With the unrest in Egypt at the moment – including rampant sexual attacks against women in the recent protests – it’s hard to be positive. However, Shaykh Navaid Aziz shared some wise words which I wish to share here, so that we may take positives from the situation: “I generally refrain from commenting on politics … More A reminder from Egypt’s chaos
Previous posts in this series: Parts 1 to 21 The biggest appointment of my life On the first night of Hajj, we slept a few hours on Mina – getting some rest for the day of Arafah that would follow. We had no idea what time our busses would leave the next morning, and because … More Hajj Chronicles Part 22: Day 2: Arafah (part 1)
Source: “Africa – where laughing is the only reaction” Facebook group
Previous posts in this series: Parts 1 to 20 Friday, 4th November, 2011. The day that my wife and I embarked on our Hajj. We’d made all our preparations, entered into ihraam, and we were about to make our way up to our camp on Mina – where hujjaaj spend most of the five days … More Hajj Chronicles Part 21: Day 1: Mina
In honour of tomorrow night’s blessed occasion of the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.’s miraculous night journey and ascension (Isra and Mi’raj), masjids worldwide will commemorate it by holding a special programme. Remember that there are no special acts of worship specified for this occasion – so take what benefit you can from those programmes, but don’t let … More Isra and Mi’raj (for dummies)
Previous posts in this series: Parts 1 to 19 Going home The same day we climbed to the cave of Hira, we spontaneously decided to go back to the haram in Makkah for Maghrib and Esha. Just the travel there and back was an adventure on its own – including 2 busses each way, being … More Hajj Chronicles Part 20: Reflections before the big day
Previous posts in this series: Parts 1 to 18 Education As stated last time, Aziziah was a place where we hoped to disconnect from comforts and prepare ourselves for the biggest 5 days of our lives. It was also the place where our tour group finally kicked in with Islamic programmes. Up to that point, … More Hajj Chronicles – Part 19: Ascension
Image source here, and related article here.
Previous posts in this series: Parts 1 to 17 It’s not about the feelings During our stay in Makkah, our last tawaaf right near the Kabah came a few nights before we left. I hated it. It was so full and uncomfortable that my focus was not on dua, dhikr, or spiritual thoughts – but … More Hajj Chronicles Part 18: Joke’s on you
Previous posts in this series: Parts 1 to 16 The crowning moment I’ve heard that everyone gets a ‘moment’ in Makkah – some special experience where they receive inspiration, or some kind of epiphany. On one of our last mornings there, mine came. For fajr that morning, I’d managed to get to my usual 4th … More Hajj Chronicles Part 17: Memories for the heart
slip-sliding away..... 