2. Haj

Chapter 2 - Medinah

Our first stop was at the city of Medinah, where the Prophet migrated after facing great hostility in Makkah to his message. The center of town is the Prophet's Mosque, Masjid Nabvi. We were in Hotel Movenpick which was steps away from it. The people in Medina were very friendly the masjid was a perfect place for quite reflection and prayer.
Read More
  • Site of the Battle of Ohud. The archers hill is in the background.

    Site of the Battle of Ohud. The archers hill is in the background.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • At Ohud on Archers Hill. Dr. Riaz, our group leader had flown in from Chicago (4th from left). This comprised the entire Barakah Group that we went through Hajj with. On this day we toured the sites that are well known in Islamic history.

    At Ohud on Archers Hill. Dr. Riaz, our group leader had flown in from Chicago (4th from left). This comprised the entire Barakah Group that we went through Hajj with. On this day we toured the sites that are well known in Islamic history.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • The houses and shops that surround the Ohud battle site. The prophet was taken to a cave in one of the mountains in the background. The Makkans left the battlefield very quickly and thus did not inflict the fatal blow to the growth of Islam they were hoping for.

    The houses and shops that surround the Ohud battle site. The prophet was taken to a cave in one of the mountains in the background. The Makkans left the battlefield very quickly and thus did not inflict the fatal blow to the growth of Islam they were hoping for.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • Pilgrims on the Archers Hill.

    Pilgrims on the Archers Hill.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • A pilgrim at Ohud.

    A pilgrim at Ohud.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • Dr. Riaz, our group leader, is a doctor and has been bringing people to Haj for 5 years now. He does this more from a sense of calling than trying to run a business. His mother brought him to Haj when he was only a few years old and he feels it his mission to help as many people as he can complete Hajj and do it with complete understanding instead of simply mouthing words. Here he is outside Masjid Qiblatain.

    Dr. Riaz, our group leader, is a doctor and has been bringing people to Haj for 5 years now. He does this more from a sense of calling than trying to run a business. His mother brought him to Haj when he was only a few years old and he feels it his mission to help as many people as he can complete Hajj and do it with complete understanding instead of simply mouthing words. Here he is outside Masjid Qiblatain.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • Dr. Riaz. He has written an excellent book on how to perform Hajj, and this was read in great detail by every single one of us.

    Dr. Riaz. He has written an excellent book on how to perform Hajj, and this was read in great detail by every single one of us.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • Masjid Qiblatain. At this mosque, the prophet received the revelation on switching the Qibla(direction of prayer) from Jerusalem to Makkah(which are in opposite directions). Hence it is the mosque with two Qiblas.

    Masjid Qiblatain. At this mosque, the prophet received the revelation on switching the Qibla(direction of prayer) from Jerusalem to Makkah(which are in opposite directions). Hence it is the mosque with two Qiblas.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • A minaret at the Masjid Qiblatain

    A minaret at the Masjid Qiblatain

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • An alcove in the Masjid Qiblatain.

    An alcove in the Masjid Qiblatain.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • A closeup of the minaret.

    A closeup of the minaret.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • View straight up.

    View straight up.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • Nadia helped Mummy walk around the Masjid Qiblatain.

    Nadia helped Mummy walk around the Masjid Qiblatain.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • Masjid Qiblatain.

    Masjid Qiblatain.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • Masjid Qiblatain.

    Masjid Qiblatain.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • Masjid Qiblatain.

    Masjid Qiblatain.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • Masjid Quba. The very first mosque for the muslims in Medina and was built with the Prophets help. It has since been redone.

    Masjid Quba. The very first mosque for the muslims in Medina and was built with the Prophets help. It has since been redone.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • Masjid Quba.

    Masjid Quba.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • Mummy at the date packing factory. There were many different types of dates there to taste and buy. I never knew there was that much variation in dates.

    Mummy at the date packing factory. There were many different types of dates there to taste and buy. I never knew there was that much variation in dates.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • The date packing factory.

    The date packing factory.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • Aash has obviosly found the treasure trove! Dr. Rajput making his son lift the heavy load after he fell getting off the bus.

    Aash has obviosly found the treasure trove! Dr. Rajput making his son lift the heavy load after he fell getting off the bus.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • The machine that makes the date with almond centers. It extracts the date seed and replaces it with an almond and then packs it individually in plastic. These were simply excellent.

    The machine that makes the date with almond centers. It extracts the date seed and replaces it with an almond and then packs it individually in plastic. These were simply excellent.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • The Bengalis and Pakistanis working in the factory.

    The Bengalis and Pakistanis working in the factory.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • Filing through the checout register. The walls are lined with different kinds of dates. In the Prophets time the primary diet was from dates and milk.

    Filing through the checout register. The walls are lined with different kinds of dates. In the Prophets time the primary diet was from dates and milk.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • The date packing factory.

    The date packing factory.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • The date packing factory in Medina.

    The date packing factory in Medina.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • Masjid Nabvi lies at the heart of Medina. This is the same spot where the prophet lived and was buried.

    Masjid Nabvi lies at the heart of Medina. This is the same spot where the prophet lived and was buried.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • Ambreen just bought some mixed dried fruit and nuts which we are having as a snack.

    Ambreen just bought some mixed dried fruit and nuts which we are having as a snack.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • Arshad in the prayer rug shop under the Movenpick. He struck up a conversation with the store owner in Farsi. He left his credit card there and later on they were delighted to see him back and greeting him in Farsi. It seems the credit cards were simply waiting to part from Arshad becasue he got his wallet stolen in Makkah...another story.

    Arshad in the prayer rug shop under the Movenpick. He struck up a conversation with the store owner in Farsi. He left his credit card there and later on they were delighted to see him back and greeting him in Farsi. It seems the credit cards were simply waiting to part from Arshad becasue he got his wallet stolen in Makkah...another story.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • Men and women in the courtyard.

    Men and women in the courtyard.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • There was always a fair bit of hustle and bustle in the masjid courtyard.

    There was always a fair bit of hustle and bustle in the masjid courtyard.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • The women's sections were segregated both inside and outside.

    The women's sections were segregated both inside and outside.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • Women in the ornate marble floor.

    Women in the ornate marble floor.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • A group of women on their prayer rugs waiting for prayers to start.

    A group of women on their prayer rugs waiting for prayers to start.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • Women praying. This was the view from Arshad Jan and Ambreen's room.

    Women praying. This was the view from Arshad Jan and Ambreen's room.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • Turkish Hajis collecting together. They were easy to identify by their clothes. I found the men to be very friendly.

    Turkish Hajis collecting together. They were easy to identify by their clothes. I found the men to be very friendly.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • Women gather for magrib (sunset) prayers.

    Women gather for magrib (sunset) prayers.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • Part of the courtyard where women have congregated for prayers.

    Part of the courtyard where women have congregated for prayers.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • A panorama of the Masjid Nabvi as people stream in for Magrib prayers.

    A panorama of the Masjid Nabvi as people stream in for Magrib prayers.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • You can see some of the spillover from the mosque in the area adjoining the masjid. By this time (ten minutes before the prayers) the Masjid is typically full and you can only find space outside.

    You can see some of the spillover from the mosque in the area adjoining the masjid. By this time (ten minutes before the prayers) the Masjid is typically full and you can only find space outside.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • The inside of Masjid Nabvi. The women in our group told us that it was much more crowded in their section. At some point the Saudis will have to correct for the fact that many more women are coming to the mosque than before, and allocate enough space.

    The inside of Masjid Nabvi. The women in our group told us that it was much more crowded in their section. At some point the Saudis will have to correct for the fact that many more women are coming to the mosque than before, and allocate enough space.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • Entrance to the Masjid. You can see the cleaning folks in blue with mops. They are there to clean any spills from the water coolers (bottom left) that are all over the masjid. These coolers contain Zam Zam water which comes from the holy spring in Makkah.

    Entrance to the Masjid. You can see the cleaning folks in blue with mops. They are there to clean any spills from the water coolers (bottom left) that are all over the masjid. These coolers contain Zam Zam water which comes from the holy spring in Makkah.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • The upper floor of Masjid Nabvi. It is beautiful at night and there are few people upstairs. The marble floor is wonderful and cool for your bare feet.

    The upper floor of Masjid Nabvi. It is beautiful at night and there are few people upstairs. The marble floor is wonderful and cool for your bare feet.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • The upper floor.

    The upper floor.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • It seemed the upper floor was much more popular with the European muslims from Bosnia and Russia and Albania. At least that is what Arshad and I theorized, and I hold Arshad to be the authority on recognizing people's home country from their looks.

    It seemed the upper floor was much more popular with the European muslims from Bosnia and Russia and Albania. At least that is what Arshad and I theorized, and I hold Arshad to be the authority on recognizing people's home country from their looks.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • A section on the second floor. There are multiple domes on the second floor as shown above, and they move! It gave me a bit of a fright to see it moving the first time because it was so quiet. The white streak is a pigeon flying in the long exposure.

    A section on the second floor. There are multiple domes on the second floor as shown above, and they move! It gave me a bit of a fright to see it moving the first time because it was so quiet. The white streak is a pigeon flying in the long exposure.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • More of the second floor.

    More of the second floor.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • 2nd floor at night. On the left is where most of the congregation sat.

    2nd floor at night. On the left is where most of the congregation sat.

    hajjmedinahislamreligionpilgrimagemuslims

  • Photo Sharing
  • About SmugMug
  • Browse Photos
  • Prints & Gifts
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Owner Log In
© 2022 SmugMug, Inc.