Journey of life: Visiting AlQuds , Al Aqsa, Palestine, Israel and J...

Journey of life: Visiting AlQuds , Al Aqsa, Palestine, Israel and J...: Visiting AlQuds , Al Aqsa, Palestine, Israel and Jordan! December 19, 2018 Started my journey to Amman Jordan and Jerusalem  on a...

Remembering 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

Visiting AlQuds , Al Aqsa, Palestine, Israel and Jordan! part one

Visiting AlQuds , Al Aqsa, Palestine, Israel and Jordan!

December 19, 2018

Started my journey to Amman Jordan and Jerusalem  on air Canada flight 876 from Toronto to Frankfurt. From there inshaAllah shall join Rafat and group. We will then travel through Lufthansa to Amman . Hopefully all goes well . I'm very much looking forward to this trip . It was a dream to visit Al Quds and surrounding areas. 

First of all when I learned about this trip , it was quite a bit of disappointment as the deadline for booking was up. After talking to Imam Ahmad everything proceeded smoothly.

December 20

As we’re approaching Amman ,the flight is quite bumpy or I’m sitting near the tail . May the rest of the journey is blissful .

This is my first time with Lufthansa, not bad overall.

The gate search on Frankfurt airport was quite tiring. Met Rafat, Shaheena, Yasmin  and party.Our group leader Imam Ahmad Patel seemed quite responsible and efficient.
At Amman Queen Aliya international airport, it was raining continuously, small puddles of water could be seen around. It is a nice modern airport . Our immigration went well. Exchanged some amount through currency change by Imam sahib . Jordanian Dinar called JD was about $1. 50. Later our guide told us that the government has just kept the rate high and its not a sign of strong economy.
We waited almost 4 hrs at the airport for a new member Huzaifa, he too was arriving from Toronto through another flight. In the meantime I got to know the other members of our group Zarina, Rukhsana and Abid Bhai, Nuzhat and Aijaz, Builquis and Salim, Fatima and Hamza, Zaib and Chiragh sahib. Zaib and Chiragh sahib were more senior than us and mostly on wheel chair. In a short while I became so friendly with them, as I knew them for ages.

At the airport with few friends 

 Later on we rode a bus coach with a tour guide Nidal who provided us the details about Jordan and Jordanian Monarchy!

I talked to him about our Pakistani Sarwat's (later on Princess Sarwat) wedding to Hassan bin Tallal , Jordan's crown prince at that time . She was the daughter of Shaista Ikramullah !Her wedding at that time was solemnized at state level by then president Ayub Khan. 

December 21st

Arrived at Hotel Mena Tyche on Abdullah bin Omar Road. It was a comfortable hotel .
I got an  independent room , comfortable bed and bath. We were served sumptous breakfast In the morning at 6:30.  I came down an hour earlier to find that my phone is running one hour ahead of time  quite an embarrassment .

We started early in the morning, Went to the graves of famous companions of Prophet SAWS.Abu Ubaida bin Aljarah , sharjabil ibn Hasna and Zarrar ibn Azwar May Allah be pleased with them. Then  proceeded to the grave of Prophet Shoaib Alyhis Salaam and famous Ashab i Kahaf or the sleepers of the cave. Had a long drive on our bus or coach with tour guide Nidal providing us details about the area and surroundings.

There were masajids with all the graves and we prayed nawafil there as we were traveling , then prayed Qasr or shortened obligatory prayers.

There was a big masjid on height for Ashab i Kahaf and then we went in the cave, where those seven  people and their dog has slept for more than three hundreds years. In the cave which is quite big there are the signs of their graves , pottery and now the Jordan government has collected their bones and kept in one grave , a glass shows those bones. As described in Surah Al Kahaf those pious , God fearing people got refuge in this cave fearing prosecution of the infidel government. When they woke up they assumed to be woken up after a night sleep, where in fact they had slept for more than three hundred years . When one of them went to market to purchase something to eat, his currency was identified as centuries old. At this point the people rushed to their cave to have a look of them however their souls were taken by the Lord and made them a miracle for the world. A masjid was build on the cave.

AT the Cave of Sleepers Masjid Amman Jordan

 

The Grave of Abu Ubaida Al Jarrahؓ ( Allah be pleased with him )

Many companions of the Prophet ﷺ are buried around this area.

The dead sea level . It is under the sea level . We drove down from the height of 5, 6 thousands feet to the zero level.

On our way we went down the hill to zero sea level from 6,7 thousands feet above sea level. The infrastructure of roads and highways is quite good. We saw the road signs for Dead Sea . We were supposed to visit it on last day. Which we couldn't due to heavy rains.

December 22, 2018

We are on our way to Jerusalem:

Now we are entering king Hussain bridge,(Allenby bridge).

We are driving to Israeli border to enter into Masjid Al-Aqsa. May every thing goes well and easy.

Right now driving through Jordan Valley. It’s zero sea level and there is Dead Sea on one side. This area looks like Karachi with the same keekar shrubs all around. The infrastructure and look of Jordan is more like Pakistan. Yesterday we visited the graves of Zarrar bin azwar, Abu Ubaida bin Jarrah,SharJabil ibn I Hasna companions of Prophet SAWS: Grave of Prophet Shoaib AS and the most famous Ashab i Kahf ( The people of the cave). That masjid is on height with great access and nicely built. The cave is big enough, signs of graves and the bones are collected in one grave. There was a small glass opening which showed it.

It was raining here when we arrived. Our guide Nidal in the bus

Informed us that it barely rains here .

Entered into Israel or occupied land. At the check point we all expected to be cleared very soon .However Huzaifa and Hamza's passports along with Imam Ahmad were held and it took four hours for their clearance. 

The terrain here is just like Balochistan. Dry rocky mountains with less or no vegetation and dry soil .

Entering into Jerusalem was a weird experience.All along my life learned about the Israeli occupation and atrocities.

Anyway border formalities are the same every where. Went through it peacefully, however the passports of three of our members were hold for four hours.

Luckily I wasn’t asked any specific question,just he asked my name and if I knew Arabic ? I replied شوئ شوئ ۔

The acceptance or denial of Israel by Muslim countries doesn't matter at all.
In my opinion keeping the diplomatic

relations would be better for downtrodden Palestinians.

Now we rode in another bus and our guide was Amin. Most of the road signs and posters were in Hebrew and Arabic . Technically we were in Israel now. Our group leader asked us to keep our passports and visas with us all the time when going out as Israelis can do a random check. Most of the Israeli soldiers or guards were young fellows with sophisticated

weapons . Luckily didn't encounter a checkup during  our four days stay there.

Arrived at Ritz hotel on Ibni Khaldun Road at Jerusalem . 

Entering in masjid Al Aqsa was a spiritual experience , went for Maghrib and stayed unto Isha. A walled city with stony walls and streets build up with cobbled stones, quite strong and long lasting. These are combined with slopes or ramps and stairs. Going up and down. Because it is a hilly area. Even the cars,tractors using it. Al Aqsa has a vast compound, it was a walled city with many gates. Al Quds has gone through many phases of history and destructions over the centuries .

مسجد گنبد صخرا  Masjid Dome of the Rock Al Quds , Jerusalem. This is the first Qibla of Islam. Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him Ascended to heavens after performing Imamat of the Prophets here in this spot.

Standing In Front of the Dome of the Rock ! Jordan's late King Hussain contributed 200 kilograms of  pure Gold for this dome!

Inside Al. Aqsa or Qibli  Masjid

Around Al Aqsa  compound

In Al Aqsa met a  Palestinian woman Maryam,she got befriended with me. Her father was a guard at masjid Aqsa. Her father,her husband and one son got killed by Israelis. Now she has seven more boys. Two of her sons are in jail and five in orphanages. She works and helps there , in Masjid and cleans some houses. She took me to her home near Masjid,a tiny old place of the same stony structure. Me and my friends donated her some money for the orphanage. I have narrated details about meeting her in this  following video!

 With Palestinian woman Maryam!

https://www.facebook.com/pktimes.tv/videos/371765093640485/?

Inside Maryam's home!

December 23

Went for Fajar early in the morning before 5: am. Most of us gathered in the lobby and started towards the first Qibla of Islam Masjid Al -Aqsa. it was going down the hill in the cold morning weather . The environment looked like we go to haram sharif  or Masjid Nabawi early in the morning. However the Israeli soldiers standing at some checkpoints and the Hebrew script would realize me that I'm in Israel. East Jerusalem and Alquds is part of Palestine , however it is technically Israel. There was quite a big crowd in Masjid despite that most Muslim countries do not hold diplomatic ties with Israel. Yet Muslims arrive from other parts of the world.

Had breakfast in hotel , quite a big variety of food.

Then we started our tour of West Bank Palestine, going through Israeli part of Jerausalem , it looked quite developed with tall buildings, fast trains and nice sidewalks. Israelis could be seen walking around. I couldn't define the borders of both countries . We visited Betlehem, Hibron al Khalil, Ramallah and the areas around.

At Bethlehem  there was a great hustle bustle because of Christmas. Christians from all around the world were visiting . A big Christmas tree was glittering in the main park. We entered into the "church of nativity " that is commonly known as the birth place of Jesus Isa AS. It was Sunday and there were three services going on, one of Greek Orthodox , second one of Armenian Church and third one of Roman Catholics. The Greek Orthodox celebrates Christmas in January . Then we visited the other church where according to Christian belief Jesus was crucified. there was a huge crowd of devotees stairs were going up .I couldn't manage going through those stairs.

Betlehem(بیت الحم ) means house of meat in Arabic . Its 10 KM 6.2 miles south of Jerusalem . According to Christian belief Jesus Christ was born here in a cave under the church. We could not enter the cave.

around Jerusalem

 Christmas Decorations at Betlehem

Church of Nativity at Bait Laham where Prophet Isa AS ( Jesus) was born !

Some restoration work going on. Our guide told us that Muslims and Christians are having friendly relations among themselves. The wife of Yassir Arafat Soha was a Palestinian Christian.

 Inside Church of Nativity!

Another side of this church is called  St. Catherine church!

This is the statue of  St. Jerome, he  is the patron saint of librarians and of translators. In Latin, his name is Hieronymus—and every September 30th, on the memorial of his death, translators around the world celebrate International Translation Day! 

In the cave of Trinity Church in Bethlehem he spent the last thirty years of his life, creating his magnum opus: translating Hebrew and Greek manuscripts into the Latin Vulgate Bible. 

The Christians say that the skull near his feet is a reminder of death. 

Later on we proceeded to Hibron Al Khalil and visited a glass ceramic factory . A great artistic work could be seen in molding and creating those fancy pieces of decor. We all purchased some according to our budget.

The pictures can describe it better.

Hibron Al Khalil is Palestinian city on West bank . It looked like an Impoverished area . Our bus entered into the narrow streets to reach Masjid Ibrahim Al Khalil . There are the graves of Ibrahim AS , Ishaaq AS, Sarah the wife of Prophet Ibrahim AS and Raffaqa the wife of Yaqub AS. A light could be seen quite below under the ground which Amin told us is the actual grave of Ibrahim AS. These are all historic and sacred places but with Israeli occupation and intervention mostly messed up. This masjid is under Israeli control and we had to enter after going through security check. The other side has the graves of Yaqub AS and some more , which we couldn't enter. We offered Salaah ( prayers) at the masjid and gave some donations for masjid.

Masjid Ibrahimi

Maqam of the grave of Ibrahim AS

Inside Masjid!

Historic Mimber from Salahuddin Ayyubi era

Maqam Ishaaq AS.

Maqam of Syeda Rafaqa wife of Ishaaq AS

Maqam of Syeda Sarah the first wife of Ibrahim AS and mother of Ishaaq AS.

Surrounding the bus many Palestinian boys were selling different stuff. Fridge magnets of Jerusalem, Hand embroidered bags , Palestinian wrist bands and a variety of things. We were already warned by our guide not to purchase , however I couldn't resist their plea  and did some shopping from them. 

on our way Amin showed us a big enclosure, inside is the grave of Yasir Arafat the PLO 

leader and president of Palestine. He wished to be buried in Al Quds but Israel didn't allow it.    

From there we proceeded to Ramala . It was lunch time so every one opted for KFC because of the halal option. These fast-foods are flourishing all around the world. 

After lunch as we proceeded further , the road was closed . It seemed like some incident has happened here , therefore the bus had to turn back. Next day we learnt that a Palestinian young boy was murdered by Israelis. These stories are part of almost each Palestinian home. Imam Ahmad Informed us that in every home you will find these heart breaking atrocities and tragedies. Israeli Police mostly young boys, carrying sophisticated guns , just raid the areas and do undue searches on young palestinians  just to annoy them. On any of their offense they just shoot them.

This is how the day today life is going in that area. So many Palestinians are living in Jordan but they can not enter into Palestine or Isreal. 

Our Jordanian guide Nidal was from Ramala but he was unable to visit back home. Israel has strict condition for their entry and they would be stripped off from their Palestinian identity , which they do not accept. 

When we go in History the Hitler' s holocaust is so recent and Israelis have become kind of Hitler and Pharaoh for Palestinians. They clearly know what was the end of the Pharaoh and Hitler.

When we arrived back , it was almost evening . We headed to Al Aqsa for Mghrib and Isha, where I again met Maryam . 

After Maghrib, a lady stood up and started a speech in Arabic. A lady sitting next to me translated in English to us. She was pleading Muslims , come and visit Al-Aqsa. Al - Aqsa badly needs you . By this we can show  Israel our strength and devotion for Aqsa.

 Imam Ahmed informed us that tomorrow at 8am a Palestinian lady will give us a tour inside and around Al Aqsa and some pertinent points of the Masajids and area.

December 24, 2018

As usual we went for Fajr in Al Aqsa , where Qanuti Nazila was recited in second Rakaa of Fajr. it is a Sunnah to recite it at the times of danger and there is always a danger by the Zionists occupiers.

After breakfast we got ready for a tour to Al Aqsa . Going through the wet stony ramp , I slipped and fell down on many back . With the help of br. Salim and Huzaifa , stood up alhamdolillah. It showed that no major damage has happened, still some aches and pains but I kept on, there was no time to stay behind.

Abeer our tour guide was waiting for us, she was an Archeology graduate or Archeologist  so mostly she judged the places through archeological evidences.  she took us to the basement of Al Aqsa. A vast historic  masjid and library is underneath . There is Mehrab of Zakria AS and the tiny room (Hujra) where Maryam AS used to pray and she got the fruits and food from divine , seeing those fruits out of season Zakria AS asked Allah swt for an off spring as they were child less. This story and Ayahs are in surah Maryam . The Angels by the orders of Almighty gave him good news of a pious son .  When he asked for a sign he was told that he would be unable to talk for three days. He was rewarded by Yahya AS. All the Quranic stories of the Prophets were coming into mind and imagination. The ancient pillars are giant stony pillars. She denied the idea that these were build by Jins. She claimed that it is the work of Palestinians of that time. 

Baitul MuQaddas or Al Quds was devastated many times by Babylonians , Persians and Crusaders. Muslims conquered Jerusalem in 637 CE during the Rule of the second Caliph of Islam, Hazrat Umar. When he visited the place, he continued to pray in open grounds, although Pope Severinus gave him the key to the city and invited him to pray in the Church of Holy Sepulture. But Hazrat Umar feared that Muslims might start converting churches into Masjids, so he politely declined.   Al - Aqsa was in ruins. He kept the foundation of the Masjid which was Later completed by Abdul Malik bin Marwan ( the Umayyad Khalifa) in 72 AH (691 CE) , about 60 years after the exalted Messenger passed on. At the time of crusaders they change the masjid into Church and Used the basement as a stable for horses.

These videos of mine  about Al Quds are converted in YouTube by a friend:Narrations by Abeer are in detail.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1727029747397880&id=120537641380440

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1720426908058164&id=120537641380440

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1718776574889864&id=120537641380440

Entering into Dome of the Rock  مسجد گنبد صخرا was a thrilling experience! A great specimen of Islamic art and architecture!

This Rock inside the basement of  the masjid is believed to be from where "Ascension to heavens" of Prophet SAWS took place. 

In the Surah al-Isra (Surah 17 - also known as Bani Isra'il), it is mentioned: 

سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَسۡرَىٰ بِعَبۡدِهِۦ لَيۡلاً۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡمَسۡجِدِ ٱلۡحَرَامِ إِلَى ٱلۡمَسۡجِدِ ٱلۡأَقۡصَا ٱلَّذِى بَـٰرَكۡنَا حَوۡلَهُ ۥ لِنُرِيَهُ ۥ مِنۡ ءَايَـٰتِنَآ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡبَصِيرُ 

"Glory be to Him Who made His servant (Prophet Muhammad) to go on a night from the Sacred Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) to the Farthest Mosque (Masjid al-Aqsa) of which We have blessed the precincts, so that We may show to him some of Our signs; surely He is the Hearing, the Seeing." (Qur'an, 17:1)

These are the third sacred Masajids of Islam and also a part of Harmain. A lot of similarities with Baitullah at Makaah and Masjid -i-Nabwi SAWS Madina. Our guide Abeer narrating details of this part of Baitul Muqaddas, She asked about the real name of Salahuddin which we didn't know, she informed that the real name of Salahuddin Ayyubi was  interestingly Yusaf.

Salahuddin liberated Jerusalem from Crusaders and inside  the dome she  showed the Ayahs of Surah Taha inscribed in his time.

Abeer standing in a street of Al Aqsa

Our guide Abeer took us to her parents house, it was almost the same size as Maryam's, a tiny one may be 5,6 hundred square feet. She told that Israelis have offered them millions of dollars for this tiny place and they are resisting this offer. There are so many untold stories of oppression and occupation. On that occasion a person like me would think , why they are not accepting this lucrative offer . However they are trying their best not to leave these places to be occupied by Zionists.

Our ladies group with Abeer

The front view of Masjid Dome of the Rock مسجد گنبد صخرا 

This Church  is the birth place of Maryam AS :

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1717265668374288&id=120537641380440

https://www.facebook.com/pktimes.tv/videos/371765093640485/?

We wanted to See the Wailing wall and Masjid Burraq . Abeer as a Palestinian is not allowed inside Wailing Wall or Western Wall of Al - Aqsa as it is in Israeli control. She took us near the gate and parted from there. A heavy contingent of Israeli soldiers standing  around . We  had to go through scanners ad entered into a tunnel . There was a big compound and a huge wall where hundreds of Jews were praying . They believe it to be the remains of the Temple of Sulaiman AS. I just watched took some pictures and videos from a distant. Their belief is that the Masiah would come on this temple mount near the days of Judgment. 
If you see this place has seen a lot of historical upheavals as well as religious . Judaism, Christianity and Islam and now too is divided in mainly three  areas of these  religions . The above video shows details of the Western Wall. After that we went to Masjid Burraq , down there was a metal ring which is supposed to be where the Burraq was tied. These are just some marks of the heavenly Journey of Mairaj of Prophet SAWS . Allah knows the best. AS we know there was no Masjid and no walls at that time. This is a spiritual tale and part of our belief in the unseen ( عالم الغیب)۔ ؐ

Ancient Olive trees in Al- Aqsa compound!

 
 Church of Holy Sepulture.

Masjid Burraq

Old Library inside Al - Aqsa

After a long walk in the area inside the walled old city of Al- Quds we crossed fruit and vegetable vendors on sides and couldn't resist to buy nice free fruits , yummy guavas , pears and oranges.
The currency used here was Shaikal for ISRAEL and Palestine . It was 1.20 for one US$.
Bought some lunch and headed to hotel. With all my vigor the pain in my legs and knees was unbearable. Had some food took Tylenol arthritis and applied other medications, Voltrane gel on my aching limbs and was unable to get up for Maghrib . While rest of my friends went to Masjid I tried to get down and peep in the stores down, they were almost closing. In a weird state of mind hurriedly bought a shirt from the closing store.
When my friends arrived they were terrified of the situation in the mosque. There was Janaza of the boy killed by Israelis yesterday at Ramallah and the situation at Masjid was very tense and alarming with the grief and agitation . This is the uncertain life of Palestinians there. We gathered in a restaurant to have our dinner.

December 25
CNN was airing live  Christmas telecasts from Betlehem .The Christmas tree and Santa Clause concept has taken over Christmas all over.

In the morning with all my courage took my walking cane for the first time and  attended fajr at Masjid Aqsa as it was our final day. Wished that we had few more days here. Anyway said  good bye to Al- Aqsa with a heavy heart.  After break fast we were  ready to leave for Jordan . Israelis charged us $50 for entry and $50 for exit. We rode the bus in the same way , which brought us over the King Hussain or Allenby bridge to Jordan.
Here our Old bus and tour guide Nidal greeted us. Imam Ahmas informed us about further programs in Jordan....