Recent Photographs of The Holy Kabah (Masjid Al Haram 25/10/2011)

Pigeons in front of Masjid Al Haram (near Ibraheem Khalil Road)

Masjid Al haram View from  King Fahad Gate

King Fahad Gate

 View From King Abdul Aziz Gate

 

View from top floor

View from Maqam-e-Ibraheem side

View of Hateem side

Another view from Hateem side

 

 Top floor of Masjid Al Haram

Photographs Ibn Hanif

Captured on 25/10/2011

"You could measure the state of your health by your response to spring" [Henry David Thoreau]

Here is a good news for those visitors of "The Voice of Nature" who wish to see more nature photos at  my blog.  I have planned to get my annual vacation in upcoming season of spring ,inshaAllah. I am fully hopeful that I will be allowed the vacations in between Feb 2012  to Mar 2012.

Until now visitors can enjoy the beauty in nature by browsing the previously published posts. For those interested in inspirational nature quotes I have selected the following:

"The deep roots never doubt spring will come" 

[Marty Robin]

"You could measure the state of your health by your response to spring. If the prospect of an early morning walk in the sunshine and the warbling of a bluebird did not thrill you, you should  check your pulse." 

[Henry David Thoreau]

The poet Wallace Stevens said spring was "abhorrent to nihilists" - those who think life has no meaning, purpose or intrinsic value. Spring is too full of hope. Too full of signs of God."

Photographs : Ibn Hanif

Also published at my blg : "The Voice of Nature"

"You could measure the state of your health by your response to spring" [Henry David Thoreau]

Here is a good news for those visitors of "The Voice of Nature" who wish to see more nature photos at  my blog.  I have planned to get my annual vacation in upcoming season of spring ,inshaAllah. I am fully hopeful that I will be allowed the vacations in between Feb 2012 to Mar 2012.

Until now visitors can enjoy the beauty in nature by browsing the previously published posts. For those interested in inspirational nature quotes I have selected the following:

"The deep roots never doubt spring will come" 

[Marty Rubin]

"You could measure the state of your health by your response to spring. If the prospect of an early morning walk in the sunshine and the warbling of a bluebird did not thrill you, you should  check your pulse." 

[Henry David Thoreau]

The poet Wallace Stevens said spring was "abhorrent to nihilists" - those who think life has no meaning, purpose or intrinsic value. Spring is too full of hope. Too full of signs of God."

Photographs : Ibn Hanif

A flower that amazed me !

I saw this flower in a flower lovers house in Lahore. There were several varieties of flowers in the house and were almost ready to be taken to a flower show on the other day. But this particular flower amazed me the most. I took its several photos because I didn't want to take a blurry photo for my blog visitors.

I remember this was the first photograph and I wanted to take without disturbing the nature around it. That's why I didn't remove the dry leaf dropped on it.

Having taken the first photograph (intentionally leaving the leaf stay on it)

I captured more photos after removing the leaf but when later I reviewed the photos on PC was almost shocked to see all of them were out of focus except this one.

This was the first and the last time when I saw this flower.

Although, I still think I should have removed the leaf but I am glad that the face of the flower will yet remain on net to amaze those who search for the beauty of nature on this virtual world.

Does not it look to be made of thick plastic?

Who measured and matched the size of the petals to add another wonder in this wonderful world. 

In the Name of Allah, the Benificent, the Merciful

1 The Beneficent Allah,

2 Taught the Quran.

3 He created man,

4 Taught him the mode of expression.

5 The sun and the moon follow a reckoning.

6 And the herbs and the trees do prostrate (to Him).

7 And the heaven, He raised it high, and He made the balance

8 That you may not be inordinate in respect of the measure. 

9 And keep up the balance with equity and do not make the measure deficient. 

10 And the earth, He has set it for living creatures;

11 Therein is fruit and palms having sheathed clusters, 
12 And grain covered with husk, and fragrant flowers.

13 Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?

14 He created man from dry clay like earthen vessels,

15 And He created the jinn of a flame of fire.

16 Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?

17 Lord of the East and Lord of the West.

18 Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?

19 He has made the two seas to flow freely (so that) they meet together:

20 Between them is a barrier which they cannot pass.

21 Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?

22 There come forth from them pearls, both large and small.

23 Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?

24 And His are the ships reared aloft in the sea like mountains.

25 Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?

26 Everyone on it must pass away.

27 And there will endure for ever the person of your Lord, the Lord of glory and honor.

28 Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?

29 All those who are in the heavens and the earth ask of Him; every moment He is in a state (of glory).

30 Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?

The Holy Quran: Chapter: The Beneficient

Photograph: Ibn Hanif            This post can also be read at my blog  : Life, Nature and me

A flower that amazed me !

Photograph in large size (please click to enlarge)

I saw this flower in a flower lovers house in Lahore. There were several varieties of flowers in the house and were almost ready to be taken to a flower show on the other day. But this particular flower amazed me the most. I took its several photos because I didn't want to take a blurry photo for my blog visitors.

I remember this was the first photograph and I wanted to take without disturbing the nature around it. That's why I didn't remove the dry leaf dropped on it.

Having taken the first photograph (intentionally leaving the leaf stay on it)

I captured more photos after removing the leaf but when later I reviewed the photos on PC was almost shocked to see all of them were out of focus except this one.

This was the first and the last time when I saw this flower.

Although, I still think I should have removed the leaf but I am glad that the face of the flower will yet remain on net to amaze those who search for the beauty of nature on this virtual world.

Does not it look to be made of thick plastic?

Who measured and matched the size of the petals to add another wonder in this wonderful world. 

In the Name of Allah, the Benificent, the Merciful

1 The Beneficent Allah,

2 Taught the Quran.

3 He created man,

4 Taught him the mode of expression.

5 The sun and the moon follow a reckoning.

6 And the herbs and the trees do prostrate (to Him).

7 And the heaven, He raised it high, and He made the balance

8 That you may not be inordinate in respect of the measure. 

9 And keep up the balance with equity and do not make the measure deficient. 

10 And the earth, He has set it for living creatures;

11 Therein is fruit and palms having sheathed clusters, 
12 And grain covered with husk, and fragrant flowers.

13 Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?

14 He created man from dry clay like earthen vessels,

15 And He created the jinn of a flame of fire.

16 Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?

17 Lord of the East and Lord of the West.

18 Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?

19 He has made the two seas to flow freely (so that) they meet together:

20 Between them is a barrier which they cannot pass.

21 Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?

22 There come forth from them pearls, both large and small.

23 Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?

24 And His are the ships reared aloft in the sea like mountains.

25 Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?

26 Everyone on it must pass away.

27 And there will endure for ever the person of your Lord, the Lord of glory and honor.

28 Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?

29 All those who are in the heavens and the earth ask of Him; every moment He is in a state (of glory).

30 Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?

The Holy Quran: Chapter: The Beneficient

Photograph: Ibn Hanif

A Story Relating to Prophet Ibrahim, Ismail (PBUH) and Hajj in Mecca

 

Photo taken from the roof of Masjid Al Haraam

Ibn Abbas(R.A) Narrated that :

When Abraham (Peace be upon him) had differences with his wife), he took Ishmael (Peace be upon him) and his mother and went away. They had a water-skin with them containing some water, Ishmael's mother used to drink water from the water-skin so that her milk would increase for her child. When Abraham reached Mecca, he made her sit under a tree and afterwards returned home.

Ishmael's mother followed him, and when they reached Kada', she called him from behind, "O Abraham! To whom are you leaving us?" He replied, "(I am leaving you) to Allah's (care)."

She said, "I am satisfied to be with Allah."

She returned to her place and started drinking water from the water-skin, and her milk increased for her child. When the water had all been used up, she said to herself, "I'd better go and look so that I may see somebody." She ascended the Safa mountain and looked, hoping to see somebody, but in vain.

When she came down to the valley, she ran till she reached the Marwa mountain. She ran to and fro (between the two mountains) many times. Then she said to herself, "I'd better go and see the state of the child." She went and found it in a state of one on the point of dying. She could not endure to watch it dying and said (to herself), "If I go and look, I may find somebody." She went and ascended the Safa mountain and looked for a long while but could not find anybody. Thus she completed seven rounds (of running) between Safa and Marwa. Again she said (to herself), "I'd better go back and see the state of the child." 

But suddenly she heard a voice, and she said to that strange voice, "Help us if you can offer any help." Lo! It was Gabriel (who had made the voice).

Gabriel hit the earth with his heel like this (Ibn 'Abbas hit the earth with his heel to illustrate it), and so the water gushed out. Ishmael's mother was astonished and started digging. (Abu Al-Qasim) (i.e. the Prophet) said, "If she had left the water, (flow naturally without her intervention), it would have been flowing on the surface of the earth.")Ishmael's mother started drinking from the water and her milk increased for her child.

Afterwards some people of the tribe of Jurhum, while passing through the bottom of the valley, saw some birds, and that astonished them, and they said, "Birds can only be found at a place where there is water." They sent a messenger who searched the place and found the water, and returned to inform them about it.

Then they all went to her and said, "O Ishmael's mother! Will you allow us to be with you (or dwell with you)?" (And thus they stayed there.) Later on her boy reached the age of puberty and married a lady from them. Then an idea occurred to Abraham which he disclosed to his wife (Sarah), "I want to call on my dependents I left (at Mecca)." When he went there, he greeted (Ishmael's wife) and said, "Where is Ishmael?" She replied, "He has gone out hunting." Abraham said (toher), "When he comes, tell him to change the threshold of his gate." When he came, she told him the same whereupon Ishmael said to her, "You are the threshold, so go to your family (i.e. you are divorced)."

Again Abraham thought of visiting his dependents whom he had left (at Mecca), and he told his wife (Sarah) of his intentions. Abraham came to Ishmael's house and asked. "Where is Ishmael?" Ishmael's wife replied, "He has gone out hunting," and added, "Will you stay (for some time) and have something to eat and drink?" Abraham asked, "What is your food and what is your drink?" She replied, "Our food is meat and our drink is water." He said, "O Allah! Bless their meals and their drink." Abu Al-Qa-sim (i.e. Prophet) said, "Because of Abraham's invocation there are blessings (in Mecca).

" Once more Abraham thought of visiting his family he had left (at Mecca), so he told his wife (Sarah) of his decision. He went and found Ishmael behind the Zam-zam well, mending his arrows. 

He said, "O Ishmael, Your Lord has ordered me to build a house for Him." 

Ishmael said, "Obey (the order of) your Lord." Abraham said, "Allah has also ordered me that you should help me therein." 
Ishmael said, "Then I will do." 

So, both of them rose and Abraham started building (the Ka'ba) while Ishmael went on handing him the stones, and both of them were saying, "O our Lord! Accept (this service) from us, Verily, You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing." (2.127) 

When the building became high and the old man (i.e. Abraham) could no longer lift the stones (to such a high position), he stood over the stone of Al-Maqam and Ishmael carried on handing him the stones, and both of them were saying, -O our Lord! Accept (this service) from us, Verily You are All-Hearing, All-Knowing." (2.127)

Reference : Bukhari

I also shared this hadith at : "The Guiding Friends"

Photographs: Ibn Hanif

"The Day of the Scarf..."

Narrated Aisha (ra)


There was a black slave girl belonging to an 'Arab tribe and they manumitted her but she remained with them. The slave girl said, "Once one of their girls (of that tribe) came out wearing a red leather scarf decorated with precious stones. It fell from her or she placed it somewhere.

A kite passed by that place, saw it lying there and mistaking it for a piece of meat, flew away with it. Those people searched for it but they did not find it. So they accused me of stealing it and started searching me and even searched my private parts." The slave girl further said, "By Allah! while I was standing (in that state) with those people, the same kite passed by them and dropped the red scarf and it fell amongst them. I told them, 'This is what you accused me of and I was innocent and now this is it.' " 'Aisha (ra) added:

That slave girl came to Allah's Apostle  (pbuh) and embraced Islam. She had a tent or a small room with a low roof in the mosque. Whenever she called on me, she had a talk with me and whenever she sat with me, she would recite the following: "The day of the scarf (band) was one of  the wonders of our Lord, verily He rescued me from the disbelievers' town. 'Aisha added: "Once I asked her, 'What is the matter with you? Whenever you sit with me, you always recite these poetic verses.' On that she told me the whole story."

Sahih Bukhari  1.430

I also shared this hadith at : www.GuidingFriends.com

Do you not see that Allah is He Whom do glorify all those who are in the heavens and the earth, and the (very) birds with expanded wings?

 

41 Do you not see that Allah is He Whom do glorify all those who are in the heavens and the earth, and the (very) birds with expanded wings? He knows the prayer of each one and its glorification, and Allah is Cognizant of what they do.

42 And Allah's is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and to Allah is the eventual coming.

43 Do you not see that Allah drives along the clouds, then gathers them together, then piles them up, so that you see the rain coming forth from their midst? And He sends down of the clouds that are (like) mountains wherein is hail, afflicting therewith whom He pleases and turning it away from whom He pleases; the flash of His lightning almost takes away the sight.

44 Allah turns over the night and the day; most surely there is a lesson in this for those who have sight.

45 And Allah has created from water every living creature: so of them is that which walks upon its belly, and of them is that which walks upon two feet, and of them is that which walks upon four; Allah creates what He pleases; surely Allah has power over all things.

46 Certainly We have revealed clear communications, and Allah guides whom He pleases to the right way.

Surah An-Noor : The Holy Quran

"like a mirage in sandy deserts, which the man parched with thirst mistakes for water..."

34 And certainly We have sent to you clear communications and a description of those who have passed away before you, and an admonition to those who guard (against evil).

35 Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth; a likeness of His light is as a niche in which is a lamp, the lamp is in a glass, (and) the glass is as it were a brightly shining star, lit from a blessed olive-tree, neither eastern nor western, the oil whereof almost gives light though fire touch it not-- light upon light-- Allah guides to His light whom He pleases, and Allah sets forth parables for men, and Allah is Cognizant of all things.

36 In houses which Allah has permitted to be exalted and that His name may be remembered in them; there glorify Him therein in the mornings and the evenings,

37 Men whom neither merchandise nor selling diverts from the remembrance of Allah and the keeping up of prayer and the giving of poor-rate; they fear a day in which the hearts and eyes shall turn about;

38 That Allah may give them the best reward of what they have done, and give them more out of His grace; and Allah gives sustenance to whom He pleases without measure.

 39 And (as for) those who disbelieve, their deeds are like the mirage in a desert, which the thirsty man deems to be water; until when he comes to it he finds it to be naught, and there he finds Allah, so He pays back to him his reckoning in full; and Allah is quick in reckoning;

40 Or like utter darkness in the deep sea: there covers it a wave above which is another wave, above which is a cloud, (layers of) utter darkness one above another; when he holds out his hand, he is almost unable to see it; and to whomsoever Allah does not give light, he has no light.

41 Do you not see that Allah is He Whom do glorify all those who are in the heavens and the earth, and the (very) birds with expanded wings? He knows the prayer of each one and its glorification, and Allah is Cognizant of what they do.

42 And Allah's is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and to Allah is the eventual coming.

43 Do you not see that Allah drives along the clouds, then gathers them together, then piles them up, so that you see the rain coming forth from their midst? And He sends down of the clouds that are (like) mountains wherein is hail, afflicting therewith whom He pleases and turning it away from whom He pleases; the flash of His lightning almost takes away the sight.

44 Allah turns over the night and the day; most surely there is a lesson in this for those who have sight.

45 And Allah has created from water every living creature: so of them is that which walks upon its belly, and of them is that which walks upon two feet, and of them is that which walks upon four; Allah creates what He pleases; surely Allah has power over all things.

46 Certainly We have revealed clear communications, and Allah guides whom He pleases to the right way.

Surah An-Noor : The Holy Quran

Is not He Able to Give Life to the Dead?

1 Nay! I swear by the day of resurrection.

2 Nay! I swear by the self-accusing soul.

3 Does man think that We shall not gather his bones?

4 Yea! We are able to make complete his very fingertips

5 Nay! man desires to give the lie to what is before him.

6 He asks: When is the day of resurrection?

7 So when the sight becomes dazed,

8 And the moon becomes dark,

9 And the sun and the moon are brought together,

10 Man shall say on that day: Whither to fly to?

11 By no means! there shall be no place of refuge!

12 With your Lord alone shall on that day be the place of rest.

13 Man shall on that day be informed of what he sent before and (what he) put off.

14 Nay! man is evidence against himself,

15 Though he puts forth his excuses.

16 Do not move your tongue with it to make haste with it,

17 Surely on Us (devolves) the collecting of it and the reciting of it.

18 Therefore when We have recited it, follow its recitation.

19 Again on Us (devolves) the explaining of it.

20 Nay! But you love the present life,

21 And neglect the hereafter.

22(Some) faces on that day shall be bright,

23 Looking to their Lord.

24 And (other) faces on that day shall be gloomy,

25 Knowing that there will be made to befall them some great calamity.

26 Nay! When it comes up to the throat,

27 And it is said: Who will be a magician?

28 And he is sure that it is the (hour of) parting

29 And affliction is combined with affliction;

30 To your Lord on that day shall be the driving.

31 So he did not accept the truth, nor did he pray,

32 But called the truth a lie and turned back,

33 Then he went to his followers, walking away in haughtiness.

34 Nearer to you (is destruction) and nearer,

35 Again (consider how) nearer to you and nearer.

36 Does man think that he is to be left to wander without an aim?

37 Was he not a small seed in the seminal elements,

38 Then he was a clot of blood, so He created (him) then made (him) perfect.

39 Then He made of him two kinds, the male and the female.

40 Is not He able to give life to the dead?

[Translation of the Holy Quran: Chapter: Al-Qiyāmah (The Resurrection)]

Photos of Zam Zam Water Being Served in Masjid Al Haram (The Holy Kabah)

“Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and guidance for the entire creation Al-Aalameen. In it are manifest signs the Maqaam of Ibrahim (Standing place of Abraham); whosoever enters it, he attains security…”
(Quran 3:96-97)

“O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in an uncultivable valley by Your Sacred House (Kabah in Makkah), O our Lord, so that they may perform Salah. So fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and O Allah provide them with fruits so that they may give thanks.”
(Quran 14:37)
Abdulah Ibn Abbaas (radiyallahu ta’ala ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “May Allah bestow his mercy upon Hajar, the mother of Ismail, had she let go of the water of Zamzam it would have become a flowing spring on the face of the earth (rather than a well) whose water shall never dry.” (Ahmad)
Ibn ‘Abbaas (radiyallahu ta’ala ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “One difference between us and the hypocrites is that they could not drink much from Zamzam.”
(Ibn Majah)
Ibn ‘Abbaas (radiyallahu ta’ala ‘anhu) narrates that he gave the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wasallam) the water of Zamzam and the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wasallam) drank the water of Zamzam whilst standing. (Bukhari)
The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wasallam) said to Abu Dhar (radiyallahu ta’ala ‘anhu) who had stayed near the Kabah and its coverings for forty days and nights with no food or drink other than Zamzam, “How long have you been here? “Abu Dharr (radiyallahu ta’ala ‘anhu) said: “I have been here for thirty days and nights.” The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wasallam) said, “Who has been feeding you? ”He said, “I have had nothing but Zamzam water, and I have become so fat that I have folds of fat on my stomach. I do not feel any of the tiredness or weakness of hunger and I have not become thin.” The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Verily, it is blessed, it is food that nourishes.”
(Muslim) ”
Jabir bin Abdullah (radiyallahu ta’ala ‘anhu) narrates that the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “The water of Zamzam is for whatever it is drunk for.”
(Ibn Majah)

 Following photos were captured in Masjid Al Haram please click the photos to see them in larger size

Related Info Source : http://www.islamhadith.com/blessings-zamzam-water
Photos : Ibn Hanif

O man! What has made you careless about your Lord, the Most Generous?

1 When the heaven is cleft asunder.

2 And when the stars have fallen and scattered.

3 And when the seas are burst forth.

4 And when the graves are turned upside down (and bring out their contents)

5 (Then) a person will know what he has sent forward and (what he has) left behind (of good or bad deeds).

6 O man! What has made you careless about your Lord, the Most Generous?

7 Who created you, fashioned you perfectly, and gave you due proportion.

8 In whatever form He willed, He put you together.

9 Nay! But you deny Ad-Din (i.e. the Day of Recompense).

10 But verily, over you (are appointed angels in charge of mankind) to watch you,

11 Kiraman (Honourable) Katibin writing down (your deeds),

12 They know all that you do.

13 Verily, the Abrar (the pious believers of Islamic Monotheism) will be in Delight (Paradise);

14 And verily, the Fujjar (the wicked, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners and evil-doers) will be in the blazing Fire (Hell),

15 Therein they will enter, and taste its burning flame on the Day of Recompense,

16 And they (Al-Fujjar) will not be absent therefrom.

17 And what will make you know what the Day of Recompense is?

18 Again, what will make you know what the Day of Recompense is?

19 (It will be) the Day when no person shall have power (to do) anything for another, and the Decision, that Day, will be (wholly) with Allah.

[Translation of The Holy Quran, Chapter: AL-Infitar (The Cleaving]