Virtues of the Ahl al-Bayt: A means unto the revival of the dead soul

All praise is to Allah, the Lord Of The Creation. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Owner of the Day of Recompense. Who blessed us being the Ummah of His Beloved Rasool Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam. Who sanctified our hearts with the Love and Affection towards His Beloved Rasool Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam. Who blessed us with the most precious treasure of Iman (Faith). Countless Salutations, Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon the Cream of the Creation; Mercy for all Worlds; Seal of the Prophets Sayyiduna wa Mawlana MuHammadur Rasoolullah Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam, His Blessed Parents, His entire Family, His Progeny, His Companions and all those who Follow Him!!

Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala says in the Holy Qur'an: 
 

قل لا أسألكم عليه أجرا إلا المودة في القربى
say (O dear Prophet Mohammed - peace and blessings be upon him) "I do not ask any fee from you upon this, except the love between close ones" [Surah al-Shoora, Verse 23]

Sa'eed bin Mansur in his Sunan narrates from Sa'eed bin Jubayr Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu, He said:
 

قربى رسول الله صلى الله تعالىٰ عليه وسلم
In this verse close ones refers to the relatives of the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam. [Jami' al-Bayan, Vol. 11, Page 144 | Zakhair al-'Uqba, Page 33, Durr al-Manthur, Vol. 5, Page 701 | Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 3, Page 288]

This reveals that love for the Muslim relatives of the beloved Prophet through either blood or marriage is obligatory (Fard) upon each and every Muslim, neglect of which will prompt questioning by Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala.

Following are the few out of many sacred and blessed Ahadith containing the virtues of the Ahl al-Bait al-Kiraam Alaihim ar-Ridwan and thereby reveal the rank of the beloved Prophet's Ahl al-Bait and relatives.

Virtues of the Ahl al-Bait al-Kiraam
— may Allah be well pleased with them all —
 

 

♥ Imam Ahmad; Tirmidhi who denoted it sahih; Nisa'i and Haakim narrated it from Muttalib bin Rabee'a that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said to Sayyiduna Abbas Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu

والله لا يدخل قلب امرئ مسلم إيمان، حتى يحبكم لله ولقرابتي
'By Allah, Imaan (faith) will not enter the heart of a Muslim until he loves you for Allah and for my relationship.' [Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 1, Page 342, Hadith 1780 | Sunan Tirmidhi, Vol. 5, Page 610, Hadith 3758 | Sunan Nisa'i, Vol. 5, Page 51, Hadith 8175 | Mustadrak al-Hakim, Vol. 4, Page 85, Hadith 6960]

The Love of the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam and his family is proven from this hadith because without it no Imaan is acceptable. Loving them because of Allah means that the love be based on faith and which one must have for another Muslim because of his faith whilst love because of their relationship with the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam means that the love be based on their relationship with the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam.  This reveals that one should have double love for the Muslim relatives of the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam; firsly because of their Imaan and secondly because of their relationship with the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam.

♥ Muslim, Tirmidhi and Nisai narrated from Zaid bin Arqam that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said

أذكركم الله في اهل بيتي
'I remind you of Allah (to fear Him) about my Ahl al-Bait.' [Sahih Muslim, Vol. 4, Page 36, Hadith 1837 | Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 5, Page 492, Hadith 18780 | Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, Vol. 4, Page 62, Hadith 2357]

♥ Tirmidhi, denoting it Hasan, and Tabarani narrated from Ibn Abbas the the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
 

أحبوا الله لم يغذوكم به من نعمه وأحبوني لحب الله وأحبوا أهل بيتي لحبي
'Love Allah because of what He gave you from His blessings; Love me because of the Love of Allah and Love my Ahl al-Bait because of my Love.' [Sunan Tirmidhi, Vol. 5, Page 622, Hadith 3789 | Mustadrak al-Hakim, Vol. 3, Page 162, Hadith 4716 | Tabarani in Al-Kabir, Vol. 3, Page 46, Hadith 2638 | Bayhaqi in Shau'ab al-Iman, Vol. 2, Page 13, Hadith 1378]

The reason and causes of love have been described in this hadith. Love of Allah should be because He is our Creator and Nourisher; Love for the Prophet should be because he is Allah's Prophet and Beloved and Love for the Prophet's family should be because it is his family.

♥ Tabarani and Haakim narrated from Ibn Abbaas that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
 

يا ابن عبد المطلب: اني سالت الله لكم تلاثاً ان يثبت قلوبكم وان يعلم جاهلكم ويهدي ضالكم وسالته ان يجعلكم جودآء نجدآء رحمآء فلو ان رجلاً صفن بين الركن والمقام فصلى وصام ثم مات وهو مبغض لاهل بيت محمد دخل النار
'O Children of Abdul Muttalib, I asked Allah three things for you; that He keeps your hearts steadfast (upon Islam); that He teaches the Deen to your ignorant and illiterate and guides your astray, and that He make you kind, generous and affectionate to one another. So if a man prays, standing between the Rukn and Maqaam, and fasts but dies with malice for the Household of Muhammad he has entered Hell.' [Tabarani in Al-Kabir, Vol. 11, Page 142, Hadith 11412 | Mustadrak al-Hakim, Vol. 3, Page 162, Hadith 4712]

♥ Tirmidhi, denoting it Hassan, and Haakim narrated from Zaid bin Arqam that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
 

إني تارك فيكم ما إن تمسكتم به لن تضلو بعدي: كتاب الله وعترتي أهل بيتي ولن يفترقا حتى يردا علي الحوض، فأنظروا كيف تخلفوني فيهما
'Verily I am leaving in you that to which if you firmly hold onto you will not go astray after me; The Book of Allah and my family the Ahl al-Bait. These two will not be separated until they meet me at the Fountain (of Kawthar), so look (take care) at how you deal with them after me.' [Sunan Tirmidhi, Vol. 5, Page 626, Hadith 3788 | Mustadrak al-Hakim, Vol. 3, Page 160, Hadith 4711]

Imam Torpashti Alaihir raHmah states that family here refers to the Prophet's Pure wives and very closest relatives. Holding onto them means loving and respecting them, acting upon their narrated ahadith and trusting and relying upon their statements. This is also the station of the Prophet's companions, it is important to love them, act upon their narrated ahadith and trust and rely upon their statements.  The Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam said 'My companions are like the stars, whichever of them you follow you will find guidance' (Mirqaat).

 

♥ Tabarani narrates from Ibn Abbas that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
 

بغض بني هاشم والانصار كفر وبغض العرب نفاق
'Malice for the Bani Haashim (migrants) and Ansaar is kufr (heresy) whilst malice for the Arabs is hypocrisy.' [Tabarani in Al-Kabir, Vol. 11, Page 118, Hadith 11312]

♥ Ibn Adee in Al-Kaleel narrates from Abu Sa'eed Khudri Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
 

من ابغضنا اهل البيت فهو منافق
'He is a hypocrite who has malice for our Ahl al-Bait.' [Jawahir al-Aqdain, Vol. 2, Page 25]

Imam Samhoodi narrates this in Jawaahir ul Aqdain and related it to the musnad of Imam Delmi and reported that Sayyiduna Jaabir stated 'We would recognise the hypocrites by their malice for Sayyiduna Ali'. This has been narrated by Imam Tirmidhi and Ahmad with his sanad.

♥ Tabarani narrates from Imam Hasan bin Ali that he said to Muaawiyya bin Khudayj:
 

يا معاوية بن خديج اياك وبغضنا فان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: لا يبغضنا احد ولا يحسدنا احد الا زيل يوم القيامة عن الحوض بسياط من نار
'O Muaawiya Ibn Khudayj guard yourself from having malice for us because undoubtedly the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said 'No one has malice for us and no one is envious of us except on the day of Qiyaamah he will be kept away from the fountain by whips of fire.' [Tabarani in Al-Kabir, Vol. 3, Page 81, Hadith 2726 and Al-Awsat, Vol 3. Page 203, Hadith 4426]

 
♥ Ibn Adee and Bayhaqi, in Shau'ab ul Imaan, narrated from Sayyiduna Ali the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said

 

من لم يعرف حق عترتي والانصار فهو لاحدى ثلاث اما منافق واما لدينه واما لغير طهرو يعني حملته امه على غير طهر
'Whosoever did not recognise the right of my family and Ansaar is one of three; either a hypocrite, born illegitimate or conceived by his mother whilst she was impure.' [Ibn Adee in Al-Kaamil, Vol. 3, Page 106 | Shau'ab al-Iman, Vol. 2, Page 232, Hadith 1614, Daylami in Al-Firdaws, Vol. 3, Page 662, Hadith 5955]

♥ Tabarani in Awsat narrates from Hassan bin Ali that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said

 

الزموا مودتنا أهل البيت فانه من لقي الله وهو يودنا دخل الجنة بشفاعتنا والذي نفسى بيده لا ينفع عبداً عمل عمله الا بمعرفة حقنا
'Make the love of our Ahl al-Bait compulsory for whoever meets Allah having love for us shall enter paradise with our intercession and By He in whose Hand is my life no deed will benefit a servant except by recognizing our right.' [Tabarani in Al-Awsat, Vol. 3, Page 122, Hadith 2251 | Al-Shifa, Vol. 2, Page 48]

 

♥ Ibn Shayba and Musadad in their respective Musnads; Hakeem Tirmidhi in 'Nawaadir Al Usool', Abu Ya'laa and Tabarani narrated from Salama bin Aku' that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
 

الندم أمان لأهل السماء وأهل بيتي أمان لأمتي
'The stars are the refuge for the people of the Heavans and my Ahl al-Bait is the refuge for my Ummah.' [Ibn Hajar in Matalib al-Aaliya, Vol. 4, Page 262, Hadith 3972 | Tabarani in Al-Kabir, Vol. 7, Page 22, Hadith 6260 | Kanz al-Ummal, Vol. 12, Page 101]

♥ Tabarani narrates from Abu Dhar, who said: I heard the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam say:
 

مثل أهل بيتي فيكم كمثل سفينة نوح في قوم نوح من ركبها نجا ومن تخلف عنها هلك ومثل باب حطة في بني اسرائيل
'The example of my Ahl al-Bait within you is the example of the Ark of Nuh within the nation of Nuh; whoever boarded it was saved and whoever stayed behind was destroyed. It is also the example of the 'Hitha' of the Bani Isra'eel.' [Tabarani in Al-Awsat, Vol. 4, Page 283, Hadith 3506 | Mustadrak al-Hakim, Vol. 2, Page 427, Hadith 3312]

The Hitha is mentioned in Surah Baqarah. The Bani Israil were ordered to enter through the door of Bait al-Muqaddas proclaiming Hitha, meaning Oh Allah, forgive our sins. But instead of reciting Hitha some of them proclaimed 'Hinta' and so Allah destroyed those who proclaimed that. The relevance of this example is that the one who loves the Ahl al-Bait is (saved like those) proclaiming Hitha whilst those who do not will be destroyed like those proclaiming 'Hinta'.

♥ Tabarani narrates from Ibn Abbas that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
 

لا تزول قدما عبد حتى يسأل عن أربع عن عمره فيم أفناه وعن جسده فيم أبلاه وعن ماله فيم أنفقه ومن ابن اكتسبه وعن محبتنا أهل البيت
'On the day of Judgement the feet of the servant will not move from the grave until he is asked about four matters; His age, the matters in which he spent it; His body, how he expended it's strength; His wealth, where he spent and how he earned it and about the love of the Ahl al-Bait.' [Tabarani in Al-Kabir, Vol. 11, Page 83, Hadith 11177 | Haytami in Majma' al-Zawa'id, Vol. 10, Page 346]

♥ Ibn Najjaar in his 'Taarikh' narrates from Hasan bin Ali that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
 

لكل شيء أساس وأساس الإسلام حب أصحاب رسول الله وحب أهل بيته
'Everything has a base and the base of Islam is the love of the Prophet's companions and love of his Ahl al-Bait.' [Jami' al-Ahadith, Vol. 3, Page 457, Hadith 9778 | Kanz al-Ummal, Vol. 11, Page 2319, Hadith 32523 | Al-Musannaf]

♥ Tabarani in Al-Awsat narrates from Sayyiduna Jaabir who heard Sayyiduna Umar saying at the time of his marriage to Sayyiduna Ali's daughter (Sayyida Umm Kulthoom):
 

إلا تهنئوني سمعت رسول الله صلى الله علي وسلم يقول: ينقطع يوم القيامة كل سبب ونسب إلا سببي ونسبي
'Do you not congratulate me! I heard the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam say 'On the Day of Qiyaamah all Sabab (relations through marriage) and Nasab (relations by blood) will break except my Sabab and Nasab.' [Tabarani in Al-Awsat, Vol. 6, Page 282, Hadith 5602 | Bayhaqi in Sunan al-Kubra, Vol. 7, Page 107, Hadith 13393]

♥ Daylami narrates from Sayyiduna Ali Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
 

أدبوا أولادكم على ثلاث خصال حب نبيكم وحب أهل بيته وعلى قراءة القرآن فان حملة القرآن في ظل الله يوم لا ظل إلا ظله مع أنبيائه وأصفيائه
'Teach your children three things; Love of your Prophet; Love of his Ahl al-Bait and the recitation of the Quran. Verily the learned of the Quran will be with the Prophets and the pious (Awliyaa) in the shade of Allah's mercy on the day (of Qiyaamah) when there will be no shade but His.' [Kanz al-Ummal, Vol. 16, Page 456, Hadith 45409 | Kash al-Khifa, Vol. 11, Page 74, Hadith 34157]

The learned of the Quran are those of Correct Aqeedah (belief) who sought the knowledge of the Quran and taught it to others and also includes all those who helped them in this.

♥ Daylami narrates from Sayyiduna Ali Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
 

أثبتكم على الصراط أشدكم حباً لأهل بيتي وأصحابي
'The most steadfast of you on the Bridge (on the day of Qiyaamah) will be the one with the most love for my Ahl al-Bait and my companions.' [Ibn Adee in Al-Kaamil, Vol. 2, Page 2304 | Kanz al-Ummal, Vol. 12, Page 96, Hadith 34157]

This hadith proves that the most steadfast on the bridge will be the one who combines in his heart the love of the Ahl al-Bait and the love of the Prophet's Noble Companions. Praise be to Allah, this characteristic belongs to the Ahl as-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah.

♥ Daylmi narrates from Sayyiduna Abu Sa'eed that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
 

اشتد غضب الله على من آذاني في عترتي
'Allah's most severe wrath (punishment) will be upon the one who pains me regarding my family.' [Kanz al-Ummal, Vol. 12, Page 93, Hadith 34143]

Based on this hadith the corrupt Yazeed and his aids, Ubaidullah bin Ziyaad, Shimar etc, who martyred and tormented Sayyiduna Imam Hussayn and the leading lights of his family, are worthy of Allah's wrath'. In Zakhair ul 'Uqba, Page 83 Imam Tabarani narrates from Sayyiduna Ali 'Allah's most severe wrath, the wrath of the Prophet and the wrath of the Angels is upon the one who shed the blood of the Prophet and pained him over his household'

♥ Ibn Asakir narrates from Sayyiduna Ali that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
 

من صنع إلى احد من أهل بيتي يداً كافأته يوم القيامة
'Whoever does a good to one of my Ahl ul Bait (pure wives and respected children) I will return the favour on the day of Qiyaamah.' [Kanz al-Ummal, Vol. 12, Page 95, Hadith 34152]

♥ Tabrani narrates from Sayyiduna Umar that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
 

كل بني أنثى فان عصبتهم لأبيهم ما خلا ولد فاطمة فاني عصبتهم فانا أبوهم
'The Asba' (tribe) of all the children of women is from the father except the children of Fatima because I am their Asba (tribe) for I am their father.' [Tabarani in Al-Kabir, Vol. 3, Page 44, Hadith 6631 | Haytami in Majma' al-Zawa'id, Vol. 4, Page 224]

 

♥ Daylmi narrates from Sayyiduna Abu Sa'eed that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
 

أهل بيتي والأنصار كٌرشي وعيبتي وصحابي وموضع مسرتي وأمانتي فاقبلوا من محسنهم وتجاوزوا عن مسيئهم
'My Ahl ul Bait and the Ansaar are my wealth, my body, my household and my family, the locus of my happiness and my trust. So accept the good deeds of their good and overlook the mistakes of any of them (not from the Hudood of Allah).' [Daylami in Al-Firdaws, Vol. 1, Page 407, Hadith 1645]

♥ Haakim, in his Taarkh, and Daylami narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Sa'eed that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
 

ثلاث من حفظهن حفظ الله له دينه ودنياه ومن ضيعهن لم يحفظ الله له شيئاً حرمة الإسلام وحرمتي وحرمة رحمي
'Whoever safeguards three matters Allah will safeguard his Deen and Duniya and whoever loses them Allah will not protect anything for him; the sanctity (not openly opposing) of Islam (its commandments); my sanctity and the sanctity of my (muslim) relatives.' [Tabarani in Al-Kabir, Vol. 3, Page 162, Hadith 2881 and Al-Awsat, Vol 1. Page 126, Hadith 205]

♥ Ibn Hibban, in his sahih, and Haakim narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Sa'eed Khudri that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
 

والذي نفسي بيده لا يبغضنا اهل البيت رجل الا ادخله الله النار
'By He in whose Hand is my Life no man will have malice for my Ahl ul Bait except that Allah will put him in Hell.' [Mustadrak al-Hakim, Vol. 3, Page 126, Hadith 4717 | Sahih Ibn Hibban, Vol. 15, Page 435, Hadith 6978]

After mentioning this hadith Imam Haakim said that it is upon the conditions of Bukhari and Muslim but that they did not narrate it in their sahih.

♥ Daylami narrates from Sayyiduna Ali Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
 

أربعة أنالهم شفيع يوم القيامة المكرم لذريتي والقاضي لهم الحوائج والساعي لهم في أمورهم عند ما اضطروا إليه والمحب لهم بقلبه ولسانه
'I will intercede (specifically) for four people on the day of Judgement 'The one who respected my family; the one who fulfilled their needs; the one who ran and came to their aid when they were helpless and the one who loved them (my family) with (both) his heart and his tongue.' [Kanz al-Ummal, Vol. 12, Page 100, Hadith 34180 | Zakhair al-'Uqba, Page 50]

♥ Daylami narrates from Sayyiduna Ali Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
 

خير الناس العرب وخير العرب قريش وخير قريش بنو هاشم
'The best of the people are the Arabs; the best of the Arabs are the Quraysh and the best of the Quraysh are the Banu Hashim.' [Daylami in Al-Firdaws, Vol. 1, Page 178, Hadith 2892]

— Extracted from —
Ihya al-Mayyit bi Fadhai'l Ahl al-Bayt Alaihim ar-Ridwan
by Imam Abd ar-RaHman Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti Alaihir raHmah
Urdu: Mufti Gulam Sarwar Qadiri | English: Muhammad Sajid Younus

An Eye Opener

An Eye opener   They are not  aware about the advanced world.   Sitting on the grass mat, living an  isolated life…. All day he has to pick  garbage for his survival….. Care  for child  safetyduring  play!!!   No home to protect them  from the winter…. All that belongs to me is  my body.   Can't afford a pair of  shoes….   Nido milk is good for  children's health, but…. Study, play and work all in  one….. How do you see his  future…..   Living on the garbage  pile….   Do you see hope in these  eyes!!!!   Looking for  food… Not happy with your 2  Bedroom Apartment???   This is my home, my world, my  universe….       Where is my  lunch?? Don't  waste water, some people desperately need  it…   So what do you  think about yourself ?   We could have been in one of these pictures  isn't it. Of course we don't even wish to view so.   It is the pure mercy  of God we are in a status of reading this message. We do mostly keep thinking of  what we don't have or what we need to have.   Try to reach to those  who deserve to share your  blessings.

 

"Allahumma Maghfirli Ma Qaddamtu, Wa Ma Akkhartu, Wa Ma Asraftu, Wa Ma Aalantu, Wa Ma Asrartu, Wa Ma Anta A'alamu Bihi minni, Antal Mugaddimu, Wa Al-Mu'akkhiru LA ILAHA ILLA ANTA, SUBHAANAK"

 

 

*Duniya is for Test, Aakhirat is for rest, Life is only best when Quran is in our chests*

                                 *********AAP KI DUA'AOUN KA TALABGAR***********

Are the Saudi Wahhabi clergy waiting for an opportunity to destroy the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina?- by Ali Ta

Are the Saudi Wahhabi clergy waiting for an opportunity to destroy the Prophet's Mosque in Medina?- by Ali Taj

This is a mini documentary which shows a the systematic destruction of the holy and historic sites of the Muslim world in Mecca and Medina.

Sami Alawi, the founder and former director of Mecca's Hajj Research Center and opponent of the destruction of Mecca's historic sites, estimates that over 300 antiquity sites in Mecca and Medina have already been destroyed, such as the house of the first caliph, Abu Bakr, which was levelled to make room for the Mecca Hilton Hotel. (According to Ivor McBurney, a spokesman for Hilton, "We saw the tremendous opportunities to tap into Saudi Arabia's religious tourism segment.) "It's not just our heritage, it's the evidence of the story of the Prophet," What can we say now? 'This parking lot was the first school of Islam'? 'There used to be a mountain here where Mohammed made a speech'? … What's the difference between history and legend?" "Evidence." Saudi authorities have authorized the destruction of hundreds of antiquities, such as an important eighteenth-century Ottoman fortress in Mecca that was razed to make way for the Abraj Al Bait Towers — a move the Turkish foreign minister condemned as "cultural genocide." An ancient house belonging to the Prophet Mohammed was recently razed to make room for a public toilet facility. An ancient mosque belonging to Abu Bakr has now been replaced by an ATM machine. And the sites of Mohammed's historic battles at Uhud and Badr have been paved to put up a parking lot. The remaining historical religious sites in Mecca can be counted on one hand and will likely not make it much past the next hajj, "It is incredible how little respect is paid to the house of God."

The government accelerated the tempo of destruction of the Islamic ancient sites during the course of the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait. the Saudi government capitalized on the concentration of the world attention on the Iraqi-Kuwait crises, thus decided to wipe out shrines and houses of the prophet, and his Companions. A pamphlet published by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, endorsed by Abdulaziz Al Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, and distributed at the Prophet's Mosque, where The Prophet Mohammed, Abu Bakr, and Omar bin Al Khattab are buried, reads, "The green dome shall be demolished and the three graves flattened in the Prophet's Mosque," This shocking sentiment was echoed in a speech by the late Muhammad ibn Al Uthaymeen, one of Saudi Arabia's most prominent Wahhabi clerics, who delivered sermons in Mecca's Grand Mosque for over 35 years: "We hope one day we'll be able to destroy the green dome of the Prophet Mohammed," he said, in a recording. Writing in response to the article, Prince Turki al-Faisal said that Saudi Arabia was spending more than $19bn (£11bn) preserving and maintaining these two holy sites. "[We are aware] how important the preservation of this heritage is, not just to us but to the millions of Muslims from around the world who visit the two holy mosques every year. It is hardly something we are going to allow to be destroyed." Today there are no fewer than 20 structures remaining in Mecca that date back to the time of the Prophet 1400 years ago. The litany of this lost history includes the house of Khadijah, the wife of the Prophet, demolished to make way for public lavatories; the house of Abu Bakr, the Prophet's companion, now the site of the local Hilton hotel; the house of Ali-Oraid, the grandson of the Prophet, and the Mosque of abu-Qubais, now the location of the King's palace in Mecca.

The documentary talks about a pamphlet circulated to pilgrims at the Masjid e Nabwi which promotes the idea of demolishing the mosque of Prophet Mohammed pubh. This ridiculous and sacrilegious idea has its roots in Wahhabi ideology. Their scholars (read hate mongers or vandals) cherry pick weak hadeeth to justify their passion to destroy all historical proof of Islam, so that in time Islam can also become a mythological religion like some other religions that do not have the archaeological, documentary and historic strength of Islam.

The  Saudi/Wahhabis took over Hijaz after destroying the last Islamic Caliphate in 1925 they were highly resented by the rest of Islamic world especially the Deobandis and Brelvis. In fact the Saudi Wahhabis made a pact with the Muslims of India (who supported the Khilafat movement for restoration of the last Caliphate of Islam). The pact clearly spelled out that the holy places of Mecca and Medina belonged to all Muslims. The Saudis will hand them over to the control of the holy places to united body of all Muslims.

They also "expressed grave concerns over the false propaganda run by Urdu Media to show the Imam as most revered personality of Islamic world". They even demanded the Mecca Imam for a clarification on the treaty made between Indian Muslim leaders and the Saudi Kingdon in 1925 in which king Abdul Azeez (Ibn Saud) had promised to hand over Mecca, Medina and other cities of Hijaj under the custodianship of a united body of world Muslim leaders after the establishment of peace in the region but the treaty has so far not been followed. They also asked the Imam to convey this message of Indian Muslims to Saudi king Abdullah.

However, slowly they have poisoned pilgrims bombarding with gifts of propaganda pamphlets that are gradually but surely demonizing the Islamic world. This is what we call extremism (which is a nursery for terrorism), another word for it maybe Saudization. No pilgrim is allowed to bring any literature into Saudi Arabia yet they are given hateful Pamphlets about destruction of the very sites they are visiting. These traitors to the last Islamic Caliphate, supporters of the British and co founders of Israeli State are not short on strategy and hypocrisy.

The reason why it has not been demolished

The scholars have explained the shar'i rulings concerning the building of this dome and its obvious effects on the followers of bid'ah' who have developed an attachment to this structure and its colour, and they praise and venerate it a great deal in their poetry and writings. Now it is up to the authorities to implement these fatwas, and this is nothing to do with the scholars.

The reason why it is not demolished is so as to ward off fitnah and for fear that it may lead to chaos among the ordinary people and the ignorant. Unfortunately the ordinary people have only reached this level of veneration towards this dome because of the leadership of misguided scholars and imams of innovation. They are the ones who incite the ordinary people against the land of the Two Holy Sanctuaries and its 'aqeedah and its manhaj. They are very upset about many actions that are in accordance with sharee'ah in our view and contrary to innovation in their view.

The above excerpt shows their strategy is the same as it was in 1925. The will befriend the Deobandis and Brelvis and gradually win them over to their side (they have been successful in Pakistan with the help of Dictator General Zia ul Haq). Just like the reneged on their pact with the Muslims of India in 1925 they will mislead and look for an opportunity to destroy Masjid e Nabwi – WAKE UP AND BRING LIBERATE AND SAVE THE HOLY CITIES FORM IMMINENT DESTRUCTION.

Saudis Plan to Raze the Harem of Prophet Mohammed PUBH – by Ali Taj

Alarming news stories in Russian and English papers while the Muslim world keeps quiet about sacrilegious attacks on Islamic heritage. People of all faiths should unite and and demand a new approach to management of the Holy Mecca and Medina. This is not at all unexpected, Saudi Wahhabi Fatwas openly call for destruction of Islamic history.  The goal of Saudi Monarchy is no different than the Abbasids or Omayyads  more power to the King as Caliph of the Muslim world. To achieve this the extreme ideology must be spread and the tolerant history destroyed.

An "idealistic" approach to redefining custodianship of the holy lands

The custodianship of the holy lands in Mecca and Medina can be taken from the hands of the al-Saud clan and their Wahhabi clergy class and instead a new custodianship can be defined. But this will require a world-wide campaign from Muslims belonging to every Islamic school of thought and every country and region in the world. This in itself is a rather "idealistic" approach and may have a lot of "show-stoppers". But nevertheless a new custodianship can be defined on the basis of following guidelines:

• As a starting point, the al-Saud family may stay in power and control the whole country save Mecca and Medina.
• All the affairs of the holy places in Mecca and Medina shall be governed under the control and supervision of an international governing body similar to OIC consisting of representatives of all the Muslim countries (and Islamic schools of thought) and countries like India, Russia, USA and EU that have considerable Muslim populations.
• The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia shall have its members included in the international body to facilitate the  organisation of the holy lands and may get some extra revenue for that.
• All the revenue, profit and expenditure related to the pilgrimage  will be managed by the governing body.
• The governing body shall have a panel of ulema (clergymen) representing all the Islamic schools of thoughts and it will make sure that no specific ideology is imposed on any local or guest pilgrim.
• There shall be rotating president-ship of the governing body, just like the EU model, so that every country with Islam as the state religion can become its president for a specific period of time. The members of USA, EU, Russia, India etc may be accommodated in other positions like vice-president etc.
• All the congregational prayers in the holy sites shall be led by clergymen of different Islamic schools of thought on a weekly-rotating basis.
• The Saudi government will process the visa applications and collect all the revenue related to it. But the fees will be reduced to a reasonable level.
• The Saudi government will be paid for all the expenditures coming from its own budget.

The above guidelines, no matter how "idealistic" they may sound, can give a hope to more than a billion Muslims around the world that one day the holy sites in Mecca and Medina may belong to all the Muslims and not only to a wicked monarchy relying on the support of the clergymen following the  "literalist" Wahhabi ideology. The purpose of the above guidelines is to spark a discussion and debate. One can only hope that some time in the future the holy lands of Mecca and Medina will become safe, welcoming, open and accommodating for every Saudi and non-Saudi Muslim.

Saudi Arabia to raze Prophet Mohammed's tomb to build larger mosque

Religion, History, Saudi Arabia

Courtyard of the Prophet Mohammed Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Medina (AFP Photo / Mahmud Hams)

The key Islamic heritage site, including Prophet Mohammed's shrine, is to be bulldozed, as Saudi Arabia plans a $ 6 billion expansion of Medina's holy Masjid an-Nabawi Mosque. However, Muslims remain silent on the possible destruction.

Work on the Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina, is planned to start as soon as the annual Hajj pilgrimage comes to a close at the end of November.

After the reconstruction, the mosque is expected to become the world's largest building, with a capacity for 1.6 million people.

And while the need to expand does exist as more pilgrims are flocking to holy sites every year, nothing has been said on how the project will affect the surroundings of the mosque, also historic sites.

Concerns are growing that the expansion of Masjid an-Nabawi will come at the price of three of the world's oldest mosques nearby, which hold the tombs of Prophet Mohammed and two of his closest companions, Abu Bakr and Umar. The expansion project which will cost 25 billion SAR (more than US $6 billion) reportedly requires razing holy sites, as old as the seventh century.

The Saudis insist that colossal expansion of both Mecca and Medina is essential to make a way for the growing numbers of pilgrims. Both Mecca and Medina host 12 million visiting pilgrims each year and this number is expected to increase to 17 million by 2025.

Authorities and hotel developers are working hard to keep pace, however, the expansions have cost the oldest cities their historical surroundings as sky scrapers, luxury hotels and shopping malls are being erected amongst Islamic heritage.

A room in a hotel or apartment in a historic area may cost up to $ 500 per night. And that's all in or near Mecca, a place where the Prophet Mohammed insisted all Muslims would be equal.

"They just want to make a lot of money from the super-rich elite pilgrims, but for the poor pilgrims it is getting very expensive and they cannot afford it,"Dr. Irfan Al Alawi of the Islamic Heritage Research Foundation, told RT.

A general view of the Prophet Mohammed Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Medina (AFP Photo / Mahmud Hams)

Jabal Omar complex – a 40 tower ensemble – is being depicted as a new pearl of Mecca. When complete, it will consist of six five star hotels, seven 39 storey residential towers offering 520 restaurants, 4, 360 commercial and retail shops.

But to build this tourist attraction the Saudi authorities destroyed the Ottoman era Ajyad Fortress and the hill it stood on.

The Washington-based Gulf Institute estimated that 95 percent of sacred sites and shrines in the two cities have been destroyed in the past twenty years.

The Prophet's birthplace was turned into a library and the house of his first wife, Khadijah, was replaced with a public toilet block.

Also the expansion and development might threaten many locals homes, but so far most Muslims have remained silent on the issue.

"Mecca is a holy sanctuary as stated in the Quran it is no ordinary city. The Muslims remain silent against the Saudi Wahhabi destruction because they fear they will not be allowed to visit the Kindom again," said Dr. Al Alawi.

The fact that there is no reaction on possible destruction has raised talks about hypocrisy because Muslims are turning a blind eye to that their faith people are going to ruin sacred sites.

"Some of the Sunni channels based in the United Kingdom are influenced by Saudi petro dollars and dare not to speak against the destruction, but yet are one of the first to condemn the movie made by non Muslims," Dr. Al Alawi said.

Muslim pilgrims walk in the courtyard of the Prophet Mohammed Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Medina (AFP Photo / Mahmud Hams)

Source: saudi-arabia-prophet-mosque-615

Medina: Saudis take a bulldozer to Islam's history

Authorities are building a mosque so big it will hold 1.6m people – but are demolishing irreplaceable monuments to do it

JEROME TAYLOR 

FRIDAY 26 OCTOBER 2012

Three of the world's oldest mosques are about to be destroyed as Saudi Arabia embarks on a multi-billion-pound expansion of Islam's second holiest site. Work on the Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina, where the Prophet Mohamed is buried, will start once the annual Hajj pilgrimage ends next month. When complete, the development will turn the mosque into the world's largest building, with the capacity for 1.6 million worshippers.

But concerns have been raised that the development will see key historic sites bulldozed. Anger is already growing at the kingdom's apparent disdain for preserving the historical and archaeological heritage of the country's holiest city, Mecca.  Most of the expansion of Masjid an-Nabawi will take place to the west of the existing mosque, which holds the tombs of Islam's founder and two of his closest companions, Abu Bakr and Umar.

Just outside the western walls of the current compound are mosques dedicated to Abu Bakr and Umar, as well as the Masjid Ghamama, built to mark the spot where the Prophet is thought to have given his first prayers for the Eid festival. The Saudis have announced no plans to preserve or move the three mosques, which have existed since the seventh century and are covered by Ottoman-era structures, or to commission archaeological digs before they are pulled down, something that has caused considerable concern among the few academics who are willing to speak out in the deeply authoritarian kingdom.

"No one denies that Medina is in need of expansion, but it's the way the authorities are going about it which is so worrying," says Dr Irfan al-Alawi of the Islamic Heritage Research Foundation. "There are ways they could expand which would either avoid or preserve the ancient Islamic sites but instead they want to knock it all down." Dr Alawi has spent much of the past 10 years trying to highlight the destruction of early Islamic sites.

With cheap air travel and booming middle classes in populous Muslim countries within the developing world, both Mecca and Medina are struggling to cope with the 12 million pilgrims who visit each year – a number expected to grow to 17 million by 2025. The Saudi monarchy views itself as the sole authority to decide what should happen to the cradle of Islam. Although it has earmarked billions for an enormous expansion of both Mecca and Medina, it also sees the holy cities as lucrative for a country almost entirely reliant on its finite oil wealth.

Heritage campaigners and many locals have looked on aghast as the historic sections of Mecca and Medina have been bulldozed to make way for gleaming shopping malls, luxury hotels and enormous skyscrapers. The Washington-based Gulf Institute estimates that 95 per cent of the 1,000-year-old buildings in the two cities have been destroyed in the past 20 years.

In Mecca, the Masjid al-Haram, the holiest site in Islam and a place where all Muslims are supposed to be equal, is now overshadowed by the Jabal Omar complex, a development of skyscraper apartments, hotels and an enormous clock tower. To build it, the Saudi authorities destroyed the Ottoman era Ajyad Fortress and the hill it stood on. Other historic sites lost include the Prophet's birthplace – now a library – and the house of his first wife, Khadijah, which was replaced with a public toilet block.

Neither the Saudi Embassy in London nor the Ministry for Foreign Affairs responded to requests for comment when The Independent contacted them this week. But the government has previously defended its expansion plans for the two holy cities as necessary. It insists it has also built large numbers of budget hotels for poorer pilgrims, though critics point out these are routinely placed many miles away from the holy sites.

Until recently, redevelopment in Medina has pressed ahead at a slightly less frenetic pace than in Mecca, although a number of early Islamic sites have still been lost. Of the seven ancient mosques built to commemorate the Battle of the Trench – a key moment in the development of Islam – only two remain. Ten years ago, a mosque which belonged to the Prophet's grandson was dynamited. Pictures of the demolition that were secretly taken and smuggled out of the kingdom showed the religious police celebrating as the building collapsed.

The disregard for Islam's early history is partly explained by the regime's adoption of Wahabism, an austere and uncompromising interpretation of Islam that is vehemently opposed to anything which might encourage Muslims towards idol worship.

In most of the Muslim world, shrines have been built. Visits to graves are also commonplace. But Wahabism views such practices with disdain. The religious police go to enormous lengths to discourage people from praying at or visiting places closely connected to the time of the Prophet while powerful clerics work behind the scenes to promote the destruction of historic sites.

Dr Alawi fears that the redevelopment of the Masjid an-Nabawi is part of a wider drive to shift focus away from the place where Mohamed is buried. The spot that marks the Prophet's tomb is covered by a famous green dome and forms the centrepiece of the current mosque. But under the new plans, it will become the east wing of a building eight times its current size with a new pulpit. There are also plans to demolish the prayer niche at the centre of mosque. The area forms part of the Riyadh al-Jannah (Garden of Paradise), a section of the mosque that the Prophet decreed especially holy..

"Their excuse is they want to make more room and create 20 spaces in a mosque that will eventually hold 1.6 million," says Dr Alawi. "It makes no sense. What they really want is to move the focus away from where the Prophet is buried."

A pamphlet published in 2007 by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs – and endorsed by the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz al Sheikh – called for the dome to be demolished and the graves of Mohamed, Abu Bakr and Umar to be flattened. Sheikh Ibn al-Uthaymeen, one of the 20th century's most prolific Wahabi scholars, made similar demands.

"Muslim silence over the destruction of Mecca and Medina is both disastrous and hypocritical," says Dr Alawi. "The recent movie about the Prophet Mohamed caused worldwide protests… and yet the destruction of the Prophet's birthplace, where he prayed and founded Islam has been allowed to continue without any criticism."

Mecca and Medina in numbers

12m The number of people who visit Mecca and Medina every year

3.4m The number of Muslims expected to perform Hajj (pilgrimage) this year

60,000 The current capacity of the Masjid an-Nabawi mosque

1.6m The projected capacity of the mosque after expansion

Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/medina-saudis-take-a-bulldozer-to-islams-history-8228795.html