What I saw in the city of Medina!
For the first time, I went to Medina. As I got closer and closer, I saw something I had never seen before, a light radiating above the minarets and domes. I felt a sense of comfort and tranquility penetrate my depths with safety, a different, ideal, and orderly life, like the universe itself. The calm radiated with its brightness throughout all corners of the sacred mosque, and in the hearts that are filled with faith and humility. It was a unique world that I saw in a way different from what I see on television, the brilliance of faith and worship clearer and more beautiful than I had ever seen with my own eyes, contemplating the greatness of God, humility in prayer, and unity among all nations.But where did this light come from? Is it because it is a place of worship? Or because it is a mosque with its vast expanse? The poet Ka'b ibn Zuhair said in his poem "Al-Burdah": "The Messenger is a light by which we are illuminated; a sword of God unsheathed."
This is what I saw: the light of our noble Messenger Muhammad, peace be upon him, fills the corners of Medina and illuminates all corners of the world. How I yearned to see the blessed chamber when I arrived at the Prophet's Mosque, to speak to our noble Messenger and convey the greetings of his lovers, to ask for his forgiveness and to meet him in paradise, and to pray two rak'ahs to Allah, stripped of arrogance. I felt the depth of true supplication that flowed with my tears in humility, mixed emotions blending dream and reality!When I reached the blessed chamber, I was surprised by the large number of people racing to visit it. Here, several questions began to crowd in my memory. How can I reach it? What if I went to Mecca to perform Umrah without being able to visit him? Here, the struggle began to surge in my thoughts, and longing burst forth in my heart, a strange feeling that I cannot describe and moments that are beyond description!
The grave of the noble Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and the great companion Abu Bakr in the Prophet's Mosque in Medina (Reuters)The first time I could not reach it, and also the second time... Is it possible that I traveled the long distance with so much longing and love to reach Medina! Passing through the military checkpoints imposed on us by the occupation... without being able to see the grave of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him! At the last moment before heading to Mecca, a dream of many years came true... I saw the light up close, I greeted the noblest of creation and messengers, our master Muhammad ibn Abdullah, the intercessor on the Day of Judgment who said: "My nation, my nation."The true necessity that binds us is inner purity, then feeling strong from God, and moving towards life with a simple step that brings us a short distance away so that we can account for our matters accurately. This is enough to make everything around us balanced so that we can sway on the ladder of life in peace and perfection. My heart was attached to that place; I could not leave it. I spent the most beautiful days of my life with a sincere feeling of worship. I found the true life that leads us to paradise, the sincere awe in its various meanings. For we cherish the eternal Sunnah of our Prophet to this day and his religion.
After that moment, I began to realize the difference between Medina and Mecca, despite the grandeur and majesty I witnessed and felt when my eyes glanced upon the Holy Kaaba. I found that each place has its own reverence, and I understood the feeling that explains praying directly in front of the Kaaba, which is the Qibla we pray towards even when we don't see the Holy Kaaba. However, the secret lies in the circumambulation with full humility and drawing close to the Black Stone. Mecca is the meeting point for all from the corners of the earth, which God has made a sanctuary for people and a place of safety, to perform their rituals with comfort and peace, hoping for God's pleasure and forgiveness and receiving multiplied rewards in prayer and good deeds. As narrated by Abu Dawood and Al-Tirmidhi, Aisha said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 'Indeed, the circumambulation of the House and between Safa and Marwah and throwing the stones is for the establishment of the remembrance of Allah.'
The secret of our life lies in faith, and the strength of our attachment to God and moving forward towards obedience, to earn God's pleasure and guidance. Beautiful days are tied to what intentions create and what hearts feel, because the spirit is the essence of the body and a reflection of its actions. What gives us security is our reliance on God and the light of His Holy Book! The true necessity that binds us is inner purity and then the feeling of strength from God, advancing towards life with a simple step that takes us a short distance to accurately account for our matters. This will ensure that everything around us is balanced so that we can sway on the ladder of life with peace and mastery.The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of Al Jazeera Network.
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