Take me Back

One sister reflects on Rihla and her longing to return to the illuminated city.

Trying to get back to the world in vain

My heart isn't with me -- please don't bring me back to the mundane


Take me back to a place where the Blessed and Beloved walked
Studying the route of Hijra his path I want to chalk


Take me back to a time where from me the world was severed
Immersed in the Seerah, that is all we remembered


Take me back to a tender heart where I learned to love
Getting to know for the first time the one most loved


Take me back to my strength where I scaled a mountain to get a whiff
Weeping as I did for I was not worthy of even that sniff


Take me back to my home where like snakes we would crawl
Seeking comfort in prayer five times when called


Take me back to the companionship of fellow travelers
Mercy and kindness toward each other, all just pilgrims and gatherers


Take me back to where I can be content with nine articles of clothing
Souvenir rings are just not as soothing


Take me back to a view of the minarets and dome
Breathing an air purified by the chlorophyll where restless hearts who
want to meet him again roam


Take me back to the carpet that will return
Shaking as we would knowing it wasn't too far from there a tree did
mourn


Take me back most merciful of merciful, to the city of fragrance and
light
Take me back. Take me back. I beg of you...
Take me back to what has become my heart's delight

An Unforgettable Experience

Photo by Raffi Hashemi, Hayward, CA.

Here is an experience one brother had in Masjid Al Nabawi.  It is an example of the kind of people you could meet in the haram.

Of the many things we were told by our teachers on the Rihla, a particular message from Shaykh Abdul Hakim Murad resonates: Every prayer in Masjid-an-Nabawi is different. Every time I walked into the Haram I knew to expect the unexpected. One of the more memorable visits to the Haram was just two days before we were about to leave Madinah. I sensed a kind of nervousness in the Rihla camp – the thought of returning back to our home cities seemed to unseat us. I myself was counting down my last prayers in the Prophet’s Mosque, trying to savour the sweetness of each and every single moment in worship. This particular afternoon I had arrived early for ‘Asr prayer and settled myself down in one of my favorite spots in the Haram. Then just before the congregational prayer was about to begin an elderly man sat down next to me. He rolled out in front of him his blanket cum Musalla and neatly placed a miswak and a bottle of water in the center. Having clearly marked his territory, I thought I would move to another spot. As I moved away he grabbed my hand to make my stay where I was– but instead of a feeling of shock, a strange sense of security overcame me and I ended up praying next to him.

I prayed one of the most amazing prayers of my life. After the salaat as I stood up, the man turned to face me and shook my hand. His smiling face emanated light. His beard shone white. His aura was profound. I was sure he was the most beautiful person I had ever met. Yet I only ever said to him ‘Assalamu’alaykum’ and only saw his face for a split second. In a flash, he was gone.

Insha’Allah I will meet him again. 

Sh. Hamza Yusuf's Final Session on Qurat-Al-Absar

Photo by Tricia Pethic, New York

Today Shaykh Hamza Yusuf concluded the poem Qurat-Al-Absar and left everyone in tears. He made a closing du'aa asking for forgiveness for any of our shortcomings while we have been guests of the Prophet, Salallahu Alaihee Wa Salaam, and prayed for everyone's safe return. Below are some thoughts on this amazing session.

“Shaykh Hamza’s lesson on the Qurat-Al-Absar elaborated on the detailed and mind-opening observations of Sidi Abd-Al-Aziz on the blessed Prophet’s peace be upon him, life. The final chapters on the miracles, death and beautiful names of the final Prophet, peace be upon him were particularly heartwarming. With the 200 plus members of the banquet hall turned classroom in tears or almost so, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf made all of us feel more like slaves of Allah swt and his Divine Decisivity then ever before in our lives – in a good way. The spiritual moment felt by all inculcated in us the realization of the insignificance of our being and of our goodness especially in comparison to the goodness of the blessed Prophet Sallalahu Alaihee Wa Salaam and the greatness of Allah S.W.T.. Insha’Allah the moment spurred in our hearts by the wise words of the Shaykh will gravitate all of us blessed by Allah SWT with the chance to participate in the Rihla towards all things loved by Allah As-zawajal and his Messenger peace be upon him, and propels us far from that which He S.W.T. and his Prophet peace be upon him detest.”

Saffa Khan, Age 16, Chapel Hill, NC

"Not one dry eye in the house."

Shahzad Sadozai, Boston, MA.

"Shaykh Hamza was very touching and emotional and really made people aware of what it means to be in this Holy City of the Prophet, Salallahu Alaihe Wa Salaam and how important it is to monitor our actions and intentions while we're here. The poem and du'aa really touched our hearts and we all began to cry together. May Allah accept our prayers and good actions."

Raffi Hashemi, Hayward, CA.

King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur'an

“We sent down this reminder and We have taken upon ourselves to Preserve it.”



Rihla students visited the King Fahd Complex for the printing of the Holy Qur'an in Madinah today, a complex that produces and distributes 10 million copies of the Holy Qu'ran per year. Over 1,700 employees work in this 250,000 square meter facility including nine scholars which scrupulously check every page. The complex also produces audio sets and facilitates tajweed classes, among other things, at the Prophet's mosque. They have produced 237 million copies of the Qur'an. Not only did students tour the building they also left with several gifts which will InshAllah greatly benefit them. You can check the complex website and download audio, free of charge at: www.qurancomplex.com.

Visiting Sites in the holy city of Madinah

Masjid Quba, Photo by Nushmia Khan, UNC-Chapel Hill

Coming Soon.... Rihla students visit Masjid Quba, Uhud, and more.

The City of Illumination

Photo by Nushmia Khan, UNC- Chapel Hill 

After days of intense classes in Ta'if and a long bus ride, the Rihla participants arrived in Al Madinah Al Munawara, the city of illumination.  One student shares her feelings of arriving at the home of Rasul Allah, salla Allahu alayhee wa-sallam. 

"Alhamdulilah we arrived to Madinah about a day ago.  Words aren't enough to describe how I personally feel.  This is the only place in the world where one will truly feel is their home.  When we first arrived, I felt an overwhelming sense of tranquility descend upon my heart, and at the same time a burst of tears from the presence I felt from the beloved salla Allahu alayhee wa-sallam.  It's amazing how this city attracts billions of Muslims from every corner of the globe, literally, and how everyone comes with the same feeling of love for the prophet (salla Allahu alayhee wa-sallam).  Coming to a place where the feeling is mutual really allows us to feel what it means to have brotherhood and sisterhood in Islam.  This place allows one to remove all other worldly thoughts and distractions from the mind and fully concentrate on the love and peace that the city brings to the heart.  It's actually embarrassing to come here to visit for such a long time (or even an hour) without having fully prepared for being a guest of the prophet (salla Allahu alayhee wa-sallam).  Today, being a Friday, I ask Allah to help us in achieving a greater love and deeper respect for what the prophet (salla Allahu alayhee wa-sallam) has sacrificed for us.  Allahuma sallee 3ala say'yidina Mohammad.   I really hope and ask Allah that the time here goes by very slowly and is full of blessings and benefit.  And for everyone who yearns to be here, keep that yearning alive for the prophet (salla Allahu alayhee wa-sallam) knows that desire and inshaAllah we will all be honored by seeing him in a dream.  Send salutations upon the most beloved of all creation!"   

Suzane D., USA

 

Reliving Islamic History

On Tuesday July 15, students traveled from Ta'if to Makkah and had the opportunity to make another Umra.  They then set out on site visits.  First they visited the grave of Sitna Khadija, may Allah be pleased with her.  Next was the Mosque of the Pledge (Masjid al-Bay'ah) a mosque that lies at the foot of the hill on the eastern side of the Valley of Mina.  This was the location where the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa salam, received the oath of allegiance of the tribes of Yathrib- or Madinah.  The tribes of Yathrib pledged their allegiance to the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa salam years before the Hijrah,(emigration) to the city of Madinah.  

Soon to come...the Rihla group visits the Mosque at the Valley of Ji'ranah with Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, the visit to the grave of Sitna Maymuna, may Allah be pleased with her, visiting sites in Taif and their arrival to the illuminated city of our beloved Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa salam.