it. Her best friend was ignoring her. Everyone she had fallen in love with hurt her. Esme wasn't returning her calls. Ben was sleeping around right in front of her, and Alex was still being a clown. Brianna’s poor parents found her hanging from her bedroom ceiling fan.”
I shook my head, my thoughts screaming.
“No–”
He held a finger up to shush me. “Let me talk. Jeez.”
Sam folded his arms. “A grieving father would do anything to avenge his dead child, buuut… Mr Timberman took ‘finding a perfect match’ and ‘the show must go on’ a little bit too literally.”
His sickly smile found me. “Which also means going stark fucking crazy. The town wanted more of Brianna, and her life, so he turned his daughter’s failed love life into a town wide TV show, sending the entire teen and young adult populace into here,” he gestured around him. “To make the perfect suitors. Who wouldn't hurt his new Brianna.”
Something ice cold crept down my spine.
He cleared his throat. “Mr Timberman grew, let's say, obsessed, with getting revenge on these specific four people. So, he started killing them–” He coughed.
“Sorry. Us. Killing us for the funny ha-ha, ‘Look at how many times I can fuck with them!’ bit. And then recycling us into someone completely different. Our names are gone. Then our personalities. Finally, our bodies ripped to pieces and sculpted into Brianna’s exes.” Sam poked me in the cheek.
“The cycle continues. They reset your ticker and the town eats it up. They can bring back Esme, Ben, and Alex whenever they want and add curveballs. Like the bad-boy colleague who becomes the fan favorite.” Sam’s lips curved. “For… some fucking reason.”
His eyes flickered open. “However, Brianna will never find a suitor because her father is a fucking sociopath. To him and the town, his dead daughter’s pathetic love life is entertainment.”
He held out his arm.
“See?”
I tried really hard not to look through the makeup.
At noticeable skin grafts.
“I was a Ben.” He said. “Then I was an Alex, and then I was an extra.” His eyes found mine, sad, suddenly. “But who I was originally is kinda gone. All I remember is a deal to protect Josie. I gave myself up so they wouldn't take her.”
“Your sister.” I said.
Sam nodded.
His earlier words hit me. He was talking like Brianna Timberman was dead.
But I was Brianna Timberman.
I was rejected by Sam, yes, but I found Ben.
As if he could read my mind, Sam shook his head.
“Look at yourself.” He said, his voice shaking.
“And I mean really look at yourself.”
Sam stepped closer.
“Because, underneath all of that make-up and the prosthetics and surgery, and fucked up memories, you're just another recycled lump of flesh.” He prodded my temple. “Who thinks she is Brianna Timberman.”
His voice was slurring again, a fresh stream of scarlet seeping down his chin.
“Don't you want to know?” His eyes rolled to pearly whites.
Before he could finish his sentence, Sam dropped to the ground.
I remember warm arms grasping hold of me.
Shadows with no faces.
They pricked me twice in the back of my neck.
A familiar voice in my ear, almost a hiss.
Jasper.
“You are the worst fucking Brianna.”
When I came to, I was standing up, somehow.
At work.
I am Brianna Timberman.
The thought floated around in my head, my memory hazy.
“Hello?!”
A man was waving his hands in front of me.
“I asked for iced coffee, lady!”
Jasper was serving another customer. “Bree, wake the fuck up.”
They were trying to make me think I was hallucinating.
Which was crazy, because my fingernails were still tinted with Sam’s blood.
The marks he'd left on my wrist when he was yanking me, were still there.
Bruised on my arm.
“Bree!” Jasper snapped. “Snap out of it and make the dude his drink.”
“Right.”
The word slipped out of my mouth.
He caught my eye, winking, and Brianna Timberman internally squeaked.
I half wondered what he was. Was he recycled, or an unwilling performer?
Throughout the day, I was fully aware my words were not mine.
Like I was on autopilot.
But not just that.
My thoughts weren't mine, either.
I spent half of my shift staring at my colleague’s biceps.
During my break, I went into the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror.
I am Brianna Timberman.
But even when I told myself that, my eyes were too blue.
My smile was too perfect.
My teeth.
Too white.
My shaking hands prodded at my face, at someone else's face.
So many faces, so many skin grafts.
The thought was violent, sending tremors through me.
How many people was I wearing?
I started to claw at my arms and legs, my face.
How many fucking people had I been?
I grabbed a knife and tried to slice at my face.
But there was no blood.
How could there be no blood?!
When I got home, I found my family waiting for me.
Mom, Dad and Harry, all of them beaming.
“Bree!” Mom stood up, her lips stretching into a grin.
My mouth was already moving, but they were not my words.
“Mom!”
I didn't know why she was smiling so much, until I saw Sam sitting at our dining room table. His smile was too big. His over-expensive shirt and pants did not suit him, and looked fucking gross, but somehow my brain thought it was hot. The worst part is, I couldn't and still can't tell which Sam he was.
Was he the guy who told me the horrific reality of my existence?
Or was he another recycled, mindless suitor?
“This is Samuel.” Mom said, and Sam slowly stood.
He took slow steps towards me, and kissed my hand.
I saw the slightest smudge of scarlet, but his eyes were blank.
In the corner of my eye, my ‘father’s’ eyes were glittering.
“Hello, Brianna.” Sam said, and I swore Now that I was awake, the walls were wolf-whistling. Laughing.
Ooohhhhhhhhh!”
My town is a blip on the map.
We’re so small, so insignificant, not even a Google search will find us.
I keep thinking if I tear at my skin, I will find who I am underneath. But I'm so fucking scared. I don't bleed. I don't think who I was still exists under so many layers. But even if this is just a cry into the void, please help us.
I don't want to be Brianna Timberman.
submitted by Trash_Tia to nosleep [link] [comments]
That's what my latest boyfriend told me before walking directly into the path of a truck. There was barely anything of him, just enough to peel off of the sidewalk. I thought our relationship was going well. It's not like I'm desensitised to my boyfriend's dying (or ceasing to exist), but it's almost become the norm.
Ben was my first boyfriend in high school, and my longest relationship to date. Fluffy haired Ben with his dimpled grin and freckles. He was the type of guy who should have been popular, but chose to keep to himself.
I met him in the principal’s office. Ben was being lectured for ‘sneaking around’ and I was handing in a late assignment. All he did was wink at me, and I fell.
Hard.
We dated for two years, and I really thought he was the one. Ben told me he loved me, and every Friday he introduced me to a new restaurant. I was in love. I loved *everything about him.
On the night before our senior prom, a drunk driver t-boned my boyfriend's car, killing him instantly. After his funeral, it's like he stopped existing. His parents left town, and every time I mentioned him, my parents would slowly tilt their heads and act confused when I brought him up.
My brother was the worst for it, considering he and Ben were best friends.
But he just looked at me with this weird fucking look in his eye, like his soul had been ripped out. Eyes are the windows to the soul, apparently, and my brother's soul was MIA. “Ben?” His expression crumpled. “Wait, who?”
Alex was my emotional support, who later became someone closer.
Funny Alex.
Blonde-but-not-quite-blonde, Alex.
I met him in group therapy. My boyfriend was dead, and he had just lost his mother. We didn't label it, because he had a girlfriend, and I didn't want to move on so quickly. I think we just found comfort in each other.
Eventually, though, Alex became something I wanted to label.
His sense of humor was a breath of fresh air. I didn't go to college because of Ben’s death, settling for a mediocre barista stop in town. Alex came in every day with fresh coffee and a sugar cookie. I think I loved him. I told him that. Half asleep, I told him I wanted to try and be something more with him. Alex looked taken-aback, but happy.
We spent the night together.
The morning after, I woke to my mother screaming.
Alex was dead in the bathroom, his blood splattering, staining pristine white. According to the first responders, he died of a self inflicted head injury. The exact same thing followed. I attended his funeral, and Alex’s family disappeared.
This time, I went back to his house. But according to a neighbour, his house had been abandoned for ten years. I had eaten pancakes in his kitchen just days earlier.
I broke in to see myself, but my neighbor was right. The hallway was piled with ancient mail and threats of eviction. Alex’s room didn't exist, instead, a storage room filled with boxes.
When I got home, my family had already forgotten Alex’s existence.
The town had forgotten him, and yet his blood still stained my bathroom.
Following Alex’s death, I was terrified of getting too close to people.
But Esme made it hard.
She was my third relationship. We met at a bar. I was extremely drunk and convinced I was cursed to kill all of my romantic partners. Esme. Cute Esme. Crooked teeth and smudged lipstick and warm Esme.
Do you know that person you meet and you instantly connect with them? The person you're sure is your soulmate?
That was Esme.
I told myself I wouldn't get close to her. But I was already talking to this girl, already pouring my life out to her. Esme sat and listened, her chin resting on her fist. She was a first year creative writing student, and she had a cat called Peanut.
I didn't remember much after that. We hit it off, and next thing I know we’re curled up in the back of her car watching Buffy on her iPad. I told her about my exes, and she nodded and smiled, but I don't think she was listening.
I told her all of my exes have died, and then been erased from existence.
Esme called me cute. She wanted to base a story around the concept, sitting up and grabbing her phone.
I have this memory of the girl I fell in love with at first sight.
She's nodding along to a Smith’s song spluttering from my car radio, typing on her phone. I can hear the tapping of her nails, her lips curving into a smile. I can see the exact moment she gets inspiration, pulling her knees to her chest. She's wearing fishnet tights that are torn, and a jacket that doesn't fit her.
She is fucking beautiful, and I don't want to lose her.
Alex was beautiful.
He had pretty eyes and brown curls that I liked running my hands through. Ben was beautiful. He made my heart swim, my stomach swarm with butterflies, when I first met him. Ben was my first love.
The realization woke me up one night, three months into dating Esme.
Both of them were dead, wiped away like they never existed.
And Esme would follow.
At first, I tried to break it off with her without sounding crazy. I told her it was me not her, and I wasn't in the mindset for a relationship.
Esme understood, but her eyes didn't. I didn't want to lose her. Esme lit up every room she entered. Her obsession with thrifted clothes and badly written poems, and her irrational fear of pandas, made her someone I wanted to be with.
So, I stayed with her. I told myself Ben and Alex were just coincidences that were nothing to do with me, and I wasn't indirectly fucking killing the people I fell in love with.
I avoided the ‘L’ word for as long as I could.
It slipped out on my way to work. Esme was driving.
I just said it, and her eyes lit up. She reached out and squeezed my hand.
At work, one of my colleagues, Jasper, caught my eye. When I twisted around to ask him to grab something, I glimpsed his phone screen. It looked like Tinder, though I didn't recognise the layout. It reminded me of Twitter, in dark mode. Jasper was leaning against the counter, his thumb hovering over a photo of Esme, chewing his bottom lip.
I watched his thumb prance across the screen, before he gave up and swiped left.
Finishing up the woman's coffee, I handed it over.
“Uhh, I asked for cream.”
Ignoring her, I sidled in front of my colleague, hyper focused on whatever app he was playing around with. “What's that?”
Jasper looked up, his eyes widening, lips parting, like a fucking goldfish.
“Clearly nothing.” Jasper side-stepped me, opening the refrigerator and pulling out milk. But he already had milk. The bastard was stalling. We had zero customers waiting, so it was the two of us, and a long, dragged out pause.
Jumping up and down on the heels of his feet, he shot me his usual grin, slipping his phone in his apron.
Jasper may have been smiling, though there was something twisted in his expression.
I couldn't stop myself. “Was that a dating app?”
“Dating app?”
“Excuse me, can I get what I ordered?” The woman demanded, waving her coffee in the air. “I asked for whipped cream.”
Jasper saw that as an excuse, an escape, and nodded, fashioning a grin. He saw an opportunity, and took it. “Of course, Ma’am! I'll get that for you!” He said, with a little too much sarcasm. The boy took her coffee with a spring in his step, ducking in the refrigerator for the whipping cream. Jasper added too much whipping cream, dumping the drink on the counter with a little too much force.
It was a good thing my colleague was marginally attractive guy with cropped blonde hair, and a deadpan voice that somehow attracted the ladies.
Jasper could insult someone directly to their face, and they would just blush and get all tongue tied. I had seen it happen in real time. A girl was flirting with him, and used a bad pick-up line, which was something along the lines of, “Did it hurt when you fell from Heaven?”
He laughed, and her eyes brightened. She giggled along with him, nudging her friends.
But he wasn't laughing with her. I saw the gleam in his eye.
He was laughing at her.
Still laughing, Jasper plonked her milk latte down so hard half of it spewed out.
And, with that exact same charming smile, he deadpanned, “Did it hurt when you dropped out of a drainpipe?”
Yeah, my colleague was blessed with good looks.
Otherwise, he would have been punched in the face by now.
Presently, he was being his usual asshole self. “Is there anything else I can get you?”
The woman shook her head, pulling a face.
Jasper had, essentially, ruined her drink. It was more cream than coffee.
When she left the store, I situated myself in front of him when he was counting cash. “What were you just looking at?” I nodded to the guy’s phone sticking out of his pocket. “Was it like… a dating thing you were on?”
Jasper didn't even look at me, his lip curling.
“That's kinda rude,” he hummed, “I don't peek at your phone.”
“Esme Hope.” Was all I could hiss out. “Was she on that dating app?”
My colleague proceeded to stare at me like I'd grown a second head, before his half lidded gaze flicked behind me. Jasper’s expression brightened.
“Oh, Hanna is calling me!” He said, choking out a laugh. Hanna was not calling him. She was in the break room getting high. Jasper slowly backed away, maintaining his smile. “I'll be back in a sec, all right?” He grabbed that same carton of milk with a grin. “Don't you just love when your milk stays fresh?”
“What?”
“Fresh milk!” He grinned. “Mulberry Farm’s finest.”
Jasper was darting away before I could coerce a sentence.
After work, I texted Esme as usual. She was my ride on Fridays.
Esme didn't reply.
I texted her again, a little more panicked.
Hey, are you okay?”
When I called her, an automated voice told me she wasn't available.
Already feeling sick to my stomach, I drove to her place myself. I could see the flashing lights before anything else, blurred red and blue sending my thoughts into a whirlwind. It took me ten minutes to muster the courage to jump out of my car, and ask a pale looking deputy what was going on.
I tried to jump over the yellow tape, only to be politely pulled back.
“Carbon monoxide poisoning,” the deputy told me. “The whole family is dead.” he sighed. “Mom, Dad, and their daughter in college.” I think he was trying to be sympathetic, awkwardly patting me. But I was already on my knees, all of the breath dragged from my lungs. “Luckily, it's just like going to sleep. Monoxide is a silent killer.”
Monoxide is a silent killer.
Was that the same as, “I'm sorry. Ben was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
And, “Alex was silently suffering. He did what he thought was best.”
I didn't go to Esme’s funeral. Mom and Dad and Will had already forgotten her, just like the others. What I did do, several days later, when her name wasn't even a memory anymore– I bought flowers from the store. Roses were Esme’s favourite.
The seller was around my Mom’s age, a plump looking woman wearing a floral dress, long red hair tied into a ponytail. She was on her phone, humming to a tune on the radio.
The Smiths.
“I hope she likes them.” The woman said, wrapping the flowers in red ribbons. She had a strong southern accent that immediately annoyed me.
I took the roses, stuffing them in my bag. “What did you say?”
The seller cocked her head. “Hmm?”
“How did you know they were for my girlfriend?”
The woman sighed, placing her phone on the counter. I glanced at whatever she'd been so interested in, but the screen was faced down. “Esme came in here a lot,” Her lips broke out into a sad, sympathetic smile. I was quickly growing sick of them.
“Esme. She, uh, she told me you guys were dating,” She smiled, “Esme was always buying roses for her room. Sometimes she would stand in here for hours, and just stare at flowers. I think she found comfort in them.” The woman sighed, fixing me with what I could only describe as a pitiful pout.
Urgh.
“I hope you can find the same comfort,” she murmured. The seller handed me an extra rose, and I found myself reaching out for it, my eyes stinging. Fuck.
I hadn't cracked in at least fifteen hours, and that was a record. But now I could feel myself splintering, tears trickling down my cheeks. The Flower lady squeezed my hand. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. If it makes you feel better, it's just like going to sleep. Monoxide is a silent killer.” Her words were familiar.
Exactly what the deputy said. Before I could speak, she dumped weed killer on the counter. “Did you know our plant killer is ten dollars ninety nine?”
Her sudden bout of energy took me off guard.
I tried to smile. “I don't want any plant killer.”
The seller nodded, handing me another rose. “Oh, of course, Darling! But it is five ninety nine! Just for today!”
Something pricked me, and I hissed out, wafting my hand.
Damn thorns. I could already see a single spot of blood.
I nodded, sucking my teeth against a cry. “Thanks. But I'll skip it this time.”
I took the roses to what used to be Esme’s grave. Now, it was an empty headstone with no name, no memories, no flowers, nothing. Just like Alex and Ben, Esme had been reduced to dirt under my feet. I stayed at her ‘grave’ for a long time, long enough for the sky to grow dark, and my thoughts darker. I tried to find a logical explanation for the sudden deaths of the people I got close to, but all I could think of was a curse.
So, I started googling curses, leaning against Esme’s headstone, my knees to my chest. Had I been cursed?
Was my family cursed?
According to Google, a cursed object connected with the curse itself.
Which could be anything. Though I didn't remember visiting any ancient ruins, or an old church. With zero answers, I headed home. I passed a guy playing The Smiths in his car. Then a group of older women wearing ripped fishnets.
Esme was following me. Just like Alex’s smell. Fresh coffee and rich chocolate.
Ben’s cologne filled my car last summer. His favourite band was playing all day on our local music station. I drove around with no destination, listening to each one on repeat, until I was losing him all over again.
The sweet aroma of flowers followed me all the way home, and I was tipsy on the smell, when I found myself face to face with a boy. Under the overexposed streetlight, this guy was almost ethereal, thick brown hair and freckles.
He reminded me of Ben. Which wasn't fair. I thought I was hallucinating him, before he came closer, bleeding from the shadow. I saw more of him, white strips of something wrapped around his head.
Wrong.
The word slammed into me when I glimpsed his clothes. Filthy. The guy was wearing a white button down, a single streak of bright red ingrained into the material. His white pants were torn, glued to his legs.
He was barefoot, the soles of his feet slapping on wet concrete.
I didn't realize he was in front of me, nose to nose, until he shoved me. Hard.
“Josie.” His voice was a whimper, despite his narrowed eyes, his lips twisted into a scowl. He was crying, and had been crying, every heaving son sputtering from his mouth. The boy shoved me again, and I staggered. His ice cold breath grazed my cheeks. “What the fuck did you do to my sister?”
“Sister?” I whispered.
Something wet landed on my cheek, suddenly.
Rain.
I wasn't expecting a downpour. The weather was forecasted to be clear.
To my surprise, the guy let out a harsh sounding laugh. The two of us were slowly getting drenched, but neither of us were making a move to get out of the rain. My hair was glued to the back of my neck, my clothes sticking to me.
But somehow, I wanted to stay in the rain. It was refreshing.
When a thought hit me, telling me to get out of the rain, it was shoved to the back of my mind. The guy spat water out of his mouth, shaking his head like a dog.
“Of course,” he muttered, “Drown me out with the rain.”
I found my voice, my gaze glued to intense red seeping through the bandage stapled to his head. He looked like he’d escaped an emergency room. “I don't know anyone called Josie,” I said, “I think you've got the wrong person.”
The guy’s eyes narrowed. He stepped closer, grabbing my shoulders, and I noticed how hollow his eyes were, empty caverns carved into his skull. Eyes are the windows to the soul, and this guy was completely soulless. “I'm only going to say this once,” he whispered, “What did you do to my sister?”
Before I could respond, the guy was being violently grabbed, and dragged back.
Figures who appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
“Let me go!” He cried out, struggling. “You fucking assholes! Let me go!”
His screaming became muffling, when his cries were gagged.
“You promised!” He yelled, his cries collapsing into a sob. “You said if you took me, she wouldn't get hurt! So, where is she?” he met my gaze, his expression crumpling, something inside him coming apart, splintering by the seams. “You can't take both of us, this wasn't in the agreement!” When he was dragged further back, I noticed a car parked at the side of the road.
The boy was pulled inside. At first, he refused, before an extra pair of hands shoved him. “You fucking– mmmphmmhphmmm!”
I heard his fists slamming into the windows.
“Don't take me back there! Please! Just let Josie–” His cries once again collapsed into angry muffle screaming, and I felt my hands moving towards my pocket for my phone. This was a kidnapping, right? I was witnessing a kidnapping in broad fucking daylight.
A shadow was suddenly in front of me, and I jumped, tearing my eyes from the car. Jasper, my colleague. He was still wearing his apron, and to my confusion, was swinging a carton of whole milk.
“Sorry, Bree,” He winked, speaking in a single breath. “As you can see, our friend here had a little too much to drink.”
I nodded, craning my neck. Jasper stepped in front of me, maintaining a grin.
“Who is he?” This time, I side-stepped away from him, only for him to copy.
“Just a guy.” He said. “As you can see, he's a little…” Jasper prodded his right temple. “Let's just say he's got a few too many screws loose.” Jasper laughed, staying stock still, blocking my way.
When I made a move to counter him, he stepped in front of me, his eyes hardening. “I heard he lost his family a while ago in a…” He pretended to think. “Oh, yeah, a car crash. Maybe a gas explosion, I’m not really sure.”
I could hear the car behind him, and once again I tried to dart past him. But he was quick to block my way. He was getting closer to me, very subtly backing me in the opposite direction.
“Anyway, this guy is kiiiiind of nuts. Dude still thinks he's got a sister.”
When I lost patience and shoved him out of the way, the car, and the guy, was gone.
“See?” Jasper rolled his eyes. He was still holding milk from work. My head spun. It was 8pm, we were in a suburban neighbourhood, and Jasper was holding half a pint of milk. His apron was stained with coffee, and when I really looked at him, I realized he was out of breath.
He was doing a good job of hiding it, exhaling in intervals, swiping at his forehead to clear sweat. When I noticed, he pretended to run his hands through his hair. “I, uh, I feel for him! Like, I'm sorry his family died, or whatever, but attacking random girls isn't cool, y’know?”
Instead of replying, I stumbled home. It was sunny.
At 8pm.
And when I took notice, I wasn't even wet.
Esme was my last straw. I made a promise to myself to not get close to anyone. The guys and girls I met were friends, and nothing more. Weirdly enough, the only guy I was getting close to was my colleague. I don't know if it was brain damage, or I was finally losing the plot.
But Jasper’s shameless cruelty towards customers, and that quirk in his lips when he made them cry, was kind of hot.
However, he was playing hard to get.
And I mean REALLY playing.
I was in storage trying to find vegan milk, and he was suddenly a fucking expert, spewing milk facts.
When I slammed the refrigerator door shut, he was inches from my face.
In the dim light from a single spluttering bulb, his eyes reminded me of coffee grounds. I thought maybe he was going to kiss me, judging from his softening expression. I felt his hands go around my waist, and I felt myself immediately melt.
I don't know what came over me. It's like, one minute I hated him, and the next… I was suddenly hot. Really hot. And I really wanted to take my clothes off. I thought that's what he wanted to do too.
I mean, his gaze followed mine, piercing, fingers playing with the buttons on his shirt. Before he leaned forward, his breath in my face.
“Did you know that Mulberry Farms is an award winning brand of milk?”
And suddenly, I was no longer hot and bothered.
“I didn't.” I said, ducking into a crouch to search the shelves. “Have you seen our vegan milk? We did have some.”
“Three time winner,” Jasper continued. When I jumped up, he stepped closer, and I felt my cheeks spark. His smile was rare. In fact, Jasper was only smiling when he was talking about milk.
“Mulberry Farms have the best pasteration. It's suitable for everything! Coffee, cereal, or maybe you just want a glass of fresh milk to yourself! Perfect for kids, too! Breakfast time is Mulberry Farms.”
“Are you having a stroke?” I whisper-shrieked.
“Nope!”
Jasper twisted around, shooting me a grin.
I left the storage, however, with butterflies in my gut.
There was no way I was falling for my asshole colleague.
Somehow, though, I was.
Just standing next to him filled me with electricity.
The way he talked down to customers, insulting me to my face… I was thoroughly, and disgustingly, in love.
I tried to stop myself.
I showered in ice cold water.
I ate (choked on) a ghost pepper.
I even asked my BROTHER for advice, who told me to go for it.
I told him Jasper had one (of several) flaws, but this particular one was off-putting.
“He’s obsessed with milk.” I told my brother.
Harry lifted a brow. “Is that a euphemism, or…”
He paused, for way longer than necessary. “So, your would-be-boyfriend has a milk fetish?”
I left his room before he could take that conversation further.
I wanted to say Jasper was the only one who acted weird.
But over the next few weeks, I noticed it in quite a few people.
I was having breakfast with Mom, and she lifted up the box.
“Choco Flakes.” She blurted, “Aren't they just the best?”
I nodded slowly. “Yeah, Mom. They're great.”
I prodded the box with a smile. “Only a dollar ninety nine.”
There were so many townspeople on their phones. They walked around with groceries or briefcases, their eyes glued to whatever they were swiping through.
I was serving an old woman, when I caught her phone screen.
I could have sworn there was an image of Jasper.
She swiped right, and I had a hard time looking her in the eye.
The woman was at least in her 80’s. And I'm talking, can barely walk, and needs assistance.
Was she seriously hitting up 25 year old guys?
Walking home, everyone was on their phones.
I stopped at a crossing, stabbing the red light.
It started to snow the second I stepped out onto the road, white flakes dancing in front of me. It didn't even cross my mind that it was almost June. The snow was pretty, accumulating on the ground.
“Oh shit, sorry!”
Lifting my head, a guy was standing in front of me holding an umbrella.
I knew him.
But not from whatever was trying to pollute my mind.
I knew him from a while ago. I knew him from the rain. I knew the bloody bandages wrapped around his head, and soulless, seething eyes I couldn't understand. It was the boy who was dragged away three months prior.
He looked different, his hair was shorter, his face carved into a thing of beauty.
The white strips of gauze bleeding scarlet were gone, his filthy clothes replaced with a white shirt and pants, a trench coat flung over the top. I didn't remember him being this handsome. His dark brown hair had been tamed and curled.
It was his expression that sent shivers sliding down my spine.
His too wide smile and unblinking eyes made me suddenly conscious of two bright lights on the two of us.
So bright.
Something shattered in my mind, and I was aware of a lot of things.
The snow under my feet was too soft.
I glimpsed a single streak of red seeping from his nose, his hands trembling around a takeout coffee cup.
Behind me, people were staring. I could see a group of teenage girls giggling.
“It's him,” one of them squeaked. “It's the new love interest!”
“Bree?” His grin widened, snowflakes prancing around us. His teeth gritted together. I could tell he hated every word. “Holy shit, long time no see!”
He held out his hand, and I could see visible pain contorting in his eyes.
Help me. He was screaming through a twinkling smile.
“Don't you remember me? It's… it's uh, it's Sam!” he laughed. “From eighth grade!”
The lights blinked out, and the thought crashed into my mind. Static images filling my head. I shook them away.
Oh, yeah, it was Sam.
My childhood friend.
But I didn't reply. Instead of saying, “Sam? It's been so long!” I found myself walking, stumbling over to the girls.
Who were rapidly swiping left on their phones.
“What's that?” I demanded in a sharp breath.
I grabbed for the phone, only for Sam to step in front of me. He settled me with a smile.
Behind me, one of the girls fainted.
Sam’s smile didn't waver. Though he did side-eye the girl being carried away. “Why don't I take you out for coffee?”
Apparently, coffee was the code word for hooking up.
Sam dragged me into the nearest coffee store, straight to the bathroom.
When he shoved me into a stall, I didn't know what to say.
“Take off your shoes,” he said in a hiss, and after hesitating, I did.
Sam pulled off his jacket, shook snow out of his hair, and got real close.
“Look up.” He murmured.
I did, my gaze finding the ceiling.
“To your right, a camera is very well hidden, but can be seen with the naked eye if you catch what looks like a red laser,” Sam said. “To your left, another camera, as well as a vent that is currently pumping the stalls with aphrodisiacs. And right now, we are in the red zone. Meaning, you should be conscious.”
He prodded me, and I flinched.
“Mostly conscious.”
His words went right over my head, my mind was foggy.
I couldn't think straight.
I think I asked him what he was saying, but my mouth was filled with cotton.
“Snap out of it,” he said, “Like I said, they're making you feel like this.”
He shoved me against the door, which broke me out of my trance. Slightly.
“I hate what I'm going to say right now,” Sam groaned, tipping his head back. He was sweating, I noticed. Bad. I glimpsed beads of red pooling down his neck. He noticed me staring. “I'm okay, for now. I’m faulty, so the connection is severed. He squeezed his eyes shut. “I…think.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Sex.” He said, blinking rapidly. I wasn't going to comment on his slurring voice.
Sam stumbled, fresh blood dripping from his nose.
“We need to do the sex. Like…” His eyes rolled into the back of his head, but he managed to stabilise himself. “Nooooow.”
“What?!”
“Is everything okay in there?”
The voice was a woman. She knocked on the stall.
Sam’s eyes widened, coming back to life a little. “They're paranoid,” he whispered. When I could only stare at him, he pounded his fists into the door. “They think we’re fucking,” he hissed, “So, we need to make it believable.”
“They?” I mouthed.
He didn't reply, swiping at his haemorrhaging nose. “Just… move around against the door. That'll fool ‘em.”
I did, doing my best to shuffle around, slamming my back against the lock.
When the metal clanged, he shot me a look. “Sex!” He hissed, “Not murder!”
Sam jumped onto the toilet bowl. There was an open window above him.
“That's enough.” He mouthed, hoisting his way through.
He helped me through, and I expected to land on concrete.
What I did land on, however, was something… squishy.
Something wet sliding between my bare toes.
Looking closer, I recognised the beaded anklet.
Fishnet tights.
Something animalistic clawed from my throat. I was standing on Esme. Or what was left of Esme. She was just a torso and legs, the rest of her ripped away like doll pieces. I couldn't see her face. I looked for it, digging through what could only be old flesh and pieces of limbs.
I felt suffocated. I grabbed half of Ben’s face that had been ripped off, and then Alex’s tattooed arm. There was so much of them, piles and piles of the same heads, the same filthy and rotting clothes. I was screaming by the time I shuffled back on my hands and knees, trying to wipe them off of my skin.
They were all over me, staining me, painting me.
Sam’s hand slick with blood gently covered my mouth.
“Stay calm, all right?” He whispered. “I would tell you everything is going to be okay, but the truth is, it's really not, there's like, a 99.9% chance you're going to… understandably freak out.”
He pulled me to my feet, letting out a heavy breath.
Blinking rapidly, I could only see… pieces.
Pieces of people.
Legs and heads and torsos all piled into one mass of gore.
“We’ve got maybe five minutes before they realize we’re not doing the devil's dance,” Sam sniffled, “Maybe ten, before my brain short circuits and I bleed out.”
I didn't know I was hyperventilating, until I couldn't fucking breathe.
Closer towards the door, and I could hear… machinery.
I couldn't stop myself. Even when I was aware I was standing in congealing blood.
Rotten bodies.
The dim light led me into what could only be described as a factory. There were three levels, and we were on the highest. Sam stepped forward, gripping the metal bar in front of us. I felt my legs buckling, a thick, pukey slime filling my mouth.
“Soo, I guess it all started when Brianna Timberman was seventeen years old, and rejected by her childhood best friend, Sam Thwaites.”
Sam’s words collapsed into a low buzzing in my ear.
All I could see was a conveyer belt, filled with… people.
Boys.
Girls.
But most noticeably, Ben’s, Alex’s, Esme’s, and Sam’s.
But they start as Ben’s, Alex's, and Esme’s.
I could see regular people, their hair stripped away.
Their skin sliced into, cruelly moulding them into the exact same four faces.
When a large looming needle plunged into the back of an Alex’s head, I couldn't not watch. I waited for the guy to wake up, but I don't even think he was alive.
He stood, unblinking, letting this thing twist and contort his face. And it was then, when I realized these things weren't even human. I could see the mechanics built under their flesh, both living tissue and metal melded together. “Brianna’s father, who is a liiiitle on the crazy side, with too much cash and not not enough logic, took his daughter’s rejection a little too personally,” Sam continued.
“So, he promised his daughter he would find her the perfect match.”
I started to speak, the words coming out before I could stop them.
“My father would never–”
“I didn't say it was your father,” Sam said. His eyes darkened. “Anyway, as I was saying, the townspeople became unhealthily obsessed with who Brianna would choose. So obsessed, in fact, that the girl’s day to day life was broadcasted across town, while her potential love interests were ranked, week after week. First, there was Ben.”
Sam’s smile thinned. “Her high school boyfriend.”
Sam shrugged. “She grew bored of him. Also, he kinda did something unforgivable.”
He continued. “Then… Alex. She liked him, but sometimes, he was a little too unserious. The guy was a clown.”
I backed away, but he was quick to grab my shoulders.
“Finally? Esme. Who she truly fell for.”
I swallowed. “Esme is–”
He cut me off. “But I didn't mention that they hurt her, did I?”
Sam leaned against the bar. Behind him, I could see a figure in white pushing a gurney with a Ben strapped to it. “Ben tried to rape her, insisting she wanted it. Alex dumped her on her birthday. Esme ended their relationship with a one word text. Goodbye.” Sam mimed an explosion. “That was the nail in the coffin.”
I caught blood sliding down his nose. “You're still bleeding.”
Sam gingerly prodded his nose.
“Urgh. Yeah, it's an effect of the severing. I've been in the red zone too long. I should probably speed this up.”
He talked faster, his voice collapsing into a mumbled slur.
“Brianna couldn't take it. Her best friend was ignoring her. Everyone she had fallen in love with hurt her. Esme wasn't returning her calls. Ben was sleeping around right in front of her, and Alex was still being a clown. Brianna’s poor parents found her hanging from her bedroom ceiling fan.”
I shook my head, my thoughts screaming.
“No–”
He held a finger up to shush me. “Let me talk. Jeez.”
Sam folded his arms. “A grieving father would do anything to avenge his dead child, buuut… Mr Timberman took ‘finding a perfect match’ and ‘the show must go on’ a little bit too literally.”
His sickly smile found me. “Which also means going stark fucking crazy. The town wanted more of Brianna, and her life, so he turned his daughter’s failed love life into a town wide TV show, sending the entire teen and young adult populace into here,” he gestured around him. “To make the perfect suitors. Who wouldn't hurt his new Brianna.”
Something ice cold crept down my spine.
He cleared his throat. “Mr Timberman grew, let's say, obsessed, with getting revenge on these specific four people. So, he started killing them–” He coughed.
“Sorry. Us. Killing us for the funny ha-ha, ‘Look at how many times I can fuck with them!’ bit. And then recycling us into someone completely different. Our names are gone. Then our personalities. Finally, our bodies ripped to pieces and sculpted into Brianna’s exes.” Sam poked me in the cheek.
“The cycle continues. They reset your ticker and the town eats it up. They can bring back Esme, Ben, and Alex whenever they want and add curveballs. Like the bad-boy colleague who becomes the fan favorite.” Sam’s lips curved. “For… some fucking reason.”
His eyes flickered open. “However, Brianna will never find a suitor because her father is a fucking sociopath. To him and the town, his dead daughter’s pathetic love life is entertainment.”
He held out his arm.
“See?”
I tried really hard not to look through the makeup.
At noticeable skin grafts.
“I was a Ben.” He said. “Then I was an Alex, and then I was an extra.” His eyes found mine, sad, suddenly. “But who I was originally is kinda gone. All I remember is a deal to protect Josie. I gave myself up so they wouldn't take her.”
“Your sister.” I said.
Sam nodded.
His earlier words hit me. He was talking like Brianna Timberman was dead.
But I was Brianna Timberman.
I was rejected by Sam, yes, but I found Ben.
As if he could read my mind, Sam shook his head.
“Look at yourself.” He said, his voice shaking.
“And I mean really look at yourself.”
Sam stepped closer.
“Because, underneath all of that make-up and the prosthetics and surgery, and fucked up memories, you're just another recycled lump of flesh.” He prodded my temple. “Who thinks she is Brianna Timberman.”
His voice was slurring again, a fresh stream of scarlet seeping down his chin.
“Don't you want to know?” His eyes rolled to pearly whites.
Before he could finish his sentence, Sam dropped to the ground.
I remember warm arms grasping hold of me.
Shadows with no faces.
They pricked me twice in the back of my neck.
A familiar voice in my ear, almost a hiss.
Jasper.
“You are the worst fucking Brianna.”
When I came to, I was standing up, somehow.
At work.
I am Brianna Timberman.
The thought floated around in my head, my memory hazy.
“Hello?!”
A man was waving his hands in front of me.
“I asked for iced coffee, lady!”
Jasper was serving another customer. “Bree, wake the fuck up.”
They were trying to make me think I was hallucinating.
Which was crazy, because my fingernails were still tinted with Sam’s blood.
The marks he'd left on my wrist when he was yanking me, were still there.
Bruised on my arm.
“Bree!” Jasper snapped. “Snap out of it and make the dude his drink.”
“Right.”
The word slipped out of my mouth.
He caught my eye, winking, and Brianna Timberman internally squeaked.
I half wondered what he was. Was he recycled, or an unwilling performer?
Throughout the day, I was fully aware my words were not mine.
Like I was on autopilot.
But not just that.
My thoughts weren't mine, either.
I spent half of my shift staring at my colleague’s biceps.
During my break, I went into the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror.
I am Brianna Timberman.
But even when I told myself that, my eyes were too blue.
My smile was too perfect.
My teeth.
Too white.
My shaking hands prodded at my face, at someone else's face.
So many faces, so many skin grafts.
The thought was violent, sending tremors through me.
How many people was I wearing?
I started to claw at my arms and legs, my face.
How many fucking people had I been?
I grabbed a knife and tried to slice at my face.
But there was no blood.
How could there be no blood?!
When I got home, I found my family waiting for me.
Mom, Dad and Harry, all of them beaming.
“Bree!” Mom stood up, her lips stretching into a grin.
My mouth was already moving, but they were not my words.
“Mom!”
I didn't know why she was smiling so much, until I saw Sam sitting at our dining room table. His smile was too big. His over-expensive shirt and pants did not suit him, and looked fucking gross, but somehow my brain thought it was hot. The worst part is, I couldn't and still can't tell which Sam he was.
Was he the guy who told me the horrific reality of my existence?
Or was he another recycled, mindless suitor?
“This is Samuel.” Mom said, and Sam slowly stood.
He took slow steps towards me, and kissed my hand.
I saw the slightest smudge of scarlet, but his eyes were blank.
In the corner of my eye, my ‘father’s’ eyes were glittering.
“Hello, Brianna.” Sam said, and I swore Now that I was awake, the walls were wolf-whistling. Laughing.
Ooohhhhhhhhh!”
My town is a blip on the map.
We’re so small, so insignificant, not even a Google search will find us.
I keep thinking if I tear at my skin, I will find who I am underneath. But I'm so fucking scared. I don't bleed. I don't think who I was still exists under so many layers. But even if this is just a cry into the void, please help us.
I don't want to be Brianna Timberman.
2024.05.23 17:13 Mysterious_Lynx_9300 4am
4am bid for affection turned
Ugly in the war for independance
Again again again
You called it first
I laid my blessings before the ones
Who used them up
Without respect to whom I love
And all the rage back home
I'm responsible
I was the one who left and abandoned
Under the banner of "the right thing"
When all the real life words said
You don't want me and
I only made a victim of you
It was a lie my true stories used
To hanged me by a noose
For the love of godddd
I screamed Plato
Where Eros ruled
Motherfucking Calypso
Norman fucking Rockwell
Goddamn manchild my poetry is bad
The digital childrens toys were dull years ago
Used now like heroin needles
To avoid the revulsion I feel
A baby's tantrum stomping on the door-mat
It was never enough to sacrifice my whole self
My soul was demanded too
And beat against the banisters when I refused
It's not a mentality when I'm actually abused
Half-poems where the conscious met
A screeching halt to prevent
Each new disaster of the heart
Fool! Fool! Fool!
You handed me the instructions and blueprints
The help I could have given myself and
The changes I could have made
Jesus - that I swore I would make
Smoke rises from chains
Just ask her please how often
I've said your name out loud and long
Last night, the night before, last week, last month,
At the start I said my heart does not belong here
None seems to care
I wouldn't rather be here in this place
I keep building up to get spat in the face
That my feelings were always killing someone
I watched the light behind their eyes fade just now
Then recover in shiver like my lack of loving was the cause of death
It was my first priority on paper to find the replacement
"Until then we can game in my basement"
FOOL!
Time marches forward forever
It's why I put this hole on my face
And it would make me think of you too, and that is a plus for me
Because if I don't think of your eyes and your face
They start to fade just as fast
Blanketed by your pained silence
And that, more than anything, rattles the foundations of my courageous soul
Willing to go down into that small dark place unafraid
Patient and kind and giving love away every day
Until what remains doesn't look the same
As the boy you sang your vows to
I don't know what's changing next I am
Codependant on an unintentionally cruel person
Where the hell did I go? The Lost Woods at home
I hide it well that I can tell when it's you
Not just the vacancy
Or no, I hardly hide it at all
I often ask if it's you I've found and
I didn't need to know I guess
It was a leap of faith that I couldn't take
I had dashed myself on those rocks before
Now I hardly care for my corporeal form
I will run to the edge and leap as far as I can
Let my bruised and aching corpse pay the toll
Midair asleep I dream of Icarus wings
Better than caught in the tower behind me
The ones bombed in the eighties or nineties
I hurt you first
Voices in the sussurus please hear me
I don't have the words to explain just how badly
I wanted things to change
Up against unflinching poor behavior
Words said in reality that stopped my heart
Words I said with lethality
Kneeling and sobbing over the death I wrought
EMS please save this love
It wasn't all my fault
I truly believed you were better without me
And I kept seeing you begging and pleading
My stoney bones crumbled under stoic indifference
A cutout which promised to be the "right thing"
Telling the worst most horrible truth
A javelin through my skull roof
Hit number 3 on this porch hoping one of these sticks can just finally kill me
Woa woe is me
Surprising my external calm with crisis
Where a gun to someone elses head is the same as pointed at mine
And that behavior never died
'We talked about this Jesus Christ'
Stigmata lo my noble sacrifice
A bum hillbilly martyr
Described to onlookers as far from nice
Prosecute me my darling for dialogue sliced to ribbons
I was one of those dogs, Jess
Your torn blouse on my snout
And like the freedom of sheer loneliness
I stopped the chase
I was afraid
Afraid
Holy god damn I was so
Afraid
That my teeth would meet your neck
We would tumble over laughing
As I tore you to shreds
To shreds you say
I couldn't handle killing you a fourth, a fifth, an nth time
A projection on the inside of my mind
So I stayed in fresh brine with mutilated lips
How many times have we said goodbye
Will we be saying it all our lives
Well I broke the border and shot the letter-arrow up to your tower
Castle of harmony blocked my own arrow
I'm so tired of lying!
You'd say I am where I want to be but you're mistaken
I'd be dying in your arms tonight if you asked me
I would fly to 50% on one knee (scoff scoff, I hear the murmurs from the furies scoffing)
I would. I would. Charge headlong into the place where angles doff their wings.
Seraphim court escort me to the bricks outside
Where I would contine to cry;
So I don't give you away
But you stopped hiding 2 years ago in october
The tenth anniversaries I missed
I saw in the mirror a victim and prayed for salvation
That can never come
Fuck this dehumanizing love
I am sarah in the junkyard
Goblin king goblin king
I am Toby in the escherian
Yes I remind me of the babe
I cast my voodoo on the internet til mother slaps my wrist
And my joyful grin is replaced by a vacant stare
God damn I care. I care about you.
And evening knowing your masks I won't let myself know
Who is who
You are you
Whatever I do
I can't make your dreams untrue
Do you still dream of me,
Is it unwillingly?
What to do, not who.
Dorm tower floor bending and collapsing under me
This place has been abandoned since the eighties or nineties
This is a love poem
Improvised on a summers morning with cool wind and hazy clouds
The peonies are nearly gone now
Cosmos and black-eyed susan
You take forage up a slippery ridge
A road they call suicide
And susan is there all around, yellow petals beaming against the old-growth forest
If you write on reddit and your phone dies the comment isn't saved
You would laugh at the frequency that it's happened
Number four fuels the following words whatever they might be
In mind of Klaus talking to Ben
Lets start a cult in the sixties
Drown my ghosts in seas of buddah leaf
Electricity, nicotine, extacy, fleeting reliefs
This wasn't who I wanted to be!
Woe woe woe is me.
Whatever you might read between lines here,
Which is why I didn't space that paragraph,
I'm not angry. No not at anyone. Not even me.
I did the best I could with what I knew at the time
Which was nothing.
I only assumed from anonymous letters what you felt for me
(And you know what assuming does to me)
I want to believe
Bojack and DS9 are still in my watch-list
Waiting to be seen by your side
If ever there comes a time
Just as long as my rhymes are sufficient
Is that right?
No... you are a prize
But you'd regard me coldly for starting a fight
Challenges issued and not acted upon
Editing bay waiting for just the right song
And a full hour to pull my bleeding brain along
Woe woe woe woe... I did it all to myself
While my coffee went cold
Emotional discharge prompt
Watching you get onto the plane
And one of me stands stock still shocked.
One of me is dialing every number.
One of me is
One of me is running begging saying "Wait"
I swear I can love you more.
I think my affections are a chore.
Did you ever see them like that, too?
"I just want it to be easy," I said breathless
Just outside your departure gate,
"I know how much you love me and I love you too
Please," I wait for your answer
But I don't know if you can hear me
Looking up at the ring
And your gaze goes back and forth,
What do your diamond eyes see?
A man completely emptied
Or a boy smiling and pleased
Just to see his favorite person again
Not really knowing why we're at the airport
The details and plot lost on his fragile egg-shell mind
I contemplate number 5
Once I go inside I'll need to hide my own eyes again
Or let them be seen to my homies devestation
"If she was comfortable talking to you I wouldn't get in the way"
Yes it was my fault that I acted that way
I let a lifetime of pain roll me over devour my entire ribcage
I would edit my post if I knew what to say
But here is as much of my ugly truth
As can be depicted in an hour of tearful thumb tacking
I was going to roll off the roof
When I knew just how I had punished you
For loving and loving and loving me truly
How could you
Too long; didn't read:
I don't want to live my life without you and only the challenges I face can prove that
I was mistaken when my charge demanded I remove that piece of me that keeps my mechanisms ticking
I can't ever ask you to stay in pain
But this is only over if you want it to be.
submitted by Mysterious_Lynx_9300 to Informal_Effect [link] [comments]
Ugly in the war for independance
Again again again
You called it first
I laid my blessings before the ones
Who used them up
Without respect to whom I love
And all the rage back home
I'm responsible
I was the one who left and abandoned
Under the banner of "the right thing"
When all the real life words said
You don't want me and
I only made a victim of you
It was a lie my true stories used
To hanged me by a noose
For the love of godddd
I screamed Plato
Where Eros ruled
Motherfucking Calypso
Norman fucking Rockwell
Goddamn manchild my poetry is bad
The digital childrens toys were dull years ago
Used now like heroin needles
To avoid the revulsion I feel
A baby's tantrum stomping on the door-mat
It was never enough to sacrifice my whole self
My soul was demanded too
And beat against the banisters when I refused
It's not a mentality when I'm actually abused
Half-poems where the conscious met
A screeching halt to prevent
Each new disaster of the heart
Fool! Fool! Fool!
You handed me the instructions and blueprints
The help I could have given myself and
The changes I could have made
Jesus - that I swore I would make
Smoke rises from chains
Just ask her please how often
I've said your name out loud and long
Last night, the night before, last week, last month,
At the start I said my heart does not belong here
None seems to care
I wouldn't rather be here in this place
I keep building up to get spat in the face
That my feelings were always killing someone
I watched the light behind their eyes fade just now
Then recover in shiver like my lack of loving was the cause of death
It was my first priority on paper to find the replacement
"Until then we can game in my basement"
FOOL!
Time marches forward forever
It's why I put this hole on my face
And it would make me think of you too, and that is a plus for me
Because if I don't think of your eyes and your face
They start to fade just as fast
Blanketed by your pained silence
And that, more than anything, rattles the foundations of my courageous soul
Willing to go down into that small dark place unafraid
Patient and kind and giving love away every day
Until what remains doesn't look the same
As the boy you sang your vows to
I don't know what's changing next I am
Codependant on an unintentionally cruel person
Where the hell did I go? The Lost Woods at home
I hide it well that I can tell when it's you
Not just the vacancy
Or no, I hardly hide it at all
I often ask if it's you I've found and
I didn't need to know I guess
It was a leap of faith that I couldn't take
I had dashed myself on those rocks before
Now I hardly care for my corporeal form
I will run to the edge and leap as far as I can
Let my bruised and aching corpse pay the toll
Midair asleep I dream of Icarus wings
Better than caught in the tower behind me
The ones bombed in the eighties or nineties
I hurt you first
Voices in the sussurus please hear me
I don't have the words to explain just how badly
I wanted things to change
Up against unflinching poor behavior
Words said in reality that stopped my heart
Words I said with lethality
Kneeling and sobbing over the death I wrought
EMS please save this love
It wasn't all my fault
I truly believed you were better without me
And I kept seeing you begging and pleading
My stoney bones crumbled under stoic indifference
A cutout which promised to be the "right thing"
Telling the worst most horrible truth
A javelin through my skull roof
Hit number 3 on this porch hoping one of these sticks can just finally kill me
Woa woe is me
Surprising my external calm with crisis
Where a gun to someone elses head is the same as pointed at mine
And that behavior never died
'We talked about this Jesus Christ'
Stigmata lo my noble sacrifice
A bum hillbilly martyr
Described to onlookers as far from nice
Prosecute me my darling for dialogue sliced to ribbons
I was one of those dogs, Jess
Your torn blouse on my snout
And like the freedom of sheer loneliness
I stopped the chase
I was afraid
Afraid
Holy god damn I was so
Afraid
That my teeth would meet your neck
We would tumble over laughing
As I tore you to shreds
To shreds you say
I couldn't handle killing you a fourth, a fifth, an nth time
A projection on the inside of my mind
So I stayed in fresh brine with mutilated lips
How many times have we said goodbye
Will we be saying it all our lives
Well I broke the border and shot the letter-arrow up to your tower
Castle of harmony blocked my own arrow
I'm so tired of lying!
You'd say I am where I want to be but you're mistaken
I'd be dying in your arms tonight if you asked me
I would fly to 50% on one knee (scoff scoff, I hear the murmurs from the furies scoffing)
I would. I would. Charge headlong into the place where angles doff their wings.
Seraphim court escort me to the bricks outside
Where I would contine to cry;
I love you. With my whole heart. There is no kiss nor touch I could accept that would ever be enough without you though I tried, I tried. I don't want to love someone else and I never did. I made promises to the dying just as I was bid. I hid from you embarrassed that my choices took me this way. Let me not hide anymore. Whether your gaze unshackles me or burns me to a crisp. I find there is little difference.I don't repeat what I've read sometimes
So I don't give you away
But you stopped hiding 2 years ago in october
The tenth anniversaries I missed
I saw in the mirror a victim and prayed for salvation
That can never come
Fuck this dehumanizing love
I am sarah in the junkyard
Goblin king goblin king
I am Toby in the escherian
Yes I remind me of the babe
I cast my voodoo on the internet til mother slaps my wrist
And my joyful grin is replaced by a vacant stare
God damn I care. I care about you.
And evening knowing your masks I won't let myself know
Who is who
You are you
Whatever I do
I can't make your dreams untrue
Do you still dream of me,
Is it unwillingly?
What to do, not who.
Dorm tower floor bending and collapsing under me
This place has been abandoned since the eighties or nineties
This is a love poem
Improvised on a summers morning with cool wind and hazy clouds
The peonies are nearly gone now
Cosmos and black-eyed susan
You take forage up a slippery ridge
A road they call suicide
And susan is there all around, yellow petals beaming against the old-growth forest
If you write on reddit and your phone dies the comment isn't saved
You would laugh at the frequency that it's happened
Number four fuels the following words whatever they might be
In mind of Klaus talking to Ben
Lets start a cult in the sixties
Drown my ghosts in seas of buddah leaf
Electricity, nicotine, extacy, fleeting reliefs
This wasn't who I wanted to be!
Woe woe woe is me.
Whatever you might read between lines here,
Which is why I didn't space that paragraph,
I'm not angry. No not at anyone. Not even me.
I did the best I could with what I knew at the time
Which was nothing.
I only assumed from anonymous letters what you felt for me
(And you know what assuming does to me)
I want to believe
Bojack and DS9 are still in my watch-list
Waiting to be seen by your side
If ever there comes a time
Just as long as my rhymes are sufficient
Is that right?
No... you are a prize
But you'd regard me coldly for starting a fight
Challenges issued and not acted upon
Editing bay waiting for just the right song
And a full hour to pull my bleeding brain along
Woe woe woe woe... I did it all to myself
While my coffee went cold
Emotional discharge prompt
Watching you get onto the plane
And one of me stands stock still shocked.
One of me is dialing every number.
One of me is
One of me is running begging saying "Wait"
I swear I can love you more.
I think my affections are a chore.
Did you ever see them like that, too?
"I just want it to be easy," I said breathless
Just outside your departure gate,
"I know how much you love me and I love you too
Please," I wait for your answer
But I don't know if you can hear me
Looking up at the ring
And your gaze goes back and forth,
What do your diamond eyes see?
A man completely emptied
Or a boy smiling and pleased
Just to see his favorite person again
Not really knowing why we're at the airport
The details and plot lost on his fragile egg-shell mind
I contemplate number 5
Once I go inside I'll need to hide my own eyes again
Or let them be seen to my homies devestation
"If she was comfortable talking to you I wouldn't get in the way"
Yes it was my fault that I acted that way
I let a lifetime of pain roll me over devour my entire ribcage
I would edit my post if I knew what to say
But here is as much of my ugly truth
As can be depicted in an hour of tearful thumb tacking
I was going to roll off the roof
When I knew just how I had punished you
For loving and loving and loving me truly
How could you
Too long; didn't read:
I don't want to live my life without you and only the challenges I face can prove that
I was mistaken when my charge demanded I remove that piece of me that keeps my mechanisms ticking
I can't ever ask you to stay in pain
But this is only over if you want it to be.
2024.05.23 17:03 teabagandwarmwater Something really beneficial. Please give it a read! Topics: How to Maximize your time in Makkah When you visit Madeenah Umrah/Hajj Education
🌷How to MAXIMIZE your time in Makkah🌷
By Asma bint Shameem
Makkah is the best place on earth. Allaah Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala decreed Makkah to be a sanctuary the day He created the heavens and the earth.
So when we're in Makkah, we want to utilize each and every SECOND of our time so that we can MAXIMIZE our ibaadaat in the short time we're blessed to be in this Sacred Sanctuary.
Here are some things we can do:
🌷FIVE DAILY PRAYERS
Go to the masjid for the five daily prayers.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"One prayer in al-Masjid al-Haraam is BETTER than one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere." (Ahmad and Ibn Majaah 1406; saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷TAWAAF
Try and do at least one Tawaaf a day if possible. Remember that one complete tawaaf consists of seven rounds.
Making tawaaf of the Ka'bah is one act of ibaadah that's not available anywhere else in the world. It erases sins, raises your status and is equivalent to freeing a slave. Subhaan Allaah!
The Sahaabah knew that and would take FULL advantage of that. And they tried to do as many tawaafs as possible.
🍃 Ibn Umar radhi Allaahu anhu said that he heard the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam say:
"Whoever circumambulates (the Ka'bah) seven times, counting them, and then prays two rak'ahs (after tawaaf) it will be equivalent to his freeing a believing slave."
And "No man lifts his foot and sets it down but ten hasanaat (good deeds) will be recorded for him, and ten sayi'aat (bad deeds) will be erased from his record, and he will be raised thereby ten degrees in status." (at-Tirmidhi; saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi)
🌷PRAY THE JANAAZAH PRAYER
After every fardh salaah, almost always there's a Janaazah prayer for someone or the other.
Do pray this prayer, whether you're a man or a woman, because it's recommended for both to offer this prayer and brings tremendous rewards.
🍃 The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever attends a funeral until he offers the (funeral) prayer will have one qiraat (of reward) and whoever attends until the burial is done will have two qiraats." It was said: "What are the two qiraats?" He said: "Like two great mountains." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
And imagine the rewards of praying in Masjid al-Haraam, where prayers offered are multiplied a 100,000 times! Yes, the reward for offering prayers in Masjid al-Haraam applies to ALL prayers, obligatory AND voluntary.
🍃 Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“Some scholars say that what brings the multiple reward in al-Masjid al-Haraam is the five daily prayers only, and other prayers do not bring the multiple reward. What appears to be the case from the apparent meaning of the hadeeth is that it includes ALL prayers, and the janaazah prayer is included in this general meaning of the reward for prayers in al-Masjid al-Haraam being multiplied. And Allaah knows best.” (Liqa’ al-baab il-Maftooh 116/11).
🌷NAWAAFIL
Pray all the nawaafil you can. Pray them at the times that one is allowed to pray nawaafil and do TAWAAF at times when it's not allowed to pray salah.
This way you MAXIMIZE your time and not one second is wasted In shaa' Allaah.
Since each prayer in the Haram is equal to 100,000 prayers anywhere else then what better place to pray as many nawaafil as possible here in Makkah?
Some of the nawaafil you can offer:
🌿Tahajjud
Of the nawaafil, pay special attention to the tahajjud prayer.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"The BEST prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night (qiyaam al-Layl)." (Muslim)
And he said:
"You should pray qiyaam al-layl, for it is the custom of the righteous who came before you and it brings you closer to your Lord, and expiates sins and prevents misdeeds." (al-Tirmidhi --hasan by al-Albaani)
So it's the BEST prayer after the obligatory prayers, BELOVED to Allaah and expiated sin. What more could a person ask!?
🌿Tahiyyatul Masjid
Masjid al-Haraam is after all a masjid so pray the two rakaat of greeting the Masjid every time you enter it.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"When one of you enters the masjid, let him not sit down until he has prayed two rak'ahs." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
This applies all the time except when your intention is to do tawaaf.
Aa’ishah radhi Allaahu anhaa said:
"When the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam came to Makkah, he did wudoo', then he circumambulated the House. And the two rak'ahs for greeting the masjid are replaced by the two rak'ahs following tawaaf." (al-Bukhaari 1614 and Muslim 1235).
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“If he enters the masjid to do tawaaf, such as a person who is doing ‘umrah and enters the masjid to do the tawaaf of ‘umrah, or to do a voluntary tawaaf, then in this case the tawaaf replaces the two rak’ahs for greeting the masjid, because when he does tawaaf he is going to pray two rak’ahs after tawaaf.” (Majmoo’ Fataawa 22/286)
🌿Tahiyyatul wudhu
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said to Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu:
"Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise." Bilal said : "I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (wudoo) at any time of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to offer." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salat ad-Duhaa
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam would pray Duhaa himself and encouraged us to do so as well.
Abu Hurairah radhi Allaahu anhu said: "My beloved ﷺ advised me to do three things, which I will not forsake so long as I live: to fast three days of each month, to pray Duha, and not to sleep until I pray Witr." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salaat al-Ishraaq:
This prayer is a kind of Salaah ad-Duhaa prayed at its EARLY time, about 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
About this prayer, the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak'ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and 'Umrah, complete, complete, complete." (at-Tirmidhi -- hasan by al-Albaani)
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said:
"The Sunnah of Ishraaq is (the same as) the Sunnah of Duhaa, but if it is done early, from the time when the sun has risen to the height of a spear, then it is Ishraaq prayer; if it is done at the end of its time or in the middle of its time, then it is Duhaa prayer. But it is (all) Duhaa prayer, because the scholars said that the time of Duhaa prayer lasts from when the sun has risen to the height of a spear until just before the zenith." (Liqa' al-Baab al-Maftooh, 141/24)
🌿Salat al-Awwaabeen
This is also a kind of Duhaa prayer done at its LATER time.
Zayd ibn Arqam radhi Allaahu anhu said:
'The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam went out to the people of Qubaa' and found them praying (Duhaa). He said: "Salaat al-Awwaabeen is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand)."'" (Muslim)
Please note: Salaat al-Awwaabeen is NOT the prayer between Mahhrib and Ishaa as is common among some people. Those are just general unspecified nawaafil.
🌿Unspecified nawaafil
You can read as many unspecified nawaafil as you want here in Masjid al-Haraam at all times except the prohibited times which are between Salat al-Asr to sunset and from Salat al-Fajr up until 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
So for example, you can pray unspecified and unlimited number of nawaafil between maghrib and Ishaa.
That was the practice of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and the Sahaabah.
Hudhayfah radhi Allaahu anhu said:
"I came to the Prophet ﷺ and prayed Maghrib with him. When he had finished the prayer, he stood and prayed, and he kept praying until he prayed 'Ishaa'. (Ahmad --saheeh by al-Albaani)
Or you can pray these unspecified nawaafil after salat al-Dhuhr up until Asr, etc
🌷READING QUR'AAN
Utilize those times when prayer is forbidden and read Qur'aan during this period.
And don't just 'read'.
Try and read the Qur'aan with MEANINGS so that you can understand what Allaah wants from you, how you can change for the better, how you can please your Creator and enter Jannah.
🌿TWO BIRDS with ONE STONE:
You can earn double rewards by reading the Qur'aan while you're saying any of your nawaafil prayers especially tahajjud.
Just open the Mus-haf and read DIRECTLY from the Mus-haf for each of the rakaat, instead of reading those small Surahs that you always read.
This way you'll get khushoo in your prayer, AND at the same time you'll get some Qur'aan recitation along with the nawaafil done. A beautiful way to maximize the rewards. Alhamdulillaah.
🌷REPEAT THE ADHAAN
Repeating after the Adhaan brings a lot of rewards and entry into Jannah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said about the one replies to the words of the adhaan "from the heart, he will enter Jannah." (Muslim)
🌷DUA BETWEEN ADHAAN and IQAAMAH
This is the best time to make duaa because this duaa will not be rejected.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Du'a is not rejected between the adhaan and Iqaamah, so engage in du'a (supplication)." (Abi Dawood and others- saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷I'TIKAAF
I'tikaaf does not only take place in Ramadhaan and it does not have to be for ten days either.
You can make the niyyah for i'tikaaf for one week, one day or even for an hour.
So when you plan to stay in Masjid al-Haraam for some time, from one prayer to another etc., make your intention to make i'tikaaf and it will count as ibaadah.
Ibn Hazm said:
"I'tikaaf in the language of the Arabs means staying... any stay in the mosque for the sake of Allaah with the intention of drawing closer to Him is i'tikaaf... whether that is for a short time or a long time, because the Qur'aan and Sunnah do not specify any number or length of time." (Al-Muhalla, 5/179)
🌷DHIKR
Any other time that's left over from all of the above ibaadaat can be filled with dhikr so even these few moments will not be wasted.
Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. Make lots of istighfaar, and fill your time with Subhaan Allaah, Alhamdulillaah, Allaahu Akbar, La illaaha illallaah, and send salutations upon the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam.
Allaah says:
"and the men and the women who remember Allaah much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)" (Surah al-Ahzaab :35)
🌷SAY SALAAM to everyone.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam told us the 'secret' to enter Jannah.... saying salaam to those you know and those you don't know.
Walk around in the streets JUST TO SAY SALAAM to your fellow Muslim.
This was the practice of the Sahaabah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you about something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salaam amongst yourselves." (Muslim)
🌷GIVE SADAQAH
Spend on your Muslim brothesister for the sake of Allaah. It doesn't have to be too much money. Even a little bit counts.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings - for Allaah does not accept anything but that which is good - Allaah will take it in His right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you tends his foal, until it becomes like a mountain." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷SMILE
Sadaqah is not just money. Even a smile is sadaqah.
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Do not regard any act of kindness as insignificant, even meeting your brother with a cheerful countenance." (Saheeh Muslim)
🌷FEED THE PEOPLE
When the Sahaabah asked the Prophet ﷺ what makes Hajj Mabroor, he ﷺ said:
"Providing food to people and spreading (the greeting of) salaam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷HELP SOMEONE
Be on the lookout for anyone that might need help. So if you see an old man struggling with his luggage, or a child who seems lost, or someone looking for a spot to pray or a sister who can't find her shoes, JUMP on the opportunity to help them and earn tremendous rewards just because you helped your fellow Muslim in times of their need.
🌷SLEEP
Yes that's right...SLEEP.
Sleeping and resting will also bring you rewards if you make your intention to rest so that you can worship Allaah better after you've rested and slept.
Any ordinary deed can be converted into an act of worship if we make our intention to do good.
That's why Muadh radhi Allaahu anhu used to say:
"I sleep and I get up (to pray at night), and I seek reward for my sleep as I seek reward for my getting up." (al-Bukhaari)
🌿THE SAME DEEDS APPLY to MADEENAH
We can do all these ibaadaat in Madeenah as well, except of course the Tawaaf.
May Allaah give us the taufeeq to do good and earn maximum rewards in these beautiful times and places.
And Allaah knows best.
🌷When you visit Madeenah...🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
Alhamdulillaah, you're in Madeenah, the most beautiful, the most beloved, the most sacred place on the face of the earth, after Makkah.
Here are some Do's and Don'ts when you visit such a venerated place.
📌 1. Be CAREFUL and show RESPECT
Madeenah is the city of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and his noble Sahaabah. This is where they established Islaam.
To commit any evil in this holy city, or to introduce any innovations here, of all places, would be the biggest disrespect to the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and the biggest insult to the Deen of Islaam.
🍃 Shaikh Salah al-Budayr, the Imaam of Masjid an-Nabawi, said:
"O you who come to Madeenah, you are in a place which, after Makkah, is the best and noblest of all places, so RESPECT it as it should be respected; HONOR its sanctity and holiness and observe the BEST ETIQUETTE therein.
Know that Allaah has warned of the SEVEREST punishment for those who commit evil therein. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: "Madeenah is a Haram (sanctuary), so whoever commits evil therein or gives protection to an evildoer, the curse of Allaah, the angels and all of mankind may be upon him. Allaah will not accept any obligatory or naafil deed from him on the Day of Resurrection." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)"
📌 2. Visit the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ
Obviously, if you're in Madeenah, you would want to visit the masjid of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam).
🍃He ﷺ said:
"The best places to which a person may travel are this Mosque of mine, and the Ancient House (i.e., the Ka'bah)." (Ahmad, saheeh by al-Albaani)
However, keep in mind that visiting this masjid is NOT part of Hajj or Umrah.
Any and all ahaadeeth which connect its visit to Hajj or that say that visiting the grave of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) is connected to Hajj are fabricated and not true.
📌 3. Do your Five Daily Prayers in Masjid an-Nabawi
Just one prayer at the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ is BETTER than 1000 prayers any where else!
Subhaan Allaah! Not “EQUAL” to a 1000 prayers....but BETTER than a 1000 prayers!
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"One prayer in this Masjid of mine is better than one thousand prayers offered anywhere else, except al-Masjid al-Haraam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 4. No need to complete 40 prayers in Madeenah
You don't HAVE to stay in Madeenah for forty prayers NOR is there any SPECIAL rewards for doing so.
You can stay as much as you want or as little as one prayer.
The hadeeth that talks about praying forty prayers in Madeenah is NOT AUTHENTIC.
The ulama have graded it as da'eef or weak.
🍃 Shake al-Albaani said:
"It is an innovation (bid'ah) to visit Madeenah and tell the visitors to Madeenah to stay there for a week so that they will be able to offer forty prayers in the Prophet's Masjid so that they will be free from hypocrisy and saved from the Fire."
🍃 And Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:
"With regard to the widespread idea that the visitor should stay for eight days so that he can offer forty prayers in the Mosque is wrong. This hadeeth is DA’EEF according to the scholars and cannot be taken as proof or relied upon. There is NO SET LIMIT for visiting the Prophet's Masjid. If a person visits for an hour or two, or a day or two, or for more than that, there is nothing wrong with that." (Fataawa Ibn Baz, 17/406)
📌 5. Visit the Rawdah (Riyadh al-Jannah)
Do try and visit the Rawdah, which is that part of the masjid that is between the Mimbar (pulpit) of the Prophet ﷺ and his house, where he is buried.
You can pray two or more rakaat there, but you don't HAVE to pray salah there if there is a lot of crowding and rush. You can make duaa, istighfaar, send salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ or any other dhikr.
This is a piece of Jannah on earth and ANY act of worship here would be accepted and ANY duaa you make will be heard.
After all, isn't Jannah where all wishes come true?
🍃 The Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens (riyaadh, sing. rawdah) of Paradise" (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 6. The Rawdah is NOT the GRAVE of the Prophet ﷺ
Some people especially the sisters think that the Rawdah is the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Thats NOT TRUE.
The Rawdah is that part of the MASJID that is BETWEEN the Mimbar of the Prophet ﷺ and his house where he is buried, also called RIYADH-UL-JANNAH.
When sisters are allowed to go inside the older part of the Masjid, we are visiting Riyadh-ul-Jannah and NOT the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
📌 *7. Visiting the Grave of the Prophet ﷺ *
For MEN, visiting the grave of the Prophet and the graves of the two noble Sahaabah Abu Bakr and Umar (radhi Allaahu anhumaa) is good and recommended. They should visit them, send salaams upon them and make duaa for them.
🔺What about women❓
As far as women are concerned, there is a difference of opinion among the Ulama of Ahl-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah whether women are allowed to visit graves or not, and that includes the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Both sides have valid points based on the Qur'aan and authentic Sunnah, and Allaah knows best.
And although, some ulama do allow women to visit graves, under certain conditions, the Saudi authorities follow the opinion that it's NOT allowed for women to visit graves, and so NONE of the sisters are ALLOWED to go there.
So when they open the doors of the old masjid and let sisters in, they’re NOT letting the women visit the GRAVE. Rather, they’re letting them pray in Riyadh al-Jannah or ‘Rawdah’ as they say.
📌 8. HOW TO visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and the two Sahaabah (for men).
The way to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ is simple.
When a man visits the grave of the Prophet ﷺ, he should say "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Rasool-Allaah (Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allaah)."
Then move about a yard to the right and say salaams to Abu Bakr by saying, "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Aba Bakr." Then move a little further to the right, about a yard, and say salaams to Umar ibn al-Khattaab, by saying, 'Al-salaamu alayka ya 'Umar."
Or other similar words.
❌ Common MISTAKES at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ❌
❌a) Do NOT make duaa TO the Prophet ﷺ. That's SHIRK, may Allaah protect us.
❌ And do NOT justify making duaa to the Prophet ﷺ by saying that you're "asking" the Prophet ﷺ so that he can intercede for you with Allaah or you're asking Allaah "THROUGH" him.
THAT IS ALSO SHIRK!
The Prophet ﷺ CAN NOT and DOES NOT have the ability to hear you OR fulfill your duaa.
It's ONLY Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala that can do that.
❌ b) Do not make duaa here even if you're making duaa to Allaah. Or read Qur'aan or other acts of worship. There's NO PROOF that such an action is good.
🍃 Ali ibn al-Husayn saw a man making duaa at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and he told him NOT to do that. (Abu Ya'la and al-Haafiz al-Diya)
❌c) Do not think that there's any special reward for Ibaadah at the grave of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam or any increased chances of duaa being answered here. That's NOT correct and there's NO PROOF for that.
❌d) Do not stand before the grave with your hands tied as if you're in prayer, or bow or make sajdah etc. as some extreme people do, Astaghfirullaah.
That's SHIRK because this is a posture of humility and worship and we're only allowed to do that for Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala.
Yes of course, we stand with utmost RESPECT but NOT like we’re in Salaah. And no bowing or sujood, Aa’oodhu Billaah.
❌ e) Don't make it a habit
Do not keep going to visit the grave again and again, after every prayer, or every day etc.
I know that you LOVE the Prophet ﷺ and LOVE to visit the grave.
But that's actually going AGAINST the teachings of the one you love.
🍃 The one you love (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Do not take my grave as a place of festivity (which you visit repeatedly)." (Abu Dawood--saheeh by al-Albaani)
TRUE love is to follow the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ and to OBEY him. And to GIVE UP what YOU want, just because HE said so.
🍃 Someone asked Imaam Maalik about a man who came to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ every day.
He said, 'That is NOT RIGHT,' and quoted the hadeeth, 'O Allaah, do not make my grave an idol that is worshipped.'" (saheeh by al-Albaani)
🍃 Al-Qaadi 'Iyaad said about this issue:
"I have not heard of this from any of the fuqaha', and nothing is good for the latter generations of this ummah except that which was good for its first generations. I have not heard that any of the first generations of the ummah used to do that." (Al-Shifa bi Ta'reef Huqooq al-Mustafa)
📌 9. Visiting al-Baqee', mount Uhud and the Shuhadaa
Here again it is recommended for the MEN to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee', and the Shuhadaa of Uhud.
But for women, they are not allowed to visit the graves, although they may visit Uhud.
The authorities do not allow women to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee' because they follow the safer opinion of not allowing women to visit graves, since the hadeeth of the Prophet ﷺ is very severe.
🍃 He said:
"Allaah cursed the women who visit graves." (at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah-- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 10. Do NOT TOUCH, WIPE, KISS any part of the Masjid
Some people, out of their love for the Prophet ﷺ touch or wipe parts of the masjid with their hands, clothes, prayer mats etc., seeking blessing (barakah) with the pillars, walls, doors, mihraab, minbar, etc.
Some even do it with the bookshelves and water coolers there! Subhaan Allaah! Thats NOT ALLOWED.
Remember, the Masjid is made of concrete and marble and brick and wood, just like any other building.
There's no “special” or “blessed” brick or stone used to build it, nor does the bookshelf, or marble or anything else of the building have anything to do with the Prophet ﷺ himself.
It's NOT permissible to seek barakah from anything other than the PERSONAL relics of the Prophet ﷺ and there are NO “relics” to be found in the masjid itself.
Besides, TRUE barakah comes from following the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ NOT by wiping the walls of his masjid, or kissing the doors or hugging the pillars.
📌 11. Be PATIENT, CONSIDERATE and SACRIFICE for your Muslim brothesister
This goes for our ENTIRE LIFETIME, but this is something we should take care of, ESPECIALLY while in this Holy city.
Madeenah is a HOLY place. The Masjid is the Masjid of your BELOVED. The Rawdah is a piece of JANNAH. The other person is your BROTHESISTER in Islaam.
Keep this 👆🏼principle in mind for EVER but especially when visiting the masjid, praying at a specific spot, waiting in line anywhere, or even while visiting the Rawdah.
You also don't want to push, shove or hurt any of your fellow Muslim in such sacred place.
Be extra, EXTRA careful and EXTREMELY polite, patient and courteous.
So INCONVENIENCE yourself for your brothesister.
WAIT your turn to go into the Rawdah area and don't make your stay there too long in consideration for all those Muslim brothers and sisters waiting in line.
If you TRULY love the Prophet ﷺ you'll IMPLEMENT the following hadeeth and keep it in your HEART FOREVER.
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The dearest of people to Allaah, may He be exalted, is the one who does most benefit to people, and the DEAREST of deeds to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala, is JOY that you bring to a Muslim, or relieving him of distress, or paying off debt for him, or dispelling his hunger. And to walk with a brother to meet his needs is DEARER to me than observing I’TIKAAF in this masjid - meaning the masjid of Madeenah - for a MONTH." (at-Tabaraani -- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 12. Go to Masjid al-Qubaa
The Prophet ﷺ used to LOVE to go to this Masjid every Saturday and pray two rakaat there as reported by al-Bukhaari.
🍃 Ibn Umar Radhi Allaahu anhumaa said:
“The Prophet ﷺ used to go to the masjid of Quba’ every Saturday, walking or riding, and he would pray two rak’ahs there.” (al-Bukhaari 1191; Muslim 1399)
🍃 And he Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever purifies himself in his house, then comes to the Masjid of Quba' and prays there, he will have the reward of 'Umrah." (Ibn Maajah --saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 13. No need to go to any other Masaajid
We don't need to go to any other masjid besides Masjid an-Nabawi and Masjid al-Qubaa, because there's no proof of that from the Qur'aan or the practice of the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah that they did that.
🍃 Al-Ma'roor ibn Suwayd said:
"We went out with Umar ibn al-Khattaab, and we passed by a mosque on the way.
The people hastened to pray there, and 'Umar said, "What is the matter with them?"
They said, "This is a masjid in which the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ prayed."
Umar said, "O people, those who came before you were DOOMED because they followed such practices, until they established places of worship in such locations.
If a time for prayer comes when you are there, then pray, and if it is not the time for prayer, then MOVE ON." (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7550)
🍃 Also, when 'Umar radhi Allaahu anhu heard that there were people who came to the tree under which the Prophet ﷺ received the bay'ah (oath of allegiance), he ordered that it be CUT DOWN. (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7545)
🍃 That's why Shaikh Salah al-Budayr said:
"It is NOT prescribed to go to the places and Masaajid in which the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah prayed in order to pray there or to worship Allaah by offering du'aa's there etc., because the Prophet ﷺ did not enjoin that or encourage people to visit these places."
And Allaah knows best.
🌷Umrah/Hajj Education🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
🔺The CONFUSION of Ihraam and “STITCHES”🔺
❓ QUESTION❓
Can men use a belt that has stitches on it while in ihraam? Or use a towel or blanket that has stitches? What about sandals that have stitches?
🌿 ANSWER🌿
In order to answer that, we should first try and understand the ”concept” behind the prohibition of STITCHED CLOTHES for men in ihraam.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“The muhrim should not wear a shirt, pants, a burnous, or shoes, unless he cannot find any sandals, in which case he may wear something that comes below his ankles.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
So what is prohibited, is to wear clothes that are specifically “stitched” or “SEWN” to FIT the BODY of a man like a shirt, pants etc.
And similarly it’s prohibited for women to wear the Niqaab and gloves because it’s “stitched” or “sewn” to FIT the face and hands, for women.
Why is that?
That’s because when we’re at hajj, it’s supposed to be a PRACTICE SESSION for the Day of Judgment when we will all be resurrected NAKED and barefoot.
Hajj is a reminder that one day we will all be brought back to life and we will be called to a place of gathering where we will stand for 50,000 years. Then answer our Master and Creator for what we did in the dunya.
So we are supposed to take off our clothes during hajj as a REPRESENTATION of BEING NAKED that day.
Obviously we can’t be naked when we go for hajj.
So the men “take off their regular clothes that are stitched or sewn to fit their body” and they cover themselves with two sheets of ihraam.
Similarly women cannot be naked at hajj, so they uncover only their face and hands by taking off the niqaab and gloves.
So it’s not really the “STITCHES” that are forbidden.
It’s the CLOTHES that are sewn and worn on the body that are forbidden.
So the man CAN cover himself with a blanket or even an ihraam sheet that has ‘stitches’ on it. Or wear a belt that has stitches on it. Or put on a money pouch that has stitches on it. Or use sandals that have stitches in them. All of that is permissible.
🍃 Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:
“There is nothing wrong with wrapping a shirt around one's body without wearing it, and there is nothing wrong with wearing an ‘abayah as a rida’, so that it is not worn in the usual fashion.” (Manaasik al-Hajj wa’l-‘Umrah (p. 64)
That’s because it’s not that there can’t be any “stitches” on a garment. Rather it’s the CLOTHES that are forbidden.
Think about it this way...
If there was a shirt that was GLUED TOGETHER, and was not “sewn”, would that be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam?
No, it would NOT be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam even though there was not a single stitch on it!
Hope that clears the issue.
And Allaah knows best
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By Asma bint Shameem
Makkah is the best place on earth. Allaah Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala decreed Makkah to be a sanctuary the day He created the heavens and the earth.
So when we're in Makkah, we want to utilize each and every SECOND of our time so that we can MAXIMIZE our ibaadaat in the short time we're blessed to be in this Sacred Sanctuary.
Here are some things we can do:
🌷FIVE DAILY PRAYERS
Go to the masjid for the five daily prayers.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"One prayer in al-Masjid al-Haraam is BETTER than one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere." (Ahmad and Ibn Majaah 1406; saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷TAWAAF
Try and do at least one Tawaaf a day if possible. Remember that one complete tawaaf consists of seven rounds.
Making tawaaf of the Ka'bah is one act of ibaadah that's not available anywhere else in the world. It erases sins, raises your status and is equivalent to freeing a slave. Subhaan Allaah!
The Sahaabah knew that and would take FULL advantage of that. And they tried to do as many tawaafs as possible.
🍃 Ibn Umar radhi Allaahu anhu said that he heard the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam say:
"Whoever circumambulates (the Ka'bah) seven times, counting them, and then prays two rak'ahs (after tawaaf) it will be equivalent to his freeing a believing slave."
And "No man lifts his foot and sets it down but ten hasanaat (good deeds) will be recorded for him, and ten sayi'aat (bad deeds) will be erased from his record, and he will be raised thereby ten degrees in status." (at-Tirmidhi; saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi)
🌷PRAY THE JANAAZAH PRAYER
After every fardh salaah, almost always there's a Janaazah prayer for someone or the other.
Do pray this prayer, whether you're a man or a woman, because it's recommended for both to offer this prayer and brings tremendous rewards.
🍃 The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever attends a funeral until he offers the (funeral) prayer will have one qiraat (of reward) and whoever attends until the burial is done will have two qiraats." It was said: "What are the two qiraats?" He said: "Like two great mountains." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
And imagine the rewards of praying in Masjid al-Haraam, where prayers offered are multiplied a 100,000 times! Yes, the reward for offering prayers in Masjid al-Haraam applies to ALL prayers, obligatory AND voluntary.
🍃 Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“Some scholars say that what brings the multiple reward in al-Masjid al-Haraam is the five daily prayers only, and other prayers do not bring the multiple reward. What appears to be the case from the apparent meaning of the hadeeth is that it includes ALL prayers, and the janaazah prayer is included in this general meaning of the reward for prayers in al-Masjid al-Haraam being multiplied. And Allaah knows best.” (Liqa’ al-baab il-Maftooh 116/11).
🌷NAWAAFIL
Pray all the nawaafil you can. Pray them at the times that one is allowed to pray nawaafil and do TAWAAF at times when it's not allowed to pray salah.
This way you MAXIMIZE your time and not one second is wasted In shaa' Allaah.
Since each prayer in the Haram is equal to 100,000 prayers anywhere else then what better place to pray as many nawaafil as possible here in Makkah?
Some of the nawaafil you can offer:
🌿Tahajjud
Of the nawaafil, pay special attention to the tahajjud prayer.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"The BEST prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night (qiyaam al-Layl)." (Muslim)
And he said:
"You should pray qiyaam al-layl, for it is the custom of the righteous who came before you and it brings you closer to your Lord, and expiates sins and prevents misdeeds." (al-Tirmidhi --hasan by al-Albaani)
So it's the BEST prayer after the obligatory prayers, BELOVED to Allaah and expiated sin. What more could a person ask!?
🌿Tahiyyatul Masjid
Masjid al-Haraam is after all a masjid so pray the two rakaat of greeting the Masjid every time you enter it.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"When one of you enters the masjid, let him not sit down until he has prayed two rak'ahs." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
This applies all the time except when your intention is to do tawaaf.
Aa’ishah radhi Allaahu anhaa said:
"When the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam came to Makkah, he did wudoo', then he circumambulated the House. And the two rak'ahs for greeting the masjid are replaced by the two rak'ahs following tawaaf." (al-Bukhaari 1614 and Muslim 1235).
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“If he enters the masjid to do tawaaf, such as a person who is doing ‘umrah and enters the masjid to do the tawaaf of ‘umrah, or to do a voluntary tawaaf, then in this case the tawaaf replaces the two rak’ahs for greeting the masjid, because when he does tawaaf he is going to pray two rak’ahs after tawaaf.” (Majmoo’ Fataawa 22/286)
🌿Tahiyyatul wudhu
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said to Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu:
"Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise." Bilal said : "I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (wudoo) at any time of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to offer." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salat ad-Duhaa
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam would pray Duhaa himself and encouraged us to do so as well.
Abu Hurairah radhi Allaahu anhu said: "My beloved ﷺ advised me to do three things, which I will not forsake so long as I live: to fast three days of each month, to pray Duha, and not to sleep until I pray Witr." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salaat al-Ishraaq:
This prayer is a kind of Salaah ad-Duhaa prayed at its EARLY time, about 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
About this prayer, the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak'ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and 'Umrah, complete, complete, complete." (at-Tirmidhi -- hasan by al-Albaani)
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said:
"The Sunnah of Ishraaq is (the same as) the Sunnah of Duhaa, but if it is done early, from the time when the sun has risen to the height of a spear, then it is Ishraaq prayer; if it is done at the end of its time or in the middle of its time, then it is Duhaa prayer. But it is (all) Duhaa prayer, because the scholars said that the time of Duhaa prayer lasts from when the sun has risen to the height of a spear until just before the zenith." (Liqa' al-Baab al-Maftooh, 141/24)
🌿Salat al-Awwaabeen
This is also a kind of Duhaa prayer done at its LATER time.
Zayd ibn Arqam radhi Allaahu anhu said:
'The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam went out to the people of Qubaa' and found them praying (Duhaa). He said: "Salaat al-Awwaabeen is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand)."'" (Muslim)
Please note: Salaat al-Awwaabeen is NOT the prayer between Mahhrib and Ishaa as is common among some people. Those are just general unspecified nawaafil.
🌿Unspecified nawaafil
You can read as many unspecified nawaafil as you want here in Masjid al-Haraam at all times except the prohibited times which are between Salat al-Asr to sunset and from Salat al-Fajr up until 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
So for example, you can pray unspecified and unlimited number of nawaafil between maghrib and Ishaa.
That was the practice of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and the Sahaabah.
Hudhayfah radhi Allaahu anhu said:
"I came to the Prophet ﷺ and prayed Maghrib with him. When he had finished the prayer, he stood and prayed, and he kept praying until he prayed 'Ishaa'. (Ahmad --saheeh by al-Albaani)
Or you can pray these unspecified nawaafil after salat al-Dhuhr up until Asr, etc
🌷READING QUR'AAN
Utilize those times when prayer is forbidden and read Qur'aan during this period.
And don't just 'read'.
Try and read the Qur'aan with MEANINGS so that you can understand what Allaah wants from you, how you can change for the better, how you can please your Creator and enter Jannah.
🌿TWO BIRDS with ONE STONE:
You can earn double rewards by reading the Qur'aan while you're saying any of your nawaafil prayers especially tahajjud.
Just open the Mus-haf and read DIRECTLY from the Mus-haf for each of the rakaat, instead of reading those small Surahs that you always read.
This way you'll get khushoo in your prayer, AND at the same time you'll get some Qur'aan recitation along with the nawaafil done. A beautiful way to maximize the rewards. Alhamdulillaah.
🌷REPEAT THE ADHAAN
Repeating after the Adhaan brings a lot of rewards and entry into Jannah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said about the one replies to the words of the adhaan "from the heart, he will enter Jannah." (Muslim)
🌷DUA BETWEEN ADHAAN and IQAAMAH
This is the best time to make duaa because this duaa will not be rejected.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Du'a is not rejected between the adhaan and Iqaamah, so engage in du'a (supplication)." (Abi Dawood and others- saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷I'TIKAAF
I'tikaaf does not only take place in Ramadhaan and it does not have to be for ten days either.
You can make the niyyah for i'tikaaf for one week, one day or even for an hour.
So when you plan to stay in Masjid al-Haraam for some time, from one prayer to another etc., make your intention to make i'tikaaf and it will count as ibaadah.
Ibn Hazm said:
"I'tikaaf in the language of the Arabs means staying... any stay in the mosque for the sake of Allaah with the intention of drawing closer to Him is i'tikaaf... whether that is for a short time or a long time, because the Qur'aan and Sunnah do not specify any number or length of time." (Al-Muhalla, 5/179)
🌷DHIKR
Any other time that's left over from all of the above ibaadaat can be filled with dhikr so even these few moments will not be wasted.
Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. Make lots of istighfaar, and fill your time with Subhaan Allaah, Alhamdulillaah, Allaahu Akbar, La illaaha illallaah, and send salutations upon the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam.
Allaah says:
"and the men and the women who remember Allaah much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)" (Surah al-Ahzaab :35)
🌷SAY SALAAM to everyone.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam told us the 'secret' to enter Jannah.... saying salaam to those you know and those you don't know.
Walk around in the streets JUST TO SAY SALAAM to your fellow Muslim.
This was the practice of the Sahaabah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you about something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salaam amongst yourselves." (Muslim)
🌷GIVE SADAQAH
Spend on your Muslim brothesister for the sake of Allaah. It doesn't have to be too much money. Even a little bit counts.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings - for Allaah does not accept anything but that which is good - Allaah will take it in His right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you tends his foal, until it becomes like a mountain." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷SMILE
Sadaqah is not just money. Even a smile is sadaqah.
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Do not regard any act of kindness as insignificant, even meeting your brother with a cheerful countenance." (Saheeh Muslim)
🌷FEED THE PEOPLE
When the Sahaabah asked the Prophet ﷺ what makes Hajj Mabroor, he ﷺ said:
"Providing food to people and spreading (the greeting of) salaam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷HELP SOMEONE
Be on the lookout for anyone that might need help. So if you see an old man struggling with his luggage, or a child who seems lost, or someone looking for a spot to pray or a sister who can't find her shoes, JUMP on the opportunity to help them and earn tremendous rewards just because you helped your fellow Muslim in times of their need.
🌷SLEEP
Yes that's right...SLEEP.
Sleeping and resting will also bring you rewards if you make your intention to rest so that you can worship Allaah better after you've rested and slept.
Any ordinary deed can be converted into an act of worship if we make our intention to do good.
That's why Muadh radhi Allaahu anhu used to say:
"I sleep and I get up (to pray at night), and I seek reward for my sleep as I seek reward for my getting up." (al-Bukhaari)
🌿THE SAME DEEDS APPLY to MADEENAH
We can do all these ibaadaat in Madeenah as well, except of course the Tawaaf.
May Allaah give us the taufeeq to do good and earn maximum rewards in these beautiful times and places.
And Allaah knows best.
🌷When you visit Madeenah...🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
Alhamdulillaah, you're in Madeenah, the most beautiful, the most beloved, the most sacred place on the face of the earth, after Makkah.
Here are some Do's and Don'ts when you visit such a venerated place.
📌 1. Be CAREFUL and show RESPECT
Madeenah is the city of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and his noble Sahaabah. This is where they established Islaam.
To commit any evil in this holy city, or to introduce any innovations here, of all places, would be the biggest disrespect to the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and the biggest insult to the Deen of Islaam.
🍃 Shaikh Salah al-Budayr, the Imaam of Masjid an-Nabawi, said:
"O you who come to Madeenah, you are in a place which, after Makkah, is the best and noblest of all places, so RESPECT it as it should be respected; HONOR its sanctity and holiness and observe the BEST ETIQUETTE therein.
Know that Allaah has warned of the SEVEREST punishment for those who commit evil therein. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: "Madeenah is a Haram (sanctuary), so whoever commits evil therein or gives protection to an evildoer, the curse of Allaah, the angels and all of mankind may be upon him. Allaah will not accept any obligatory or naafil deed from him on the Day of Resurrection." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)"
📌 2. Visit the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ
Obviously, if you're in Madeenah, you would want to visit the masjid of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam).
🍃He ﷺ said:
"The best places to which a person may travel are this Mosque of mine, and the Ancient House (i.e., the Ka'bah)." (Ahmad, saheeh by al-Albaani)
However, keep in mind that visiting this masjid is NOT part of Hajj or Umrah.
Any and all ahaadeeth which connect its visit to Hajj or that say that visiting the grave of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) is connected to Hajj are fabricated and not true.
📌 3. Do your Five Daily Prayers in Masjid an-Nabawi
Just one prayer at the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ is BETTER than 1000 prayers any where else!
Subhaan Allaah! Not “EQUAL” to a 1000 prayers....but BETTER than a 1000 prayers!
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"One prayer in this Masjid of mine is better than one thousand prayers offered anywhere else, except al-Masjid al-Haraam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 4. No need to complete 40 prayers in Madeenah
You don't HAVE to stay in Madeenah for forty prayers NOR is there any SPECIAL rewards for doing so.
You can stay as much as you want or as little as one prayer.
The hadeeth that talks about praying forty prayers in Madeenah is NOT AUTHENTIC.
The ulama have graded it as da'eef or weak.
🍃 Shake al-Albaani said:
"It is an innovation (bid'ah) to visit Madeenah and tell the visitors to Madeenah to stay there for a week so that they will be able to offer forty prayers in the Prophet's Masjid so that they will be free from hypocrisy and saved from the Fire."
🍃 And Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:
"With regard to the widespread idea that the visitor should stay for eight days so that he can offer forty prayers in the Mosque is wrong. This hadeeth is DA’EEF according to the scholars and cannot be taken as proof or relied upon. There is NO SET LIMIT for visiting the Prophet's Masjid. If a person visits for an hour or two, or a day or two, or for more than that, there is nothing wrong with that." (Fataawa Ibn Baz, 17/406)
📌 5. Visit the Rawdah (Riyadh al-Jannah)
Do try and visit the Rawdah, which is that part of the masjid that is between the Mimbar (pulpit) of the Prophet ﷺ and his house, where he is buried.
You can pray two or more rakaat there, but you don't HAVE to pray salah there if there is a lot of crowding and rush. You can make duaa, istighfaar, send salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ or any other dhikr.
This is a piece of Jannah on earth and ANY act of worship here would be accepted and ANY duaa you make will be heard.
After all, isn't Jannah where all wishes come true?
🍃 The Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens (riyaadh, sing. rawdah) of Paradise" (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 6. The Rawdah is NOT the GRAVE of the Prophet ﷺ
Some people especially the sisters think that the Rawdah is the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Thats NOT TRUE.
The Rawdah is that part of the MASJID that is BETWEEN the Mimbar of the Prophet ﷺ and his house where he is buried, also called RIYADH-UL-JANNAH.
When sisters are allowed to go inside the older part of the Masjid, we are visiting Riyadh-ul-Jannah and NOT the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
📌 *7. Visiting the Grave of the Prophet ﷺ *
For MEN, visiting the grave of the Prophet and the graves of the two noble Sahaabah Abu Bakr and Umar (radhi Allaahu anhumaa) is good and recommended. They should visit them, send salaams upon them and make duaa for them.
🔺What about women❓
As far as women are concerned, there is a difference of opinion among the Ulama of Ahl-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah whether women are allowed to visit graves or not, and that includes the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Both sides have valid points based on the Qur'aan and authentic Sunnah, and Allaah knows best.
And although, some ulama do allow women to visit graves, under certain conditions, the Saudi authorities follow the opinion that it's NOT allowed for women to visit graves, and so NONE of the sisters are ALLOWED to go there.
So when they open the doors of the old masjid and let sisters in, they’re NOT letting the women visit the GRAVE. Rather, they’re letting them pray in Riyadh al-Jannah or ‘Rawdah’ as they say.
📌 8. HOW TO visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and the two Sahaabah (for men).
The way to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ is simple.
When a man visits the grave of the Prophet ﷺ, he should say "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Rasool-Allaah (Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allaah)."
Then move about a yard to the right and say salaams to Abu Bakr by saying, "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Aba Bakr." Then move a little further to the right, about a yard, and say salaams to Umar ibn al-Khattaab, by saying, 'Al-salaamu alayka ya 'Umar."
Or other similar words.
❌ Common MISTAKES at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ❌
❌a) Do NOT make duaa TO the Prophet ﷺ. That's SHIRK, may Allaah protect us.
❌ And do NOT justify making duaa to the Prophet ﷺ by saying that you're "asking" the Prophet ﷺ so that he can intercede for you with Allaah or you're asking Allaah "THROUGH" him.
THAT IS ALSO SHIRK!
The Prophet ﷺ CAN NOT and DOES NOT have the ability to hear you OR fulfill your duaa.
It's ONLY Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala that can do that.
❌ b) Do not make duaa here even if you're making duaa to Allaah. Or read Qur'aan or other acts of worship. There's NO PROOF that such an action is good.
🍃 Ali ibn al-Husayn saw a man making duaa at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and he told him NOT to do that. (Abu Ya'la and al-Haafiz al-Diya)
❌c) Do not think that there's any special reward for Ibaadah at the grave of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam or any increased chances of duaa being answered here. That's NOT correct and there's NO PROOF for that.
❌d) Do not stand before the grave with your hands tied as if you're in prayer, or bow or make sajdah etc. as some extreme people do, Astaghfirullaah.
That's SHIRK because this is a posture of humility and worship and we're only allowed to do that for Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala.
Yes of course, we stand with utmost RESPECT but NOT like we’re in Salaah. And no bowing or sujood, Aa’oodhu Billaah.
❌ e) Don't make it a habit
Do not keep going to visit the grave again and again, after every prayer, or every day etc.
I know that you LOVE the Prophet ﷺ and LOVE to visit the grave.
But that's actually going AGAINST the teachings of the one you love.
🍃 The one you love (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Do not take my grave as a place of festivity (which you visit repeatedly)." (Abu Dawood--saheeh by al-Albaani)
TRUE love is to follow the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ and to OBEY him. And to GIVE UP what YOU want, just because HE said so.
🍃 Someone asked Imaam Maalik about a man who came to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ every day.
He said, 'That is NOT RIGHT,' and quoted the hadeeth, 'O Allaah, do not make my grave an idol that is worshipped.'" (saheeh by al-Albaani)
🍃 Al-Qaadi 'Iyaad said about this issue:
"I have not heard of this from any of the fuqaha', and nothing is good for the latter generations of this ummah except that which was good for its first generations. I have not heard that any of the first generations of the ummah used to do that." (Al-Shifa bi Ta'reef Huqooq al-Mustafa)
📌 9. Visiting al-Baqee', mount Uhud and the Shuhadaa
Here again it is recommended for the MEN to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee', and the Shuhadaa of Uhud.
But for women, they are not allowed to visit the graves, although they may visit Uhud.
The authorities do not allow women to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee' because they follow the safer opinion of not allowing women to visit graves, since the hadeeth of the Prophet ﷺ is very severe.
🍃 He said:
"Allaah cursed the women who visit graves." (at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah-- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 10. Do NOT TOUCH, WIPE, KISS any part of the Masjid
Some people, out of their love for the Prophet ﷺ touch or wipe parts of the masjid with their hands, clothes, prayer mats etc., seeking blessing (barakah) with the pillars, walls, doors, mihraab, minbar, etc.
Some even do it with the bookshelves and water coolers there! Subhaan Allaah! Thats NOT ALLOWED.
Remember, the Masjid is made of concrete and marble and brick and wood, just like any other building.
There's no “special” or “blessed” brick or stone used to build it, nor does the bookshelf, or marble or anything else of the building have anything to do with the Prophet ﷺ himself.
It's NOT permissible to seek barakah from anything other than the PERSONAL relics of the Prophet ﷺ and there are NO “relics” to be found in the masjid itself.
Besides, TRUE barakah comes from following the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ NOT by wiping the walls of his masjid, or kissing the doors or hugging the pillars.
📌 11. Be PATIENT, CONSIDERATE and SACRIFICE for your Muslim brothesister
This goes for our ENTIRE LIFETIME, but this is something we should take care of, ESPECIALLY while in this Holy city.
Madeenah is a HOLY place. The Masjid is the Masjid of your BELOVED. The Rawdah is a piece of JANNAH. The other person is your BROTHESISTER in Islaam.
Keep this 👆🏼principle in mind for EVER but especially when visiting the masjid, praying at a specific spot, waiting in line anywhere, or even while visiting the Rawdah.
You also don't want to push, shove or hurt any of your fellow Muslim in such sacred place.
Be extra, EXTRA careful and EXTREMELY polite, patient and courteous.
So INCONVENIENCE yourself for your brothesister.
WAIT your turn to go into the Rawdah area and don't make your stay there too long in consideration for all those Muslim brothers and sisters waiting in line.
If you TRULY love the Prophet ﷺ you'll IMPLEMENT the following hadeeth and keep it in your HEART FOREVER.
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The dearest of people to Allaah, may He be exalted, is the one who does most benefit to people, and the DEAREST of deeds to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala, is JOY that you bring to a Muslim, or relieving him of distress, or paying off debt for him, or dispelling his hunger. And to walk with a brother to meet his needs is DEARER to me than observing I’TIKAAF in this masjid - meaning the masjid of Madeenah - for a MONTH." (at-Tabaraani -- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 12. Go to Masjid al-Qubaa
The Prophet ﷺ used to LOVE to go to this Masjid every Saturday and pray two rakaat there as reported by al-Bukhaari.
🍃 Ibn Umar Radhi Allaahu anhumaa said:
“The Prophet ﷺ used to go to the masjid of Quba’ every Saturday, walking or riding, and he would pray two rak’ahs there.” (al-Bukhaari 1191; Muslim 1399)
🍃 And he Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever purifies himself in his house, then comes to the Masjid of Quba' and prays there, he will have the reward of 'Umrah." (Ibn Maajah --saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 13. No need to go to any other Masaajid
We don't need to go to any other masjid besides Masjid an-Nabawi and Masjid al-Qubaa, because there's no proof of that from the Qur'aan or the practice of the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah that they did that.
🍃 Al-Ma'roor ibn Suwayd said:
"We went out with Umar ibn al-Khattaab, and we passed by a mosque on the way.
The people hastened to pray there, and 'Umar said, "What is the matter with them?"
They said, "This is a masjid in which the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ prayed."
Umar said, "O people, those who came before you were DOOMED because they followed such practices, until they established places of worship in such locations.
If a time for prayer comes when you are there, then pray, and if it is not the time for prayer, then MOVE ON." (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7550)
🍃 Also, when 'Umar radhi Allaahu anhu heard that there were people who came to the tree under which the Prophet ﷺ received the bay'ah (oath of allegiance), he ordered that it be CUT DOWN. (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7545)
🍃 That's why Shaikh Salah al-Budayr said:
"It is NOT prescribed to go to the places and Masaajid in which the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah prayed in order to pray there or to worship Allaah by offering du'aa's there etc., because the Prophet ﷺ did not enjoin that or encourage people to visit these places."
And Allaah knows best.
🌷Umrah/Hajj Education🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
🔺The CONFUSION of Ihraam and “STITCHES”🔺
❓ QUESTION❓
Can men use a belt that has stitches on it while in ihraam? Or use a towel or blanket that has stitches? What about sandals that have stitches?
🌿 ANSWER🌿
In order to answer that, we should first try and understand the ”concept” behind the prohibition of STITCHED CLOTHES for men in ihraam.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“The muhrim should not wear a shirt, pants, a burnous, or shoes, unless he cannot find any sandals, in which case he may wear something that comes below his ankles.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
So what is prohibited, is to wear clothes that are specifically “stitched” or “SEWN” to FIT the BODY of a man like a shirt, pants etc.
And similarly it’s prohibited for women to wear the Niqaab and gloves because it’s “stitched” or “sewn” to FIT the face and hands, for women.
Why is that?
That’s because when we’re at hajj, it’s supposed to be a PRACTICE SESSION for the Day of Judgment when we will all be resurrected NAKED and barefoot.
Hajj is a reminder that one day we will all be brought back to life and we will be called to a place of gathering where we will stand for 50,000 years. Then answer our Master and Creator for what we did in the dunya.
So we are supposed to take off our clothes during hajj as a REPRESENTATION of BEING NAKED that day.
Obviously we can’t be naked when we go for hajj.
So the men “take off their regular clothes that are stitched or sewn to fit their body” and they cover themselves with two sheets of ihraam.
Similarly women cannot be naked at hajj, so they uncover only their face and hands by taking off the niqaab and gloves.
So it’s not really the “STITCHES” that are forbidden.
It’s the CLOTHES that are sewn and worn on the body that are forbidden.
So the man CAN cover himself with a blanket or even an ihraam sheet that has ‘stitches’ on it. Or wear a belt that has stitches on it. Or put on a money pouch that has stitches on it. Or use sandals that have stitches in them. All of that is permissible.
🍃 Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:
“There is nothing wrong with wrapping a shirt around one's body without wearing it, and there is nothing wrong with wearing an ‘abayah as a rida’, so that it is not worn in the usual fashion.” (Manaasik al-Hajj wa’l-‘Umrah (p. 64)
That’s because it’s not that there can’t be any “stitches” on a garment. Rather it’s the CLOTHES that are forbidden.
Think about it this way...
If there was a shirt that was GLUED TOGETHER, and was not “sewn”, would that be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam?
No, it would NOT be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam even though there was not a single stitch on it!
Hope that clears the issue.
And Allaah knows best
2024.05.23 17:02 teabagandwarmwater Something really beneficial. Please give it a read! Topics: How to Maximize your time in Makkah When you visit Madeenah Umrah/Hajj Education
🌷How to MAXIMIZE your time in Makkah🌷
By Asma bint Shameem
Makkah is the best place on earth. Allaah Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala decreed Makkah to be a sanctuary the day He created the heavens and the earth.
So when we're in Makkah, we want to utilize each and every SECOND of our time so that we can MAXIMIZE our ibaadaat in the short time we're blessed to be in this Sacred Sanctuary.
Here are some things we can do:
🌷FIVE DAILY PRAYERS
Go to the masjid for the five daily prayers.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"One prayer in al-Masjid al-Haraam is BETTER than one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere." (Ahmad and Ibn Majaah 1406; saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷TAWAAF
Try and do at least one Tawaaf a day if possible. Remember that one complete tawaaf consists of seven rounds.
Making tawaaf of the Ka'bah is one act of ibaadah that's not available anywhere else in the world. It erases sins, raises your status and is equivalent to freeing a slave. Subhaan Allaah!
The Sahaabah knew that and would take FULL advantage of that. And they tried to do as many tawaafs as possible.
🍃 Ibn Umar radhi Allaahu anhu said that he heard the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam say:
"Whoever circumambulates (the Ka'bah) seven times, counting them, and then prays two rak'ahs (after tawaaf) it will be equivalent to his freeing a believing slave."
And "No man lifts his foot and sets it down but ten hasanaat (good deeds) will be recorded for him, and ten sayi'aat (bad deeds) will be erased from his record, and he will be raised thereby ten degrees in status." (at-Tirmidhi; saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi)
🌷PRAY THE JANAAZAH PRAYER
After every fardh salaah, almost always there's a Janaazah prayer for someone or the other.
Do pray this prayer, whether you're a man or a woman, because it's recommended for both to offer this prayer and brings tremendous rewards.
🍃 The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever attends a funeral until he offers the (funeral) prayer will have one qiraat (of reward) and whoever attends until the burial is done will have two qiraats." It was said: "What are the two qiraats?" He said: "Like two great mountains." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
And imagine the rewards of praying in Masjid al-Haraam, where prayers offered are multiplied a 100,000 times! Yes, the reward for offering prayers in Masjid al-Haraam applies to ALL prayers, obligatory AND voluntary.
🍃 Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“Some scholars say that what brings the multiple reward in al-Masjid al-Haraam is the five daily prayers only, and other prayers do not bring the multiple reward. What appears to be the case from the apparent meaning of the hadeeth is that it includes ALL prayers, and the janaazah prayer is included in this general meaning of the reward for prayers in al-Masjid al-Haraam being multiplied. And Allaah knows best.” (Liqa’ al-baab il-Maftooh 116/11).
🌷NAWAAFIL
Pray all the nawaafil you can. Pray them at the times that one is allowed to pray nawaafil and do TAWAAF at times when it's not allowed to pray salah.
This way you MAXIMIZE your time and not one second is wasted In shaa' Allaah.
Since each prayer in the Haram is equal to 100,000 prayers anywhere else then what better place to pray as many nawaafil as possible here in Makkah?
Some of the nawaafil you can offer:
🌿Tahajjud
Of the nawaafil, pay special attention to the tahajjud prayer.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"The BEST prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night (qiyaam al-Layl)." (Muslim)
And he said:
"You should pray qiyaam al-layl, for it is the custom of the righteous who came before you and it brings you closer to your Lord, and expiates sins and prevents misdeeds." (al-Tirmidhi --hasan by al-Albaani)
So it's the BEST prayer after the obligatory prayers, BELOVED to Allaah and expiated sin. What more could a person ask!?
🌿Tahiyyatul Masjid
Masjid al-Haraam is after all a masjid so pray the two rakaat of greeting the Masjid every time you enter it.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"When one of you enters the masjid, let him not sit down until he has prayed two rak'ahs." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
This applies all the time except when your intention is to do tawaaf.
Aa’ishah radhi Allaahu anhaa said:
"When the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam came to Makkah, he did wudoo', then he circumambulated the House. And the two rak'ahs for greeting the masjid are replaced by the two rak'ahs following tawaaf." (al-Bukhaari 1614 and Muslim 1235).
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“If he enters the masjid to do tawaaf, such as a person who is doing ‘umrah and enters the masjid to do the tawaaf of ‘umrah, or to do a voluntary tawaaf, then in this case the tawaaf replaces the two rak’ahs for greeting the masjid, because when he does tawaaf he is going to pray two rak’ahs after tawaaf.” (Majmoo’ Fataawa 22/286)
🌿Tahiyyatul wudhu
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said to Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu:
"Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise." Bilal said : "I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (wudoo) at any time of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to offer." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salat ad-Duhaa
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam would pray Duhaa himself and encouraged us to do so as well.
Abu Hurairah radhi Allaahu anhu said: "My beloved ﷺ advised me to do three things, which I will not forsake so long as I live: to fast three days of each month, to pray Duha, and not to sleep until I pray Witr." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salaat al-Ishraaq:
This prayer is a kind of Salaah ad-Duhaa prayed at its EARLY time, about 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
About this prayer, the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak'ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and 'Umrah, complete, complete, complete." (at-Tirmidhi -- hasan by al-Albaani)
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said:
"The Sunnah of Ishraaq is (the same as) the Sunnah of Duhaa, but if it is done early, from the time when the sun has risen to the height of a spear, then it is Ishraaq prayer; if it is done at the end of its time or in the middle of its time, then it is Duhaa prayer. But it is (all) Duhaa prayer, because the scholars said that the time of Duhaa prayer lasts from when the sun has risen to the height of a spear until just before the zenith." (Liqa' al-Baab al-Maftooh, 141/24)
🌿Salat al-Awwaabeen
This is also a kind of Duhaa prayer done at its LATER time.
Zayd ibn Arqam radhi Allaahu anhu said:
'The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam went out to the people of Qubaa' and found them praying (Duhaa). He said: "Salaat al-Awwaabeen is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand)."'" (Muslim)
Please note: Salaat al-Awwaabeen is NOT the prayer between Mahhrib and Ishaa as is common among some people. Those are just general unspecified nawaafil.
🌿Unspecified nawaafil
You can read as many unspecified nawaafil as you want here in Masjid al-Haraam at all times except the prohibited times which are between Salat al-Asr to sunset and from Salat al-Fajr up until 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
So for example, you can pray unspecified and unlimited number of nawaafil between maghrib and Ishaa.
That was the practice of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and the Sahaabah.
Hudhayfah radhi Allaahu anhu said:
"I came to the Prophet ﷺ and prayed Maghrib with him. When he had finished the prayer, he stood and prayed, and he kept praying until he prayed 'Ishaa'. (Ahmad --saheeh by al-Albaani)
Or you can pray these unspecified nawaafil after salat al-Dhuhr up until Asr, etc
🌷READING QUR'AAN
Utilize those times when prayer is forbidden and read Qur'aan during this period.
And don't just 'read'.
Try and read the Qur'aan with MEANINGS so that you can understand what Allaah wants from you, how you can change for the better, how you can please your Creator and enter Jannah.
🌿TWO BIRDS with ONE STONE:
You can earn double rewards by reading the Qur'aan while you're saying any of your nawaafil prayers especially tahajjud.
Just open the Mus-haf and read DIRECTLY from the Mus-haf for each of the rakaat, instead of reading those small Surahs that you always read.
This way you'll get khushoo in your prayer, AND at the same time you'll get some Qur'aan recitation along with the nawaafil done. A beautiful way to maximize the rewards. Alhamdulillaah.
🌷REPEAT THE ADHAAN
Repeating after the Adhaan brings a lot of rewards and entry into Jannah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said about the one replies to the words of the adhaan "from the heart, he will enter Jannah." (Muslim)
🌷DUA BETWEEN ADHAAN and IQAAMAH
This is the best time to make duaa because this duaa will not be rejected.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Du'a is not rejected between the adhaan and Iqaamah, so engage in du'a (supplication)." (Abi Dawood and others- saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷I'TIKAAF
I'tikaaf does not only take place in Ramadhaan and it does not have to be for ten days either.
You can make the niyyah for i'tikaaf for one week, one day or even for an hour.
So when you plan to stay in Masjid al-Haraam for some time, from one prayer to another etc., make your intention to make i'tikaaf and it will count as ibaadah.
Ibn Hazm said:
"I'tikaaf in the language of the Arabs means staying... any stay in the mosque for the sake of Allaah with the intention of drawing closer to Him is i'tikaaf... whether that is for a short time or a long time, because the Qur'aan and Sunnah do not specify any number or length of time." (Al-Muhalla, 5/179)
🌷DHIKR
Any other time that's left over from all of the above ibaadaat can be filled with dhikr so even these few moments will not be wasted.
Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. Make lots of istighfaar, and fill your time with Subhaan Allaah, Alhamdulillaah, Allaahu Akbar, La illaaha illallaah, and send salutations upon the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam.
Allaah says:
"and the men and the women who remember Allaah much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)" (Surah al-Ahzaab :35)
🌷SAY SALAAM to everyone.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam told us the 'secret' to enter Jannah.... saying salaam to those you know and those you don't know.
Walk around in the streets JUST TO SAY SALAAM to your fellow Muslim.
This was the practice of the Sahaabah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you about something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salaam amongst yourselves." (Muslim)
🌷GIVE SADAQAH
Spend on your Muslim brothesister for the sake of Allaah. It doesn't have to be too much money. Even a little bit counts.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings - for Allaah does not accept anything but that which is good - Allaah will take it in His right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you tends his foal, until it becomes like a mountain." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷SMILE
Sadaqah is not just money. Even a smile is sadaqah.
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Do not regard any act of kindness as insignificant, even meeting your brother with a cheerful countenance." (Saheeh Muslim)
🌷FEED THE PEOPLE
When the Sahaabah asked the Prophet ﷺ what makes Hajj Mabroor, he ﷺ said:
"Providing food to people and spreading (the greeting of) salaam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷HELP SOMEONE
Be on the lookout for anyone that might need help. So if you see an old man struggling with his luggage, or a child who seems lost, or someone looking for a spot to pray or a sister who can't find her shoes, JUMP on the opportunity to help them and earn tremendous rewards just because you helped your fellow Muslim in times of their need.
🌷SLEEP
Yes that's right...SLEEP.
Sleeping and resting will also bring you rewards if you make your intention to rest so that you can worship Allaah better after you've rested and slept.
Any ordinary deed can be converted into an act of worship if we make our intention to do good.
That's why Muadh radhi Allaahu anhu used to say:
"I sleep and I get up (to pray at night), and I seek reward for my sleep as I seek reward for my getting up." (al-Bukhaari)
🌿THE SAME DEEDS APPLY to MADEENAH
We can do all these ibaadaat in Madeenah as well, except of course the Tawaaf.
May Allaah give us the taufeeq to do good and earn maximum rewards in these beautiful times and places.
And Allaah knows best.
🌷When you visit Madeenah...🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
Alhamdulillaah, you're in Madeenah, the most beautiful, the most beloved, the most sacred place on the face of the earth, after Makkah.
Here are some Do's and Don'ts when you visit such a venerated place.
📌 1. Be CAREFUL and show RESPECT
Madeenah is the city of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and his noble Sahaabah. This is where they established Islaam.
To commit any evil in this holy city, or to introduce any innovations here, of all places, would be the biggest disrespect to the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and the biggest insult to the Deen of Islaam.
🍃 Shaikh Salah al-Budayr, the Imaam of Masjid an-Nabawi, said:
"O you who come to Madeenah, you are in a place which, after Makkah, is the best and noblest of all places, so RESPECT it as it should be respected; HONOR its sanctity and holiness and observe the BEST ETIQUETTE therein.
Know that Allaah has warned of the SEVEREST punishment for those who commit evil therein. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: "Madeenah is a Haram (sanctuary), so whoever commits evil therein or gives protection to an evildoer, the curse of Allaah, the angels and all of mankind may be upon him. Allaah will not accept any obligatory or naafil deed from him on the Day of Resurrection." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)"
📌 2. Visit the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ
Obviously, if you're in Madeenah, you would want to visit the masjid of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam).
🍃He ﷺ said:
"The best places to which a person may travel are this Mosque of mine, and the Ancient House (i.e., the Ka'bah)." (Ahmad, saheeh by al-Albaani)
However, keep in mind that visiting this masjid is NOT part of Hajj or Umrah.
Any and all ahaadeeth which connect its visit to Hajj or that say that visiting the grave of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) is connected to Hajj are fabricated and not true.
📌 3. Do your Five Daily Prayers in Masjid an-Nabawi
Just one prayer at the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ is BETTER than 1000 prayers any where else!
Subhaan Allaah! Not “EQUAL” to a 1000 prayers....but BETTER than a 1000 prayers!
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"One prayer in this Masjid of mine is better than one thousand prayers offered anywhere else, except al-Masjid al-Haraam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 4. No need to complete 40 prayers in Madeenah
You don't HAVE to stay in Madeenah for forty prayers NOR is there any SPECIAL rewards for doing so.
You can stay as much as you want or as little as one prayer.
The hadeeth that talks about praying forty prayers in Madeenah is NOT AUTHENTIC.
The ulama have graded it as da'eef or weak.
🍃 Shake al-Albaani said:
"It is an innovation (bid'ah) to visit Madeenah and tell the visitors to Madeenah to stay there for a week so that they will be able to offer forty prayers in the Prophet's Masjid so that they will be free from hypocrisy and saved from the Fire."
🍃 And Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:
"With regard to the widespread idea that the visitor should stay for eight days so that he can offer forty prayers in the Mosque is wrong. This hadeeth is DA’EEF according to the scholars and cannot be taken as proof or relied upon. There is NO SET LIMIT for visiting the Prophet's Masjid. If a person visits for an hour or two, or a day or two, or for more than that, there is nothing wrong with that." (Fataawa Ibn Baz, 17/406)
📌 5. Visit the Rawdah (Riyadh al-Jannah)
Do try and visit the Rawdah, which is that part of the masjid that is between the Mimbar (pulpit) of the Prophet ﷺ and his house, where he is buried.
You can pray two or more rakaat there, but you don't HAVE to pray salah there if there is a lot of crowding and rush. You can make duaa, istighfaar, send salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ or any other dhikr.
This is a piece of Jannah on earth and ANY act of worship here would be accepted and ANY duaa you make will be heard.
After all, isn't Jannah where all wishes come true?
🍃 The Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens (riyaadh, sing. rawdah) of Paradise" (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 6. The Rawdah is NOT the GRAVE of the Prophet ﷺ
Some people especially the sisters think that the Rawdah is the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Thats NOT TRUE.
The Rawdah is that part of the MASJID that is BETWEEN the Mimbar of the Prophet ﷺ and his house where he is buried, also called RIYADH-UL-JANNAH.
When sisters are allowed to go inside the older part of the Masjid, we are visiting Riyadh-ul-Jannah and NOT the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
📌 *7. Visiting the Grave of the Prophet ﷺ *
For MEN, visiting the grave of the Prophet and the graves of the two noble Sahaabah Abu Bakr and Umar (radhi Allaahu anhumaa) is good and recommended. They should visit them, send salaams upon them and make duaa for them.
🔺What about women❓
As far as women are concerned, there is a difference of opinion among the Ulama of Ahl-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah whether women are allowed to visit graves or not, and that includes the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Both sides have valid points based on the Qur'aan and authentic Sunnah, and Allaah knows best.
And although, some ulama do allow women to visit graves, under certain conditions, the Saudi authorities follow the opinion that it's NOT allowed for women to visit graves, and so NONE of the sisters are ALLOWED to go there.
So when they open the doors of the old masjid and let sisters in, they’re NOT letting the women visit the GRAVE. Rather, they’re letting them pray in Riyadh al-Jannah or ‘Rawdah’ as they say.
📌 8. HOW TO visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and the two Sahaabah (for men).
The way to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ is simple.
When a man visits the grave of the Prophet ﷺ, he should say "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Rasool-Allaah (Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allaah)."
Then move about a yard to the right and say salaams to Abu Bakr by saying, "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Aba Bakr." Then move a little further to the right, about a yard, and say salaams to Umar ibn al-Khattaab, by saying, 'Al-salaamu alayka ya 'Umar."
Or other similar words.
❌ Common MISTAKES at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ❌
❌a) Do NOT make duaa TO the Prophet ﷺ. That's SHIRK, may Allaah protect us.
❌ And do NOT justify making duaa to the Prophet ﷺ by saying that you're "asking" the Prophet ﷺ so that he can intercede for you with Allaah or you're asking Allaah "THROUGH" him.
THAT IS ALSO SHIRK!
The Prophet ﷺ CAN NOT and DOES NOT have the ability to hear you OR fulfill your duaa.
It's ONLY Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala that can do that.
❌ b) Do not make duaa here even if you're making duaa to Allaah. Or read Qur'aan or other acts of worship. There's NO PROOF that such an action is good.
🍃 Ali ibn al-Husayn saw a man making duaa at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and he told him NOT to do that. (Abu Ya'la and al-Haafiz al-Diya)
❌c) Do not think that there's any special reward for Ibaadah at the grave of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam or any increased chances of duaa being answered here. That's NOT correct and there's NO PROOF for that.
❌d) Do not stand before the grave with your hands tied as if you're in prayer, or bow or make sajdah etc. as some extreme people do, Astaghfirullaah.
That's SHIRK because this is a posture of humility and worship and we're only allowed to do that for Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala.
Yes of course, we stand with utmost RESPECT but NOT like we’re in Salaah. And no bowing or sujood, Aa’oodhu Billaah.
❌ e) Don't make it a habit
Do not keep going to visit the grave again and again, after every prayer, or every day etc.
I know that you LOVE the Prophet ﷺ and LOVE to visit the grave.
But that's actually going AGAINST the teachings of the one you love.
🍃 The one you love (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Do not take my grave as a place of festivity (which you visit repeatedly)." (Abu Dawood--saheeh by al-Albaani)
TRUE love is to follow the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ and to OBEY him. And to GIVE UP what YOU want, just because HE said so.
🍃 Someone asked Imaam Maalik about a man who came to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ every day.
He said, 'That is NOT RIGHT,' and quoted the hadeeth, 'O Allaah, do not make my grave an idol that is worshipped.'" (saheeh by al-Albaani)
🍃 Al-Qaadi 'Iyaad said about this issue:
"I have not heard of this from any of the fuqaha', and nothing is good for the latter generations of this ummah except that which was good for its first generations. I have not heard that any of the first generations of the ummah used to do that." (Al-Shifa bi Ta'reef Huqooq al-Mustafa)
📌 9. Visiting al-Baqee', mount Uhud and the Shuhadaa
Here again it is recommended for the MEN to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee', and the Shuhadaa of Uhud.
But for women, they are not allowed to visit the graves, although they may visit Uhud.
The authorities do not allow women to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee' because they follow the safer opinion of not allowing women to visit graves, since the hadeeth of the Prophet ﷺ is very severe.
🍃 He said:
"Allaah cursed the women who visit graves." (at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah-- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 10. Do NOT TOUCH, WIPE, KISS any part of the Masjid
Some people, out of their love for the Prophet ﷺ touch or wipe parts of the masjid with their hands, clothes, prayer mats etc., seeking blessing (barakah) with the pillars, walls, doors, mihraab, minbar, etc.
Some even do it with the bookshelves and water coolers there! Subhaan Allaah! Thats NOT ALLOWED.
Remember, the Masjid is made of concrete and marble and brick and wood, just like any other building.
There's no “special” or “blessed” brick or stone used to build it, nor does the bookshelf, or marble or anything else of the building have anything to do with the Prophet ﷺ himself.
It's NOT permissible to seek barakah from anything other than the PERSONAL relics of the Prophet ﷺ and there are NO “relics” to be found in the masjid itself.
Besides, TRUE barakah comes from following the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ NOT by wiping the walls of his masjid, or kissing the doors or hugging the pillars.
📌 11. Be PATIENT, CONSIDERATE and SACRIFICE for your Muslim brothesister
This goes for our ENTIRE LIFETIME, but this is something we should take care of, ESPECIALLY while in this Holy city.
Madeenah is a HOLY place. The Masjid is the Masjid of your BELOVED. The Rawdah is a piece of JANNAH. The other person is your BROTHESISTER in Islaam.
Keep this 👆🏼principle in mind for EVER but especially when visiting the masjid, praying at a specific spot, waiting in line anywhere, or even while visiting the Rawdah.
You also don't want to push, shove or hurt any of your fellow Muslim in such sacred place.
Be extra, EXTRA careful and EXTREMELY polite, patient and courteous.
So INCONVENIENCE yourself for your brothesister.
WAIT your turn to go into the Rawdah area and don't make your stay there too long in consideration for all those Muslim brothers and sisters waiting in line.
If you TRULY love the Prophet ﷺ you'll IMPLEMENT the following hadeeth and keep it in your HEART FOREVER.
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The dearest of people to Allaah, may He be exalted, is the one who does most benefit to people, and the DEAREST of deeds to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala, is JOY that you bring to a Muslim, or relieving him of distress, or paying off debt for him, or dispelling his hunger. And to walk with a brother to meet his needs is DEARER to me than observing I’TIKAAF in this masjid - meaning the masjid of Madeenah - for a MONTH." (at-Tabaraani -- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 12. Go to Masjid al-Qubaa
The Prophet ﷺ used to LOVE to go to this Masjid every Saturday and pray two rakaat there as reported by al-Bukhaari.
🍃 Ibn Umar Radhi Allaahu anhumaa said:
“The Prophet ﷺ used to go to the masjid of Quba’ every Saturday, walking or riding, and he would pray two rak’ahs there.” (al-Bukhaari 1191; Muslim 1399)
🍃 And he Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever purifies himself in his house, then comes to the Masjid of Quba' and prays there, he will have the reward of 'Umrah." (Ibn Maajah --saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 13. No need to go to any other Masaajid
We don't need to go to any other masjid besides Masjid an-Nabawi and Masjid al-Qubaa, because there's no proof of that from the Qur'aan or the practice of the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah that they did that.
🍃 Al-Ma'roor ibn Suwayd said:
"We went out with Umar ibn al-Khattaab, and we passed by a mosque on the way.
The people hastened to pray there, and 'Umar said, "What is the matter with them?"
They said, "This is a masjid in which the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ prayed."
Umar said, "O people, those who came before you were DOOMED because they followed such practices, until they established places of worship in such locations.
If a time for prayer comes when you are there, then pray, and if it is not the time for prayer, then MOVE ON." (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7550)
🍃 Also, when 'Umar radhi Allaahu anhu heard that there were people who came to the tree under which the Prophet ﷺ received the bay'ah (oath of allegiance), he ordered that it be CUT DOWN. (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7545)
🍃 That's why Shaikh Salah al-Budayr said:
"It is NOT prescribed to go to the places and Masaajid in which the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah prayed in order to pray there or to worship Allaah by offering du'aa's there etc., because the Prophet ﷺ did not enjoin that or encourage people to visit these places."
And Allaah knows best.
🌷Umrah/Hajj Education🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
🔺The CONFUSION of Ihraam and “STITCHES”🔺
❓ QUESTION❓
Can men use a belt that has stitches on it while in ihraam? Or use a towel or blanket that has stitches? What about sandals that have stitches?
🌿 ANSWER🌿
In order to answer that, we should first try and understand the ”concept” behind the prohibition of STITCHED CLOTHES for men in ihraam.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“The muhrim should not wear a shirt, pants, a burnous, or shoes, unless he cannot find any sandals, in which case he may wear something that comes below his ankles.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
So what is prohibited, is to wear clothes that are specifically “stitched” or “SEWN” to FIT the BODY of a man like a shirt, pants etc.
And similarly it’s prohibited for women to wear the Niqaab and gloves because it’s “stitched” or “sewn” to FIT the face and hands, for women.
Why is that?
That’s because when we’re at hajj, it’s supposed to be a PRACTICE SESSION for the Day of Judgment when we will all be resurrected NAKED and barefoot.
Hajj is a reminder that one day we will all be brought back to life and we will be called to a place of gathering where we will stand for 50,000 years. Then answer our Master and Creator for what we did in the dunya.
So we are supposed to take off our clothes during hajj as a REPRESENTATION of BEING NAKED that day.
Obviously we can’t be naked when we go for hajj.
So the men “take off their regular clothes that are stitched or sewn to fit their body” and they cover themselves with two sheets of ihraam.
Similarly women cannot be naked at hajj, so they uncover only their face and hands by taking off the niqaab and gloves.
So it’s not really the “STITCHES” that are forbidden.
It’s the CLOTHES that are sewn and worn on the body that are forbidden.
So the man CAN cover himself with a blanket or even an ihraam sheet that has ‘stitches’ on it. Or wear a belt that has stitches on it. Or put on a money pouch that has stitches on it. Or use sandals that have stitches in them. All of that is permissible.
🍃 Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:
“There is nothing wrong with wrapping a shirt around one's body without wearing it, and there is nothing wrong with wearing an ‘abayah as a rida’, so that it is not worn in the usual fashion.” (Manaasik al-Hajj wa’l-‘Umrah (p. 64)
That’s because it’s not that there can’t be any “stitches” on a garment. Rather it’s the CLOTHES that are forbidden.
Think about it this way...
If there was a shirt that was GLUED TOGETHER, and was not “sewn”, would that be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam?
No, it would NOT be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam even though there was not a single stitch on it!
Hope that clears the issue.
And Allaah knows best
submitted by teabagandwarmwater to hajj [link] [comments]
By Asma bint Shameem
Makkah is the best place on earth. Allaah Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala decreed Makkah to be a sanctuary the day He created the heavens and the earth.
So when we're in Makkah, we want to utilize each and every SECOND of our time so that we can MAXIMIZE our ibaadaat in the short time we're blessed to be in this Sacred Sanctuary.
Here are some things we can do:
🌷FIVE DAILY PRAYERS
Go to the masjid for the five daily prayers.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"One prayer in al-Masjid al-Haraam is BETTER than one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere." (Ahmad and Ibn Majaah 1406; saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷TAWAAF
Try and do at least one Tawaaf a day if possible. Remember that one complete tawaaf consists of seven rounds.
Making tawaaf of the Ka'bah is one act of ibaadah that's not available anywhere else in the world. It erases sins, raises your status and is equivalent to freeing a slave. Subhaan Allaah!
The Sahaabah knew that and would take FULL advantage of that. And they tried to do as many tawaafs as possible.
🍃 Ibn Umar radhi Allaahu anhu said that he heard the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam say:
"Whoever circumambulates (the Ka'bah) seven times, counting them, and then prays two rak'ahs (after tawaaf) it will be equivalent to his freeing a believing slave."
And "No man lifts his foot and sets it down but ten hasanaat (good deeds) will be recorded for him, and ten sayi'aat (bad deeds) will be erased from his record, and he will be raised thereby ten degrees in status." (at-Tirmidhi; saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi)
🌷PRAY THE JANAAZAH PRAYER
After every fardh salaah, almost always there's a Janaazah prayer for someone or the other.
Do pray this prayer, whether you're a man or a woman, because it's recommended for both to offer this prayer and brings tremendous rewards.
🍃 The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever attends a funeral until he offers the (funeral) prayer will have one qiraat (of reward) and whoever attends until the burial is done will have two qiraats." It was said: "What are the two qiraats?" He said: "Like two great mountains." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
And imagine the rewards of praying in Masjid al-Haraam, where prayers offered are multiplied a 100,000 times! Yes, the reward for offering prayers in Masjid al-Haraam applies to ALL prayers, obligatory AND voluntary.
🍃 Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“Some scholars say that what brings the multiple reward in al-Masjid al-Haraam is the five daily prayers only, and other prayers do not bring the multiple reward. What appears to be the case from the apparent meaning of the hadeeth is that it includes ALL prayers, and the janaazah prayer is included in this general meaning of the reward for prayers in al-Masjid al-Haraam being multiplied. And Allaah knows best.” (Liqa’ al-baab il-Maftooh 116/11).
🌷NAWAAFIL
Pray all the nawaafil you can. Pray them at the times that one is allowed to pray nawaafil and do TAWAAF at times when it's not allowed to pray salah.
This way you MAXIMIZE your time and not one second is wasted In shaa' Allaah.
Since each prayer in the Haram is equal to 100,000 prayers anywhere else then what better place to pray as many nawaafil as possible here in Makkah?
Some of the nawaafil you can offer:
🌿Tahajjud
Of the nawaafil, pay special attention to the tahajjud prayer.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"The BEST prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night (qiyaam al-Layl)." (Muslim)
And he said:
"You should pray qiyaam al-layl, for it is the custom of the righteous who came before you and it brings you closer to your Lord, and expiates sins and prevents misdeeds." (al-Tirmidhi --hasan by al-Albaani)
So it's the BEST prayer after the obligatory prayers, BELOVED to Allaah and expiated sin. What more could a person ask!?
🌿Tahiyyatul Masjid
Masjid al-Haraam is after all a masjid so pray the two rakaat of greeting the Masjid every time you enter it.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"When one of you enters the masjid, let him not sit down until he has prayed two rak'ahs." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
This applies all the time except when your intention is to do tawaaf.
Aa’ishah radhi Allaahu anhaa said:
"When the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam came to Makkah, he did wudoo', then he circumambulated the House. And the two rak'ahs for greeting the masjid are replaced by the two rak'ahs following tawaaf." (al-Bukhaari 1614 and Muslim 1235).
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“If he enters the masjid to do tawaaf, such as a person who is doing ‘umrah and enters the masjid to do the tawaaf of ‘umrah, or to do a voluntary tawaaf, then in this case the tawaaf replaces the two rak’ahs for greeting the masjid, because when he does tawaaf he is going to pray two rak’ahs after tawaaf.” (Majmoo’ Fataawa 22/286)
🌿Tahiyyatul wudhu
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said to Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu:
"Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise." Bilal said : "I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (wudoo) at any time of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to offer." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salat ad-Duhaa
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam would pray Duhaa himself and encouraged us to do so as well.
Abu Hurairah radhi Allaahu anhu said: "My beloved ﷺ advised me to do three things, which I will not forsake so long as I live: to fast three days of each month, to pray Duha, and not to sleep until I pray Witr." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salaat al-Ishraaq:
This prayer is a kind of Salaah ad-Duhaa prayed at its EARLY time, about 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
About this prayer, the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak'ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and 'Umrah, complete, complete, complete." (at-Tirmidhi -- hasan by al-Albaani)
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said:
"The Sunnah of Ishraaq is (the same as) the Sunnah of Duhaa, but if it is done early, from the time when the sun has risen to the height of a spear, then it is Ishraaq prayer; if it is done at the end of its time or in the middle of its time, then it is Duhaa prayer. But it is (all) Duhaa prayer, because the scholars said that the time of Duhaa prayer lasts from when the sun has risen to the height of a spear until just before the zenith." (Liqa' al-Baab al-Maftooh, 141/24)
🌿Salat al-Awwaabeen
This is also a kind of Duhaa prayer done at its LATER time.
Zayd ibn Arqam radhi Allaahu anhu said:
'The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam went out to the people of Qubaa' and found them praying (Duhaa). He said: "Salaat al-Awwaabeen is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand)."'" (Muslim)
Please note: Salaat al-Awwaabeen is NOT the prayer between Mahhrib and Ishaa as is common among some people. Those are just general unspecified nawaafil.
🌿Unspecified nawaafil
You can read as many unspecified nawaafil as you want here in Masjid al-Haraam at all times except the prohibited times which are between Salat al-Asr to sunset and from Salat al-Fajr up until 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
So for example, you can pray unspecified and unlimited number of nawaafil between maghrib and Ishaa.
That was the practice of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and the Sahaabah.
Hudhayfah radhi Allaahu anhu said:
"I came to the Prophet ﷺ and prayed Maghrib with him. When he had finished the prayer, he stood and prayed, and he kept praying until he prayed 'Ishaa'. (Ahmad --saheeh by al-Albaani)
Or you can pray these unspecified nawaafil after salat al-Dhuhr up until Asr, etc
🌷READING QUR'AAN
Utilize those times when prayer is forbidden and read Qur'aan during this period.
And don't just 'read'.
Try and read the Qur'aan with MEANINGS so that you can understand what Allaah wants from you, how you can change for the better, how you can please your Creator and enter Jannah.
🌿TWO BIRDS with ONE STONE:
You can earn double rewards by reading the Qur'aan while you're saying any of your nawaafil prayers especially tahajjud.
Just open the Mus-haf and read DIRECTLY from the Mus-haf for each of the rakaat, instead of reading those small Surahs that you always read.
This way you'll get khushoo in your prayer, AND at the same time you'll get some Qur'aan recitation along with the nawaafil done. A beautiful way to maximize the rewards. Alhamdulillaah.
🌷REPEAT THE ADHAAN
Repeating after the Adhaan brings a lot of rewards and entry into Jannah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said about the one replies to the words of the adhaan "from the heart, he will enter Jannah." (Muslim)
🌷DUA BETWEEN ADHAAN and IQAAMAH
This is the best time to make duaa because this duaa will not be rejected.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Du'a is not rejected between the adhaan and Iqaamah, so engage in du'a (supplication)." (Abi Dawood and others- saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷I'TIKAAF
I'tikaaf does not only take place in Ramadhaan and it does not have to be for ten days either.
You can make the niyyah for i'tikaaf for one week, one day or even for an hour.
So when you plan to stay in Masjid al-Haraam for some time, from one prayer to another etc., make your intention to make i'tikaaf and it will count as ibaadah.
Ibn Hazm said:
"I'tikaaf in the language of the Arabs means staying... any stay in the mosque for the sake of Allaah with the intention of drawing closer to Him is i'tikaaf... whether that is for a short time or a long time, because the Qur'aan and Sunnah do not specify any number or length of time." (Al-Muhalla, 5/179)
🌷DHIKR
Any other time that's left over from all of the above ibaadaat can be filled with dhikr so even these few moments will not be wasted.
Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. Make lots of istighfaar, and fill your time with Subhaan Allaah, Alhamdulillaah, Allaahu Akbar, La illaaha illallaah, and send salutations upon the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam.
Allaah says:
"and the men and the women who remember Allaah much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)" (Surah al-Ahzaab :35)
🌷SAY SALAAM to everyone.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam told us the 'secret' to enter Jannah.... saying salaam to those you know and those you don't know.
Walk around in the streets JUST TO SAY SALAAM to your fellow Muslim.
This was the practice of the Sahaabah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you about something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salaam amongst yourselves." (Muslim)
🌷GIVE SADAQAH
Spend on your Muslim brothesister for the sake of Allaah. It doesn't have to be too much money. Even a little bit counts.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings - for Allaah does not accept anything but that which is good - Allaah will take it in His right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you tends his foal, until it becomes like a mountain." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷SMILE
Sadaqah is not just money. Even a smile is sadaqah.
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Do not regard any act of kindness as insignificant, even meeting your brother with a cheerful countenance." (Saheeh Muslim)
🌷FEED THE PEOPLE
When the Sahaabah asked the Prophet ﷺ what makes Hajj Mabroor, he ﷺ said:
"Providing food to people and spreading (the greeting of) salaam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷HELP SOMEONE
Be on the lookout for anyone that might need help. So if you see an old man struggling with his luggage, or a child who seems lost, or someone looking for a spot to pray or a sister who can't find her shoes, JUMP on the opportunity to help them and earn tremendous rewards just because you helped your fellow Muslim in times of their need.
🌷SLEEP
Yes that's right...SLEEP.
Sleeping and resting will also bring you rewards if you make your intention to rest so that you can worship Allaah better after you've rested and slept.
Any ordinary deed can be converted into an act of worship if we make our intention to do good.
That's why Muadh radhi Allaahu anhu used to say:
"I sleep and I get up (to pray at night), and I seek reward for my sleep as I seek reward for my getting up." (al-Bukhaari)
🌿THE SAME DEEDS APPLY to MADEENAH
We can do all these ibaadaat in Madeenah as well, except of course the Tawaaf.
May Allaah give us the taufeeq to do good and earn maximum rewards in these beautiful times and places.
And Allaah knows best.
🌷When you visit Madeenah...🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
Alhamdulillaah, you're in Madeenah, the most beautiful, the most beloved, the most sacred place on the face of the earth, after Makkah.
Here are some Do's and Don'ts when you visit such a venerated place.
📌 1. Be CAREFUL and show RESPECT
Madeenah is the city of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and his noble Sahaabah. This is where they established Islaam.
To commit any evil in this holy city, or to introduce any innovations here, of all places, would be the biggest disrespect to the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and the biggest insult to the Deen of Islaam.
🍃 Shaikh Salah al-Budayr, the Imaam of Masjid an-Nabawi, said:
"O you who come to Madeenah, you are in a place which, after Makkah, is the best and noblest of all places, so RESPECT it as it should be respected; HONOR its sanctity and holiness and observe the BEST ETIQUETTE therein.
Know that Allaah has warned of the SEVEREST punishment for those who commit evil therein. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: "Madeenah is a Haram (sanctuary), so whoever commits evil therein or gives protection to an evildoer, the curse of Allaah, the angels and all of mankind may be upon him. Allaah will not accept any obligatory or naafil deed from him on the Day of Resurrection." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)"
📌 2. Visit the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ
Obviously, if you're in Madeenah, you would want to visit the masjid of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam).
🍃He ﷺ said:
"The best places to which a person may travel are this Mosque of mine, and the Ancient House (i.e., the Ka'bah)." (Ahmad, saheeh by al-Albaani)
However, keep in mind that visiting this masjid is NOT part of Hajj or Umrah.
Any and all ahaadeeth which connect its visit to Hajj or that say that visiting the grave of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) is connected to Hajj are fabricated and not true.
📌 3. Do your Five Daily Prayers in Masjid an-Nabawi
Just one prayer at the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ is BETTER than 1000 prayers any where else!
Subhaan Allaah! Not “EQUAL” to a 1000 prayers....but BETTER than a 1000 prayers!
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"One prayer in this Masjid of mine is better than one thousand prayers offered anywhere else, except al-Masjid al-Haraam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 4. No need to complete 40 prayers in Madeenah
You don't HAVE to stay in Madeenah for forty prayers NOR is there any SPECIAL rewards for doing so.
You can stay as much as you want or as little as one prayer.
The hadeeth that talks about praying forty prayers in Madeenah is NOT AUTHENTIC.
The ulama have graded it as da'eef or weak.
🍃 Shake al-Albaani said:
"It is an innovation (bid'ah) to visit Madeenah and tell the visitors to Madeenah to stay there for a week so that they will be able to offer forty prayers in the Prophet's Masjid so that they will be free from hypocrisy and saved from the Fire."
🍃 And Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:
"With regard to the widespread idea that the visitor should stay for eight days so that he can offer forty prayers in the Mosque is wrong. This hadeeth is DA’EEF according to the scholars and cannot be taken as proof or relied upon. There is NO SET LIMIT for visiting the Prophet's Masjid. If a person visits for an hour or two, or a day or two, or for more than that, there is nothing wrong with that." (Fataawa Ibn Baz, 17/406)
📌 5. Visit the Rawdah (Riyadh al-Jannah)
Do try and visit the Rawdah, which is that part of the masjid that is between the Mimbar (pulpit) of the Prophet ﷺ and his house, where he is buried.
You can pray two or more rakaat there, but you don't HAVE to pray salah there if there is a lot of crowding and rush. You can make duaa, istighfaar, send salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ or any other dhikr.
This is a piece of Jannah on earth and ANY act of worship here would be accepted and ANY duaa you make will be heard.
After all, isn't Jannah where all wishes come true?
🍃 The Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens (riyaadh, sing. rawdah) of Paradise" (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 6. The Rawdah is NOT the GRAVE of the Prophet ﷺ
Some people especially the sisters think that the Rawdah is the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Thats NOT TRUE.
The Rawdah is that part of the MASJID that is BETWEEN the Mimbar of the Prophet ﷺ and his house where he is buried, also called RIYADH-UL-JANNAH.
When sisters are allowed to go inside the older part of the Masjid, we are visiting Riyadh-ul-Jannah and NOT the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
📌 *7. Visiting the Grave of the Prophet ﷺ *
For MEN, visiting the grave of the Prophet and the graves of the two noble Sahaabah Abu Bakr and Umar (radhi Allaahu anhumaa) is good and recommended. They should visit them, send salaams upon them and make duaa for them.
🔺What about women❓
As far as women are concerned, there is a difference of opinion among the Ulama of Ahl-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah whether women are allowed to visit graves or not, and that includes the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Both sides have valid points based on the Qur'aan and authentic Sunnah, and Allaah knows best.
And although, some ulama do allow women to visit graves, under certain conditions, the Saudi authorities follow the opinion that it's NOT allowed for women to visit graves, and so NONE of the sisters are ALLOWED to go there.
So when they open the doors of the old masjid and let sisters in, they’re NOT letting the women visit the GRAVE. Rather, they’re letting them pray in Riyadh al-Jannah or ‘Rawdah’ as they say.
📌 8. HOW TO visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and the two Sahaabah (for men).
The way to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ is simple.
When a man visits the grave of the Prophet ﷺ, he should say "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Rasool-Allaah (Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allaah)."
Then move about a yard to the right and say salaams to Abu Bakr by saying, "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Aba Bakr." Then move a little further to the right, about a yard, and say salaams to Umar ibn al-Khattaab, by saying, 'Al-salaamu alayka ya 'Umar."
Or other similar words.
❌ Common MISTAKES at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ❌
❌a) Do NOT make duaa TO the Prophet ﷺ. That's SHIRK, may Allaah protect us.
❌ And do NOT justify making duaa to the Prophet ﷺ by saying that you're "asking" the Prophet ﷺ so that he can intercede for you with Allaah or you're asking Allaah "THROUGH" him.
THAT IS ALSO SHIRK!
The Prophet ﷺ CAN NOT and DOES NOT have the ability to hear you OR fulfill your duaa.
It's ONLY Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala that can do that.
❌ b) Do not make duaa here even if you're making duaa to Allaah. Or read Qur'aan or other acts of worship. There's NO PROOF that such an action is good.
🍃 Ali ibn al-Husayn saw a man making duaa at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and he told him NOT to do that. (Abu Ya'la and al-Haafiz al-Diya)
❌c) Do not think that there's any special reward for Ibaadah at the grave of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam or any increased chances of duaa being answered here. That's NOT correct and there's NO PROOF for that.
❌d) Do not stand before the grave with your hands tied as if you're in prayer, or bow or make sajdah etc. as some extreme people do, Astaghfirullaah.
That's SHIRK because this is a posture of humility and worship and we're only allowed to do that for Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala.
Yes of course, we stand with utmost RESPECT but NOT like we’re in Salaah. And no bowing or sujood, Aa’oodhu Billaah.
❌ e) Don't make it a habit
Do not keep going to visit the grave again and again, after every prayer, or every day etc.
I know that you LOVE the Prophet ﷺ and LOVE to visit the grave.
But that's actually going AGAINST the teachings of the one you love.
🍃 The one you love (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Do not take my grave as a place of festivity (which you visit repeatedly)." (Abu Dawood--saheeh by al-Albaani)
TRUE love is to follow the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ and to OBEY him. And to GIVE UP what YOU want, just because HE said so.
🍃 Someone asked Imaam Maalik about a man who came to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ every day.
He said, 'That is NOT RIGHT,' and quoted the hadeeth, 'O Allaah, do not make my grave an idol that is worshipped.'" (saheeh by al-Albaani)
🍃 Al-Qaadi 'Iyaad said about this issue:
"I have not heard of this from any of the fuqaha', and nothing is good for the latter generations of this ummah except that which was good for its first generations. I have not heard that any of the first generations of the ummah used to do that." (Al-Shifa bi Ta'reef Huqooq al-Mustafa)
📌 9. Visiting al-Baqee', mount Uhud and the Shuhadaa
Here again it is recommended for the MEN to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee', and the Shuhadaa of Uhud.
But for women, they are not allowed to visit the graves, although they may visit Uhud.
The authorities do not allow women to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee' because they follow the safer opinion of not allowing women to visit graves, since the hadeeth of the Prophet ﷺ is very severe.
🍃 He said:
"Allaah cursed the women who visit graves." (at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah-- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 10. Do NOT TOUCH, WIPE, KISS any part of the Masjid
Some people, out of their love for the Prophet ﷺ touch or wipe parts of the masjid with their hands, clothes, prayer mats etc., seeking blessing (barakah) with the pillars, walls, doors, mihraab, minbar, etc.
Some even do it with the bookshelves and water coolers there! Subhaan Allaah! Thats NOT ALLOWED.
Remember, the Masjid is made of concrete and marble and brick and wood, just like any other building.
There's no “special” or “blessed” brick or stone used to build it, nor does the bookshelf, or marble or anything else of the building have anything to do with the Prophet ﷺ himself.
It's NOT permissible to seek barakah from anything other than the PERSONAL relics of the Prophet ﷺ and there are NO “relics” to be found in the masjid itself.
Besides, TRUE barakah comes from following the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ NOT by wiping the walls of his masjid, or kissing the doors or hugging the pillars.
📌 11. Be PATIENT, CONSIDERATE and SACRIFICE for your Muslim brothesister
This goes for our ENTIRE LIFETIME, but this is something we should take care of, ESPECIALLY while in this Holy city.
Madeenah is a HOLY place. The Masjid is the Masjid of your BELOVED. The Rawdah is a piece of JANNAH. The other person is your BROTHESISTER in Islaam.
Keep this 👆🏼principle in mind for EVER but especially when visiting the masjid, praying at a specific spot, waiting in line anywhere, or even while visiting the Rawdah.
You also don't want to push, shove or hurt any of your fellow Muslim in such sacred place.
Be extra, EXTRA careful and EXTREMELY polite, patient and courteous.
So INCONVENIENCE yourself for your brothesister.
WAIT your turn to go into the Rawdah area and don't make your stay there too long in consideration for all those Muslim brothers and sisters waiting in line.
If you TRULY love the Prophet ﷺ you'll IMPLEMENT the following hadeeth and keep it in your HEART FOREVER.
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The dearest of people to Allaah, may He be exalted, is the one who does most benefit to people, and the DEAREST of deeds to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala, is JOY that you bring to a Muslim, or relieving him of distress, or paying off debt for him, or dispelling his hunger. And to walk with a brother to meet his needs is DEARER to me than observing I’TIKAAF in this masjid - meaning the masjid of Madeenah - for a MONTH." (at-Tabaraani -- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 12. Go to Masjid al-Qubaa
The Prophet ﷺ used to LOVE to go to this Masjid every Saturday and pray two rakaat there as reported by al-Bukhaari.
🍃 Ibn Umar Radhi Allaahu anhumaa said:
“The Prophet ﷺ used to go to the masjid of Quba’ every Saturday, walking or riding, and he would pray two rak’ahs there.” (al-Bukhaari 1191; Muslim 1399)
🍃 And he Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever purifies himself in his house, then comes to the Masjid of Quba' and prays there, he will have the reward of 'Umrah." (Ibn Maajah --saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 13. No need to go to any other Masaajid
We don't need to go to any other masjid besides Masjid an-Nabawi and Masjid al-Qubaa, because there's no proof of that from the Qur'aan or the practice of the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah that they did that.
🍃 Al-Ma'roor ibn Suwayd said:
"We went out with Umar ibn al-Khattaab, and we passed by a mosque on the way.
The people hastened to pray there, and 'Umar said, "What is the matter with them?"
They said, "This is a masjid in which the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ prayed."
Umar said, "O people, those who came before you were DOOMED because they followed such practices, until they established places of worship in such locations.
If a time for prayer comes when you are there, then pray, and if it is not the time for prayer, then MOVE ON." (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7550)
🍃 Also, when 'Umar radhi Allaahu anhu heard that there were people who came to the tree under which the Prophet ﷺ received the bay'ah (oath of allegiance), he ordered that it be CUT DOWN. (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7545)
🍃 That's why Shaikh Salah al-Budayr said:
"It is NOT prescribed to go to the places and Masaajid in which the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah prayed in order to pray there or to worship Allaah by offering du'aa's there etc., because the Prophet ﷺ did not enjoin that or encourage people to visit these places."
And Allaah knows best.
🌷Umrah/Hajj Education🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
🔺The CONFUSION of Ihraam and “STITCHES”🔺
❓ QUESTION❓
Can men use a belt that has stitches on it while in ihraam? Or use a towel or blanket that has stitches? What about sandals that have stitches?
🌿 ANSWER🌿
In order to answer that, we should first try and understand the ”concept” behind the prohibition of STITCHED CLOTHES for men in ihraam.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“The muhrim should not wear a shirt, pants, a burnous, or shoes, unless he cannot find any sandals, in which case he may wear something that comes below his ankles.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
So what is prohibited, is to wear clothes that are specifically “stitched” or “SEWN” to FIT the BODY of a man like a shirt, pants etc.
And similarly it’s prohibited for women to wear the Niqaab and gloves because it’s “stitched” or “sewn” to FIT the face and hands, for women.
Why is that?
That’s because when we’re at hajj, it’s supposed to be a PRACTICE SESSION for the Day of Judgment when we will all be resurrected NAKED and barefoot.
Hajj is a reminder that one day we will all be brought back to life and we will be called to a place of gathering where we will stand for 50,000 years. Then answer our Master and Creator for what we did in the dunya.
So we are supposed to take off our clothes during hajj as a REPRESENTATION of BEING NAKED that day.
Obviously we can’t be naked when we go for hajj.
So the men “take off their regular clothes that are stitched or sewn to fit their body” and they cover themselves with two sheets of ihraam.
Similarly women cannot be naked at hajj, so they uncover only their face and hands by taking off the niqaab and gloves.
So it’s not really the “STITCHES” that are forbidden.
It’s the CLOTHES that are sewn and worn on the body that are forbidden.
So the man CAN cover himself with a blanket or even an ihraam sheet that has ‘stitches’ on it. Or wear a belt that has stitches on it. Or put on a money pouch that has stitches on it. Or use sandals that have stitches in them. All of that is permissible.
🍃 Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:
“There is nothing wrong with wrapping a shirt around one's body without wearing it, and there is nothing wrong with wearing an ‘abayah as a rida’, so that it is not worn in the usual fashion.” (Manaasik al-Hajj wa’l-‘Umrah (p. 64)
That’s because it’s not that there can’t be any “stitches” on a garment. Rather it’s the CLOTHES that are forbidden.
Think about it this way...
If there was a shirt that was GLUED TOGETHER, and was not “sewn”, would that be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam?
No, it would NOT be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam even though there was not a single stitch on it!
Hope that clears the issue.
And Allaah knows best
2024.05.23 17:02 teabagandwarmwater Something really beneficial. Please give it a read! Topics: How to Maximize your time in Makkah When you visit Madeenah Umrah/Hajj Education
🌷How to MAXIMIZE your time in Makkah🌷
By Asma bint Shameem
Makkah is the best place on earth. Allaah Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala decreed Makkah to be a sanctuary the day He created the heavens and the earth.
So when we're in Makkah, we want to utilize each and every SECOND of our time so that we can MAXIMIZE our ibaadaat in the short time we're blessed to be in this Sacred Sanctuary.
Here are some things we can do:
🌷FIVE DAILY PRAYERS
Go to the masjid for the five daily prayers.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"One prayer in al-Masjid al-Haraam is BETTER than one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere." (Ahmad and Ibn Majaah 1406; saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷TAWAAF
Try and do at least one Tawaaf a day if possible. Remember that one complete tawaaf consists of seven rounds.
Making tawaaf of the Ka'bah is one act of ibaadah that's not available anywhere else in the world. It erases sins, raises your status and is equivalent to freeing a slave. Subhaan Allaah!
The Sahaabah knew that and would take FULL advantage of that. And they tried to do as many tawaafs as possible.
🍃 Ibn Umar radhi Allaahu anhu said that he heard the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam say:
"Whoever circumambulates (the Ka'bah) seven times, counting them, and then prays two rak'ahs (after tawaaf) it will be equivalent to his freeing a believing slave."
And "No man lifts his foot and sets it down but ten hasanaat (good deeds) will be recorded for him, and ten sayi'aat (bad deeds) will be erased from his record, and he will be raised thereby ten degrees in status." (at-Tirmidhi; saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi)
🌷PRAY THE JANAAZAH PRAYER
After every fardh salaah, almost always there's a Janaazah prayer for someone or the other.
Do pray this prayer, whether you're a man or a woman, because it's recommended for both to offer this prayer and brings tremendous rewards.
🍃 The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever attends a funeral until he offers the (funeral) prayer will have one qiraat (of reward) and whoever attends until the burial is done will have two qiraats." It was said: "What are the two qiraats?" He said: "Like two great mountains." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
And imagine the rewards of praying in Masjid al-Haraam, where prayers offered are multiplied a 100,000 times! Yes, the reward for offering prayers in Masjid al-Haraam applies to ALL prayers, obligatory AND voluntary.
🍃 Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“Some scholars say that what brings the multiple reward in al-Masjid al-Haraam is the five daily prayers only, and other prayers do not bring the multiple reward. What appears to be the case from the apparent meaning of the hadeeth is that it includes ALL prayers, and the janaazah prayer is included in this general meaning of the reward for prayers in al-Masjid al-Haraam being multiplied. And Allaah knows best.” (Liqa’ al-baab il-Maftooh 116/11).
🌷NAWAAFIL
Pray all the nawaafil you can. Pray them at the times that one is allowed to pray nawaafil and do TAWAAF at times when it's not allowed to pray salah.
This way you MAXIMIZE your time and not one second is wasted In shaa' Allaah.
Since each prayer in the Haram is equal to 100,000 prayers anywhere else then what better place to pray as many nawaafil as possible here in Makkah?
Some of the nawaafil you can offer:
🌿Tahajjud
Of the nawaafil, pay special attention to the tahajjud prayer.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"The BEST prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night (qiyaam al-Layl)." (Muslim)
And he said:
"You should pray qiyaam al-layl, for it is the custom of the righteous who came before you and it brings you closer to your Lord, and expiates sins and prevents misdeeds." (al-Tirmidhi --hasan by al-Albaani)
So it's the BEST prayer after the obligatory prayers, BELOVED to Allaah and expiated sin. What more could a person ask!?
🌿Tahiyyatul Masjid
Masjid al-Haraam is after all a masjid so pray the two rakaat of greeting the Masjid every time you enter it.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"When one of you enters the masjid, let him not sit down until he has prayed two rak'ahs." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
This applies all the time except when your intention is to do tawaaf.
Aa’ishah radhi Allaahu anhaa said:
"When the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam came to Makkah, he did wudoo', then he circumambulated the House. And the two rak'ahs for greeting the masjid are replaced by the two rak'ahs following tawaaf." (al-Bukhaari 1614 and Muslim 1235).
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“If he enters the masjid to do tawaaf, such as a person who is doing ‘umrah and enters the masjid to do the tawaaf of ‘umrah, or to do a voluntary tawaaf, then in this case the tawaaf replaces the two rak’ahs for greeting the masjid, because when he does tawaaf he is going to pray two rak’ahs after tawaaf.” (Majmoo’ Fataawa 22/286)
🌿Tahiyyatul wudhu
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said to Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu:
"Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise." Bilal said : "I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (wudoo) at any time of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to offer." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salat ad-Duhaa
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam would pray Duhaa himself and encouraged us to do so as well.
Abu Hurairah radhi Allaahu anhu said: "My beloved ﷺ advised me to do three things, which I will not forsake so long as I live: to fast three days of each month, to pray Duha, and not to sleep until I pray Witr." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salaat al-Ishraaq:
This prayer is a kind of Salaah ad-Duhaa prayed at its EARLY time, about 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
About this prayer, the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak'ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and 'Umrah, complete, complete, complete." (at-Tirmidhi -- hasan by al-Albaani)
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said:
"The Sunnah of Ishraaq is (the same as) the Sunnah of Duhaa, but if it is done early, from the time when the sun has risen to the height of a spear, then it is Ishraaq prayer; if it is done at the end of its time or in the middle of its time, then it is Duhaa prayer. But it is (all) Duhaa prayer, because the scholars said that the time of Duhaa prayer lasts from when the sun has risen to the height of a spear until just before the zenith." (Liqa' al-Baab al-Maftooh, 141/24)
🌿Salat al-Awwaabeen
This is also a kind of Duhaa prayer done at its LATER time.
Zayd ibn Arqam radhi Allaahu anhu said:
'The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam went out to the people of Qubaa' and found them praying (Duhaa). He said: "Salaat al-Awwaabeen is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand)."'" (Muslim)
Please note: Salaat al-Awwaabeen is NOT the prayer between Mahhrib and Ishaa as is common among some people. Those are just general unspecified nawaafil.
🌿Unspecified nawaafil
You can read as many unspecified nawaafil as you want here in Masjid al-Haraam at all times except the prohibited times which are between Salat al-Asr to sunset and from Salat al-Fajr up until 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
So for example, you can pray unspecified and unlimited number of nawaafil between maghrib and Ishaa.
That was the practice of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and the Sahaabah.
Hudhayfah radhi Allaahu anhu said:
"I came to the Prophet ﷺ and prayed Maghrib with him. When he had finished the prayer, he stood and prayed, and he kept praying until he prayed 'Ishaa'. (Ahmad --saheeh by al-Albaani)
Or you can pray these unspecified nawaafil after salat al-Dhuhr up until Asr, etc
🌷READING QUR'AAN
Utilize those times when prayer is forbidden and read Qur'aan during this period.
And don't just 'read'.
Try and read the Qur'aan with MEANINGS so that you can understand what Allaah wants from you, how you can change for the better, how you can please your Creator and enter Jannah.
🌿TWO BIRDS with ONE STONE:
You can earn double rewards by reading the Qur'aan while you're saying any of your nawaafil prayers especially tahajjud.
Just open the Mus-haf and read DIRECTLY from the Mus-haf for each of the rakaat, instead of reading those small Surahs that you always read.
This way you'll get khushoo in your prayer, AND at the same time you'll get some Qur'aan recitation along with the nawaafil done. A beautiful way to maximize the rewards. Alhamdulillaah.
🌷REPEAT THE ADHAAN
Repeating after the Adhaan brings a lot of rewards and entry into Jannah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said about the one replies to the words of the adhaan "from the heart, he will enter Jannah." (Muslim)
🌷DUA BETWEEN ADHAAN and IQAAMAH
This is the best time to make duaa because this duaa will not be rejected.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Du'a is not rejected between the adhaan and Iqaamah, so engage in du'a (supplication)." (Abi Dawood and others- saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷I'TIKAAF
I'tikaaf does not only take place in Ramadhaan and it does not have to be for ten days either.
You can make the niyyah for i'tikaaf for one week, one day or even for an hour.
So when you plan to stay in Masjid al-Haraam for some time, from one prayer to another etc., make your intention to make i'tikaaf and it will count as ibaadah.
Ibn Hazm said:
"I'tikaaf in the language of the Arabs means staying... any stay in the mosque for the sake of Allaah with the intention of drawing closer to Him is i'tikaaf... whether that is for a short time or a long time, because the Qur'aan and Sunnah do not specify any number or length of time." (Al-Muhalla, 5/179)
🌷DHIKR
Any other time that's left over from all of the above ibaadaat can be filled with dhikr so even these few moments will not be wasted.
Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. Make lots of istighfaar, and fill your time with Subhaan Allaah, Alhamdulillaah, Allaahu Akbar, La illaaha illallaah, and send salutations upon the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam.
Allaah says:
"and the men and the women who remember Allaah much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)" (Surah al-Ahzaab :35)
🌷SAY SALAAM to everyone.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam told us the 'secret' to enter Jannah.... saying salaam to those you know and those you don't know.
Walk around in the streets JUST TO SAY SALAAM to your fellow Muslim.
This was the practice of the Sahaabah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you about something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salaam amongst yourselves." (Muslim)
🌷GIVE SADAQAH
Spend on your Muslim brothesister for the sake of Allaah. It doesn't have to be too much money. Even a little bit counts.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings - for Allaah does not accept anything but that which is good - Allaah will take it in His right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you tends his foal, until it becomes like a mountain." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷SMILE
Sadaqah is not just money. Even a smile is sadaqah.
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Do not regard any act of kindness as insignificant, even meeting your brother with a cheerful countenance." (Saheeh Muslim)
🌷FEED THE PEOPLE
When the Sahaabah asked the Prophet ﷺ what makes Hajj Mabroor, he ﷺ said:
"Providing food to people and spreading (the greeting of) salaam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷HELP SOMEONE
Be on the lookout for anyone that might need help. So if you see an old man struggling with his luggage, or a child who seems lost, or someone looking for a spot to pray or a sister who can't find her shoes, JUMP on the opportunity to help them and earn tremendous rewards just because you helped your fellow Muslim in times of their need.
🌷SLEEP
Yes that's right...SLEEP.
Sleeping and resting will also bring you rewards if you make your intention to rest so that you can worship Allaah better after you've rested and slept.
Any ordinary deed can be converted into an act of worship if we make our intention to do good.
That's why Muadh radhi Allaahu anhu used to say:
"I sleep and I get up (to pray at night), and I seek reward for my sleep as I seek reward for my getting up." (al-Bukhaari)
🌿THE SAME DEEDS APPLY to MADEENAH
We can do all these ibaadaat in Madeenah as well, except of course the Tawaaf.
May Allaah give us the taufeeq to do good and earn maximum rewards in these beautiful times and places.
And Allaah knows best.
🌷When you visit Madeenah...🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
Alhamdulillaah, you're in Madeenah, the most beautiful, the most beloved, the most sacred place on the face of the earth, after Makkah.
Here are some Do's and Don'ts when you visit such a venerated place.
📌 1. Be CAREFUL and show RESPECT
Madeenah is the city of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and his noble Sahaabah. This is where they established Islaam.
To commit any evil in this holy city, or to introduce any innovations here, of all places, would be the biggest disrespect to the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and the biggest insult to the Deen of Islaam.
🍃 Shaikh Salah al-Budayr, the Imaam of Masjid an-Nabawi, said:
"O you who come to Madeenah, you are in a place which, after Makkah, is the best and noblest of all places, so RESPECT it as it should be respected; HONOR its sanctity and holiness and observe the BEST ETIQUETTE therein.
Know that Allaah has warned of the SEVEREST punishment for those who commit evil therein. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: "Madeenah is a Haram (sanctuary), so whoever commits evil therein or gives protection to an evildoer, the curse of Allaah, the angels and all of mankind may be upon him. Allaah will not accept any obligatory or naafil deed from him on the Day of Resurrection." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)"
📌 2. Visit the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ
Obviously, if you're in Madeenah, you would want to visit the masjid of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam).
🍃He ﷺ said:
"The best places to which a person may travel are this Mosque of mine, and the Ancient House (i.e., the Ka'bah)." (Ahmad, saheeh by al-Albaani)
However, keep in mind that visiting this masjid is NOT part of Hajj or Umrah.
Any and all ahaadeeth which connect its visit to Hajj or that say that visiting the grave of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) is connected to Hajj are fabricated and not true.
📌 3. Do your Five Daily Prayers in Masjid an-Nabawi
Just one prayer at the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ is BETTER than 1000 prayers any where else!
Subhaan Allaah! Not “EQUAL” to a 1000 prayers....but BETTER than a 1000 prayers!
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"One prayer in this Masjid of mine is better than one thousand prayers offered anywhere else, except al-Masjid al-Haraam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 4. No need to complete 40 prayers in Madeenah
You don't HAVE to stay in Madeenah for forty prayers NOR is there any SPECIAL rewards for doing so.
You can stay as much as you want or as little as one prayer.
The hadeeth that talks about praying forty prayers in Madeenah is NOT AUTHENTIC.
The ulama have graded it as da'eef or weak.
🍃 Shake al-Albaani said:
"It is an innovation (bid'ah) to visit Madeenah and tell the visitors to Madeenah to stay there for a week so that they will be able to offer forty prayers in the Prophet's Masjid so that they will be free from hypocrisy and saved from the Fire."
🍃 And Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:
"With regard to the widespread idea that the visitor should stay for eight days so that he can offer forty prayers in the Mosque is wrong. This hadeeth is DA’EEF according to the scholars and cannot be taken as proof or relied upon. There is NO SET LIMIT for visiting the Prophet's Masjid. If a person visits for an hour or two, or a day or two, or for more than that, there is nothing wrong with that." (Fataawa Ibn Baz, 17/406)
📌 5. Visit the Rawdah (Riyadh al-Jannah)
Do try and visit the Rawdah, which is that part of the masjid that is between the Mimbar (pulpit) of the Prophet ﷺ and his house, where he is buried.
You can pray two or more rakaat there, but you don't HAVE to pray salah there if there is a lot of crowding and rush. You can make duaa, istighfaar, send salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ or any other dhikr.
This is a piece of Jannah on earth and ANY act of worship here would be accepted and ANY duaa you make will be heard.
After all, isn't Jannah where all wishes come true?
🍃 The Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens (riyaadh, sing. rawdah) of Paradise" (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 6. The Rawdah is NOT the GRAVE of the Prophet ﷺ
Some people especially the sisters think that the Rawdah is the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Thats NOT TRUE.
The Rawdah is that part of the MASJID that is BETWEEN the Mimbar of the Prophet ﷺ and his house where he is buried, also called RIYADH-UL-JANNAH.
When sisters are allowed to go inside the older part of the Masjid, we are visiting Riyadh-ul-Jannah and NOT the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
📌 *7. Visiting the Grave of the Prophet ﷺ *
For MEN, visiting the grave of the Prophet and the graves of the two noble Sahaabah Abu Bakr and Umar (radhi Allaahu anhumaa) is good and recommended. They should visit them, send salaams upon them and make duaa for them.
🔺What about women❓
As far as women are concerned, there is a difference of opinion among the Ulama of Ahl-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah whether women are allowed to visit graves or not, and that includes the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Both sides have valid points based on the Qur'aan and authentic Sunnah, and Allaah knows best.
And although, some ulama do allow women to visit graves, under certain conditions, the Saudi authorities follow the opinion that it's NOT allowed for women to visit graves, and so NONE of the sisters are ALLOWED to go there.
So when they open the doors of the old masjid and let sisters in, they’re NOT letting the women visit the GRAVE. Rather, they’re letting them pray in Riyadh al-Jannah or ‘Rawdah’ as they say.
📌 8. HOW TO visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and the two Sahaabah (for men).
The way to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ is simple.
When a man visits the grave of the Prophet ﷺ, he should say "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Rasool-Allaah (Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allaah)."
Then move about a yard to the right and say salaams to Abu Bakr by saying, "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Aba Bakr." Then move a little further to the right, about a yard, and say salaams to Umar ibn al-Khattaab, by saying, 'Al-salaamu alayka ya 'Umar."
Or other similar words.
❌ Common MISTAKES at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ❌
❌a) Do NOT make duaa TO the Prophet ﷺ. That's SHIRK, may Allaah protect us.
❌ And do NOT justify making duaa to the Prophet ﷺ by saying that you're "asking" the Prophet ﷺ so that he can intercede for you with Allaah or you're asking Allaah "THROUGH" him.
THAT IS ALSO SHIRK!
The Prophet ﷺ CAN NOT and DOES NOT have the ability to hear you OR fulfill your duaa.
It's ONLY Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala that can do that.
❌ b) Do not make duaa here even if you're making duaa to Allaah. Or read Qur'aan or other acts of worship. There's NO PROOF that such an action is good.
🍃 Ali ibn al-Husayn saw a man making duaa at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and he told him NOT to do that. (Abu Ya'la and al-Haafiz al-Diya)
❌c) Do not think that there's any special reward for Ibaadah at the grave of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam or any increased chances of duaa being answered here. That's NOT correct and there's NO PROOF for that.
❌d) Do not stand before the grave with your hands tied as if you're in prayer, or bow or make sajdah etc. as some extreme people do, Astaghfirullaah.
That's SHIRK because this is a posture of humility and worship and we're only allowed to do that for Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala.
Yes of course, we stand with utmost RESPECT but NOT like we’re in Salaah. And no bowing or sujood, Aa’oodhu Billaah.
❌ e) Don't make it a habit
Do not keep going to visit the grave again and again, after every prayer, or every day etc.
I know that you LOVE the Prophet ﷺ and LOVE to visit the grave.
But that's actually going AGAINST the teachings of the one you love.
🍃 The one you love (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Do not take my grave as a place of festivity (which you visit repeatedly)." (Abu Dawood--saheeh by al-Albaani)
TRUE love is to follow the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ and to OBEY him. And to GIVE UP what YOU want, just because HE said so.
🍃 Someone asked Imaam Maalik about a man who came to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ every day.
He said, 'That is NOT RIGHT,' and quoted the hadeeth, 'O Allaah, do not make my grave an idol that is worshipped.'" (saheeh by al-Albaani)
🍃 Al-Qaadi 'Iyaad said about this issue:
"I have not heard of this from any of the fuqaha', and nothing is good for the latter generations of this ummah except that which was good for its first generations. I have not heard that any of the first generations of the ummah used to do that." (Al-Shifa bi Ta'reef Huqooq al-Mustafa)
📌 9. Visiting al-Baqee', mount Uhud and the Shuhadaa
Here again it is recommended for the MEN to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee', and the Shuhadaa of Uhud.
But for women, they are not allowed to visit the graves, although they may visit Uhud.
The authorities do not allow women to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee' because they follow the safer opinion of not allowing women to visit graves, since the hadeeth of the Prophet ﷺ is very severe.
🍃 He said:
"Allaah cursed the women who visit graves." (at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah-- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 10. Do NOT TOUCH, WIPE, KISS any part of the Masjid
Some people, out of their love for the Prophet ﷺ touch or wipe parts of the masjid with their hands, clothes, prayer mats etc., seeking blessing (barakah) with the pillars, walls, doors, mihraab, minbar, etc.
Some even do it with the bookshelves and water coolers there! Subhaan Allaah! Thats NOT ALLOWED.
Remember, the Masjid is made of concrete and marble and brick and wood, just like any other building.
There's no “special” or “blessed” brick or stone used to build it, nor does the bookshelf, or marble or anything else of the building have anything to do with the Prophet ﷺ himself.
It's NOT permissible to seek barakah from anything other than the PERSONAL relics of the Prophet ﷺ and there are NO “relics” to be found in the masjid itself.
Besides, TRUE barakah comes from following the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ NOT by wiping the walls of his masjid, or kissing the doors or hugging the pillars.
📌 11. Be PATIENT, CONSIDERATE and SACRIFICE for your Muslim brothesister
This goes for our ENTIRE LIFETIME, but this is something we should take care of, ESPECIALLY while in this Holy city.
Madeenah is a HOLY place. The Masjid is the Masjid of your BELOVED. The Rawdah is a piece of JANNAH. The other person is your BROTHESISTER in Islaam.
Keep this 👆🏼principle in mind for EVER but especially when visiting the masjid, praying at a specific spot, waiting in line anywhere, or even while visiting the Rawdah.
You also don't want to push, shove or hurt any of your fellow Muslim in such sacred place.
Be extra, EXTRA careful and EXTREMELY polite, patient and courteous.
So INCONVENIENCE yourself for your brothesister.
WAIT your turn to go into the Rawdah area and don't make your stay there too long in consideration for all those Muslim brothers and sisters waiting in line.
If you TRULY love the Prophet ﷺ you'll IMPLEMENT the following hadeeth and keep it in your HEART FOREVER.
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The dearest of people to Allaah, may He be exalted, is the one who does most benefit to people, and the DEAREST of deeds to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala, is JOY that you bring to a Muslim, or relieving him of distress, or paying off debt for him, or dispelling his hunger. And to walk with a brother to meet his needs is DEARER to me than observing I’TIKAAF in this masjid - meaning the masjid of Madeenah - for a MONTH." (at-Tabaraani -- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 12. Go to Masjid al-Qubaa
The Prophet ﷺ used to LOVE to go to this Masjid every Saturday and pray two rakaat there as reported by al-Bukhaari.
🍃 Ibn Umar Radhi Allaahu anhumaa said:
“The Prophet ﷺ used to go to the masjid of Quba’ every Saturday, walking or riding, and he would pray two rak’ahs there.” (al-Bukhaari 1191; Muslim 1399)
🍃 And he Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever purifies himself in his house, then comes to the Masjid of Quba' and prays there, he will have the reward of 'Umrah." (Ibn Maajah --saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 13. No need to go to any other Masaajid
We don't need to go to any other masjid besides Masjid an-Nabawi and Masjid al-Qubaa, because there's no proof of that from the Qur'aan or the practice of the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah that they did that.
🍃 Al-Ma'roor ibn Suwayd said:
"We went out with Umar ibn al-Khattaab, and we passed by a mosque on the way.
The people hastened to pray there, and 'Umar said, "What is the matter with them?"
They said, "This is a masjid in which the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ prayed."
Umar said, "O people, those who came before you were DOOMED because they followed such practices, until they established places of worship in such locations.
If a time for prayer comes when you are there, then pray, and if it is not the time for prayer, then MOVE ON." (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7550)
🍃 Also, when 'Umar radhi Allaahu anhu heard that there were people who came to the tree under which the Prophet ﷺ received the bay'ah (oath of allegiance), he ordered that it be CUT DOWN. (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7545)
🍃 That's why Shaikh Salah al-Budayr said:
"It is NOT prescribed to go to the places and Masaajid in which the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah prayed in order to pray there or to worship Allaah by offering du'aa's there etc., because the Prophet ﷺ did not enjoin that or encourage people to visit these places."
And Allaah knows best.
🌷Umrah/Hajj Education🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
🔺The CONFUSION of Ihraam and “STITCHES”🔺
❓ QUESTION❓
Can men use a belt that has stitches on it while in ihraam? Or use a towel or blanket that has stitches? What about sandals that have stitches?
🌿 ANSWER🌿
In order to answer that, we should first try and understand the ”concept” behind the prohibition of STITCHED CLOTHES for men in ihraam.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“The muhrim should not wear a shirt, pants, a burnous, or shoes, unless he cannot find any sandals, in which case he may wear something that comes below his ankles.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
So what is prohibited, is to wear clothes that are specifically “stitched” or “SEWN” to FIT the BODY of a man like a shirt, pants etc.
And similarly it’s prohibited for women to wear the Niqaab and gloves because it’s “stitched” or “sewn” to FIT the face and hands, for women.
Why is that?
That’s because when we’re at hajj, it’s supposed to be a PRACTICE SESSION for the Day of Judgment when we will all be resurrected NAKED and barefoot.
Hajj is a reminder that one day we will all be brought back to life and we will be called to a place of gathering where we will stand for 50,000 years. Then answer our Master and Creator for what we did in the dunya.
So we are supposed to take off our clothes during hajj as a REPRESENTATION of BEING NAKED that day.
Obviously we can’t be naked when we go for hajj.
So the men “take off their regular clothes that are stitched or sewn to fit their body” and they cover themselves with two sheets of ihraam.
Similarly women cannot be naked at hajj, so they uncover only their face and hands by taking off the niqaab and gloves.
So it’s not really the “STITCHES” that are forbidden.
It’s the CLOTHES that are sewn and worn on the body that are forbidden.
So the man CAN cover himself with a blanket or even an ihraam sheet that has ‘stitches’ on it. Or wear a belt that has stitches on it. Or put on a money pouch that has stitches on it. Or use sandals that have stitches in them. All of that is permissible.
🍃 Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:
“There is nothing wrong with wrapping a shirt around one's body without wearing it, and there is nothing wrong with wearing an ‘abayah as a rida’, so that it is not worn in the usual fashion.” (Manaasik al-Hajj wa’l-‘Umrah (p. 64)
That’s because it’s not that there can’t be any “stitches” on a garment. Rather it’s the CLOTHES that are forbidden.
Think about it this way...
If there was a shirt that was GLUED TOGETHER, and was not “sewn”, would that be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam?
No, it would NOT be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam even though there was not a single stitch on it!
Hope that clears the issue.
And Allaah knows best
submitted by teabagandwarmwater to Umrah [link] [comments]
By Asma bint Shameem
Makkah is the best place on earth. Allaah Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala decreed Makkah to be a sanctuary the day He created the heavens and the earth.
So when we're in Makkah, we want to utilize each and every SECOND of our time so that we can MAXIMIZE our ibaadaat in the short time we're blessed to be in this Sacred Sanctuary.
Here are some things we can do:
🌷FIVE DAILY PRAYERS
Go to the masjid for the five daily prayers.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"One prayer in al-Masjid al-Haraam is BETTER than one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere." (Ahmad and Ibn Majaah 1406; saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷TAWAAF
Try and do at least one Tawaaf a day if possible. Remember that one complete tawaaf consists of seven rounds.
Making tawaaf of the Ka'bah is one act of ibaadah that's not available anywhere else in the world. It erases sins, raises your status and is equivalent to freeing a slave. Subhaan Allaah!
The Sahaabah knew that and would take FULL advantage of that. And they tried to do as many tawaafs as possible.
🍃 Ibn Umar radhi Allaahu anhu said that he heard the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam say:
"Whoever circumambulates (the Ka'bah) seven times, counting them, and then prays two rak'ahs (after tawaaf) it will be equivalent to his freeing a believing slave."
And "No man lifts his foot and sets it down but ten hasanaat (good deeds) will be recorded for him, and ten sayi'aat (bad deeds) will be erased from his record, and he will be raised thereby ten degrees in status." (at-Tirmidhi; saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi)
🌷PRAY THE JANAAZAH PRAYER
After every fardh salaah, almost always there's a Janaazah prayer for someone or the other.
Do pray this prayer, whether you're a man or a woman, because it's recommended for both to offer this prayer and brings tremendous rewards.
🍃 The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever attends a funeral until he offers the (funeral) prayer will have one qiraat (of reward) and whoever attends until the burial is done will have two qiraats." It was said: "What are the two qiraats?" He said: "Like two great mountains." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
And imagine the rewards of praying in Masjid al-Haraam, where prayers offered are multiplied a 100,000 times! Yes, the reward for offering prayers in Masjid al-Haraam applies to ALL prayers, obligatory AND voluntary.
🍃 Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“Some scholars say that what brings the multiple reward in al-Masjid al-Haraam is the five daily prayers only, and other prayers do not bring the multiple reward. What appears to be the case from the apparent meaning of the hadeeth is that it includes ALL prayers, and the janaazah prayer is included in this general meaning of the reward for prayers in al-Masjid al-Haraam being multiplied. And Allaah knows best.” (Liqa’ al-baab il-Maftooh 116/11).
🌷NAWAAFIL
Pray all the nawaafil you can. Pray them at the times that one is allowed to pray nawaafil and do TAWAAF at times when it's not allowed to pray salah.
This way you MAXIMIZE your time and not one second is wasted In shaa' Allaah.
Since each prayer in the Haram is equal to 100,000 prayers anywhere else then what better place to pray as many nawaafil as possible here in Makkah?
Some of the nawaafil you can offer:
🌿Tahajjud
Of the nawaafil, pay special attention to the tahajjud prayer.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"The BEST prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night (qiyaam al-Layl)." (Muslim)
And he said:
"You should pray qiyaam al-layl, for it is the custom of the righteous who came before you and it brings you closer to your Lord, and expiates sins and prevents misdeeds." (al-Tirmidhi --hasan by al-Albaani)
So it's the BEST prayer after the obligatory prayers, BELOVED to Allaah and expiated sin. What more could a person ask!?
🌿Tahiyyatul Masjid
Masjid al-Haraam is after all a masjid so pray the two rakaat of greeting the Masjid every time you enter it.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"When one of you enters the masjid, let him not sit down until he has prayed two rak'ahs." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
This applies all the time except when your intention is to do tawaaf.
Aa’ishah radhi Allaahu anhaa said:
"When the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam came to Makkah, he did wudoo', then he circumambulated the House. And the two rak'ahs for greeting the masjid are replaced by the two rak'ahs following tawaaf." (al-Bukhaari 1614 and Muslim 1235).
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“If he enters the masjid to do tawaaf, such as a person who is doing ‘umrah and enters the masjid to do the tawaaf of ‘umrah, or to do a voluntary tawaaf, then in this case the tawaaf replaces the two rak’ahs for greeting the masjid, because when he does tawaaf he is going to pray two rak’ahs after tawaaf.” (Majmoo’ Fataawa 22/286)
🌿Tahiyyatul wudhu
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said to Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu:
"Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise." Bilal said : "I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (wudoo) at any time of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to offer." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salat ad-Duhaa
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam would pray Duhaa himself and encouraged us to do so as well.
Abu Hurairah radhi Allaahu anhu said: "My beloved ﷺ advised me to do three things, which I will not forsake so long as I live: to fast three days of each month, to pray Duha, and not to sleep until I pray Witr." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salaat al-Ishraaq:
This prayer is a kind of Salaah ad-Duhaa prayed at its EARLY time, about 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
About this prayer, the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak'ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and 'Umrah, complete, complete, complete." (at-Tirmidhi -- hasan by al-Albaani)
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said:
"The Sunnah of Ishraaq is (the same as) the Sunnah of Duhaa, but if it is done early, from the time when the sun has risen to the height of a spear, then it is Ishraaq prayer; if it is done at the end of its time or in the middle of its time, then it is Duhaa prayer. But it is (all) Duhaa prayer, because the scholars said that the time of Duhaa prayer lasts from when the sun has risen to the height of a spear until just before the zenith." (Liqa' al-Baab al-Maftooh, 141/24)
🌿Salat al-Awwaabeen
This is also a kind of Duhaa prayer done at its LATER time.
Zayd ibn Arqam radhi Allaahu anhu said:
'The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam went out to the people of Qubaa' and found them praying (Duhaa). He said: "Salaat al-Awwaabeen is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand)."'" (Muslim)
Please note: Salaat al-Awwaabeen is NOT the prayer between Mahhrib and Ishaa as is common among some people. Those are just general unspecified nawaafil.
🌿Unspecified nawaafil
You can read as many unspecified nawaafil as you want here in Masjid al-Haraam at all times except the prohibited times which are between Salat al-Asr to sunset and from Salat al-Fajr up until 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
So for example, you can pray unspecified and unlimited number of nawaafil between maghrib and Ishaa.
That was the practice of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and the Sahaabah.
Hudhayfah radhi Allaahu anhu said:
"I came to the Prophet ﷺ and prayed Maghrib with him. When he had finished the prayer, he stood and prayed, and he kept praying until he prayed 'Ishaa'. (Ahmad --saheeh by al-Albaani)
Or you can pray these unspecified nawaafil after salat al-Dhuhr up until Asr, etc
🌷READING QUR'AAN
Utilize those times when prayer is forbidden and read Qur'aan during this period.
And don't just 'read'.
Try and read the Qur'aan with MEANINGS so that you can understand what Allaah wants from you, how you can change for the better, how you can please your Creator and enter Jannah.
🌿TWO BIRDS with ONE STONE:
You can earn double rewards by reading the Qur'aan while you're saying any of your nawaafil prayers especially tahajjud.
Just open the Mus-haf and read DIRECTLY from the Mus-haf for each of the rakaat, instead of reading those small Surahs that you always read.
This way you'll get khushoo in your prayer, AND at the same time you'll get some Qur'aan recitation along with the nawaafil done. A beautiful way to maximize the rewards. Alhamdulillaah.
🌷REPEAT THE ADHAAN
Repeating after the Adhaan brings a lot of rewards and entry into Jannah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said about the one replies to the words of the adhaan "from the heart, he will enter Jannah." (Muslim)
🌷DUA BETWEEN ADHAAN and IQAAMAH
This is the best time to make duaa because this duaa will not be rejected.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Du'a is not rejected between the adhaan and Iqaamah, so engage in du'a (supplication)." (Abi Dawood and others- saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷I'TIKAAF
I'tikaaf does not only take place in Ramadhaan and it does not have to be for ten days either.
You can make the niyyah for i'tikaaf for one week, one day or even for an hour.
So when you plan to stay in Masjid al-Haraam for some time, from one prayer to another etc., make your intention to make i'tikaaf and it will count as ibaadah.
Ibn Hazm said:
"I'tikaaf in the language of the Arabs means staying... any stay in the mosque for the sake of Allaah with the intention of drawing closer to Him is i'tikaaf... whether that is for a short time or a long time, because the Qur'aan and Sunnah do not specify any number or length of time." (Al-Muhalla, 5/179)
🌷DHIKR
Any other time that's left over from all of the above ibaadaat can be filled with dhikr so even these few moments will not be wasted.
Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. Make lots of istighfaar, and fill your time with Subhaan Allaah, Alhamdulillaah, Allaahu Akbar, La illaaha illallaah, and send salutations upon the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam.
Allaah says:
"and the men and the women who remember Allaah much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)" (Surah al-Ahzaab :35)
🌷SAY SALAAM to everyone.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam told us the 'secret' to enter Jannah.... saying salaam to those you know and those you don't know.
Walk around in the streets JUST TO SAY SALAAM to your fellow Muslim.
This was the practice of the Sahaabah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you about something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salaam amongst yourselves." (Muslim)
🌷GIVE SADAQAH
Spend on your Muslim brothesister for the sake of Allaah. It doesn't have to be too much money. Even a little bit counts.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings - for Allaah does not accept anything but that which is good - Allaah will take it in His right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you tends his foal, until it becomes like a mountain." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷SMILE
Sadaqah is not just money. Even a smile is sadaqah.
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Do not regard any act of kindness as insignificant, even meeting your brother with a cheerful countenance." (Saheeh Muslim)
🌷FEED THE PEOPLE
When the Sahaabah asked the Prophet ﷺ what makes Hajj Mabroor, he ﷺ said:
"Providing food to people and spreading (the greeting of) salaam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷HELP SOMEONE
Be on the lookout for anyone that might need help. So if you see an old man struggling with his luggage, or a child who seems lost, or someone looking for a spot to pray or a sister who can't find her shoes, JUMP on the opportunity to help them and earn tremendous rewards just because you helped your fellow Muslim in times of their need.
🌷SLEEP
Yes that's right...SLEEP.
Sleeping and resting will also bring you rewards if you make your intention to rest so that you can worship Allaah better after you've rested and slept.
Any ordinary deed can be converted into an act of worship if we make our intention to do good.
That's why Muadh radhi Allaahu anhu used to say:
"I sleep and I get up (to pray at night), and I seek reward for my sleep as I seek reward for my getting up." (al-Bukhaari)
🌿THE SAME DEEDS APPLY to MADEENAH
We can do all these ibaadaat in Madeenah as well, except of course the Tawaaf.
May Allaah give us the taufeeq to do good and earn maximum rewards in these beautiful times and places.
And Allaah knows best.
🌷When you visit Madeenah...🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
Alhamdulillaah, you're in Madeenah, the most beautiful, the most beloved, the most sacred place on the face of the earth, after Makkah.
Here are some Do's and Don'ts when you visit such a venerated place.
📌 1. Be CAREFUL and show RESPECT
Madeenah is the city of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and his noble Sahaabah. This is where they established Islaam.
To commit any evil in this holy city, or to introduce any innovations here, of all places, would be the biggest disrespect to the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and the biggest insult to the Deen of Islaam.
🍃 Shaikh Salah al-Budayr, the Imaam of Masjid an-Nabawi, said:
"O you who come to Madeenah, you are in a place which, after Makkah, is the best and noblest of all places, so RESPECT it as it should be respected; HONOR its sanctity and holiness and observe the BEST ETIQUETTE therein.
Know that Allaah has warned of the SEVEREST punishment for those who commit evil therein. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: "Madeenah is a Haram (sanctuary), so whoever commits evil therein or gives protection to an evildoer, the curse of Allaah, the angels and all of mankind may be upon him. Allaah will not accept any obligatory or naafil deed from him on the Day of Resurrection." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)"
📌 2. Visit the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ
Obviously, if you're in Madeenah, you would want to visit the masjid of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam).
🍃He ﷺ said:
"The best places to which a person may travel are this Mosque of mine, and the Ancient House (i.e., the Ka'bah)." (Ahmad, saheeh by al-Albaani)
However, keep in mind that visiting this masjid is NOT part of Hajj or Umrah.
Any and all ahaadeeth which connect its visit to Hajj or that say that visiting the grave of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) is connected to Hajj are fabricated and not true.
📌 3. Do your Five Daily Prayers in Masjid an-Nabawi
Just one prayer at the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ is BETTER than 1000 prayers any where else!
Subhaan Allaah! Not “EQUAL” to a 1000 prayers....but BETTER than a 1000 prayers!
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"One prayer in this Masjid of mine is better than one thousand prayers offered anywhere else, except al-Masjid al-Haraam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 4. No need to complete 40 prayers in Madeenah
You don't HAVE to stay in Madeenah for forty prayers NOR is there any SPECIAL rewards for doing so.
You can stay as much as you want or as little as one prayer.
The hadeeth that talks about praying forty prayers in Madeenah is NOT AUTHENTIC.
The ulama have graded it as da'eef or weak.
🍃 Shake al-Albaani said:
"It is an innovation (bid'ah) to visit Madeenah and tell the visitors to Madeenah to stay there for a week so that they will be able to offer forty prayers in the Prophet's Masjid so that they will be free from hypocrisy and saved from the Fire."
🍃 And Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:
"With regard to the widespread idea that the visitor should stay for eight days so that he can offer forty prayers in the Mosque is wrong. This hadeeth is DA’EEF according to the scholars and cannot be taken as proof or relied upon. There is NO SET LIMIT for visiting the Prophet's Masjid. If a person visits for an hour or two, or a day or two, or for more than that, there is nothing wrong with that." (Fataawa Ibn Baz, 17/406)
📌 5. Visit the Rawdah (Riyadh al-Jannah)
Do try and visit the Rawdah, which is that part of the masjid that is between the Mimbar (pulpit) of the Prophet ﷺ and his house, where he is buried.
You can pray two or more rakaat there, but you don't HAVE to pray salah there if there is a lot of crowding and rush. You can make duaa, istighfaar, send salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ or any other dhikr.
This is a piece of Jannah on earth and ANY act of worship here would be accepted and ANY duaa you make will be heard.
After all, isn't Jannah where all wishes come true?
🍃 The Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens (riyaadh, sing. rawdah) of Paradise" (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 6. The Rawdah is NOT the GRAVE of the Prophet ﷺ
Some people especially the sisters think that the Rawdah is the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Thats NOT TRUE.
The Rawdah is that part of the MASJID that is BETWEEN the Mimbar of the Prophet ﷺ and his house where he is buried, also called RIYADH-UL-JANNAH.
When sisters are allowed to go inside the older part of the Masjid, we are visiting Riyadh-ul-Jannah and NOT the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
📌 *7. Visiting the Grave of the Prophet ﷺ *
For MEN, visiting the grave of the Prophet and the graves of the two noble Sahaabah Abu Bakr and Umar (radhi Allaahu anhumaa) is good and recommended. They should visit them, send salaams upon them and make duaa for them.
🔺What about women❓
As far as women are concerned, there is a difference of opinion among the Ulama of Ahl-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah whether women are allowed to visit graves or not, and that includes the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Both sides have valid points based on the Qur'aan and authentic Sunnah, and Allaah knows best.
And although, some ulama do allow women to visit graves, under certain conditions, the Saudi authorities follow the opinion that it's NOT allowed for women to visit graves, and so NONE of the sisters are ALLOWED to go there.
So when they open the doors of the old masjid and let sisters in, they’re NOT letting the women visit the GRAVE. Rather, they’re letting them pray in Riyadh al-Jannah or ‘Rawdah’ as they say.
📌 8. HOW TO visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and the two Sahaabah (for men).
The way to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ is simple.
When a man visits the grave of the Prophet ﷺ, he should say "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Rasool-Allaah (Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allaah)."
Then move about a yard to the right and say salaams to Abu Bakr by saying, "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Aba Bakr." Then move a little further to the right, about a yard, and say salaams to Umar ibn al-Khattaab, by saying, 'Al-salaamu alayka ya 'Umar."
Or other similar words.
❌ Common MISTAKES at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ❌
❌a) Do NOT make duaa TO the Prophet ﷺ. That's SHIRK, may Allaah protect us.
❌ And do NOT justify making duaa to the Prophet ﷺ by saying that you're "asking" the Prophet ﷺ so that he can intercede for you with Allaah or you're asking Allaah "THROUGH" him.
THAT IS ALSO SHIRK!
The Prophet ﷺ CAN NOT and DOES NOT have the ability to hear you OR fulfill your duaa.
It's ONLY Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala that can do that.
❌ b) Do not make duaa here even if you're making duaa to Allaah. Or read Qur'aan or other acts of worship. There's NO PROOF that such an action is good.
🍃 Ali ibn al-Husayn saw a man making duaa at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and he told him NOT to do that. (Abu Ya'la and al-Haafiz al-Diya)
❌c) Do not think that there's any special reward for Ibaadah at the grave of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam or any increased chances of duaa being answered here. That's NOT correct and there's NO PROOF for that.
❌d) Do not stand before the grave with your hands tied as if you're in prayer, or bow or make sajdah etc. as some extreme people do, Astaghfirullaah.
That's SHIRK because this is a posture of humility and worship and we're only allowed to do that for Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala.
Yes of course, we stand with utmost RESPECT but NOT like we’re in Salaah. And no bowing or sujood, Aa’oodhu Billaah.
❌ e) Don't make it a habit
Do not keep going to visit the grave again and again, after every prayer, or every day etc.
I know that you LOVE the Prophet ﷺ and LOVE to visit the grave.
But that's actually going AGAINST the teachings of the one you love.
🍃 The one you love (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Do not take my grave as a place of festivity (which you visit repeatedly)." (Abu Dawood--saheeh by al-Albaani)
TRUE love is to follow the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ and to OBEY him. And to GIVE UP what YOU want, just because HE said so.
🍃 Someone asked Imaam Maalik about a man who came to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ every day.
He said, 'That is NOT RIGHT,' and quoted the hadeeth, 'O Allaah, do not make my grave an idol that is worshipped.'" (saheeh by al-Albaani)
🍃 Al-Qaadi 'Iyaad said about this issue:
"I have not heard of this from any of the fuqaha', and nothing is good for the latter generations of this ummah except that which was good for its first generations. I have not heard that any of the first generations of the ummah used to do that." (Al-Shifa bi Ta'reef Huqooq al-Mustafa)
📌 9. Visiting al-Baqee', mount Uhud and the Shuhadaa
Here again it is recommended for the MEN to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee', and the Shuhadaa of Uhud.
But for women, they are not allowed to visit the graves, although they may visit Uhud.
The authorities do not allow women to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee' because they follow the safer opinion of not allowing women to visit graves, since the hadeeth of the Prophet ﷺ is very severe.
🍃 He said:
"Allaah cursed the women who visit graves." (at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah-- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 10. Do NOT TOUCH, WIPE, KISS any part of the Masjid
Some people, out of their love for the Prophet ﷺ touch or wipe parts of the masjid with their hands, clothes, prayer mats etc., seeking blessing (barakah) with the pillars, walls, doors, mihraab, minbar, etc.
Some even do it with the bookshelves and water coolers there! Subhaan Allaah! Thats NOT ALLOWED.
Remember, the Masjid is made of concrete and marble and brick and wood, just like any other building.
There's no “special” or “blessed” brick or stone used to build it, nor does the bookshelf, or marble or anything else of the building have anything to do with the Prophet ﷺ himself.
It's NOT permissible to seek barakah from anything other than the PERSONAL relics of the Prophet ﷺ and there are NO “relics” to be found in the masjid itself.
Besides, TRUE barakah comes from following the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ NOT by wiping the walls of his masjid, or kissing the doors or hugging the pillars.
📌 11. Be PATIENT, CONSIDERATE and SACRIFICE for your Muslim brothesister
This goes for our ENTIRE LIFETIME, but this is something we should take care of, ESPECIALLY while in this Holy city.
Madeenah is a HOLY place. The Masjid is the Masjid of your BELOVED. The Rawdah is a piece of JANNAH. The other person is your BROTHESISTER in Islaam.
Keep this 👆🏼principle in mind for EVER but especially when visiting the masjid, praying at a specific spot, waiting in line anywhere, or even while visiting the Rawdah.
You also don't want to push, shove or hurt any of your fellow Muslim in such sacred place.
Be extra, EXTRA careful and EXTREMELY polite, patient and courteous.
So INCONVENIENCE yourself for your brothesister.
WAIT your turn to go into the Rawdah area and don't make your stay there too long in consideration for all those Muslim brothers and sisters waiting in line.
If you TRULY love the Prophet ﷺ you'll IMPLEMENT the following hadeeth and keep it in your HEART FOREVER.
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The dearest of people to Allaah, may He be exalted, is the one who does most benefit to people, and the DEAREST of deeds to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala, is JOY that you bring to a Muslim, or relieving him of distress, or paying off debt for him, or dispelling his hunger. And to walk with a brother to meet his needs is DEARER to me than observing I’TIKAAF in this masjid - meaning the masjid of Madeenah - for a MONTH." (at-Tabaraani -- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 12. Go to Masjid al-Qubaa
The Prophet ﷺ used to LOVE to go to this Masjid every Saturday and pray two rakaat there as reported by al-Bukhaari.
🍃 Ibn Umar Radhi Allaahu anhumaa said:
“The Prophet ﷺ used to go to the masjid of Quba’ every Saturday, walking or riding, and he would pray two rak’ahs there.” (al-Bukhaari 1191; Muslim 1399)
🍃 And he Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever purifies himself in his house, then comes to the Masjid of Quba' and prays there, he will have the reward of 'Umrah." (Ibn Maajah --saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 13. No need to go to any other Masaajid
We don't need to go to any other masjid besides Masjid an-Nabawi and Masjid al-Qubaa, because there's no proof of that from the Qur'aan or the practice of the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah that they did that.
🍃 Al-Ma'roor ibn Suwayd said:
"We went out with Umar ibn al-Khattaab, and we passed by a mosque on the way.
The people hastened to pray there, and 'Umar said, "What is the matter with them?"
They said, "This is a masjid in which the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ prayed."
Umar said, "O people, those who came before you were DOOMED because they followed such practices, until they established places of worship in such locations.
If a time for prayer comes when you are there, then pray, and if it is not the time for prayer, then MOVE ON." (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7550)
🍃 Also, when 'Umar radhi Allaahu anhu heard that there were people who came to the tree under which the Prophet ﷺ received the bay'ah (oath of allegiance), he ordered that it be CUT DOWN. (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7545)
🍃 That's why Shaikh Salah al-Budayr said:
"It is NOT prescribed to go to the places and Masaajid in which the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah prayed in order to pray there or to worship Allaah by offering du'aa's there etc., because the Prophet ﷺ did not enjoin that or encourage people to visit these places."
And Allaah knows best.
🌷Umrah/Hajj Education🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
🔺The CONFUSION of Ihraam and “STITCHES”🔺
❓ QUESTION❓
Can men use a belt that has stitches on it while in ihraam? Or use a towel or blanket that has stitches? What about sandals that have stitches?
🌿 ANSWER🌿
In order to answer that, we should first try and understand the ”concept” behind the prohibition of STITCHED CLOTHES for men in ihraam.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“The muhrim should not wear a shirt, pants, a burnous, or shoes, unless he cannot find any sandals, in which case he may wear something that comes below his ankles.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
So what is prohibited, is to wear clothes that are specifically “stitched” or “SEWN” to FIT the BODY of a man like a shirt, pants etc.
And similarly it’s prohibited for women to wear the Niqaab and gloves because it’s “stitched” or “sewn” to FIT the face and hands, for women.
Why is that?
That’s because when we’re at hajj, it’s supposed to be a PRACTICE SESSION for the Day of Judgment when we will all be resurrected NAKED and barefoot.
Hajj is a reminder that one day we will all be brought back to life and we will be called to a place of gathering where we will stand for 50,000 years. Then answer our Master and Creator for what we did in the dunya.
So we are supposed to take off our clothes during hajj as a REPRESENTATION of BEING NAKED that day.
Obviously we can’t be naked when we go for hajj.
So the men “take off their regular clothes that are stitched or sewn to fit their body” and they cover themselves with two sheets of ihraam.
Similarly women cannot be naked at hajj, so they uncover only their face and hands by taking off the niqaab and gloves.
So it’s not really the “STITCHES” that are forbidden.
It’s the CLOTHES that are sewn and worn on the body that are forbidden.
So the man CAN cover himself with a blanket or even an ihraam sheet that has ‘stitches’ on it. Or wear a belt that has stitches on it. Or put on a money pouch that has stitches on it. Or use sandals that have stitches in them. All of that is permissible.
🍃 Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:
“There is nothing wrong with wrapping a shirt around one's body without wearing it, and there is nothing wrong with wearing an ‘abayah as a rida’, so that it is not worn in the usual fashion.” (Manaasik al-Hajj wa’l-‘Umrah (p. 64)
That’s because it’s not that there can’t be any “stitches” on a garment. Rather it’s the CLOTHES that are forbidden.
Think about it this way...
If there was a shirt that was GLUED TOGETHER, and was not “sewn”, would that be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam?
No, it would NOT be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam even though there was not a single stitch on it!
Hope that clears the issue.
And Allaah knows best
2024.05.23 17:01 teabagandwarmwater Something really beneficial. Please give it a read! Topics: How to Maximize your time in Makkah When you visit Madeenah Umrah/Hajj Education
🌷How to MAXIMIZE your time in Makkah🌷
By Asma bint Shameem
Makkah is the best place on earth. Allaah Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala decreed Makkah to be a sanctuary the day He created the heavens and the earth.
So when we're in Makkah, we want to utilize each and every SECOND of our time so that we can MAXIMIZE our ibaadaat in the short time we're blessed to be in this Sacred Sanctuary.
Here are some things we can do:
🌷FIVE DAILY PRAYERS
Go to the masjid for the five daily prayers.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"One prayer in al-Masjid al-Haraam is BETTER than one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere." (Ahmad and Ibn Majaah 1406; saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷TAWAAF
Try and do at least one Tawaaf a day if possible. Remember that one complete tawaaf consists of seven rounds.
Making tawaaf of the Ka'bah is one act of ibaadah that's not available anywhere else in the world. It erases sins, raises your status and is equivalent to freeing a slave. Subhaan Allaah!
The Sahaabah knew that and would take FULL advantage of that. And they tried to do as many tawaafs as possible.
🍃 Ibn Umar radhi Allaahu anhu said that he heard the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam say:
"Whoever circumambulates (the Ka'bah) seven times, counting them, and then prays two rak'ahs (after tawaaf) it will be equivalent to his freeing a believing slave."
And "No man lifts his foot and sets it down but ten hasanaat (good deeds) will be recorded for him, and ten sayi'aat (bad deeds) will be erased from his record, and he will be raised thereby ten degrees in status." (at-Tirmidhi; saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi)
🌷PRAY THE JANAAZAH PRAYER
After every fardh salaah, almost always there's a Janaazah prayer for someone or the other.
Do pray this prayer, whether you're a man or a woman, because it's recommended for both to offer this prayer and brings tremendous rewards.
🍃 The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever attends a funeral until he offers the (funeral) prayer will have one qiraat (of reward) and whoever attends until the burial is done will have two qiraats." It was said: "What are the two qiraats?" He said: "Like two great mountains." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
And imagine the rewards of praying in Masjid al-Haraam, where prayers offered are multiplied a 100,000 times! Yes, the reward for offering prayers in Masjid al-Haraam applies to ALL prayers, obligatory AND voluntary.
🍃 Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“Some scholars say that what brings the multiple reward in al-Masjid al-Haraam is the five daily prayers only, and other prayers do not bring the multiple reward. What appears to be the case from the apparent meaning of the hadeeth is that it includes ALL prayers, and the janaazah prayer is included in this general meaning of the reward for prayers in al-Masjid al-Haraam being multiplied. And Allaah knows best.” (Liqa’ al-baab il-Maftooh 116/11).
🌷NAWAAFIL
Pray all the nawaafil you can. Pray them at the times that one is allowed to pray nawaafil and do TAWAAF at times when it's not allowed to pray salah.
This way you MAXIMIZE your time and not one second is wasted In shaa' Allaah.
Since each prayer in the Haram is equal to 100,000 prayers anywhere else then what better place to pray as many nawaafil as possible here in Makkah?
Some of the nawaafil you can offer:
🌿Tahajjud
Of the nawaafil, pay special attention to the tahajjud prayer.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"The BEST prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night (qiyaam al-Layl)." (Muslim)
And he said:
"You should pray qiyaam al-layl, for it is the custom of the righteous who came before you and it brings you closer to your Lord, and expiates sins and prevents misdeeds." (al-Tirmidhi --hasan by al-Albaani)
So it's the BEST prayer after the obligatory prayers, BELOVED to Allaah and expiated sin. What more could a person ask!?
🌿Tahiyyatul Masjid
Masjid al-Haraam is after all a masjid so pray the two rakaat of greeting the Masjid every time you enter it.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"When one of you enters the masjid, let him not sit down until he has prayed two rak'ahs." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
This applies all the time except when your intention is to do tawaaf.
Aa’ishah radhi Allaahu anhaa said:
"When the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam came to Makkah, he did wudoo', then he circumambulated the House. And the two rak'ahs for greeting the masjid are replaced by the two rak'ahs following tawaaf." (al-Bukhaari 1614 and Muslim 1235).
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“If he enters the masjid to do tawaaf, such as a person who is doing ‘umrah and enters the masjid to do the tawaaf of ‘umrah, or to do a voluntary tawaaf, then in this case the tawaaf replaces the two rak’ahs for greeting the masjid, because when he does tawaaf he is going to pray two rak’ahs after tawaaf.” (Majmoo’ Fataawa 22/286)
🌿Tahiyyatul wudhu
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said to Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu:
"Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise." Bilal said : "I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (wudoo) at any time of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to offer." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salat ad-Duhaa
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam would pray Duhaa himself and encouraged us to do so as well.
Abu Hurairah radhi Allaahu anhu said: "My beloved ﷺ advised me to do three things, which I will not forsake so long as I live: to fast three days of each month, to pray Duha, and not to sleep until I pray Witr." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salaat al-Ishraaq:
This prayer is a kind of Salaah ad-Duhaa prayed at its EARLY time, about 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
About this prayer, the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak'ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and 'Umrah, complete, complete, complete." (at-Tirmidhi -- hasan by al-Albaani)
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said:
"The Sunnah of Ishraaq is (the same as) the Sunnah of Duhaa, but if it is done early, from the time when the sun has risen to the height of a spear, then it is Ishraaq prayer; if it is done at the end of its time or in the middle of its time, then it is Duhaa prayer. But it is (all) Duhaa prayer, because the scholars said that the time of Duhaa prayer lasts from when the sun has risen to the height of a spear until just before the zenith." (Liqa' al-Baab al-Maftooh, 141/24)
🌿Salat al-Awwaabeen
This is also a kind of Duhaa prayer done at its LATER time.
Zayd ibn Arqam radhi Allaahu anhu said:
'The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam went out to the people of Qubaa' and found them praying (Duhaa). He said: "Salaat al-Awwaabeen is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand)."'" (Muslim)
Please note: Salaat al-Awwaabeen is NOT the prayer between Mahhrib and Ishaa as is common among some people. Those are just general unspecified nawaafil.
🌿Unspecified nawaafil
You can read as many unspecified nawaafil as you want here in Masjid al-Haraam at all times except the prohibited times which are between Salat al-Asr to sunset and from Salat al-Fajr up until 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
So for example, you can pray unspecified and unlimited number of nawaafil between maghrib and Ishaa.
That was the practice of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and the Sahaabah.
Hudhayfah radhi Allaahu anhu said:
"I came to the Prophet ﷺ and prayed Maghrib with him. When he had finished the prayer, he stood and prayed, and he kept praying until he prayed 'Ishaa'. (Ahmad --saheeh by al-Albaani)
Or you can pray these unspecified nawaafil after salat al-Dhuhr up until Asr, etc
🌷READING QUR'AAN
Utilize those times when prayer is forbidden and read Qur'aan during this period.
And don't just 'read'.
Try and read the Qur'aan with MEANINGS so that you can understand what Allaah wants from you, how you can change for the better, how you can please your Creator and enter Jannah.
🌿TWO BIRDS with ONE STONE:
You can earn double rewards by reading the Qur'aan while you're saying any of your nawaafil prayers especially tahajjud.
Just open the Mus-haf and read DIRECTLY from the Mus-haf for each of the rakaat, instead of reading those small Surahs that you always read.
This way you'll get khushoo in your prayer, AND at the same time you'll get some Qur'aan recitation along with the nawaafil done. A beautiful way to maximize the rewards. Alhamdulillaah.
🌷REPEAT THE ADHAAN
Repeating after the Adhaan brings a lot of rewards and entry into Jannah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said about the one replies to the words of the adhaan "from the heart, he will enter Jannah." (Muslim)
🌷DUA BETWEEN ADHAAN and IQAAMAH
This is the best time to make duaa because this duaa will not be rejected.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Du'a is not rejected between the adhaan and Iqaamah, so engage in du'a (supplication)." (Abi Dawood and others- saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷I'TIKAAF
I'tikaaf does not only take place in Ramadhaan and it does not have to be for ten days either.
You can make the niyyah for i'tikaaf for one week, one day or even for an hour.
So when you plan to stay in Masjid al-Haraam for some time, from one prayer to another etc., make your intention to make i'tikaaf and it will count as ibaadah.
Ibn Hazm said:
"I'tikaaf in the language of the Arabs means staying... any stay in the mosque for the sake of Allaah with the intention of drawing closer to Him is i'tikaaf... whether that is for a short time or a long time, because the Qur'aan and Sunnah do not specify any number or length of time." (Al-Muhalla, 5/179)
🌷DHIKR
Any other time that's left over from all of the above ibaadaat can be filled with dhikr so even these few moments will not be wasted.
Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. Make lots of istighfaar, and fill your time with Subhaan Allaah, Alhamdulillaah, Allaahu Akbar, La illaaha illallaah, and send salutations upon the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam.
Allaah says:
"and the men and the women who remember Allaah much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)" (Surah al-Ahzaab :35)
🌷SAY SALAAM to everyone.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam told us the 'secret' to enter Jannah.... saying salaam to those you know and those you don't know.
Walk around in the streets JUST TO SAY SALAAM to your fellow Muslim.
This was the practice of the Sahaabah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you about something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salaam amongst yourselves." (Muslim)
🌷GIVE SADAQAH
Spend on your Muslim brothesister for the sake of Allaah. It doesn't have to be too much money. Even a little bit counts.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings - for Allaah does not accept anything but that which is good - Allaah will take it in His right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you tends his foal, until it becomes like a mountain." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷SMILE
Sadaqah is not just money. Even a smile is sadaqah.
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Do not regard any act of kindness as insignificant, even meeting your brother with a cheerful countenance." (Saheeh Muslim)
🌷FEED THE PEOPLE
When the Sahaabah asked the Prophet ﷺ what makes Hajj Mabroor, he ﷺ said:
"Providing food to people and spreading (the greeting of) salaam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷HELP SOMEONE
Be on the lookout for anyone that might need help. So if you see an old man struggling with his luggage, or a child who seems lost, or someone looking for a spot to pray or a sister who can't find her shoes, JUMP on the opportunity to help them and earn tremendous rewards just because you helped your fellow Muslim in times of their need.
🌷SLEEP
Yes that's right...SLEEP.
Sleeping and resting will also bring you rewards if you make your intention to rest so that you can worship Allaah better after you've rested and slept.
Any ordinary deed can be converted into an act of worship if we make our intention to do good.
That's why Muadh radhi Allaahu anhu used to say:
"I sleep and I get up (to pray at night), and I seek reward for my sleep as I seek reward for my getting up." (al-Bukhaari)
🌿THE SAME DEEDS APPLY to MADEENAH
We can do all these ibaadaat in Madeenah as well, except of course the Tawaaf.
May Allaah give us the taufeeq to do good and earn maximum rewards in these beautiful times and places.
And Allaah knows best.
🌷When you visit Madeenah...🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
Alhamdulillaah, you're in Madeenah, the most beautiful, the most beloved, the most sacred place on the face of the earth, after Makkah.
Here are some Do's and Don'ts when you visit such a venerated place.
📌 1. Be CAREFUL and show RESPECT
Madeenah is the city of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and his noble Sahaabah. This is where they established Islaam.
To commit any evil in this holy city, or to introduce any innovations here, of all places, would be the biggest disrespect to the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and the biggest insult to the Deen of Islaam.
🍃 Shaikh Salah al-Budayr, the Imaam of Masjid an-Nabawi, said:
"O you who come to Madeenah, you are in a place which, after Makkah, is the best and noblest of all places, so RESPECT it as it should be respected; HONOR its sanctity and holiness and observe the BEST ETIQUETTE therein.
Know that Allaah has warned of the SEVEREST punishment for those who commit evil therein. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: "Madeenah is a Haram (sanctuary), so whoever commits evil therein or gives protection to an evildoer, the curse of Allaah, the angels and all of mankind may be upon him. Allaah will not accept any obligatory or naafil deed from him on the Day of Resurrection." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)"
📌 2. Visit the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ
Obviously, if you're in Madeenah, you would want to visit the masjid of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam).
🍃He ﷺ said:
"The best places to which a person may travel are this Mosque of mine, and the Ancient House (i.e., the Ka'bah)." (Ahmad, saheeh by al-Albaani)
However, keep in mind that visiting this masjid is NOT part of Hajj or Umrah.
Any and all ahaadeeth which connect its visit to Hajj or that say that visiting the grave of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) is connected to Hajj are fabricated and not true.
📌 3. Do your Five Daily Prayers in Masjid an-Nabawi
Just one prayer at the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ is BETTER than 1000 prayers any where else!
Subhaan Allaah! Not “EQUAL” to a 1000 prayers....but BETTER than a 1000 prayers!
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"One prayer in this Masjid of mine is better than one thousand prayers offered anywhere else, except al-Masjid al-Haraam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 4. No need to complete 40 prayers in Madeenah
You don't HAVE to stay in Madeenah for forty prayers NOR is there any SPECIAL rewards for doing so.
You can stay as much as you want or as little as one prayer.
The hadeeth that talks about praying forty prayers in Madeenah is NOT AUTHENTIC.
The ulama have graded it as da'eef or weak.
🍃 Shake al-Albaani said:
"It is an innovation (bid'ah) to visit Madeenah and tell the visitors to Madeenah to stay there for a week so that they will be able to offer forty prayers in the Prophet's Masjid so that they will be free from hypocrisy and saved from the Fire."
🍃 And Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:
"With regard to the widespread idea that the visitor should stay for eight days so that he can offer forty prayers in the Mosque is wrong. This hadeeth is DA’EEF according to the scholars and cannot be taken as proof or relied upon. There is NO SET LIMIT for visiting the Prophet's Masjid. If a person visits for an hour or two, or a day or two, or for more than that, there is nothing wrong with that." (Fataawa Ibn Baz, 17/406)
📌 5. Visit the Rawdah (Riyadh al-Jannah)
Do try and visit the Rawdah, which is that part of the masjid that is between the Mimbar (pulpit) of the Prophet ﷺ and his house, where he is buried.
You can pray two or more rakaat there, but you don't HAVE to pray salah there if there is a lot of crowding and rush. You can make duaa, istighfaar, send salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ or any other dhikr.
This is a piece of Jannah on earth and ANY act of worship here would be accepted and ANY duaa you make will be heard.
After all, isn't Jannah where all wishes come true?
🍃 The Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens (riyaadh, sing. rawdah) of Paradise" (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 6. The Rawdah is NOT the GRAVE of the Prophet ﷺ
Some people especially the sisters think that the Rawdah is the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Thats NOT TRUE.
The Rawdah is that part of the MASJID that is BETWEEN the Mimbar of the Prophet ﷺ and his house where he is buried, also called RIYADH-UL-JANNAH.
When sisters are allowed to go inside the older part of the Masjid, we are visiting Riyadh-ul-Jannah and NOT the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
📌 *7. Visiting the Grave of the Prophet ﷺ *
For MEN, visiting the grave of the Prophet and the graves of the two noble Sahaabah Abu Bakr and Umar (radhi Allaahu anhumaa) is good and recommended. They should visit them, send salaams upon them and make duaa for them.
🔺What about women❓
As far as women are concerned, there is a difference of opinion among the Ulama of Ahl-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah whether women are allowed to visit graves or not, and that includes the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Both sides have valid points based on the Qur'aan and authentic Sunnah, and Allaah knows best.
And although, some ulama do allow women to visit graves, under certain conditions, the Saudi authorities follow the opinion that it's NOT allowed for women to visit graves, and so NONE of the sisters are ALLOWED to go there.
So when they open the doors of the old masjid and let sisters in, they’re NOT letting the women visit the GRAVE. Rather, they’re letting them pray in Riyadh al-Jannah or ‘Rawdah’ as they say.
📌 8. HOW TO visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and the two Sahaabah (for men).
The way to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ is simple.
When a man visits the grave of the Prophet ﷺ, he should say "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Rasool-Allaah (Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allaah)."
Then move about a yard to the right and say salaams to Abu Bakr by saying, "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Aba Bakr." Then move a little further to the right, about a yard, and say salaams to Umar ibn al-Khattaab, by saying, 'Al-salaamu alayka ya 'Umar."
Or other similar words.
❌ Common MISTAKES at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ❌
❌a) Do NOT make duaa TO the Prophet ﷺ. That's SHIRK, may Allaah protect us.
❌ And do NOT justify making duaa to the Prophet ﷺ by saying that you're "asking" the Prophet ﷺ so that he can intercede for you with Allaah or you're asking Allaah "THROUGH" him.
THAT IS ALSO SHIRK!
The Prophet ﷺ CAN NOT and DOES NOT have the ability to hear you OR fulfill your duaa.
It's ONLY Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala that can do that.
❌ b) Do not make duaa here even if you're making duaa to Allaah. Or read Qur'aan or other acts of worship. There's NO PROOF that such an action is good.
🍃 Ali ibn al-Husayn saw a man making duaa at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and he told him NOT to do that. (Abu Ya'la and al-Haafiz al-Diya)
❌c) Do not think that there's any special reward for Ibaadah at the grave of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam or any increased chances of duaa being answered here. That's NOT correct and there's NO PROOF for that.
❌d) Do not stand before the grave with your hands tied as if you're in prayer, or bow or make sajdah etc. as some extreme people do, Astaghfirullaah.
That's SHIRK because this is a posture of humility and worship and we're only allowed to do that for Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala.
Yes of course, we stand with utmost RESPECT but NOT like we’re in Salaah. And no bowing or sujood, Aa’oodhu Billaah.
❌ e) Don't make it a habit
Do not keep going to visit the grave again and again, after every prayer, or every day etc.
I know that you LOVE the Prophet ﷺ and LOVE to visit the grave.
But that's actually going AGAINST the teachings of the one you love.
🍃 The one you love (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Do not take my grave as a place of festivity (which you visit repeatedly)." (Abu Dawood--saheeh by al-Albaani)
TRUE love is to follow the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ and to OBEY him. And to GIVE UP what YOU want, just because HE said so.
🍃 Someone asked Imaam Maalik about a man who came to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ every day.
He said, 'That is NOT RIGHT,' and quoted the hadeeth, 'O Allaah, do not make my grave an idol that is worshipped.'" (saheeh by al-Albaani)
🍃 Al-Qaadi 'Iyaad said about this issue:
"I have not heard of this from any of the fuqaha', and nothing is good for the latter generations of this ummah except that which was good for its first generations. I have not heard that any of the first generations of the ummah used to do that." (Al-Shifa bi Ta'reef Huqooq al-Mustafa)
📌 9. Visiting al-Baqee', mount Uhud and the Shuhadaa
Here again it is recommended for the MEN to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee', and the Shuhadaa of Uhud.
But for women, they are not allowed to visit the graves, although they may visit Uhud.
The authorities do not allow women to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee' because they follow the safer opinion of not allowing women to visit graves, since the hadeeth of the Prophet ﷺ is very severe.
🍃 He said:
"Allaah cursed the women who visit graves." (at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah-- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 10. Do NOT TOUCH, WIPE, KISS any part of the Masjid
Some people, out of their love for the Prophet ﷺ touch or wipe parts of the masjid with their hands, clothes, prayer mats etc., seeking blessing (barakah) with the pillars, walls, doors, mihraab, minbar, etc.
Some even do it with the bookshelves and water coolers there! Subhaan Allaah! Thats NOT ALLOWED.
Remember, the Masjid is made of concrete and marble and brick and wood, just like any other building.
There's no “special” or “blessed” brick or stone used to build it, nor does the bookshelf, or marble or anything else of the building have anything to do with the Prophet ﷺ himself.
It's NOT permissible to seek barakah from anything other than the PERSONAL relics of the Prophet ﷺ and there are NO “relics” to be found in the masjid itself.
Besides, TRUE barakah comes from following the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ NOT by wiping the walls of his masjid, or kissing the doors or hugging the pillars.
📌 11. Be PATIENT, CONSIDERATE and SACRIFICE for your Muslim brothesister
This goes for our ENTIRE LIFETIME, but this is something we should take care of, ESPECIALLY while in this Holy city.
Madeenah is a HOLY place. The Masjid is the Masjid of your BELOVED. The Rawdah is a piece of JANNAH. The other person is your BROTHESISTER in Islaam.
Keep this 👆🏼principle in mind for EVER but especially when visiting the masjid, praying at a specific spot, waiting in line anywhere, or even while visiting the Rawdah.
You also don't want to push, shove or hurt any of your fellow Muslim in such sacred place.
Be extra, EXTRA careful and EXTREMELY polite, patient and courteous.
So INCONVENIENCE yourself for your brothesister.
WAIT your turn to go into the Rawdah area and don't make your stay there too long in consideration for all those Muslim brothers and sisters waiting in line.
If you TRULY love the Prophet ﷺ you'll IMPLEMENT the following hadeeth and keep it in your HEART FOREVER.
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The dearest of people to Allaah, may He be exalted, is the one who does most benefit to people, and the DEAREST of deeds to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala, is JOY that you bring to a Muslim, or relieving him of distress, or paying off debt for him, or dispelling his hunger. And to walk with a brother to meet his needs is DEARER to me than observing I’TIKAAF in this masjid - meaning the masjid of Madeenah - for a MONTH." (at-Tabaraani -- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 12. Go to Masjid al-Qubaa
The Prophet ﷺ used to LOVE to go to this Masjid every Saturday and pray two rakaat there as reported by al-Bukhaari.
🍃 Ibn Umar Radhi Allaahu anhumaa said:
“The Prophet ﷺ used to go to the masjid of Quba’ every Saturday, walking or riding, and he would pray two rak’ahs there.” (al-Bukhaari 1191; Muslim 1399)
🍃 And he Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever purifies himself in his house, then comes to the Masjid of Quba' and prays there, he will have the reward of 'Umrah." (Ibn Maajah --saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 13. No need to go to any other Masaajid
We don't need to go to any other masjid besides Masjid an-Nabawi and Masjid al-Qubaa, because there's no proof of that from the Qur'aan or the practice of the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah that they did that.
🍃 Al-Ma'roor ibn Suwayd said:
"We went out with Umar ibn al-Khattaab, and we passed by a mosque on the way.
The people hastened to pray there, and 'Umar said, "What is the matter with them?"
They said, "This is a masjid in which the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ prayed."
Umar said, "O people, those who came before you were DOOMED because they followed such practices, until they established places of worship in such locations.
If a time for prayer comes when you are there, then pray, and if it is not the time for prayer, then MOVE ON." (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7550)
🍃 Also, when 'Umar radhi Allaahu anhu heard that there were people who came to the tree under which the Prophet ﷺ received the bay'ah (oath of allegiance), he ordered that it be CUT DOWN. (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7545)
🍃 That's why Shaikh Salah al-Budayr said:
"It is NOT prescribed to go to the places and Masaajid in which the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah prayed in order to pray there or to worship Allaah by offering du'aa's there etc., because the Prophet ﷺ did not enjoin that or encourage people to visit these places."
And Allaah knows best.
🌷Umrah/Hajj Education🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
🔺The CONFUSION of Ihraam and “STITCHES”🔺
❓ QUESTION❓
Can men use a belt that has stitches on it while in ihraam? Or use a towel or blanket that has stitches? What about sandals that have stitches?
🌿 ANSWER🌿
In order to answer that, we should first try and understand the ”concept” behind the prohibition of STITCHED CLOTHES for men in ihraam.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“The muhrim should not wear a shirt, pants, a burnous, or shoes, unless he cannot find any sandals, in which case he may wear something that comes below his ankles.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
So what is prohibited, is to wear clothes that are specifically “stitched” or “SEWN” to FIT the BODY of a man like a shirt, pants etc.
And similarly it’s prohibited for women to wear the Niqaab and gloves because it’s “stitched” or “sewn” to FIT the face and hands, for women.
Why is that?
That’s because when we’re at hajj, it’s supposed to be a PRACTICE SESSION for the Day of Judgment when we will all be resurrected NAKED and barefoot.
Hajj is a reminder that one day we will all be brought back to life and we will be called to a place of gathering where we will stand for 50,000 years. Then answer our Master and Creator for what we did in the dunya.
So we are supposed to take off our clothes during hajj as a REPRESENTATION of BEING NAKED that day.
Obviously we can’t be naked when we go for hajj.
So the men “take off their regular clothes that are stitched or sewn to fit their body” and they cover themselves with two sheets of ihraam.
Similarly women cannot be naked at hajj, so they uncover only their face and hands by taking off the niqaab and gloves.
So it’s not really the “STITCHES” that are forbidden.
It’s the CLOTHES that are sewn and worn on the body that are forbidden.
So the man CAN cover himself with a blanket or even an ihraam sheet that has ‘stitches’ on it. Or wear a belt that has stitches on it. Or put on a money pouch that has stitches on it. Or use sandals that have stitches in them. All of that is permissible.
🍃 Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:
“There is nothing wrong with wrapping a shirt around one's body without wearing it, and there is nothing wrong with wearing an ‘abayah as a rida’, so that it is not worn in the usual fashion.” (Manaasik al-Hajj wa’l-‘Umrah (p. 64)
That’s because it’s not that there can’t be any “stitches” on a garment. Rather it’s the CLOTHES that are forbidden.
Think about it this way...
If there was a shirt that was GLUED TOGETHER, and was not “sewn”, would that be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam?
No, it would NOT be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam even though there was not a single stitch on it!
Hope that clears the issue.
And Allaah knows best
submitted by teabagandwarmwater to MuslimCorner [link] [comments]
By Asma bint Shameem
Makkah is the best place on earth. Allaah Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala decreed Makkah to be a sanctuary the day He created the heavens and the earth.
So when we're in Makkah, we want to utilize each and every SECOND of our time so that we can MAXIMIZE our ibaadaat in the short time we're blessed to be in this Sacred Sanctuary.
Here are some things we can do:
🌷FIVE DAILY PRAYERS
Go to the masjid for the five daily prayers.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"One prayer in al-Masjid al-Haraam is BETTER than one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere." (Ahmad and Ibn Majaah 1406; saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷TAWAAF
Try and do at least one Tawaaf a day if possible. Remember that one complete tawaaf consists of seven rounds.
Making tawaaf of the Ka'bah is one act of ibaadah that's not available anywhere else in the world. It erases sins, raises your status and is equivalent to freeing a slave. Subhaan Allaah!
The Sahaabah knew that and would take FULL advantage of that. And they tried to do as many tawaafs as possible.
🍃 Ibn Umar radhi Allaahu anhu said that he heard the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam say:
"Whoever circumambulates (the Ka'bah) seven times, counting them, and then prays two rak'ahs (after tawaaf) it will be equivalent to his freeing a believing slave."
And "No man lifts his foot and sets it down but ten hasanaat (good deeds) will be recorded for him, and ten sayi'aat (bad deeds) will be erased from his record, and he will be raised thereby ten degrees in status." (at-Tirmidhi; saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi)
🌷PRAY THE JANAAZAH PRAYER
After every fardh salaah, almost always there's a Janaazah prayer for someone or the other.
Do pray this prayer, whether you're a man or a woman, because it's recommended for both to offer this prayer and brings tremendous rewards.
🍃 The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever attends a funeral until he offers the (funeral) prayer will have one qiraat (of reward) and whoever attends until the burial is done will have two qiraats." It was said: "What are the two qiraats?" He said: "Like two great mountains." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
And imagine the rewards of praying in Masjid al-Haraam, where prayers offered are multiplied a 100,000 times! Yes, the reward for offering prayers in Masjid al-Haraam applies to ALL prayers, obligatory AND voluntary.
🍃 Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“Some scholars say that what brings the multiple reward in al-Masjid al-Haraam is the five daily prayers only, and other prayers do not bring the multiple reward. What appears to be the case from the apparent meaning of the hadeeth is that it includes ALL prayers, and the janaazah prayer is included in this general meaning of the reward for prayers in al-Masjid al-Haraam being multiplied. And Allaah knows best.” (Liqa’ al-baab il-Maftooh 116/11).
🌷NAWAAFIL
Pray all the nawaafil you can. Pray them at the times that one is allowed to pray nawaafil and do TAWAAF at times when it's not allowed to pray salah.
This way you MAXIMIZE your time and not one second is wasted In shaa' Allaah.
Since each prayer in the Haram is equal to 100,000 prayers anywhere else then what better place to pray as many nawaafil as possible here in Makkah?
Some of the nawaafil you can offer:
🌿Tahajjud
Of the nawaafil, pay special attention to the tahajjud prayer.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"The BEST prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night (qiyaam al-Layl)." (Muslim)
And he said:
"You should pray qiyaam al-layl, for it is the custom of the righteous who came before you and it brings you closer to your Lord, and expiates sins and prevents misdeeds." (al-Tirmidhi --hasan by al-Albaani)
So it's the BEST prayer after the obligatory prayers, BELOVED to Allaah and expiated sin. What more could a person ask!?
🌿Tahiyyatul Masjid
Masjid al-Haraam is after all a masjid so pray the two rakaat of greeting the Masjid every time you enter it.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"When one of you enters the masjid, let him not sit down until he has prayed two rak'ahs." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
This applies all the time except when your intention is to do tawaaf.
Aa’ishah radhi Allaahu anhaa said:
"When the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam came to Makkah, he did wudoo', then he circumambulated the House. And the two rak'ahs for greeting the masjid are replaced by the two rak'ahs following tawaaf." (al-Bukhaari 1614 and Muslim 1235).
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“If he enters the masjid to do tawaaf, such as a person who is doing ‘umrah and enters the masjid to do the tawaaf of ‘umrah, or to do a voluntary tawaaf, then in this case the tawaaf replaces the two rak’ahs for greeting the masjid, because when he does tawaaf he is going to pray two rak’ahs after tawaaf.” (Majmoo’ Fataawa 22/286)
🌿Tahiyyatul wudhu
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said to Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu:
"Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise." Bilal said : "I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (wudoo) at any time of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to offer." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salat ad-Duhaa
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam would pray Duhaa himself and encouraged us to do so as well.
Abu Hurairah radhi Allaahu anhu said: "My beloved ﷺ advised me to do three things, which I will not forsake so long as I live: to fast three days of each month, to pray Duha, and not to sleep until I pray Witr." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salaat al-Ishraaq:
This prayer is a kind of Salaah ad-Duhaa prayed at its EARLY time, about 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
About this prayer, the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak'ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and 'Umrah, complete, complete, complete." (at-Tirmidhi -- hasan by al-Albaani)
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said:
"The Sunnah of Ishraaq is (the same as) the Sunnah of Duhaa, but if it is done early, from the time when the sun has risen to the height of a spear, then it is Ishraaq prayer; if it is done at the end of its time or in the middle of its time, then it is Duhaa prayer. But it is (all) Duhaa prayer, because the scholars said that the time of Duhaa prayer lasts from when the sun has risen to the height of a spear until just before the zenith." (Liqa' al-Baab al-Maftooh, 141/24)
🌿Salat al-Awwaabeen
This is also a kind of Duhaa prayer done at its LATER time.
Zayd ibn Arqam radhi Allaahu anhu said:
'The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam went out to the people of Qubaa' and found them praying (Duhaa). He said: "Salaat al-Awwaabeen is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand)."'" (Muslim)
Please note: Salaat al-Awwaabeen is NOT the prayer between Mahhrib and Ishaa as is common among some people. Those are just general unspecified nawaafil.
🌿Unspecified nawaafil
You can read as many unspecified nawaafil as you want here in Masjid al-Haraam at all times except the prohibited times which are between Salat al-Asr to sunset and from Salat al-Fajr up until 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
So for example, you can pray unspecified and unlimited number of nawaafil between maghrib and Ishaa.
That was the practice of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and the Sahaabah.
Hudhayfah radhi Allaahu anhu said:
"I came to the Prophet ﷺ and prayed Maghrib with him. When he had finished the prayer, he stood and prayed, and he kept praying until he prayed 'Ishaa'. (Ahmad --saheeh by al-Albaani)
Or you can pray these unspecified nawaafil after salat al-Dhuhr up until Asr, etc
🌷READING QUR'AAN
Utilize those times when prayer is forbidden and read Qur'aan during this period.
And don't just 'read'.
Try and read the Qur'aan with MEANINGS so that you can understand what Allaah wants from you, how you can change for the better, how you can please your Creator and enter Jannah.
🌿TWO BIRDS with ONE STONE:
You can earn double rewards by reading the Qur'aan while you're saying any of your nawaafil prayers especially tahajjud.
Just open the Mus-haf and read DIRECTLY from the Mus-haf for each of the rakaat, instead of reading those small Surahs that you always read.
This way you'll get khushoo in your prayer, AND at the same time you'll get some Qur'aan recitation along with the nawaafil done. A beautiful way to maximize the rewards. Alhamdulillaah.
🌷REPEAT THE ADHAAN
Repeating after the Adhaan brings a lot of rewards and entry into Jannah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said about the one replies to the words of the adhaan "from the heart, he will enter Jannah." (Muslim)
🌷DUA BETWEEN ADHAAN and IQAAMAH
This is the best time to make duaa because this duaa will not be rejected.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Du'a is not rejected between the adhaan and Iqaamah, so engage in du'a (supplication)." (Abi Dawood and others- saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷I'TIKAAF
I'tikaaf does not only take place in Ramadhaan and it does not have to be for ten days either.
You can make the niyyah for i'tikaaf for one week, one day or even for an hour.
So when you plan to stay in Masjid al-Haraam for some time, from one prayer to another etc., make your intention to make i'tikaaf and it will count as ibaadah.
Ibn Hazm said:
"I'tikaaf in the language of the Arabs means staying... any stay in the mosque for the sake of Allaah with the intention of drawing closer to Him is i'tikaaf... whether that is for a short time or a long time, because the Qur'aan and Sunnah do not specify any number or length of time." (Al-Muhalla, 5/179)
🌷DHIKR
Any other time that's left over from all of the above ibaadaat can be filled with dhikr so even these few moments will not be wasted.
Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. Make lots of istighfaar, and fill your time with Subhaan Allaah, Alhamdulillaah, Allaahu Akbar, La illaaha illallaah, and send salutations upon the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam.
Allaah says:
"and the men and the women who remember Allaah much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)" (Surah al-Ahzaab :35)
🌷SAY SALAAM to everyone.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam told us the 'secret' to enter Jannah.... saying salaam to those you know and those you don't know.
Walk around in the streets JUST TO SAY SALAAM to your fellow Muslim.
This was the practice of the Sahaabah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you about something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salaam amongst yourselves." (Muslim)
🌷GIVE SADAQAH
Spend on your Muslim brothesister for the sake of Allaah. It doesn't have to be too much money. Even a little bit counts.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings - for Allaah does not accept anything but that which is good - Allaah will take it in His right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you tends his foal, until it becomes like a mountain." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷SMILE
Sadaqah is not just money. Even a smile is sadaqah.
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Do not regard any act of kindness as insignificant, even meeting your brother with a cheerful countenance." (Saheeh Muslim)
🌷FEED THE PEOPLE
When the Sahaabah asked the Prophet ﷺ what makes Hajj Mabroor, he ﷺ said:
"Providing food to people and spreading (the greeting of) salaam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷HELP SOMEONE
Be on the lookout for anyone that might need help. So if you see an old man struggling with his luggage, or a child who seems lost, or someone looking for a spot to pray or a sister who can't find her shoes, JUMP on the opportunity to help them and earn tremendous rewards just because you helped your fellow Muslim in times of their need.
🌷SLEEP
Yes that's right...SLEEP.
Sleeping and resting will also bring you rewards if you make your intention to rest so that you can worship Allaah better after you've rested and slept.
Any ordinary deed can be converted into an act of worship if we make our intention to do good.
That's why Muadh radhi Allaahu anhu used to say:
"I sleep and I get up (to pray at night), and I seek reward for my sleep as I seek reward for my getting up." (al-Bukhaari)
🌿THE SAME DEEDS APPLY to MADEENAH
We can do all these ibaadaat in Madeenah as well, except of course the Tawaaf.
May Allaah give us the taufeeq to do good and earn maximum rewards in these beautiful times and places.
And Allaah knows best.
🌷When you visit Madeenah...🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
Alhamdulillaah, you're in Madeenah, the most beautiful, the most beloved, the most sacred place on the face of the earth, after Makkah.
Here are some Do's and Don'ts when you visit such a venerated place.
📌 1. Be CAREFUL and show RESPECT
Madeenah is the city of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and his noble Sahaabah. This is where they established Islaam.
To commit any evil in this holy city, or to introduce any innovations here, of all places, would be the biggest disrespect to the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and the biggest insult to the Deen of Islaam.
🍃 Shaikh Salah al-Budayr, the Imaam of Masjid an-Nabawi, said:
"O you who come to Madeenah, you are in a place which, after Makkah, is the best and noblest of all places, so RESPECT it as it should be respected; HONOR its sanctity and holiness and observe the BEST ETIQUETTE therein.
Know that Allaah has warned of the SEVEREST punishment for those who commit evil therein. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: "Madeenah is a Haram (sanctuary), so whoever commits evil therein or gives protection to an evildoer, the curse of Allaah, the angels and all of mankind may be upon him. Allaah will not accept any obligatory or naafil deed from him on the Day of Resurrection." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)"
📌 2. Visit the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ
Obviously, if you're in Madeenah, you would want to visit the masjid of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam).
🍃He ﷺ said:
"The best places to which a person may travel are this Mosque of mine, and the Ancient House (i.e., the Ka'bah)." (Ahmad, saheeh by al-Albaani)
However, keep in mind that visiting this masjid is NOT part of Hajj or Umrah.
Any and all ahaadeeth which connect its visit to Hajj or that say that visiting the grave of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) is connected to Hajj are fabricated and not true.
📌 3. Do your Five Daily Prayers in Masjid an-Nabawi
Just one prayer at the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ is BETTER than 1000 prayers any where else!
Subhaan Allaah! Not “EQUAL” to a 1000 prayers....but BETTER than a 1000 prayers!
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"One prayer in this Masjid of mine is better than one thousand prayers offered anywhere else, except al-Masjid al-Haraam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 4. No need to complete 40 prayers in Madeenah
You don't HAVE to stay in Madeenah for forty prayers NOR is there any SPECIAL rewards for doing so.
You can stay as much as you want or as little as one prayer.
The hadeeth that talks about praying forty prayers in Madeenah is NOT AUTHENTIC.
The ulama have graded it as da'eef or weak.
🍃 Shake al-Albaani said:
"It is an innovation (bid'ah) to visit Madeenah and tell the visitors to Madeenah to stay there for a week so that they will be able to offer forty prayers in the Prophet's Masjid so that they will be free from hypocrisy and saved from the Fire."
🍃 And Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:
"With regard to the widespread idea that the visitor should stay for eight days so that he can offer forty prayers in the Mosque is wrong. This hadeeth is DA’EEF according to the scholars and cannot be taken as proof or relied upon. There is NO SET LIMIT for visiting the Prophet's Masjid. If a person visits for an hour or two, or a day or two, or for more than that, there is nothing wrong with that." (Fataawa Ibn Baz, 17/406)
📌 5. Visit the Rawdah (Riyadh al-Jannah)
Do try and visit the Rawdah, which is that part of the masjid that is between the Mimbar (pulpit) of the Prophet ﷺ and his house, where he is buried.
You can pray two or more rakaat there, but you don't HAVE to pray salah there if there is a lot of crowding and rush. You can make duaa, istighfaar, send salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ or any other dhikr.
This is a piece of Jannah on earth and ANY act of worship here would be accepted and ANY duaa you make will be heard.
After all, isn't Jannah where all wishes come true?
🍃 The Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens (riyaadh, sing. rawdah) of Paradise" (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 6. The Rawdah is NOT the GRAVE of the Prophet ﷺ
Some people especially the sisters think that the Rawdah is the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Thats NOT TRUE.
The Rawdah is that part of the MASJID that is BETWEEN the Mimbar of the Prophet ﷺ and his house where he is buried, also called RIYADH-UL-JANNAH.
When sisters are allowed to go inside the older part of the Masjid, we are visiting Riyadh-ul-Jannah and NOT the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
📌 *7. Visiting the Grave of the Prophet ﷺ *
For MEN, visiting the grave of the Prophet and the graves of the two noble Sahaabah Abu Bakr and Umar (radhi Allaahu anhumaa) is good and recommended. They should visit them, send salaams upon them and make duaa for them.
🔺What about women❓
As far as women are concerned, there is a difference of opinion among the Ulama of Ahl-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah whether women are allowed to visit graves or not, and that includes the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Both sides have valid points based on the Qur'aan and authentic Sunnah, and Allaah knows best.
And although, some ulama do allow women to visit graves, under certain conditions, the Saudi authorities follow the opinion that it's NOT allowed for women to visit graves, and so NONE of the sisters are ALLOWED to go there.
So when they open the doors of the old masjid and let sisters in, they’re NOT letting the women visit the GRAVE. Rather, they’re letting them pray in Riyadh al-Jannah or ‘Rawdah’ as they say.
📌 8. HOW TO visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and the two Sahaabah (for men).
The way to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ is simple.
When a man visits the grave of the Prophet ﷺ, he should say "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Rasool-Allaah (Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allaah)."
Then move about a yard to the right and say salaams to Abu Bakr by saying, "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Aba Bakr." Then move a little further to the right, about a yard, and say salaams to Umar ibn al-Khattaab, by saying, 'Al-salaamu alayka ya 'Umar."
Or other similar words.
❌ Common MISTAKES at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ❌
❌a) Do NOT make duaa TO the Prophet ﷺ. That's SHIRK, may Allaah protect us.
❌ And do NOT justify making duaa to the Prophet ﷺ by saying that you're "asking" the Prophet ﷺ so that he can intercede for you with Allaah or you're asking Allaah "THROUGH" him.
THAT IS ALSO SHIRK!
The Prophet ﷺ CAN NOT and DOES NOT have the ability to hear you OR fulfill your duaa.
It's ONLY Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala that can do that.
❌ b) Do not make duaa here even if you're making duaa to Allaah. Or read Qur'aan or other acts of worship. There's NO PROOF that such an action is good.
🍃 Ali ibn al-Husayn saw a man making duaa at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and he told him NOT to do that. (Abu Ya'la and al-Haafiz al-Diya)
❌c) Do not think that there's any special reward for Ibaadah at the grave of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam or any increased chances of duaa being answered here. That's NOT correct and there's NO PROOF for that.
❌d) Do not stand before the grave with your hands tied as if you're in prayer, or bow or make sajdah etc. as some extreme people do, Astaghfirullaah.
That's SHIRK because this is a posture of humility and worship and we're only allowed to do that for Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala.
Yes of course, we stand with utmost RESPECT but NOT like we’re in Salaah. And no bowing or sujood, Aa’oodhu Billaah.
❌ e) Don't make it a habit
Do not keep going to visit the grave again and again, after every prayer, or every day etc.
I know that you LOVE the Prophet ﷺ and LOVE to visit the grave.
But that's actually going AGAINST the teachings of the one you love.
🍃 The one you love (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Do not take my grave as a place of festivity (which you visit repeatedly)." (Abu Dawood--saheeh by al-Albaani)
TRUE love is to follow the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ and to OBEY him. And to GIVE UP what YOU want, just because HE said so.
🍃 Someone asked Imaam Maalik about a man who came to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ every day.
He said, 'That is NOT RIGHT,' and quoted the hadeeth, 'O Allaah, do not make my grave an idol that is worshipped.'" (saheeh by al-Albaani)
🍃 Al-Qaadi 'Iyaad said about this issue:
"I have not heard of this from any of the fuqaha', and nothing is good for the latter generations of this ummah except that which was good for its first generations. I have not heard that any of the first generations of the ummah used to do that." (Al-Shifa bi Ta'reef Huqooq al-Mustafa)
📌 9. Visiting al-Baqee', mount Uhud and the Shuhadaa
Here again it is recommended for the MEN to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee', and the Shuhadaa of Uhud.
But for women, they are not allowed to visit the graves, although they may visit Uhud.
The authorities do not allow women to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee' because they follow the safer opinion of not allowing women to visit graves, since the hadeeth of the Prophet ﷺ is very severe.
🍃 He said:
"Allaah cursed the women who visit graves." (at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah-- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 10. Do NOT TOUCH, WIPE, KISS any part of the Masjid
Some people, out of their love for the Prophet ﷺ touch or wipe parts of the masjid with their hands, clothes, prayer mats etc., seeking blessing (barakah) with the pillars, walls, doors, mihraab, minbar, etc.
Some even do it with the bookshelves and water coolers there! Subhaan Allaah! Thats NOT ALLOWED.
Remember, the Masjid is made of concrete and marble and brick and wood, just like any other building.
There's no “special” or “blessed” brick or stone used to build it, nor does the bookshelf, or marble or anything else of the building have anything to do with the Prophet ﷺ himself.
It's NOT permissible to seek barakah from anything other than the PERSONAL relics of the Prophet ﷺ and there are NO “relics” to be found in the masjid itself.
Besides, TRUE barakah comes from following the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ NOT by wiping the walls of his masjid, or kissing the doors or hugging the pillars.
📌 11. Be PATIENT, CONSIDERATE and SACRIFICE for your Muslim brothesister
This goes for our ENTIRE LIFETIME, but this is something we should take care of, ESPECIALLY while in this Holy city.
Madeenah is a HOLY place. The Masjid is the Masjid of your BELOVED. The Rawdah is a piece of JANNAH. The other person is your BROTHESISTER in Islaam.
Keep this 👆🏼principle in mind for EVER but especially when visiting the masjid, praying at a specific spot, waiting in line anywhere, or even while visiting the Rawdah.
You also don't want to push, shove or hurt any of your fellow Muslim in such sacred place.
Be extra, EXTRA careful and EXTREMELY polite, patient and courteous.
So INCONVENIENCE yourself for your brothesister.
WAIT your turn to go into the Rawdah area and don't make your stay there too long in consideration for all those Muslim brothers and sisters waiting in line.
If you TRULY love the Prophet ﷺ you'll IMPLEMENT the following hadeeth and keep it in your HEART FOREVER.
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The dearest of people to Allaah, may He be exalted, is the one who does most benefit to people, and the DEAREST of deeds to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala, is JOY that you bring to a Muslim, or relieving him of distress, or paying off debt for him, or dispelling his hunger. And to walk with a brother to meet his needs is DEARER to me than observing I’TIKAAF in this masjid - meaning the masjid of Madeenah - for a MONTH." (at-Tabaraani -- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 12. Go to Masjid al-Qubaa
The Prophet ﷺ used to LOVE to go to this Masjid every Saturday and pray two rakaat there as reported by al-Bukhaari.
🍃 Ibn Umar Radhi Allaahu anhumaa said:
“The Prophet ﷺ used to go to the masjid of Quba’ every Saturday, walking or riding, and he would pray two rak’ahs there.” (al-Bukhaari 1191; Muslim 1399)
🍃 And he Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever purifies himself in his house, then comes to the Masjid of Quba' and prays there, he will have the reward of 'Umrah." (Ibn Maajah --saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 13. No need to go to any other Masaajid
We don't need to go to any other masjid besides Masjid an-Nabawi and Masjid al-Qubaa, because there's no proof of that from the Qur'aan or the practice of the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah that they did that.
🍃 Al-Ma'roor ibn Suwayd said:
"We went out with Umar ibn al-Khattaab, and we passed by a mosque on the way.
The people hastened to pray there, and 'Umar said, "What is the matter with them?"
They said, "This is a masjid in which the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ prayed."
Umar said, "O people, those who came before you were DOOMED because they followed such practices, until they established places of worship in such locations.
If a time for prayer comes when you are there, then pray, and if it is not the time for prayer, then MOVE ON." (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7550)
🍃 Also, when 'Umar radhi Allaahu anhu heard that there were people who came to the tree under which the Prophet ﷺ received the bay'ah (oath of allegiance), he ordered that it be CUT DOWN. (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7545)
🍃 That's why Shaikh Salah al-Budayr said:
"It is NOT prescribed to go to the places and Masaajid in which the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah prayed in order to pray there or to worship Allaah by offering du'aa's there etc., because the Prophet ﷺ did not enjoin that or encourage people to visit these places."
And Allaah knows best.
🌷Umrah/Hajj Education🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
🔺The CONFUSION of Ihraam and “STITCHES”🔺
❓ QUESTION❓
Can men use a belt that has stitches on it while in ihraam? Or use a towel or blanket that has stitches? What about sandals that have stitches?
🌿 ANSWER🌿
In order to answer that, we should first try and understand the ”concept” behind the prohibition of STITCHED CLOTHES for men in ihraam.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“The muhrim should not wear a shirt, pants, a burnous, or shoes, unless he cannot find any sandals, in which case he may wear something that comes below his ankles.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
So what is prohibited, is to wear clothes that are specifically “stitched” or “SEWN” to FIT the BODY of a man like a shirt, pants etc.
And similarly it’s prohibited for women to wear the Niqaab and gloves because it’s “stitched” or “sewn” to FIT the face and hands, for women.
Why is that?
That’s because when we’re at hajj, it’s supposed to be a PRACTICE SESSION for the Day of Judgment when we will all be resurrected NAKED and barefoot.
Hajj is a reminder that one day we will all be brought back to life and we will be called to a place of gathering where we will stand for 50,000 years. Then answer our Master and Creator for what we did in the dunya.
So we are supposed to take off our clothes during hajj as a REPRESENTATION of BEING NAKED that day.
Obviously we can’t be naked when we go for hajj.
So the men “take off their regular clothes that are stitched or sewn to fit their body” and they cover themselves with two sheets of ihraam.
Similarly women cannot be naked at hajj, so they uncover only their face and hands by taking off the niqaab and gloves.
So it’s not really the “STITCHES” that are forbidden.
It’s the CLOTHES that are sewn and worn on the body that are forbidden.
So the man CAN cover himself with a blanket or even an ihraam sheet that has ‘stitches’ on it. Or wear a belt that has stitches on it. Or put on a money pouch that has stitches on it. Or use sandals that have stitches in them. All of that is permissible.
🍃 Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:
“There is nothing wrong with wrapping a shirt around one's body without wearing it, and there is nothing wrong with wearing an ‘abayah as a rida’, so that it is not worn in the usual fashion.” (Manaasik al-Hajj wa’l-‘Umrah (p. 64)
That’s because it’s not that there can’t be any “stitches” on a garment. Rather it’s the CLOTHES that are forbidden.
Think about it this way...
If there was a shirt that was GLUED TOGETHER, and was not “sewn”, would that be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam?
No, it would NOT be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam even though there was not a single stitch on it!
Hope that clears the issue.
And Allaah knows best
2024.05.23 17:00 teabagandwarmwater Something really beneficial. Please give it a read! Topics: How to Maximize your time in Makkah When you visit Madeenah Umrah/Hajj Education
🌷How to MAXIMIZE your time in Makkah🌷
By Asma bint Shameem
Makkah is the best place on earth. Allaah Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala decreed Makkah to be a sanctuary the day He created the heavens and the earth.
So when we're in Makkah, we want to utilize each and every SECOND of our time so that we can MAXIMIZE our ibaadaat in the short time we're blessed to be in this Sacred Sanctuary.
Here are some things we can do:
🌷FIVE DAILY PRAYERS
Go to the masjid for the five daily prayers.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"One prayer in al-Masjid al-Haraam is BETTER than one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere." (Ahmad and Ibn Majaah 1406; saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷TAWAAF
Try and do at least one Tawaaf a day if possible. Remember that one complete tawaaf consists of seven rounds.
Making tawaaf of the Ka'bah is one act of ibaadah that's not available anywhere else in the world. It erases sins, raises your status and is equivalent to freeing a slave. Subhaan Allaah!
The Sahaabah knew that and would take FULL advantage of that. And they tried to do as many tawaafs as possible.
🍃 Ibn Umar radhi Allaahu anhu said that he heard the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam say:
"Whoever circumambulates (the Ka'bah) seven times, counting them, and then prays two rak'ahs (after tawaaf) it will be equivalent to his freeing a believing slave."
And "No man lifts his foot and sets it down but ten hasanaat (good deeds) will be recorded for him, and ten sayi'aat (bad deeds) will be erased from his record, and he will be raised thereby ten degrees in status." (at-Tirmidhi; saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi)
🌷PRAY THE JANAAZAH PRAYER
After every fardh salaah, almost always there's a Janaazah prayer for someone or the other.
Do pray this prayer, whether you're a man or a woman, because it's recommended for both to offer this prayer and brings tremendous rewards.
🍃 The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever attends a funeral until he offers the (funeral) prayer will have one qiraat (of reward) and whoever attends until the burial is done will have two qiraats." It was said: "What are the two qiraats?" He said: "Like two great mountains." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
And imagine the rewards of praying in Masjid al-Haraam, where prayers offered are multiplied a 100,000 times! Yes, the reward for offering prayers in Masjid al-Haraam applies to ALL prayers, obligatory AND voluntary.
🍃 Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“Some scholars say that what brings the multiple reward in al-Masjid al-Haraam is the five daily prayers only, and other prayers do not bring the multiple reward. What appears to be the case from the apparent meaning of the hadeeth is that it includes ALL prayers, and the janaazah prayer is included in this general meaning of the reward for prayers in al-Masjid al-Haraam being multiplied. And Allaah knows best.” (Liqa’ al-baab il-Maftooh 116/11).
🌷NAWAAFIL
Pray all the nawaafil you can. Pray them at the times that one is allowed to pray nawaafil and do TAWAAF at times when it's not allowed to pray salah.
This way you MAXIMIZE your time and not one second is wasted In shaa' Allaah.
Since each prayer in the Haram is equal to 100,000 prayers anywhere else then what better place to pray as many nawaafil as possible here in Makkah?
Some of the nawaafil you can offer:
🌿Tahajjud
Of the nawaafil, pay special attention to the tahajjud prayer.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"The BEST prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night (qiyaam al-Layl)." (Muslim)
And he said:
"You should pray qiyaam al-layl, for it is the custom of the righteous who came before you and it brings you closer to your Lord, and expiates sins and prevents misdeeds." (al-Tirmidhi --hasan by al-Albaani)
So it's the BEST prayer after the obligatory prayers, BELOVED to Allaah and expiated sin. What more could a person ask!?
🌿Tahiyyatul Masjid
Masjid al-Haraam is after all a masjid so pray the two rakaat of greeting the Masjid every time you enter it.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"When one of you enters the masjid, let him not sit down until he has prayed two rak'ahs." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
This applies all the time except when your intention is to do tawaaf.
Aa’ishah radhi Allaahu anhaa said:
"When the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam came to Makkah, he did wudoo', then he circumambulated the House. And the two rak'ahs for greeting the masjid are replaced by the two rak'ahs following tawaaf." (al-Bukhaari 1614 and Muslim 1235).
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“If he enters the masjid to do tawaaf, such as a person who is doing ‘umrah and enters the masjid to do the tawaaf of ‘umrah, or to do a voluntary tawaaf, then in this case the tawaaf replaces the two rak’ahs for greeting the masjid, because when he does tawaaf he is going to pray two rak’ahs after tawaaf.” (Majmoo’ Fataawa 22/286)
🌿Tahiyyatul wudhu
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said to Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu:
"Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise." Bilal said : "I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (wudoo) at any time of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to offer." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salat ad-Duhaa
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam would pray Duhaa himself and encouraged us to do so as well.
Abu Hurairah radhi Allaahu anhu said: "My beloved ﷺ advised me to do three things, which I will not forsake so long as I live: to fast three days of each month, to pray Duha, and not to sleep until I pray Witr." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salaat al-Ishraaq:
This prayer is a kind of Salaah ad-Duhaa prayed at its EARLY time, about 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
About this prayer, the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak'ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and 'Umrah, complete, complete, complete." (at-Tirmidhi -- hasan by al-Albaani)
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said:
"The Sunnah of Ishraaq is (the same as) the Sunnah of Duhaa, but if it is done early, from the time when the sun has risen to the height of a spear, then it is Ishraaq prayer; if it is done at the end of its time or in the middle of its time, then it is Duhaa prayer. But it is (all) Duhaa prayer, because the scholars said that the time of Duhaa prayer lasts from when the sun has risen to the height of a spear until just before the zenith." (Liqa' al-Baab al-Maftooh, 141/24)
🌿Salat al-Awwaabeen
This is also a kind of Duhaa prayer done at its LATER time.
Zayd ibn Arqam radhi Allaahu anhu said:
'The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam went out to the people of Qubaa' and found them praying (Duhaa). He said: "Salaat al-Awwaabeen is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand)."'" (Muslim)
Please note: Salaat al-Awwaabeen is NOT the prayer between Mahhrib and Ishaa as is common among some people. Those are just general unspecified nawaafil.
🌿Unspecified nawaafil
You can read as many unspecified nawaafil as you want here in Masjid al-Haraam at all times except the prohibited times which are between Salat al-Asr to sunset and from Salat al-Fajr up until 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
So for example, you can pray unspecified and unlimited number of nawaafil between maghrib and Ishaa.
That was the practice of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and the Sahaabah.
Hudhayfah radhi Allaahu anhu said:
"I came to the Prophet ﷺ and prayed Maghrib with him. When he had finished the prayer, he stood and prayed, and he kept praying until he prayed 'Ishaa'. (Ahmad --saheeh by al-Albaani)
Or you can pray these unspecified nawaafil after salat al-Dhuhr up until Asr, etc
🌷READING QUR'AAN
Utilize those times when prayer is forbidden and read Qur'aan during this period.
And don't just 'read'.
Try and read the Qur'aan with MEANINGS so that you can understand what Allaah wants from you, how you can change for the better, how you can please your Creator and enter Jannah.
🌿TWO BIRDS with ONE STONE:
You can earn double rewards by reading the Qur'aan while you're saying any of your nawaafil prayers especially tahajjud.
Just open the Mus-haf and read DIRECTLY from the Mus-haf for each of the rakaat, instead of reading those small Surahs that you always read.
This way you'll get khushoo in your prayer, AND at the same time you'll get some Qur'aan recitation along with the nawaafil done. A beautiful way to maximize the rewards. Alhamdulillaah.
🌷REPEAT THE ADHAAN
Repeating after the Adhaan brings a lot of rewards and entry into Jannah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said about the one replies to the words of the adhaan "from the heart, he will enter Jannah." (Muslim)
🌷DUA BETWEEN ADHAAN and IQAAMAH
This is the best time to make duaa because this duaa will not be rejected.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Du'a is not rejected between the adhaan and Iqaamah, so engage in du'a (supplication)." (Abi Dawood and others- saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷I'TIKAAF
I'tikaaf does not only take place in Ramadhaan and it does not have to be for ten days either.
You can make the niyyah for i'tikaaf for one week, one day or even for an hour.
So when you plan to stay in Masjid al-Haraam for some time, from one prayer to another etc., make your intention to make i'tikaaf and it will count as ibaadah.
Ibn Hazm said:
"I'tikaaf in the language of the Arabs means staying... any stay in the mosque for the sake of Allaah with the intention of drawing closer to Him is i'tikaaf... whether that is for a short time or a long time, because the Qur'aan and Sunnah do not specify any number or length of time." (Al-Muhalla, 5/179)
🌷DHIKR
Any other time that's left over from all of the above ibaadaat can be filled with dhikr so even these few moments will not be wasted.
Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. Make lots of istighfaar, and fill your time with Subhaan Allaah, Alhamdulillaah, Allaahu Akbar, La illaaha illallaah, and send salutations upon the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam.
Allaah says:
"and the men and the women who remember Allaah much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)" (Surah al-Ahzaab :35)
🌷SAY SALAAM to everyone.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam told us the 'secret' to enter Jannah.... saying salaam to those you know and those you don't know.
Walk around in the streets JUST TO SAY SALAAM to your fellow Muslim.
This was the practice of the Sahaabah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you about something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salaam amongst yourselves." (Muslim)
🌷GIVE SADAQAH
Spend on your Muslim brothesister for the sake of Allaah. It doesn't have to be too much money. Even a little bit counts.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings - for Allaah does not accept anything but that which is good - Allaah will take it in His right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you tends his foal, until it becomes like a mountain." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷SMILE
Sadaqah is not just money. Even a smile is sadaqah.
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Do not regard any act of kindness as insignificant, even meeting your brother with a cheerful countenance." (Saheeh Muslim)
🌷FEED THE PEOPLE
When the Sahaabah asked the Prophet ﷺ what makes Hajj Mabroor, he ﷺ said:
"Providing food to people and spreading (the greeting of) salaam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷HELP SOMEONE
Be on the lookout for anyone that might need help. So if you see an old man struggling with his luggage, or a child who seems lost, or someone looking for a spot to pray or a sister who can't find her shoes, JUMP on the opportunity to help them and earn tremendous rewards just because you helped your fellow Muslim in times of their need.
🌷SLEEP
Yes that's right...SLEEP.
Sleeping and resting will also bring you rewards if you make your intention to rest so that you can worship Allaah better after you've rested and slept.
Any ordinary deed can be converted into an act of worship if we make our intention to do good.
That's why Muadh radhi Allaahu anhu used to say:
"I sleep and I get up (to pray at night), and I seek reward for my sleep as I seek reward for my getting up." (al-Bukhaari)
🌿THE SAME DEEDS APPLY to MADEENAH
We can do all these ibaadaat in Madeenah as well, except of course the Tawaaf.
May Allaah give us the taufeeq to do good and earn maximum rewards in these beautiful times and places.
And Allaah knows best.
🌷When you visit Madeenah...🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
Alhamdulillaah, you're in Madeenah, the most beautiful, the most beloved, the most sacred place on the face of the earth, after Makkah.
Here are some Do's and Don'ts when you visit such a venerated place.
📌 1. Be CAREFUL and show RESPECT
Madeenah is the city of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and his noble Sahaabah. This is where they established Islaam.
To commit any evil in this holy city, or to introduce any innovations here, of all places, would be the biggest disrespect to the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and the biggest insult to the Deen of Islaam.
🍃 Shaikh Salah al-Budayr, the Imaam of Masjid an-Nabawi, said:
"O you who come to Madeenah, you are in a place which, after Makkah, is the best and noblest of all places, so RESPECT it as it should be respected; HONOR its sanctity and holiness and observe the BEST ETIQUETTE therein.
Know that Allaah has warned of the SEVEREST punishment for those who commit evil therein. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: "Madeenah is a Haram (sanctuary), so whoever commits evil therein or gives protection to an evildoer, the curse of Allaah, the angels and all of mankind may be upon him. Allaah will not accept any obligatory or naafil deed from him on the Day of Resurrection." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)"
📌 2. Visit the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ
Obviously, if you're in Madeenah, you would want to visit the masjid of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam).
🍃He ﷺ said:
"The best places to which a person may travel are this Mosque of mine, and the Ancient House (i.e., the Ka'bah)." (Ahmad, saheeh by al-Albaani)
However, keep in mind that visiting this masjid is NOT part of Hajj or Umrah.
Any and all ahaadeeth which connect its visit to Hajj or that say that visiting the grave of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) is connected to Hajj are fabricated and not true.
📌 3. Do your Five Daily Prayers in Masjid an-Nabawi
Just one prayer at the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ is BETTER than 1000 prayers any where else!
Subhaan Allaah! Not “EQUAL” to a 1000 prayers....but BETTER than a 1000 prayers!
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"One prayer in this Masjid of mine is better than one thousand prayers offered anywhere else, except al-Masjid al-Haraam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 4. No need to complete 40 prayers in Madeenah
You don't HAVE to stay in Madeenah for forty prayers NOR is there any SPECIAL rewards for doing so.
You can stay as much as you want or as little as one prayer.
The hadeeth that talks about praying forty prayers in Madeenah is NOT AUTHENTIC.
The ulama have graded it as da'eef or weak.
🍃 Shake al-Albaani said:
"It is an innovation (bid'ah) to visit Madeenah and tell the visitors to Madeenah to stay there for a week so that they will be able to offer forty prayers in the Prophet's Masjid so that they will be free from hypocrisy and saved from the Fire."
🍃 And Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:
"With regard to the widespread idea that the visitor should stay for eight days so that he can offer forty prayers in the Mosque is wrong. This hadeeth is DA’EEF according to the scholars and cannot be taken as proof or relied upon. There is NO SET LIMIT for visiting the Prophet's Masjid. If a person visits for an hour or two, or a day or two, or for more than that, there is nothing wrong with that." (Fataawa Ibn Baz, 17/406)
📌 5. Visit the Rawdah (Riyadh al-Jannah)
Do try and visit the Rawdah, which is that part of the masjid that is between the Mimbar (pulpit) of the Prophet ﷺ and his house, where he is buried.
You can pray two or more rakaat there, but you don't HAVE to pray salah there if there is a lot of crowding and rush. You can make duaa, istighfaar, send salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ or any other dhikr.
This is a piece of Jannah on earth and ANY act of worship here would be accepted and ANY duaa you make will be heard.
After all, isn't Jannah where all wishes come true?
🍃 The Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens (riyaadh, sing. rawdah) of Paradise" (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 6. The Rawdah is NOT the GRAVE of the Prophet ﷺ
Some people especially the sisters think that the Rawdah is the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Thats NOT TRUE.
The Rawdah is that part of the MASJID that is BETWEEN the Mimbar of the Prophet ﷺ and his house where he is buried, also called RIYADH-UL-JANNAH.
When sisters are allowed to go inside the older part of the Masjid, we are visiting Riyadh-ul-Jannah and NOT the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
📌 *7. Visiting the Grave of the Prophet ﷺ *
For MEN, visiting the grave of the Prophet and the graves of the two noble Sahaabah Abu Bakr and Umar (radhi Allaahu anhumaa) is good and recommended. They should visit them, send salaams upon them and make duaa for them.
🔺What about women❓
As far as women are concerned, there is a difference of opinion among the Ulama of Ahl-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah whether women are allowed to visit graves or not, and that includes the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Both sides have valid points based on the Qur'aan and authentic Sunnah, and Allaah knows best.
And although, some ulama do allow women to visit graves, under certain conditions, the Saudi authorities follow the opinion that it's NOT allowed for women to visit graves, and so NONE of the sisters are ALLOWED to go there.
So when they open the doors of the old masjid and let sisters in, they’re NOT letting the women visit the GRAVE. Rather, they’re letting them pray in Riyadh al-Jannah or ‘Rawdah’ as they say.
📌 8. HOW TO visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and the two Sahaabah (for men).
The way to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ is simple.
When a man visits the grave of the Prophet ﷺ, he should say "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Rasool-Allaah (Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allaah)."
Then move about a yard to the right and say salaams to Abu Bakr by saying, "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Aba Bakr." Then move a little further to the right, about a yard, and say salaams to Umar ibn al-Khattaab, by saying, 'Al-salaamu alayka ya 'Umar."
Or other similar words.
❌ Common MISTAKES at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ❌
❌a) Do NOT make duaa TO the Prophet ﷺ. That's SHIRK, may Allaah protect us.
❌ And do NOT justify making duaa to the Prophet ﷺ by saying that you're "asking" the Prophet ﷺ so that he can intercede for you with Allaah or you're asking Allaah "THROUGH" him.
THAT IS ALSO SHIRK!
The Prophet ﷺ CAN NOT and DOES NOT have the ability to hear you OR fulfill your duaa.
It's ONLY Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala that can do that.
❌ b) Do not make duaa here even if you're making duaa to Allaah. Or read Qur'aan or other acts of worship. There's NO PROOF that such an action is good.
🍃 Ali ibn al-Husayn saw a man making duaa at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and he told him NOT to do that. (Abu Ya'la and al-Haafiz al-Diya)
❌c) Do not think that there's any special reward for Ibaadah at the grave of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam or any increased chances of duaa being answered here. That's NOT correct and there's NO PROOF for that.
❌d) Do not stand before the grave with your hands tied as if you're in prayer, or bow or make sajdah etc. as some extreme people do, Astaghfirullaah.
That's SHIRK because this is a posture of humility and worship and we're only allowed to do that for Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala.
Yes of course, we stand with utmost RESPECT but NOT like we’re in Salaah. And no bowing or sujood, Aa’oodhu Billaah.
❌ e) Don't make it a habit
Do not keep going to visit the grave again and again, after every prayer, or every day etc.
I know that you LOVE the Prophet ﷺ and LOVE to visit the grave.
But that's actually going AGAINST the teachings of the one you love.
🍃 The one you love (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Do not take my grave as a place of festivity (which you visit repeatedly)." (Abu Dawood--saheeh by al-Albaani)
TRUE love is to follow the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ and to OBEY him. And to GIVE UP what YOU want, just because HE said so.
🍃 Someone asked Imaam Maalik about a man who came to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ every day.
He said, 'That is NOT RIGHT,' and quoted the hadeeth, 'O Allaah, do not make my grave an idol that is worshipped.'" (saheeh by al-Albaani)
🍃 Al-Qaadi 'Iyaad said about this issue:
"I have not heard of this from any of the fuqaha', and nothing is good for the latter generations of this ummah except that which was good for its first generations. I have not heard that any of the first generations of the ummah used to do that." (Al-Shifa bi Ta'reef Huqooq al-Mustafa)
📌 9. Visiting al-Baqee', mount Uhud and the Shuhadaa
Here again it is recommended for the MEN to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee', and the Shuhadaa of Uhud.
But for women, they are not allowed to visit the graves, although they may visit Uhud.
The authorities do not allow women to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee' because they follow the safer opinion of not allowing women to visit graves, since the hadeeth of the Prophet ﷺ is very severe.
🍃 He said:
"Allaah cursed the women who visit graves." (at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah-- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 10. Do NOT TOUCH, WIPE, KISS any part of the Masjid
Some people, out of their love for the Prophet ﷺ touch or wipe parts of the masjid with their hands, clothes, prayer mats etc., seeking blessing (barakah) with the pillars, walls, doors, mihraab, minbar, etc.
Some even do it with the bookshelves and water coolers there! Subhaan Allaah! Thats NOT ALLOWED.
Remember, the Masjid is made of concrete and marble and brick and wood, just like any other building.
There's no “special” or “blessed” brick or stone used to build it, nor does the bookshelf, or marble or anything else of the building have anything to do with the Prophet ﷺ himself.
It's NOT permissible to seek barakah from anything other than the PERSONAL relics of the Prophet ﷺ and there are NO “relics” to be found in the masjid itself.
Besides, TRUE barakah comes from following the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ NOT by wiping the walls of his masjid, or kissing the doors or hugging the pillars.
📌 11. Be PATIENT, CONSIDERATE and SACRIFICE for your Muslim brothesister
This goes for our ENTIRE LIFETIME, but this is something we should take care of, ESPECIALLY while in this Holy city.
Madeenah is a HOLY place. The Masjid is the Masjid of your BELOVED. The Rawdah is a piece of JANNAH. The other person is your BROTHESISTER in Islaam.
Keep this 👆🏼principle in mind for EVER but especially when visiting the masjid, praying at a specific spot, waiting in line anywhere, or even while visiting the Rawdah.
You also don't want to push, shove or hurt any of your fellow Muslim in such sacred place.
Be extra, EXTRA careful and EXTREMELY polite, patient and courteous.
So INCONVENIENCE yourself for your brothesister.
WAIT your turn to go into the Rawdah area and don't make your stay there too long in consideration for all those Muslim brothers and sisters waiting in line.
If you TRULY love the Prophet ﷺ you'll IMPLEMENT the following hadeeth and keep it in your HEART FOREVER.
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The dearest of people to Allaah, may He be exalted, is the one who does most benefit to people, and the DEAREST of deeds to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala, is JOY that you bring to a Muslim, or relieving him of distress, or paying off debt for him, or dispelling his hunger. And to walk with a brother to meet his needs is DEARER to me than observing I’TIKAAF in this masjid - meaning the masjid of Madeenah - for a MONTH." (at-Tabaraani -- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 12. Go to Masjid al-Qubaa
The Prophet ﷺ used to LOVE to go to this Masjid every Saturday and pray two rakaat there as reported by al-Bukhaari.
🍃 Ibn Umar Radhi Allaahu anhumaa said:
“The Prophet ﷺ used to go to the masjid of Quba’ every Saturday, walking or riding, and he would pray two rak’ahs there.” (al-Bukhaari 1191; Muslim 1399)
🍃 And he Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever purifies himself in his house, then comes to the Masjid of Quba' and prays there, he will have the reward of 'Umrah." (Ibn Maajah --saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 13. No need to go to any other Masaajid
We don't need to go to any other masjid besides Masjid an-Nabawi and Masjid al-Qubaa, because there's no proof of that from the Qur'aan or the practice of the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah that they did that.
🍃 Al-Ma'roor ibn Suwayd said:
"We went out with Umar ibn al-Khattaab, and we passed by a mosque on the way.
The people hastened to pray there, and 'Umar said, "What is the matter with them?"
They said, "This is a masjid in which the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ prayed."
Umar said, "O people, those who came before you were DOOMED because they followed such practices, until they established places of worship in such locations.
If a time for prayer comes when you are there, then pray, and if it is not the time for prayer, then MOVE ON." (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7550)
🍃 Also, when 'Umar radhi Allaahu anhu heard that there were people who came to the tree under which the Prophet ﷺ received the bay'ah (oath of allegiance), he ordered that it be CUT DOWN. (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7545)
🍃 That's why Shaikh Salah al-Budayr said:
"It is NOT prescribed to go to the places and Masaajid in which the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah prayed in order to pray there or to worship Allaah by offering du'aa's there etc., because the Prophet ﷺ did not enjoin that or encourage people to visit these places."
And Allaah knows best.
🌷Umrah/Hajj Education🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
🔺The CONFUSION of Ihraam and “STITCHES”🔺
❓ QUESTION❓
Can men use a belt that has stitches on it while in ihraam? Or use a towel or blanket that has stitches? What about sandals that have stitches?
🌿 ANSWER🌿
In order to answer that, we should first try and understand the ”concept” behind the prohibition of STITCHED CLOTHES for men in ihraam.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“The muhrim should not wear a shirt, pants, a burnous, or shoes, unless he cannot find any sandals, in which case he may wear something that comes below his ankles.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
So what is prohibited, is to wear clothes that are specifically “stitched” or “SEWN” to FIT the BODY of a man like a shirt, pants etc.
And similarly it’s prohibited for women to wear the Niqaab and gloves because it’s “stitched” or “sewn” to FIT the face and hands, for women.
Why is that?
That’s because when we’re at hajj, it’s supposed to be a PRACTICE SESSION for the Day of Judgment when we will all be resurrected NAKED and barefoot.
Hajj is a reminder that one day we will all be brought back to life and we will be called to a place of gathering where we will stand for 50,000 years. Then answer our Master and Creator for what we did in the dunya.
So we are supposed to take off our clothes during hajj as a REPRESENTATION of BEING NAKED that day.
Obviously we can’t be naked when we go for hajj.
So the men “take off their regular clothes that are stitched or sewn to fit their body” and they cover themselves with two sheets of ihraam.
Similarly women cannot be naked at hajj, so they uncover only their face and hands by taking off the niqaab and gloves.
So it’s not really the “STITCHES” that are forbidden.
It’s the CLOTHES that are sewn and worn on the body that are forbidden.
So the man CAN cover himself with a blanket or even an ihraam sheet that has ‘stitches’ on it. Or wear a belt that has stitches on it. Or put on a money pouch that has stitches on it. Or use sandals that have stitches in them. All of that is permissible.
🍃 Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:
“There is nothing wrong with wrapping a shirt around one's body without wearing it, and there is nothing wrong with wearing an ‘abayah as a rida’, so that it is not worn in the usual fashion.” (Manaasik al-Hajj wa’l-‘Umrah (p. 64)
That’s because it’s not that there can’t be any “stitches” on a garment. Rather it’s the CLOTHES that are forbidden.
Think about it this way...
If there was a shirt that was GLUED TOGETHER, and was not “sewn”, would that be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam?
No, it would NOT be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam even though there was not a single stitch on it!
Hope that clears the issue.
And Allaah knows best
submitted by teabagandwarmwater to Hijabis [link] [comments]
By Asma bint Shameem
Makkah is the best place on earth. Allaah Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala decreed Makkah to be a sanctuary the day He created the heavens and the earth.
So when we're in Makkah, we want to utilize each and every SECOND of our time so that we can MAXIMIZE our ibaadaat in the short time we're blessed to be in this Sacred Sanctuary.
Here are some things we can do:
🌷FIVE DAILY PRAYERS
Go to the masjid for the five daily prayers.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"One prayer in al-Masjid al-Haraam is BETTER than one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere." (Ahmad and Ibn Majaah 1406; saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷TAWAAF
Try and do at least one Tawaaf a day if possible. Remember that one complete tawaaf consists of seven rounds.
Making tawaaf of the Ka'bah is one act of ibaadah that's not available anywhere else in the world. It erases sins, raises your status and is equivalent to freeing a slave. Subhaan Allaah!
The Sahaabah knew that and would take FULL advantage of that. And they tried to do as many tawaafs as possible.
🍃 Ibn Umar radhi Allaahu anhu said that he heard the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam say:
"Whoever circumambulates (the Ka'bah) seven times, counting them, and then prays two rak'ahs (after tawaaf) it will be equivalent to his freeing a believing slave."
And "No man lifts his foot and sets it down but ten hasanaat (good deeds) will be recorded for him, and ten sayi'aat (bad deeds) will be erased from his record, and he will be raised thereby ten degrees in status." (at-Tirmidhi; saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi)
🌷PRAY THE JANAAZAH PRAYER
After every fardh salaah, almost always there's a Janaazah prayer for someone or the other.
Do pray this prayer, whether you're a man or a woman, because it's recommended for both to offer this prayer and brings tremendous rewards.
🍃 The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever attends a funeral until he offers the (funeral) prayer will have one qiraat (of reward) and whoever attends until the burial is done will have two qiraats." It was said: "What are the two qiraats?" He said: "Like two great mountains." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
And imagine the rewards of praying in Masjid al-Haraam, where prayers offered are multiplied a 100,000 times! Yes, the reward for offering prayers in Masjid al-Haraam applies to ALL prayers, obligatory AND voluntary.
🍃 Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“Some scholars say that what brings the multiple reward in al-Masjid al-Haraam is the five daily prayers only, and other prayers do not bring the multiple reward. What appears to be the case from the apparent meaning of the hadeeth is that it includes ALL prayers, and the janaazah prayer is included in this general meaning of the reward for prayers in al-Masjid al-Haraam being multiplied. And Allaah knows best.” (Liqa’ al-baab il-Maftooh 116/11).
🌷NAWAAFIL
Pray all the nawaafil you can. Pray them at the times that one is allowed to pray nawaafil and do TAWAAF at times when it's not allowed to pray salah.
This way you MAXIMIZE your time and not one second is wasted In shaa' Allaah.
Since each prayer in the Haram is equal to 100,000 prayers anywhere else then what better place to pray as many nawaafil as possible here in Makkah?
Some of the nawaafil you can offer:
🌿Tahajjud
Of the nawaafil, pay special attention to the tahajjud prayer.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"The BEST prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night (qiyaam al-Layl)." (Muslim)
And he said:
"You should pray qiyaam al-layl, for it is the custom of the righteous who came before you and it brings you closer to your Lord, and expiates sins and prevents misdeeds." (al-Tirmidhi --hasan by al-Albaani)
So it's the BEST prayer after the obligatory prayers, BELOVED to Allaah and expiated sin. What more could a person ask!?
🌿Tahiyyatul Masjid
Masjid al-Haraam is after all a masjid so pray the two rakaat of greeting the Masjid every time you enter it.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"When one of you enters the masjid, let him not sit down until he has prayed two rak'ahs." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
This applies all the time except when your intention is to do tawaaf.
Aa’ishah radhi Allaahu anhaa said:
"When the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam came to Makkah, he did wudoo', then he circumambulated the House. And the two rak'ahs for greeting the masjid are replaced by the two rak'ahs following tawaaf." (al-Bukhaari 1614 and Muslim 1235).
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“If he enters the masjid to do tawaaf, such as a person who is doing ‘umrah and enters the masjid to do the tawaaf of ‘umrah, or to do a voluntary tawaaf, then in this case the tawaaf replaces the two rak’ahs for greeting the masjid, because when he does tawaaf he is going to pray two rak’ahs after tawaaf.” (Majmoo’ Fataawa 22/286)
🌿Tahiyyatul wudhu
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said to Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu:
"Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise." Bilal said : "I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (wudoo) at any time of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to offer." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salat ad-Duhaa
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam would pray Duhaa himself and encouraged us to do so as well.
Abu Hurairah radhi Allaahu anhu said: "My beloved ﷺ advised me to do three things, which I will not forsake so long as I live: to fast three days of each month, to pray Duha, and not to sleep until I pray Witr." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salaat al-Ishraaq:
This prayer is a kind of Salaah ad-Duhaa prayed at its EARLY time, about 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
About this prayer, the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak'ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and 'Umrah, complete, complete, complete." (at-Tirmidhi -- hasan by al-Albaani)
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said:
"The Sunnah of Ishraaq is (the same as) the Sunnah of Duhaa, but if it is done early, from the time when the sun has risen to the height of a spear, then it is Ishraaq prayer; if it is done at the end of its time or in the middle of its time, then it is Duhaa prayer. But it is (all) Duhaa prayer, because the scholars said that the time of Duhaa prayer lasts from when the sun has risen to the height of a spear until just before the zenith." (Liqa' al-Baab al-Maftooh, 141/24)
🌿Salat al-Awwaabeen
This is also a kind of Duhaa prayer done at its LATER time.
Zayd ibn Arqam radhi Allaahu anhu said:
'The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam went out to the people of Qubaa' and found them praying (Duhaa). He said: "Salaat al-Awwaabeen is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand)."'" (Muslim)
Please note: Salaat al-Awwaabeen is NOT the prayer between Mahhrib and Ishaa as is common among some people. Those are just general unspecified nawaafil.
🌿Unspecified nawaafil
You can read as many unspecified nawaafil as you want here in Masjid al-Haraam at all times except the prohibited times which are between Salat al-Asr to sunset and from Salat al-Fajr up until 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
So for example, you can pray unspecified and unlimited number of nawaafil between maghrib and Ishaa.
That was the practice of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and the Sahaabah.
Hudhayfah radhi Allaahu anhu said:
"I came to the Prophet ﷺ and prayed Maghrib with him. When he had finished the prayer, he stood and prayed, and he kept praying until he prayed 'Ishaa'. (Ahmad --saheeh by al-Albaani)
Or you can pray these unspecified nawaafil after salat al-Dhuhr up until Asr, etc
🌷READING QUR'AAN
Utilize those times when prayer is forbidden and read Qur'aan during this period.
And don't just 'read'.
Try and read the Qur'aan with MEANINGS so that you can understand what Allaah wants from you, how you can change for the better, how you can please your Creator and enter Jannah.
🌿TWO BIRDS with ONE STONE:
You can earn double rewards by reading the Qur'aan while you're saying any of your nawaafil prayers especially tahajjud.
Just open the Mus-haf and read DIRECTLY from the Mus-haf for each of the rakaat, instead of reading those small Surahs that you always read.
This way you'll get khushoo in your prayer, AND at the same time you'll get some Qur'aan recitation along with the nawaafil done. A beautiful way to maximize the rewards. Alhamdulillaah.
🌷REPEAT THE ADHAAN
Repeating after the Adhaan brings a lot of rewards and entry into Jannah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said about the one replies to the words of the adhaan "from the heart, he will enter Jannah." (Muslim)
🌷DUA BETWEEN ADHAAN and IQAAMAH
This is the best time to make duaa because this duaa will not be rejected.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Du'a is not rejected between the adhaan and Iqaamah, so engage in du'a (supplication)." (Abi Dawood and others- saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷I'TIKAAF
I'tikaaf does not only take place in Ramadhaan and it does not have to be for ten days either.
You can make the niyyah for i'tikaaf for one week, one day or even for an hour.
So when you plan to stay in Masjid al-Haraam for some time, from one prayer to another etc., make your intention to make i'tikaaf and it will count as ibaadah.
Ibn Hazm said:
"I'tikaaf in the language of the Arabs means staying... any stay in the mosque for the sake of Allaah with the intention of drawing closer to Him is i'tikaaf... whether that is for a short time or a long time, because the Qur'aan and Sunnah do not specify any number or length of time." (Al-Muhalla, 5/179)
🌷DHIKR
Any other time that's left over from all of the above ibaadaat can be filled with dhikr so even these few moments will not be wasted.
Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. Make lots of istighfaar, and fill your time with Subhaan Allaah, Alhamdulillaah, Allaahu Akbar, La illaaha illallaah, and send salutations upon the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam.
Allaah says:
"and the men and the women who remember Allaah much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)" (Surah al-Ahzaab :35)
🌷SAY SALAAM to everyone.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam told us the 'secret' to enter Jannah.... saying salaam to those you know and those you don't know.
Walk around in the streets JUST TO SAY SALAAM to your fellow Muslim.
This was the practice of the Sahaabah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you about something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salaam amongst yourselves." (Muslim)
🌷GIVE SADAQAH
Spend on your Muslim brothesister for the sake of Allaah. It doesn't have to be too much money. Even a little bit counts.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings - for Allaah does not accept anything but that which is good - Allaah will take it in His right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you tends his foal, until it becomes like a mountain." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷SMILE
Sadaqah is not just money. Even a smile is sadaqah.
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Do not regard any act of kindness as insignificant, even meeting your brother with a cheerful countenance." (Saheeh Muslim)
🌷FEED THE PEOPLE
When the Sahaabah asked the Prophet ﷺ what makes Hajj Mabroor, he ﷺ said:
"Providing food to people and spreading (the greeting of) salaam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷HELP SOMEONE
Be on the lookout for anyone that might need help. So if you see an old man struggling with his luggage, or a child who seems lost, or someone looking for a spot to pray or a sister who can't find her shoes, JUMP on the opportunity to help them and earn tremendous rewards just because you helped your fellow Muslim in times of their need.
🌷SLEEP
Yes that's right...SLEEP.
Sleeping and resting will also bring you rewards if you make your intention to rest so that you can worship Allaah better after you've rested and slept.
Any ordinary deed can be converted into an act of worship if we make our intention to do good.
That's why Muadh radhi Allaahu anhu used to say:
"I sleep and I get up (to pray at night), and I seek reward for my sleep as I seek reward for my getting up." (al-Bukhaari)
🌿THE SAME DEEDS APPLY to MADEENAH
We can do all these ibaadaat in Madeenah as well, except of course the Tawaaf.
May Allaah give us the taufeeq to do good and earn maximum rewards in these beautiful times and places.
And Allaah knows best.
🌷When you visit Madeenah...🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
Alhamdulillaah, you're in Madeenah, the most beautiful, the most beloved, the most sacred place on the face of the earth, after Makkah.
Here are some Do's and Don'ts when you visit such a venerated place.
📌 1. Be CAREFUL and show RESPECT
Madeenah is the city of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and his noble Sahaabah. This is where they established Islaam.
To commit any evil in this holy city, or to introduce any innovations here, of all places, would be the biggest disrespect to the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and the biggest insult to the Deen of Islaam.
🍃 Shaikh Salah al-Budayr, the Imaam of Masjid an-Nabawi, said:
"O you who come to Madeenah, you are in a place which, after Makkah, is the best and noblest of all places, so RESPECT it as it should be respected; HONOR its sanctity and holiness and observe the BEST ETIQUETTE therein.
Know that Allaah has warned of the SEVEREST punishment for those who commit evil therein. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: "Madeenah is a Haram (sanctuary), so whoever commits evil therein or gives protection to an evildoer, the curse of Allaah, the angels and all of mankind may be upon him. Allaah will not accept any obligatory or naafil deed from him on the Day of Resurrection." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)"
📌 2. Visit the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ
Obviously, if you're in Madeenah, you would want to visit the masjid of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam).
🍃He ﷺ said:
"The best places to which a person may travel are this Mosque of mine, and the Ancient House (i.e., the Ka'bah)." (Ahmad, saheeh by al-Albaani)
However, keep in mind that visiting this masjid is NOT part of Hajj or Umrah.
Any and all ahaadeeth which connect its visit to Hajj or that say that visiting the grave of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) is connected to Hajj are fabricated and not true.
📌 3. Do your Five Daily Prayers in Masjid an-Nabawi
Just one prayer at the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ is BETTER than 1000 prayers any where else!
Subhaan Allaah! Not “EQUAL” to a 1000 prayers....but BETTER than a 1000 prayers!
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"One prayer in this Masjid of mine is better than one thousand prayers offered anywhere else, except al-Masjid al-Haraam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 4. No need to complete 40 prayers in Madeenah
You don't HAVE to stay in Madeenah for forty prayers NOR is there any SPECIAL rewards for doing so.
You can stay as much as you want or as little as one prayer.
The hadeeth that talks about praying forty prayers in Madeenah is NOT AUTHENTIC.
The ulama have graded it as da'eef or weak.
🍃 Shake al-Albaani said:
"It is an innovation (bid'ah) to visit Madeenah and tell the visitors to Madeenah to stay there for a week so that they will be able to offer forty prayers in the Prophet's Masjid so that they will be free from hypocrisy and saved from the Fire."
🍃 And Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:
"With regard to the widespread idea that the visitor should stay for eight days so that he can offer forty prayers in the Mosque is wrong. This hadeeth is DA’EEF according to the scholars and cannot be taken as proof or relied upon. There is NO SET LIMIT for visiting the Prophet's Masjid. If a person visits for an hour or two, or a day or two, or for more than that, there is nothing wrong with that." (Fataawa Ibn Baz, 17/406)
📌 5. Visit the Rawdah (Riyadh al-Jannah)
Do try and visit the Rawdah, which is that part of the masjid that is between the Mimbar (pulpit) of the Prophet ﷺ and his house, where he is buried.
You can pray two or more rakaat there, but you don't HAVE to pray salah there if there is a lot of crowding and rush. You can make duaa, istighfaar, send salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ or any other dhikr.
This is a piece of Jannah on earth and ANY act of worship here would be accepted and ANY duaa you make will be heard.
After all, isn't Jannah where all wishes come true?
🍃 The Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens (riyaadh, sing. rawdah) of Paradise" (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 6. The Rawdah is NOT the GRAVE of the Prophet ﷺ
Some people especially the sisters think that the Rawdah is the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Thats NOT TRUE.
The Rawdah is that part of the MASJID that is BETWEEN the Mimbar of the Prophet ﷺ and his house where he is buried, also called RIYADH-UL-JANNAH.
When sisters are allowed to go inside the older part of the Masjid, we are visiting Riyadh-ul-Jannah and NOT the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
📌 *7. Visiting the Grave of the Prophet ﷺ *
For MEN, visiting the grave of the Prophet and the graves of the two noble Sahaabah Abu Bakr and Umar (radhi Allaahu anhumaa) is good and recommended. They should visit them, send salaams upon them and make duaa for them.
🔺What about women❓
As far as women are concerned, there is a difference of opinion among the Ulama of Ahl-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah whether women are allowed to visit graves or not, and that includes the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Both sides have valid points based on the Qur'aan and authentic Sunnah, and Allaah knows best.
And although, some ulama do allow women to visit graves, under certain conditions, the Saudi authorities follow the opinion that it's NOT allowed for women to visit graves, and so NONE of the sisters are ALLOWED to go there.
So when they open the doors of the old masjid and let sisters in, they’re NOT letting the women visit the GRAVE. Rather, they’re letting them pray in Riyadh al-Jannah or ‘Rawdah’ as they say.
📌 8. HOW TO visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and the two Sahaabah (for men).
The way to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ is simple.
When a man visits the grave of the Prophet ﷺ, he should say "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Rasool-Allaah (Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allaah)."
Then move about a yard to the right and say salaams to Abu Bakr by saying, "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Aba Bakr." Then move a little further to the right, about a yard, and say salaams to Umar ibn al-Khattaab, by saying, 'Al-salaamu alayka ya 'Umar."
Or other similar words.
❌ Common MISTAKES at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ❌
❌a) Do NOT make duaa TO the Prophet ﷺ. That's SHIRK, may Allaah protect us.
❌ And do NOT justify making duaa to the Prophet ﷺ by saying that you're "asking" the Prophet ﷺ so that he can intercede for you with Allaah or you're asking Allaah "THROUGH" him.
THAT IS ALSO SHIRK!
The Prophet ﷺ CAN NOT and DOES NOT have the ability to hear you OR fulfill your duaa.
It's ONLY Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala that can do that.
❌ b) Do not make duaa here even if you're making duaa to Allaah. Or read Qur'aan or other acts of worship. There's NO PROOF that such an action is good.
🍃 Ali ibn al-Husayn saw a man making duaa at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and he told him NOT to do that. (Abu Ya'la and al-Haafiz al-Diya)
❌c) Do not think that there's any special reward for Ibaadah at the grave of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam or any increased chances of duaa being answered here. That's NOT correct and there's NO PROOF for that.
❌d) Do not stand before the grave with your hands tied as if you're in prayer, or bow or make sajdah etc. as some extreme people do, Astaghfirullaah.
That's SHIRK because this is a posture of humility and worship and we're only allowed to do that for Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala.
Yes of course, we stand with utmost RESPECT but NOT like we’re in Salaah. And no bowing or sujood, Aa’oodhu Billaah.
❌ e) Don't make it a habit
Do not keep going to visit the grave again and again, after every prayer, or every day etc.
I know that you LOVE the Prophet ﷺ and LOVE to visit the grave.
But that's actually going AGAINST the teachings of the one you love.
🍃 The one you love (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Do not take my grave as a place of festivity (which you visit repeatedly)." (Abu Dawood--saheeh by al-Albaani)
TRUE love is to follow the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ and to OBEY him. And to GIVE UP what YOU want, just because HE said so.
🍃 Someone asked Imaam Maalik about a man who came to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ every day.
He said, 'That is NOT RIGHT,' and quoted the hadeeth, 'O Allaah, do not make my grave an idol that is worshipped.'" (saheeh by al-Albaani)
🍃 Al-Qaadi 'Iyaad said about this issue:
"I have not heard of this from any of the fuqaha', and nothing is good for the latter generations of this ummah except that which was good for its first generations. I have not heard that any of the first generations of the ummah used to do that." (Al-Shifa bi Ta'reef Huqooq al-Mustafa)
📌 9. Visiting al-Baqee', mount Uhud and the Shuhadaa
Here again it is recommended for the MEN to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee', and the Shuhadaa of Uhud.
But for women, they are not allowed to visit the graves, although they may visit Uhud.
The authorities do not allow women to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee' because they follow the safer opinion of not allowing women to visit graves, since the hadeeth of the Prophet ﷺ is very severe.
🍃 He said:
"Allaah cursed the women who visit graves." (at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah-- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 10. Do NOT TOUCH, WIPE, KISS any part of the Masjid
Some people, out of their love for the Prophet ﷺ touch or wipe parts of the masjid with their hands, clothes, prayer mats etc., seeking blessing (barakah) with the pillars, walls, doors, mihraab, minbar, etc.
Some even do it with the bookshelves and water coolers there! Subhaan Allaah! Thats NOT ALLOWED.
Remember, the Masjid is made of concrete and marble and brick and wood, just like any other building.
There's no “special” or “blessed” brick or stone used to build it, nor does the bookshelf, or marble or anything else of the building have anything to do with the Prophet ﷺ himself.
It's NOT permissible to seek barakah from anything other than the PERSONAL relics of the Prophet ﷺ and there are NO “relics” to be found in the masjid itself.
Besides, TRUE barakah comes from following the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ NOT by wiping the walls of his masjid, or kissing the doors or hugging the pillars.
📌 11. Be PATIENT, CONSIDERATE and SACRIFICE for your Muslim brothesister
This goes for our ENTIRE LIFETIME, but this is something we should take care of, ESPECIALLY while in this Holy city.
Madeenah is a HOLY place. The Masjid is the Masjid of your BELOVED. The Rawdah is a piece of JANNAH. The other person is your BROTHESISTER in Islaam.
Keep this 👆🏼principle in mind for EVER but especially when visiting the masjid, praying at a specific spot, waiting in line anywhere, or even while visiting the Rawdah.
You also don't want to push, shove or hurt any of your fellow Muslim in such sacred place.
Be extra, EXTRA careful and EXTREMELY polite, patient and courteous.
So INCONVENIENCE yourself for your brothesister.
WAIT your turn to go into the Rawdah area and don't make your stay there too long in consideration for all those Muslim brothers and sisters waiting in line.
If you TRULY love the Prophet ﷺ you'll IMPLEMENT the following hadeeth and keep it in your HEART FOREVER.
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The dearest of people to Allaah, may He be exalted, is the one who does most benefit to people, and the DEAREST of deeds to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala, is JOY that you bring to a Muslim, or relieving him of distress, or paying off debt for him, or dispelling his hunger. And to walk with a brother to meet his needs is DEARER to me than observing I’TIKAAF in this masjid - meaning the masjid of Madeenah - for a MONTH." (at-Tabaraani -- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 12. Go to Masjid al-Qubaa
The Prophet ﷺ used to LOVE to go to this Masjid every Saturday and pray two rakaat there as reported by al-Bukhaari.
🍃 Ibn Umar Radhi Allaahu anhumaa said:
“The Prophet ﷺ used to go to the masjid of Quba’ every Saturday, walking or riding, and he would pray two rak’ahs there.” (al-Bukhaari 1191; Muslim 1399)
🍃 And he Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever purifies himself in his house, then comes to the Masjid of Quba' and prays there, he will have the reward of 'Umrah." (Ibn Maajah --saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 13. No need to go to any other Masaajid
We don't need to go to any other masjid besides Masjid an-Nabawi and Masjid al-Qubaa, because there's no proof of that from the Qur'aan or the practice of the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah that they did that.
🍃 Al-Ma'roor ibn Suwayd said:
"We went out with Umar ibn al-Khattaab, and we passed by a mosque on the way.
The people hastened to pray there, and 'Umar said, "What is the matter with them?"
They said, "This is a masjid in which the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ prayed."
Umar said, "O people, those who came before you were DOOMED because they followed such practices, until they established places of worship in such locations.
If a time for prayer comes when you are there, then pray, and if it is not the time for prayer, then MOVE ON." (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7550)
🍃 Also, when 'Umar radhi Allaahu anhu heard that there were people who came to the tree under which the Prophet ﷺ received the bay'ah (oath of allegiance), he ordered that it be CUT DOWN. (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7545)
🍃 That's why Shaikh Salah al-Budayr said:
"It is NOT prescribed to go to the places and Masaajid in which the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah prayed in order to pray there or to worship Allaah by offering du'aa's there etc., because the Prophet ﷺ did not enjoin that or encourage people to visit these places."
And Allaah knows best.
🌷Umrah/Hajj Education🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
🔺The CONFUSION of Ihraam and “STITCHES”🔺
❓ QUESTION❓
Can men use a belt that has stitches on it while in ihraam? Or use a towel or blanket that has stitches? What about sandals that have stitches?
🌿 ANSWER🌿
In order to answer that, we should first try and understand the ”concept” behind the prohibition of STITCHED CLOTHES for men in ihraam.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“The muhrim should not wear a shirt, pants, a burnous, or shoes, unless he cannot find any sandals, in which case he may wear something that comes below his ankles.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
So what is prohibited, is to wear clothes that are specifically “stitched” or “SEWN” to FIT the BODY of a man like a shirt, pants etc.
And similarly it’s prohibited for women to wear the Niqaab and gloves because it’s “stitched” or “sewn” to FIT the face and hands, for women.
Why is that?
That’s because when we’re at hajj, it’s supposed to be a PRACTICE SESSION for the Day of Judgment when we will all be resurrected NAKED and barefoot.
Hajj is a reminder that one day we will all be brought back to life and we will be called to a place of gathering where we will stand for 50,000 years. Then answer our Master and Creator for what we did in the dunya.
So we are supposed to take off our clothes during hajj as a REPRESENTATION of BEING NAKED that day.
Obviously we can’t be naked when we go for hajj.
So the men “take off their regular clothes that are stitched or sewn to fit their body” and they cover themselves with two sheets of ihraam.
Similarly women cannot be naked at hajj, so they uncover only their face and hands by taking off the niqaab and gloves.
So it’s not really the “STITCHES” that are forbidden.
It’s the CLOTHES that are sewn and worn on the body that are forbidden.
So the man CAN cover himself with a blanket or even an ihraam sheet that has ‘stitches’ on it. Or wear a belt that has stitches on it. Or put on a money pouch that has stitches on it. Or use sandals that have stitches in them. All of that is permissible.
🍃 Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:
“There is nothing wrong with wrapping a shirt around one's body without wearing it, and there is nothing wrong with wearing an ‘abayah as a rida’, so that it is not worn in the usual fashion.” (Manaasik al-Hajj wa’l-‘Umrah (p. 64)
That’s because it’s not that there can’t be any “stitches” on a garment. Rather it’s the CLOTHES that are forbidden.
Think about it this way...
If there was a shirt that was GLUED TOGETHER, and was not “sewn”, would that be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam?
No, it would NOT be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam even though there was not a single stitch on it!
Hope that clears the issue.
And Allaah knows best
2024.05.23 17:00 teabagandwarmwater Something really beneficial. Please give it a read! Topics: How to Maximize your time in Makkah When you visit Madeenah Umrah/Hajj Education
🌷How to MAXIMIZE your time in Makkah🌷
By Asma bint Shameem
Makkah is the best place on earth. Allaah Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala decreed Makkah to be a sanctuary the day He created the heavens and the earth.
So when we're in Makkah, we want to utilize each and every SECOND of our time so that we can MAXIMIZE our ibaadaat in the short time we're blessed to be in this Sacred Sanctuary.
Here are some things we can do:
🌷FIVE DAILY PRAYERS
Go to the masjid for the five daily prayers.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"One prayer in al-Masjid al-Haraam is BETTER than one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere." (Ahmad and Ibn Majaah 1406; saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷TAWAAF
Try and do at least one Tawaaf a day if possible. Remember that one complete tawaaf consists of seven rounds.
Making tawaaf of the Ka'bah is one act of ibaadah that's not available anywhere else in the world. It erases sins, raises your status and is equivalent to freeing a slave. Subhaan Allaah!
The Sahaabah knew that and would take FULL advantage of that. And they tried to do as many tawaafs as possible.
🍃 Ibn Umar radhi Allaahu anhu said that he heard the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam say:
"Whoever circumambulates (the Ka'bah) seven times, counting them, and then prays two rak'ahs (after tawaaf) it will be equivalent to his freeing a believing slave."
And "No man lifts his foot and sets it down but ten hasanaat (good deeds) will be recorded for him, and ten sayi'aat (bad deeds) will be erased from his record, and he will be raised thereby ten degrees in status." (at-Tirmidhi; saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi)
🌷PRAY THE JANAAZAH PRAYER
After every fardh salaah, almost always there's a Janaazah prayer for someone or the other.
Do pray this prayer, whether you're a man or a woman, because it's recommended for both to offer this prayer and brings tremendous rewards.
🍃 The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever attends a funeral until he offers the (funeral) prayer will have one qiraat (of reward) and whoever attends until the burial is done will have two qiraats." It was said: "What are the two qiraats?" He said: "Like two great mountains." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
And imagine the rewards of praying in Masjid al-Haraam, where prayers offered are multiplied a 100,000 times! Yes, the reward for offering prayers in Masjid al-Haraam applies to ALL prayers, obligatory AND voluntary.
🍃 Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“Some scholars say that what brings the multiple reward in al-Masjid al-Haraam is the five daily prayers only, and other prayers do not bring the multiple reward. What appears to be the case from the apparent meaning of the hadeeth is that it includes ALL prayers, and the janaazah prayer is included in this general meaning of the reward for prayers in al-Masjid al-Haraam being multiplied. And Allaah knows best.” (Liqa’ al-baab il-Maftooh 116/11).
🌷NAWAAFIL
Pray all the nawaafil you can. Pray them at the times that one is allowed to pray nawaafil and do TAWAAF at times when it's not allowed to pray salah.
This way you MAXIMIZE your time and not one second is wasted In shaa' Allaah.
Since each prayer in the Haram is equal to 100,000 prayers anywhere else then what better place to pray as many nawaafil as possible here in Makkah?
Some of the nawaafil you can offer:
🌿Tahajjud
Of the nawaafil, pay special attention to the tahajjud prayer.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"The BEST prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night (qiyaam al-Layl)." (Muslim)
And he said:
"You should pray qiyaam al-layl, for it is the custom of the righteous who came before you and it brings you closer to your Lord, and expiates sins and prevents misdeeds." (al-Tirmidhi --hasan by al-Albaani)
So it's the BEST prayer after the obligatory prayers, BELOVED to Allaah and expiated sin. What more could a person ask!?
🌿Tahiyyatul Masjid
Masjid al-Haraam is after all a masjid so pray the two rakaat of greeting the Masjid every time you enter it.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"When one of you enters the masjid, let him not sit down until he has prayed two rak'ahs." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
This applies all the time except when your intention is to do tawaaf.
Aa’ishah radhi Allaahu anhaa said:
"When the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam came to Makkah, he did wudoo', then he circumambulated the House. And the two rak'ahs for greeting the masjid are replaced by the two rak'ahs following tawaaf." (al-Bukhaari 1614 and Muslim 1235).
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“If he enters the masjid to do tawaaf, such as a person who is doing ‘umrah and enters the masjid to do the tawaaf of ‘umrah, or to do a voluntary tawaaf, then in this case the tawaaf replaces the two rak’ahs for greeting the masjid, because when he does tawaaf he is going to pray two rak’ahs after tawaaf.” (Majmoo’ Fataawa 22/286)
🌿Tahiyyatul wudhu
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said to Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu:
"Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise." Bilal said : "I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (wudoo) at any time of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to offer." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salat ad-Duhaa
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam would pray Duhaa himself and encouraged us to do so as well.
Abu Hurairah radhi Allaahu anhu said: "My beloved ﷺ advised me to do three things, which I will not forsake so long as I live: to fast three days of each month, to pray Duha, and not to sleep until I pray Witr." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salaat al-Ishraaq:
This prayer is a kind of Salaah ad-Duhaa prayed at its EARLY time, about 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
About this prayer, the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak'ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and 'Umrah, complete, complete, complete." (at-Tirmidhi -- hasan by al-Albaani)
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said:
"The Sunnah of Ishraaq is (the same as) the Sunnah of Duhaa, but if it is done early, from the time when the sun has risen to the height of a spear, then it is Ishraaq prayer; if it is done at the end of its time or in the middle of its time, then it is Duhaa prayer. But it is (all) Duhaa prayer, because the scholars said that the time of Duhaa prayer lasts from when the sun has risen to the height of a spear until just before the zenith." (Liqa' al-Baab al-Maftooh, 141/24)
🌿Salat al-Awwaabeen
This is also a kind of Duhaa prayer done at its LATER time.
Zayd ibn Arqam radhi Allaahu anhu said:
'The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam went out to the people of Qubaa' and found them praying (Duhaa). He said: "Salaat al-Awwaabeen is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand)."'" (Muslim)
Please note: Salaat al-Awwaabeen is NOT the prayer between Mahhrib and Ishaa as is common among some people. Those are just general unspecified nawaafil.
🌿Unspecified nawaafil
You can read as many unspecified nawaafil as you want here in Masjid al-Haraam at all times except the prohibited times which are between Salat al-Asr to sunset and from Salat al-Fajr up until 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
So for example, you can pray unspecified and unlimited number of nawaafil between maghrib and Ishaa.
That was the practice of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and the Sahaabah.
Hudhayfah radhi Allaahu anhu said:
"I came to the Prophet ﷺ and prayed Maghrib with him. When he had finished the prayer, he stood and prayed, and he kept praying until he prayed 'Ishaa'. (Ahmad --saheeh by al-Albaani)
Or you can pray these unspecified nawaafil after salat al-Dhuhr up until Asr, etc
🌷READING QUR'AAN
Utilize those times when prayer is forbidden and read Qur'aan during this period.
And don't just 'read'.
Try and read the Qur'aan with MEANINGS so that you can understand what Allaah wants from you, how you can change for the better, how you can please your Creator and enter Jannah.
🌿TWO BIRDS with ONE STONE:
You can earn double rewards by reading the Qur'aan while you're saying any of your nawaafil prayers especially tahajjud.
Just open the Mus-haf and read DIRECTLY from the Mus-haf for each of the rakaat, instead of reading those small Surahs that you always read.
This way you'll get khushoo in your prayer, AND at the same time you'll get some Qur'aan recitation along with the nawaafil done. A beautiful way to maximize the rewards. Alhamdulillaah.
🌷REPEAT THE ADHAAN
Repeating after the Adhaan brings a lot of rewards and entry into Jannah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said about the one replies to the words of the adhaan "from the heart, he will enter Jannah." (Muslim)
🌷DUA BETWEEN ADHAAN and IQAAMAH
This is the best time to make duaa because this duaa will not be rejected.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Du'a is not rejected between the adhaan and Iqaamah, so engage in du'a (supplication)." (Abi Dawood and others- saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷I'TIKAAF
I'tikaaf does not only take place in Ramadhaan and it does not have to be for ten days either.
You can make the niyyah for i'tikaaf for one week, one day or even for an hour.
So when you plan to stay in Masjid al-Haraam for some time, from one prayer to another etc., make your intention to make i'tikaaf and it will count as ibaadah.
Ibn Hazm said:
"I'tikaaf in the language of the Arabs means staying... any stay in the mosque for the sake of Allaah with the intention of drawing closer to Him is i'tikaaf... whether that is for a short time or a long time, because the Qur'aan and Sunnah do not specify any number or length of time." (Al-Muhalla, 5/179)
🌷DHIKR
Any other time that's left over from all of the above ibaadaat can be filled with dhikr so even these few moments will not be wasted.
Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. Make lots of istighfaar, and fill your time with Subhaan Allaah, Alhamdulillaah, Allaahu Akbar, La illaaha illallaah, and send salutations upon the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam.
Allaah says:
"and the men and the women who remember Allaah much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)" (Surah al-Ahzaab :35)
🌷SAY SALAAM to everyone.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam told us the 'secret' to enter Jannah.... saying salaam to those you know and those you don't know.
Walk around in the streets JUST TO SAY SALAAM to your fellow Muslim.
This was the practice of the Sahaabah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you about something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salaam amongst yourselves." (Muslim)
🌷GIVE SADAQAH
Spend on your Muslim brothesister for the sake of Allaah. It doesn't have to be too much money. Even a little bit counts.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings - for Allaah does not accept anything but that which is good - Allaah will take it in His right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you tends his foal, until it becomes like a mountain." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷SMILE
Sadaqah is not just money. Even a smile is sadaqah.
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Do not regard any act of kindness as insignificant, even meeting your brother with a cheerful countenance." (Saheeh Muslim)
🌷FEED THE PEOPLE
When the Sahaabah asked the Prophet ﷺ what makes Hajj Mabroor, he ﷺ said:
"Providing food to people and spreading (the greeting of) salaam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷HELP SOMEONE
Be on the lookout for anyone that might need help. So if you see an old man struggling with his luggage, or a child who seems lost, or someone looking for a spot to pray or a sister who can't find her shoes, JUMP on the opportunity to help them and earn tremendous rewards just because you helped your fellow Muslim in times of their need.
🌷SLEEP
Yes that's right...SLEEP.
Sleeping and resting will also bring you rewards if you make your intention to rest so that you can worship Allaah better after you've rested and slept.
Any ordinary deed can be converted into an act of worship if we make our intention to do good.
That's why Muadh radhi Allaahu anhu used to say:
"I sleep and I get up (to pray at night), and I seek reward for my sleep as I seek reward for my getting up." (al-Bukhaari)
🌿THE SAME DEEDS APPLY to MADEENAH
We can do all these ibaadaat in Madeenah as well, except of course the Tawaaf.
May Allaah give us the taufeeq to do good and earn maximum rewards in these beautiful times and places.
And Allaah knows best.
🌷When you visit Madeenah...🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
Alhamdulillaah, you're in Madeenah, the most beautiful, the most beloved, the most sacred place on the face of the earth, after Makkah.
Here are some Do's and Don'ts when you visit such a venerated place.
📌 1. Be CAREFUL and show RESPECT
Madeenah is the city of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and his noble Sahaabah. This is where they established Islaam.
To commit any evil in this holy city, or to introduce any innovations here, of all places, would be the biggest disrespect to the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and the biggest insult to the Deen of Islaam.
🍃 Shaikh Salah al-Budayr, the Imaam of Masjid an-Nabawi, said:
"O you who come to Madeenah, you are in a place which, after Makkah, is the best and noblest of all places, so RESPECT it as it should be respected; HONOR its sanctity and holiness and observe the BEST ETIQUETTE therein.
Know that Allaah has warned of the SEVEREST punishment for those who commit evil therein. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: "Madeenah is a Haram (sanctuary), so whoever commits evil therein or gives protection to an evildoer, the curse of Allaah, the angels and all of mankind may be upon him. Allaah will not accept any obligatory or naafil deed from him on the Day of Resurrection." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)"
📌 2. Visit the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ
Obviously, if you're in Madeenah, you would want to visit the masjid of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam).
🍃He ﷺ said:
"The best places to which a person may travel are this Mosque of mine, and the Ancient House (i.e., the Ka'bah)." (Ahmad, saheeh by al-Albaani)
However, keep in mind that visiting this masjid is NOT part of Hajj or Umrah.
Any and all ahaadeeth which connect its visit to Hajj or that say that visiting the grave of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) is connected to Hajj are fabricated and not true.
📌 3. Do your Five Daily Prayers in Masjid an-Nabawi
Just one prayer at the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ is BETTER than 1000 prayers any where else!
Subhaan Allaah! Not “EQUAL” to a 1000 prayers....but BETTER than a 1000 prayers!
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"One prayer in this Masjid of mine is better than one thousand prayers offered anywhere else, except al-Masjid al-Haraam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 4. No need to complete 40 prayers in Madeenah
You don't HAVE to stay in Madeenah for forty prayers NOR is there any SPECIAL rewards for doing so.
You can stay as much as you want or as little as one prayer.
The hadeeth that talks about praying forty prayers in Madeenah is NOT AUTHENTIC.
The ulama have graded it as da'eef or weak.
🍃 Shake al-Albaani said:
"It is an innovation (bid'ah) to visit Madeenah and tell the visitors to Madeenah to stay there for a week so that they will be able to offer forty prayers in the Prophet's Masjid so that they will be free from hypocrisy and saved from the Fire."
🍃 And Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:
"With regard to the widespread idea that the visitor should stay for eight days so that he can offer forty prayers in the Mosque is wrong. This hadeeth is DA’EEF according to the scholars and cannot be taken as proof or relied upon. There is NO SET LIMIT for visiting the Prophet's Masjid. If a person visits for an hour or two, or a day or two, or for more than that, there is nothing wrong with that." (Fataawa Ibn Baz, 17/406)
📌 5. Visit the Rawdah (Riyadh al-Jannah)
Do try and visit the Rawdah, which is that part of the masjid that is between the Mimbar (pulpit) of the Prophet ﷺ and his house, where he is buried.
You can pray two or more rakaat there, but you don't HAVE to pray salah there if there is a lot of crowding and rush. You can make duaa, istighfaar, send salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ or any other dhikr.
This is a piece of Jannah on earth and ANY act of worship here would be accepted and ANY duaa you make will be heard.
After all, isn't Jannah where all wishes come true?
🍃 The Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens (riyaadh, sing. rawdah) of Paradise" (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 6. The Rawdah is NOT the GRAVE of the Prophet ﷺ
Some people especially the sisters think that the Rawdah is the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Thats NOT TRUE.
The Rawdah is that part of the MASJID that is BETWEEN the Mimbar of the Prophet ﷺ and his house where he is buried, also called RIYADH-UL-JANNAH.
When sisters are allowed to go inside the older part of the Masjid, we are visiting Riyadh-ul-Jannah and NOT the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
📌 *7. Visiting the Grave of the Prophet ﷺ *
For MEN, visiting the grave of the Prophet and the graves of the two noble Sahaabah Abu Bakr and Umar (radhi Allaahu anhumaa) is good and recommended. They should visit them, send salaams upon them and make duaa for them.
🔺What about women❓
As far as women are concerned, there is a difference of opinion among the Ulama of Ahl-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah whether women are allowed to visit graves or not, and that includes the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Both sides have valid points based on the Qur'aan and authentic Sunnah, and Allaah knows best.
And although, some ulama do allow women to visit graves, under certain conditions, the Saudi authorities follow the opinion that it's NOT allowed for women to visit graves, and so NONE of the sisters are ALLOWED to go there.
So when they open the doors of the old masjid and let sisters in, they’re NOT letting the women visit the GRAVE. Rather, they’re letting them pray in Riyadh al-Jannah or ‘Rawdah’ as they say.
📌 8. HOW TO visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and the two Sahaabah (for men).
The way to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ is simple.
When a man visits the grave of the Prophet ﷺ, he should say "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Rasool-Allaah (Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allaah)."
Then move about a yard to the right and say salaams to Abu Bakr by saying, "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Aba Bakr." Then move a little further to the right, about a yard, and say salaams to Umar ibn al-Khattaab, by saying, 'Al-salaamu alayka ya 'Umar."
Or other similar words.
❌ Common MISTAKES at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ❌
❌a) Do NOT make duaa TO the Prophet ﷺ. That's SHIRK, may Allaah protect us.
❌ And do NOT justify making duaa to the Prophet ﷺ by saying that you're "asking" the Prophet ﷺ so that he can intercede for you with Allaah or you're asking Allaah "THROUGH" him.
THAT IS ALSO SHIRK!
The Prophet ﷺ CAN NOT and DOES NOT have the ability to hear you OR fulfill your duaa.
It's ONLY Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala that can do that.
❌ b) Do not make duaa here even if you're making duaa to Allaah. Or read Qur'aan or other acts of worship. There's NO PROOF that such an action is good.
🍃 Ali ibn al-Husayn saw a man making duaa at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and he told him NOT to do that. (Abu Ya'la and al-Haafiz al-Diya)
❌c) Do not think that there's any special reward for Ibaadah at the grave of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam or any increased chances of duaa being answered here. That's NOT correct and there's NO PROOF for that.
❌d) Do not stand before the grave with your hands tied as if you're in prayer, or bow or make sajdah etc. as some extreme people do, Astaghfirullaah.
That's SHIRK because this is a posture of humility and worship and we're only allowed to do that for Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala.
Yes of course, we stand with utmost RESPECT but NOT like we’re in Salaah. And no bowing or sujood, Aa’oodhu Billaah.
❌ e) Don't make it a habit
Do not keep going to visit the grave again and again, after every prayer, or every day etc.
I know that you LOVE the Prophet ﷺ and LOVE to visit the grave.
But that's actually going AGAINST the teachings of the one you love.
🍃 The one you love (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Do not take my grave as a place of festivity (which you visit repeatedly)." (Abu Dawood--saheeh by al-Albaani)
TRUE love is to follow the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ and to OBEY him. And to GIVE UP what YOU want, just because HE said so.
🍃 Someone asked Imaam Maalik about a man who came to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ every day.
He said, 'That is NOT RIGHT,' and quoted the hadeeth, 'O Allaah, do not make my grave an idol that is worshipped.'" (saheeh by al-Albaani)
🍃 Al-Qaadi 'Iyaad said about this issue:
"I have not heard of this from any of the fuqaha', and nothing is good for the latter generations of this ummah except that which was good for its first generations. I have not heard that any of the first generations of the ummah used to do that." (Al-Shifa bi Ta'reef Huqooq al-Mustafa)
📌 9. Visiting al-Baqee', mount Uhud and the Shuhadaa
Here again it is recommended for the MEN to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee', and the Shuhadaa of Uhud.
But for women, they are not allowed to visit the graves, although they may visit Uhud.
The authorities do not allow women to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee' because they follow the safer opinion of not allowing women to visit graves, since the hadeeth of the Prophet ﷺ is very severe.
🍃 He said:
"Allaah cursed the women who visit graves." (at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah-- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 10. Do NOT TOUCH, WIPE, KISS any part of the Masjid
Some people, out of their love for the Prophet ﷺ touch or wipe parts of the masjid with their hands, clothes, prayer mats etc., seeking blessing (barakah) with the pillars, walls, doors, mihraab, minbar, etc.
Some even do it with the bookshelves and water coolers there! Subhaan Allaah! Thats NOT ALLOWED.
Remember, the Masjid is made of concrete and marble and brick and wood, just like any other building.
There's no “special” or “blessed” brick or stone used to build it, nor does the bookshelf, or marble or anything else of the building have anything to do with the Prophet ﷺ himself.
It's NOT permissible to seek barakah from anything other than the PERSONAL relics of the Prophet ﷺ and there are NO “relics” to be found in the masjid itself.
Besides, TRUE barakah comes from following the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ NOT by wiping the walls of his masjid, or kissing the doors or hugging the pillars.
📌 11. Be PATIENT, CONSIDERATE and SACRIFICE for your Muslim brothesister
This goes for our ENTIRE LIFETIME, but this is something we should take care of, ESPECIALLY while in this Holy city.
Madeenah is a HOLY place. The Masjid is the Masjid of your BELOVED. The Rawdah is a piece of JANNAH. The other person is your BROTHESISTER in Islaam.
Keep this 👆🏼principle in mind for EVER but especially when visiting the masjid, praying at a specific spot, waiting in line anywhere, or even while visiting the Rawdah.
You also don't want to push, shove or hurt any of your fellow Muslim in such sacred place.
Be extra, EXTRA careful and EXTREMELY polite, patient and courteous.
So INCONVENIENCE yourself for your brothesister.
WAIT your turn to go into the Rawdah area and don't make your stay there too long in consideration for all those Muslim brothers and sisters waiting in line.
If you TRULY love the Prophet ﷺ you'll IMPLEMENT the following hadeeth and keep it in your HEART FOREVER.
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The dearest of people to Allaah, may He be exalted, is the one who does most benefit to people, and the DEAREST of deeds to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala, is JOY that you bring to a Muslim, or relieving him of distress, or paying off debt for him, or dispelling his hunger. And to walk with a brother to meet his needs is DEARER to me than observing I’TIKAAF in this masjid - meaning the masjid of Madeenah - for a MONTH." (at-Tabaraani -- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 12. Go to Masjid al-Qubaa
The Prophet ﷺ used to LOVE to go to this Masjid every Saturday and pray two rakaat there as reported by al-Bukhaari.
🍃 Ibn Umar Radhi Allaahu anhumaa said:
“The Prophet ﷺ used to go to the masjid of Quba’ every Saturday, walking or riding, and he would pray two rak’ahs there.” (al-Bukhaari 1191; Muslim 1399)
🍃 And he Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever purifies himself in his house, then comes to the Masjid of Quba' and prays there, he will have the reward of 'Umrah." (Ibn Maajah --saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 13. No need to go to any other Masaajid
We don't need to go to any other masjid besides Masjid an-Nabawi and Masjid al-Qubaa, because there's no proof of that from the Qur'aan or the practice of the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah that they did that.
🍃 Al-Ma'roor ibn Suwayd said:
"We went out with Umar ibn al-Khattaab, and we passed by a mosque on the way.
The people hastened to pray there, and 'Umar said, "What is the matter with them?"
They said, "This is a masjid in which the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ prayed."
Umar said, "O people, those who came before you were DOOMED because they followed such practices, until they established places of worship in such locations.
If a time for prayer comes when you are there, then pray, and if it is not the time for prayer, then MOVE ON." (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7550)
🍃 Also, when 'Umar radhi Allaahu anhu heard that there were people who came to the tree under which the Prophet ﷺ received the bay'ah (oath of allegiance), he ordered that it be CUT DOWN. (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7545)
🍃 That's why Shaikh Salah al-Budayr said:
"It is NOT prescribed to go to the places and Masaajid in which the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah prayed in order to pray there or to worship Allaah by offering du'aa's there etc., because the Prophet ﷺ did not enjoin that or encourage people to visit these places."
And Allaah knows best.
🌷Umrah/Hajj Education🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
🔺The CONFUSION of Ihraam and “STITCHES”🔺
❓ QUESTION❓
Can men use a belt that has stitches on it while in ihraam? Or use a towel or blanket that has stitches? What about sandals that have stitches?
🌿 ANSWER🌿
In order to answer that, we should first try and understand the ”concept” behind the prohibition of STITCHED CLOTHES for men in ihraam.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“The muhrim should not wear a shirt, pants, a burnous, or shoes, unless he cannot find any sandals, in which case he may wear something that comes below his ankles.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
So what is prohibited, is to wear clothes that are specifically “stitched” or “SEWN” to FIT the BODY of a man like a shirt, pants etc.
And similarly it’s prohibited for women to wear the Niqaab and gloves because it’s “stitched” or “sewn” to FIT the face and hands, for women.
Why is that?
That’s because when we’re at hajj, it’s supposed to be a PRACTICE SESSION for the Day of Judgment when we will all be resurrected NAKED and barefoot.
Hajj is a reminder that one day we will all be brought back to life and we will be called to a place of gathering where we will stand for 50,000 years. Then answer our Master and Creator for what we did in the dunya.
So we are supposed to take off our clothes during hajj as a REPRESENTATION of BEING NAKED that day.
Obviously we can’t be naked when we go for hajj.
So the men “take off their regular clothes that are stitched or sewn to fit their body” and they cover themselves with two sheets of ihraam.
Similarly women cannot be naked at hajj, so they uncover only their face and hands by taking off the niqaab and gloves.
So it’s not really the “STITCHES” that are forbidden.
It’s the CLOTHES that are sewn and worn on the body that are forbidden.
So the man CAN cover himself with a blanket or even an ihraam sheet that has ‘stitches’ on it. Or wear a belt that has stitches on it. Or put on a money pouch that has stitches on it. Or use sandals that have stitches in them. All of that is permissible.
🍃 Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:
“There is nothing wrong with wrapping a shirt around one's body without wearing it, and there is nothing wrong with wearing an ‘abayah as a rida’, so that it is not worn in the usual fashion.” (Manaasik al-Hajj wa’l-‘Umrah (p. 64)
That’s because it’s not that there can’t be any “stitches” on a garment. Rather it’s the CLOTHES that are forbidden.
Think about it this way...
If there was a shirt that was GLUED TOGETHER, and was not “sewn”, would that be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam?
No, it would NOT be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam even though there was not a single stitch on it!
Hope that clears the issue.
And Allaah knows best
submitted by teabagandwarmwater to MuslimLounge [link] [comments]
By Asma bint Shameem
Makkah is the best place on earth. Allaah Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala decreed Makkah to be a sanctuary the day He created the heavens and the earth.
So when we're in Makkah, we want to utilize each and every SECOND of our time so that we can MAXIMIZE our ibaadaat in the short time we're blessed to be in this Sacred Sanctuary.
Here are some things we can do:
🌷FIVE DAILY PRAYERS
Go to the masjid for the five daily prayers.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"One prayer in al-Masjid al-Haraam is BETTER than one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere." (Ahmad and Ibn Majaah 1406; saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷TAWAAF
Try and do at least one Tawaaf a day if possible. Remember that one complete tawaaf consists of seven rounds.
Making tawaaf of the Ka'bah is one act of ibaadah that's not available anywhere else in the world. It erases sins, raises your status and is equivalent to freeing a slave. Subhaan Allaah!
The Sahaabah knew that and would take FULL advantage of that. And they tried to do as many tawaafs as possible.
🍃 Ibn Umar radhi Allaahu anhu said that he heard the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam say:
"Whoever circumambulates (the Ka'bah) seven times, counting them, and then prays two rak'ahs (after tawaaf) it will be equivalent to his freeing a believing slave."
And "No man lifts his foot and sets it down but ten hasanaat (good deeds) will be recorded for him, and ten sayi'aat (bad deeds) will be erased from his record, and he will be raised thereby ten degrees in status." (at-Tirmidhi; saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi)
🌷PRAY THE JANAAZAH PRAYER
After every fardh salaah, almost always there's a Janaazah prayer for someone or the other.
Do pray this prayer, whether you're a man or a woman, because it's recommended for both to offer this prayer and brings tremendous rewards.
🍃 The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever attends a funeral until he offers the (funeral) prayer will have one qiraat (of reward) and whoever attends until the burial is done will have two qiraats." It was said: "What are the two qiraats?" He said: "Like two great mountains." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
And imagine the rewards of praying in Masjid al-Haraam, where prayers offered are multiplied a 100,000 times! Yes, the reward for offering prayers in Masjid al-Haraam applies to ALL prayers, obligatory AND voluntary.
🍃 Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“Some scholars say that what brings the multiple reward in al-Masjid al-Haraam is the five daily prayers only, and other prayers do not bring the multiple reward. What appears to be the case from the apparent meaning of the hadeeth is that it includes ALL prayers, and the janaazah prayer is included in this general meaning of the reward for prayers in al-Masjid al-Haraam being multiplied. And Allaah knows best.” (Liqa’ al-baab il-Maftooh 116/11).
🌷NAWAAFIL
Pray all the nawaafil you can. Pray them at the times that one is allowed to pray nawaafil and do TAWAAF at times when it's not allowed to pray salah.
This way you MAXIMIZE your time and not one second is wasted In shaa' Allaah.
Since each prayer in the Haram is equal to 100,000 prayers anywhere else then what better place to pray as many nawaafil as possible here in Makkah?
Some of the nawaafil you can offer:
🌿Tahajjud
Of the nawaafil, pay special attention to the tahajjud prayer.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"The BEST prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night (qiyaam al-Layl)." (Muslim)
And he said:
"You should pray qiyaam al-layl, for it is the custom of the righteous who came before you and it brings you closer to your Lord, and expiates sins and prevents misdeeds." (al-Tirmidhi --hasan by al-Albaani)
So it's the BEST prayer after the obligatory prayers, BELOVED to Allaah and expiated sin. What more could a person ask!?
🌿Tahiyyatul Masjid
Masjid al-Haraam is after all a masjid so pray the two rakaat of greeting the Masjid every time you enter it.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"When one of you enters the masjid, let him not sit down until he has prayed two rak'ahs." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
This applies all the time except when your intention is to do tawaaf.
Aa’ishah radhi Allaahu anhaa said:
"When the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam came to Makkah, he did wudoo', then he circumambulated the House. And the two rak'ahs for greeting the masjid are replaced by the two rak'ahs following tawaaf." (al-Bukhaari 1614 and Muslim 1235).
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“If he enters the masjid to do tawaaf, such as a person who is doing ‘umrah and enters the masjid to do the tawaaf of ‘umrah, or to do a voluntary tawaaf, then in this case the tawaaf replaces the two rak’ahs for greeting the masjid, because when he does tawaaf he is going to pray two rak’ahs after tawaaf.” (Majmoo’ Fataawa 22/286)
🌿Tahiyyatul wudhu
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said to Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu:
"Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise." Bilal said : "I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (wudoo) at any time of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to offer." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salat ad-Duhaa
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam would pray Duhaa himself and encouraged us to do so as well.
Abu Hurairah radhi Allaahu anhu said: "My beloved ﷺ advised me to do three things, which I will not forsake so long as I live: to fast three days of each month, to pray Duha, and not to sleep until I pray Witr." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salaat al-Ishraaq:
This prayer is a kind of Salaah ad-Duhaa prayed at its EARLY time, about 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
About this prayer, the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak'ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and 'Umrah, complete, complete, complete." (at-Tirmidhi -- hasan by al-Albaani)
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said:
"The Sunnah of Ishraaq is (the same as) the Sunnah of Duhaa, but if it is done early, from the time when the sun has risen to the height of a spear, then it is Ishraaq prayer; if it is done at the end of its time or in the middle of its time, then it is Duhaa prayer. But it is (all) Duhaa prayer, because the scholars said that the time of Duhaa prayer lasts from when the sun has risen to the height of a spear until just before the zenith." (Liqa' al-Baab al-Maftooh, 141/24)
🌿Salat al-Awwaabeen
This is also a kind of Duhaa prayer done at its LATER time.
Zayd ibn Arqam radhi Allaahu anhu said:
'The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam went out to the people of Qubaa' and found them praying (Duhaa). He said: "Salaat al-Awwaabeen is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand)."'" (Muslim)
Please note: Salaat al-Awwaabeen is NOT the prayer between Mahhrib and Ishaa as is common among some people. Those are just general unspecified nawaafil.
🌿Unspecified nawaafil
You can read as many unspecified nawaafil as you want here in Masjid al-Haraam at all times except the prohibited times which are between Salat al-Asr to sunset and from Salat al-Fajr up until 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
So for example, you can pray unspecified and unlimited number of nawaafil between maghrib and Ishaa.
That was the practice of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and the Sahaabah.
Hudhayfah radhi Allaahu anhu said:
"I came to the Prophet ﷺ and prayed Maghrib with him. When he had finished the prayer, he stood and prayed, and he kept praying until he prayed 'Ishaa'. (Ahmad --saheeh by al-Albaani)
Or you can pray these unspecified nawaafil after salat al-Dhuhr up until Asr, etc
🌷READING QUR'AAN
Utilize those times when prayer is forbidden and read Qur'aan during this period.
And don't just 'read'.
Try and read the Qur'aan with MEANINGS so that you can understand what Allaah wants from you, how you can change for the better, how you can please your Creator and enter Jannah.
🌿TWO BIRDS with ONE STONE:
You can earn double rewards by reading the Qur'aan while you're saying any of your nawaafil prayers especially tahajjud.
Just open the Mus-haf and read DIRECTLY from the Mus-haf for each of the rakaat, instead of reading those small Surahs that you always read.
This way you'll get khushoo in your prayer, AND at the same time you'll get some Qur'aan recitation along with the nawaafil done. A beautiful way to maximize the rewards. Alhamdulillaah.
🌷REPEAT THE ADHAAN
Repeating after the Adhaan brings a lot of rewards and entry into Jannah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said about the one replies to the words of the adhaan "from the heart, he will enter Jannah." (Muslim)
🌷DUA BETWEEN ADHAAN and IQAAMAH
This is the best time to make duaa because this duaa will not be rejected.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Du'a is not rejected between the adhaan and Iqaamah, so engage in du'a (supplication)." (Abi Dawood and others- saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷I'TIKAAF
I'tikaaf does not only take place in Ramadhaan and it does not have to be for ten days either.
You can make the niyyah for i'tikaaf for one week, one day or even for an hour.
So when you plan to stay in Masjid al-Haraam for some time, from one prayer to another etc., make your intention to make i'tikaaf and it will count as ibaadah.
Ibn Hazm said:
"I'tikaaf in the language of the Arabs means staying... any stay in the mosque for the sake of Allaah with the intention of drawing closer to Him is i'tikaaf... whether that is for a short time or a long time, because the Qur'aan and Sunnah do not specify any number or length of time." (Al-Muhalla, 5/179)
🌷DHIKR
Any other time that's left over from all of the above ibaadaat can be filled with dhikr so even these few moments will not be wasted.
Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. Make lots of istighfaar, and fill your time with Subhaan Allaah, Alhamdulillaah, Allaahu Akbar, La illaaha illallaah, and send salutations upon the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam.
Allaah says:
"and the men and the women who remember Allaah much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)" (Surah al-Ahzaab :35)
🌷SAY SALAAM to everyone.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam told us the 'secret' to enter Jannah.... saying salaam to those you know and those you don't know.
Walk around in the streets JUST TO SAY SALAAM to your fellow Muslim.
This was the practice of the Sahaabah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you about something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salaam amongst yourselves." (Muslim)
🌷GIVE SADAQAH
Spend on your Muslim brothesister for the sake of Allaah. It doesn't have to be too much money. Even a little bit counts.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings - for Allaah does not accept anything but that which is good - Allaah will take it in His right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you tends his foal, until it becomes like a mountain." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷SMILE
Sadaqah is not just money. Even a smile is sadaqah.
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Do not regard any act of kindness as insignificant, even meeting your brother with a cheerful countenance." (Saheeh Muslim)
🌷FEED THE PEOPLE
When the Sahaabah asked the Prophet ﷺ what makes Hajj Mabroor, he ﷺ said:
"Providing food to people and spreading (the greeting of) salaam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷HELP SOMEONE
Be on the lookout for anyone that might need help. So if you see an old man struggling with his luggage, or a child who seems lost, or someone looking for a spot to pray or a sister who can't find her shoes, JUMP on the opportunity to help them and earn tremendous rewards just because you helped your fellow Muslim in times of their need.
🌷SLEEP
Yes that's right...SLEEP.
Sleeping and resting will also bring you rewards if you make your intention to rest so that you can worship Allaah better after you've rested and slept.
Any ordinary deed can be converted into an act of worship if we make our intention to do good.
That's why Muadh radhi Allaahu anhu used to say:
"I sleep and I get up (to pray at night), and I seek reward for my sleep as I seek reward for my getting up." (al-Bukhaari)
🌿THE SAME DEEDS APPLY to MADEENAH
We can do all these ibaadaat in Madeenah as well, except of course the Tawaaf.
May Allaah give us the taufeeq to do good and earn maximum rewards in these beautiful times and places.
And Allaah knows best.
🌷When you visit Madeenah...🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
Alhamdulillaah, you're in Madeenah, the most beautiful, the most beloved, the most sacred place on the face of the earth, after Makkah.
Here are some Do's and Don'ts when you visit such a venerated place.
📌 1. Be CAREFUL and show RESPECT
Madeenah is the city of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and his noble Sahaabah. This is where they established Islaam.
To commit any evil in this holy city, or to introduce any innovations here, of all places, would be the biggest disrespect to the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and the biggest insult to the Deen of Islaam.
🍃 Shaikh Salah al-Budayr, the Imaam of Masjid an-Nabawi, said:
"O you who come to Madeenah, you are in a place which, after Makkah, is the best and noblest of all places, so RESPECT it as it should be respected; HONOR its sanctity and holiness and observe the BEST ETIQUETTE therein.
Know that Allaah has warned of the SEVEREST punishment for those who commit evil therein. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: "Madeenah is a Haram (sanctuary), so whoever commits evil therein or gives protection to an evildoer, the curse of Allaah, the angels and all of mankind may be upon him. Allaah will not accept any obligatory or naafil deed from him on the Day of Resurrection." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)"
📌 2. Visit the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ
Obviously, if you're in Madeenah, you would want to visit the masjid of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam).
🍃He ﷺ said:
"The best places to which a person may travel are this Mosque of mine, and the Ancient House (i.e., the Ka'bah)." (Ahmad, saheeh by al-Albaani)
However, keep in mind that visiting this masjid is NOT part of Hajj or Umrah.
Any and all ahaadeeth which connect its visit to Hajj or that say that visiting the grave of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) is connected to Hajj are fabricated and not true.
📌 3. Do your Five Daily Prayers in Masjid an-Nabawi
Just one prayer at the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ is BETTER than 1000 prayers any where else!
Subhaan Allaah! Not “EQUAL” to a 1000 prayers....but BETTER than a 1000 prayers!
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"One prayer in this Masjid of mine is better than one thousand prayers offered anywhere else, except al-Masjid al-Haraam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 4. No need to complete 40 prayers in Madeenah
You don't HAVE to stay in Madeenah for forty prayers NOR is there any SPECIAL rewards for doing so.
You can stay as much as you want or as little as one prayer.
The hadeeth that talks about praying forty prayers in Madeenah is NOT AUTHENTIC.
The ulama have graded it as da'eef or weak.
🍃 Shake al-Albaani said:
"It is an innovation (bid'ah) to visit Madeenah and tell the visitors to Madeenah to stay there for a week so that they will be able to offer forty prayers in the Prophet's Masjid so that they will be free from hypocrisy and saved from the Fire."
🍃 And Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:
"With regard to the widespread idea that the visitor should stay for eight days so that he can offer forty prayers in the Mosque is wrong. This hadeeth is DA’EEF according to the scholars and cannot be taken as proof or relied upon. There is NO SET LIMIT for visiting the Prophet's Masjid. If a person visits for an hour or two, or a day or two, or for more than that, there is nothing wrong with that." (Fataawa Ibn Baz, 17/406)
📌 5. Visit the Rawdah (Riyadh al-Jannah)
Do try and visit the Rawdah, which is that part of the masjid that is between the Mimbar (pulpit) of the Prophet ﷺ and his house, where he is buried.
You can pray two or more rakaat there, but you don't HAVE to pray salah there if there is a lot of crowding and rush. You can make duaa, istighfaar, send salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ or any other dhikr.
This is a piece of Jannah on earth and ANY act of worship here would be accepted and ANY duaa you make will be heard.
After all, isn't Jannah where all wishes come true?
🍃 The Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens (riyaadh, sing. rawdah) of Paradise" (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 6. The Rawdah is NOT the GRAVE of the Prophet ﷺ
Some people especially the sisters think that the Rawdah is the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Thats NOT TRUE.
The Rawdah is that part of the MASJID that is BETWEEN the Mimbar of the Prophet ﷺ and his house where he is buried, also called RIYADH-UL-JANNAH.
When sisters are allowed to go inside the older part of the Masjid, we are visiting Riyadh-ul-Jannah and NOT the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
📌 *7. Visiting the Grave of the Prophet ﷺ *
For MEN, visiting the grave of the Prophet and the graves of the two noble Sahaabah Abu Bakr and Umar (radhi Allaahu anhumaa) is good and recommended. They should visit them, send salaams upon them and make duaa for them.
🔺What about women❓
As far as women are concerned, there is a difference of opinion among the Ulama of Ahl-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah whether women are allowed to visit graves or not, and that includes the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Both sides have valid points based on the Qur'aan and authentic Sunnah, and Allaah knows best.
And although, some ulama do allow women to visit graves, under certain conditions, the Saudi authorities follow the opinion that it's NOT allowed for women to visit graves, and so NONE of the sisters are ALLOWED to go there.
So when they open the doors of the old masjid and let sisters in, they’re NOT letting the women visit the GRAVE. Rather, they’re letting them pray in Riyadh al-Jannah or ‘Rawdah’ as they say.
📌 8. HOW TO visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and the two Sahaabah (for men).
The way to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ is simple.
When a man visits the grave of the Prophet ﷺ, he should say "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Rasool-Allaah (Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allaah)."
Then move about a yard to the right and say salaams to Abu Bakr by saying, "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Aba Bakr." Then move a little further to the right, about a yard, and say salaams to Umar ibn al-Khattaab, by saying, 'Al-salaamu alayka ya 'Umar."
Or other similar words.
❌ Common MISTAKES at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ❌
❌a) Do NOT make duaa TO the Prophet ﷺ. That's SHIRK, may Allaah protect us.
❌ And do NOT justify making duaa to the Prophet ﷺ by saying that you're "asking" the Prophet ﷺ so that he can intercede for you with Allaah or you're asking Allaah "THROUGH" him.
THAT IS ALSO SHIRK!
The Prophet ﷺ CAN NOT and DOES NOT have the ability to hear you OR fulfill your duaa.
It's ONLY Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala that can do that.
❌ b) Do not make duaa here even if you're making duaa to Allaah. Or read Qur'aan or other acts of worship. There's NO PROOF that such an action is good.
🍃 Ali ibn al-Husayn saw a man making duaa at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and he told him NOT to do that. (Abu Ya'la and al-Haafiz al-Diya)
❌c) Do not think that there's any special reward for Ibaadah at the grave of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam or any increased chances of duaa being answered here. That's NOT correct and there's NO PROOF for that.
❌d) Do not stand before the grave with your hands tied as if you're in prayer, or bow or make sajdah etc. as some extreme people do, Astaghfirullaah.
That's SHIRK because this is a posture of humility and worship and we're only allowed to do that for Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala.
Yes of course, we stand with utmost RESPECT but NOT like we’re in Salaah. And no bowing or sujood, Aa’oodhu Billaah.
❌ e) Don't make it a habit
Do not keep going to visit the grave again and again, after every prayer, or every day etc.
I know that you LOVE the Prophet ﷺ and LOVE to visit the grave.
But that's actually going AGAINST the teachings of the one you love.
🍃 The one you love (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Do not take my grave as a place of festivity (which you visit repeatedly)." (Abu Dawood--saheeh by al-Albaani)
TRUE love is to follow the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ and to OBEY him. And to GIVE UP what YOU want, just because HE said so.
🍃 Someone asked Imaam Maalik about a man who came to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ every day.
He said, 'That is NOT RIGHT,' and quoted the hadeeth, 'O Allaah, do not make my grave an idol that is worshipped.'" (saheeh by al-Albaani)
🍃 Al-Qaadi 'Iyaad said about this issue:
"I have not heard of this from any of the fuqaha', and nothing is good for the latter generations of this ummah except that which was good for its first generations. I have not heard that any of the first generations of the ummah used to do that." (Al-Shifa bi Ta'reef Huqooq al-Mustafa)
📌 9. Visiting al-Baqee', mount Uhud and the Shuhadaa
Here again it is recommended for the MEN to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee', and the Shuhadaa of Uhud.
But for women, they are not allowed to visit the graves, although they may visit Uhud.
The authorities do not allow women to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee' because they follow the safer opinion of not allowing women to visit graves, since the hadeeth of the Prophet ﷺ is very severe.
🍃 He said:
"Allaah cursed the women who visit graves." (at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah-- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 10. Do NOT TOUCH, WIPE, KISS any part of the Masjid
Some people, out of their love for the Prophet ﷺ touch or wipe parts of the masjid with their hands, clothes, prayer mats etc., seeking blessing (barakah) with the pillars, walls, doors, mihraab, minbar, etc.
Some even do it with the bookshelves and water coolers there! Subhaan Allaah! Thats NOT ALLOWED.
Remember, the Masjid is made of concrete and marble and brick and wood, just like any other building.
There's no “special” or “blessed” brick or stone used to build it, nor does the bookshelf, or marble or anything else of the building have anything to do with the Prophet ﷺ himself.
It's NOT permissible to seek barakah from anything other than the PERSONAL relics of the Prophet ﷺ and there are NO “relics” to be found in the masjid itself.
Besides, TRUE barakah comes from following the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ NOT by wiping the walls of his masjid, or kissing the doors or hugging the pillars.
📌 11. Be PATIENT, CONSIDERATE and SACRIFICE for your Muslim brothesister
This goes for our ENTIRE LIFETIME, but this is something we should take care of, ESPECIALLY while in this Holy city.
Madeenah is a HOLY place. The Masjid is the Masjid of your BELOVED. The Rawdah is a piece of JANNAH. The other person is your BROTHESISTER in Islaam.
Keep this 👆🏼principle in mind for EVER but especially when visiting the masjid, praying at a specific spot, waiting in line anywhere, or even while visiting the Rawdah.
You also don't want to push, shove or hurt any of your fellow Muslim in such sacred place.
Be extra, EXTRA careful and EXTREMELY polite, patient and courteous.
So INCONVENIENCE yourself for your brothesister.
WAIT your turn to go into the Rawdah area and don't make your stay there too long in consideration for all those Muslim brothers and sisters waiting in line.
If you TRULY love the Prophet ﷺ you'll IMPLEMENT the following hadeeth and keep it in your HEART FOREVER.
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The dearest of people to Allaah, may He be exalted, is the one who does most benefit to people, and the DEAREST of deeds to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala, is JOY that you bring to a Muslim, or relieving him of distress, or paying off debt for him, or dispelling his hunger. And to walk with a brother to meet his needs is DEARER to me than observing I’TIKAAF in this masjid - meaning the masjid of Madeenah - for a MONTH." (at-Tabaraani -- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 12. Go to Masjid al-Qubaa
The Prophet ﷺ used to LOVE to go to this Masjid every Saturday and pray two rakaat there as reported by al-Bukhaari.
🍃 Ibn Umar Radhi Allaahu anhumaa said:
“The Prophet ﷺ used to go to the masjid of Quba’ every Saturday, walking or riding, and he would pray two rak’ahs there.” (al-Bukhaari 1191; Muslim 1399)
🍃 And he Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever purifies himself in his house, then comes to the Masjid of Quba' and prays there, he will have the reward of 'Umrah." (Ibn Maajah --saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 13. No need to go to any other Masaajid
We don't need to go to any other masjid besides Masjid an-Nabawi and Masjid al-Qubaa, because there's no proof of that from the Qur'aan or the practice of the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah that they did that.
🍃 Al-Ma'roor ibn Suwayd said:
"We went out with Umar ibn al-Khattaab, and we passed by a mosque on the way.
The people hastened to pray there, and 'Umar said, "What is the matter with them?"
They said, "This is a masjid in which the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ prayed."
Umar said, "O people, those who came before you were DOOMED because they followed such practices, until they established places of worship in such locations.
If a time for prayer comes when you are there, then pray, and if it is not the time for prayer, then MOVE ON." (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7550)
🍃 Also, when 'Umar radhi Allaahu anhu heard that there were people who came to the tree under which the Prophet ﷺ received the bay'ah (oath of allegiance), he ordered that it be CUT DOWN. (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7545)
🍃 That's why Shaikh Salah al-Budayr said:
"It is NOT prescribed to go to the places and Masaajid in which the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah prayed in order to pray there or to worship Allaah by offering du'aa's there etc., because the Prophet ﷺ did not enjoin that or encourage people to visit these places."
And Allaah knows best.
🌷Umrah/Hajj Education🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
🔺The CONFUSION of Ihraam and “STITCHES”🔺
❓ QUESTION❓
Can men use a belt that has stitches on it while in ihraam? Or use a towel or blanket that has stitches? What about sandals that have stitches?
🌿 ANSWER🌿
In order to answer that, we should first try and understand the ”concept” behind the prohibition of STITCHED CLOTHES for men in ihraam.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“The muhrim should not wear a shirt, pants, a burnous, or shoes, unless he cannot find any sandals, in which case he may wear something that comes below his ankles.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
So what is prohibited, is to wear clothes that are specifically “stitched” or “SEWN” to FIT the BODY of a man like a shirt, pants etc.
And similarly it’s prohibited for women to wear the Niqaab and gloves because it’s “stitched” or “sewn” to FIT the face and hands, for women.
Why is that?
That’s because when we’re at hajj, it’s supposed to be a PRACTICE SESSION for the Day of Judgment when we will all be resurrected NAKED and barefoot.
Hajj is a reminder that one day we will all be brought back to life and we will be called to a place of gathering where we will stand for 50,000 years. Then answer our Master and Creator for what we did in the dunya.
So we are supposed to take off our clothes during hajj as a REPRESENTATION of BEING NAKED that day.
Obviously we can’t be naked when we go for hajj.
So the men “take off their regular clothes that are stitched or sewn to fit their body” and they cover themselves with two sheets of ihraam.
Similarly women cannot be naked at hajj, so they uncover only their face and hands by taking off the niqaab and gloves.
So it’s not really the “STITCHES” that are forbidden.
It’s the CLOTHES that are sewn and worn on the body that are forbidden.
So the man CAN cover himself with a blanket or even an ihraam sheet that has ‘stitches’ on it. Or wear a belt that has stitches on it. Or put on a money pouch that has stitches on it. Or use sandals that have stitches in them. All of that is permissible.
🍃 Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:
“There is nothing wrong with wrapping a shirt around one's body without wearing it, and there is nothing wrong with wearing an ‘abayah as a rida’, so that it is not worn in the usual fashion.” (Manaasik al-Hajj wa’l-‘Umrah (p. 64)
That’s because it’s not that there can’t be any “stitches” on a garment. Rather it’s the CLOTHES that are forbidden.
Think about it this way...
If there was a shirt that was GLUED TOGETHER, and was not “sewn”, would that be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam?
No, it would NOT be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam even though there was not a single stitch on it!
Hope that clears the issue.
And Allaah knows best
2024.05.23 16:58 teabagandwarmwater Something really beneficial. Please give it a read! Topics: How to Maximize your time in Makkah When you visit Madeenah Umrah/Hajj Education
🌷How to MAXIMIZE your time in Makkah🌷
By Asma bint Shameem
Makkah is the best place on earth. Allaah Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala decreed Makkah to be a sanctuary the day He created the heavens and the earth.
So when we're in Makkah, we want to utilize each and every SECOND of our time so that we can MAXIMIZE our ibaadaat in the short time we're blessed to be in this Sacred Sanctuary.
Here are some things we can do:
🌷FIVE DAILY PRAYERS
Go to the masjid for the five daily prayers.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"One prayer in al-Masjid al-Haraam is BETTER than one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere." (Ahmad and Ibn Majaah 1406; saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷TAWAAF
Try and do at least one Tawaaf a day if possible. Remember that one complete tawaaf consists of seven rounds.
Making tawaaf of the Ka'bah is one act of ibaadah that's not available anywhere else in the world. It erases sins, raises your status and is equivalent to freeing a slave. Subhaan Allaah!
The Sahaabah knew that and would take FULL advantage of that. And they tried to do as many tawaafs as possible.
🍃 Ibn Umar radhi Allaahu anhu said that he heard the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam say:
"Whoever circumambulates (the Ka'bah) seven times, counting them, and then prays two rak'ahs (after tawaaf) it will be equivalent to his freeing a believing slave."
And "No man lifts his foot and sets it down but ten hasanaat (good deeds) will be recorded for him, and ten sayi'aat (bad deeds) will be erased from his record, and he will be raised thereby ten degrees in status." (at-Tirmidhi; saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi)
🌷PRAY THE JANAAZAH PRAYER
After every fardh salaah, almost always there's a Janaazah prayer for someone or the other.
Do pray this prayer, whether you're a man or a woman, because it's recommended for both to offer this prayer and brings tremendous rewards.
🍃 The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever attends a funeral until he offers the (funeral) prayer will have one qiraat (of reward) and whoever attends until the burial is done will have two qiraats." It was said: "What are the two qiraats?" He said: "Like two great mountains." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
And imagine the rewards of praying in Masjid al-Haraam, where prayers offered are multiplied a 100,000 times! Yes, the reward for offering prayers in Masjid al-Haraam applies to ALL prayers, obligatory AND voluntary.
🍃 Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“Some scholars say that what brings the multiple reward in al-Masjid al-Haraam is the five daily prayers only, and other prayers do not bring the multiple reward. What appears to be the case from the apparent meaning of the hadeeth is that it includes ALL prayers, and the janaazah prayer is included in this general meaning of the reward for prayers in al-Masjid al-Haraam being multiplied. And Allaah knows best.” (Liqa’ al-baab il-Maftooh 116/11).
🌷NAWAAFIL
Pray all the nawaafil you can. Pray them at the times that one is allowed to pray nawaafil and do TAWAAF at times when it's not allowed to pray salah.
This way you MAXIMIZE your time and not one second is wasted In shaa' Allaah.
Since each prayer in the Haram is equal to 100,000 prayers anywhere else then what better place to pray as many nawaafil as possible here in Makkah?
Some of the nawaafil you can offer:
🌿Tahajjud
Of the nawaafil, pay special attention to the tahajjud prayer.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"The BEST prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night (qiyaam al-Layl)." (Muslim)
And he said:
"You should pray qiyaam al-layl, for it is the custom of the righteous who came before you and it brings you closer to your Lord, and expiates sins and prevents misdeeds." (al-Tirmidhi --hasan by al-Albaani)
So it's the BEST prayer after the obligatory prayers, BELOVED to Allaah and expiated sin. What more could a person ask!?
🌿Tahiyyatul Masjid
Masjid al-Haraam is after all a masjid so pray the two rakaat of greeting the Masjid every time you enter it.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"When one of you enters the masjid, let him not sit down until he has prayed two rak'ahs." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
This applies all the time except when your intention is to do tawaaf.
Aa’ishah radhi Allaahu anhaa said:
"When the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam came to Makkah, he did wudoo', then he circumambulated the House. And the two rak'ahs for greeting the masjid are replaced by the two rak'ahs following tawaaf." (al-Bukhaari 1614 and Muslim 1235).
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“If he enters the masjid to do tawaaf, such as a person who is doing ‘umrah and enters the masjid to do the tawaaf of ‘umrah, or to do a voluntary tawaaf, then in this case the tawaaf replaces the two rak’ahs for greeting the masjid, because when he does tawaaf he is going to pray two rak’ahs after tawaaf.” (Majmoo’ Fataawa 22/286)
🌿Tahiyyatul wudhu
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said to Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu:
"Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise." Bilal said : "I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (wudoo) at any time of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to offer." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salat ad-Duhaa
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam would pray Duhaa himself and encouraged us to do so as well.
Abu Hurairah radhi Allaahu anhu said: "My beloved ﷺ advised me to do three things, which I will not forsake so long as I live: to fast three days of each month, to pray Duha, and not to sleep until I pray Witr." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salaat al-Ishraaq:
This prayer is a kind of Salaah ad-Duhaa prayed at its EARLY time, about 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
About this prayer, the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak'ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and 'Umrah, complete, complete, complete." (at-Tirmidhi -- hasan by al-Albaani)
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said:
"The Sunnah of Ishraaq is (the same as) the Sunnah of Duhaa, but if it is done early, from the time when the sun has risen to the height of a spear, then it is Ishraaq prayer; if it is done at the end of its time or in the middle of its time, then it is Duhaa prayer. But it is (all) Duhaa prayer, because the scholars said that the time of Duhaa prayer lasts from when the sun has risen to the height of a spear until just before the zenith." (Liqa' al-Baab al-Maftooh, 141/24)
🌿Salat al-Awwaabeen
This is also a kind of Duhaa prayer done at its LATER time.
Zayd ibn Arqam radhi Allaahu anhu said:
'The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam went out to the people of Qubaa' and found them praying (Duhaa). He said: "Salaat al-Awwaabeen is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand)."'" (Muslim)
Please note: Salaat al-Awwaabeen is NOT the prayer between Mahhrib and Ishaa as is common among some people. Those are just general unspecified nawaafil.
🌿Unspecified nawaafil
You can read as many unspecified nawaafil as you want here in Masjid al-Haraam at all times except the prohibited times which are between Salat al-Asr to sunset and from Salat al-Fajr up until 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
So for example, you can pray unspecified and unlimited number of nawaafil between maghrib and Ishaa.
That was the practice of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and the Sahaabah.
Hudhayfah radhi Allaahu anhu said:
"I came to the Prophet ﷺ and prayed Maghrib with him. When he had finished the prayer, he stood and prayed, and he kept praying until he prayed 'Ishaa'. (Ahmad --saheeh by al-Albaani)
Or you can pray these unspecified nawaafil after salat al-Dhuhr up until Asr, etc
🌷READING QUR'AAN
Utilize those times when prayer is forbidden and read Qur'aan during this period.
And don't just 'read'.
Try and read the Qur'aan with MEANINGS so that you can understand what Allaah wants from you, how you can change for the better, how you can please your Creator and enter Jannah.
🌿TWO BIRDS with ONE STONE:
You can earn double rewards by reading the Qur'aan while you're saying any of your nawaafil prayers especially tahajjud.
Just open the Mus-haf and read DIRECTLY from the Mus-haf for each of the rakaat, instead of reading those small Surahs that you always read.
This way you'll get khushoo in your prayer, AND at the same time you'll get some Qur'aan recitation along with the nawaafil done. A beautiful way to maximize the rewards. Alhamdulillaah.
🌷REPEAT THE ADHAAN
Repeating after the Adhaan brings a lot of rewards and entry into Jannah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said about the one replies to the words of the adhaan "from the heart, he will enter Jannah." (Muslim)
🌷DUA BETWEEN ADHAAN and IQAAMAH
This is the best time to make duaa because this duaa will not be rejected.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Du'a is not rejected between the adhaan and Iqaamah, so engage in du'a (supplication)." (Abi Dawood and others- saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷I'TIKAAF
I'tikaaf does not only take place in Ramadhaan and it does not have to be for ten days either.
You can make the niyyah for i'tikaaf for one week, one day or even for an hour.
So when you plan to stay in Masjid al-Haraam for some time, from one prayer to another etc., make your intention to make i'tikaaf and it will count as ibaadah.
Ibn Hazm said:
"I'tikaaf in the language of the Arabs means staying... any stay in the mosque for the sake of Allaah with the intention of drawing closer to Him is i'tikaaf... whether that is for a short time or a long time, because the Qur'aan and Sunnah do not specify any number or length of time." (Al-Muhalla, 5/179)
🌷DHIKR
Any other time that's left over from all of the above ibaadaat can be filled with dhikr so even these few moments will not be wasted.
Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. Make lots of istighfaar, and fill your time with Subhaan Allaah, Alhamdulillaah, Allaahu Akbar, La illaaha illallaah, and send salutations upon the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam.
Allaah says:
"and the men and the women who remember Allaah much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)" (Surah al-Ahzaab :35)
🌷SAY SALAAM to everyone.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam told us the 'secret' to enter Jannah.... saying salaam to those you know and those you don't know.
Walk around in the streets JUST TO SAY SALAAM to your fellow Muslim.
This was the practice of the Sahaabah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you about something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salaam amongst yourselves." (Muslim)
🌷GIVE SADAQAH
Spend on your Muslim brothesister for the sake of Allaah. It doesn't have to be too much money. Even a little bit counts.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings - for Allaah does not accept anything but that which is good - Allaah will take it in His right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you tends his foal, until it becomes like a mountain." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷SMILE
Sadaqah is not just money. Even a smile is sadaqah.
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Do not regard any act of kindness as insignificant, even meeting your brother with a cheerful countenance." (Saheeh Muslim)
🌷FEED THE PEOPLE
When the Sahaabah asked the Prophet ﷺ what makes Hajj Mabroor, he ﷺ said:
"Providing food to people and spreading (the greeting of) salaam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷HELP SOMEONE
Be on the lookout for anyone that might need help. So if you see an old man struggling with his luggage, or a child who seems lost, or someone looking for a spot to pray or a sister who can't find her shoes, JUMP on the opportunity to help them and earn tremendous rewards just because you helped your fellow Muslim in times of their need.
🌷SLEEP
Yes that's right...SLEEP.
Sleeping and resting will also bring you rewards if you make your intention to rest so that you can worship Allaah better after you've rested and slept.
Any ordinary deed can be converted into an act of worship if we make our intention to do good.
That's why Muadh radhi Allaahu anhu used to say:
"I sleep and I get up (to pray at night), and I seek reward for my sleep as I seek reward for my getting up." (al-Bukhaari)
🌿THE SAME DEEDS APPLY to MADEENAH
We can do all these ibaadaat in Madeenah as well, except of course the Tawaaf.
May Allaah give us the taufeeq to do good and earn maximum rewards in these beautiful times and places.
And Allaah knows best.
🌷When you visit Madeenah...🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
Alhamdulillaah, you're in Madeenah, the most beautiful, the most beloved, the most sacred place on the face of the earth, after Makkah.
Here are some Do's and Don'ts when you visit such a venerated place.
📌 1. Be CAREFUL and show RESPECT
Madeenah is the city of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and his noble Sahaabah. This is where they established Islaam.
To commit any evil in this holy city, or to introduce any innovations here, of all places, would be the biggest disrespect to the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and the biggest insult to the Deen of Islaam.
🍃 Shaikh Salah al-Budayr, the Imaam of Masjid an-Nabawi, said:
"O you who come to Madeenah, you are in a place which, after Makkah, is the best and noblest of all places, so RESPECT it as it should be respected; HONOR its sanctity and holiness and observe the BEST ETIQUETTE therein.
Know that Allaah has warned of the SEVEREST punishment for those who commit evil therein. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: "Madeenah is a Haram (sanctuary), so whoever commits evil therein or gives protection to an evildoer, the curse of Allaah, the angels and all of mankind may be upon him. Allaah will not accept any obligatory or naafil deed from him on the Day of Resurrection." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)"
📌 2. Visit the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ
Obviously, if you're in Madeenah, you would want to visit the masjid of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam).
🍃He ﷺ said:
"The best places to which a person may travel are this Mosque of mine, and the Ancient House (i.e., the Ka'bah)." (Ahmad, saheeh by al-Albaani)
However, keep in mind that visiting this masjid is NOT part of Hajj or Umrah.
Any and all ahaadeeth which connect its visit to Hajj or that say that visiting the grave of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) is connected to Hajj are fabricated and not true.
📌 3. Do your Five Daily Prayers in Masjid an-Nabawi
Just one prayer at the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ is BETTER than 1000 prayers any where else!
Subhaan Allaah! Not “EQUAL” to a 1000 prayers....but BETTER than a 1000 prayers!
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"One prayer in this Masjid of mine is better than one thousand prayers offered anywhere else, except al-Masjid al-Haraam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 4. No need to complete 40 prayers in Madeenah
You don't HAVE to stay in Madeenah for forty prayers NOR is there any SPECIAL rewards for doing so.
You can stay as much as you want or as little as one prayer.
The hadeeth that talks about praying forty prayers in Madeenah is NOT AUTHENTIC.
The ulama have graded it as da'eef or weak.
🍃 Shake al-Albaani said:
"It is an innovation (bid'ah) to visit Madeenah and tell the visitors to Madeenah to stay there for a week so that they will be able to offer forty prayers in the Prophet's Masjid so that they will be free from hypocrisy and saved from the Fire."
🍃 And Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:
"With regard to the widespread idea that the visitor should stay for eight days so that he can offer forty prayers in the Mosque is wrong. This hadeeth is DA’EEF according to the scholars and cannot be taken as proof or relied upon. There is NO SET LIMIT for visiting the Prophet's Masjid. If a person visits for an hour or two, or a day or two, or for more than that, there is nothing wrong with that." (Fataawa Ibn Baz, 17/406)
📌 5. Visit the Rawdah (Riyadh al-Jannah)
Do try and visit the Rawdah, which is that part of the masjid that is between the Mimbar (pulpit) of the Prophet ﷺ and his house, where he is buried.
You can pray two or more rakaat there, but you don't HAVE to pray salah there if there is a lot of crowding and rush. You can make duaa, istighfaar, send salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ or any other dhikr.
This is a piece of Jannah on earth and ANY act of worship here would be accepted and ANY duaa you make will be heard.
After all, isn't Jannah where all wishes come true?
🍃 The Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens (riyaadh, sing. rawdah) of Paradise" (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 6. The Rawdah is NOT the GRAVE of the Prophet ﷺ
Some people especially the sisters think that the Rawdah is the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Thats NOT TRUE.
The Rawdah is that part of the MASJID that is BETWEEN the Mimbar of the Prophet ﷺ and his house where he is buried, also called RIYADH-UL-JANNAH.
When sisters are allowed to go inside the older part of the Masjid, we are visiting Riyadh-ul-Jannah and NOT the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
📌 *7. Visiting the Grave of the Prophet ﷺ *
For MEN, visiting the grave of the Prophet and the graves of the two noble Sahaabah Abu Bakr and Umar (radhi Allaahu anhumaa) is good and recommended. They should visit them, send salaams upon them and make duaa for them.
🔺What about women❓
As far as women are concerned, there is a difference of opinion among the Ulama of Ahl-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah whether women are allowed to visit graves or not, and that includes the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Both sides have valid points based on the Qur'aan and authentic Sunnah, and Allaah knows best.
And although, some ulama do allow women to visit graves, under certain conditions, the Saudi authorities follow the opinion that it's NOT allowed for women to visit graves, and so NONE of the sisters are ALLOWED to go there.
So when they open the doors of the old masjid and let sisters in, they’re NOT letting the women visit the GRAVE. Rather, they’re letting them pray in Riyadh al-Jannah or ‘Rawdah’ as they say.
📌 8. HOW TO visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and the two Sahaabah (for men).
The way to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ is simple.
When a man visits the grave of the Prophet ﷺ, he should say "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Rasool-Allaah (Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allaah)."
Then move about a yard to the right and say salaams to Abu Bakr by saying, "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Aba Bakr." Then move a little further to the right, about a yard, and say salaams to Umar ibn al-Khattaab, by saying, 'Al-salaamu alayka ya 'Umar."
Or other similar words.
❌ Common MISTAKES at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ❌
❌a) Do NOT make duaa TO the Prophet ﷺ. That's SHIRK, may Allaah protect us.
❌ And do NOT justify making duaa to the Prophet ﷺ by saying that you're "asking" the Prophet ﷺ so that he can intercede for you with Allaah or you're asking Allaah "THROUGH" him.
THAT IS ALSO SHIRK!
The Prophet ﷺ CAN NOT and DOES NOT have the ability to hear you OR fulfill your duaa.
It's ONLY Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala that can do that.
❌ b) Do not make duaa here even if you're making duaa to Allaah. Or read Qur'aan or other acts of worship. There's NO PROOF that such an action is good.
🍃 Ali ibn al-Husayn saw a man making duaa at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and he told him NOT to do that. (Abu Ya'la and al-Haafiz al-Diya)
❌c) Do not think that there's any special reward for Ibaadah at the grave of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam or any increased chances of duaa being answered here. That's NOT correct and there's NO PROOF for that.
❌d) Do not stand before the grave with your hands tied as if you're in prayer, or bow or make sajdah etc. as some extreme people do, Astaghfirullaah.
That's SHIRK because this is a posture of humility and worship and we're only allowed to do that for Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala.
Yes of course, we stand with utmost RESPECT but NOT like we’re in Salaah. And no bowing or sujood, Aa’oodhu Billaah.
❌ e) Don't make it a habit
Do not keep going to visit the grave again and again, after every prayer, or every day etc.
I know that you LOVE the Prophet ﷺ and LOVE to visit the grave.
But that's actually going AGAINST the teachings of the one you love.
🍃 The one you love (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Do not take my grave as a place of festivity (which you visit repeatedly)." (Abu Dawood--saheeh by al-Albaani)
TRUE love is to follow the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ and to OBEY him. And to GIVE UP what YOU want, just because HE said so.
🍃 Someone asked Imaam Maalik about a man who came to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ every day.
He said, 'That is NOT RIGHT,' and quoted the hadeeth, 'O Allaah, do not make my grave an idol that is worshipped.'" (saheeh by al-Albaani)
🍃 Al-Qaadi 'Iyaad said about this issue:
"I have not heard of this from any of the fuqaha', and nothing is good for the latter generations of this ummah except that which was good for its first generations. I have not heard that any of the first generations of the ummah used to do that." (Al-Shifa bi Ta'reef Huqooq al-Mustafa)
📌 9. Visiting al-Baqee', mount Uhud and the Shuhadaa
Here again it is recommended for the MEN to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee', and the Shuhadaa of Uhud.
But for women, they are not allowed to visit the graves, although they may visit Uhud.
The authorities do not allow women to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee' because they follow the safer opinion of not allowing women to visit graves, since the hadeeth of the Prophet ﷺ is very severe.
🍃 He said:
"Allaah cursed the women who visit graves." (at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah-- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 10. Do NOT TOUCH, WIPE, KISS any part of the Masjid
Some people, out of their love for the Prophet ﷺ touch or wipe parts of the masjid with their hands, clothes, prayer mats etc., seeking blessing (barakah) with the pillars, walls, doors, mihraab, minbar, etc.
Some even do it with the bookshelves and water coolers there! Subhaan Allaah! Thats NOT ALLOWED.
Remember, the Masjid is made of concrete and marble and brick and wood, just like any other building.
There's no “special” or “blessed” brick or stone used to build it, nor does the bookshelf, or marble or anything else of the building have anything to do with the Prophet ﷺ himself.
It's NOT permissible to seek barakah from anything other than the PERSONAL relics of the Prophet ﷺ and there are NO “relics” to be found in the masjid itself.
Besides, TRUE barakah comes from following the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ NOT by wiping the walls of his masjid, or kissing the doors or hugging the pillars.
📌 11. Be PATIENT, CONSIDERATE and SACRIFICE for your Muslim brothesister
This goes for our ENTIRE LIFETIME, but this is something we should take care of, ESPECIALLY while in this Holy city.
Madeenah is a HOLY place. The Masjid is the Masjid of your BELOVED. The Rawdah is a piece of JANNAH. The other person is your BROTHESISTER in Islaam.
Keep this 👆🏼principle in mind for EVER but especially when visiting the masjid, praying at a specific spot, waiting in line anywhere, or even while visiting the Rawdah.
You also don't want to push, shove or hurt any of your fellow Muslim in such sacred place.
Be extra, EXTRA careful and EXTREMELY polite, patient and courteous.
So INCONVENIENCE yourself for your brothesister.
WAIT your turn to go into the Rawdah area and don't make your stay there too long in consideration for all those Muslim brothers and sisters waiting in line.
If you TRULY love the Prophet ﷺ you'll IMPLEMENT the following hadeeth and keep it in your HEART FOREVER.
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The dearest of people to Allaah, may He be exalted, is the one who does most benefit to people, and the DEAREST of deeds to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala, is JOY that you bring to a Muslim, or relieving him of distress, or paying off debt for him, or dispelling his hunger. And to walk with a brother to meet his needs is DEARER to me than observing I’TIKAAF in this masjid - meaning the masjid of Madeenah - for a MONTH." (at-Tabaraani -- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 12. Go to Masjid al-Qubaa
The Prophet ﷺ used to LOVE to go to this Masjid every Saturday and pray two rakaat there as reported by al-Bukhaari.
🍃 Ibn Umar Radhi Allaahu anhumaa said:
“The Prophet ﷺ used to go to the masjid of Quba’ every Saturday, walking or riding, and he would pray two rak’ahs there.” (al-Bukhaari 1191; Muslim 1399)
🍃 And he Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever purifies himself in his house, then comes to the Masjid of Quba' and prays there, he will have the reward of 'Umrah." (Ibn Maajah --saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 13. No need to go to any other Masaajid
We don't need to go to any other masjid besides Masjid an-Nabawi and Masjid al-Qubaa, because there's no proof of that from the Qur'aan or the practice of the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah that they did that.
🍃 Al-Ma'roor ibn Suwayd said:
"We went out with Umar ibn al-Khattaab, and we passed by a mosque on the way.
The people hastened to pray there, and 'Umar said, "What is the matter with them?"
They said, "This is a masjid in which the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ prayed."
Umar said, "O people, those who came before you were DOOMED because they followed such practices, until they established places of worship in such locations.
If a time for prayer comes when you are there, then pray, and if it is not the time for prayer, then MOVE ON." (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7550)
🍃 Also, when 'Umar radhi Allaahu anhu heard that there were people who came to the tree under which the Prophet ﷺ received the bay'ah (oath of allegiance), he ordered that it be CUT DOWN. (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7545)
🍃 That's why Shaikh Salah al-Budayr said:
"It is NOT prescribed to go to the places and Masaajid in which the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah prayed in order to pray there or to worship Allaah by offering du'aa's there etc., because the Prophet ﷺ did not enjoin that or encourage people to visit these places."
And Allaah knows best.
🌷Umrah/Hajj Education🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
🔺The CONFUSION of Ihraam and “STITCHES”🔺
❓ QUESTION❓
Can men use a belt that has stitches on it while in ihraam? Or use a towel or blanket that has stitches? What about sandals that have stitches?
🌿 ANSWER🌿
In order to answer that, we should first try and understand the ”concept” behind the prohibition of STITCHED CLOTHES for men in ihraam.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“The muhrim should not wear a shirt, pants, a burnous, or shoes, unless he cannot find any sandals, in which case he may wear something that comes below his ankles.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
So what is prohibited, is to wear clothes that are specifically “stitched” or “SEWN” to FIT the BODY of a man like a shirt, pants etc.
And similarly it’s prohibited for women to wear the Niqaab and gloves because it’s “stitched” or “sewn” to FIT the face and hands, for women.
Why is that?
That’s because when we’re at hajj, it’s supposed to be a PRACTICE SESSION for the Day of Judgment when we will all be resurrected NAKED and barefoot.
Hajj is a reminder that one day we will all be brought back to life and we will be called to a place of gathering where we will stand for 50,000 years. Then answer our Master and Creator for what we did in the dunya.
So we are supposed to take off our clothes during hajj as a REPRESENTATION of BEING NAKED that day.
Obviously we can’t be naked when we go for hajj.
So the men “take off their regular clothes that are stitched or sewn to fit their body” and they cover themselves with two sheets of ihraam.
Similarly women cannot be naked at hajj, so they uncover only their face and hands by taking off the niqaab and gloves.
So it’s not really the “STITCHES” that are forbidden.
It’s the CLOTHES that are sewn and worn on the body that are forbidden.
So the man CAN cover himself with a blanket or even an ihraam sheet that has ‘stitches’ on it. Or wear a belt that has stitches on it. Or put on a money pouch that has stitches on it. Or use sandals that have stitches in them. All of that is permissible.
🍃 Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:
“There is nothing wrong with wrapping a shirt around one's body without wearing it, and there is nothing wrong with wearing an ‘abayah as a rida’, so that it is not worn in the usual fashion.” (Manaasik al-Hajj wa’l-‘Umrah (p. 64)
That’s because it’s not that there can’t be any “stitches” on a garment. Rather it’s the CLOTHES that are forbidden.
Think about it this way...
If there was a shirt that was GLUED TOGETHER, and was not “sewn”, would that be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam?
No, it would NOT be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam even though there was not a single stitch on it!
Hope that clears the issue.
And Allaah knows best
submitted by teabagandwarmwater to Muslim [link] [comments]
By Asma bint Shameem
Makkah is the best place on earth. Allaah Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala decreed Makkah to be a sanctuary the day He created the heavens and the earth.
So when we're in Makkah, we want to utilize each and every SECOND of our time so that we can MAXIMIZE our ibaadaat in the short time we're blessed to be in this Sacred Sanctuary.
Here are some things we can do:
🌷FIVE DAILY PRAYERS
Go to the masjid for the five daily prayers.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"One prayer in al-Masjid al-Haraam is BETTER than one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere." (Ahmad and Ibn Majaah 1406; saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷TAWAAF
Try and do at least one Tawaaf a day if possible. Remember that one complete tawaaf consists of seven rounds.
Making tawaaf of the Ka'bah is one act of ibaadah that's not available anywhere else in the world. It erases sins, raises your status and is equivalent to freeing a slave. Subhaan Allaah!
The Sahaabah knew that and would take FULL advantage of that. And they tried to do as many tawaafs as possible.
🍃 Ibn Umar radhi Allaahu anhu said that he heard the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam say:
"Whoever circumambulates (the Ka'bah) seven times, counting them, and then prays two rak'ahs (after tawaaf) it will be equivalent to his freeing a believing slave."
And "No man lifts his foot and sets it down but ten hasanaat (good deeds) will be recorded for him, and ten sayi'aat (bad deeds) will be erased from his record, and he will be raised thereby ten degrees in status." (at-Tirmidhi; saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi)
🌷PRAY THE JANAAZAH PRAYER
After every fardh salaah, almost always there's a Janaazah prayer for someone or the other.
Do pray this prayer, whether you're a man or a woman, because it's recommended for both to offer this prayer and brings tremendous rewards.
🍃 The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever attends a funeral until he offers the (funeral) prayer will have one qiraat (of reward) and whoever attends until the burial is done will have two qiraats." It was said: "What are the two qiraats?" He said: "Like two great mountains." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
And imagine the rewards of praying in Masjid al-Haraam, where prayers offered are multiplied a 100,000 times! Yes, the reward for offering prayers in Masjid al-Haraam applies to ALL prayers, obligatory AND voluntary.
🍃 Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“Some scholars say that what brings the multiple reward in al-Masjid al-Haraam is the five daily prayers only, and other prayers do not bring the multiple reward. What appears to be the case from the apparent meaning of the hadeeth is that it includes ALL prayers, and the janaazah prayer is included in this general meaning of the reward for prayers in al-Masjid al-Haraam being multiplied. And Allaah knows best.” (Liqa’ al-baab il-Maftooh 116/11).
🌷NAWAAFIL
Pray all the nawaafil you can. Pray them at the times that one is allowed to pray nawaafil and do TAWAAF at times when it's not allowed to pray salah.
This way you MAXIMIZE your time and not one second is wasted In shaa' Allaah.
Since each prayer in the Haram is equal to 100,000 prayers anywhere else then what better place to pray as many nawaafil as possible here in Makkah?
Some of the nawaafil you can offer:
🌿Tahajjud
Of the nawaafil, pay special attention to the tahajjud prayer.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"The BEST prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night (qiyaam al-Layl)." (Muslim)
And he said:
"You should pray qiyaam al-layl, for it is the custom of the righteous who came before you and it brings you closer to your Lord, and expiates sins and prevents misdeeds." (al-Tirmidhi --hasan by al-Albaani)
So it's the BEST prayer after the obligatory prayers, BELOVED to Allaah and expiated sin. What more could a person ask!?
🌿Tahiyyatul Masjid
Masjid al-Haraam is after all a masjid so pray the two rakaat of greeting the Masjid every time you enter it.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"When one of you enters the masjid, let him not sit down until he has prayed two rak'ahs." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
This applies all the time except when your intention is to do tawaaf.
Aa’ishah radhi Allaahu anhaa said:
"When the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam came to Makkah, he did wudoo', then he circumambulated the House. And the two rak'ahs for greeting the masjid are replaced by the two rak'ahs following tawaaf." (al-Bukhaari 1614 and Muslim 1235).
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“If he enters the masjid to do tawaaf, such as a person who is doing ‘umrah and enters the masjid to do the tawaaf of ‘umrah, or to do a voluntary tawaaf, then in this case the tawaaf replaces the two rak’ahs for greeting the masjid, because when he does tawaaf he is going to pray two rak’ahs after tawaaf.” (Majmoo’ Fataawa 22/286)
🌿Tahiyyatul wudhu
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said to Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu:
"Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise." Bilal said : "I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (wudoo) at any time of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to offer." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salat ad-Duhaa
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam would pray Duhaa himself and encouraged us to do so as well.
Abu Hurairah radhi Allaahu anhu said: "My beloved ﷺ advised me to do three things, which I will not forsake so long as I live: to fast three days of each month, to pray Duha, and not to sleep until I pray Witr." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salaat al-Ishraaq:
This prayer is a kind of Salaah ad-Duhaa prayed at its EARLY time, about 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
About this prayer, the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak'ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and 'Umrah, complete, complete, complete." (at-Tirmidhi -- hasan by al-Albaani)
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said:
"The Sunnah of Ishraaq is (the same as) the Sunnah of Duhaa, but if it is done early, from the time when the sun has risen to the height of a spear, then it is Ishraaq prayer; if it is done at the end of its time or in the middle of its time, then it is Duhaa prayer. But it is (all) Duhaa prayer, because the scholars said that the time of Duhaa prayer lasts from when the sun has risen to the height of a spear until just before the zenith." (Liqa' al-Baab al-Maftooh, 141/24)
🌿Salat al-Awwaabeen
This is also a kind of Duhaa prayer done at its LATER time.
Zayd ibn Arqam radhi Allaahu anhu said:
'The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam went out to the people of Qubaa' and found them praying (Duhaa). He said: "Salaat al-Awwaabeen is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand)."'" (Muslim)
Please note: Salaat al-Awwaabeen is NOT the prayer between Mahhrib and Ishaa as is common among some people. Those are just general unspecified nawaafil.
🌿Unspecified nawaafil
You can read as many unspecified nawaafil as you want here in Masjid al-Haraam at all times except the prohibited times which are between Salat al-Asr to sunset and from Salat al-Fajr up until 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
So for example, you can pray unspecified and unlimited number of nawaafil between maghrib and Ishaa.
That was the practice of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and the Sahaabah.
Hudhayfah radhi Allaahu anhu said:
"I came to the Prophet ﷺ and prayed Maghrib with him. When he had finished the prayer, he stood and prayed, and he kept praying until he prayed 'Ishaa'. (Ahmad --saheeh by al-Albaani)
Or you can pray these unspecified nawaafil after salat al-Dhuhr up until Asr, etc
🌷READING QUR'AAN
Utilize those times when prayer is forbidden and read Qur'aan during this period.
And don't just 'read'.
Try and read the Qur'aan with MEANINGS so that you can understand what Allaah wants from you, how you can change for the better, how you can please your Creator and enter Jannah.
🌿TWO BIRDS with ONE STONE:
You can earn double rewards by reading the Qur'aan while you're saying any of your nawaafil prayers especially tahajjud.
Just open the Mus-haf and read DIRECTLY from the Mus-haf for each of the rakaat, instead of reading those small Surahs that you always read.
This way you'll get khushoo in your prayer, AND at the same time you'll get some Qur'aan recitation along with the nawaafil done. A beautiful way to maximize the rewards. Alhamdulillaah.
🌷REPEAT THE ADHAAN
Repeating after the Adhaan brings a lot of rewards and entry into Jannah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said about the one replies to the words of the adhaan "from the heart, he will enter Jannah." (Muslim)
🌷DUA BETWEEN ADHAAN and IQAAMAH
This is the best time to make duaa because this duaa will not be rejected.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Du'a is not rejected between the adhaan and Iqaamah, so engage in du'a (supplication)." (Abi Dawood and others- saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷I'TIKAAF
I'tikaaf does not only take place in Ramadhaan and it does not have to be for ten days either.
You can make the niyyah for i'tikaaf for one week, one day or even for an hour.
So when you plan to stay in Masjid al-Haraam for some time, from one prayer to another etc., make your intention to make i'tikaaf and it will count as ibaadah.
Ibn Hazm said:
"I'tikaaf in the language of the Arabs means staying... any stay in the mosque for the sake of Allaah with the intention of drawing closer to Him is i'tikaaf... whether that is for a short time or a long time, because the Qur'aan and Sunnah do not specify any number or length of time." (Al-Muhalla, 5/179)
🌷DHIKR
Any other time that's left over from all of the above ibaadaat can be filled with dhikr so even these few moments will not be wasted.
Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. Make lots of istighfaar, and fill your time with Subhaan Allaah, Alhamdulillaah, Allaahu Akbar, La illaaha illallaah, and send salutations upon the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam.
Allaah says:
"and the men and the women who remember Allaah much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)" (Surah al-Ahzaab :35)
🌷SAY SALAAM to everyone.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam told us the 'secret' to enter Jannah.... saying salaam to those you know and those you don't know.
Walk around in the streets JUST TO SAY SALAAM to your fellow Muslim.
This was the practice of the Sahaabah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you about something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salaam amongst yourselves." (Muslim)
🌷GIVE SADAQAH
Spend on your Muslim brothesister for the sake of Allaah. It doesn't have to be too much money. Even a little bit counts.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings - for Allaah does not accept anything but that which is good - Allaah will take it in His right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you tends his foal, until it becomes like a mountain." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷SMILE
Sadaqah is not just money. Even a smile is sadaqah.
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Do not regard any act of kindness as insignificant, even meeting your brother with a cheerful countenance." (Saheeh Muslim)
🌷FEED THE PEOPLE
When the Sahaabah asked the Prophet ﷺ what makes Hajj Mabroor, he ﷺ said:
"Providing food to people and spreading (the greeting of) salaam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷HELP SOMEONE
Be on the lookout for anyone that might need help. So if you see an old man struggling with his luggage, or a child who seems lost, or someone looking for a spot to pray or a sister who can't find her shoes, JUMP on the opportunity to help them and earn tremendous rewards just because you helped your fellow Muslim in times of their need.
🌷SLEEP
Yes that's right...SLEEP.
Sleeping and resting will also bring you rewards if you make your intention to rest so that you can worship Allaah better after you've rested and slept.
Any ordinary deed can be converted into an act of worship if we make our intention to do good.
That's why Muadh radhi Allaahu anhu used to say:
"I sleep and I get up (to pray at night), and I seek reward for my sleep as I seek reward for my getting up." (al-Bukhaari)
🌿THE SAME DEEDS APPLY to MADEENAH
We can do all these ibaadaat in Madeenah as well, except of course the Tawaaf.
May Allaah give us the taufeeq to do good and earn maximum rewards in these beautiful times and places.
And Allaah knows best.
🌷When you visit Madeenah...🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
Alhamdulillaah, you're in Madeenah, the most beautiful, the most beloved, the most sacred place on the face of the earth, after Makkah.
Here are some Do's and Don'ts when you visit such a venerated place.
📌 1. Be CAREFUL and show RESPECT
Madeenah is the city of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and his noble Sahaabah. This is where they established Islaam.
To commit any evil in this holy city, or to introduce any innovations here, of all places, would be the biggest disrespect to the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and the biggest insult to the Deen of Islaam.
🍃 Shaikh Salah al-Budayr, the Imaam of Masjid an-Nabawi, said:
"O you who come to Madeenah, you are in a place which, after Makkah, is the best and noblest of all places, so RESPECT it as it should be respected; HONOR its sanctity and holiness and observe the BEST ETIQUETTE therein.
Know that Allaah has warned of the SEVEREST punishment for those who commit evil therein. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: "Madeenah is a Haram (sanctuary), so whoever commits evil therein or gives protection to an evildoer, the curse of Allaah, the angels and all of mankind may be upon him. Allaah will not accept any obligatory or naafil deed from him on the Day of Resurrection." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)"
📌 2. Visit the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ
Obviously, if you're in Madeenah, you would want to visit the masjid of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam).
🍃He ﷺ said:
"The best places to which a person may travel are this Mosque of mine, and the Ancient House (i.e., the Ka'bah)." (Ahmad, saheeh by al-Albaani)
However, keep in mind that visiting this masjid is NOT part of Hajj or Umrah.
Any and all ahaadeeth which connect its visit to Hajj or that say that visiting the grave of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) is connected to Hajj are fabricated and not true.
📌 3. Do your Five Daily Prayers in Masjid an-Nabawi
Just one prayer at the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ is BETTER than 1000 prayers any where else!
Subhaan Allaah! Not “EQUAL” to a 1000 prayers....but BETTER than a 1000 prayers!
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"One prayer in this Masjid of mine is better than one thousand prayers offered anywhere else, except al-Masjid al-Haraam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 4. No need to complete 40 prayers in Madeenah
You don't HAVE to stay in Madeenah for forty prayers NOR is there any SPECIAL rewards for doing so.
You can stay as much as you want or as little as one prayer.
The hadeeth that talks about praying forty prayers in Madeenah is NOT AUTHENTIC.
The ulama have graded it as da'eef or weak.
🍃 Shake al-Albaani said:
"It is an innovation (bid'ah) to visit Madeenah and tell the visitors to Madeenah to stay there for a week so that they will be able to offer forty prayers in the Prophet's Masjid so that they will be free from hypocrisy and saved from the Fire."
🍃 And Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:
"With regard to the widespread idea that the visitor should stay for eight days so that he can offer forty prayers in the Mosque is wrong. This hadeeth is DA’EEF according to the scholars and cannot be taken as proof or relied upon. There is NO SET LIMIT for visiting the Prophet's Masjid. If a person visits for an hour or two, or a day or two, or for more than that, there is nothing wrong with that." (Fataawa Ibn Baz, 17/406)
📌 5. Visit the Rawdah (Riyadh al-Jannah)
Do try and visit the Rawdah, which is that part of the masjid that is between the Mimbar (pulpit) of the Prophet ﷺ and his house, where he is buried.
You can pray two or more rakaat there, but you don't HAVE to pray salah there if there is a lot of crowding and rush. You can make duaa, istighfaar, send salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ or any other dhikr.
This is a piece of Jannah on earth and ANY act of worship here would be accepted and ANY duaa you make will be heard.
After all, isn't Jannah where all wishes come true?
🍃 The Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens (riyaadh, sing. rawdah) of Paradise" (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 6. The Rawdah is NOT the GRAVE of the Prophet ﷺ
Some people especially the sisters think that the Rawdah is the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Thats NOT TRUE.
The Rawdah is that part of the MASJID that is BETWEEN the Mimbar of the Prophet ﷺ and his house where he is buried, also called RIYADH-UL-JANNAH.
When sisters are allowed to go inside the older part of the Masjid, we are visiting Riyadh-ul-Jannah and NOT the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
📌 *7. Visiting the Grave of the Prophet ﷺ *
For MEN, visiting the grave of the Prophet and the graves of the two noble Sahaabah Abu Bakr and Umar (radhi Allaahu anhumaa) is good and recommended. They should visit them, send salaams upon them and make duaa for them.
🔺What about women❓
As far as women are concerned, there is a difference of opinion among the Ulama of Ahl-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah whether women are allowed to visit graves or not, and that includes the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Both sides have valid points based on the Qur'aan and authentic Sunnah, and Allaah knows best.
And although, some ulama do allow women to visit graves, under certain conditions, the Saudi authorities follow the opinion that it's NOT allowed for women to visit graves, and so NONE of the sisters are ALLOWED to go there.
So when they open the doors of the old masjid and let sisters in, they’re NOT letting the women visit the GRAVE. Rather, they’re letting them pray in Riyadh al-Jannah or ‘Rawdah’ as they say.
📌 8. HOW TO visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and the two Sahaabah (for men).
The way to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ is simple.
When a man visits the grave of the Prophet ﷺ, he should say "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Rasool-Allaah (Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allaah)."
Then move about a yard to the right and say salaams to Abu Bakr by saying, "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Aba Bakr." Then move a little further to the right, about a yard, and say salaams to Umar ibn al-Khattaab, by saying, 'Al-salaamu alayka ya 'Umar."
Or other similar words.
❌ Common MISTAKES at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ❌
❌a) Do NOT make duaa TO the Prophet ﷺ. That's SHIRK, may Allaah protect us.
❌ And do NOT justify making duaa to the Prophet ﷺ by saying that you're "asking" the Prophet ﷺ so that he can intercede for you with Allaah or you're asking Allaah "THROUGH" him.
THAT IS ALSO SHIRK!
The Prophet ﷺ CAN NOT and DOES NOT have the ability to hear you OR fulfill your duaa.
It's ONLY Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala that can do that.
❌ b) Do not make duaa here even if you're making duaa to Allaah. Or read Qur'aan or other acts of worship. There's NO PROOF that such an action is good.
🍃 Ali ibn al-Husayn saw a man making duaa at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and he told him NOT to do that. (Abu Ya'la and al-Haafiz al-Diya)
❌c) Do not think that there's any special reward for Ibaadah at the grave of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam or any increased chances of duaa being answered here. That's NOT correct and there's NO PROOF for that.
❌d) Do not stand before the grave with your hands tied as if you're in prayer, or bow or make sajdah etc. as some extreme people do, Astaghfirullaah.
That's SHIRK because this is a posture of humility and worship and we're only allowed to do that for Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala.
Yes of course, we stand with utmost RESPECT but NOT like we’re in Salaah. And no bowing or sujood, Aa’oodhu Billaah.
❌ e) Don't make it a habit
Do not keep going to visit the grave again and again, after every prayer, or every day etc.
I know that you LOVE the Prophet ﷺ and LOVE to visit the grave.
But that's actually going AGAINST the teachings of the one you love.
🍃 The one you love (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Do not take my grave as a place of festivity (which you visit repeatedly)." (Abu Dawood--saheeh by al-Albaani)
TRUE love is to follow the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ and to OBEY him. And to GIVE UP what YOU want, just because HE said so.
🍃 Someone asked Imaam Maalik about a man who came to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ every day.
He said, 'That is NOT RIGHT,' and quoted the hadeeth, 'O Allaah, do not make my grave an idol that is worshipped.'" (saheeh by al-Albaani)
🍃 Al-Qaadi 'Iyaad said about this issue:
"I have not heard of this from any of the fuqaha', and nothing is good for the latter generations of this ummah except that which was good for its first generations. I have not heard that any of the first generations of the ummah used to do that." (Al-Shifa bi Ta'reef Huqooq al-Mustafa)
📌 9. Visiting al-Baqee', mount Uhud and the Shuhadaa
Here again it is recommended for the MEN to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee', and the Shuhadaa of Uhud.
But for women, they are not allowed to visit the graves, although they may visit Uhud.
The authorities do not allow women to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee' because they follow the safer opinion of not allowing women to visit graves, since the hadeeth of the Prophet ﷺ is very severe.
🍃 He said:
"Allaah cursed the women who visit graves." (at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah-- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 10. Do NOT TOUCH, WIPE, KISS any part of the Masjid
Some people, out of their love for the Prophet ﷺ touch or wipe parts of the masjid with their hands, clothes, prayer mats etc., seeking blessing (barakah) with the pillars, walls, doors, mihraab, minbar, etc.
Some even do it with the bookshelves and water coolers there! Subhaan Allaah! Thats NOT ALLOWED.
Remember, the Masjid is made of concrete and marble and brick and wood, just like any other building.
There's no “special” or “blessed” brick or stone used to build it, nor does the bookshelf, or marble or anything else of the building have anything to do with the Prophet ﷺ himself.
It's NOT permissible to seek barakah from anything other than the PERSONAL relics of the Prophet ﷺ and there are NO “relics” to be found in the masjid itself.
Besides, TRUE barakah comes from following the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ NOT by wiping the walls of his masjid, or kissing the doors or hugging the pillars.
📌 11. Be PATIENT, CONSIDERATE and SACRIFICE for your Muslim brothesister
This goes for our ENTIRE LIFETIME, but this is something we should take care of, ESPECIALLY while in this Holy city.
Madeenah is a HOLY place. The Masjid is the Masjid of your BELOVED. The Rawdah is a piece of JANNAH. The other person is your BROTHESISTER in Islaam.
Keep this 👆🏼principle in mind for EVER but especially when visiting the masjid, praying at a specific spot, waiting in line anywhere, or even while visiting the Rawdah.
You also don't want to push, shove or hurt any of your fellow Muslim in such sacred place.
Be extra, EXTRA careful and EXTREMELY polite, patient and courteous.
So INCONVENIENCE yourself for your brothesister.
WAIT your turn to go into the Rawdah area and don't make your stay there too long in consideration for all those Muslim brothers and sisters waiting in line.
If you TRULY love the Prophet ﷺ you'll IMPLEMENT the following hadeeth and keep it in your HEART FOREVER.
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The dearest of people to Allaah, may He be exalted, is the one who does most benefit to people, and the DEAREST of deeds to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala, is JOY that you bring to a Muslim, or relieving him of distress, or paying off debt for him, or dispelling his hunger. And to walk with a brother to meet his needs is DEARER to me than observing I’TIKAAF in this masjid - meaning the masjid of Madeenah - for a MONTH." (at-Tabaraani -- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 12. Go to Masjid al-Qubaa
The Prophet ﷺ used to LOVE to go to this Masjid every Saturday and pray two rakaat there as reported by al-Bukhaari.
🍃 Ibn Umar Radhi Allaahu anhumaa said:
“The Prophet ﷺ used to go to the masjid of Quba’ every Saturday, walking or riding, and he would pray two rak’ahs there.” (al-Bukhaari 1191; Muslim 1399)
🍃 And he Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever purifies himself in his house, then comes to the Masjid of Quba' and prays there, he will have the reward of 'Umrah." (Ibn Maajah --saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 13. No need to go to any other Masaajid
We don't need to go to any other masjid besides Masjid an-Nabawi and Masjid al-Qubaa, because there's no proof of that from the Qur'aan or the practice of the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah that they did that.
🍃 Al-Ma'roor ibn Suwayd said:
"We went out with Umar ibn al-Khattaab, and we passed by a mosque on the way.
The people hastened to pray there, and 'Umar said, "What is the matter with them?"
They said, "This is a masjid in which the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ prayed."
Umar said, "O people, those who came before you were DOOMED because they followed such practices, until they established places of worship in such locations.
If a time for prayer comes when you are there, then pray, and if it is not the time for prayer, then MOVE ON." (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7550)
🍃 Also, when 'Umar radhi Allaahu anhu heard that there were people who came to the tree under which the Prophet ﷺ received the bay'ah (oath of allegiance), he ordered that it be CUT DOWN. (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7545)
🍃 That's why Shaikh Salah al-Budayr said:
"It is NOT prescribed to go to the places and Masaajid in which the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah prayed in order to pray there or to worship Allaah by offering du'aa's there etc., because the Prophet ﷺ did not enjoin that or encourage people to visit these places."
And Allaah knows best.
🌷Umrah/Hajj Education🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
🔺The CONFUSION of Ihraam and “STITCHES”🔺
❓ QUESTION❓
Can men use a belt that has stitches on it while in ihraam? Or use a towel or blanket that has stitches? What about sandals that have stitches?
🌿 ANSWER🌿
In order to answer that, we should first try and understand the ”concept” behind the prohibition of STITCHED CLOTHES for men in ihraam.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“The muhrim should not wear a shirt, pants, a burnous, or shoes, unless he cannot find any sandals, in which case he may wear something that comes below his ankles.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
So what is prohibited, is to wear clothes that are specifically “stitched” or “SEWN” to FIT the BODY of a man like a shirt, pants etc.
And similarly it’s prohibited for women to wear the Niqaab and gloves because it’s “stitched” or “sewn” to FIT the face and hands, for women.
Why is that?
That’s because when we’re at hajj, it’s supposed to be a PRACTICE SESSION for the Day of Judgment when we will all be resurrected NAKED and barefoot.
Hajj is a reminder that one day we will all be brought back to life and we will be called to a place of gathering where we will stand for 50,000 years. Then answer our Master and Creator for what we did in the dunya.
So we are supposed to take off our clothes during hajj as a REPRESENTATION of BEING NAKED that day.
Obviously we can’t be naked when we go for hajj.
So the men “take off their regular clothes that are stitched or sewn to fit their body” and they cover themselves with two sheets of ihraam.
Similarly women cannot be naked at hajj, so they uncover only their face and hands by taking off the niqaab and gloves.
So it’s not really the “STITCHES” that are forbidden.
It’s the CLOTHES that are sewn and worn on the body that are forbidden.
So the man CAN cover himself with a blanket or even an ihraam sheet that has ‘stitches’ on it. Or wear a belt that has stitches on it. Or put on a money pouch that has stitches on it. Or use sandals that have stitches in them. All of that is permissible.
🍃 Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:
“There is nothing wrong with wrapping a shirt around one's body without wearing it, and there is nothing wrong with wearing an ‘abayah as a rida’, so that it is not worn in the usual fashion.” (Manaasik al-Hajj wa’l-‘Umrah (p. 64)
That’s because it’s not that there can’t be any “stitches” on a garment. Rather it’s the CLOTHES that are forbidden.
Think about it this way...
If there was a shirt that was GLUED TOGETHER, and was not “sewn”, would that be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam?
No, it would NOT be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam even though there was not a single stitch on it!
Hope that clears the issue.
And Allaah knows best
2024.05.23 16:53 teabagandwarmwater Something really beneficial. Please give it a read! Topics: How to Maximize your time in Makkah When you visit Madeenah Umrah/Hajj Education
🌷How to MAXIMIZE your time in Makkah🌷
By Asma bint Shameem
Makkah is the best place on earth. Allaah Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala decreed Makkah to be a sanctuary the day He created the heavens and the earth.
So when we're in Makkah, we want to utilize each and every SECOND of our time so that we can MAXIMIZE our ibaadaat in the short time we're blessed to be in this Sacred Sanctuary.
Here are some things we can do:
🌷FIVE DAILY PRAYERS
Go to the masjid for the five daily prayers.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"One prayer in al-Masjid al-Haraam is BETTER than one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere." (Ahmad and Ibn Majaah 1406; saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷TAWAAF
Try and do at least one Tawaaf a day if possible. Remember that one complete tawaaf consists of seven rounds.
Making tawaaf of the Ka'bah is one act of ibaadah that's not available anywhere else in the world. It erases sins, raises your status and is equivalent to freeing a slave. Subhaan Allaah!
The Sahaabah knew that and would take FULL advantage of that. And they tried to do as many tawaafs as possible.
🍃 Ibn Umar radhi Allaahu anhu said that he heard the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam say:
"Whoever circumambulates (the Ka'bah) seven times, counting them, and then prays two rak'ahs (after tawaaf) it will be equivalent to his freeing a believing slave."
And "No man lifts his foot and sets it down but ten hasanaat (good deeds) will be recorded for him, and ten sayi'aat (bad deeds) will be erased from his record, and he will be raised thereby ten degrees in status." (at-Tirmidhi; saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi)
🌷PRAY THE JANAAZAH PRAYER
After every fardh salaah, almost always there's a Janaazah prayer for someone or the other.
Do pray this prayer, whether you're a man or a woman, because it's recommended for both to offer this prayer and brings tremendous rewards.
🍃 The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever attends a funeral until he offers the (funeral) prayer will have one qiraat (of reward) and whoever attends until the burial is done will have two qiraats." It was said: "What are the two qiraats?" He said: "Like two great mountains." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
And imagine the rewards of praying in Masjid al-Haraam, where prayers offered are multiplied a 100,000 times! Yes, the reward for offering prayers in Masjid al-Haraam applies to ALL prayers, obligatory AND voluntary.
🍃 Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“Some scholars say that what brings the multiple reward in al-Masjid al-Haraam is the five daily prayers only, and other prayers do not bring the multiple reward. What appears to be the case from the apparent meaning of the hadeeth is that it includes ALL prayers, and the janaazah prayer is included in this general meaning of the reward for prayers in al-Masjid al-Haraam being multiplied. And Allaah knows best.” (Liqa’ al-baab il-Maftooh 116/11).
🌷NAWAAFIL
Pray all the nawaafil you can. Pray them at the times that one is allowed to pray nawaafil and do TAWAAF at times when it's not allowed to pray salah.
This way you MAXIMIZE your time and not one second is wasted In shaa' Allaah.
Since each prayer in the Haram is equal to 100,000 prayers anywhere else then what better place to pray as many nawaafil as possible here in Makkah?
Some of the nawaafil you can offer:
🌿Tahajjud
Of the nawaafil, pay special attention to the tahajjud prayer.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"The BEST prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night (qiyaam al-Layl)." (Muslim)
And he said:
"You should pray qiyaam al-layl, for it is the custom of the righteous who came before you and it brings you closer to your Lord, and expiates sins and prevents misdeeds." (al-Tirmidhi --hasan by al-Albaani)
So it's the BEST prayer after the obligatory prayers, BELOVED to Allaah and expiated sin. What more could a person ask!?
🌿Tahiyyatul Masjid
Masjid al-Haraam is after all a masjid so pray the two rakaat of greeting the Masjid every time you enter it.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"When one of you enters the masjid, let him not sit down until he has prayed two rak'ahs." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
This applies all the time except when your intention is to do tawaaf.
Aa’ishah radhi Allaahu anhaa said:
"When the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam came to Makkah, he did wudoo', then he circumambulated the House. And the two rak'ahs for greeting the masjid are replaced by the two rak'ahs following tawaaf." (al-Bukhaari 1614 and Muslim 1235).
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“If he enters the masjid to do tawaaf, such as a person who is doing ‘umrah and enters the masjid to do the tawaaf of ‘umrah, or to do a voluntary tawaaf, then in this case the tawaaf replaces the two rak’ahs for greeting the masjid, because when he does tawaaf he is going to pray two rak’ahs after tawaaf.” (Majmoo’ Fataawa 22/286)
🌿Tahiyyatul wudhu
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said to Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu:
"Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise." Bilal said : "I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (wudoo) at any time of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to offer." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salat ad-Duhaa
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam would pray Duhaa himself and encouraged us to do so as well.
Abu Hurairah radhi Allaahu anhu said: "My beloved ﷺ advised me to do three things, which I will not forsake so long as I live: to fast three days of each month, to pray Duha, and not to sleep until I pray Witr." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salaat al-Ishraaq:
This prayer is a kind of Salaah ad-Duhaa prayed at its EARLY time, about 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
About this prayer, the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak'ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and 'Umrah, complete, complete, complete." (at-Tirmidhi -- hasan by al-Albaani)
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said:
"The Sunnah of Ishraaq is (the same as) the Sunnah of Duhaa, but if it is done early, from the time when the sun has risen to the height of a spear, then it is Ishraaq prayer; if it is done at the end of its time or in the middle of its time, then it is Duhaa prayer. But it is (all) Duhaa prayer, because the scholars said that the time of Duhaa prayer lasts from when the sun has risen to the height of a spear until just before the zenith." (Liqa' al-Baab al-Maftooh, 141/24)
🌿Salat al-Awwaabeen
This is also a kind of Duhaa prayer done at its LATER time.
Zayd ibn Arqam radhi Allaahu anhu said:
'The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam went out to the people of Qubaa' and found them praying (Duhaa). He said: "Salaat al-Awwaabeen is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand)."'" (Muslim)
Please note: Salaat al-Awwaabeen is NOT the prayer between Mahhrib and Ishaa as is common among some people. Those are just general unspecified nawaafil.
🌿Unspecified nawaafil
You can read as many unspecified nawaafil as you want here in Masjid al-Haraam at all times except the prohibited times which are between Salat al-Asr to sunset and from Salat al-Fajr up until 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
So for example, you can pray unspecified and unlimited number of nawaafil between maghrib and Ishaa.
That was the practice of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and the Sahaabah.
Hudhayfah radhi Allaahu anhu said:
"I came to the Prophet ﷺ and prayed Maghrib with him. When he had finished the prayer, he stood and prayed, and he kept praying until he prayed 'Ishaa'. (Ahmad --saheeh by al-Albaani)
Or you can pray these unspecified nawaafil after salat al-Dhuhr up until Asr, etc
🌷READING QUR'AAN
Utilize those times when prayer is forbidden and read Qur'aan during this period.
And don't just 'read'.
Try and read the Qur'aan with MEANINGS so that you can understand what Allaah wants from you, how you can change for the better, how you can please your Creator and enter Jannah.
🌿TWO BIRDS with ONE STONE:
You can earn double rewards by reading the Qur'aan while you're saying any of your nawaafil prayers especially tahajjud.
Just open the Mus-haf and read DIRECTLY from the Mus-haf for each of the rakaat, instead of reading those small Surahs that you always read.
This way you'll get khushoo in your prayer, AND at the same time you'll get some Qur'aan recitation along with the nawaafil done. A beautiful way to maximize the rewards. Alhamdulillaah.
🌷REPEAT THE ADHAAN
Repeating after the Adhaan brings a lot of rewards and entry into Jannah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said about the one replies to the words of the adhaan "from the heart, he will enter Jannah." (Muslim)
🌷DUA BETWEEN ADHAAN and IQAAMAH
This is the best time to make duaa because this duaa will not be rejected.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Du'a is not rejected between the adhaan and Iqaamah, so engage in du'a (supplication)." (Abi Dawood and others- saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷I'TIKAAF
I'tikaaf does not only take place in Ramadhaan and it does not have to be for ten days either.
You can make the niyyah for i'tikaaf for one week, one day or even for an hour.
So when you plan to stay in Masjid al-Haraam for some time, from one prayer to another etc., make your intention to make i'tikaaf and it will count as ibaadah.
Ibn Hazm said:
"I'tikaaf in the language of the Arabs means staying... any stay in the mosque for the sake of Allaah with the intention of drawing closer to Him is i'tikaaf... whether that is for a short time or a long time, because the Qur'aan and Sunnah do not specify any number or length of time." (Al-Muhalla, 5/179)
🌷DHIKR
Any other time that's left over from all of the above ibaadaat can be filled with dhikr so even these few moments will not be wasted.
Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. Make lots of istighfaar, and fill your time with Subhaan Allaah, Alhamdulillaah, Allaahu Akbar, La illaaha illallaah, and send salutations upon the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam.
Allaah says:
"and the men and the women who remember Allaah much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)" (Surah al-Ahzaab :35)
🌷SAY SALAAM to everyone.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam told us the 'secret' to enter Jannah.... saying salaam to those you know and those you don't know.
Walk around in the streets JUST TO SAY SALAAM to your fellow Muslim.
This was the practice of the Sahaabah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you about something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salaam amongst yourselves." (Muslim)
🌷GIVE SADAQAH
Spend on your Muslim brothesister for the sake of Allaah. It doesn't have to be too much money. Even a little bit counts.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings - for Allaah does not accept anything but that which is good - Allaah will take it in His right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you tends his foal, until it becomes like a mountain." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷SMILE
Sadaqah is not just money. Even a smile is sadaqah.
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Do not regard any act of kindness as insignificant, even meeting your brother with a cheerful countenance." (Saheeh Muslim)
🌷FEED THE PEOPLE
When the Sahaabah asked the Prophet ﷺ what makes Hajj Mabroor, he ﷺ said:
"Providing food to people and spreading (the greeting of) salaam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷HELP SOMEONE
Be on the lookout for anyone that might need help. So if you see an old man struggling with his luggage, or a child who seems lost, or someone looking for a spot to pray or a sister who can't find her shoes, JUMP on the opportunity to help them and earn tremendous rewards just because you helped your fellow Muslim in times of their need.
🌷SLEEP
Yes that's right...SLEEP.
Sleeping and resting will also bring you rewards if you make your intention to rest so that you can worship Allaah better after you've rested and slept.
Any ordinary deed can be converted into an act of worship if we make our intention to do good.
That's why Muadh radhi Allaahu anhu used to say:
"I sleep and I get up (to pray at night), and I seek reward for my sleep as I seek reward for my getting up." (al-Bukhaari)
🌿THE SAME DEEDS APPLY to MADEENAH
We can do all these ibaadaat in Madeenah as well, except of course the Tawaaf.
May Allaah give us the taufeeq to do good and earn maximum rewards in these beautiful times and places.
And Allaah knows best.
🌷When you visit Madeenah...🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
Alhamdulillaah, you're in Madeenah, the most beautiful, the most beloved, the most sacred place on the face of the earth, after Makkah.
Here are some Do's and Don'ts when you visit such a venerated place.
📌 1. Be CAREFUL and show RESPECT
Madeenah is the city of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and his noble Sahaabah. This is where they established Islaam.
To commit any evil in this holy city, or to introduce any innovations here, of all places, would be the biggest disrespect to the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and the biggest insult to the Deen of Islaam.
🍃 Shaikh Salah al-Budayr, the Imaam of Masjid an-Nabawi, said:
"O you who come to Madeenah, you are in a place which, after Makkah, is the best and noblest of all places, so RESPECT it as it should be respected; HONOR its sanctity and holiness and observe the BEST ETIQUETTE therein.
Know that Allaah has warned of the SEVEREST punishment for those who commit evil therein. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: "Madeenah is a Haram (sanctuary), so whoever commits evil therein or gives protection to an evildoer, the curse of Allaah, the angels and all of mankind may be upon him. Allaah will not accept any obligatory or naafil deed from him on the Day of Resurrection." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)"
📌 2. Visit the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ
Obviously, if you're in Madeenah, you would want to visit the masjid of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam).
🍃He ﷺ said:
"The best places to which a person may travel are this Mosque of mine, and the Ancient House (i.e., the Ka'bah)." (Ahmad, saheeh by al-Albaani)
However, keep in mind that visiting this masjid is NOT part of Hajj or Umrah.
Any and all ahaadeeth which connect its visit to Hajj or that say that visiting the grave of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) is connected to Hajj are fabricated and not true.
📌 3. Do your Five Daily Prayers in Masjid an-Nabawi
Just one prayer at the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ is BETTER than 1000 prayers any where else!
Subhaan Allaah! Not “EQUAL” to a 1000 prayers....but BETTER than a 1000 prayers!
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"One prayer in this Masjid of mine is better than one thousand prayers offered anywhere else, except al-Masjid al-Haraam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 4. No need to complete 40 prayers in Madeenah
You don't HAVE to stay in Madeenah for forty prayers NOR is there any SPECIAL rewards for doing so.
You can stay as much as you want or as little as one prayer.
The hadeeth that talks about praying forty prayers in Madeenah is NOT AUTHENTIC.
The ulama have graded it as da'eef or weak.
🍃 Shake al-Albaani said:
"It is an innovation (bid'ah) to visit Madeenah and tell the visitors to Madeenah to stay there for a week so that they will be able to offer forty prayers in the Prophet's Masjid so that they will be free from hypocrisy and saved from the Fire."
🍃 And Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:
"With regard to the widespread idea that the visitor should stay for eight days so that he can offer forty prayers in the Mosque is wrong. This hadeeth is DA’EEF according to the scholars and cannot be taken as proof or relied upon. There is NO SET LIMIT for visiting the Prophet's Masjid. If a person visits for an hour or two, or a day or two, or for more than that, there is nothing wrong with that." (Fataawa Ibn Baz, 17/406)
📌 5. Visit the Rawdah (Riyadh al-Jannah)
Do try and visit the Rawdah, which is that part of the masjid that is between the Mimbar (pulpit) of the Prophet ﷺ and his house, where he is buried.
You can pray two or more rakaat there, but you don't HAVE to pray salah there if there is a lot of crowding and rush. You can make duaa, istighfaar, send salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ or any other dhikr.
This is a piece of Jannah on earth and ANY act of worship here would be accepted and ANY duaa you make will be heard.
After all, isn't Jannah where all wishes come true?
🍃 The Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens (riyaadh, sing. rawdah) of Paradise" (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 6. The Rawdah is NOT the GRAVE of the Prophet ﷺ
Some people especially the sisters think that the Rawdah is the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Thats NOT TRUE.
The Rawdah is that part of the MASJID that is BETWEEN the Mimbar of the Prophet ﷺ and his house where he is buried, also called RIYADH-UL-JANNAH.
When sisters are allowed to go inside the older part of the Masjid, we are visiting Riyadh-ul-Jannah and NOT the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
📌 *7. Visiting the Grave of the Prophet ﷺ *
For MEN, visiting the grave of the Prophet and the graves of the two noble Sahaabah Abu Bakr and Umar (radhi Allaahu anhumaa) is good and recommended. They should visit them, send salaams upon them and make duaa for them.
🔺What about women❓
As far as women are concerned, there is a difference of opinion among the Ulama of Ahl-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah whether women are allowed to visit graves or not, and that includes the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Both sides have valid points based on the Qur'aan and authentic Sunnah, and Allaah knows best.
And although, some ulama do allow women to visit graves, under certain conditions, the Saudi authorities follow the opinion that it's NOT allowed for women to visit graves, and so NONE of the sisters are ALLOWED to go there.
So when they open the doors of the old masjid and let sisters in, they’re NOT letting the women visit the GRAVE. Rather, they’re letting them pray in Riyadh al-Jannah or ‘Rawdah’ as they say.
📌 8. HOW TO visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and the two Sahaabah (for men).
The way to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ is simple.
When a man visits the grave of the Prophet ﷺ, he should say "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Rasool-Allaah (Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allaah)."
Then move about a yard to the right and say salaams to Abu Bakr by saying, "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Aba Bakr." Then move a little further to the right, about a yard, and say salaams to Umar ibn al-Khattaab, by saying, 'Al-salaamu alayka ya 'Umar."
Or other similar words.
❌ Common MISTAKES at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ❌
❌a) Do NOT make duaa TO the Prophet ﷺ. That's SHIRK, may Allaah protect us.
❌ And do NOT justify making duaa to the Prophet ﷺ by saying that you're "asking" the Prophet ﷺ so that he can intercede for you with Allaah or you're asking Allaah "THROUGH" him.
THAT IS ALSO SHIRK!
The Prophet ﷺ CAN NOT and DOES NOT have the ability to hear you OR fulfill your duaa.
It's ONLY Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala that can do that.
❌ b) Do not make duaa here even if you're making duaa to Allaah. Or read Qur'aan or other acts of worship. There's NO PROOF that such an action is good.
🍃 Ali ibn al-Husayn saw a man making duaa at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and he told him NOT to do that. (Abu Ya'la and al-Haafiz al-Diya)
❌c) Do not think that there's any special reward for Ibaadah at the grave of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam or any increased chances of duaa being answered here. That's NOT correct and there's NO PROOF for that.
❌d) Do not stand before the grave with your hands tied as if you're in prayer, or bow or make sajdah etc. as some extreme people do, Astaghfirullaah.
That's SHIRK because this is a posture of humility and worship and we're only allowed to do that for Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala.
Yes of course, we stand with utmost RESPECT but NOT like we’re in Salaah. And no bowing or sujood, Aa’oodhu Billaah.
❌ e) Don't make it a habit
Do not keep going to visit the grave again and again, after every prayer, or every day etc.
I know that you LOVE the Prophet ﷺ and LOVE to visit the grave.
But that's actually going AGAINST the teachings of the one you love.
🍃 The one you love (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Do not take my grave as a place of festivity (which you visit repeatedly)." (Abu Dawood--saheeh by al-Albaani)
TRUE love is to follow the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ and to OBEY him. And to GIVE UP what YOU want, just because HE said so.
🍃 Someone asked Imaam Maalik about a man who came to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ every day.
He said, 'That is NOT RIGHT,' and quoted the hadeeth, 'O Allaah, do not make my grave an idol that is worshipped.'" (saheeh by al-Albaani)
🍃 Al-Qaadi 'Iyaad said about this issue:
"I have not heard of this from any of the fuqaha', and nothing is good for the latter generations of this ummah except that which was good for its first generations. I have not heard that any of the first generations of the ummah used to do that." (Al-Shifa bi Ta'reef Huqooq al-Mustafa)
📌 9. Visiting al-Baqee', mount Uhud and the Shuhadaa
Here again it is recommended for the MEN to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee', and the Shuhadaa of Uhud.
But for women, they are not allowed to visit the graves, although they may visit Uhud.
The authorities do not allow women to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee' because they follow the safer opinion of not allowing women to visit graves, since the hadeeth of the Prophet ﷺ is very severe.
🍃 He said:
"Allaah cursed the women who visit graves." (at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah-- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 10. Do NOT TOUCH, WIPE, KISS any part of the Masjid
Some people, out of their love for the Prophet ﷺ touch or wipe parts of the masjid with their hands, clothes, prayer mats etc., seeking blessing (barakah) with the pillars, walls, doors, mihraab, minbar, etc.
Some even do it with the bookshelves and water coolers there! Subhaan Allaah! Thats NOT ALLOWED.
Remember, the Masjid is made of concrete and marble and brick and wood, just like any other building.
There's no “special” or “blessed” brick or stone used to build it, nor does the bookshelf, or marble or anything else of the building have anything to do with the Prophet ﷺ himself.
It's NOT permissible to seek barakah from anything other than the PERSONAL relics of the Prophet ﷺ and there are NO “relics” to be found in the masjid itself.
Besides, TRUE barakah comes from following the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ NOT by wiping the walls of his masjid, or kissing the doors or hugging the pillars.
📌 11. Be PATIENT, CONSIDERATE and SACRIFICE for your Muslim brothesister
This goes for our ENTIRE LIFETIME, but this is something we should take care of, ESPECIALLY while in this Holy city.
Madeenah is a HOLY place. The Masjid is the Masjid of your BELOVED. The Rawdah is a piece of JANNAH. The other person is your BROTHESISTER in Islaam.
Keep this 👆🏼principle in mind for EVER but especially when visiting the masjid, praying at a specific spot, waiting in line anywhere, or even while visiting the Rawdah.
You also don't want to push, shove or hurt any of your fellow Muslim in such sacred place.
Be extra, EXTRA careful and EXTREMELY polite, patient and courteous.
So INCONVENIENCE yourself for your brothesister.
WAIT your turn to go into the Rawdah area and don't make your stay there too long in consideration for all those Muslim brothers and sisters waiting in line.
If you TRULY love the Prophet ﷺ you'll IMPLEMENT the following hadeeth and keep it in your HEART FOREVER.
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The dearest of people to Allaah, may He be exalted, is the one who does most benefit to people, and the DEAREST of deeds to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala, is JOY that you bring to a Muslim, or relieving him of distress, or paying off debt for him, or dispelling his hunger. And to walk with a brother to meet his needs is DEARER to me than observing I’TIKAAF in this masjid - meaning the masjid of Madeenah - for a MONTH." (at-Tabaraani -- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 12. Go to Masjid al-Qubaa
The Prophet ﷺ used to LOVE to go to this Masjid every Saturday and pray two rakaat there as reported by al-Bukhaari.
🍃 Ibn Umar Radhi Allaahu anhumaa said:
“The Prophet ﷺ used to go to the masjid of Quba’ every Saturday, walking or riding, and he would pray two rak’ahs there.” (al-Bukhaari 1191; Muslim 1399)
🍃 And he Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever purifies himself in his house, then comes to the Masjid of Quba' and prays there, he will have the reward of 'Umrah." (Ibn Maajah --saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 13. No need to go to any other Masaajid
We don't need to go to any other masjid besides Masjid an-Nabawi and Masjid al-Qubaa, because there's no proof of that from the Qur'aan or the practice of the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah that they did that.
🍃 Al-Ma'roor ibn Suwayd said:
"We went out with Umar ibn al-Khattaab, and we passed by a mosque on the way.
The people hastened to pray there, and 'Umar said, "What is the matter with them?"
They said, "This is a masjid in which the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ prayed."
Umar said, "O people, those who came before you were DOOMED because they followed such practices, until they established places of worship in such locations.
If a time for prayer comes when you are there, then pray, and if it is not the time for prayer, then MOVE ON." (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7550)
🍃 Also, when 'Umar radhi Allaahu anhu heard that there were people who came to the tree under which the Prophet ﷺ received the bay'ah (oath of allegiance), he ordered that it be CUT DOWN. (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7545)
🍃 That's why Shaikh Salah al-Budayr said:
"It is NOT prescribed to go to the places and Masaajid in which the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah prayed in order to pray there or to worship Allaah by offering du'aa's there etc., because the Prophet ﷺ did not enjoin that or encourage people to visit these places."
And Allaah knows best.
🌷Umrah/Hajj Education🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
🔺The CONFUSION of Ihraam and “STITCHES”🔺
❓ QUESTION❓
Can men use a belt that has stitches on it while in ihraam? Or use a towel or blanket that has stitches? What about sandals that have stitches?
🌿 ANSWER🌿
In order to answer that, we should first try and understand the ”concept” behind the prohibition of STITCHED CLOTHES for men in ihraam.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“The muhrim should not wear a shirt, pants, a burnous, or shoes, unless he cannot find any sandals, in which case he may wear something that comes below his ankles.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
So what is prohibited, is to wear clothes that are specifically “stitched” or “SEWN” to FIT the BODY of a man like a shirt, pants etc.
And similarly it’s prohibited for women to wear the Niqaab and gloves because it’s “stitched” or “sewn” to FIT the face and hands, for women.
Why is that?
That’s because when we’re at hajj, it’s supposed to be a PRACTICE SESSION for the Day of Judgment when we will all be resurrected NAKED and barefoot.
Hajj is a reminder that one day we will all be brought back to life and we will be called to a place of gathering where we will stand for 50,000 years. Then answer our Master and Creator for what we did in the dunya.
So we are supposed to take off our clothes during hajj as a REPRESENTATION of BEING NAKED that day.
Obviously we can’t be naked when we go for hajj.
So the men “take off their regular clothes that are stitched or sewn to fit their body” and they cover themselves with two sheets of ihraam.
Similarly women cannot be naked at hajj, so they uncover only their face and hands by taking off the niqaab and gloves.
So it’s not really the “STITCHES” that are forbidden.
It’s the CLOTHES that are sewn and worn on the body that are forbidden.
So the man CAN cover himself with a blanket or even an ihraam sheet that has ‘stitches’ on it. Or wear a belt that has stitches on it. Or put on a money pouch that has stitches on it. Or use sandals that have stitches in them. All of that is permissible.
🍃 Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:
“There is nothing wrong with wrapping a shirt around one's body without wearing it, and there is nothing wrong with wearing an ‘abayah as a rida’, so that it is not worn in the usual fashion.” (Manaasik al-Hajj wa’l-‘Umrah (p. 64)
That’s because it’s not that there can’t be any “stitches” on a garment. Rather it’s the CLOTHES that are forbidden.
Think about it this way...
If there was a shirt that was GLUED TOGETHER, and was not “sewn”, would that be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam?
No, it would NOT be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam even though there was not a single stitch on it!
Hope that clears the issue.
And Allaah knows best
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By Asma bint Shameem
Makkah is the best place on earth. Allaah Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala decreed Makkah to be a sanctuary the day He created the heavens and the earth.
So when we're in Makkah, we want to utilize each and every SECOND of our time so that we can MAXIMIZE our ibaadaat in the short time we're blessed to be in this Sacred Sanctuary.
Here are some things we can do:
🌷FIVE DAILY PRAYERS
Go to the masjid for the five daily prayers.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"One prayer in al-Masjid al-Haraam is BETTER than one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere." (Ahmad and Ibn Majaah 1406; saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷TAWAAF
Try and do at least one Tawaaf a day if possible. Remember that one complete tawaaf consists of seven rounds.
Making tawaaf of the Ka'bah is one act of ibaadah that's not available anywhere else in the world. It erases sins, raises your status and is equivalent to freeing a slave. Subhaan Allaah!
The Sahaabah knew that and would take FULL advantage of that. And they tried to do as many tawaafs as possible.
🍃 Ibn Umar radhi Allaahu anhu said that he heard the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam say:
"Whoever circumambulates (the Ka'bah) seven times, counting them, and then prays two rak'ahs (after tawaaf) it will be equivalent to his freeing a believing slave."
And "No man lifts his foot and sets it down but ten hasanaat (good deeds) will be recorded for him, and ten sayi'aat (bad deeds) will be erased from his record, and he will be raised thereby ten degrees in status." (at-Tirmidhi; saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi)
🌷PRAY THE JANAAZAH PRAYER
After every fardh salaah, almost always there's a Janaazah prayer for someone or the other.
Do pray this prayer, whether you're a man or a woman, because it's recommended for both to offer this prayer and brings tremendous rewards.
🍃 The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever attends a funeral until he offers the (funeral) prayer will have one qiraat (of reward) and whoever attends until the burial is done will have two qiraats." It was said: "What are the two qiraats?" He said: "Like two great mountains." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
And imagine the rewards of praying in Masjid al-Haraam, where prayers offered are multiplied a 100,000 times! Yes, the reward for offering prayers in Masjid al-Haraam applies to ALL prayers, obligatory AND voluntary.
🍃 Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“Some scholars say that what brings the multiple reward in al-Masjid al-Haraam is the five daily prayers only, and other prayers do not bring the multiple reward. What appears to be the case from the apparent meaning of the hadeeth is that it includes ALL prayers, and the janaazah prayer is included in this general meaning of the reward for prayers in al-Masjid al-Haraam being multiplied. And Allaah knows best.” (Liqa’ al-baab il-Maftooh 116/11).
🌷NAWAAFIL
Pray all the nawaafil you can. Pray them at the times that one is allowed to pray nawaafil and do TAWAAF at times when it's not allowed to pray salah.
This way you MAXIMIZE your time and not one second is wasted In shaa' Allaah.
Since each prayer in the Haram is equal to 100,000 prayers anywhere else then what better place to pray as many nawaafil as possible here in Makkah?
Some of the nawaafil you can offer:
🌿Tahajjud
Of the nawaafil, pay special attention to the tahajjud prayer.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"The BEST prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night (qiyaam al-Layl)." (Muslim)
And he said:
"You should pray qiyaam al-layl, for it is the custom of the righteous who came before you and it brings you closer to your Lord, and expiates sins and prevents misdeeds." (al-Tirmidhi --hasan by al-Albaani)
So it's the BEST prayer after the obligatory prayers, BELOVED to Allaah and expiated sin. What more could a person ask!?
🌿Tahiyyatul Masjid
Masjid al-Haraam is after all a masjid so pray the two rakaat of greeting the Masjid every time you enter it.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"When one of you enters the masjid, let him not sit down until he has prayed two rak'ahs." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
This applies all the time except when your intention is to do tawaaf.
Aa’ishah radhi Allaahu anhaa said:
"When the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam came to Makkah, he did wudoo', then he circumambulated the House. And the two rak'ahs for greeting the masjid are replaced by the two rak'ahs following tawaaf." (al-Bukhaari 1614 and Muslim 1235).
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“If he enters the masjid to do tawaaf, such as a person who is doing ‘umrah and enters the masjid to do the tawaaf of ‘umrah, or to do a voluntary tawaaf, then in this case the tawaaf replaces the two rak’ahs for greeting the masjid, because when he does tawaaf he is going to pray two rak’ahs after tawaaf.” (Majmoo’ Fataawa 22/286)
🌿Tahiyyatul wudhu
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said to Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu:
"Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise." Bilal said : "I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (wudoo) at any time of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to offer." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salat ad-Duhaa
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam would pray Duhaa himself and encouraged us to do so as well.
Abu Hurairah radhi Allaahu anhu said: "My beloved ﷺ advised me to do three things, which I will not forsake so long as I live: to fast three days of each month, to pray Duha, and not to sleep until I pray Witr." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salaat al-Ishraaq:
This prayer is a kind of Salaah ad-Duhaa prayed at its EARLY time, about 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
About this prayer, the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak'ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and 'Umrah, complete, complete, complete." (at-Tirmidhi -- hasan by al-Albaani)
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said:
"The Sunnah of Ishraaq is (the same as) the Sunnah of Duhaa, but if it is done early, from the time when the sun has risen to the height of a spear, then it is Ishraaq prayer; if it is done at the end of its time or in the middle of its time, then it is Duhaa prayer. But it is (all) Duhaa prayer, because the scholars said that the time of Duhaa prayer lasts from when the sun has risen to the height of a spear until just before the zenith." (Liqa' al-Baab al-Maftooh, 141/24)
🌿Salat al-Awwaabeen
This is also a kind of Duhaa prayer done at its LATER time.
Zayd ibn Arqam radhi Allaahu anhu said:
'The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam went out to the people of Qubaa' and found them praying (Duhaa). He said: "Salaat al-Awwaabeen is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand)."'" (Muslim)
Please note: Salaat al-Awwaabeen is NOT the prayer between Mahhrib and Ishaa as is common among some people. Those are just general unspecified nawaafil.
🌿Unspecified nawaafil
You can read as many unspecified nawaafil as you want here in Masjid al-Haraam at all times except the prohibited times which are between Salat al-Asr to sunset and from Salat al-Fajr up until 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
So for example, you can pray unspecified and unlimited number of nawaafil between maghrib and Ishaa.
That was the practice of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and the Sahaabah.
Hudhayfah radhi Allaahu anhu said:
"I came to the Prophet ﷺ and prayed Maghrib with him. When he had finished the prayer, he stood and prayed, and he kept praying until he prayed 'Ishaa'. (Ahmad --saheeh by al-Albaani)
Or you can pray these unspecified nawaafil after salat al-Dhuhr up until Asr, etc
🌷READING QUR'AAN
Utilize those times when prayer is forbidden and read Qur'aan during this period.
And don't just 'read'.
Try and read the Qur'aan with MEANINGS so that you can understand what Allaah wants from you, how you can change for the better, how you can please your Creator and enter Jannah.
🌿TWO BIRDS with ONE STONE:
You can earn double rewards by reading the Qur'aan while you're saying any of your nawaafil prayers especially tahajjud.
Just open the Mus-haf and read DIRECTLY from the Mus-haf for each of the rakaat, instead of reading those small Surahs that you always read.
This way you'll get khushoo in your prayer, AND at the same time you'll get some Qur'aan recitation along with the nawaafil done. A beautiful way to maximize the rewards. Alhamdulillaah.
🌷REPEAT THE ADHAAN
Repeating after the Adhaan brings a lot of rewards and entry into Jannah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said about the one replies to the words of the adhaan "from the heart, he will enter Jannah." (Muslim)
🌷DUA BETWEEN ADHAAN and IQAAMAH
This is the best time to make duaa because this duaa will not be rejected.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Du'a is not rejected between the adhaan and Iqaamah, so engage in du'a (supplication)." (Abi Dawood and others- saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷I'TIKAAF
I'tikaaf does not only take place in Ramadhaan and it does not have to be for ten days either.
You can make the niyyah for i'tikaaf for one week, one day or even for an hour.
So when you plan to stay in Masjid al-Haraam for some time, from one prayer to another etc., make your intention to make i'tikaaf and it will count as ibaadah.
Ibn Hazm said:
"I'tikaaf in the language of the Arabs means staying... any stay in the mosque for the sake of Allaah with the intention of drawing closer to Him is i'tikaaf... whether that is for a short time or a long time, because the Qur'aan and Sunnah do not specify any number or length of time." (Al-Muhalla, 5/179)
🌷DHIKR
Any other time that's left over from all of the above ibaadaat can be filled with dhikr so even these few moments will not be wasted.
Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. Make lots of istighfaar, and fill your time with Subhaan Allaah, Alhamdulillaah, Allaahu Akbar, La illaaha illallaah, and send salutations upon the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam.
Allaah says:
"and the men and the women who remember Allaah much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)" (Surah al-Ahzaab :35)
🌷SAY SALAAM to everyone.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam told us the 'secret' to enter Jannah.... saying salaam to those you know and those you don't know.
Walk around in the streets JUST TO SAY SALAAM to your fellow Muslim.
This was the practice of the Sahaabah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you about something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salaam amongst yourselves." (Muslim)
🌷GIVE SADAQAH
Spend on your Muslim brothesister for the sake of Allaah. It doesn't have to be too much money. Even a little bit counts.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings - for Allaah does not accept anything but that which is good - Allaah will take it in His right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you tends his foal, until it becomes like a mountain." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷SMILE
Sadaqah is not just money. Even a smile is sadaqah.
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Do not regard any act of kindness as insignificant, even meeting your brother with a cheerful countenance." (Saheeh Muslim)
🌷FEED THE PEOPLE
When the Sahaabah asked the Prophet ﷺ what makes Hajj Mabroor, he ﷺ said:
"Providing food to people and spreading (the greeting of) salaam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷HELP SOMEONE
Be on the lookout for anyone that might need help. So if you see an old man struggling with his luggage, or a child who seems lost, or someone looking for a spot to pray or a sister who can't find her shoes, JUMP on the opportunity to help them and earn tremendous rewards just because you helped your fellow Muslim in times of their need.
🌷SLEEP
Yes that's right...SLEEP.
Sleeping and resting will also bring you rewards if you make your intention to rest so that you can worship Allaah better after you've rested and slept.
Any ordinary deed can be converted into an act of worship if we make our intention to do good.
That's why Muadh radhi Allaahu anhu used to say:
"I sleep and I get up (to pray at night), and I seek reward for my sleep as I seek reward for my getting up." (al-Bukhaari)
🌿THE SAME DEEDS APPLY to MADEENAH
We can do all these ibaadaat in Madeenah as well, except of course the Tawaaf.
May Allaah give us the taufeeq to do good and earn maximum rewards in these beautiful times and places.
And Allaah knows best.
🌷When you visit Madeenah...🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
Alhamdulillaah, you're in Madeenah, the most beautiful, the most beloved, the most sacred place on the face of the earth, after Makkah.
Here are some Do's and Don'ts when you visit such a venerated place.
📌 1. Be CAREFUL and show RESPECT
Madeenah is the city of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and his noble Sahaabah. This is where they established Islaam.
To commit any evil in this holy city, or to introduce any innovations here, of all places, would be the biggest disrespect to the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and the biggest insult to the Deen of Islaam.
🍃 Shaikh Salah al-Budayr, the Imaam of Masjid an-Nabawi, said:
"O you who come to Madeenah, you are in a place which, after Makkah, is the best and noblest of all places, so RESPECT it as it should be respected; HONOR its sanctity and holiness and observe the BEST ETIQUETTE therein.
Know that Allaah has warned of the SEVEREST punishment for those who commit evil therein. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: "Madeenah is a Haram (sanctuary), so whoever commits evil therein or gives protection to an evildoer, the curse of Allaah, the angels and all of mankind may be upon him. Allaah will not accept any obligatory or naafil deed from him on the Day of Resurrection." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)"
📌 2. Visit the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ
Obviously, if you're in Madeenah, you would want to visit the masjid of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam).
🍃He ﷺ said:
"The best places to which a person may travel are this Mosque of mine, and the Ancient House (i.e., the Ka'bah)." (Ahmad, saheeh by al-Albaani)
However, keep in mind that visiting this masjid is NOT part of Hajj or Umrah.
Any and all ahaadeeth which connect its visit to Hajj or that say that visiting the grave of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) is connected to Hajj are fabricated and not true.
📌 3. Do your Five Daily Prayers in Masjid an-Nabawi
Just one prayer at the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ is BETTER than 1000 prayers any where else!
Subhaan Allaah! Not “EQUAL” to a 1000 prayers....but BETTER than a 1000 prayers!
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"One prayer in this Masjid of mine is better than one thousand prayers offered anywhere else, except al-Masjid al-Haraam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 4. No need to complete 40 prayers in Madeenah
You don't HAVE to stay in Madeenah for forty prayers NOR is there any SPECIAL rewards for doing so.
You can stay as much as you want or as little as one prayer.
The hadeeth that talks about praying forty prayers in Madeenah is NOT AUTHENTIC.
The ulama have graded it as da'eef or weak.
🍃 Shake al-Albaani said:
"It is an innovation (bid'ah) to visit Madeenah and tell the visitors to Madeenah to stay there for a week so that they will be able to offer forty prayers in the Prophet's Masjid so that they will be free from hypocrisy and saved from the Fire."
🍃 And Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:
"With regard to the widespread idea that the visitor should stay for eight days so that he can offer forty prayers in the Mosque is wrong. This hadeeth is DA’EEF according to the scholars and cannot be taken as proof or relied upon. There is NO SET LIMIT for visiting the Prophet's Masjid. If a person visits for an hour or two, or a day or two, or for more than that, there is nothing wrong with that." (Fataawa Ibn Baz, 17/406)
📌 5. Visit the Rawdah (Riyadh al-Jannah)
Do try and visit the Rawdah, which is that part of the masjid that is between the Mimbar (pulpit) of the Prophet ﷺ and his house, where he is buried.
You can pray two or more rakaat there, but you don't HAVE to pray salah there if there is a lot of crowding and rush. You can make duaa, istighfaar, send salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ or any other dhikr.
This is a piece of Jannah on earth and ANY act of worship here would be accepted and ANY duaa you make will be heard.
After all, isn't Jannah where all wishes come true?
🍃 The Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens (riyaadh, sing. rawdah) of Paradise" (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 6. The Rawdah is NOT the GRAVE of the Prophet ﷺ
Some people especially the sisters think that the Rawdah is the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Thats NOT TRUE.
The Rawdah is that part of the MASJID that is BETWEEN the Mimbar of the Prophet ﷺ and his house where he is buried, also called RIYADH-UL-JANNAH.
When sisters are allowed to go inside the older part of the Masjid, we are visiting Riyadh-ul-Jannah and NOT the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
📌 *7. Visiting the Grave of the Prophet ﷺ *
For MEN, visiting the grave of the Prophet and the graves of the two noble Sahaabah Abu Bakr and Umar (radhi Allaahu anhumaa) is good and recommended. They should visit them, send salaams upon them and make duaa for them.
🔺What about women❓
As far as women are concerned, there is a difference of opinion among the Ulama of Ahl-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah whether women are allowed to visit graves or not, and that includes the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Both sides have valid points based on the Qur'aan and authentic Sunnah, and Allaah knows best.
And although, some ulama do allow women to visit graves, under certain conditions, the Saudi authorities follow the opinion that it's NOT allowed for women to visit graves, and so NONE of the sisters are ALLOWED to go there.
So when they open the doors of the old masjid and let sisters in, they’re NOT letting the women visit the GRAVE. Rather, they’re letting them pray in Riyadh al-Jannah or ‘Rawdah’ as they say.
📌 8. HOW TO visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and the two Sahaabah (for men).
The way to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ is simple.
When a man visits the grave of the Prophet ﷺ, he should say "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Rasool-Allaah (Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allaah)."
Then move about a yard to the right and say salaams to Abu Bakr by saying, "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Aba Bakr." Then move a little further to the right, about a yard, and say salaams to Umar ibn al-Khattaab, by saying, 'Al-salaamu alayka ya 'Umar."
Or other similar words.
❌ Common MISTAKES at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ❌
❌a) Do NOT make duaa TO the Prophet ﷺ. That's SHIRK, may Allaah protect us.
❌ And do NOT justify making duaa to the Prophet ﷺ by saying that you're "asking" the Prophet ﷺ so that he can intercede for you with Allaah or you're asking Allaah "THROUGH" him.
THAT IS ALSO SHIRK!
The Prophet ﷺ CAN NOT and DOES NOT have the ability to hear you OR fulfill your duaa.
It's ONLY Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala that can do that.
❌ b) Do not make duaa here even if you're making duaa to Allaah. Or read Qur'aan or other acts of worship. There's NO PROOF that such an action is good.
🍃 Ali ibn al-Husayn saw a man making duaa at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and he told him NOT to do that. (Abu Ya'la and al-Haafiz al-Diya)
❌c) Do not think that there's any special reward for Ibaadah at the grave of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam or any increased chances of duaa being answered here. That's NOT correct and there's NO PROOF for that.
❌d) Do not stand before the grave with your hands tied as if you're in prayer, or bow or make sajdah etc. as some extreme people do, Astaghfirullaah.
That's SHIRK because this is a posture of humility and worship and we're only allowed to do that for Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala.
Yes of course, we stand with utmost RESPECT but NOT like we’re in Salaah. And no bowing or sujood, Aa’oodhu Billaah.
❌ e) Don't make it a habit
Do not keep going to visit the grave again and again, after every prayer, or every day etc.
I know that you LOVE the Prophet ﷺ and LOVE to visit the grave.
But that's actually going AGAINST the teachings of the one you love.
🍃 The one you love (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Do not take my grave as a place of festivity (which you visit repeatedly)." (Abu Dawood--saheeh by al-Albaani)
TRUE love is to follow the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ and to OBEY him. And to GIVE UP what YOU want, just because HE said so.
🍃 Someone asked Imaam Maalik about a man who came to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ every day.
He said, 'That is NOT RIGHT,' and quoted the hadeeth, 'O Allaah, do not make my grave an idol that is worshipped.'" (saheeh by al-Albaani)
🍃 Al-Qaadi 'Iyaad said about this issue:
"I have not heard of this from any of the fuqaha', and nothing is good for the latter generations of this ummah except that which was good for its first generations. I have not heard that any of the first generations of the ummah used to do that." (Al-Shifa bi Ta'reef Huqooq al-Mustafa)
📌 9. Visiting al-Baqee', mount Uhud and the Shuhadaa
Here again it is recommended for the MEN to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee', and the Shuhadaa of Uhud.
But for women, they are not allowed to visit the graves, although they may visit Uhud.
The authorities do not allow women to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee' because they follow the safer opinion of not allowing women to visit graves, since the hadeeth of the Prophet ﷺ is very severe.
🍃 He said:
"Allaah cursed the women who visit graves." (at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah-- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 10. Do NOT TOUCH, WIPE, KISS any part of the Masjid
Some people, out of their love for the Prophet ﷺ touch or wipe parts of the masjid with their hands, clothes, prayer mats etc., seeking blessing (barakah) with the pillars, walls, doors, mihraab, minbar, etc.
Some even do it with the bookshelves and water coolers there! Subhaan Allaah! Thats NOT ALLOWED.
Remember, the Masjid is made of concrete and marble and brick and wood, just like any other building.
There's no “special” or “blessed” brick or stone used to build it, nor does the bookshelf, or marble or anything else of the building have anything to do with the Prophet ﷺ himself.
It's NOT permissible to seek barakah from anything other than the PERSONAL relics of the Prophet ﷺ and there are NO “relics” to be found in the masjid itself.
Besides, TRUE barakah comes from following the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ NOT by wiping the walls of his masjid, or kissing the doors or hugging the pillars.
📌 11. Be PATIENT, CONSIDERATE and SACRIFICE for your Muslim brothesister
This goes for our ENTIRE LIFETIME, but this is something we should take care of, ESPECIALLY while in this Holy city.
Madeenah is a HOLY place. The Masjid is the Masjid of your BELOVED. The Rawdah is a piece of JANNAH. The other person is your BROTHESISTER in Islaam.
Keep this 👆🏼principle in mind for EVER but especially when visiting the masjid, praying at a specific spot, waiting in line anywhere, or even while visiting the Rawdah.
You also don't want to push, shove or hurt any of your fellow Muslim in such sacred place.
Be extra, EXTRA careful and EXTREMELY polite, patient and courteous.
So INCONVENIENCE yourself for your brothesister.
WAIT your turn to go into the Rawdah area and don't make your stay there too long in consideration for all those Muslim brothers and sisters waiting in line.
If you TRULY love the Prophet ﷺ you'll IMPLEMENT the following hadeeth and keep it in your HEART FOREVER.
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The dearest of people to Allaah, may He be exalted, is the one who does most benefit to people, and the DEAREST of deeds to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala, is JOY that you bring to a Muslim, or relieving him of distress, or paying off debt for him, or dispelling his hunger. And to walk with a brother to meet his needs is DEARER to me than observing I’TIKAAF in this masjid - meaning the masjid of Madeenah - for a MONTH." (at-Tabaraani -- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 12. Go to Masjid al-Qubaa
The Prophet ﷺ used to LOVE to go to this Masjid every Saturday and pray two rakaat there as reported by al-Bukhaari.
🍃 Ibn Umar Radhi Allaahu anhumaa said:
“The Prophet ﷺ used to go to the masjid of Quba’ every Saturday, walking or riding, and he would pray two rak’ahs there.” (al-Bukhaari 1191; Muslim 1399)
🍃 And he Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever purifies himself in his house, then comes to the Masjid of Quba' and prays there, he will have the reward of 'Umrah." (Ibn Maajah --saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 13. No need to go to any other Masaajid
We don't need to go to any other masjid besides Masjid an-Nabawi and Masjid al-Qubaa, because there's no proof of that from the Qur'aan or the practice of the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah that they did that.
🍃 Al-Ma'roor ibn Suwayd said:
"We went out with Umar ibn al-Khattaab, and we passed by a mosque on the way.
The people hastened to pray there, and 'Umar said, "What is the matter with them?"
They said, "This is a masjid in which the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ prayed."
Umar said, "O people, those who came before you were DOOMED because they followed such practices, until they established places of worship in such locations.
If a time for prayer comes when you are there, then pray, and if it is not the time for prayer, then MOVE ON." (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7550)
🍃 Also, when 'Umar radhi Allaahu anhu heard that there were people who came to the tree under which the Prophet ﷺ received the bay'ah (oath of allegiance), he ordered that it be CUT DOWN. (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7545)
🍃 That's why Shaikh Salah al-Budayr said:
"It is NOT prescribed to go to the places and Masaajid in which the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah prayed in order to pray there or to worship Allaah by offering du'aa's there etc., because the Prophet ﷺ did not enjoin that or encourage people to visit these places."
And Allaah knows best.
🌷Umrah/Hajj Education🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
🔺The CONFUSION of Ihraam and “STITCHES”🔺
❓ QUESTION❓
Can men use a belt that has stitches on it while in ihraam? Or use a towel or blanket that has stitches? What about sandals that have stitches?
🌿 ANSWER🌿
In order to answer that, we should first try and understand the ”concept” behind the prohibition of STITCHED CLOTHES for men in ihraam.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“The muhrim should not wear a shirt, pants, a burnous, or shoes, unless he cannot find any sandals, in which case he may wear something that comes below his ankles.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
So what is prohibited, is to wear clothes that are specifically “stitched” or “SEWN” to FIT the BODY of a man like a shirt, pants etc.
And similarly it’s prohibited for women to wear the Niqaab and gloves because it’s “stitched” or “sewn” to FIT the face and hands, for women.
Why is that?
That’s because when we’re at hajj, it’s supposed to be a PRACTICE SESSION for the Day of Judgment when we will all be resurrected NAKED and barefoot.
Hajj is a reminder that one day we will all be brought back to life and we will be called to a place of gathering where we will stand for 50,000 years. Then answer our Master and Creator for what we did in the dunya.
So we are supposed to take off our clothes during hajj as a REPRESENTATION of BEING NAKED that day.
Obviously we can’t be naked when we go for hajj.
So the men “take off their regular clothes that are stitched or sewn to fit their body” and they cover themselves with two sheets of ihraam.
Similarly women cannot be naked at hajj, so they uncover only their face and hands by taking off the niqaab and gloves.
So it’s not really the “STITCHES” that are forbidden.
It’s the CLOTHES that are sewn and worn on the body that are forbidden.
So the man CAN cover himself with a blanket or even an ihraam sheet that has ‘stitches’ on it. Or wear a belt that has stitches on it. Or put on a money pouch that has stitches on it. Or use sandals that have stitches in them. All of that is permissible.
🍃 Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:
“There is nothing wrong with wrapping a shirt around one's body without wearing it, and there is nothing wrong with wearing an ‘abayah as a rida’, so that it is not worn in the usual fashion.” (Manaasik al-Hajj wa’l-‘Umrah (p. 64)
That’s because it’s not that there can’t be any “stitches” on a garment. Rather it’s the CLOTHES that are forbidden.
Think about it this way...
If there was a shirt that was GLUED TOGETHER, and was not “sewn”, would that be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam?
No, it would NOT be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam even though there was not a single stitch on it!
Hope that clears the issue.
And Allaah knows best
2024.05.23 16:39 teabagandwarmwater Something really beneficial. Please give it a read! Topics: How to Maximize your time in Makkah When you visit Madeenah Umrah/Hajj Education
🌷How to MAXIMIZE your time in Makkah🌷
By Asma bint Shameem
Makkah is the best place on earth. Allaah Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala decreed Makkah to be a sanctuary the day He created the heavens and the earth.
So when we're in Makkah, we want to utilize each and every SECOND of our time so that we can MAXIMIZE our ibaadaat in the short time we're blessed to be in this Sacred Sanctuary.
Here are some things we can do:
🌷FIVE DAILY PRAYERS
Go to the masjid for the five daily prayers.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"One prayer in al-Masjid al-Haraam is BETTER than one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere." (Ahmad and Ibn Majaah 1406; saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷TAWAAF
Try and do at least one Tawaaf a day if possible. Remember that one complete tawaaf consists of seven rounds.
Making tawaaf of the Ka'bah is one act of ibaadah that's not available anywhere else in the world. It erases sins, raises your status and is equivalent to freeing a slave. Subhaan Allaah!
The Sahaabah knew that and would take FULL advantage of that. And they tried to do as many tawaafs as possible.
🍃 Ibn Umar radhi Allaahu anhu said that he heard the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam say:
"Whoever circumambulates (the Ka'bah) seven times, counting them, and then prays two rak'ahs (after tawaaf) it will be equivalent to his freeing a believing slave."
And "No man lifts his foot and sets it down but ten hasanaat (good deeds) will be recorded for him, and ten sayi'aat (bad deeds) will be erased from his record, and he will be raised thereby ten degrees in status." (at-Tirmidhi; saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi)
🌷PRAY THE JANAAZAH PRAYER
After every fardh salaah, almost always there's a Janaazah prayer for someone or the other.
Do pray this prayer, whether you're a man or a woman, because it's recommended for both to offer this prayer and brings tremendous rewards.
🍃 The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever attends a funeral until he offers the (funeral) prayer will have one qiraat (of reward) and whoever attends until the burial is done will have two qiraats." It was said: "What are the two qiraats?" He said: "Like two great mountains." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
And imagine the rewards of praying in Masjid al-Haraam, where prayers offered are multiplied a 100,000 times! Yes, the reward for offering prayers in Masjid al-Haraam applies to ALL prayers, obligatory AND voluntary.
🍃 Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“Some scholars say that what brings the multiple reward in al-Masjid al-Haraam is the five daily prayers only, and other prayers do not bring the multiple reward. What appears to be the case from the apparent meaning of the hadeeth is that it includes ALL prayers, and the janaazah prayer is included in this general meaning of the reward for prayers in al-Masjid al-Haraam being multiplied. And Allaah knows best.” (Liqa’ al-baab il-Maftooh 116/11).
🌷NAWAAFIL
Pray all the nawaafil you can. Pray them at the times that one is allowed to pray nawaafil and do TAWAAF at times when it's not allowed to pray salah.
This way you MAXIMIZE your time and not one second is wasted In shaa' Allaah.
Since each prayer in the Haram is equal to 100,000 prayers anywhere else then what better place to pray as many nawaafil as possible here in Makkah?
Some of the nawaafil you can offer:
🌿Tahajjud
Of the nawaafil, pay special attention to the tahajjud prayer.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"The BEST prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night (qiyaam al-Layl)." (Muslim)
And he said:
"You should pray qiyaam al-layl, for it is the custom of the righteous who came before you and it brings you closer to your Lord, and expiates sins and prevents misdeeds." (al-Tirmidhi --hasan by al-Albaani)
So it's the BEST prayer after the obligatory prayers, BELOVED to Allaah and expiated sin. What more could a person ask!?
🌿Tahiyyatul Masjid
Masjid al-Haraam is after all a masjid so pray the two rakaat of greeting the Masjid every time you enter it.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"When one of you enters the masjid, let him not sit down until he has prayed two rak'ahs." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
This applies all the time except when your intention is to do tawaaf.
Aa’ishah radhi Allaahu anhaa said:
"When the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam came to Makkah, he did wudoo', then he circumambulated the House. And the two rak'ahs for greeting the masjid are replaced by the two rak'ahs following tawaaf." (al-Bukhaari 1614 and Muslim 1235).
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“If he enters the masjid to do tawaaf, such as a person who is doing ‘umrah and enters the masjid to do the tawaaf of ‘umrah, or to do a voluntary tawaaf, then in this case the tawaaf replaces the two rak’ahs for greeting the masjid, because when he does tawaaf he is going to pray two rak’ahs after tawaaf.” (Majmoo’ Fataawa 22/286)
🌿Tahiyyatul wudhu
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said to Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu:
"Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise." Bilal said : "I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (wudoo) at any time of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to offer." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salat ad-Duhaa
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam would pray Duhaa himself and encouraged us to do so as well.
Abu Hurairah radhi Allaahu anhu said: "My beloved ﷺ advised me to do three things, which I will not forsake so long as I live: to fast three days of each month, to pray Duha, and not to sleep until I pray Witr." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salaat al-Ishraaq:
This prayer is a kind of Salaah ad-Duhaa prayed at its EARLY time, about 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
About this prayer, the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak'ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and 'Umrah, complete, complete, complete." (at-Tirmidhi -- hasan by al-Albaani)
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said:
"The Sunnah of Ishraaq is (the same as) the Sunnah of Duhaa, but if it is done early, from the time when the sun has risen to the height of a spear, then it is Ishraaq prayer; if it is done at the end of its time or in the middle of its time, then it is Duhaa prayer. But it is (all) Duhaa prayer, because the scholars said that the time of Duhaa prayer lasts from when the sun has risen to the height of a spear until just before the zenith." (Liqa' al-Baab al-Maftooh, 141/24)
🌿Salat al-Awwaabeen
This is also a kind of Duhaa prayer done at its LATER time.
Zayd ibn Arqam radhi Allaahu anhu said:
'The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam went out to the people of Qubaa' and found them praying (Duhaa). He said: "Salaat al-Awwaabeen is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand)."'" (Muslim)
Please note: Salaat al-Awwaabeen is NOT the prayer between Mahhrib and Ishaa as is common among some people. Those are just general unspecified nawaafil.
🌿Unspecified nawaafil
You can read as many unspecified nawaafil as you want here in Masjid al-Haraam at all times except the prohibited times which are between Salat al-Asr to sunset and from Salat al-Fajr up until 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
So for example, you can pray unspecified and unlimited number of nawaafil between maghrib and Ishaa.
That was the practice of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and the Sahaabah.
Hudhayfah radhi Allaahu anhu said:
"I came to the Prophet ﷺ and prayed Maghrib with him. When he had finished the prayer, he stood and prayed, and he kept praying until he prayed 'Ishaa'. (Ahmad --saheeh by al-Albaani)
Or you can pray these unspecified nawaafil after salat al-Dhuhr up until Asr, etc
🌷READING QUR'AAN
Utilize those times when prayer is forbidden and read Qur'aan during this period.
And don't just 'read'.
Try and read the Qur'aan with MEANINGS so that you can understand what Allaah wants from you, how you can change for the better, how you can please your Creator and enter Jannah.
🌿TWO BIRDS with ONE STONE:
You can earn double rewards by reading the Qur'aan while you're saying any of your nawaafil prayers especially tahajjud.
Just open the Mus-haf and read DIRECTLY from the Mus-haf for each of the rakaat, instead of reading those small Surahs that you always read.
This way you'll get khushoo in your prayer, AND at the same time you'll get some Qur'aan recitation along with the nawaafil done. A beautiful way to maximize the rewards. Alhamdulillaah.
🌷REPEAT THE ADHAAN
Repeating after the Adhaan brings a lot of rewards and entry into Jannah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said about the one replies to the words of the adhaan "from the heart, he will enter Jannah." (Muslim)
🌷DUA BETWEEN ADHAAN and IQAAMAH
This is the best time to make duaa because this duaa will not be rejected.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Du'a is not rejected between the adhaan and Iqaamah, so engage in du'a (supplication)." (Abi Dawood and others- saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷I'TIKAAF
I'tikaaf does not only take place in Ramadhaan and it does not have to be for ten days either.
You can make the niyyah for i'tikaaf for one week, one day or even for an hour.
So when you plan to stay in Masjid al-Haraam for some time, from one prayer to another etc., make your intention to make i'tikaaf and it will count as ibaadah.
Ibn Hazm said:
"I'tikaaf in the language of the Arabs means staying... any stay in the mosque for the sake of Allaah with the intention of drawing closer to Him is i'tikaaf... whether that is for a short time or a long time, because the Qur'aan and Sunnah do not specify any number or length of time." (Al-Muhalla, 5/179)
🌷DHIKR
Any other time that's left over from all of the above ibaadaat can be filled with dhikr so even these few moments will not be wasted.
Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. Make lots of istighfaar, and fill your time with Subhaan Allaah, Alhamdulillaah, Allaahu Akbar, La illaaha illallaah, and send salutations upon the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam.
Allaah says:
"and the men and the women who remember Allaah much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)" (Surah al-Ahzaab :35)
🌷SAY SALAAM to everyone.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam told us the 'secret' to enter Jannah.... saying salaam to those you know and those you don't know.
Walk around in the streets JUST TO SAY SALAAM to your fellow Muslim.
This was the practice of the Sahaabah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you about something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salaam amongst yourselves." (Muslim)
🌷GIVE SADAQAH
Spend on your Muslim brothesister for the sake of Allaah. It doesn't have to be too much money. Even a little bit counts.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings - for Allaah does not accept anything but that which is good - Allaah will take it in His right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you tends his foal, until it becomes like a mountain." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷SMILE
Sadaqah is not just money. Even a smile is sadaqah.
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Do not regard any act of kindness as insignificant, even meeting your brother with a cheerful countenance." (Saheeh Muslim)
🌷FEED THE PEOPLE
When the Sahaabah asked the Prophet ﷺ what makes Hajj Mabroor, he ﷺ said:
"Providing food to people and spreading (the greeting of) salaam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷HELP SOMEONE
Be on the lookout for anyone that might need help. So if you see an old man struggling with his luggage, or a child who seems lost, or someone looking for a spot to pray or a sister who can't find her shoes, JUMP on the opportunity to help them and earn tremendous rewards just because you helped your fellow Muslim in times of their need.
🌷SLEEP
Yes that's right...SLEEP.
Sleeping and resting will also bring you rewards if you make your intention to rest so that you can worship Allaah better after you've rested and slept.
Any ordinary deed can be converted into an act of worship if we make our intention to do good.
That's why Muadh radhi Allaahu anhu used to say:
"I sleep and I get up (to pray at night), and I seek reward for my sleep as I seek reward for my getting up." (al-Bukhaari)
🌿THE SAME DEEDS APPLY to MADEENAH
We can do all these ibaadaat in Madeenah as well, except of course the Tawaaf.
May Allaah give us the taufeeq to do good and earn maximum rewards in these beautiful times and places.
And Allaah knows best.
🌷When you visit Madeenah...🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
Alhamdulillaah, you're in Madeenah, the most beautiful, the most beloved, the most sacred place on the face of the earth, after Makkah.
Here are some Do's and Don'ts when you visit such a venerated place.
📌 1. Be CAREFUL and show RESPECT
Madeenah is the city of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and his noble Sahaabah. This is where they established Islaam.
To commit any evil in this holy city, or to introduce any innovations here, of all places, would be the biggest disrespect to the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and the biggest insult to the Deen of Islaam.
🍃 Shaikh Salah al-Budayr, the Imaam of Masjid an-Nabawi, said:
"O you who come to Madeenah, you are in a place which, after Makkah, is the best and noblest of all places, so RESPECT it as it should be respected; HONOR its sanctity and holiness and observe the BEST ETIQUETTE therein.
Know that Allaah has warned of the SEVEREST punishment for those who commit evil therein. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: "Madeenah is a Haram (sanctuary), so whoever commits evil therein or gives protection to an evildoer, the curse of Allaah, the angels and all of mankind may be upon him. Allaah will not accept any obligatory or naafil deed from him on the Day of Resurrection." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)"
📌 2. Visit the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ
Obviously, if you're in Madeenah, you would want to visit the masjid of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam).
🍃He ﷺ said:
"The best places to which a person may travel are this Mosque of mine, and the Ancient House (i.e., the Ka'bah)." (Ahmad, saheeh by al-Albaani)
However, keep in mind that visiting this masjid is NOT part of Hajj or Umrah.
Any and all ahaadeeth which connect its visit to Hajj or that say that visiting the grave of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) is connected to Hajj are fabricated and not true.
📌 3. Do your Five Daily Prayers in Masjid an-Nabawi
Just one prayer at the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ is BETTER than 1000 prayers any where else!
Subhaan Allaah! Not “EQUAL” to a 1000 prayers....but BETTER than a 1000 prayers!
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"One prayer in this Masjid of mine is better than one thousand prayers offered anywhere else, except al-Masjid al-Haraam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 4. No need to complete 40 prayers in Madeenah
You don't HAVE to stay in Madeenah for forty prayers NOR is there any SPECIAL rewards for doing so.
You can stay as much as you want or as little as one prayer.
The hadeeth that talks about praying forty prayers in Madeenah is NOT AUTHENTIC.
The ulama have graded it as da'eef or weak.
🍃 Shake al-Albaani said:
"It is an innovation (bid'ah) to visit Madeenah and tell the visitors to Madeenah to stay there for a week so that they will be able to offer forty prayers in the Prophet's Masjid so that they will be free from hypocrisy and saved from the Fire."
🍃 And Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:
"With regard to the widespread idea that the visitor should stay for eight days so that he can offer forty prayers in the Mosque is wrong. This hadeeth is DA’EEF according to the scholars and cannot be taken as proof or relied upon. There is NO SET LIMIT for visiting the Prophet's Masjid. If a person visits for an hour or two, or a day or two, or for more than that, there is nothing wrong with that." (Fataawa Ibn Baz, 17/406)
📌 5. Visit the Rawdah (Riyadh al-Jannah)
Do try and visit the Rawdah, which is that part of the masjid that is between the Mimbar (pulpit) of the Prophet ﷺ and his house, where he is buried.
You can pray two or more rakaat there, but you don't HAVE to pray salah there if there is a lot of crowding and rush. You can make duaa, istighfaar, send salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ or any other dhikr.
This is a piece of Jannah on earth and ANY act of worship here would be accepted and ANY duaa you make will be heard.
After all, isn't Jannah where all wishes come true?
🍃 The Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens (riyaadh, sing. rawdah) of Paradise" (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 6. The Rawdah is NOT the GRAVE of the Prophet ﷺ
Some people especially the sisters think that the Rawdah is the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Thats NOT TRUE.
The Rawdah is that part of the MASJID that is BETWEEN the Mimbar of the Prophet ﷺ and his house where he is buried, also called RIYADH-UL-JANNAH.
When sisters are allowed to go inside the older part of the Masjid, we are visiting Riyadh-ul-Jannah and NOT the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
📌 *7. Visiting the Grave of the Prophet ﷺ *
For MEN, visiting the grave of the Prophet and the graves of the two noble Sahaabah Abu Bakr and Umar (radhi Allaahu anhumaa) is good and recommended. They should visit them, send salaams upon them and make duaa for them.
🔺What about women❓
As far as women are concerned, there is a difference of opinion among the Ulama of Ahl-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah whether women are allowed to visit graves or not, and that includes the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Both sides have valid points based on the Qur'aan and authentic Sunnah, and Allaah knows best.
And although, some ulama do allow women to visit graves, under certain conditions, the Saudi authorities follow the opinion that it's NOT allowed for women to visit graves, and so NONE of the sisters are ALLOWED to go there.
So when they open the doors of the old masjid and let sisters in, they’re NOT letting the women visit the GRAVE. Rather, they’re letting them pray in Riyadh al-Jannah or ‘Rawdah’ as they say.
📌 8. HOW TO visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and the two Sahaabah (for men).
The way to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ is simple.
When a man visits the grave of the Prophet ﷺ, he should say "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Rasool-Allaah (Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allaah)."
Then move about a yard to the right and say salaams to Abu Bakr by saying, "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Aba Bakr." Then move a little further to the right, about a yard, and say salaams to Umar ibn al-Khattaab, by saying, 'Al-salaamu alayka ya 'Umar."
Or other similar words.
❌ Common MISTAKES at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ❌
❌a) Do NOT make duaa TO the Prophet ﷺ. That's SHIRK, may Allaah protect us.
❌ And do NOT justify making duaa to the Prophet ﷺ by saying that you're "asking" the Prophet ﷺ so that he can intercede for you with Allaah or you're asking Allaah "THROUGH" him.
THAT IS ALSO SHIRK!
The Prophet ﷺ CAN NOT and DOES NOT have the ability to hear you OR fulfill your duaa.
It's ONLY Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala that can do that.
❌ b) Do not make duaa here even if you're making duaa to Allaah. Or read Qur'aan or other acts of worship. There's NO PROOF that such an action is good.
🍃 Ali ibn al-Husayn saw a man making duaa at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and he told him NOT to do that. (Abu Ya'la and al-Haafiz al-Diya)
❌c) Do not think that there's any special reward for Ibaadah at the grave of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam or any increased chances of duaa being answered here. That's NOT correct and there's NO PROOF for that.
❌d) Do not stand before the grave with your hands tied as if you're in prayer, or bow or make sajdah etc. as some extreme people do, Astaghfirullaah.
That's SHIRK because this is a posture of humility and worship and we're only allowed to do that for Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala.
Yes of course, we stand with utmost RESPECT but NOT like we’re in Salaah. And no bowing or sujood, Aa’oodhu Billaah.
❌ e) Don't make it a habit
Do not keep going to visit the grave again and again, after every prayer, or every day etc.
I know that you LOVE the Prophet ﷺ and LOVE to visit the grave.
But that's actually going AGAINST the teachings of the one you love.
🍃 The one you love (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Do not take my grave as a place of festivity (which you visit repeatedly)." (Abu Dawood--saheeh by al-Albaani)
TRUE love is to follow the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ and to OBEY him. And to GIVE UP what YOU want, just because HE said so.
🍃 Someone asked Imaam Maalik about a man who came to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ every day.
He said, 'That is NOT RIGHT,' and quoted the hadeeth, 'O Allaah, do not make my grave an idol that is worshipped.'" (saheeh by al-Albaani)
🍃 Al-Qaadi 'Iyaad said about this issue:
"I have not heard of this from any of the fuqaha', and nothing is good for the latter generations of this ummah except that which was good for its first generations. I have not heard that any of the first generations of the ummah used to do that." (Al-Shifa bi Ta'reef Huqooq al-Mustafa)
📌 9. Visiting al-Baqee', mount Uhud and the Shuhadaa
Here again it is recommended for the MEN to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee', and the Shuhadaa of Uhud.
But for women, they are not allowed to visit the graves, although they may visit Uhud.
The authorities do not allow women to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee' because they follow the safer opinion of not allowing women to visit graves, since the hadeeth of the Prophet ﷺ is very severe.
🍃 He said:
"Allaah cursed the women who visit graves." (at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah-- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 10. Do NOT TOUCH, WIPE, KISS any part of the Masjid
Some people, out of their love for the Prophet ﷺ touch or wipe parts of the masjid with their hands, clothes, prayer mats etc., seeking blessing (barakah) with the pillars, walls, doors, mihraab, minbar, etc.
Some even do it with the bookshelves and water coolers there! Subhaan Allaah! Thats NOT ALLOWED.
Remember, the Masjid is made of concrete and marble and brick and wood, just like any other building.
There's no “special” or “blessed” brick or stone used to build it, nor does the bookshelf, or marble or anything else of the building have anything to do with the Prophet ﷺ himself.
It's NOT permissible to seek barakah from anything other than the PERSONAL relics of the Prophet ﷺ and there are NO “relics” to be found in the masjid itself.
Besides, TRUE barakah comes from following the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ NOT by wiping the walls of his masjid, or kissing the doors or hugging the pillars.
📌 11. Be PATIENT, CONSIDERATE and SACRIFICE for your Muslim brothesister
This goes for our ENTIRE LIFETIME, but this is something we should take care of, ESPECIALLY while in this Holy city.
Madeenah is a HOLY place. The Masjid is the Masjid of your BELOVED. The Rawdah is a piece of JANNAH. The other person is your BROTHESISTER in Islaam.
Keep this 👆🏼principle in mind for EVER but especially when visiting the masjid, praying at a specific spot, waiting in line anywhere, or even while visiting the Rawdah.
You also don't want to push, shove or hurt any of your fellow Muslim in such sacred place.
Be extra, EXTRA careful and EXTREMELY polite, patient and courteous.
So INCONVENIENCE yourself for your brothesister.
WAIT your turn to go into the Rawdah area and don't make your stay there too long in consideration for all those Muslim brothers and sisters waiting in line.
If you TRULY love the Prophet ﷺ you'll IMPLEMENT the following hadeeth and keep it in your HEART FOREVER.
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The dearest of people to Allaah, may He be exalted, is the one who does most benefit to people, and the DEAREST of deeds to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala, is JOY that you bring to a Muslim, or relieving him of distress, or paying off debt for him, or dispelling his hunger. And to walk with a brother to meet his needs is DEARER to me than observing I’TIKAAF in this masjid - meaning the masjid of Madeenah - for a MONTH." (at-Tabaraani -- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 12. Go to Masjid al-Qubaa
The Prophet ﷺ used to LOVE to go to this Masjid every Saturday and pray two rakaat there as reported by al-Bukhaari.
🍃 Ibn Umar Radhi Allaahu anhumaa said:
“The Prophet ﷺ used to go to the masjid of Quba’ every Saturday, walking or riding, and he would pray two rak’ahs there.” (al-Bukhaari 1191; Muslim 1399)
🍃 And he Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever purifies himself in his house, then comes to the Masjid of Quba' and prays there, he will have the reward of 'Umrah." (Ibn Maajah --saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 13. No need to go to any other Masaajid
We don't need to go to any other masjid besides Masjid an-Nabawi and Masjid al-Qubaa, because there's no proof of that from the Qur'aan or the practice of the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah that they did that.
🍃 Al-Ma'roor ibn Suwayd said:
"We went out with Umar ibn al-Khattaab, and we passed by a mosque on the way.
The people hastened to pray there, and 'Umar said, "What is the matter with them?"
They said, "This is a masjid in which the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ prayed."
Umar said, "O people, those who came before you were DOOMED because they followed such practices, until they established places of worship in such locations.
If a time for prayer comes when you are there, then pray, and if it is not the time for prayer, then MOVE ON." (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7550)
🍃 Also, when 'Umar radhi Allaahu anhu heard that there were people who came to the tree under which the Prophet ﷺ received the bay'ah (oath of allegiance), he ordered that it be CUT DOWN. (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7545)
🍃 That's why Shaikh Salah al-Budayr said:
"It is NOT prescribed to go to the places and Masaajid in which the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah prayed in order to pray there or to worship Allaah by offering du'aa's there etc., because the Prophet ﷺ did not enjoin that or encourage people to visit these places."
And Allaah knows best.
🌷Umrah/Hajj Education🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
🔺The CONFUSION of Ihraam and “STITCHES”🔺
❓ QUESTION❓
Can men use a belt that has stitches on it while in ihraam? Or use a towel or blanket that has stitches? What about sandals that have stitches?
🌿 ANSWER🌿
In order to answer that, we should first try and understand the ”concept” behind the prohibition of STITCHED CLOTHES for men in ihraam.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“The muhrim should not wear a shirt, pants, a burnous, or shoes, unless he cannot find any sandals, in which case he may wear something that comes below his ankles.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
So what is prohibited, is to wear clothes that are specifically “stitched” or “SEWN” to FIT the BODY of a man like a shirt, pants etc.
And similarly it’s prohibited for women to wear the Niqaab and gloves because it’s “stitched” or “sewn” to FIT the face and hands, for women.
Why is that?
That’s because when we’re at hajj, it’s supposed to be a PRACTICE SESSION for the Day of Judgment when we will all be resurrected NAKED and barefoot.
Hajj is a reminder that one day we will all be brought back to life and we will be called to a place of gathering where we will stand for 50,000 years. Then answer our Master and Creator for what we did in the dunya.
So we are supposed to take off our clothes during hajj as a REPRESENTATION of BEING NAKED that day.
Obviously we can’t be naked when we go for hajj.
So the men “take off their regular clothes that are stitched or sewn to fit their body” and they cover themselves with two sheets of ihraam.
Similarly women cannot be naked at hajj, so they uncover only their face and hands by taking off the niqaab and gloves.
So it’s not really the “STITCHES” that are forbidden.
It’s the CLOTHES that are sewn and worn on the body that are forbidden.
So the man CAN cover himself with a blanket or even an ihraam sheet that has ‘stitches’ on it. Or wear a belt that has stitches on it. Or put on a money pouch that has stitches on it. Or use sandals that have stitches in them. All of that is permissible.
🍃 Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:
“There is nothing wrong with wrapping a shirt around one's body without wearing it, and there is nothing wrong with wearing an ‘abayah as a rida’, so that it is not worn in the usual fashion.” (Manaasik al-Hajj wa’l-‘Umrah (p. 64)
That’s because it’s not that there can’t be any “stitches” on a garment. Rather it’s the CLOTHES that are forbidden.
Think about it this way...
If there was a shirt that was GLUED TOGETHER, and was not “sewn”, would that be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam?
No, it would NOT be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam even though there was not a single stitch on it!
Hope that clears the issue.
And Allaah knows best
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By Asma bint Shameem
Makkah is the best place on earth. Allaah Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala decreed Makkah to be a sanctuary the day He created the heavens and the earth.
So when we're in Makkah, we want to utilize each and every SECOND of our time so that we can MAXIMIZE our ibaadaat in the short time we're blessed to be in this Sacred Sanctuary.
Here are some things we can do:
🌷FIVE DAILY PRAYERS
Go to the masjid for the five daily prayers.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"One prayer in al-Masjid al-Haraam is BETTER than one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere." (Ahmad and Ibn Majaah 1406; saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷TAWAAF
Try and do at least one Tawaaf a day if possible. Remember that one complete tawaaf consists of seven rounds.
Making tawaaf of the Ka'bah is one act of ibaadah that's not available anywhere else in the world. It erases sins, raises your status and is equivalent to freeing a slave. Subhaan Allaah!
The Sahaabah knew that and would take FULL advantage of that. And they tried to do as many tawaafs as possible.
🍃 Ibn Umar radhi Allaahu anhu said that he heard the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam say:
"Whoever circumambulates (the Ka'bah) seven times, counting them, and then prays two rak'ahs (after tawaaf) it will be equivalent to his freeing a believing slave."
And "No man lifts his foot and sets it down but ten hasanaat (good deeds) will be recorded for him, and ten sayi'aat (bad deeds) will be erased from his record, and he will be raised thereby ten degrees in status." (at-Tirmidhi; saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi)
🌷PRAY THE JANAAZAH PRAYER
After every fardh salaah, almost always there's a Janaazah prayer for someone or the other.
Do pray this prayer, whether you're a man or a woman, because it's recommended for both to offer this prayer and brings tremendous rewards.
🍃 The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever attends a funeral until he offers the (funeral) prayer will have one qiraat (of reward) and whoever attends until the burial is done will have two qiraats." It was said: "What are the two qiraats?" He said: "Like two great mountains." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
And imagine the rewards of praying in Masjid al-Haraam, where prayers offered are multiplied a 100,000 times! Yes, the reward for offering prayers in Masjid al-Haraam applies to ALL prayers, obligatory AND voluntary.
🍃 Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“Some scholars say that what brings the multiple reward in al-Masjid al-Haraam is the five daily prayers only, and other prayers do not bring the multiple reward. What appears to be the case from the apparent meaning of the hadeeth is that it includes ALL prayers, and the janaazah prayer is included in this general meaning of the reward for prayers in al-Masjid al-Haraam being multiplied. And Allaah knows best.” (Liqa’ al-baab il-Maftooh 116/11).
🌷NAWAAFIL
Pray all the nawaafil you can. Pray them at the times that one is allowed to pray nawaafil and do TAWAAF at times when it's not allowed to pray salah.
This way you MAXIMIZE your time and not one second is wasted In shaa' Allaah.
Since each prayer in the Haram is equal to 100,000 prayers anywhere else then what better place to pray as many nawaafil as possible here in Makkah?
Some of the nawaafil you can offer:
🌿Tahajjud
Of the nawaafil, pay special attention to the tahajjud prayer.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"The BEST prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night (qiyaam al-Layl)." (Muslim)
And he said:
"You should pray qiyaam al-layl, for it is the custom of the righteous who came before you and it brings you closer to your Lord, and expiates sins and prevents misdeeds." (al-Tirmidhi --hasan by al-Albaani)
So it's the BEST prayer after the obligatory prayers, BELOVED to Allaah and expiated sin. What more could a person ask!?
🌿Tahiyyatul Masjid
Masjid al-Haraam is after all a masjid so pray the two rakaat of greeting the Masjid every time you enter it.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"When one of you enters the masjid, let him not sit down until he has prayed two rak'ahs." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
This applies all the time except when your intention is to do tawaaf.
Aa’ishah radhi Allaahu anhaa said:
"When the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam came to Makkah, he did wudoo', then he circumambulated the House. And the two rak'ahs for greeting the masjid are replaced by the two rak'ahs following tawaaf." (al-Bukhaari 1614 and Muslim 1235).
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“If he enters the masjid to do tawaaf, such as a person who is doing ‘umrah and enters the masjid to do the tawaaf of ‘umrah, or to do a voluntary tawaaf, then in this case the tawaaf replaces the two rak’ahs for greeting the masjid, because when he does tawaaf he is going to pray two rak’ahs after tawaaf.” (Majmoo’ Fataawa 22/286)
🌿Tahiyyatul wudhu
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said to Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu:
"Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise." Bilal said : "I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (wudoo) at any time of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to offer." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salat ad-Duhaa
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam would pray Duhaa himself and encouraged us to do so as well.
Abu Hurairah radhi Allaahu anhu said: "My beloved ﷺ advised me to do three things, which I will not forsake so long as I live: to fast three days of each month, to pray Duha, and not to sleep until I pray Witr." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌿Salaat al-Ishraaq:
This prayer is a kind of Salaah ad-Duhaa prayed at its EARLY time, about 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
About this prayer, the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak'ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and 'Umrah, complete, complete, complete." (at-Tirmidhi -- hasan by al-Albaani)
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said:
"The Sunnah of Ishraaq is (the same as) the Sunnah of Duhaa, but if it is done early, from the time when the sun has risen to the height of a spear, then it is Ishraaq prayer; if it is done at the end of its time or in the middle of its time, then it is Duhaa prayer. But it is (all) Duhaa prayer, because the scholars said that the time of Duhaa prayer lasts from when the sun has risen to the height of a spear until just before the zenith." (Liqa' al-Baab al-Maftooh, 141/24)
🌿Salat al-Awwaabeen
This is also a kind of Duhaa prayer done at its LATER time.
Zayd ibn Arqam radhi Allaahu anhu said:
'The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam went out to the people of Qubaa' and found them praying (Duhaa). He said: "Salaat al-Awwaabeen is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand)."'" (Muslim)
Please note: Salaat al-Awwaabeen is NOT the prayer between Mahhrib and Ishaa as is common among some people. Those are just general unspecified nawaafil.
🌿Unspecified nawaafil
You can read as many unspecified nawaafil as you want here in Masjid al-Haraam at all times except the prohibited times which are between Salat al-Asr to sunset and from Salat al-Fajr up until 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
So for example, you can pray unspecified and unlimited number of nawaafil between maghrib and Ishaa.
That was the practice of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and the Sahaabah.
Hudhayfah radhi Allaahu anhu said:
"I came to the Prophet ﷺ and prayed Maghrib with him. When he had finished the prayer, he stood and prayed, and he kept praying until he prayed 'Ishaa'. (Ahmad --saheeh by al-Albaani)
Or you can pray these unspecified nawaafil after salat al-Dhuhr up until Asr, etc
🌷READING QUR'AAN
Utilize those times when prayer is forbidden and read Qur'aan during this period.
And don't just 'read'.
Try and read the Qur'aan with MEANINGS so that you can understand what Allaah wants from you, how you can change for the better, how you can please your Creator and enter Jannah.
🌿TWO BIRDS with ONE STONE:
You can earn double rewards by reading the Qur'aan while you're saying any of your nawaafil prayers especially tahajjud.
Just open the Mus-haf and read DIRECTLY from the Mus-haf for each of the rakaat, instead of reading those small Surahs that you always read.
This way you'll get khushoo in your prayer, AND at the same time you'll get some Qur'aan recitation along with the nawaafil done. A beautiful way to maximize the rewards. Alhamdulillaah.
🌷REPEAT THE ADHAAN
Repeating after the Adhaan brings a lot of rewards and entry into Jannah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said about the one replies to the words of the adhaan "from the heart, he will enter Jannah." (Muslim)
🌷DUA BETWEEN ADHAAN and IQAAMAH
This is the best time to make duaa because this duaa will not be rejected.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Du'a is not rejected between the adhaan and Iqaamah, so engage in du'a (supplication)." (Abi Dawood and others- saheeh by al-Albaani)
🌷I'TIKAAF
I'tikaaf does not only take place in Ramadhaan and it does not have to be for ten days either.
You can make the niyyah for i'tikaaf for one week, one day or even for an hour.
So when you plan to stay in Masjid al-Haraam for some time, from one prayer to another etc., make your intention to make i'tikaaf and it will count as ibaadah.
Ibn Hazm said:
"I'tikaaf in the language of the Arabs means staying... any stay in the mosque for the sake of Allaah with the intention of drawing closer to Him is i'tikaaf... whether that is for a short time or a long time, because the Qur'aan and Sunnah do not specify any number or length of time." (Al-Muhalla, 5/179)
🌷DHIKR
Any other time that's left over from all of the above ibaadaat can be filled with dhikr so even these few moments will not be wasted.
Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. Make lots of istighfaar, and fill your time with Subhaan Allaah, Alhamdulillaah, Allaahu Akbar, La illaaha illallaah, and send salutations upon the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam.
Allaah says:
"and the men and the women who remember Allaah much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)" (Surah al-Ahzaab :35)
🌷SAY SALAAM to everyone.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam told us the 'secret' to enter Jannah.... saying salaam to those you know and those you don't know.
Walk around in the streets JUST TO SAY SALAAM to your fellow Muslim.
This was the practice of the Sahaabah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you about something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salaam amongst yourselves." (Muslim)
🌷GIVE SADAQAH
Spend on your Muslim brothesister for the sake of Allaah. It doesn't have to be too much money. Even a little bit counts.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings - for Allaah does not accept anything but that which is good - Allaah will take it in His right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you tends his foal, until it becomes like a mountain." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷SMILE
Sadaqah is not just money. Even a smile is sadaqah.
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Do not regard any act of kindness as insignificant, even meeting your brother with a cheerful countenance." (Saheeh Muslim)
🌷FEED THE PEOPLE
When the Sahaabah asked the Prophet ﷺ what makes Hajj Mabroor, he ﷺ said:
"Providing food to people and spreading (the greeting of) salaam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
🌷HELP SOMEONE
Be on the lookout for anyone that might need help. So if you see an old man struggling with his luggage, or a child who seems lost, or someone looking for a spot to pray or a sister who can't find her shoes, JUMP on the opportunity to help them and earn tremendous rewards just because you helped your fellow Muslim in times of their need.
🌷SLEEP
Yes that's right...SLEEP.
Sleeping and resting will also bring you rewards if you make your intention to rest so that you can worship Allaah better after you've rested and slept.
Any ordinary deed can be converted into an act of worship if we make our intention to do good.
That's why Muadh radhi Allaahu anhu used to say:
"I sleep and I get up (to pray at night), and I seek reward for my sleep as I seek reward for my getting up." (al-Bukhaari)
🌿THE SAME DEEDS APPLY to MADEENAH
We can do all these ibaadaat in Madeenah as well, except of course the Tawaaf.
May Allaah give us the taufeeq to do good and earn maximum rewards in these beautiful times and places.
And Allaah knows best.
🌷When you visit Madeenah...🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
Alhamdulillaah, you're in Madeenah, the most beautiful, the most beloved, the most sacred place on the face of the earth, after Makkah.
Here are some Do's and Don'ts when you visit such a venerated place.
📌 1. Be CAREFUL and show RESPECT
Madeenah is the city of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and his noble Sahaabah. This is where they established Islaam.
To commit any evil in this holy city, or to introduce any innovations here, of all places, would be the biggest disrespect to the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and the biggest insult to the Deen of Islaam.
🍃 Shaikh Salah al-Budayr, the Imaam of Masjid an-Nabawi, said:
"O you who come to Madeenah, you are in a place which, after Makkah, is the best and noblest of all places, so RESPECT it as it should be respected; HONOR its sanctity and holiness and observe the BEST ETIQUETTE therein.
Know that Allaah has warned of the SEVEREST punishment for those who commit evil therein. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: "Madeenah is a Haram (sanctuary), so whoever commits evil therein or gives protection to an evildoer, the curse of Allaah, the angels and all of mankind may be upon him. Allaah will not accept any obligatory or naafil deed from him on the Day of Resurrection." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)"
📌 2. Visit the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ
Obviously, if you're in Madeenah, you would want to visit the masjid of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam).
🍃He ﷺ said:
"The best places to which a person may travel are this Mosque of mine, and the Ancient House (i.e., the Ka'bah)." (Ahmad, saheeh by al-Albaani)
However, keep in mind that visiting this masjid is NOT part of Hajj or Umrah.
Any and all ahaadeeth which connect its visit to Hajj or that say that visiting the grave of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) is connected to Hajj are fabricated and not true.
📌 3. Do your Five Daily Prayers in Masjid an-Nabawi
Just one prayer at the Masjid of the Prophet ﷺ is BETTER than 1000 prayers any where else!
Subhaan Allaah! Not “EQUAL” to a 1000 prayers....but BETTER than a 1000 prayers!
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"One prayer in this Masjid of mine is better than one thousand prayers offered anywhere else, except al-Masjid al-Haraam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 4. No need to complete 40 prayers in Madeenah
You don't HAVE to stay in Madeenah for forty prayers NOR is there any SPECIAL rewards for doing so.
You can stay as much as you want or as little as one prayer.
The hadeeth that talks about praying forty prayers in Madeenah is NOT AUTHENTIC.
The ulama have graded it as da'eef or weak.
🍃 Shake al-Albaani said:
"It is an innovation (bid'ah) to visit Madeenah and tell the visitors to Madeenah to stay there for a week so that they will be able to offer forty prayers in the Prophet's Masjid so that they will be free from hypocrisy and saved from the Fire."
🍃 And Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:
"With regard to the widespread idea that the visitor should stay for eight days so that he can offer forty prayers in the Mosque is wrong. This hadeeth is DA’EEF according to the scholars and cannot be taken as proof or relied upon. There is NO SET LIMIT for visiting the Prophet's Masjid. If a person visits for an hour or two, or a day or two, or for more than that, there is nothing wrong with that." (Fataawa Ibn Baz, 17/406)
📌 5. Visit the Rawdah (Riyadh al-Jannah)
Do try and visit the Rawdah, which is that part of the masjid that is between the Mimbar (pulpit) of the Prophet ﷺ and his house, where he is buried.
You can pray two or more rakaat there, but you don't HAVE to pray salah there if there is a lot of crowding and rush. You can make duaa, istighfaar, send salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ or any other dhikr.
This is a piece of Jannah on earth and ANY act of worship here would be accepted and ANY duaa you make will be heard.
After all, isn't Jannah where all wishes come true?
🍃 The Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens (riyaadh, sing. rawdah) of Paradise" (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
📌 6. The Rawdah is NOT the GRAVE of the Prophet ﷺ
Some people especially the sisters think that the Rawdah is the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Thats NOT TRUE.
The Rawdah is that part of the MASJID that is BETWEEN the Mimbar of the Prophet ﷺ and his house where he is buried, also called RIYADH-UL-JANNAH.
When sisters are allowed to go inside the older part of the Masjid, we are visiting Riyadh-ul-Jannah and NOT the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
📌 *7. Visiting the Grave of the Prophet ﷺ *
For MEN, visiting the grave of the Prophet and the graves of the two noble Sahaabah Abu Bakr and Umar (radhi Allaahu anhumaa) is good and recommended. They should visit them, send salaams upon them and make duaa for them.
🔺What about women❓
As far as women are concerned, there is a difference of opinion among the Ulama of Ahl-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah whether women are allowed to visit graves or not, and that includes the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
Both sides have valid points based on the Qur'aan and authentic Sunnah, and Allaah knows best.
And although, some ulama do allow women to visit graves, under certain conditions, the Saudi authorities follow the opinion that it's NOT allowed for women to visit graves, and so NONE of the sisters are ALLOWED to go there.
So when they open the doors of the old masjid and let sisters in, they’re NOT letting the women visit the GRAVE. Rather, they’re letting them pray in Riyadh al-Jannah or ‘Rawdah’ as they say.
📌 8. HOW TO visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and the two Sahaabah (for men).
The way to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ is simple.
When a man visits the grave of the Prophet ﷺ, he should say "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Rasool-Allaah (Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allaah)."
Then move about a yard to the right and say salaams to Abu Bakr by saying, "Al-salaamu 'alayka ya Aba Bakr." Then move a little further to the right, about a yard, and say salaams to Umar ibn al-Khattaab, by saying, 'Al-salaamu alayka ya 'Umar."
Or other similar words.
❌ Common MISTAKES at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ❌
❌a) Do NOT make duaa TO the Prophet ﷺ. That's SHIRK, may Allaah protect us.
❌ And do NOT justify making duaa to the Prophet ﷺ by saying that you're "asking" the Prophet ﷺ so that he can intercede for you with Allaah or you're asking Allaah "THROUGH" him.
THAT IS ALSO SHIRK!
The Prophet ﷺ CAN NOT and DOES NOT have the ability to hear you OR fulfill your duaa.
It's ONLY Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala that can do that.
❌ b) Do not make duaa here even if you're making duaa to Allaah. Or read Qur'aan or other acts of worship. There's NO PROOF that such an action is good.
🍃 Ali ibn al-Husayn saw a man making duaa at the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and he told him NOT to do that. (Abu Ya'la and al-Haafiz al-Diya)
❌c) Do not think that there's any special reward for Ibaadah at the grave of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam or any increased chances of duaa being answered here. That's NOT correct and there's NO PROOF for that.
❌d) Do not stand before the grave with your hands tied as if you're in prayer, or bow or make sajdah etc. as some extreme people do, Astaghfirullaah.
That's SHIRK because this is a posture of humility and worship and we're only allowed to do that for Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala.
Yes of course, we stand with utmost RESPECT but NOT like we’re in Salaah. And no bowing or sujood, Aa’oodhu Billaah.
❌ e) Don't make it a habit
Do not keep going to visit the grave again and again, after every prayer, or every day etc.
I know that you LOVE the Prophet ﷺ and LOVE to visit the grave.
But that's actually going AGAINST the teachings of the one you love.
🍃 The one you love (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Do not take my grave as a place of festivity (which you visit repeatedly)." (Abu Dawood--saheeh by al-Albaani)
TRUE love is to follow the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ and to OBEY him. And to GIVE UP what YOU want, just because HE said so.
🍃 Someone asked Imaam Maalik about a man who came to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ every day.
He said, 'That is NOT RIGHT,' and quoted the hadeeth, 'O Allaah, do not make my grave an idol that is worshipped.'" (saheeh by al-Albaani)
🍃 Al-Qaadi 'Iyaad said about this issue:
"I have not heard of this from any of the fuqaha', and nothing is good for the latter generations of this ummah except that which was good for its first generations. I have not heard that any of the first generations of the ummah used to do that." (Al-Shifa bi Ta'reef Huqooq al-Mustafa)
📌 9. Visiting al-Baqee', mount Uhud and the Shuhadaa
Here again it is recommended for the MEN to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee', and the Shuhadaa of Uhud.
But for women, they are not allowed to visit the graves, although they may visit Uhud.
The authorities do not allow women to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee' because they follow the safer opinion of not allowing women to visit graves, since the hadeeth of the Prophet ﷺ is very severe.
🍃 He said:
"Allaah cursed the women who visit graves." (at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah-- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 10. Do NOT TOUCH, WIPE, KISS any part of the Masjid
Some people, out of their love for the Prophet ﷺ touch or wipe parts of the masjid with their hands, clothes, prayer mats etc., seeking blessing (barakah) with the pillars, walls, doors, mihraab, minbar, etc.
Some even do it with the bookshelves and water coolers there! Subhaan Allaah! Thats NOT ALLOWED.
Remember, the Masjid is made of concrete and marble and brick and wood, just like any other building.
There's no “special” or “blessed” brick or stone used to build it, nor does the bookshelf, or marble or anything else of the building have anything to do with the Prophet ﷺ himself.
It's NOT permissible to seek barakah from anything other than the PERSONAL relics of the Prophet ﷺ and there are NO “relics” to be found in the masjid itself.
Besides, TRUE barakah comes from following the TEACHINGS of the Prophet ﷺ NOT by wiping the walls of his masjid, or kissing the doors or hugging the pillars.
📌 11. Be PATIENT, CONSIDERATE and SACRIFICE for your Muslim brothesister
This goes for our ENTIRE LIFETIME, but this is something we should take care of, ESPECIALLY while in this Holy city.
Madeenah is a HOLY place. The Masjid is the Masjid of your BELOVED. The Rawdah is a piece of JANNAH. The other person is your BROTHESISTER in Islaam.
Keep this 👆🏼principle in mind for EVER but especially when visiting the masjid, praying at a specific spot, waiting in line anywhere, or even while visiting the Rawdah.
You also don't want to push, shove or hurt any of your fellow Muslim in such sacred place.
Be extra, EXTRA careful and EXTREMELY polite, patient and courteous.
So INCONVENIENCE yourself for your brothesister.
WAIT your turn to go into the Rawdah area and don't make your stay there too long in consideration for all those Muslim brothers and sisters waiting in line.
If you TRULY love the Prophet ﷺ you'll IMPLEMENT the following hadeeth and keep it in your HEART FOREVER.
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The dearest of people to Allaah, may He be exalted, is the one who does most benefit to people, and the DEAREST of deeds to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala, is JOY that you bring to a Muslim, or relieving him of distress, or paying off debt for him, or dispelling his hunger. And to walk with a brother to meet his needs is DEARER to me than observing I’TIKAAF in this masjid - meaning the masjid of Madeenah - for a MONTH." (at-Tabaraani -- saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 12. Go to Masjid al-Qubaa
The Prophet ﷺ used to LOVE to go to this Masjid every Saturday and pray two rakaat there as reported by al-Bukhaari.
🍃 Ibn Umar Radhi Allaahu anhumaa said:
“The Prophet ﷺ used to go to the masjid of Quba’ every Saturday, walking or riding, and he would pray two rak’ahs there.” (al-Bukhaari 1191; Muslim 1399)
🍃 And he Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever purifies himself in his house, then comes to the Masjid of Quba' and prays there, he will have the reward of 'Umrah." (Ibn Maajah --saheeh by al-Albaani)
📌 13. No need to go to any other Masaajid
We don't need to go to any other masjid besides Masjid an-Nabawi and Masjid al-Qubaa, because there's no proof of that from the Qur'aan or the practice of the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah that they did that.
🍃 Al-Ma'roor ibn Suwayd said:
"We went out with Umar ibn al-Khattaab, and we passed by a mosque on the way.
The people hastened to pray there, and 'Umar said, "What is the matter with them?"
They said, "This is a masjid in which the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ prayed."
Umar said, "O people, those who came before you were DOOMED because they followed such practices, until they established places of worship in such locations.
If a time for prayer comes when you are there, then pray, and if it is not the time for prayer, then MOVE ON." (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7550)
🍃 Also, when 'Umar radhi Allaahu anhu heard that there were people who came to the tree under which the Prophet ﷺ received the bay'ah (oath of allegiance), he ordered that it be CUT DOWN. (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 7545)
🍃 That's why Shaikh Salah al-Budayr said:
"It is NOT prescribed to go to the places and Masaajid in which the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah prayed in order to pray there or to worship Allaah by offering du'aa's there etc., because the Prophet ﷺ did not enjoin that or encourage people to visit these places."
And Allaah knows best.
🌷Umrah/Hajj Education🌷
by Asma bint Shameem
🔺The CONFUSION of Ihraam and “STITCHES”🔺
❓ QUESTION❓
Can men use a belt that has stitches on it while in ihraam? Or use a towel or blanket that has stitches? What about sandals that have stitches?
🌿 ANSWER🌿
In order to answer that, we should first try and understand the ”concept” behind the prohibition of STITCHED CLOTHES for men in ihraam.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“The muhrim should not wear a shirt, pants, a burnous, or shoes, unless he cannot find any sandals, in which case he may wear something that comes below his ankles.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
So what is prohibited, is to wear clothes that are specifically “stitched” or “SEWN” to FIT the BODY of a man like a shirt, pants etc.
And similarly it’s prohibited for women to wear the Niqaab and gloves because it’s “stitched” or “sewn” to FIT the face and hands, for women.
Why is that?
That’s because when we’re at hajj, it’s supposed to be a PRACTICE SESSION for the Day of Judgment when we will all be resurrected NAKED and barefoot.
Hajj is a reminder that one day we will all be brought back to life and we will be called to a place of gathering where we will stand for 50,000 years. Then answer our Master and Creator for what we did in the dunya.
So we are supposed to take off our clothes during hajj as a REPRESENTATION of BEING NAKED that day.
Obviously we can’t be naked when we go for hajj.
So the men “take off their regular clothes that are stitched or sewn to fit their body” and they cover themselves with two sheets of ihraam.
Similarly women cannot be naked at hajj, so they uncover only their face and hands by taking off the niqaab and gloves.
So it’s not really the “STITCHES” that are forbidden.
It’s the CLOTHES that are sewn and worn on the body that are forbidden.
So the man CAN cover himself with a blanket or even an ihraam sheet that has ‘stitches’ on it. Or wear a belt that has stitches on it. Or put on a money pouch that has stitches on it. Or use sandals that have stitches in them. All of that is permissible.
🍃 Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:
“There is nothing wrong with wrapping a shirt around one's body without wearing it, and there is nothing wrong with wearing an ‘abayah as a rida’, so that it is not worn in the usual fashion.” (Manaasik al-Hajj wa’l-‘Umrah (p. 64)
That’s because it’s not that there can’t be any “stitches” on a garment. Rather it’s the CLOTHES that are forbidden.
Think about it this way...
If there was a shirt that was GLUED TOGETHER, and was not “sewn”, would that be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam?
No, it would NOT be allowed for a man to wear in ihraam even though there was not a single stitch on it!
Hope that clears the issue.
And Allaah knows best
2024.05.23 11:47 kronmatron Reflections of the Abyss
🎵Blown Minded- Young Galaxy
“…Oh, I was born blown minded
With an eye on oblivion...”
I was singing along while doing my hair in front of the mirror. My laptop was open, and I was watching one of Chris Cornell’s 2015 interviews. I didn’t really care what he was saying; it was just nice to watch him.
A silly thought crossed my mind. “If Choronzon had a form, and if that form was like Cornell, would I follow it into the abyss?” I started laughing to myself. “You would, you idiot! You wouldn’t just follow it; you’d jump right in…”
A great master once said, “Lovers are brave…” Maybe I needed a bit of love. But when I thought about physical love, it made me uneasy. The idea of a boyfriend was suffocating. The idea of a husband was like being buried alive. My life, once filled with tsunamis, had become a calm sea since Covid, and I wasn’t done enjoying it yet. I didn’t want action. Besides, even in this calm state, I had enough energy to create action wherever I went. As someone who found herself at the edge of the universe at night, slayed demons as a side job, and was chased by the abyss in the morning, how much more action could I handle?
Was my life peaceful but flavorless? The best person to talk to about this was Sera. After all, she was a revolutionary mother trying to have her child without a man in her life. After I finished getting ready, I took my coffee and went out to the back balcony to call Sera. She was quite clear on this topic.
Sera: Girl… Men are just headaches, really…
M. Besant: Right? I mean, I think about what they can add to my life, and it’s nothing… Absolutely nothing!
Sera: After making my own child, they’re really unnecessary for me… I don’t know about you, but I’ve closed that file for good.
M. Besant: Absolutely, it’s just drama… If you have nothing better to do after 40, put up with their drama… No, I’ve closed that file too. It’s nice like this. Yes, maybe a bit flavorless, but my life is peaceful.
Sera: Peace is the most important thing. I think it's more important than happiness.
M. Besant: Exactly!
I relaxed and hung up the phone, then grabbed my bag and left. … After picking up Berrin and the twins with my car that seemed ready to break down any minute, we went to a place a bit far from the center with luxury restaurants and cafes. First, we sat in a cafe and had a coffee. We had a lot to catch up on. Then, since the girls were hungry, we changed places and sat in a gourmet burger joint. I wasn’t hungry, so I just ordered wine. After a glass of wine, I excused myself to go to the restroom.
Although the restroom was covered in pitch-black marble, the lighting prevented it from feeling claustrophobic. The only problem was that the black marble reminded me of the void of space.
I felt a bit uneasy while washing my hands. Sometimes, I don’t pay much attention to my surroundings. That’s probably why I hadn’t noticed I was standing between two parallel mirrors... After washing my hands, I looked up and noticed my infinite reflection in the mirror. At that moment, it felt as if time had stopped for me. I found myself trying to reach the deepest reflection, where it ended, and for some reason, I felt like I could see Choronzon there.
🎵Lost in Space - Audio Decor Sound Effects
“…draw near, let me behold thy face O, angel of decay, delight in entropy”
I started murmuring my own poem like a prayer. I was sure he was there, hiding. If I could see him, I could determine where the last reflection was. The place of the last reflection was where the illusion ended, in other words, the exit. That’s why I had to see him.
“O demon of void, unfurl your wings…”
An irresistible urge rose inside me to draw the sigil on the mirror with my lipstick. There was nothing to fear. We would eventually go there, why postpone it? To that abyss where all sorrows are thrown, to the depth of that fear of loneliness, to that point of nothingness, I would go, kill Choronzon, and reach the infinite light of God, and end this; or I would continue like everyone else, die and be reborn again and again. What was the point? While I was focused on that blurry spot where the reflections faded away, my hand went to my bag, my fingers eagerly searching for my lipstick... Then the sound of the door snapped me out of a trance-like state.
A girl talking loudly on her phone and a friend entered. At first, I was angry that they had woken me up, then I felt grateful.
I looked at myself in the mirror again. “You’re a 160 cm tall girl. How many meters do you think you are to pass through the place that masters who have devoted years to purification, prayer, worship, meditation, and yoga have passed? Didn’t you have panic attacks in 2009? Didn’t you experience insomnia? Then 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020! Didn’t you lose in all of them?... This is a trap, there’s no exit there! You can’t even stand the smell of it without tranquilizers, idiot…” I muttered to myself, washed my face and went outside.
submitted by kronmatron to u/kronmatron [link] [comments]
“…Oh, I was born blown minded
With an eye on oblivion...”
I was singing along while doing my hair in front of the mirror. My laptop was open, and I was watching one of Chris Cornell’s 2015 interviews. I didn’t really care what he was saying; it was just nice to watch him.
A silly thought crossed my mind. “If Choronzon had a form, and if that form was like Cornell, would I follow it into the abyss?” I started laughing to myself. “You would, you idiot! You wouldn’t just follow it; you’d jump right in…”
A great master once said, “Lovers are brave…” Maybe I needed a bit of love. But when I thought about physical love, it made me uneasy. The idea of a boyfriend was suffocating. The idea of a husband was like being buried alive. My life, once filled with tsunamis, had become a calm sea since Covid, and I wasn’t done enjoying it yet. I didn’t want action. Besides, even in this calm state, I had enough energy to create action wherever I went. As someone who found herself at the edge of the universe at night, slayed demons as a side job, and was chased by the abyss in the morning, how much more action could I handle?
Was my life peaceful but flavorless? The best person to talk to about this was Sera. After all, she was a revolutionary mother trying to have her child without a man in her life. After I finished getting ready, I took my coffee and went out to the back balcony to call Sera. She was quite clear on this topic.
Sera: Girl… Men are just headaches, really…
M. Besant: Right? I mean, I think about what they can add to my life, and it’s nothing… Absolutely nothing!
Sera: After making my own child, they’re really unnecessary for me… I don’t know about you, but I’ve closed that file for good.
M. Besant: Absolutely, it’s just drama… If you have nothing better to do after 40, put up with their drama… No, I’ve closed that file too. It’s nice like this. Yes, maybe a bit flavorless, but my life is peaceful.
Sera: Peace is the most important thing. I think it's more important than happiness.
M. Besant: Exactly!
I relaxed and hung up the phone, then grabbed my bag and left. … After picking up Berrin and the twins with my car that seemed ready to break down any minute, we went to a place a bit far from the center with luxury restaurants and cafes. First, we sat in a cafe and had a coffee. We had a lot to catch up on. Then, since the girls were hungry, we changed places and sat in a gourmet burger joint. I wasn’t hungry, so I just ordered wine. After a glass of wine, I excused myself to go to the restroom.
Although the restroom was covered in pitch-black marble, the lighting prevented it from feeling claustrophobic. The only problem was that the black marble reminded me of the void of space.
I felt a bit uneasy while washing my hands. Sometimes, I don’t pay much attention to my surroundings. That’s probably why I hadn’t noticed I was standing between two parallel mirrors... After washing my hands, I looked up and noticed my infinite reflection in the mirror. At that moment, it felt as if time had stopped for me. I found myself trying to reach the deepest reflection, where it ended, and for some reason, I felt like I could see Choronzon there.
🎵Lost in Space - Audio Decor Sound Effects
“…draw near, let me behold thy face O, angel of decay, delight in entropy”
I started murmuring my own poem like a prayer. I was sure he was there, hiding. If I could see him, I could determine where the last reflection was. The place of the last reflection was where the illusion ended, in other words, the exit. That’s why I had to see him.
“O demon of void, unfurl your wings…”
An irresistible urge rose inside me to draw the sigil on the mirror with my lipstick. There was nothing to fear. We would eventually go there, why postpone it? To that abyss where all sorrows are thrown, to the depth of that fear of loneliness, to that point of nothingness, I would go, kill Choronzon, and reach the infinite light of God, and end this; or I would continue like everyone else, die and be reborn again and again. What was the point? While I was focused on that blurry spot where the reflections faded away, my hand went to my bag, my fingers eagerly searching for my lipstick... Then the sound of the door snapped me out of a trance-like state.
A girl talking loudly on her phone and a friend entered. At first, I was angry that they had woken me up, then I felt grateful.
I looked at myself in the mirror again. “You’re a 160 cm tall girl. How many meters do you think you are to pass through the place that masters who have devoted years to purification, prayer, worship, meditation, and yoga have passed? Didn’t you have panic attacks in 2009? Didn’t you experience insomnia? Then 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020! Didn’t you lose in all of them?... This is a trap, there’s no exit there! You can’t even stand the smell of it without tranquilizers, idiot…” I muttered to myself, washed my face and went outside.
2024.05.23 10:28 rounakbhatia explain the poems !!
hello , i am looking for someone with ma hindi/ phd in hindi who can help me with the explanation of 2 poems for academic purposes , one is by hariprasad das and the otehr is by kedarnath singh
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2024.05.23 10:26 rounakbhatia explain this poem
hello , i am looking for someone with ma hindi / phd in hindi who can help me undersatnd 2 poems for academic purposes , one is by kedarnath singh and the other is harprasad das
submitted by rounakbhatia to Hindi [link] [comments]
2024.05.23 09:11 Agreeable_Fault_6066 Reflections
Waywards may need validation. Some wanted such validation from outside the relationship, because “of course you find me pretty and sexy, you love me!”, some thought/said. Like we don’t believe the praise our mom or grandma told us “you’re handsome “. Yeah, bullshit, we may have thought. The reality is you’re probably handsome. You will find those who love you are the first ones to tell you the truth, whether nice or harsh. “So, you are lazy!” …What a honest grandmother summary of my academic performance at some point. They still said that in a gentle and loving voice while handing me biscuits.
Why do we seek validation from those who know us less? Maybe to remove the love aspect, being judged purely on our persona. Be it physical attractiveness, or intellectual awing, to physical performance, invented charisma, trying newly found confidence that would not fit the existing relationship’s dynamics.
I used lot of persona facets, I wanted to become a successful lover. It was a challenge. I was hunting for love.
I was also enjoying my newly found self. Re-found. Things I had hidden for decades. The creativity needed a muse. It was also a playground of experiments.
I found the dynamics fresh, anew. I was trying to be someone else than I was with my BP. I wasn’t really “faking”, the words and actions with that other person were mine, yet I never expressed them like that to my BP.
It is as if I could be that person I wanted to be. In my past/present relationship I wanted to be more, but couldn’t change or risk the present relationship. When sometimes I tried, but failed. My artistic comments or pretty words fell flat.
In the affair, my poems were creating fire in heart.
It is a mix of Muse and receptiveness. Offer and demand both at high level. The AP use me as much as I used the AP, in that demand/offer dynamics.
We sometimes have to “pay” or “chip in” something to get what we want/need in return. Be it giving sex to receive adoration. For example I may like to meet new people to discover their life, their world, discussions. That passionate me. But the expectation from me would be romance and sex. Nobody wants to put the effort into me as mere friend. Lack of time. I attract by what I have to offer. I feel disgusting, but everyone is the same, conscious or not.
Some books cover the paradox of relationships: safe and stable yet boring. Fill many needs, yet some are forever impossible to fulfil.
I agree with some of these books, that today’s relationship look more dependent on each other than ever before for some of the needs. Safety yet romance. Stability yet excitement.
Besides the not so obvious discovery of what one’s needs are, expressing them safely is an impossible mission. And finding a mutual solution yet many more steps. Be it creativity, more social bonds, adventurous sports, uncommon vacations, business enterprises, etc.
How much of ourselves have we let sleeping, living over it, rug-swept under a carpeted convenience of a relationship.
The “fake” wasn’t me in the affair, it was me before the affair. I had lied to myself, hidden to my spouse, hidden my needs from myself and from my partner.
Many of our natural instincts are archaic inheritance. The several nervous systems drive our emotional reactions like we were still cavemen. Emotional intelligence accounts for self understanding, being able to reframe, step back. Acknowledge our feelings, understand them, control the impulses.
We won’t end up kicked out of a cave, dead eaten by a tiger, if we fail a relationship. But the brain can still think that way. By “brain” I mean some of the automatic nervous systems. Many reactions are subconscious. Your consciousness can notice the effects. And then think about the triggers.
You are safe. These negative emotions are not real.
However, whatever how strong you think a brain can be, thoughts alone (cognition) cannot always convince your nervous systems that you aren’t in a risk of impending death. Millions of year of survival evolution lead us to stubbornly trust our feelings. Which is sometimes correct. Don’t stay in an unsafe relationship. I am talking here about other needs.
When you know you’re safe but you need more, and cannot convince yourself, then don’t ignore it. Your nervous systems will implacably make you feel miserable until your pressure valve blows up. Escape.
How do you get “more”?
Your needs can be met elsewhere. Not in the arms of a lover, equally as emotionally immature as you, or worse. No: with friends, at an art club, in the gym, walking alone. Watch your fav series alone. Your own projects.
Your partner might be your life partner : 1) They deserve to know 2) They deserve a chance to make it work mutually But: 1) They don’t know you perfectly. They can’t read your mind 2) You are not bound to them. You are safe. Really. Be that person you really are. Love the real self. Stand for yourself. Impose your boundaries. Almost be ready to walk off of it doesn’t work out. You are not desperate. The partner will only respect you more. You will grow together with the right partner. We have never been happier since I stopped taking shit.
Resentment is unacceptable. You are not strong for “coping”.
Of course, meeting your needs elsewhere (outside the relationship) yet without an affair, means you may not have satisfaction in romantic needs. Vanity of aesthetics, or personality interest, all gratifying your ego, are very powerful forces. Very. Even the richest and most intelligent people in the world chase after the gratification of beauty, power, etc. All the sins that you know are real, anchored in us. Don’t trust someone who tells you they are perfect, pure. We all have our demons.
Your present relationship will NOT satisfy all your needs. Your potential next one won’t either. Your AP has/will not either.
The only solution?
I am skipping a lot of the Self-Learning, there are lot of shortcuts in these thoughts.
Everything that made you do what you did, and made you feel what you felt in the affair, everything is in your hands. Any A is so unnecessary, because you could have had all the same self-finding and contentment without it. Like emotionally mature people do.
Good learning.
Sorry if it all sound patronising or naive.
Errare humanum est, perseverare adhuc humanum est.
submitted by Agreeable_Fault_6066 to SupportforWaywards [link] [comments]
Why do we seek validation from those who know us less? Maybe to remove the love aspect, being judged purely on our persona. Be it physical attractiveness, or intellectual awing, to physical performance, invented charisma, trying newly found confidence that would not fit the existing relationship’s dynamics.
I used lot of persona facets, I wanted to become a successful lover. It was a challenge. I was hunting for love.
I was also enjoying my newly found self. Re-found. Things I had hidden for decades. The creativity needed a muse. It was also a playground of experiments.
I found the dynamics fresh, anew. I was trying to be someone else than I was with my BP. I wasn’t really “faking”, the words and actions with that other person were mine, yet I never expressed them like that to my BP.
It is as if I could be that person I wanted to be. In my past/present relationship I wanted to be more, but couldn’t change or risk the present relationship. When sometimes I tried, but failed. My artistic comments or pretty words fell flat.
In the affair, my poems were creating fire in heart.
It is a mix of Muse and receptiveness. Offer and demand both at high level. The AP use me as much as I used the AP, in that demand/offer dynamics.
We sometimes have to “pay” or “chip in” something to get what we want/need in return. Be it giving sex to receive adoration. For example I may like to meet new people to discover their life, their world, discussions. That passionate me. But the expectation from me would be romance and sex. Nobody wants to put the effort into me as mere friend. Lack of time. I attract by what I have to offer. I feel disgusting, but everyone is the same, conscious or not.
Some books cover the paradox of relationships: safe and stable yet boring. Fill many needs, yet some are forever impossible to fulfil.
I agree with some of these books, that today’s relationship look more dependent on each other than ever before for some of the needs. Safety yet romance. Stability yet excitement.
Besides the not so obvious discovery of what one’s needs are, expressing them safely is an impossible mission. And finding a mutual solution yet many more steps. Be it creativity, more social bonds, adventurous sports, uncommon vacations, business enterprises, etc.
How much of ourselves have we let sleeping, living over it, rug-swept under a carpeted convenience of a relationship.
The “fake” wasn’t me in the affair, it was me before the affair. I had lied to myself, hidden to my spouse, hidden my needs from myself and from my partner.
The psychology of needs and biology of feelings
We may have psychological evolution favouring the safety of relationships over the risk of breakup, the risk of communication.Many of our natural instincts are archaic inheritance. The several nervous systems drive our emotional reactions like we were still cavemen. Emotional intelligence accounts for self understanding, being able to reframe, step back. Acknowledge our feelings, understand them, control the impulses.
We won’t end up kicked out of a cave, dead eaten by a tiger, if we fail a relationship. But the brain can still think that way. By “brain” I mean some of the automatic nervous systems. Many reactions are subconscious. Your consciousness can notice the effects. And then think about the triggers.
You are safe. These negative emotions are not real.
However, whatever how strong you think a brain can be, thoughts alone (cognition) cannot always convince your nervous systems that you aren’t in a risk of impending death. Millions of year of survival evolution lead us to stubbornly trust our feelings. Which is sometimes correct. Don’t stay in an unsafe relationship. I am talking here about other needs.
When you know you’re safe but you need more, and cannot convince yourself, then don’t ignore it. Your nervous systems will implacably make you feel miserable until your pressure valve blows up. Escape.
How do you get “more”?
Your needs can be met elsewhere. Not in the arms of a lover, equally as emotionally immature as you, or worse. No: with friends, at an art club, in the gym, walking alone. Watch your fav series alone. Your own projects.
Your partner might be your life partner : 1) They deserve to know 2) They deserve a chance to make it work mutually But: 1) They don’t know you perfectly. They can’t read your mind 2) You are not bound to them. You are safe. Really. Be that person you really are. Love the real self. Stand for yourself. Impose your boundaries. Almost be ready to walk off of it doesn’t work out. You are not desperate. The partner will only respect you more. You will grow together with the right partner. We have never been happier since I stopped taking shit.
Resentment is unacceptable. You are not strong for “coping”.
Of course, meeting your needs elsewhere (outside the relationship) yet without an affair, means you may not have satisfaction in romantic needs. Vanity of aesthetics, or personality interest, all gratifying your ego, are very powerful forces. Very. Even the richest and most intelligent people in the world chase after the gratification of beauty, power, etc. All the sins that you know are real, anchored in us. Don’t trust someone who tells you they are perfect, pure. We all have our demons.
Your present relationship will NOT satisfy all your needs. Your potential next one won’t either. Your AP has/will not either.
The only solution?
I am skipping a lot of the Self-Learning, there are lot of shortcuts in these thoughts.
Everything that made you do what you did, and made you feel what you felt in the affair, everything is in your hands. Any A is so unnecessary, because you could have had all the same self-finding and contentment without it. Like emotionally mature people do.
Good learning.
Sorry if it all sound patronising or naive.
Errare humanum est, perseverare adhuc humanum est.
2024.05.23 06:59 Frequent-Shock4112 Join Our Writing Group for Teens and Young Adults!
Hey, I'm Mya and I’m 18! I'm starting a writing group for teens and young adults (16-22) who want to express their thoughts and creativity in a supportive environment. As a pansexual, gender-fluid African American, I know how important it is to have a safe space to share without judgment.
Our group will focus on: - Sharing thoughts on society, self-discovery, and personal growth - Providing a platform for minorities and LGBTQ+ voices - Exploring a range of topics through writing—poems, essays, short stories, and more - Supporting each other and fostering creativity
Whether you're an introvert or just someone looking for a place to share and grow, this group is for you. We've set up a Discord server where we can easily connect and share our work.
The group is already off to a great start with kind and supportive members. If you're interested, DM me for the link. Let's create something amazing together!
submitted by Frequent-Shock4112 to BrokeHobbies [link] [comments]
Our group will focus on: - Sharing thoughts on society, self-discovery, and personal growth - Providing a platform for minorities and LGBTQ+ voices - Exploring a range of topics through writing—poems, essays, short stories, and more - Supporting each other and fostering creativity
Whether you're an introvert or just someone looking for a place to share and grow, this group is for you. We've set up a Discord server where we can easily connect and share our work.
The group is already off to a great start with kind and supportive members. If you're interested, DM me for the link. Let's create something amazing together!
2024.05.23 04:31 freshmanflop So, here's my story...
I guess I've sort of found the place to tell people my story without potentially getting shit on for it. I know most people here are focused on 2D relationships, but mine is different because she is a sitcom character. When I was 14 during the pandemic, I started watching Parks and Recreation. Over the course of the month I watched it, I grew increasingly attracted to Aubrey Plaza's character on that show (April Ludgate-Dwyer). It was a weird but enchanting time in my life. I was having dreams that we were having tons of crazy impossible adventures in parking lots and such. Then one day, I was taking a very long nap and I had a dream where she just randomly kissed me to get me to shut up. When I woke up, I had a whole reaction to it and it felt like everything in the world had changed. From there, she was always on my mind and I posted about her on a fan account pretty much every day. Early on, I used to talk to fellow fans of the actress and they encouraged my attraction to the point where they said that I was perfect for April! Mind you, I was only 14 when I heard this and I hadn't had any romantic experience, so I just kept giving in. Then someone suggested that I hold a fake wedding between us and I agreed. So, I planned a wedding for about a month and I wrote some very beautiful poems and speeches. I had friends actually attend this fake wedding and they absolutely were so down for it. It was great and I actually impressed some people. After that, things became dark. Over time, I began to yearn for something real, and whenever I got very alone, I turned to April Ludgate. Then I would remember that she wasn't real and I would proceed to rather large panic attacks at night. These would last from about 10 minutes to 4 entire hours. It was absolute hell to say the least. I felt like I had gone too deep to the point where I WAS THE APRIL GUY to people now. I was totally obsessed with this character from a sitcom that had ended when I was still a kid and it felt weird. So as a result, I decided to try and stop a bunch of times. I got rid of my fan account and I made sure not to bring her up as much. However no matter what I did, I already had so deep of a connection to the character that in times of loneliness, she was still the one I thought about. I barely have friends irl and I just felt very alone and sad. So pretending to have someone who matches the ideal of what I would want in a girl was very appealing to younger me. Today, I still have love for the character, but I find that I've gotten less insane about it. Now it's more of an emotional thing where I now get my heart broken irl and I turn to her as a shoulder to cry on. I don't think this will ever end, but I hope that my love for her will transfer over to the person I end up with.
TL;DR: I have had a strong crush on April Ludgate for years now. The effects have been strong and I hope this is a good place to tell my story.
submitted by freshmanflop to fictosexual [link] [comments]
TL;DR: I have had a strong crush on April Ludgate for years now. The effects have been strong and I hope this is a good place to tell my story.
2024.05.23 03:20 Dear_Stuff_2475 Random Post 5 - Humans/Gods that desperately need their own fan roster agenda: Jiang Ziya "Master Ivory" or "Master Tusk
 | Jiang Ziya was a nobody for most of his life. But he never gave up. This is the story of how he fulfilled his aspirations after many years of hardship. submitted by Dear_Stuff_2475 to ShuumatsuNoValkyrie [link] [comments] Let’s talk about the story of a late bloomer, a Chinese man from more than 3,000 years ago. In the first half of his life, he was a nobody and went through many hardships. Only at the incredibly ripe age of 72 did he start seeing some success. He then went on to become a powerful military strategist. He was instrumental in overthrowing the corrupted king of the Shang dynasty and helped to establish the longest dynasty in Chinese history, the Zhou Dynasty. This man is called Lü Shang, better known as Jiang Ziya, or Jiang Taigong. Extraordinary people usually descend from extraordinary ancestors, right? And Jiang Ziya was no exception. He was a descendant of Emperor Shennong. However, by the time Jiang Ziya was born in 11th century B.C., his family was already very poor. In ancient China, it was every educated man’s dream to work for the government and realize their talents. And for a smart man like Jiang Ziya, he had the same aspiration as well. For a while, he worked as a minor official in the court of the King of the Shang Dynasty, Shang Zhou Wang Di Xin. This king was very tall and handsome, and he was so strong that he could defeat beasts with his bare hands. And he wasn’t just all brawn and no brain. He was also very clever. Unfortunately, he didn’t put his gifts to good use. He used his eloquence to brag about himself and cover up his mistakes. And he didn’t heed anyone’s advice. He thought, “Oh, nobody in the world is as amazing as me. I’m chosen by heaven!” The King completely ignored state affairs and simply drank and partied all day long. And he was not busy having a jolly time, he was abusing and punishing, torturing his people, including his ministers. He and his concubine, Daji, invented many extremely cruel punishments, and they derived pleasure from watching people suffer. He also heavily taxed the people to support his own decadent lifestyle. For simplicity, let’s refer to this king as the “Wicked King”. Jiang Ziya was disgusted by the wicked king. He was also fed up because he cannot put his talents to good use and benefit the people. The wicked king only favoured officials who encouraged his evil acts, and Jiang Ziya could never do that. Disappointed by all of this, he wanted to leave his position. The last straw might have been when the wicked king invented a devilishly cruel punishment. He installed a large, hollow bronze cylinder and stuffed the inside with burning charcoal. The prisoner was then tied to the scorching cylinder, which resulted in an excruciating death. Jiang Ziya realized that the wicked King’s dynasty is destined to fall, so he quit his job and went home. From then on, in order to make ends meet, he did odd jobs here and there. He became a butcher and sold meat. But the weather became so hot that all his meat quickly went bad. He also tried selling other things like alcohol or wheat flour. But all of these business ventures failed miserably. He was already middle-aged, yet he hadn’t accomplished anything in life. One day, his wife just could not take it anymore, “You are such a loser. An utter failure. Look how poor we are. You are such a useless man. I’m leaving you.” So she kicked him out. Jiang Ziya just seemed to be having a long streak of bad luck. You know, as the Chinese people say, “Dǎoméi de shíhòu, hē liángshuǐ dū sāi yá” (“When you’re unlucky, even water gets stuck in your teeth”). Despite all of these misfortunes, there was one thing that Jiang Ziya persisted with, which was learning. Regardless of his circumstances, Jiang Ziya never stopped learning. He read voraciously and accumulated knowledge in astronomy, geography, government and politics, military strategy, and much more. He was just waiting for an opportunity to serve a leader who could appreciate his knowledge and intelligence. So you can see here one quality that distinguishes him from many others. He had grand ambitions and high aspirations. An old Chinese saying goes “Without roots, a tree cannot grow tall. And without aspirations, a man cannot achieve great things.” It’s like in modern times too, all the successful people talk about the importance of setting goals. Another prominent quality of Jiang Ziya is patience. Patience is a virtue. There’s a reason why people say that. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, things just do not go your way and life can really suck. At those times, the best thing you can do is to wait patiently and keep on improving yourself—”Chance favours only the prepared mind.” (Louis Pasteur) Finally, when Jiang Ziya was 70 years old, this chance, this golden opportunity came. He heard that one of the small states had a very good ruler. Xībó Hóu Jī Chāng, the Duke of Zhou. This duke ruled over his people through kindness and virtue. He respected the old and was kind to the young. He was also diligent and appreciated talent. As a result, he attracted many capable people to his state. So upon hearing about him, Jiang Ziya thought, “I want to work for him!” But as you can imagine, not just anyone can approach someone in such a high position. For example, just because I feel I have great knowledge of how to govern a country doesn’t mean the British Prime Minister would be willing to meet me. How do you attract someone’s attention without approaching them? You have to pique their curiosity. You have to do something unusual to catch their attention. Jiang Ziya, with all his smarts and the knowledge accumulated throughout the years, came up with an eccentric plan. He found a lovely spot near the river and settled himself there and started fishing. But not just any kind of fishing. He didn’t use any bait, and he used a straight fishhook instead of the usual curved one. And he had a fish hook three feet above the water. On top of all of these, he also muttered to himself, “Fish, fish. If you don’t want to live anymore, just get on the hook yourself.” He did this all day and every day. People thought he was crazy. One man laughed at him and said, “I’ve seen many idiots, but I haven’t seen anyone as silly as you. You are never going to catch a fish even if you sit here for another 100 years.” Jiang Ziya simply stroked his beard, shook his head and replied. “No, no, no, no. You don’t understand. The fish is not what I’m trying to catch.” What did Jiang Ziya mean? Well, his approach was very Chinese. In fact, his thinking aligned with the Daoist philosophy of letting fate unravel itself and following the course of nature. Just like the willing fish being caught by itself. A virtuous leader who is deserving of Jiang’s service will come and seek him out. All Jiang Ziya had to do was just to wait patiently. One day the virtuous duke decided to go hunting, and he arrived near the river. He saw that among the tall grass sat an old man, which was still there. The Duke quietly observed for a few minutes and found his fishing method very strange indeed. So the Duke approached Jiang Ziya and asked, “Sir, how are you? What are you doing here? Do you enjoy fishing?” Now, finally, for the first time, Jiang Ziya had the opportunity to pitch himself to the virtuous duke. Jiang Ziya calmly said “An average man is satisfied when he completes a task, while a great man is satisfied only when he fulfils his aspiration. I’m not sitting here because I enjoyed the act of fishing itself.” Basically, he’s implying, not very subtly, that he’s not an average man. He is someone special. He continued his speech “Just like when a man tries to catch a fish, the same principles apply to when a leader tries to recruit talented people. There are three power moves. First, you need a bait, which is the reward. And second, the bait needs to be yummy. So the salary needs to be generous. And third, you need to offer prominent positions to capable people. When you can do all of these. Then you’ll be able to recruit brave and loyal people who might even be willing to risk their lives for you.” This was exactly what the virtuous Duke needed to hear. If he wanted to strengthen his own state and eventually overthrow the powerful, Wicked King, he can’t just do that by himself. He needed to build a strong team of key talents. The virtuous Duke said, “Please tell me more. How can I win people over?” Jiang Ziya continued to share his infinite wisdom, “A country could become powerful only when the people prosper. If the officials enrich themselves while the people remain poor, the rule cannot last long. The major principle in ruling a country should be to love the people and to love the people means to reduce taxes and unnecessary labour and share your wealth with them. Improve people’s comfort and reduce their pain. That is the Dao or the Way of the King. If you follow the Dao, people will follow you.” The Duke was very impressed with this astute old man and courteously invited Jiang Ziya onto his carriage and appointed him as the advisor. After arriving at the state of Zhou, Jiang Ziya advocated for virtuous governing. As a result, the people of Zhou developed very high moral values. The virtuous Duke and Jiang Ziya also promoted agriculture and boosted the economy, as well as expanded the area of influence. Eventually, about two-thirds of China either directly belonged to or were allies of the virtuous Duke. Sadly, shortly afterwards, the virtuous Duke passed away. His second son, Jifa, inherited the throne and followed in his father’s footsteps. Like father, like son, he was also a virtuous leader and cared deeply about his people. Let’s call him “Virtuous Duke 2.0”. In 1046 B.C., the Wicked King became even more hedonistic and ruthless. Two of his uncles were also ministers at the court, and they advised the king to abandon his playboy ways. But instead of listening, the Wicked King savagely killed one of his uncles and threw the other one in prison. Soon, the people of the Shang were so oppressed that no one dared to speak. People had completely lost their faith in the wicked king. Around the same time, the wicked king dispatched his main army force to fight far away in the east of China, which meant that the Shang Dynasty’s capital city was left poorly defended. Jiang Ziya and virtuous Duke 2.0 believed that this was the perfect time to attack. But before making the decision as it was customary, Virtuous Duke 2.0 turned to divination. Divination was a common practice back in ancient China. It’s a way to gain insight into a situation or prophesise an event. Basically, it’s fortune-telling. The Royal Diviner burned a piece of the tortoiseshell, interpreted the cracks on it, and announced that the omen was unfavourable. In fact, it was terrible. At the same time, suddenly dark clouds gathered overhead and then there was lightning, thunder and downpour. The atmosphere instantly intensified. Everyone at the court was terrified and they all thought that the expedition should be cancelled. Well, everyone, except for Jiang Ziya. He snapped a tortoiseshell, slammed it onto the floor and stomped it into many pieces. He was furious and said, “What can bones from dead animals tell us about the future? We must go ahead and attack.” Now, you might find this really strange. It seems as if Jiang Ziya was defying the will of heaven, but clearly, he respected heaven and he was not an atheist. So why did he dismiss the prediction? Well, one critical element in warfare is timing. You have to move fast. Jiang Ziya once said that if you want to be successful, if you want to follow the Dao or the Way of the Saints, then you must avoid hesitating and doubting yourself when the timing is right. On top of that, divination requires interpretation. Different people may interpret the same tortoiseshell pattern differently. What lies in the future is ultimately unknown and something we cannot control. What we can control are our actions. So I think that’s why he insisted on the attack. Sure, he was patient, but he was also quick to act when it’s the right time to do so. And that is the yin and yang of life. Virtuous Duke 2.0 took Jiang Ziya’s advice and went forward with the expedition. He led an army of 300 chariots, 3,000 elite warriors and 45,000 footmen. Together, they crossed the Yellow River and stopped at Muye, which was only 70 miles away from the Wicked King’s capital. Here they met the Wicked King’s defending Army, which was ten times bigger and consisted of over 700,000 men. Jiang Ziya led a small group of 100 men, beat the drums and charged forward. Imagine a silver-haired man in his eighties fighting on the battlefield. What a sight to behold! A poem from Shijing described him “as mighty, as an eagle spreading its wings.” On the other hand, many of the Wicked King’s soldiers did not want to fight for their corrupted leader and defected to the virtuous Duke 2.0 army. This greatly lowered the morale of the Wicked King’s troops, and they were defeated within one day. When the Wicked King saw that his capital had been taken over, he dashed back to the palace and climbed onto the tallest building in the capital, where he used to party all day long. He donned his best clothes, put on luxurious jewellery, set fire to everything, and committed suicide. The Virtuous Duke released the ministers that were put into prison, distributed the Wicked King’s remaining treasures and money, and open the granaries so the poor people could get food. Thus, the Zhou dynasty began and Virtuous Duke 2.0 became King of Zhou. As for Jiang Ziya, as a reward for his contributions, he was appointed to the State of Qi and became the Duke of Qi. Through his wise governing, Qi became a big, powerful and prosperous state. Jiang Ziya passed away when he was over 100 years old. So that’s the story of how a man finally fulfils his aspirations after many years of hardship. If you are experiencing a midlife crisis or even a quarter-life crisis, just remember that every flower blooms at a different rate. Some people achieve success at a young age, while others have to persevere for decades before accomplishing extraordinary things. No matter what’s going on in your life, be like Jiang Ziya, never give up and always work on yourself! |
2024.05.23 00:13 BertieDastard 35 [M4F] UK/Anywhere- I'd be tender, I'd be gentle, I'd be awful sentimental, if I only had a heart.
I'm UK-based. If this doesn't work, time-zone wise or location-wise, I might not be the one for you. I'm happy to talk to anyone from anywhere, but I understand if that's not reciprocated.
I've come to a simple conclusion. I'm really fucking lonely.
I've been single longer than I'd like to admit- and I'm sick of it. I don't want it any more. I want to share stuff with someone. I want to share life with someone. I want a girl, a woman, a whatever, who I can fucking lavish love upon. I want someone I can kiss and hold and make laugh with terrible jokes and ridiculous stories and my stupid fake Irish accent I slip into whenever I'm really pissed off because it makes me laugh and I know I can stop myself being pissed off. I want someone I can associate with places and feelings and songs. I want someone who I can be all 'I listened to romantic song and it made me think of you', or someone who I can read bits of my favourite books to, or someone I can recite poems for. Fucking write poems for, too. I want someone I can cook for, someone I can make memories with. I'm not looking for fucking marriage or whatever, I'm just looking for someone I love, and laugh with, and just fucking live with. I want someone I can hand my heart to, and say 'here, you take this, it belongs to you now'.
I don't expect much to come of this. I don't really think I expect anything to come of this. I haven't told you any cold hard facts about myself, so how the fuck would you even know if you'd like me or not? Here, see if these help you decide; my favourite colour is purple, my favourites animals are the okapi, the red panda, and my favourite birds are herons and hoopoes because they're fun as fuck to say. I'm scared of the dark but I can't sleep unless there's no light around anywhere. I love old musicals and romantic comedies. I am a huge fucking romantic at heart. I love cats, but I'm terrified of dogs. I'm scared of spiders but I'm trying to get over it. I took six years to finish a three year university course and I'm the first person in my family to get a degree, which I have done fuck all with. I'm a murder mystery actor. I love jazz, and classical music, and classic pop and rock and swing and soul and music you can really just...sink your soul into. I am an eternally optimistic person even though I probably have no reason to be. If you ever want to laugh, ask me about the best scream, or the bouncy castle, or the Irish accent story; but make me tell you them, with my actual voice, because then I can show off my fancy accent (English, and more English than you'd expect), and actually fucking entertain you.
If you want to voice chat, we can do that, though not until later at night. If we do, I'm happy to show off accents, tell jokes, tell stories.
Someone once told me, a long time ago, that a man must be many things, if he is to love, and be someone who can be loved.
He must be patient, and calm, and forever kind. He must be willing to fight his own battles, to stand his own ground, to defend his own corner. He must be polite, and warm, and friendly, and always set out to make friends, never enemies. He must find someone with whom he can share the burdens of life, for even Atlas, who carried the world upon his shoulders, needed to take a break once in a while. He must find someone with whom he can lay himself bare, set himself wide open, and be prepared to be completely vulnerable with; for, as hard as it may seem to contemplate doing it once, let alone more, he must not hide himself away, nor harden his heart to the love in his life. He must, above all, always be true to himself, no matter the cost, no matter how hard or impossible it may seem.
Maybe he was right. I haven't found out yet.
I'd really, really like to, though.
submitted by BertieDastard to R4R30Plus [link] [comments]
I've come to a simple conclusion. I'm really fucking lonely.
I've been single longer than I'd like to admit- and I'm sick of it. I don't want it any more. I want to share stuff with someone. I want to share life with someone. I want a girl, a woman, a whatever, who I can fucking lavish love upon. I want someone I can kiss and hold and make laugh with terrible jokes and ridiculous stories and my stupid fake Irish accent I slip into whenever I'm really pissed off because it makes me laugh and I know I can stop myself being pissed off. I want someone I can associate with places and feelings and songs. I want someone who I can be all 'I listened to romantic song and it made me think of you', or someone who I can read bits of my favourite books to, or someone I can recite poems for. Fucking write poems for, too. I want someone I can cook for, someone I can make memories with. I'm not looking for fucking marriage or whatever, I'm just looking for someone I love, and laugh with, and just fucking live with. I want someone I can hand my heart to, and say 'here, you take this, it belongs to you now'.
I don't expect much to come of this. I don't really think I expect anything to come of this. I haven't told you any cold hard facts about myself, so how the fuck would you even know if you'd like me or not? Here, see if these help you decide; my favourite colour is purple, my favourites animals are the okapi, the red panda, and my favourite birds are herons and hoopoes because they're fun as fuck to say. I'm scared of the dark but I can't sleep unless there's no light around anywhere. I love old musicals and romantic comedies. I am a huge fucking romantic at heart. I love cats, but I'm terrified of dogs. I'm scared of spiders but I'm trying to get over it. I took six years to finish a three year university course and I'm the first person in my family to get a degree, which I have done fuck all with. I'm a murder mystery actor. I love jazz, and classical music, and classic pop and rock and swing and soul and music you can really just...sink your soul into. I am an eternally optimistic person even though I probably have no reason to be. If you ever want to laugh, ask me about the best scream, or the bouncy castle, or the Irish accent story; but make me tell you them, with my actual voice, because then I can show off my fancy accent (English, and more English than you'd expect), and actually fucking entertain you.
If you want to voice chat, we can do that, though not until later at night. If we do, I'm happy to show off accents, tell jokes, tell stories.
Someone once told me, a long time ago, that a man must be many things, if he is to love, and be someone who can be loved.
He must be patient, and calm, and forever kind. He must be willing to fight his own battles, to stand his own ground, to defend his own corner. He must be polite, and warm, and friendly, and always set out to make friends, never enemies. He must find someone with whom he can share the burdens of life, for even Atlas, who carried the world upon his shoulders, needed to take a break once in a while. He must find someone with whom he can lay himself bare, set himself wide open, and be prepared to be completely vulnerable with; for, as hard as it may seem to contemplate doing it once, let alone more, he must not hide himself away, nor harden his heart to the love in his life. He must, above all, always be true to himself, no matter the cost, no matter how hard or impossible it may seem.
Maybe he was right. I haven't found out yet.
I'd really, really like to, though.
2024.05.22 23:18 WeAllCarryACross Letter I wrote to my Narc Mother in 2011. Serious trigger warning.
To start with, thank you deeply to all who take the time to read, or to understand, or to say a kind word.
I am using a throw away account because this is very private information and it’s just common sense to keep it anonymous in this time where our digital footprints are everywhere.
I wrote this letter in 2011, after I cut off my parents so that they wouldn’t interfere with my divorce from a Narc wife, copycat of my Narc Mother. I am the youngest of 3 boys. Oldest is Golden Child, 9 years older than me. Father passed in 2015 (they say COPD, I say mostly benzo withdrawal). Father was a mere tool for my mother, used and abused, and also used to abuse us. She never touched us physically but she was exclusively behind all the beatings.
I am know married to my best friend, and we make each other happy and keep each other safe. After about 300 therapy sessions, mostly EMDR and CBT, I am the man I always wanted to be. But there’s always some work left to do…
I didn’t know about narcissism at the time, in 2011. All I did was instinctive. I was doing some basic therapy with a beginner (good enough for psychology 101 though).
I wrote my mother this exact letter. Instead of sending it, I drove there and read her the letter face to face. I was that bold. She cried. I though at the time I hit gold and I got my mother back, or maybe a mother for the first time in my life. 1 week after that, she told me that the beatings were the only reason all 3 of us are in a good place in life, and we owe it all to her… It destroyed me… I had exposed myself and she crushed me.
1. We succeeded DESPITE what was done to us.
2. She cried because her youngest came back TO HER, couldn’t live WITHOUT Her, loved HER. The tears had nothing to do with the letter. It was joy for herself, she had won.
Still, for the next 8 years, I tried to keep a relationship with her, on Skype. I am lucky to be far away, in another country. I went into professional therapy in 2016.
I have now been no contact with her and oldest brother for 4.5 years. Middle brother is still in purgatory, oscillating between them and me.
I decided to post this because:
- Whenever I felt in doubt, this community here grounded me and helped me get through difficult moments, so it’s my turn to contribute.
- I am tired of this truth existing only behind closed doors, uttered only with my wife or therapist, or a very close friend. Making it public will hopefully make even more real for me. I am not ashamed anymore, I have deep scars that are my badges of honor.
- Maybe this somehow helps someone who finds something useful.
The story is, of course, long and very complex, but I am happy to answer questions if anyone has any.
Thank you all 😊
Dear mom,
I have no idea what I am going to write about in this letter. I just know it’s very difficult to do this and it took me a long time to get to this moment. What should I write?... That my soul has been frozen for so long? That I have suffered inhumanely and had to forbid you both access to my life so that I can get to this point? That my world is shattered and, instead of being able to come to you and find support, I had to hide? That I am all alone and I am scared? Why, you ask?!
Because I don’t trust you anymore that you care about me. Because everything you do is all about you: about you pretend sickness, and how we all need to come together to protect you.
I also needed protection, you know?! All my life. I needed protection when dad was beating me to a pulp with a braided cable, while you were watching from the door frame. And how much I was begging you not to incite him to beat us… HOW COULD YOU WATCH?! I was 60lb and had 120 bruises. And I loved you, and I was writing you poems, and I was bringing you wild berries and flowers, and everything I ever did was for you, so that you could be proud of me. I could hardly wait for you to come home from work…
But you abandoned me. Over and over. You let me get beaten and be humiliated in front of you.
When I came back from my failed job abroad, a mere teenager, almost suicidal, without beginning and end, torn apart, you never asked about me. You just asked what about YOUR dreams you had about my future, and how were your friends going to look at YOU after my failure…
And then I started replacing you. My wife became my new mother. Because my real mother had completely abandoned me. All throughout my childhood, when you were watching me get beaten and humiliated, the child who loved you so much… The pain was unbearable. But the HUMILIATION was INHUMANE. And the worst, you, MY MOTHER, you were just watching. You stopped him every time, to be the hero – but it was always way too late, when my body and soul were already numb, and I wasn’t feeling anything anymore anyway...
Why did we have to take our pants and underwear off? For it to hurt more, you said. I would rather YOU CUT OFF MY ARM THAN MAKE ME UNDERSS. I am 33 years old, and I can’t be naked in front of my wife because I feel ashamed and dirty.
The most important things in my life – you were always the first to know: my concerts, my first course in college, my grades, my marriage, all of it. You were always the first to know because all that mattered to me was for you to be proud of me.
So, what am I to do now? I am divorcing from the mother who took your place for the last 10 years, I have a girlfriend whom I love and whom you will probably never meet and never accept.
Do I have a mother now or not?! What happens with all my love for you, with all my childhood in which I loved you so much?
Maybe you wanted to do the best for us and raise us well, but you will never understand how much you hurt us and how much I am fighting to find a path that’s mine, not one chosen by you.
You brought me a lot of joy and enormous suffering…
And it’s my turn to say “forgive me”. For the suffering I put you through, ever since I was in your womb, unwanted and hated already, until this summer when it was my turn to reject you…
I am a grown up. I educate generations of students, and I am still learning relentlessly how to be a grownup.
I need you to understand me. I need to forgive you for everything. And for us to be Mother and Son again, so that I can tell you everything without being afraid of you. I need to hug you so much…
I forgive you for all the pain you caused, and I am grateful for the good things you did for me.
submitted by WeAllCarryACross to raisedbynarcissists [link] [comments]
I am using a throw away account because this is very private information and it’s just common sense to keep it anonymous in this time where our digital footprints are everywhere.
I wrote this letter in 2011, after I cut off my parents so that they wouldn’t interfere with my divorce from a Narc wife, copycat of my Narc Mother. I am the youngest of 3 boys. Oldest is Golden Child, 9 years older than me. Father passed in 2015 (they say COPD, I say mostly benzo withdrawal). Father was a mere tool for my mother, used and abused, and also used to abuse us. She never touched us physically but she was exclusively behind all the beatings.
I am know married to my best friend, and we make each other happy and keep each other safe. After about 300 therapy sessions, mostly EMDR and CBT, I am the man I always wanted to be. But there’s always some work left to do…
I didn’t know about narcissism at the time, in 2011. All I did was instinctive. I was doing some basic therapy with a beginner (good enough for psychology 101 though).
I wrote my mother this exact letter. Instead of sending it, I drove there and read her the letter face to face. I was that bold. She cried. I though at the time I hit gold and I got my mother back, or maybe a mother for the first time in my life. 1 week after that, she told me that the beatings were the only reason all 3 of us are in a good place in life, and we owe it all to her… It destroyed me… I had exposed myself and she crushed me.
1. We succeeded DESPITE what was done to us.
2. She cried because her youngest came back TO HER, couldn’t live WITHOUT Her, loved HER. The tears had nothing to do with the letter. It was joy for herself, she had won.
Still, for the next 8 years, I tried to keep a relationship with her, on Skype. I am lucky to be far away, in another country. I went into professional therapy in 2016.
I have now been no contact with her and oldest brother for 4.5 years. Middle brother is still in purgatory, oscillating between them and me.
I decided to post this because:
- Whenever I felt in doubt, this community here grounded me and helped me get through difficult moments, so it’s my turn to contribute.
- I am tired of this truth existing only behind closed doors, uttered only with my wife or therapist, or a very close friend. Making it public will hopefully make even more real for me. I am not ashamed anymore, I have deep scars that are my badges of honor.
- Maybe this somehow helps someone who finds something useful.
The story is, of course, long and very complex, but I am happy to answer questions if anyone has any.
Thank you all 😊
Dear mom,
I have no idea what I am going to write about in this letter. I just know it’s very difficult to do this and it took me a long time to get to this moment. What should I write?... That my soul has been frozen for so long? That I have suffered inhumanely and had to forbid you both access to my life so that I can get to this point? That my world is shattered and, instead of being able to come to you and find support, I had to hide? That I am all alone and I am scared? Why, you ask?!
Because I don’t trust you anymore that you care about me. Because everything you do is all about you: about you pretend sickness, and how we all need to come together to protect you.
I also needed protection, you know?! All my life. I needed protection when dad was beating me to a pulp with a braided cable, while you were watching from the door frame. And how much I was begging you not to incite him to beat us… HOW COULD YOU WATCH?! I was 60lb and had 120 bruises. And I loved you, and I was writing you poems, and I was bringing you wild berries and flowers, and everything I ever did was for you, so that you could be proud of me. I could hardly wait for you to come home from work…
But you abandoned me. Over and over. You let me get beaten and be humiliated in front of you.
When I came back from my failed job abroad, a mere teenager, almost suicidal, without beginning and end, torn apart, you never asked about me. You just asked what about YOUR dreams you had about my future, and how were your friends going to look at YOU after my failure…
And then I started replacing you. My wife became my new mother. Because my real mother had completely abandoned me. All throughout my childhood, when you were watching me get beaten and humiliated, the child who loved you so much… The pain was unbearable. But the HUMILIATION was INHUMANE. And the worst, you, MY MOTHER, you were just watching. You stopped him every time, to be the hero – but it was always way too late, when my body and soul were already numb, and I wasn’t feeling anything anymore anyway...
Why did we have to take our pants and underwear off? For it to hurt more, you said. I would rather YOU CUT OFF MY ARM THAN MAKE ME UNDERSS. I am 33 years old, and I can’t be naked in front of my wife because I feel ashamed and dirty.
The most important things in my life – you were always the first to know: my concerts, my first course in college, my grades, my marriage, all of it. You were always the first to know because all that mattered to me was for you to be proud of me.
So, what am I to do now? I am divorcing from the mother who took your place for the last 10 years, I have a girlfriend whom I love and whom you will probably never meet and never accept.
Do I have a mother now or not?! What happens with all my love for you, with all my childhood in which I loved you so much?
Maybe you wanted to do the best for us and raise us well, but you will never understand how much you hurt us and how much I am fighting to find a path that’s mine, not one chosen by you.
You brought me a lot of joy and enormous suffering…
And it’s my turn to say “forgive me”. For the suffering I put you through, ever since I was in your womb, unwanted and hated already, until this summer when it was my turn to reject you…
I am a grown up. I educate generations of students, and I am still learning relentlessly how to be a grownup.
I need you to understand me. I need to forgive you for everything. And for us to be Mother and Son again, so that I can tell you everything without being afraid of you. I need to hug you so much…
I forgive you for all the pain you caused, and I am grateful for the good things you did for me.
2024.05.22 23:18 Unable_Variation_918 Eric Cartman and Taylor Swift
[At the bus stop]
Cartman: Hey guys! I need you to see this!
Kyle: It better not be your underwear this time
Stan: Yeah no one wants to see your f@@@@@@underwear!
Kenny: [Unintelligible]
Cartman: It’s not my f@@@@@@ underwear! I wrote a fanfiction dedicated to me and Taylor Swift [pulls out phone.]
Stan: You wrote a God D@@@ Taylor Swift fanfiction!
[Kyle, Stan, and Kenny stare at Eric Cartman in shock and horror. Nothing but silence]
Eric Cartman :What? Hey what? Ya gonna bully me like a creep? Okay fine! Let’s throw these hands!
Kenny [Slaps Cartman]
Eric Cartman[Cries]
Stan: Cartman what the actual f@@@?!
Eric Cartman: It’s just a cute little story!
Kyle: It sounds really motherf@@@@@@ weird Cartman!
Eric Cartman: Come on! Just read it! [Hands over phone.]
Kenny: [Starts to read it and then screams from horror]
Kenny:[Elopes away from fear into the woods. We hear a gunshot]
Stan: Oh no! You killed Kenny!
Kyle: You bastard!
Eric Cartman: No! He does not understand me! No one does. Yaaaah!
[As Eric Cartman begins to throw rocks about him, the School Bus arrives, so obviously, they can’t throw rocks at each other.]
[At South Park Elementary, in Mr Garrison’s classroom. The school bell rings.]
Mr. Garrison: Good morning children. Today we will learn about Abraham Lincoln’s secret affairs with Taylor Swift.
Kyle:[Writes a note for it to pass around, when it gets to Butter’s desk, Mr. Garrison picks up the note]
Mr. Garrison: We are passing notes! I thought that trend died due to those d@@@ Ipad kids.
Mr. Garrison:[Reads it out loud. Everyone turns at Cartman and discussion erupts]
Eric Cartman: Hey! F&&& you guys! I am out of here! [Runs out of the classroom while crying. The authorities try to go after him, but he squeals like a pig when they try to grab him.]Mr Maskey: M’kay students. Continue your lesson as usual. Eric Cartman may love Taylor Swift, but we must all treat each other with respect m’kay.
[At Eric Cartman’s house. Liane Cartman is sitting on the living room chair while reading “How to transform your child into a good man.” It’s ironic right?]
Eric Cartman: [Bursts through the front door while sobbing]
Liane Cartman: Eric what’s the matter?
Eric Cartman: The whole world hates Taylor Swift! Kyle revealed my fantasies to everyone and they laughed at me! [Cries like a little b@@@@]
Liane Cartman: Oh, how can they do this to my sweet boy?
Eric Cartman:[Cries even more]
Liane Cartman: What are your fantasies about Eric?
Eric Cartman: It’s a poem about me hugging, kissing and cuddling with Taylor Swift.
Liane Cartman: Oh, that’s nice.
Eric Cartman: Well now everyone knows I love Taylor Swift and my wings grow bigger when I look at pictures of her!
Liane Cartman: Oh it’s alright sweetheart! It will be okay!Eric Cartman: But I am the only Swifty in school, and my creative writing teacher Mr. Czech criticized my Taylor Swift poems!
Liane Cartman: It’s ok. Here you can have my credit card.
Eric Cartman: Really?
[In Eric Cartman’s bedroom, he is surfing the dark web with his Tor Browser. He is browsing through Various Links and eventually stubles across an interesting one called Black Pages]
Eric Cartman: [In his classic Cartman accent]: Ah, cool
[He clicks in the link to the Black Pages which leads him to more Red and Yellow links. Most of the links look like usual illegal activity. He clicks on a random one]
Eric Cartman: That’s very kuhl!
[In this site he is browsing, it is selling various voodoo dolls of various people. Voodoo dolls of Ed Sheeran. Voodoo dolls of 5 year old girls. Voodoo dolls of Star Trek Characters. Voodoo dolls of a guy named Mr. Nightmare There is even a voodoo doll of an Austrian painter that became the chancellor of Germany.]
Eric Cartman: Good idea Kermit! I can buy one with my meim’s credit card!
[Eric Cartman finds Jackpot! He sees a Taylor Swift voodoo doll on sale for 1400]
Eric Cartman: Sounds like a deal!
[Saturday. At Eric Cartman’s house.]
Eric Cartman: [Playing World of Warcraft] God d@@@ it Butters!
Liane Cartman: Honey.
Eric Cartman: What meim?!
Liane Cartman: This guy is at the door and he says someone was buying something]
Eric Cartman: What? Is it that doll I ordered?
Liane Cartman: What the h@@@ are you talking about?
Eric Cartman: I bought a Taylor Swift voodoo doll.
Liane Cartman: You what?
Eric Cartman: Mein don’t judge me gosh darn it!
Liane Cartman: Now why would you buy something from the dark web? You know that’s illegal.
Eric Cartman: Mom, I used the Tor browser, I am safe and anonymous.
Liane Cartman: That’s bulls@@@ Cartman! Everything is traceable!
Eric Cartman: Oh shut up meim! My dad left me and a brown stain on your mattress!
Liane Cartman: Oh, okay sweetie.
Eric Cartman: [Walks downstairs to greet him]
Eric Cartman: Who the h@@@ are you?
Morgan: [Spuns around faster than a bullet. Morgan looks disgusting. He looks like a typical trailer trash meth head.]
Morgan: Are you the one that bought the doll?
Eric Cartman: Yes. Yes I did.
Morgan: It’s out in my van. [Points at sketchy looking white van] Take my hand so we can make the deal.
Eric Cartman: Well why did you not f@@@@@@ bring it over then?
Morgan: Ok fine, I confess. I have a children eating problem! [Breaks down and starts sobbing]
Eric Cartman: Ok Mr. Gaylord. Bring me the d@@@ doll!
Morgan: Yes. Yes I will
[Morgan walks to his van to get it. The doll is a bunch of knots tied together and in messy handwriting, the name Taylor Swift is written on what is supposed to be the head.]
Morgan: Here you go Eric.
Eric Cartman: Wait, how do you know my name.
Morgan: Deez nuts. Ha ha! I got yo face!
Eric Cartman: Alright, want to bring it on! Come on! Come on!
Liane Cartman: Alright crackheads! Stop fighting! [Slams door]
Eric Cartman: But meim! I wanted to fight him!
Liane Cartman: Well too bad Eric! He could have had a gun with him! Be gratefgul you got the doll you wanted!
Eric Cartman: Well by the way, I used your credit card and it was like a thousand dollars.
Liane Cartman: What?! Eric go to your room young man!
Eric Cartman: Yay thank you!
[In Eric Cartman’s bedroom]
Eric Cartman: Yes that’s a good precious! [Starts to pet it]
Meanwhile……
Jeremiah: Thank you for being in this interview. We are glad to have you here!
Taylor Swift: Let’s go b@@@@
Jeremiah: [Laughs] So, there has been lots of controversy surrounding your tour tickets and your NFL romanticism. How are you responding to this situation currently?
Taylor Swift: Well, I am very in touch about how capitalism has influenced my life. You just gotta shakes it off babe. Oh babe. OWO. UWU.
Jeremiah:[Laughs]
Taylor Swift: So with that in mind, I have not told the public that Kanye West got me pregnant.
Jeremiah: Wait! What?! Kanye West got you pregnant?!
Taylor Swift: Yes, but very recently. I don’t look very pregnant, do I.
Jeremiah: Well, you gotta understand. You have not told anyone about this until now and you are live on TV right now!
Taylor Swift: I know I know. Look. Greatness is greatness, alright.
Jeremiah: Well Kanye West made a racist tweet, which means you admitted to having s@@ with A@@@@ H@@@@@ metaphorically live in front of TV right now.
Taylor Swift: B@@@@, why are you so fussed about it…. Why are you? Ohhhh oh.
Jeremiah: What? You finally came out as rascist?
Taylor Swift: No. Uh, I feel this very weird pressure on me and now I… oh! I just felt a giant kiss right now!
Jeremiah: Mrs.F@@@meinthea@@the 3rd, you are acting very schizophrenic right now, as every genius does.
[Back at Eric Cartman’s house]
Eric Cartman: Oh baby! You are amazon! Woo! [Kisses doll on forehead]
Eric Cartman: Goodnight sexy!
[Taylor Swift's house]
Taylor Swift: Uhhhh. Ohhhhh, uuuuhhhhhh. I am tickled!
Kenny:[In Taylor Swift’s nightmare] Enjoy the c@@@ and ball torture of your pathetic life Taylor Swift.
Kyle:[In Taylor Swift’s nightmare] Oh they know your intellectual disability Taylor
Butters: [In Taylor Swift’s nightmare] I revealed my movie crush.
Stan:[In Taylor Swift’s nightmare] Oh Stan Lee, we will miss you.
Eric Cartman: Nanananananna
Taylor Swift: [Wakes up from a horrible nightmare. She uncontrollably hops out of her bed. A mysterious force suddenly takes all of her clothes off, stripping her naked.]
Taylor Swift: Ahhhhhhhhh! What the h@@@ is going on!
Taylor Swift:[Like a hen, she pecks at the floor] Ah ah ah ah ah ah!
Taylor Swift: [Uncontrolably swings herself and flies like a hawk. She breaks the window and lands into her backyard pool. She can’t seem to get out of the water. She is starting to drown]
[Back at Eric Cartman’s house, he is washing the voodoo doll in his bathroom sink. As his mom knocks on the bathroom door, Eric Cartman quickly hides it in a cabinet, thus saving Taylor Swift from dwoning]
Taylor Swift:[Gasps for air] Oh thank god!
Liane Cartman: Eric? What are you doing up so late?
Eric Cartman: uhh… nothing meim.
Liane Cartman: You seem suspicious!
Eric Cartman: It’s nothing! Respect my privacy meim![Back at Taylor Swift’s house]
[Taylor Swift runs out into the streets, yelling that Kanye West is filling the super bowl with dynamite]
Police Officer 1: Okay Taylor, I know you are a tortured artist. I will safely ecort you to the super bowl.
[Kenny’s ghost shows up in front of Taylor Swift’s voice.]
Kenny’s ghost: The world wants you!
[Taylor Swift screams and hits her head almost causing a concussion. Before she can do harm to her head, she is tranquilized by Police Officer 2]
Police Officer 1: You think it’s a good idea to pass her out?
Police Officer 2: Oh I’m sure it’s fine. If she does not wake up by dawn, the two of us will seduce her.
Police Officer 1: Sounds like a good deal.
[The next morning. Sunday. At Eric Cartman’s house. He is asleep with his Taylor Swift body pillow. The voodoo doll is placed on his computer desk. Eric Cartman suddenly gets his super bowl idea]
Eric Cartman: Hey meim.
Liane Cartman: uhh. What? It’s early in the morning.
Eric Cartman: Can I go to the Super Bowl?
Liane Cartman: No!
Eric Cartman: But meim!
Liane Cartman: It’s too expensive, and we have to drive all the way to Las Vegas!
Eric Cartman: We only live in Colorado! Let’s go meim!
Liane Cartman: No!
Eric Cartman: No?
Liane Cartman: No means no Eric!
Eric Cartman: [Puts on cute anime crying eyes. He then goes outside in his Taylor Swift my Little Pony Pajamas.]
Epic Cartman: Help! Help! I am being r@ped!
Liane Cartman: Fine we will go Eric!
Eric Cartman: [Like a wholesome 5 year old girl] Thank you meim!
[At the super bowl]
Broadcaster: And here is Taylor Swift on stage.
[Audience cheers because of a declining society.]Eric Cartman: You see this Swife? [Punches Voodoo doll]
Taylor Swift: Ow!
Travis Kelece: Hey you alright?
Taylor Swift: I felt this weird- ow! [Gets slammed into the wall]
Travis Kelece: Hey, if you’re sick you need to-
Taylor Swift: No! I am your god! I am playtime! I am a girl’s freedom! I speak to the world! I am Socrates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [Starts running away]
Travis Kelece: Hey where the h@@@ are you going!
Taylor Swift: I am being sacrificed to the gods! My sexuality is becoming changed twisted and turned!
Eric Cartman: Hey! Taylor Swift is on the field. [Twist leg of Voodoo doll]
Taylor Swift: Ow! Hey! A brocken leg! Give all of the pee pees! Give me all of it!
Eric Cartman: [Slams voodoo doll to the floor]
Taylor Swift: Ah! I am being possessed by the devil!
Eric Cartman: [Like an evil man] Ha ha ha ha! [Sucks on face of Voodoo doll]
Taylor Swift: Ahhhhh!!!! In agony!
Eric Cartman: [Bends voodoo doll]
Taylor Swift: ow! I hate my life! It’s full of suffering!
[Stan, Kyle, and Kenny now show up on the field]
Eric Cartman: What the h@@@?!
Kyle: Everyone calm down! Stay where you are! Eric Cartman should give a Taylor Swift a doll!
[Up above from the clouds, everyone hears ‘’No. Taylor Swift f@@@@@@ deserves it.]
Stan: God. Let’s make peaceful relations!
Kyle: Eric Cartman. And people of all ages. I am worried about the state of this world we are living in. Humanity may give us endless ideas for episodes but it is the Sanity and the love of our lives that is most important. Eric Cartman. The day I bullied you for liking Taylor Swift is a day that will live in infamy.
God: People! If you keep losing your thinking skills, I will send a solar storm and you will go back to dirt farm life!
Kyle: Shut up God! The point of this Cartman, and everyone else with us is that we should not bully each other for having weird hobbies. Once a culture develops alienation, weak men lead to hard times and we are leading down to weak times. So Eric Cartman, take Taylor Swifts hand and ascend each other into heaven!
[Eric Cartman grows angel wings. He flies to Kyle and kisses Kyle on the lips. Taylor Swift then kisses Kyle’s baby brother and prepares to become resurrected by god.]
God: F@@@ society! It is time to drop the nuke!
Narrator: And so , God dropped the nuke on us and WW3 began. All because of Taylor Swift! After WW3, Eric Cartman became the Chancellor of Germany and committed genocide on Taylor Swift haters. If history teaches us anything, it is that obsessions lead to very dark pathways.
submitted by Unable_Variation_918 to nhojwriting [link] [comments]
Cartman: Hey guys! I need you to see this!
Kyle: It better not be your underwear this time
Stan: Yeah no one wants to see your f@@@@@@underwear!
Kenny: [Unintelligible]
Cartman: It’s not my f@@@@@@ underwear! I wrote a fanfiction dedicated to me and Taylor Swift [pulls out phone.]
Stan: You wrote a God D@@@ Taylor Swift fanfiction!
[Kyle, Stan, and Kenny stare at Eric Cartman in shock and horror. Nothing but silence]
Eric Cartman :What? Hey what? Ya gonna bully me like a creep? Okay fine! Let’s throw these hands!
Kenny [Slaps Cartman]
Eric Cartman[Cries]
Stan: Cartman what the actual f@@@?!
Eric Cartman: It’s just a cute little story!
Kyle: It sounds really motherf@@@@@@ weird Cartman!
Eric Cartman: Come on! Just read it! [Hands over phone.]
Kenny: [Starts to read it and then screams from horror]
Kenny:[Elopes away from fear into the woods. We hear a gunshot]
Stan: Oh no! You killed Kenny!
Kyle: You bastard!
Eric Cartman: No! He does not understand me! No one does. Yaaaah!
[As Eric Cartman begins to throw rocks about him, the School Bus arrives, so obviously, they can’t throw rocks at each other.]
[At South Park Elementary, in Mr Garrison’s classroom. The school bell rings.]
Mr. Garrison: Good morning children. Today we will learn about Abraham Lincoln’s secret affairs with Taylor Swift.
Kyle:[Writes a note for it to pass around, when it gets to Butter’s desk, Mr. Garrison picks up the note]
Mr. Garrison: We are passing notes! I thought that trend died due to those d@@@ Ipad kids.
Mr. Garrison:[Reads it out loud. Everyone turns at Cartman and discussion erupts]
Eric Cartman: Hey! F&&& you guys! I am out of here! [Runs out of the classroom while crying. The authorities try to go after him, but he squeals like a pig when they try to grab him.]Mr Maskey: M’kay students. Continue your lesson as usual. Eric Cartman may love Taylor Swift, but we must all treat each other with respect m’kay.
[At Eric Cartman’s house. Liane Cartman is sitting on the living room chair while reading “How to transform your child into a good man.” It’s ironic right?]
Eric Cartman: [Bursts through the front door while sobbing]
Liane Cartman: Eric what’s the matter?
Eric Cartman: The whole world hates Taylor Swift! Kyle revealed my fantasies to everyone and they laughed at me! [Cries like a little b@@@@]
Liane Cartman: Oh, how can they do this to my sweet boy?
Eric Cartman:[Cries even more]
Liane Cartman: What are your fantasies about Eric?
Eric Cartman: It’s a poem about me hugging, kissing and cuddling with Taylor Swift.
Liane Cartman: Oh, that’s nice.
Eric Cartman: Well now everyone knows I love Taylor Swift and my wings grow bigger when I look at pictures of her!
Liane Cartman: Oh it’s alright sweetheart! It will be okay!Eric Cartman: But I am the only Swifty in school, and my creative writing teacher Mr. Czech criticized my Taylor Swift poems!
Liane Cartman: It’s ok. Here you can have my credit card.
Eric Cartman: Really?
[In Eric Cartman’s bedroom, he is surfing the dark web with his Tor Browser. He is browsing through Various Links and eventually stubles across an interesting one called Black Pages]
Eric Cartman: [In his classic Cartman accent]: Ah, cool
[He clicks in the link to the Black Pages which leads him to more Red and Yellow links. Most of the links look like usual illegal activity. He clicks on a random one]
Eric Cartman: That’s very kuhl!
[In this site he is browsing, it is selling various voodoo dolls of various people. Voodoo dolls of Ed Sheeran. Voodoo dolls of 5 year old girls. Voodoo dolls of Star Trek Characters. Voodoo dolls of a guy named Mr. Nightmare There is even a voodoo doll of an Austrian painter that became the chancellor of Germany.]
Eric Cartman: Good idea Kermit! I can buy one with my meim’s credit card!
[Eric Cartman finds Jackpot! He sees a Taylor Swift voodoo doll on sale for 1400]
Eric Cartman: Sounds like a deal!
[Saturday. At Eric Cartman’s house.]
Eric Cartman: [Playing World of Warcraft] God d@@@ it Butters!
Liane Cartman: Honey.
Eric Cartman: What meim?!
Liane Cartman: This guy is at the door and he says someone was buying something]
Eric Cartman: What? Is it that doll I ordered?
Liane Cartman: What the h@@@ are you talking about?
Eric Cartman: I bought a Taylor Swift voodoo doll.
Liane Cartman: You what?
Eric Cartman: Mein don’t judge me gosh darn it!
Liane Cartman: Now why would you buy something from the dark web? You know that’s illegal.
Eric Cartman: Mom, I used the Tor browser, I am safe and anonymous.
Liane Cartman: That’s bulls@@@ Cartman! Everything is traceable!
Eric Cartman: Oh shut up meim! My dad left me and a brown stain on your mattress!
Liane Cartman: Oh, okay sweetie.
Eric Cartman: [Walks downstairs to greet him]
Eric Cartman: Who the h@@@ are you?
Morgan: [Spuns around faster than a bullet. Morgan looks disgusting. He looks like a typical trailer trash meth head.]
Morgan: Are you the one that bought the doll?
Eric Cartman: Yes. Yes I did.
Morgan: It’s out in my van. [Points at sketchy looking white van] Take my hand so we can make the deal.
Eric Cartman: Well why did you not f@@@@@@ bring it over then?
Morgan: Ok fine, I confess. I have a children eating problem! [Breaks down and starts sobbing]
Eric Cartman: Ok Mr. Gaylord. Bring me the d@@@ doll!
Morgan: Yes. Yes I will
[Morgan walks to his van to get it. The doll is a bunch of knots tied together and in messy handwriting, the name Taylor Swift is written on what is supposed to be the head.]
Morgan: Here you go Eric.
Eric Cartman: Wait, how do you know my name.
Morgan: Deez nuts. Ha ha! I got yo face!
Eric Cartman: Alright, want to bring it on! Come on! Come on!
Liane Cartman: Alright crackheads! Stop fighting! [Slams door]
Eric Cartman: But meim! I wanted to fight him!
Liane Cartman: Well too bad Eric! He could have had a gun with him! Be gratefgul you got the doll you wanted!
Eric Cartman: Well by the way, I used your credit card and it was like a thousand dollars.
Liane Cartman: What?! Eric go to your room young man!
Eric Cartman: Yay thank you!
[In Eric Cartman’s bedroom]
Eric Cartman: Yes that’s a good precious! [Starts to pet it]
Meanwhile……
Jeremiah: Thank you for being in this interview. We are glad to have you here!
Taylor Swift: Let’s go b@@@@
Jeremiah: [Laughs] So, there has been lots of controversy surrounding your tour tickets and your NFL romanticism. How are you responding to this situation currently?
Taylor Swift: Well, I am very in touch about how capitalism has influenced my life. You just gotta shakes it off babe. Oh babe. OWO. UWU.
Jeremiah:[Laughs]
Taylor Swift: So with that in mind, I have not told the public that Kanye West got me pregnant.
Jeremiah: Wait! What?! Kanye West got you pregnant?!
Taylor Swift: Yes, but very recently. I don’t look very pregnant, do I.
Jeremiah: Well, you gotta understand. You have not told anyone about this until now and you are live on TV right now!
Taylor Swift: I know I know. Look. Greatness is greatness, alright.
Jeremiah: Well Kanye West made a racist tweet, which means you admitted to having s@@ with A@@@@ H@@@@@ metaphorically live in front of TV right now.
Taylor Swift: B@@@@, why are you so fussed about it…. Why are you? Ohhhh oh.
Jeremiah: What? You finally came out as rascist?
Taylor Swift: No. Uh, I feel this very weird pressure on me and now I… oh! I just felt a giant kiss right now!
Jeremiah: Mrs.F@@@meinthea@@the 3rd, you are acting very schizophrenic right now, as every genius does.
[Back at Eric Cartman’s house]
Eric Cartman: Oh baby! You are amazon! Woo! [Kisses doll on forehead]
Eric Cartman: Goodnight sexy!
[Taylor Swift's house]
Taylor Swift: Uhhhh. Ohhhhh, uuuuhhhhhh. I am tickled!
Kenny:[In Taylor Swift’s nightmare] Enjoy the c@@@ and ball torture of your pathetic life Taylor Swift.
Kyle:[In Taylor Swift’s nightmare] Oh they know your intellectual disability Taylor
Butters: [In Taylor Swift’s nightmare] I revealed my movie crush.
Stan:[In Taylor Swift’s nightmare] Oh Stan Lee, we will miss you.
Eric Cartman: Nanananananna
Taylor Swift: [Wakes up from a horrible nightmare. She uncontrollably hops out of her bed. A mysterious force suddenly takes all of her clothes off, stripping her naked.]
Taylor Swift: Ahhhhhhhhh! What the h@@@ is going on!
Taylor Swift:[Like a hen, she pecks at the floor] Ah ah ah ah ah ah!
Taylor Swift: [Uncontrolably swings herself and flies like a hawk. She breaks the window and lands into her backyard pool. She can’t seem to get out of the water. She is starting to drown]
[Back at Eric Cartman’s house, he is washing the voodoo doll in his bathroom sink. As his mom knocks on the bathroom door, Eric Cartman quickly hides it in a cabinet, thus saving Taylor Swift from dwoning]
Taylor Swift:[Gasps for air] Oh thank god!
Liane Cartman: Eric? What are you doing up so late?
Eric Cartman: uhh… nothing meim.
Liane Cartman: You seem suspicious!
Eric Cartman: It’s nothing! Respect my privacy meim![Back at Taylor Swift’s house]
[Taylor Swift runs out into the streets, yelling that Kanye West is filling the super bowl with dynamite]
Police Officer 1: Okay Taylor, I know you are a tortured artist. I will safely ecort you to the super bowl.
[Kenny’s ghost shows up in front of Taylor Swift’s voice.]
Kenny’s ghost: The world wants you!
[Taylor Swift screams and hits her head almost causing a concussion. Before she can do harm to her head, she is tranquilized by Police Officer 2]
Police Officer 1: You think it’s a good idea to pass her out?
Police Officer 2: Oh I’m sure it’s fine. If she does not wake up by dawn, the two of us will seduce her.
Police Officer 1: Sounds like a good deal.
[The next morning. Sunday. At Eric Cartman’s house. He is asleep with his Taylor Swift body pillow. The voodoo doll is placed on his computer desk. Eric Cartman suddenly gets his super bowl idea]
Eric Cartman: Hey meim.
Liane Cartman: uhh. What? It’s early in the morning.
Eric Cartman: Can I go to the Super Bowl?
Liane Cartman: No!
Eric Cartman: But meim!
Liane Cartman: It’s too expensive, and we have to drive all the way to Las Vegas!
Eric Cartman: We only live in Colorado! Let’s go meim!
Liane Cartman: No!
Eric Cartman: No?
Liane Cartman: No means no Eric!
Eric Cartman: [Puts on cute anime crying eyes. He then goes outside in his Taylor Swift my Little Pony Pajamas.]
Epic Cartman: Help! Help! I am being r@ped!
Liane Cartman: Fine we will go Eric!
Eric Cartman: [Like a wholesome 5 year old girl] Thank you meim!
[At the super bowl]
Broadcaster: And here is Taylor Swift on stage.
[Audience cheers because of a declining society.]Eric Cartman: You see this Swife? [Punches Voodoo doll]
Taylor Swift: Ow!
Travis Kelece: Hey you alright?
Taylor Swift: I felt this weird- ow! [Gets slammed into the wall]
Travis Kelece: Hey, if you’re sick you need to-
Taylor Swift: No! I am your god! I am playtime! I am a girl’s freedom! I speak to the world! I am Socrates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [Starts running away]
Travis Kelece: Hey where the h@@@ are you going!
Taylor Swift: I am being sacrificed to the gods! My sexuality is becoming changed twisted and turned!
Eric Cartman: Hey! Taylor Swift is on the field. [Twist leg of Voodoo doll]
Taylor Swift: Ow! Hey! A brocken leg! Give all of the pee pees! Give me all of it!
Eric Cartman: [Slams voodoo doll to the floor]
Taylor Swift: Ah! I am being possessed by the devil!
Eric Cartman: [Like an evil man] Ha ha ha ha! [Sucks on face of Voodoo doll]
Taylor Swift: Ahhhhh!!!! In agony!
Eric Cartman: [Bends voodoo doll]
Taylor Swift: ow! I hate my life! It’s full of suffering!
[Stan, Kyle, and Kenny now show up on the field]
Eric Cartman: What the h@@@?!
Kyle: Everyone calm down! Stay where you are! Eric Cartman should give a Taylor Swift a doll!
[Up above from the clouds, everyone hears ‘’No. Taylor Swift f@@@@@@ deserves it.]
Stan: God. Let’s make peaceful relations!
Kyle: Eric Cartman. And people of all ages. I am worried about the state of this world we are living in. Humanity may give us endless ideas for episodes but it is the Sanity and the love of our lives that is most important. Eric Cartman. The day I bullied you for liking Taylor Swift is a day that will live in infamy.
God: People! If you keep losing your thinking skills, I will send a solar storm and you will go back to dirt farm life!
Kyle: Shut up God! The point of this Cartman, and everyone else with us is that we should not bully each other for having weird hobbies. Once a culture develops alienation, weak men lead to hard times and we are leading down to weak times. So Eric Cartman, take Taylor Swifts hand and ascend each other into heaven!
[Eric Cartman grows angel wings. He flies to Kyle and kisses Kyle on the lips. Taylor Swift then kisses Kyle’s baby brother and prepares to become resurrected by god.]
God: F@@@ society! It is time to drop the nuke!
Narrator: And so , God dropped the nuke on us and WW3 began. All because of Taylor Swift! After WW3, Eric Cartman became the Chancellor of Germany and committed genocide on Taylor Swift haters. If history teaches us anything, it is that obsessions lead to very dark pathways.