Visiting Madina Munawwarah
- When in Madinah Munawwarah take gentle steps. Do not walk proudly.
One day when Allamah Ahmad Ali Lahori رحمه الله was about to enter the Haram, his student Qari Kaleemullah رحمه الله noticed that he was dragging his feet. Qari Kaleemullah رحمه الله thought that his Ustaz was experiencing some discomfort in his feet. So he asked his Ustaz Allamah Ahmad Ali Lahori رحمه الله,” Hazrat, is there any problem? Why are you dragging your feet?” Hazrat Moulana Ahmad Ali Lahori mentioned, in a state of absolute awe and respect for the personality of Rasulullah “O disrespectful one! I do not want to disturb the Aaram (comfort) of my Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم.”
- Our Mashaikh رحمهم الله advise us to protect four things,
- Eyes
- Ears
- Tongue
- Heart
- Go to the hotel, have a shower, and don’t forget the Miswak. Thereafter go to the Haram to present yourself to Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم, book your time in the Raudhah and be calm and composed.
- When going to the Haram, don’t talk, keep your gaze down, and just continuously recite durood.
- Make sure you perform Tahiyyatul Masjid every time you enter Masjidun Nabawi unless you have Qadha.
- Once you present yourself in Riyadhul Jannah, use the opportunity to maximise in Salah, Zikr, Durood Shareef etc.
- Please understand that you are in a piece of land which Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم has called a garden from Jannah. Allah Ta’ala is so generous that when he gives you something, He does not take it back. So now that you have entered Jannah make intention and plead to Allah Ta’ala, “O Allah just as You have given us the opportunity to be in Jannah in this world, don’t deprive us of Jannah in the Akhirah.”
Reflect over this Ayat;
No difficulty shall afflict them in it (Jannah), neither will they be removed from there. (Surah Hijr:48)
- Whatever Duas you make in Jannah will be accepted so make Dua that Allah Ta’ala accepts all your Duas.
- Haji Ibrahim Ishaq , Qari Ayyub Ishaq’s حفظه الله father said, “When presenting yourself to give Salam, don’t rush. Just be excessive in Durood Shareef. As you get closer and tears begin to flow, present your Salam to Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم as this is when His attention is towards you.”
- Hazrat Arifi زحمه الله said, “Keep this in mind that the perfect gaze is being cast unto this imperfect one.”
- Recite Surah Kawthar a thousand times and present it as a gift to Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم.
- Don’t go with a Kitab. It’s all about the heart. Learn what you are going to read and have conviction before sending Salam.
- Its more respectful to say:
الصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا سَيِّدِي يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ
Salaat and Salam be upon you O my master, O Rasulullah.
- Haji Sahib said, “Then reflect and ponder how you have rebelled against Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم and ask forgiveness from him. And then make a pact, and you can talk in your language, that Ya Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم .I have become distanced but now you have cast a glance on me. Make Dua Ya Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم that now I become steadfast on the Sunnah”
- Reflect over the Ayah;
If only it were that when they oppress their souls they should come to you seeking Allah’s forgiveness and then the Rasul صلى الله عليه وسلم seeks forgiveness on their behalf, they will then surely find that Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surah Nisaa:64)
- Thereafter, cry out,
شَفَاعَةً يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ
I ask you for your intercession O Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم.
- When you ask for Shafa’ah (intercession), visualize the scene of Qiyamah.
On that day man will run from his brother, his mother, his father, his wife and his sons. (Surah Abas:34-36)
On the day of Qiyamah, We will erect the scales of justice and no soul will be oppressed in the least. Even if a deed is equal to the weight of a mustard seed We shall bring it. We are sufficient as reckoners. (Surah Ambiya:47)
- Then convey the Salam of all near and dear ones. You can do it in English as well. Don’t worry about reading it from the Kitab.
- When there (beforehand), read the incidents of both Abu Bakr and Umar رضي الله عنهما. And think about the sacrifices they did for Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم.
- Now make Salam to Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنهما.
- Learn Simple Salams. For Example,
السلام عليك يا أبا بكر جزاكم الله عنا كل خير
Salutations upon you O Abu Bakr. May Allah Ta’ala reward you with every goodness on behalf of us.
- When you are there, even as you are pushed, go with the flow and for a short while outside face the Raudhah and make Dua to Allah through the Wasilah of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم
- If you don’t get much time in front of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم do not get depressed. Rather, stand outside the Raudhah for a while and face it.
- When entering and leaving the Haram, put your sandals down, face Raudhah and make Salam to Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم
- Drink one or two cups of Zam Zam when entering and leaving. Gulp down as much Zam Zam as possible. Make intention of internal purification.
- When going to Jannatul Baqee, just keep on reciting Surah Ikhlas. Hazrat Hafiz Qaasim Sahib’s habit is to recite Surah Ikhlas 100 times and convey the reward to the inmates.
- Remember, the Shuhada are also alive in their graves. Make Dua to Allah Ta’ala,
“O Allah you blessed Uthman رضي الله عنه with such great Haya, so You also bless me with Haya.”
- Eat the fruits of Madinah Munawwarah.
Shafeequl Ummah Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Farooq Sahib رح was ill for a few months and the fever was not coming down. Nevertheless, he was blessed to be granted the opportunity to visit Madinah Munawwarah. When he reached there, he reflected that he should eat of the soil of the blessed city. He found out that local grapes were in season. He bought quite a bit of grapes and did not eat anything but the grapes of Madinah Munawwarah. Alhumdulillah, by virtue of this, the fever broke and he retained his health.