Bismillahirrahmannirrahim,
Assalamualaikum Warrahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
Strange to some of you who seems to wonder what doest the 2 words mean.
the first one is what a Muslim says before he begins doing a task - or anything. It simply means,
In the name of God, most Gracious, most Compassionate".
while the second one means May Peace be unto you and so may the Mercy of Allah & His Blessings.
It is a common place greeting by any Muslim around the world.
While i wish to share with you more on the common place greets, however, my true purpose of writing today is to explain certain things which i feel very sensitive has to be put in perspective.
It is about Makkah Al Munawarrah or Masjidil Al Haram.
The centre of Islam - Muslims flock to this place annually during the pilgrimage OR any other time of the year for the umrah.
It is a place for one to seek solaee, guidance, shelter & forgiveness.
Much has been discussed about it - the conditions of Makkah, the rituals, the people we come across etc.
As Muslims, we abide by His Law that He has revealed in His Book. We follow what had been prescribed for us.
What happens in our life, is by our choice but it is His Will which generally direct us to the way that we should go - for if the intention is pure, one will be rewarded accordingly.
Now, an individual Muslim, regardless who he is or what he is or how bad he is or how good he is - is still an individual. He is a servant of God like any of us. Who are we, humans, to assume that, who is good enough to face the God Almighty?
He is accessible to us 24/7, on a personal relationship with us 5x a day and yet there are some of you out there still dare to pass judgemental remarks to an individual without considering the choice that happen was not by that individual alone? It could have been part of divine planning.
The sacred Mosque - Masjidil Haram, is forbidden to non-Muslims. This is revealed in the Al Quran:
'Oh you who believe! Truly the idolaters are unclean; so let them not, after this year, approach the Sacred Mosque....(9:28)'
However, due to the nature of the city which attracts overwhelming crowd, the ban has been extended to the two cities "Makkah in its entirety & Madina also in its entirety."
The only passport one needs to enter the city is to pronounce the article of faith - the 1st that is required of All Muslim - which is the syahadah.
Yes. One must be a Muslim to enter it.
Whatever the state of a Muslim he is in, is NOT for anyone to decide. If such is fated that he is given the honour to visit the Holy City in whatever condition he is in, so be it. We as fellow Muslim MUST be proud that our friend was given the honour to be there.
Dont be very judgemental my friends, you never know when it is your turn, when others mock at you the moment you decide to visit the Holy City itself.
May Allah give us His Blessings & let us be in the City One day. Insya Allah.
