ISLAMIC HERITAGE - WHERE IS IT NOW?

The following article was taken fr the Muslim Professionals UK's Forum which was posted 4 yrs ago. Since many Muslim friends have not read it or even aware of what's happening in the Haramain, I therefore take the liberty to copy and post the article here. The various modern developments are still ongoing. As Muslims, we must take heed of developments that might affect our faith eventhough outwardly they may look impressive and justifiable. I implore you to carefully reflect on this issue and the implications that might accrue as a result of these so-called progress. Somewhere in the Quran (my apologies tho cuz I cant't recall right now as to which verse that was), Allah mentioned ,"..I've given you the faculties of the mind, intelligence ...etc.. so use it!"

Islamic Heritage, where is it now? - 08-05-2004, 10:44 PM
By: Ather Hussain Al-Azhari

By the grace of Allah (S.W.T), I was actually given the privilege to visit the holy cities of Makkah Muazzamah and Madina Munawwarah. A trip to Umra is always a special occasion, and a time to re-strengthen spiritual bonds with Allah (S.W.T) and His dear Prophet (saw). However, the trip was partially scarred by the Saudi Government and their persistent efforts to mould the two shrines to suit their sectarian, anti-Sunni beliefs.

The Wahabi Government of Saudi Arabia is slowly eroding the rich Islamic heritage of the area in the name of Shirk and polytheism. Little do they know that denial and disrespect for your ancestors and for your past, is as if sowing the seeds of your destruction for the future.

One of the most startling changes made was to the blessed golden door of the grave of the Prophet (saw), Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddique (R.A) and Hadhrat Umar (R.A). The original door had the words 'Ya-Allah' and 'Ya-Rasool Allah' inscribed on it - the work of the Turks when they were custodians of the sacred mosque. The Saudis omitted the 'Ya' attached to the Prophet (saw)'s name. More recently, they have completely omitted the Prophet (saw)'s name and replaced it with 'Majid', one of Allah (S.W.T)'s names.

There is nothing wrong with writing Allah (S.W.T)'s name anywhere in a mosque, but this act calls for attention. They could have written any one of Allah (S.W.T)'s names, but they chose to write the one that closely matches the Prophet (saw)'s name 'Muhammad' in Arabic. Quite cunningly, and deceitfully, they simply omitted the second 'meem' of Muhammad and turned it into a 'ye' so it reads 'Majid'. It seems quite ironic that it is the Prophet (saw)'s blessed resting place, and yet his name is nowhere in sight. Allah (S.W.T)'s name is written on the door, but it is not His house, for Allah (the Glorified) is free from any place.

I asked a local Saudi about this, and he told me, quite assured me, that it was to quash any confusion among Muslims. He said that we worship Allah (S.W.T) alone, and having the Prophet (saw)'s name would equate shirk. I replied that no one worships the Prophet (saw) but Allah (S.W.T) alone. We are merely seeking Tawassul, sending salutations and blessings on the Prophet (saw) and with the blessing of this holy place, praying to Allah (S.W.T) to forgive our sins.

What adds insult to injury is the fact that King Fahd's name is present everywhere. A large plaque outside the mosque has his name written on it in a beautiful Arabic font. I asked the Saudi why the Prophet (saw)'s was deleted because it amounts to shirk, but it was perfectly acceptable to have the king's name everywhere in both Makkah Muazzamah and Madinah Munawwarah. For instance, the sacred door of the Holy Ka'aba is a place where devout Muslims pray to Allah (S.W.T) and humbly weep for forgiveness. Up above on the door, the king's name is handsomely inscribed in golden writing. The Saudi foolishly replied that to have the king's name was different, because it was just to inform the people that he built the mosques. King Fahd nor any of his family built the Ka'aba; Hadhrat Ibraheem (A.S) and those after him did. Nor did King Fahd build the mosque in Madinah Munawwarah; My dear Prophet (saw) and his Companions (ra) did.

The recent extension to the Prophet (saw)'s mosque has been not just to increase capacity, but to unfortunately increase disrespect to the Holy Prophet (saw). The original mosque had plaques with Allah (S.W.T)'s and Rasool Allah (saw)'s name on the roof. Now they have Allah (S.W.T)'s name only. Our Prophet D has informed us that in Paradise his name is written on the Arsh (throne)1. In countless verses in the Holy Qur’an, Allah (S.W.T) couples His mention with that of the Prophet (saw). Whose Sunnah are the Saudis following by writing just Allah (S.W.T)'s name?

The Prophet D's mosque in Madinah Munawwarah is a magnificent palace, and an appropriate abode for the Prophet (saw). Each of the ten towering minarets are illuminated brightly, and are clearly visible from outside the city. However, the green dome is not lit for some odd reason. When I pointed this out to my Shaikh, he replied that the Green Dome does not need any artificial light. It generates its own Nur which enlightens the hearts of the lovers of the dear Prophet (saw).

A Muslim visiting Saudi Arabia hoping to see the rich Islamic heritage of the Holy Land will be somewhat disappointed. The Saudis have demolished it! The exact birthplace of the Prophet (saw) is now a library. There is no clue whatsoever to suggest that this was the place where he was born. The only way a person can know this is through hearsay.

The cave Hira is a unique focus point in Islam, since it was the sacred place where the Prophet (saw) used to meditate in solitude before Prophethood, and because it was the place where Jibra'eel (A.S) brought the first revelation from Allah (S.W.T). However, the Saudis have erected a massive billboard at the foot of the mountain telling the people not to climb the mountain or do du'a etc. This propaganda is baseless and misleading. For instance, the mountains of Safa and Marwa became the signs of Allah (S.W.T) because Hadhrat Ismaeel (A.S)'s mother ran between them.

“Behold! Safa and Marwa are among the Symbols of Allah. So if those who visit the house in the season or at other times should compass them round; there is no sin in them. And if anyone obeys his own impulse to good, be sure that Allah is He Who recognises and knows.
(Holy Qur’an - 2:158)

Surely the cave Hira is a sign of Allah (S.W.T) too, since it was where the Holy Qur’an's first verses were revealed and our dear Prophet (saw) used to pray to Allah Almighty.

The Holy Qur’an tells us the story of Hadhrat Maryam (S.A) and how she prayed to Allah (S.W.T) in her mehrab (place of worship).

“Right graciously did her Lord accept her: He made her grow in purity and beauty; to the care of Zakariya was she assigned. Every time that he entered (her) chamber to see her he found her supplied with sustenance. He said: "O Mary! whence (comes) this to you?" She said: "From Allah: for Allah provides sustenance to whom He pleases without measure."

“There did Zakariya pray to his Lord saying: "O my Lord! grant me from You a progeny that is pure; for You are He that hears (the) prayer!"

“While he was standing in prayer in the chamber the angels called him: "Allah gives you glad tidings of Yahya witnessing the truth of a Word from Allah and (be besides) noble chaste and a Prophet of the (goodly) company of the righteous."

“He said: "O my Lord! how shall I have a son seeing I am very old and my wife is barren?" "Thus" was the answer “Allah accomplish what He wills."
(Holy Qur’an - 3:37-40)

Hadhrat Zakariah (A.S) used to look after her, and every time he entered the mehrab, he would find Maryam (S.A) with different fruits. The fruits themselves were out of season, so that added to Hadhrat Zakariah (A.S)'s curiosity. He asked her about where she got the fruits from. She replied, as the Holy Qur’an says: "That is from Allah, Allah gives whomsoever He pleases without measure." (Holy Qur’an - 3:37)

Hadhrat Zakariah (R.A) then prayed to Allah (S.W.T) in this same mehrab, because he believed it to be a sacred place, and where the Mercies of Allah (S.W.T) descended. He prayed for a child, and as a result of this blessed place Allah bestowed him Hadhrat Yahya (A.S).

During my conversation with the local Saudi, he learnt that I had studied in Al-Azhar University, Egypt. He told me that Muslims of Egypt and the rest of the Middle East were 'Mutasawwefeens' and that the people of the Arab peninsula were 'Salfis'. I asked him whether he therefore thought that all previous Muslims before the appearance of the Salfis were wrong, including the great scholars like Imam Ghazali and Imam Jalaluddin Suyooti. He replied 'Kullohum allal Khata' - all of them were wrong. For them, Islam started in the previous century, with the appearance of Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahab. I pointed out that sufiism was the soul or 'Ruh' of Islam and that without it, Islam becomes a list of Do's and Don'ts, not dissimilar to communism. It becomes lifeless and a religion of the mosque only, not a religion for all times and all places. He dismissed my proposition quite staunchly.

I told him that they consider themselves to be reviving the Sunnah and destroying Bidah (innovation). But how could they claim to be doing this, when they have little or no respect for the bearer of the Sunnah, our dear Prophet (saw). The Saudi had no reply but simply attempted to say that they did have respect for the dear Prophet (saw).

It's a sad fact that I have seen more of Islam's rich heritage in Cairo, Jerusalem and Amman, than I have seen in Makkah Muazzamah and Madinah Munawwarah, despite the fact that they are considered the centre of Islam. Of course the heritage is there, but the Saudis have done all they can to conceal or annihilate it.

May Allah guide them to the right path and make them realise that respecting your past is the key to success in the future. Amin!


* Haakim, Ba'Haqqi and Tibrani, Abu Naeem, and Ibn Asaakir have all narrated a Hadith from Hadhrat Umar (R.A) that the dear Prophet (saw) said, "When Hadhrat Adam (A.S) committed the original sin he prayed to Allah 'In the name of Muhammad (saw), please forgive me'. Allah asked, 'And how do you know Muhammad (saw)?' Adam replied, 'Because when You created me with Your own hands, and blew Your Ruh into me, I looked up at the pillars of the Arsh (throne) and I saw 'La illaha illallah Muhammad ur Rasool Allah' written there. And I knew that you would not couple your name with anyone except the most beloved of Your creation.' Allah replied, 'O Adam, you are correct. For if it wasn't for Muhammad (saw) I would not have created you'." (p.28, Khasaa Ese Kubraa, Imam Jalaluddin Suyooti, Volume 1, Al Maktaba Al Qayemma)