Friday, April 25, 2008

Hajj for All Ages

Make Hajj As If You Know You're Dying


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Part of the preparation for hajj is to think of it as the last thing one may ever do in this life. There is no time left to hold grudges, to fill sorry for oneself, to complain about things undone or whine about how much is left to do. Preparing for hajj means reflecting on one's life, making amends where possible. It is time to begin to ask for forgiveness and to express gratitude to Allah.


Imagine having cancer and knowing it has metastasised, or spread, before you make hajj. This blog copies the letter of a Muslimah who had already had breast and brain surgery. Allah blessed her to remain symptom-free (of the end stages) until she left the U.S. on the first leg of her journey to Mecca. Her letter is full of such joy! She died shortly after returning home, may Allah grant her Paradise.



At the Jamarat

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A Small Collection of Stones

Release in a Muslim’s moment
The joy and anger
Of glorious retaliation
Against weakness and sin

Relief at the jamarat
Is in a small collection of stones
Missiles against the Shaitiin
Whistling through the air

UmmUmar © 2007
Courtesy of muslimwritings

Labayk Allahuma Labayk

Talbiyah
Labayk Allahuma Labayk
Labayk La Shareeka Laka Labayk
Innal Hamda Wannimata laka
walmulk Laa Shareeka Lak

Translation:
"I respond to Your call my Lord
I respond to You, there is no diety save You.
All praise, grace and dominion belong to You.
You have no partners."

Patience, Charity and the True Story of Habib Miyan


This is the true story of Habib Miyan that comes from BBC News and was told over a period of 9 months. It is a story of patience, charity, and Allah's reward. It is a story of patience because Habib Miyan waited over a hundred years before Allah answered his dua to make hajj.

It began as a human interest story. Many people read it and simply moved on to the next item. Yet it is a story of charity because for a few, Habib Miyan became an opportunity from Allah to seek His Blessings.

Finally, it is a story of Allah's reward for Habib Miyan, whose prayer to make hajj was finally fulfilled. Allah knows best the reward He has in store for the Muslims who made contributed money and any other manner of assistance to make this story--this lesson for all of us--possible.

Follow the story here, here, and here. The photo gallery is here.