کرسمس

 لفظ “ کرسمس “ پر کُشتی🤼‍♂️ جاری ہے 👇🏼

✒️ محمد اقبال،،،، یُو۔کے اسلامک مشن

۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔

تحقیق کرنے والے اس وقت تھوڑی زیادتی کر جاتے ہیں جب تحقیق کرنے میں ان کا اپنا ذوق، رجحان اور پسند نا پسند ان کی تحقیق میں شامل ہو جاتی ہے جس کی وجہ سے وہ تحقیق کو مولڈ / فولڈ کر دیتے ہیں ، یہی حال آج کل “ ہیپی کرسمس “ کے لفظ کے ساتھ ہو رہا ہے ۔ 

جیسے کہا جاتا ہے کہ لفظ “ کرائسٹ “ کا معنی تو ہے “  چنا ہوا مسیحا “ لیکن اس کا مطلب و مقصد یہی ہے کہ خدا کا بیٹا۔ 

او بھائی جب معنی “ چنا ہوا مسیحا “ ہے تو اس میں اپنا مقصد و مطلب زبردستی کیوں گھسیڑتے ہو ؟ خدا کا بیٹا ہونا یہ عیسائیوں کا عقیدہ ضرور ہے لیکن کرائسٹ کے لفظ میں یہ شامل نہیں ہے ۔ 

دنیا کی کسی ڈکشنری میں کرسمس کا معنی خدا نے بیٹا جنا ، نہیں ہے بلکہ اس کا معنی ہے “ عیسی کی پیدائش کی خوشی منانا” 

ورنہ تو پھر نبی کریم صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم کا ایک نام “ مصطفی “ ہے اس کا معنی بھی یہی ہے کہ “ چنا ہوا” تو کیا اس لفظ سے زبردستی خدا کا بیٹا ہونا نکالو گے ؟ نعوذ باللہ۔ 

1: عیسائی بھی اللہ کو مانتے ہیں اور ہم بھی اللہ کو مانتے ہیں ، وہ اللہ کو ایک نہیں مانتے لیکن ہم ایک ہی مانتے ہیں ، تو بھائی جس اللہ کو وہ ایک نہیں مانتے تم اس کو کیوں مانتے ہو ؟ ہم یہی کہتے ہیں کہ ان کا عقیدہ اپنا ہے اور ہمارا اپنا ، وہ کچھ اور مانتے ہیں لیکن ہم کچھ اور ، ان کا اپنا عقیدہ ہے ہمارا اپنا۔ 

2: ہم بھی انجیل کو اللہ کی کتاب مانتے ہیں حالانکہ عیسائیوں نے اسے تبدیل کر دیا ہے تو بھائی آپ اس انجیل کو کیوں مانتے ہو ؟ جواب یہی ہوتا ہے جس انجیل کو وہ مانتے ہیں اور جیسے وہ مانتے ہیں ہم ایسے نہیں مانتے ، ہمارا ماننا اپنے طریقے سے اور ان کا ماننا اپنے طریقے سے ۔ جی چلیں ٹھیک ہو گیا۔ ان کا اپنا عقیدہ ہمارا اپنا۔

وہ حضرت عیسی کو خدا یا خدا کا بیٹا مانتے ہیں تو پھر آپ حضرت عیسی کو کیوں مانتے ہیں ؟ نہیں بھائی وہ اپنے حساب سے مانتے ہیں اور ہم اپنے حساب سے ، ان کا اپنا عقیدہ ہے اور ہمارا اپنا ۔  

3: قران نے بتایا کہ “ بعل” ان کا خدا ( بت ) تھا جس کو وہ خدا کے مقابلے میں پوجتے تھے ( الیاس علیہ السلام کی قوم نے اس بت کی عبادت شروع کی اور عرب کے لوگوں میں یہ نام چلتا رہا ) 

یہی لفظ اور نام حضرت ابراہیم کی اہلیہ نے حضرت ابراہیم کے لئے استعمال کیا “   وَ هذا بَعْلی شَیْخاً” اور یہ میرا بعل تو بوڑھا ہو چکا ہے ( سورہ ہود ) تو کیا حضرت ابراہیم کی اہلیہ نے شرک کیا ؟ او نہیں بھائی مشرکین اس لفظ کو اپنے معنوں میں اپنے خدا کے لئے بولتے تھے لیکن اماں جی نے یہ لفظ اپنے معنی کے لحاظ سے استعمال کیا، وہی لفظ استعمال کر لینے سے شرک تھوڑی ہو جاتا ہے اپنا اپنا مفہوم، اپنا اپنا عقیدہ۔ جی ٹھیک ہے ہم نے مان لیا لیکن یہی بات “ ہیپی کرسمس “ کہنے میں کیوں نہیں مانتے ہو ؟ اس میں زبردستی دوسرا مفہوم کیوں داخل کر دیتے ہو ؟ جب Christ کا معنی عیسی ہے یا چنا ہوا ہے اور mass کا معنی سیلیبریشن ہے تو لفظ کرسمس میں زبردستی خدا کا بیٹا ہونا کیوں داخل کر دیتے ہو ؟ اگر عیسائیوں کا عقیدہ ہے کہ عیسی اللہ کا بیٹا ہے اور اسی معنی میں وہ یہ لفظ استعمال کرتے ہیں تو کرتے رہیں لیکن ہم تو اسے اپنے معنی “ اللہ کا بندہ / رسول کی برتھ کی سیلیبریشن “ کے لحاظ استعمال کرتے ہیں تو اس میں مسئلہ کیوں ہے ؟ 

یہ بات ذہن میں رہے کہ جہاں کسی پارٹی میں شراب، ڈانس یا بے حیائی وغیرہ ہو رہی ہو تو ہمیں ایسی کسی پارٹی کا حصہ بننے کی اجازت نہیں ہے اور نہ ہی یہ ضروری ہے کہ آپ ضرور ہی کسی کو ہیپی کرسمس کہیں ، بات صرف یہ ہے کہ اگر کسی کو کہنا پڑ جائے تو اس میں زبردستی شرک داخل نہیں ہو جاتا اور ایسا کہنے سے کوئی عقیدہ خراب نہیں ہوتا۔ 

# دعوت کے راستے بند نہ کریں ، اس سوسائٹی میں آگے بڑھنے کے لئے اور دلوں کو جیتنے کے لئے جتنے بھی جائز اور مثبت ذرائع ہو سکتے ہیں انہیں استعمال کریں اور خواہ مخواہ شکوک و شبہات کا شکار نہ ہوں۔ 

# جب نبی کریم صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم مکہ میں تھے تو وہاں آپ مشرکین کے ساتھ رہتے تھے کیا آپ ان کی غمی و خوشی میں شریک ہوتے تھے یا نہیں ؟ ظاہر ہے بالکل ہوتے تھے۔ 

جب آپ مدینہ میں آ گئے تو یہاں یہودیوں کے ساتھ رہتے تھے کیا آپ ان کے سوشل معاملات میں شامل ہوتے تھے یا نہیں ؟ بالکل ہوتے تھے، دعوتیں کھاتے تھے ان کی غمی خوشی میں شامل ہوتے تھے، یہی آپ کا سلوک عیسائیوں کے ساتھ تھا ، اپنی مسجد میں ان عیسائیوں کو جو عیسی کو اللہ کا بیٹا مانتے تھے اپنے طریقے/مذہب کے مطابق عبادت کرنے کی اجازت دی یا نہیں ؟ بالکل دی ، تو جس کی اجازت آپ نے دی وہ بڑا کام ہے یا ہیپی کرسمس کہنا بڑا ہے ؟ 

ایک عیسائی عورت جو عیسی کو اللہ کا بیٹا مانتی ہے اس کے ساتھ قران نے نکاح کی اجازت دی اس کو گھر لے آئیں اپنے بچوں کی ماں بنا لیں سب ٹھیک ہے لیکن ہیپی کرسمس کہنا جائز نہیں۔ عجیب منطق ہے۔ 

شریعت کو صاحبِ شریعت سے سمجھیں۔ 

محمد اقبال یوکے

کرسمس کی حقیقت

 یہ ایک حقیقت ہے کہ کرسمَس سردیوں کا تہوار ہے - کرسمَس ٹری ، سانٹاکلاز وغیرہ کا عیسی علیہ السلام کی پیدائش سے کوئی تعلق نہیں ہے -

میں بیت اللحم گئی ہوں اور الاقصی میں مریم علیہ السلام اور زکریا علیہ السلام کے حجرے بھی دیکھے ۔پھر وہ گرجا بھی، جہاں عیسائی عقیدے کے مطابق عیسی علیہ السلام مصلوب ہوئے۔۔

بہر کیف حقیقت جو بھی ہے ہم جو مغربی ممالک میں رہتے ہیں تو یہ انکا بڑا اور اہم تہوار ہے 

مجھے یاد ہے کہ پاکستان میں اسکو بڑادن کہا جاتاتھا -

میں اپنے جاننےوالوں کو عموما happy holidays کہتی ہوں لیکن Merry Christmas کہنے سے بھی الحمدللہ میرے ایمان میں کوئی فرق نہیں پڑتا۔۔ شکریہ

Coming back from Chitral

 Coming back from Chitral:

At some points the road situation is pretty bad. Road to Kalash is rugged, narrow and unpaved. 

We were lucky to go there, the next day roads were closed because of the landslide.

It took us 10 hours in jeep and Coaster with a few stops from Chitral to Swat Serena hotel!

انجر پنجر ہل گیا

Anyway overall it was an incredible and enjoyable trip with great company , history narratives in deep by Mr. Ziaul Haq and great arrangements by friendly, smart and supportive Yusuf of Syah group!

سوشل میڈیا کے نامعلوم تخلیق کار

 سوشل میڈیا کے نامعلوم تخلیق کار

از عابدہ رحمانی

 

ان تخلیق کاروں کے لئےمیرا دوسرا لقب ہے سوشل میڈیا کے نامعلوم سپاہی۔

یہ وہ بے نام تخلیق کار ہیں جو کہ پس پردہ رہ کر اپنی نت نئی تخلیقات سے ہمیں نوازتے رہتے ہیں ۔

ہم جیسے ہی سوشل میڈیا میں داخل ہوتے ہیں ۔ ایک سے ایک دیدہ زیب کارڈ، بر جستہ جملے ، انتہائی دلچسپ طنز ومزاح ، روح میں اترنے والے دلنشین اقوال ، پند و نصائح دور ماضی کی وہ تصاویر اور ویڈیو جنکے متعلق محض ہم نے محض کتا بو ں میں پڑھا تھا ، جدید و قدیم نغمات ، شاعری بزبان شعراء اور وہ مشہور شعرا جو اب ہم میں نہیں ہیں ،انکی نایاب کلپس اور ویڈیوز ہمارے اکثر بے رنگ لمحوں میں رنگ بھر دیتی ہیں ۔

دور حاظر کی ایک دلچسپ مصروفیت یا زیان وقت یہ سوشل میڈیا ہے ۔ اسمیں اب واٹس ایپ سب پر بازی لے گیا ہے ۔ اسکے بعد فیس بک اور ٹوئٹر ہے اور اسکے بعد دیگر کئی ہیں ۔

جو ذرائع معلومات اور حقیقی خبریں فراہم کرتے ہیں انکے بھی دلچسپ چبھتے ہوئے فقرے ، کلپ اور ویڈیو میسر ہیں ۔ دلچسپ تحاریر ، کالم ،شاعری کے نمونے ، خوش آمدیدی کلمات ، تہنیتی کلمات ،صبح بخیر ، جمعہ مبارک سالگرہ مبارک ، مختلف مذہبی تہواروں کے مبارکباد ، دعایئں ، قرآنی آیات ، احادیث ، مختلف علماء کی تقاریر انکا نقطہ نظر ، وظائف ،صحت کی بحالی اور دیکھ بھال کے بے شمار نسخے ، ٹوٹکے ، ورزش ، یوگا ،کسرت ،بیماریوں کے علاج ، مفید اور کارآمد پیڑ پودوں کی معلومات ، معلومات اور تفریح کا ایک لامتناہی سلسلہ ہے ۔ اسی طرح سیاستدانوں کے متعلق انتہائی دلچسپ اور بسا اوقات اہانت آمیز کلپس ، ویڈیوز اور تحاریر منظر عام پر آتی ہیں ۔

لیکن ان تمام دلچسپ اور معلوماتی ٹو ٹوں کے ساتھ ساتھ ایک طویل سلسلہ جعلی اور جھوٹی خبروں ،  ویڈیو ، کلپس ، تحاریر افواہوں اور دشنام طرازیوں کاہے ۔ اور انگریزی کے بقول you name it. 

یہ تمام تخلیقات دنیا بھر سے نشر ہوتی ہیں ۔ لب و لہجے سے معلوم ہوتا ہے کہ یہ انڈین ہے ، پاکستانی یا انگریز ۔

ہمار ا کام ان تمام کلپس ، ویڈیوز اور تحاریر سے لطف آٹھانا ہے یا عبرت حاصل کرنے کاہے ۔ اور پھر اسکو آگے فارورڈ کرنا اور پھیلانا ہے ۔ یوں بہت سے کلپس اور تحاریر کئی سالوں سے گردش میں رہتے ہیں ۔ بیشتر اوقات ہم بغیر سوچے سمجھے اسکو ایک کار خیر یا ایک فریضہ سمجھ کر آگے بڑھا دیتے ہیں اور پھر اس پر خفت بھی اٹھانی پڑ جاتی ہے ۔ اب تو غنیمت ہے کہ واٹس ایپ نے صرف پانچ افراد یا گروپ تک بہ یک وقت بڑھانا محدود کر دیا ہے ۔

سوچنے اور غور کرنے کا مقام یہ کہ آخر ان تمام کارڈز، کلپس اور ویڈیوز کو کون بناتا ہے اور کون نشر کرتا ہے آخر وہ اپنا نام کیوں نہیں دیتے اور جملہ حقوق محفوظ کیوں نہیں کرواتے؟

آخر کو ان سب تخلیقات پر انکی تخلیقی صلاحیتیں اور وقت صرف ہوا ہے ۔ انہیں آخر اس سے کیا فائدہ ہے  ؟ میری سمجھ سے تو یہ راز بالا تر ہے۔

اگر آپ میں سے کسی کے پاس اسکا جواب ہے تو مجھے ضرور آگا ہ کریں۔ بے حد ممنون ہونگی ۔

سوچنے کا مقام ہے ا

Coming back to Orange County from Caribbean cruise

 I and my friend are on united flight from Orlando to Chicago on way back to orange county.

The cruise went fantastic among bikinis and a lot many bars. We were seven Muslim or desi ladies among more than 4000 travellers. Met one Somali Muslim couple with two kids. The Caribbean was hot and humid. In a boat ride got almost soaked with a big wave.

Had a variety of cuisine, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, desi , Mexican etc.

Alhamdolillah for everything!

Trip to Baluchistan

 Trip to Baluchistan 

By Abida Rahmani

September 6,2017

We started at 6 am fromRawalpindi ,courtesy Salahs . Driving through motorway up to Talagang for a short while,then the regular two way road started. crossing many small towns and passed over the famous Chashma Barrage on river Indus .we arrived at the famous date orchards and selling spot "ڈھکی کھجور  dhakki dates "and enjoyed delicious , fresh juicy dates. Arrived at Dera Ismail Khan around 12 noon . Had a sumptuous lunch and offered zuhar.Re started at 1pm ,the road was quite rough ,dusty and presumed as under construction. On our way watched a lot many Gypsy caravans moving down with huge herds of sheep, goats and other animals. Mostly their belongings on tractor trollies. Most have now opted to modern ways of transportation . Baluchistan is blessed with lots of fruits ,( sweet n tasty ) and a variety of minerals.On our way saw lots of solar panels for irrigation and power supply. It is a vast barren land therefore humongous developmental strategy is still required .Close to Zhob we saw many grape selling shops and many vineyards on our way. A high class sweet and soft grapes are grown in this area. Arrived at Zhob lodge the army mess of Zhob Militia in Baluchistan around 5:30 pm. Then Went to an other higher spot or officers mess called paradise point. It's height is 4750 ft. This point was buildup in 1889 under the supervision of sir  Sandaman agent of Indian viceroy for Baluchistan . This city used to be  called "Fort Sandeman ". Z A Bhutto changed it's name to Zhob to eradicate the colonial era when he visited as a prime minister to this area. From this point we could see Zhob town all around . It reminded me of the Griffith Observatory in LA .which almost had the same height and location . However that one was a pro public attraction while this one is a military installation  with many vital differences.

Trip to Baluchistan (2)

Sept7: After a peaceful night stay we started for Quetta. Had a stopover at Qila Safullah where we had lunch . On our way saw a lot of chromite deposits which were loaded in trucks . Chromite is a potential mineral , used in manufacturing of aircraft parts. Chromite is the only ore of

chromium, a metal essential for making stainless steel, nichrome, chrome plating, pigments, refractories, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. These hidden treasures are part of barren Baluchistan. There we visited a museum narrating the story of Baluchistan's leaders struggle and support for Pakistan movement. The pictures showed letters of khan of Qalat, Qazi Essa and Quaid I Azam's visit to Quetta and meeting with Baluch leaders. The Hindu Bagh now names Muslim Bagh . The ruins of old railway station showed some signs.

Later on we drove to Quetta , the road conditions were far better. After arrival we had some rest and got ready in the evening for a dinner. 

Sept 8

We started in the morning On way to Chaman Sheela Bagh , Khojak tunnel . It's a marvel of engineering build in 1889 . A story about the tunnel is kind of folk lore. " A  Hindu dancer by the name of Shila would perform in front of workers ,the money collected by her was taken by then government . The exciting and awesome trolley ride inside the tunnel for four kilometers outside 4 km total 8km was some thing unbelievable a life time experience. I even couldn't visualize that scary ride with out seat-belts and any precautions, it turned out to be marvelous. 

This place is Situated about 120 km from Quetta towards Afghan border, the famous 2,290-metre high Khojak pass of Toba Kakar Mountain, which has been crossed for centuries by soldiers, merchants and conquerors, is now a pleasure to drive. It can be crossed in half an hour, thanks to the good road. The famous Khojak tunnel of about 4 km length is yet another marvel, constructed in 1889 with famous shela Bagh Station nearby, it gained fame when it was printed on 5 rupee note. At the time of its construction, it was the lengthiest rail tunnel in Asia.

To pak afghan border at Chaman  and Spin Boldac Afghanistan, watched all the movement on both sides of border. The gate of friendship has some unfriendly gestures of firings at times. The division of border is interesting from house to house. 

- pishin sprawling lawns and trees in rest house.

Trip to Madina, Hajj2009

 Hajj 2009 Trip to Madinah (notes from diary)

Trip to Madina Nov 18 ,2009

By:

Abida Rahmani 

When we arrived at Jeddah airport from Makkah , it was scheduled that we will leave for Madina shortly. Our organizers decided to take us there by air and not by bus.

At the airport we learned that the flight is delayed. It kept on delaying for the whole night. Some technical problem was the cause and there was a total chaos and mismanagement in the hajj terminal.

Leaving for Jeddah through bus from Makkah is another story. Due to some restrictions from Saudi government we had to join another group from USA. That was so chaotic and disgusting crossing over the heads of prostrating people in the areas around haram sharif for Asr . That I could not stepped forward and was left behind. Alhamdolillah they waited for me and we joined that group in the luxury coach.Talked to some of them, they had better arrangements than us .

All of us were sitting all around at the terminal. Saudi Airlines served us with dinner. I put my bag under the head and lied down on the path. In the morning luckily we got boarded on a 747 jumbo jet which accommodated almost all the stranded passengers. To get on the plan in the line a group from Senegal tried to push us back & a brawl erupted. I talked to them, some of them a bit sane and understood. "We are here just to please Allah ( swt) . Are we pleasing him this way"?actually it is a norm of pushing and overpowering people. They very well know that they are physically strong and that is so sad & disgusting.

Alhamdolillah Allah give me the chance to come to Madinah again. We were taken to Hotel Golden Mubarak. The same hotel where I stayed with Asim last time.

We were impatient to reach masjid- an-nabwi(saws). Arriving to Madina and spent time here is not a part of the hajj. That is just out of respect and love for the prophet (saws).

The sight of erected umbrellas around masjid is just amazing. They are spread out in a lotus shape all around the outside of masjid at day time. In the evening they are wrapped up in the shape of a pillar with lights on the sides. Such a marvel of engineering & technology. Some of those broken were standing like aliens in a star war movie. Hope they get repaired soon.

Masjid-i- Nabwi is more strict & organized . May be that it is not that much crowded like Haram.

We were eager for salaam at Roza-e-Mubarak (SAWS). That is just restricted to parts of riadul jannah. ( It means the garden of paradise) . The prophet ( SAWS) said,"there is a garden of paradise between my house and masjid." This area is called Riadul Jannah.

When I performed my first hajj women were allowed in front of the grave of Prophet(SAW). But later on it got stopped.Now the time for women entering Riadul Jannah which is close to the grave but not visible, after Fajar, Dhuhur and Isha.

When we went after fajar , it was a kind of stampede inside. The crowd was uncontrollable. I raised my voice to handle them but no one listened. A lady shouted," write in the newspaper how Saudi government treat women."She may be right, if the women were allowed normally then the scene would be different because the area is opened for a short period of time. A lady in our group told us that after isha the time is longer. Therefore next time we went after Isha and joined the Urdu speaking group. The mutawwa ladies gave us lecture about hajj , its rituals but the ladies were getting impatient and all of a sudden they started running and did not listen to her. This time we had plenty of time to pray in Riadul Jannah which is decorated with green carpets.

Madinah is a bustling city with lots of shopping centers and it is generally said that the prices are reasonable here. In our spare time we did some shopping. There were vendors all around selling different stuff. After our prayers we spared some time for arranging food and do some shopping for the loved ones behind and some of our own things. We all had cell phones . Actually I bought for myself from there. Made in china has flooded the market. The prices of gold was really high, still Sadia & Zubair got bangles for Seerat.

We did laundry and filled up the whole bathroom with washed clothes.

Anyway, we having a wonderful & memorable time alhamdolillah.

Our group went to Ziaraat by bus to Majis Quba,( the first masjid of Islam) Qiblatain( where the order to face Kabaa as Qibla was revealed to Prohet saws),Uhad and Khandaq area. I have been there few times earlier. This time our scholar was Abdul Hakim Green from UK ( a white convert) and he was very specific about what to do and what not to do according to sunnah of prophet saws. he asked us that it is not a requirement to offer nawafil at masjid qiblatain. We did it as a respect for masjid.

On our 5th day we were supposed to leave for Makaah by bus for Hajj. Every where one could see the buses full of departing Hajis. The wait for bus took us the whole day. Madina was getting empty. Our hotel allowed us to stay for another night. Our trip back to Makaah was uneventful .

We arrived at a good speed at Azizia. There we stayed in a building .Ladies on one side, gents on the other. It was quite far from haram. next day we hired a taxi for haram but on our return we were charged a lot. Taxis had a hay day. We spend the whole day at Haram sharif offered an Umra , did our salaahs . Makaah and surroundings were bustling with hajis.

On 8th of Zilhajj we were leaving for Mina to perform Hajj.

Hajj 2009

Nov 25th 8th Zilhajj

We arrived at Mina from Azizia (Mecca) today. Found it too much changed than the hajj that we performed in 1983. Lots of improvements have been done here.Tent is big enough to accommodate all three groups of us. Ladies in one tent and gents in the other one. We arrived here by bus after 12pm. The sky in Mecca was over cast since morning a significant scene to watch.(After arrival in Mecca Namaz-i- istisqa was offered in Haram because of drought situation).Therefore every one was waiting for rain.It was a big thunderstorm and rained heavily after it. Our tent was leaking a bit from corners. We turned our umbrellas upside down to prevent leakage and put the empty blankets plastic bags to save our beds. The streets of Mina flooded in a while. It is a common concept that if it rained on hajis, their hajj is accepted. May it be like this Allah is the most merciful. It rained for at least 3-4 hours with light drizzle for the whole day.

To watch the tented city was an amazing & amusing sight. The arrangement inside were fantastic and luxurious. Thick foam mattresses which could be folded in a couch seat, brand new blankets and brand new pillows and sheets. Tent had a special air conditioning system and these tents are fireproof. The food was quite festive with lots of dishes of Arabic and Mediterranean cuisine.

Wondered if our organizers had provided us a part of this during our earlier stay, when we ran after arranging our food and meals. In fact the arrangements in Mina were a lot better than my expectations. Over all the arrangements were lot more better than 26 years earlier. Mina had paved streets in the middle of tents. Bathrooms had shower facilities too over the commodes. Which some of the ladies resisted earlier but ultimately had the shower. There is no proper sewerage system, all the toilets are set up on an open drain, that is why one can smell a lot of stink . Every toilet had a water pipe or hose. However some of the toilets got messed up soon and the back up cleaning system was a total failure. There were clear signs for men & Women but still the people did not follow.

A bazaar was set up on the side of the main road and lot of vendors selling off nice stuff.

Our region of tents were assigned to Hajjis from North America, Europe, Australia and Turkey. In other words those were hajjis of the developed world. There was a mic connection to our tent from men's tent and we could listen to all the announcements, tazkirs and prayed together.

For food mostly the ladies first was the motto. Me, Kalsoom and Sadia were side by side. Soon we got befriended to our tent mates, some of whom we knew from earlier.

Nov 26th 9th Zilhajj Yaumi Arafaa

It is the day of Arafat the main pillar of Hajj and we have to leave for Arafaat as soon as possible. It was 9 am that we proceeded through big buses for Arafaat, Saudi Government has restricted movement through big buses and the roads are wide open, Therefore it was a good flow of traffic and did not notice any traffic jam. We took our lunch boxes along, which more of snacks mostly white creamy sweat stuff. The carpets in the tents were a bit wet with yesterday rains. Every where hajis could be seen reciting talbiyah Labaika Allahumma Labaik Labiaka la sharika laka labaik innal hamda wa naimata laka wal mulk la sharika lak ( O Allah I am present at your service and there is no one equal you, all the praise and glory is for you, you are the king and there is no one equal you) The media and surveillance helicopters were howling over head. We were given nice polao in lunch.

We prayed and prayed to Allah (swt) for our forgiveness, forgiveness of our departed loved ones and my intention of doing this hajj for my beloved son. Begged for his mercy and blessings for my self, for the departed loved ones , for whole umma and especially for my kids, grand kids, brothers, sister & all the gracious people who did Ehsaan with me.Prayed while standing in the later day. Most of us went out and prayed ,cried and begged to Allah(swt) for his mercy ,blessings ,forgiveness and for the strength of Umma . Here I could see a sea of Muslims all around. Men in white ahraams ,ladies in different colors. "O Allah we are so many in numbers but we do not have any weight any strength, any power. Give us strength give us supremacy, grant us with wisdom and good judgment." Ameen

The pathetic part is that we all are God fearing, God loving people but extremely disorganized and undisciplined. By the end of the day the whole area was just littered up with garbage, water gushing from broken pipes in the toilets which were unbearable. O Allah give them strength ,unity and discipline.Although the conditions are a lot more better than 26 years back but still more improvement is required.

Muzdalifa 

At 9pm we started for Muzdalifa and I was again back on my memory lane of the last hajj, when it took us almost 5 hours to reach there by 24 seater coaster. It was so suffocating with running engines and traffic jam that I cried a lot like a small kid and Ahad (my Late husband)was comforting me.It was the toughest time in that hajj. But now we reached so quickly . The whole area was fully bright and well lit like day. Whole of the big ground covered with hajis, we were supposed to find our place in between. We had only our valuables and sleeping bags.

Following the sunnah of Prophet (SAWS) there was one azaan and two aqamaaz for Maghrib and Isha prayers. Which were Qasr( shortened prayers).we spread out sleeping bags and tried to sleep which was extremely difficult. It was like if we were fixed in a match box, just neck to feet with each other. All the hajis were sleeping like this with so much humility on this hard ground just for the pleasure of Allah( SWT) to be successful; in the eternal life to fulfill the fifth pillar of Islam. Hajj is a tradition of Ibrahim(AS) followed by Mohammad (SAWS) and obligatory for those Muslims who can afford. Our muallim sheikh Abu Abdussalaam described Muzdalifa as a thousand star hotel, which is absolutely correct.I was trying to avoid the feet of the men sleeping to my head side.

I tried to sleep which was extremely difficult, the lady next to me was snoring a lot.Despite that slept for a couple of hours. At 2:15 am got up and went to toilet. It was absolutely busy and a very long line,It almost took one hour .Did tahjjud and then fajr did some tilawat and talbiya and started waiting for bus to come back to Mina. Got the bus at 8:30 am and arrived back at Mina to our tent which was like coming back home. While leaving Muzdalifa the whole ground was littered with sleeping bags, mats , pillows and carpets. A lot of needy people were collecting those. We brought our ones back.

Nov27th 10th Zilhajj Eid day

After getting back , had a bath and changed, now we were out of Ihraam and most of the restrictions were gone. It was announced that our sacrifices have been done. We greeted each other Eid- Mubarak. the ladies got busy in threading, nail cutting and make ups.Received calls from Farooqs, Khalids, Nasirs, Asim & Amir Alhamdolillah. It rained again today. Then we started to leave for jamaraat. I put on my joggers, it was a long walk but thoroughly enjoyable. The way to Jamarrat is specially designed ,what an amazing rout and complex!! Saudi Govt has spend a lot of money and expertise in designing this complex. We went through three big tunnels equipped with big blowers , lots of plastic bottles sucked up to it.

The flow of people was like a flooding sea on wide roads reciting Talbiyah and getting to encounter the symbols of shaitan. That Shaitan who came in the way of Ibrahim (AS) to stop him from sacrificing his son Ismail by the orders of Allah(swT). Ibrahim threw pebbles on Shaitan while proceeding on his way. His act was so much appreciated by almighty that he made it a ritual of Hajj till the day of judgment. I was over whelmed with this gigantic flow of hajis. They were of different colors, creeds and nationalities. Most of the groups were greatly organized and distinguished with their coats, hats ,ribbons .caps,shoes, trousers, skirts,scarfs etc.

Most of those were Malaysians ,Indonesians, Chinese, Turkish and from other countries.

During my last hajj we were not allowed to go for Rami because of the great rush and accidents . We were asked to give our stones or pebbles to our Mehrams. Therefore no one in ladies from our camp went. I was sick too down with flue and it was always on my mind because some of the scholars in Pakistan said that it is a compulsory act. When Ahad, Jamshed bhai and Nadeem got back from Rami there feet were badly hurt and chappals missing. This time we were wearing our regular shoes or joggers because the sheikh told us that women can wear any type of shoes and the men wore strong sandals too .The men were not out of Ihraam as yet because they had to shave.I was greatly excited this time and thanked Allah for granting me this opportunity again.

This was a huge complex, Jamarrat were erected as in the shape of wide pillars going through

many stories and all the precautions were taken to avoid accidents. It was a very smooth flow. Hajis coming in groups and moving towards other Jamra. The pebbles we collected from Muzdalifa in the size of a chick pea and we were supposed to throw seven on each jamrah saying bismillahi Allahu akbar. After completing this ritual we were on our way back and stopped under a bridge on the road. There men went for shaving their heads or haircut, we did a little bit with our scissors and each other's help.

Many hajis had spread out their mats, sitting and sipping tea. We accommodate ourselves with them, later on we offered maghrib prayers .Saw a few Pakistanis from Punjab looking for some lost relatives. We tried to help them out. On our way to Jamaraat we recited Talbiyah, now on our way back we have to recite Takbeer. All the intention for glorifying the greatness of Allah(swt). We did the same on 11th Zilhajj. Some of our people went on their own to do Tawafi- Ziarat which is like an Umra doing Tawaf and Sae in Haram. This is the end part of Hajj. For the rest of us the Sheikh assured us that we can do it later without any penalty. This Tawaf is a must for a married couple, with out that they can not relate to each other physically.

Nov 29th 12th zilhaj

Today we again went for Rammi, this time our sheikh guided us all the way up on escalators. I've gone up and down long escalators in different amusement parks and buildings but this was a unique experience. Going all the way up to hit Shaitan. we went through 4 sets of high escalators. After hitting shaitan we went all around the roof to have a glimpse of Mina the tented city for Hajis. There were a series of tents up in the hills and those were VIP tents.

Nov30th 13th Zilhajj

Today we were leaving Mina and after Rammi were heading to Haram for tawafi ziarat and then to Azizia. We did our packing, rolled up our blankets, sheets and pillows and started waiting for bus. This was the last day for all hajis at Mina. We had to take a long way for bus. The streets were just littered with all kind of garbage, a lot of food stuff was thrown out too.

We did rammi and came back to bus which dropped us at the inside door of haram. It wasMaghrib time, offered prayers on stairs and then went for Tawaf . Some of it did upstairs on the top floor, then on the second floor . After doing Saee went in search of food to Burjul Bait where we were supposed to meet other companions and then ride in bus.

Zubair wanted to eat in Hardies an American franchise. It was nice burger and because it was Halaal. We had some tea and roamed in the area. An upscale mall and food court of course.

Around 12:30 am we sat on the bus and came back to Azizia.

Alhamdolillah our Hajj was over and in a couple of days we were leaving for Toronto.