From Madinah to Makkah

With great sadness we left Madinah after only 4 days. Alhamdulillah Allah granted this opportunity to get the reward for 1000 prayers for each prayer in the masjid, and pray at the Rowdah. I can only make dua’ and hope that we will be blessed to return to this place.

Other classes that we took during our stay in Madinah were: Qawaaid al Arbaa (sisters only), 8 conditions of La illaha ilallah (sisters only), The Rites of Umrah, Seeking Knowledge and Ali ibn Abi Taalib by Shaykh Adbullah Jarboo, and The 6 Fundamental Principles by Shaykh Muhammad Bakheet.

Soon after our departure we stopped at Masjid Quba. The reward for praying at Masjid Quba is like an Umrah. We then proceeded to the Meeqat Dhul Hulaifah to make the intention to perform Umrah.

I felt Umrah was more challenging this year than last summer. Because of the construction for the expansion parts of the Haram are blocked off. The masjid is more congested, the Saeey area was packed. Our usual routes were blocked off so it took some time to maneuver our way around and get back to the hotel. May Allah accept our deeds and give us the opportunity to make another Umrah, insha’Allah.

Tours in Madinah

Lectures by scholars, Umrah, excellent accommodations, and field trips too? The first trip was for brothers only to the University of Madinah. The brothers met with some administrators who gave a short talk, entertained questions, and provided gifts. Everyone was given a leather briefcase with the University logo and an application.

The next tour was of Masjid an Nabwi. We got to meet with members of the management staff who showed us the control room of the Masjid where all the electrical power is managed. We also viewed short video about the history of the Masjid, outlining all the recent expansion projects.

Our last excursion in Madinah was to the King Fahd Quran Printing Complex. The presenter discussed the process of producing copies of the Quran. It was interesting to find out the original is hand-written and not created electronically. A team of scholars are required to revise the work before it goes into printing. This facility produces thousands and thousands of Qurans in different sizes, different translations, that are sent all over the world.

First Day of Classes

The sisters’ had the unique opportunity to study with female teachers inside the Masjid. As we entered the administrative office of the women’s section, we recognized many familiar faces, and they recognized a few of us too. Our first class was taught by Umm Abdullah, the wife of Muhammad Jibaly, on the topic of Ikhlaas.

Many of the scholars have defined Ikhlaas in different ways to try and convey its deep meaning. So what is Ikhlaas? To single out Allah subhana wa ta’al in your obedience. It is the perfume of the heart; the spring of the heart. Ikhlaas is to strain your actions so they are solely for Allah. It is protection from riyaa’ and shirk. It is when the apparent actions and hidden actions are the same.

We have to struggle to be sincere in our worship. One of the first people who will be thrown in the hellfire will be the alim – the one who wanted to show off in front of others.* So how can we protect ourselves from being amongst those whose deeds are not for Allah but for others? There are four ways that were discussed.

The first way to fulfill Ikhlaas is by knowing Allah subhana wa ta’ala, seeking knowledge about him, and learning Aqeedah. The second way is by knowing that the main goal is to seek Allah’s pleasure, and not the people’s. Whoever seeks Allah’s pleasure despite people’s anger, Allah will be pleased with him. And whoever seeks acceptance of the people despite Allah’s displeasure, Allah will be displeased with him.* The third way is to hide your ibaadah. And the fourth way is ask Allah subhana wa ta’ala for Ikhlaas by making dua’.

This short lecture caused me to reflect on my own deeds. What a scary thought to think you are performing good deeds and being rewarded for them when you are actually arousing Allah’s displeasure. May Allah subhana wa ta’ala help us all be sincere in our worship and keep us away from falling into riyaa’ and shirk.

*Need to get precise wording for these hadeeth.

The View

We anxiously opened the door to our room. Although the hotel did border the NW side of the masjid, chances that we would have a nice view were still slim. Spacious, clean, comfortable with all the necessary amenities. Dar al Iman Intercontinental: A real 5 star hotel. This was too good. Pulling back the curtains we were enraptured with a great view of Masjid an-Nabwi. We could have sat staring at it for hours.

And we're off...

Detroit – Houston – New York City – Jeddah – Madinah

5 cities in 4 days. We finally depart for our final destination – The City of the Prophet. After experiencing the usual ordeal of delayed flights, bad weather, cancelled flights, re-bookings, post-midnight arrivals, crazy cab drivers, and angry bus drivers, we finally made it by the will of Allah subhana wa ta’ala. And without any problems with luggage, Alhamdulillah. All the trials make the experience more valuable, and more memorable. And what’s the fun of traveling without any of mishaps? Everyone needs a little adventure in their lives.

All of ours worries seemed to melt away when we sat down in the hotel lobby, with our cups of tea in hand. What a grand place we were in! What a beautiful city! Was it worth the headache and hardships? Definitely!

Looking around the lobby we saw some new faces and some old. Our old acquaintances were just as eager to return as we were. This was the second time we’ve attended Albaseerah’s Summer Seminar.

During the travel, many questions came to mind. I wondered what was ahead of us. Would this year’s seminar be as great as last year? Was it possible to improve? Would there be separate classes for women in the Haram? Would the exams be open-notes? No chance. Would we get to kiss the black stone? Would our deeds be accepted? Would we remember to make dua’ for all the people who asked us to make dua’ for them during our Umrah? Will it change me? Will I get closer to Allah subhana wa ta’ala? With questions swimming inside my head we headed to our room and anticipated the next day.

Intro

By the grace of Allah subhana wa ta'ala we were blessed to attend last year's seminar - Uthman ibn Affan Seminar and have been eagerly awaiting this year's trip. I hope that by creating this blog to post daily notes and photos of the seminar others will be encouraged to seek knowledge and perform Hajj and Umrah if they have not done so already.

Our journey begins on July 24th when we will depart from JFK airport, land in Jeddah via Saudi Airlines and take a bus to Madinah. The hotel location can not be disclosed at this time, however, I am excited to say that we will be staying directly in front of Masjid an-Nabwi!!!