ibn mostafa
August 24th, 2008, 23:07
Bismillaah ar-Rahmaan ar-Raheem al-hamdu lillaahi rabbil-‘Aalameen wa sall-Allaahu wa sallam wa baarak ‘alaa nabiyyinaa Muhammad wa ‘alaa aalihi wa sahbihi ajma’een
I would first like to thank Allaah Azza wa Jall and then my beloved brothers and sisters who aided and assisted in the AIAT Seminar along with those who attended; those I know and do not know. May Allaah place this on your scales of good deeds, bless you all wherever you may be and protect you in this life and in the Hereafter. I thank Akh Zahid Rashid for his eagerness in making this Seminar as successful as it was, for his desire to strengthen this Muslim Ummah, and for his care & concern for each of us throughout the entire trip. May Allah Subhaanahu wa ta’ala place him in His Shade on a Day when there will be no shade except His and join him with the Prophets, The Truthful Ones, the Martyrs and the Righteous!
This, without a doubt, was the most amazing and wonderful trip I have ever been on. It is impossible to explain such a joy in words. I have to say that the first thing to touch my heart was our arrival in Madinah. We were all extremely worn out and exhausted from the travel. By the time everyone had checked into the hotel it was very late, maybe after midnight. I think a lot of the people had gone to sleep, but I could not sleep until I saw the Masjid of the Prophet (Sall-Allahu alayhi was-sallam). What was so great is that the Hotel bordered the Masjid. Once you step outside your just a few steps away from gate. It could not be any closer. So I got together with some of the brothers and headed towards the Masjid. I did not know what to expect. The only thought I had stemmed from an old poster I had with an image of the Masjid shown from a distance. That poster, to me, was a foggy representation of what I was about to see and feel.
So we continued down through the hotel exit that takes you to a passage route in the back leading you directly to the entrance of the Masjid. I was so excited, curious of what was awaiting me. I was told it was extremely hot so when we stepped outside I felt the heat and warmth of Madinah covering me like a cloak or a blanket, not burdensome at all. Rather, it was soothing and comforting. There were a lot of people outside. I’m thinking to myself, “…during this time of night?” Everything was tranquil & serene. I don’t think I have ever witnessed such a peaceful, calm and quiet environment in the entirety of my existence on this earth…nothing but a feeling of security in the air filled with the sound of whispers and the clapping of sandal shoes on the beautiful marble grounds. I could not grasp the concept of there being so many people in one place and at the same time being so quiet and peaceful, because in America, any large crowd demands a large sound! If I could describe the entrance I would say it was literally a “field of marble”. The entire surrounding of the Masjid was made of marble streets (or marble looking streets). Allahu Akbar! I could not even register this in my mind. Every step taken to the Masjid is a Sadaqah (Charity), and every step I took was a delight that I wish would not end.
Once we reached the actual gate, and there are many gates and entrances to the Masjid, we took off our shoes and entered into the Masjid of the Messenger of Allah… (Sall-Allaahu alayhi was-sallam). And this is where I will stop.
Whoever wishes should make this experience come alive. My words are too cheap to define the rest of the Journey...describing the ‘Umrah and the Ka’bah, which is now embedded deep into my heart, and the Ulamaa etc...it would take too much time. So I advise my beloved brothers and sisters to make this trip at least once. It is well worth the cost and there will be no regrets (insha Allah). I will not be satisfied until I go back. Too much has been gained while being there and too much lost by leaving there. I ask Allah, Al-Kareem, that He enable me to return back to His House and you all as well because, without a doubt, the Blessings of being there are too numerous for me to count…
Your brother in Eemaan
Hesham Ibn Mostafa
I would first like to thank Allaah Azza wa Jall and then my beloved brothers and sisters who aided and assisted in the AIAT Seminar along with those who attended; those I know and do not know. May Allaah place this on your scales of good deeds, bless you all wherever you may be and protect you in this life and in the Hereafter. I thank Akh Zahid Rashid for his eagerness in making this Seminar as successful as it was, for his desire to strengthen this Muslim Ummah, and for his care & concern for each of us throughout the entire trip. May Allah Subhaanahu wa ta’ala place him in His Shade on a Day when there will be no shade except His and join him with the Prophets, The Truthful Ones, the Martyrs and the Righteous!
This, without a doubt, was the most amazing and wonderful trip I have ever been on. It is impossible to explain such a joy in words. I have to say that the first thing to touch my heart was our arrival in Madinah. We were all extremely worn out and exhausted from the travel. By the time everyone had checked into the hotel it was very late, maybe after midnight. I think a lot of the people had gone to sleep, but I could not sleep until I saw the Masjid of the Prophet (Sall-Allahu alayhi was-sallam). What was so great is that the Hotel bordered the Masjid. Once you step outside your just a few steps away from gate. It could not be any closer. So I got together with some of the brothers and headed towards the Masjid. I did not know what to expect. The only thought I had stemmed from an old poster I had with an image of the Masjid shown from a distance. That poster, to me, was a foggy representation of what I was about to see and feel.
So we continued down through the hotel exit that takes you to a passage route in the back leading you directly to the entrance of the Masjid. I was so excited, curious of what was awaiting me. I was told it was extremely hot so when we stepped outside I felt the heat and warmth of Madinah covering me like a cloak or a blanket, not burdensome at all. Rather, it was soothing and comforting. There were a lot of people outside. I’m thinking to myself, “…during this time of night?” Everything was tranquil & serene. I don’t think I have ever witnessed such a peaceful, calm and quiet environment in the entirety of my existence on this earth…nothing but a feeling of security in the air filled with the sound of whispers and the clapping of sandal shoes on the beautiful marble grounds. I could not grasp the concept of there being so many people in one place and at the same time being so quiet and peaceful, because in America, any large crowd demands a large sound! If I could describe the entrance I would say it was literally a “field of marble”. The entire surrounding of the Masjid was made of marble streets (or marble looking streets). Allahu Akbar! I could not even register this in my mind. Every step taken to the Masjid is a Sadaqah (Charity), and every step I took was a delight that I wish would not end.
Once we reached the actual gate, and there are many gates and entrances to the Masjid, we took off our shoes and entered into the Masjid of the Messenger of Allah… (Sall-Allaahu alayhi was-sallam). And this is where I will stop.
Whoever wishes should make this experience come alive. My words are too cheap to define the rest of the Journey...describing the ‘Umrah and the Ka’bah, which is now embedded deep into my heart, and the Ulamaa etc...it would take too much time. So I advise my beloved brothers and sisters to make this trip at least once. It is well worth the cost and there will be no regrets (insha Allah). I will not be satisfied until I go back. Too much has been gained while being there and too much lost by leaving there. I ask Allah, Al-Kareem, that He enable me to return back to His House and you all as well because, without a doubt, the Blessings of being there are too numerous for me to count…
Your brother in Eemaan
Hesham Ibn Mostafa