the simple inside truth - ahle hadeesthe simple truth" april 2011 (5) he added that ulama and...
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"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (3)
inside
04 Editorial
06 Guidance from the Glorious Qur'an
07 Pearls from the Holy Prophet
08 Personality(Sheikh Abdur Rahman
As-Sudais,Grand Imam Of
Masjide Haram)
09 A Brief History Of Kaaba
13 Expansion of the Mataaf
17 Aiming High
22 Welcome Change
26 Precious Water (Zam Zam)
29 News from Headquarter
The
SIMPLE
TRUTHMONTHLY
Chief Editor
Asghar Ali Imam Mahadi Salafi
Editor
Dr. Abul Hayat Ashraf
Publisher
Khawaja Md. Qutbuddin
Address:
Markazi Jamiat-e-Ahle Hadees Hind
Ahle Hadees Manzil
4116, Urdu Bazar, Jama Masjid,
Delhi-110006
Ph: 011-23273407
Fax: 011-23246613
websit: www.ahlehadees.org
E-mail: [email protected]
April, 2011
Vol. No. 5 Issue No.4
"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (4)
Editorial
Among the remarkable days in the history of
Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadeeth, Hind was the 27th
of March,2011. It was on this day that the Imam
and Khateeb of Holy Mosque, in Makkah,
Sheikh Dr Abdur Rahman As-Sudais paid a visit
to Ahle Hadeeth Complex, Okhla New Delhi
and led the Asr prayer in its Jama Masjid as
well as delivered a sermon. His visit was joyous
for all for which we praise and thank the Creator
of Worlds Who has blessed us with His grace
and favour.
Those who accomplish great deeds in the world
are gifted with a charismatic personality and it is
the personality which is the power behind all
their works. The same is in the case of Imam-e-
Haram.Sheikh Abdur Rahman As-Sudais is
handsome, medium size build, inclined to be tall,
round and bright face,brown with whitness
colour,well built body, full and black beard, when
talking or smiling a light seems to sparke from
the teeth, soft spoken but good communicator
and an exemplary recitor of Holy Quran. He is
an expert of Tajweed. His manner of recitation
is slow,measured in rhythmic tones and his
beauti-ful voice is pleasant and fascinating.
It was in the year 1404 A.H. he was appointed
Imam and Khateeb of Masjid-e-Haram,
AHLAN WA SAHLAN WA MARHABA
Makkah. There he first led Asre prayer on the
date 22nd Shawwal 1404 A.H. His first Khutbah
was on 15th Ramadhan 1404 A.H.
After Asr prayer at Ahle Hadeeth Complex ,
Sheikh Abdur Rahman As-Sudais in his short
sermon, reminded the hundreds and thousands
of congregation that Muslim Ummah needs to
take admonistions and learn lessons from the
Holy Quran and the Sunnah. He stated in strong
voice that I feel at home when I am here among
Ahle Hadeeth brothers as they are the true
follwers of Quran and Hadeeth as well as
preachers of Islamic Monotheism (Tawheed).
He lauded their contributions and valuable
services. He said that they are defenders of faith
as it was in the case of Sheikh Muhammad Bin
Abdul Wahab in Saudi Arabia. The Correct
manhaj , true faith and moderate thinking of Ahle-
Hadeeth brothers in India and people of the
kingdom of Saudi Arabica are the same. This is
the reason behind good ties between the two.
Sheikh also lauded the tone of integration that
the Ahle Hadeeth participants and congregation
displayed because such a tone does infact reflect
a sprit of optimism. We really need such an
integration in every field. He prayed for Jamaat
Ahel Hadeeth's success in future too.
"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (5)
He added that Ulama and Callers of Islam play
a key role within their communities by introducing
Islam to people and presenting its true image to
them. Ulama represent their community and its
religion and hence they should be mindful about
their words and deeds.
He indicated that Saudi Arabia exerts
remarkable efforts in serving Islam and Muslims
every where. The Kingdom plays a unique role
supporting Muslims and propagating Islamic
culture every where. He stressed that these
efforts are the best means to wisely, sensibly
and practically defend the faith of Islam. Quran
and Sunnah are basis of Saudi Government
where tazeer,hudood and Islamic law are
executed in letter and spirit.Consequently,
peace,blessing and divine favour prevail in the
Kingdom. He said that Islam recognizes others
and urges Muslims to love their neighbours and
all other people.The perfect model of the Holy
Prophet (S.A.W.) in all respects is before us,
challenging us to follow it meticulously to get
the desired results in the context of modern
world. May Allah bless us to fulfil this obligation
solely for His pleasure, make us the medium of
guidance to others and accept it from us. Ameen!
I would like to take this opportunity to praise
the sincere effort of Hafiz Muhammad Yahya,
the Ameer Jamat Ahle hadeeth, Hind, Maulana
Asghar Imam Mahadi Salafi, General Secretary
for their enthusiasm and warm welcome. Sheikh
Abdur Rahman As-Sudais concluded by
praying to Allah to make this meeting successful.
The Imame Haram has returned back to Saudi
Arabia on March 28, 2011. He is not physically
present among us but his pleasant voice,charming
recitation,beautiful personality and sweet
memories would remain with us for long.His
journey to India was delightful and sermon at
Ahle Hadeeth Complex was witnessed as an
event rarely seen in the history of Jamaate Ahle
Hadeeth. It was evident in parks, roadsides,
rooftops and above all inside the Ahle Hadeeth
Jama Masjid where recitation of Holy Quran
were being held.The Simple Truth is reminding
its readers through this issue about the divinely
ordained duty of calling people to the Path of
God.May our efforts bear fruits and may this
issue encorrage the Ummah to become a beacon
of faith in the dismal darkness of doubt.
May Allah endow a long life to Sheikh Abdur
Rahman As-Sudais. Ameen! Our solute and
thanks goes to Khadimul Harmain Ash-Sharifain
King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, HRH Crown
Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz and HRH Prince
Naif Bin Abdul Aziz , Minister of Interior for
kind visit of Imame Haram to India. We make
special thanks to Saudi Ambassador to India
Mr Faisal Bin Hasan Al-Turad to make this event
happen.
O Allah! We ask for a mercy from you by which
You will guide our hearts, settle our affairs,
remove our cares, protect us from what is unseen
to us, make our faces radiant, purify our deeds,
inspire us with wisdom, avert calamities from us
and protect us from every evil.
O Allah! We seek refuge in you against
difficulties,calamities, troubles, oppression and
the ridicule of enemies. Ameen!.
µµµ
"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (6)
“The first House (of worship) appointed for
men was that at Bakka (Makkah): Full of
blessing and of guidance for all the worlds”
(Surah Ale-Imran:96)
The Kaba is, the House of Allah. Its foundation
goes back by Arab tradition to Prophet Ibrahim.
Its fourfold character is here referred to:
1. It was the centre to which all the Arab tribes
resorted for trade, for poetic contestus, and for
worship. 2)It was sacred territory, and was
respected by friend and foe alike. At all seasons,
all fighting was and is forbidden within its limits,
and even arms are not allowed to be carried
and no game or other thing is allowd to be killed.
Like the Cities of Refuge under the Mosaic
Dispensation, to which manslayers could flee
or the Sanctuaries in Mediaeval Europe, to
which criminals could not be pursued. Makkah
was recognized by Arab custom as inviolable
for the pursuit of revenge or violence. (3) It was
a place of prayer: even today there is a station
of Prophet Ibrabim.(4) It must be held pure and
sacred for all purposes.
Bible itself testifies that Jerusalem was built by
Prophet Solomon more than four and a half
centuries after Prophet Moses and that it was
during his time that the worshippers of the One
God began to pray towards it. It is established
KAABA-THE FIRST HOUSE OF
WORSHIP
by traditions from numerous sources which are
undisputed throughout Arabica, however, that
the Kaaba was constructed by Prophet Ibrahim
who lived some eight or nine centuries before
Prophet Moses. That the Kaaba was older than
the temple of Jerusalem was beyond dispute.
It is further stated that there are several clear
signs which prove that Makkah sanctuary
enjoys God’s blessing and has been chosen by
Him as His Sanctuary. Although rest of Arabia
was plunged into chaos and disorder for about
two and a half thousand years, peace and
tranquillity reigned in both the precincts and the
environs of the Kaba. Thanks to the Kaba the
entire Arbian Peninsula enjoyed four months of
peace and order every year. These were the
sacred months when people went on pilgrimage.
Moreover, barely a half century before the
revelation of these verses, people had seen how
Abraha, the Abyssinian invader, fell prey to
God’s scourge when he attacked Makkah with
the intention of destroying the Kaabah.Its
memory was fresh and many eye witnesses were
still alive at the time of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.)
Even during the pre Islamic era the Age of
Ignorance in Arabia- this sanctuary injoyed such
veneration that even those who thirsted for each
other's blood saw their enemies in the sacred
territory but dare not to attack them.
Guidance from the Holy Quran
"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (7)
1.Narrated Aisha (The wife of the Holy
Prophet) Allah’s Apostle said:” No calamity
befalls a Muslim but that Allah expiates some
of his sins because of it, even though it were
the prick he receives from a thorn”.
2.Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri and Abu
Hurairah, The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said, “
No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor
sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim,
even if it were the prick he receives from a
thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins
for that.
3.Narrated Kaab; The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.)
said: The example of a believer is that of a fresh
tender plant, which the wind bends it sometimes
and some time it makes it straight and the
example of a hypocrite is that of pine tree which
keeps straight till once it is uprooted suddenly.
4.Narrated Abu Hurairah: Allah’s Apostle
(S.A.W.) said:” The example of a believer is
that of a fresh tender plant, from whatever
direction the wind comes, it bends it, but when
the wind becomes quiet, it becomes straight
again. Similarly, a believer is afflicted with
calamities (but he remains patient till Allah
removes his difficulties).And an impious wicked
person is like a pine tree which keeps hard and
straight till Allah cuts (breaks) it down when
He wishes.”
PATIENTS
Pearls From the Holy Prophet
5.Narrated Abdullah: I visited Allah’s Apostle
(S.A.W.) while he was suffering from a highfever. I said, “O Allah’s Apostle! You have a
high fever.” He said: “Yes, I have as much fever
as two men of you”. I said,” Is it because youwill have a double reward?” He said, “Yes, it is
so. No Muslim is afflicted with any harm, even
if it were the Prick of a thorn, but that Allahexpiates his sins because of that, as a tree sheds
its leaves”.
6.Narrated Al-Bara bin Azib: Allah’s Apostle(S.A.W.) ordered us to do seven things andforbade us to do seven other things. He forbadeus to wear gold rings, sik, dibaj, Istabriq, Qissy,and Maithara, and ordered us to accompanyfuneral processions, visit the sick and greet every
body.
7.Narrated Ata bin Abi Rabah ibn Abbas saidto me, “Shall I show you a woman of the peopleof Paradise?” I said,”Yes”. He said,” This blacklady came to the Prophet (S.A.W.) and said, “Iget attacks of epilepsy and my body becomesuncovered. Please invoke Allah for me” the HolyProphet (S.A.W.) said (to her), “ If you wish, Iwill invoke Allah to cure you” She said;”I willremain patient, and added” but I becomeuncovered, so please invoke Allah for me that Imay not become uncovered” So he invoked
Allah for her”.
(Sahih Al-Bukhari)
"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (8)
Full Name: Abdur Rahman bin Abdul Aziz binAbdullah bin Muhammad bin Abdul Aziz binMuhammad bin Abdullah
Nickname: As-Sudais
Sheikh Abdur Rahman As-Sudais is a GrandImam of Masjide Haram in Makkah, SaudiArabia. He is well known for his pleasingrecitation of Holy Quran. He is eminent for hisgreat impression as well as simplicity. Headditionally leads a Taraweeh prayer duringRamadhan (with alternative Imams together withSheikh Saud Al-Shuraim). Sheikh As- Sudaiswas born in 1382 A.H (1961) in El-Bakiria inthe region of El-Kassim, Saudi Arabia. He comesfrom Anza clan. He became Hafiz of the HolyQuran at the age 12 in (1975) in Riyadh, in amasjid headed by Sheikh Abdur Rahman al-Faryan. He was also tought by SheikhMuhammad Ali Hussain and Sheikh MuhammadAbdul Majeed Zakir, as well as various otherscholars.
Sheikh Abdur Rahman grew up in Riyadh
attending the “Mathna bin Hartha” Primary
School as well as the Scientific Academy ofRiyadh. There he studied under various scholars
including Sheikh Abdullah Munaif and Sheikh
Abdulla bin Abdur Rahman Al-Tawayjari. DrAbdur Rahman As-Sudais graduated from this
Academy with a grading of “Excellent” in the
year 1399 A.H (1978 A.C) and went to Islamic
Academy of Riyadh and left in (1403 A.H) 1982A.C. After this he became Imam and khateeb
of the Masjid Sheikh Al-Allam Abdul Razzaq
Afifi. He also began teaching at the AcademyImam Al Dawa Al Almy.
It was in the year 1404 that he was appointedImam and Khateeb of Majsidul-Harram,Makkah. There he first led the Asr prayer onthe date 22nd Shaban (1404). His first Khutbahwas on 15th Ramadahn 1404. In the year DrAbdur Rahman got his Master Degree, grading“Excellent” from the Shariah College of ImamMuhammad Bin Saud University in 1987 andperceived his PhD, in Islamic Shariah againgrading “Excellent” in the year 1416 (1995)A.C. He moved onto to being assistant teacherat the prestigious Ummul Qura University,Makkah where he obtained his Doctorate, againgrading “Excellent” in the year 1416. He wastherefore appointed lecturer in the ShariahCollege of the Ummul Qura University.
Sheikh was selected to be the Islamicpersonality in 2005 (1426 A.H.) by a Dubai.International Holy Quran Award(DIHQA).Organising Committee.
Sheikh As-Sudais is married and father of twoboys and two girls. His children all study in aQuranic learning center. He is also an Imam inAbd Arrahman Assaaydi Mosque in Al AwalyStreet in Makkah.
SHEIKH ABDUR RAHMAN AS-SUDAIS
GRAND IMAM OF MASJIDE HARAM
Personality
"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (9)
We have rendered the shrine (the Ka‘aba atMakkah) a focal point for the people, and asafe sanctuary. You may use Abraham’s shrineas a prayer house. We commissioned Abrahamand Ismail: “You shall purify My House for thosewho circumambulate it , those who live there,and those who bow and prostrate.” (Surah Al-Baqara:125)
The History of Kaaba As A Place Of Worship
Kaaba, also known as, Ka’bah, is the centerof the holiest place of worship in Islam, i.e. theSacred Mosque of Mecca, Al Masjid Al-Haram.Its name is an Arabic word that means a homeor a room that looks like a cube.. It is a cubeshaped stone structure built in the middle of theSacred Mosque. The Kaaba was built byProphet Abraham as a landmark for the Houseof God, for the sole purpose of worshipping ofGod Alone.
As Abraham raised the foundations of the shrine,together with Ismail (they prayed): “Our Lord,accept this from us. You are the Hearer, theOmniscient.(Surah Al-Baqrah:127)
Kaaba is the center of the circumambulationsperformed during the pilgrimage (hajj), and it is
toward the Kaaba that Muslims face in theirprayers (salat). Before Prophet Muhammed’sadvent, Meccans who lost the religion ofAbraham, Monotheism, worshipped many idols,most notable of which were al-Lat, al-Uzza, andManat. The Black Stone, of meteoric origin, islocated at one of its outside corners. It has beenused by the pilgrims as a landmark to count thenumber of circumambulations. Some traditionalMuslims put emphasis on touching it and kissingit. The actual structure of the Kaaba has beendemolished and rebuilt several times in thecourse of its history. Around the Kaaba is arestricted area, haram, extending in somedirections as far as 12 miles, into which onlyMuslims may enter.
Kaaba is located in the city of (Makkah) in theArabian desert in the Arabian Peninsula, of whatis known today as Saudi Arabia.
Location Of (Makkah)
Makkah is at the intersection of latitude 21 to25 degree north and longitude 39 to 49 degreeeast. It is set in a rugged landscape consistingmostly of solid granite, with rocks sometimesreaching 300 meters (1,000 feet) above sea
A Brief History of Kaaba
Islamic Feature
"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (10)
level.
Makkah is enclosed by the Valley of Abraham,which is surrounded by two nearby mountainranges to the east, west and south. The northernrange comprises the Al-Falaq and Qu’aqi’anmountains, while the southern range consists ofAbu Hudaidah mountain to the west, Kuday tothe south and Abu Qubais and Khindimah tothe south-east.
There are three main entrances to Makkah: Al-Mu’allat (also known as Al-Hujûn), Al-Musfalah, and Al-Shubaikah.
Kaaba & Mecca In History
Edward Gibbon writes about the Ka’bah andits existence before the Christian era in his book:
..... of blind mythology of barbarians - of thelocal deities, of the stars, the air, and the earth,of their sex or titles, their attributes orsubordination. Each tribe, each family, eachindependent warrier, created and changed therites and the object of this fantastic worship; butthe nation, in every age, has bowed to the religionas well as to the language of Makkah . Thegenuine antiquity of Kaaba ascends beyond theChristian era: in describing the coast of the RedSea the Greek historian Diodorus has remarked,between the Thamudites and the Sabeans, afamous temple, whose superior sanctity wasrevered by all the Arabians; the linen of silkenveil, which is annually renewed by the Turkishemperor, was first offered by the Homerites, whoreigned seven hundred years before the time ofMohammad.[2]
Diodorus Siculus was a Greek historian of 1stcentury BC who wrote Bibliotheca Historica, abook describing various parts of the discoveredworld. The following lines are the Englishtranslation of Greek quoted by Gibbon from thebook of Diodorus Siculus (Diodorus of Sicily)describing the ‘temple’ considered to be the theholiest in the whole of Arabia.
And a temple has been set-up there, which isvery holy and exceedingly revered by allArabians.
It is interesting to know that Claudius Ptolemyof Alexandria, mathematician and astronomer,flourishing about a century after Pliny, undertookto make an atlas of the habitable world. He wasnot a descriptive geographer, and his book wasintended to be no more than a commentary onhis maps. He enumerated some hundred andfourteen cities or villages in Arabia Felix.
Apart from this a place called Macoraba is alsoshown which is identified as Makkah G E vonGrunebaum says:
Mecca is mentioned by Ptolemy, and the namehe gives it allows us to identify it as a SouthArabian foundation created around a sanctuary.
Makkah In The Scriptures
The Qur’ân talks about Bakkah (the older nameof Makkah) being the first house of worshipappointed for mankind. It also addresses thisplace as Umm ul-Qurâ i.e., Mother of theSettlements.
“The most important shrine established for the
"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (11)
people is the one in Becca; a blessed beaconfor all the people. In it are clear signs: the stationof Abraham. Anyone who enters it shall begranted safe passage. The people owe it toGOD that they shall observe Hajj to this shrine,when they can afford it. As for those whodisbelieve, GOD does not need anyone.”[Quran; 3:96-97]
The Bible also mentions about the valley of Bacain connection with the pilgrimage. Below is thequote from Psalms 84 (NIV):
1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORDAlmighty!
2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courtsof the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out forthe living God.
3 Even the sparrow has found a home, andthe swallow a nest for herself, where she mayhave her young— a place near your altar, OLORD Almighty, my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house;they are ever praising you.
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca,they make it a place of springs; the autumn rainsalso cover it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength, till eachappears before God in Zion.
8 Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty;listen to me, O God of Jacob.
9 Look upon our shield, O God; look with
favor on your anointed one.
10 Better is one day in your courts than athousand elsewhere; I would rather be adoorkeeper in the house of my God than dwellin the tents of the wicked.
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; theLORD bestows favor and honor; no good thingdoes he withhold from those whose walk isblameless.
12 O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man whotrusts in you.
The interpretation of the valley of Baca in theThe Jewish Encylopedia is quite interesting,though it does not provide a complete evidenceand leaves the reader with a suggestion. Belowis the full quote.
Baca, The Valley Of: A valley mentioned inPsalms LXXXIV:7. Since it is there said thatpilgrims transform the valley into a land of wells,an old translators gave to Baca, the meaning ofa “valley of weeping”; but it signifies rather anyvalley lacking water. Support for this latter viewis to be found in II Samuel V:23 et seq. ; IChronicles XIV:14 et seq ., in which the pluralform of the same word designates a tree similarto the balsam tree; and it was supposed that adry valley could be named after this tree. Konigtakes Baca from the Arabian Baka’a, andtranslates it “lack of streams”. The Psalmistapparently has in mind a particular valley whosenatural condition led him to adopt its name.
The translation of Arabian Baka’a as “lack ofstream” seems to throw some light on the natureof the valley before the appearance of the stream
"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (12)
of Zam-Zam near Ka’bah which was a dryplace with no vegetation whatsoever.
The Anchor Bible Dictionary does not throwany light on it, albeit, there are some suggestionsin it too like the The Jewish Encylopedia. Belowis the full quote.
The interpretation of the valley of Baca as a “thevalley of weeping” makes sense because of thedistress which Hagar underwent when she wasleft with Ishmael in the barren desert with nomeans of living.
The two interpretations of Baca, viz., “lack ofstream” and “the valley of weeping” appears tofit in the context of pilgrimage to Bakkah, theolder name of Makkah where the Ka’bah issituated. Ka’bah has been a place of reverenceby all Arabians before the Christian era as wehave seen earlier.
²²²
NEW KISWA AT
HOLY KABAThe Holy Kaba is adorned with a new Kiswa
(cloth) the day of the Standing at Arafat, the
most important Haj ritual.
The new kiswa is put in place at a ceremony
organised by the presidency for the Two Holy
Mosques Affairs, attended by a number of
Saudi officials as well as diplomats from
Muslim countries.
The 200 Saudi employees of the Kaba cover
factory produce one kiswa a year. It cost
SR17 million ($4.53 million) and requires 450
kilograms of pure silk woven into
approximately 658 square meters of cloth.
The Kaba cover is a unique work of art made
of black silk and adorned with phrases in
praise of Allah. The 14-meter long cloth has
a gilded 95-cm belt along the top containing.
Phrases from the Holy Quran in Arabic
calligraphy within an arabesque frame.
Below the belt are other verses from the Holy
Quran and phrases in praise of God adorned
with Islamic decoration.
The section called burqaa, which is a curtain
covering the door of the Kaba, is similarly
embellished with text from Holy Scripture in
gold plated silver.
The complete cover is made of five pieces-
four covering each side of the cube like edifice
and the burqaa, sewn together once the cover
is in place. All gold and silver embroidery on
the kiswa is made by hand.
INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE
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The Simple Truth
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"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (13)
The Kingdom is considering the expansion
of the Mataaf to solve the problem of
overcrowding and provide safety for the
pilgrims
A study for the expansion of the
circumambulation (Tawaf) area of he Grand
Mosque in Makkah is being conducted,
according to Dr Saleh Bin Abdullah Bin Humaid,
Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council.
Bin Humaid mentioned the study recently during
the Al-Jasser Weekly Diwaniya in Riyadh, where
Saudi intellectuals had gathered to discuss
various local and regional issues.
Although Bin Humaid did not provide any further
details, it is expected that the expansion of the
Tawaf area is aimed at reducing the massive
overcrowding around the Holy Kaaba during
the Haj and Umra seasons. It would also help
to provide further safety for pilgrims.
According to statistics issued by the Custodian
of the Two Holy Mosques,Institute for Haj
Research, during peak periods, there are 40,000
people per hour, at the rate of six people per
square meter, performing the Tawaf.
Many of those concerned with crowd
management at the Grand Mosque said that
solutions need to be sought for overcrowding
from the Shariah and Islamic jurisprudence.
Experts in crowd management said engineers
could be brought in to help provide solutions to
the problem.
The Tawaf area has a diameter of 64.8 metres
with the centre being the Holy Kaaba. The total
area for the Tawaf-the Mataaf-is 4,100 square
metres.
The Holy Kaaba situated in the Grand Mosque
of Makkah is 14 metres high from the western
and southern sides, and 11.28 metres from the
northern side. Its inside floor is laid with coloured
marble. Its ceilings are supported by three
wooden columms, each with diameter of 44 cm.
The head of Holy Mosque and the Prophet’s
Mosque Affaris Sheikh Saleh Bin abdul Rahman
Al-Hussein said the Grand Mosque in Makkah
is to be recarpeted with nearly 14,000 carpets.
Sheikh Al-Hussein said that on instructions from
the leadership the ground floor and Mattaf area
are to have 10,000 new carpets, and 600 shoe
storage units. According to Sheikh Abdul Aziz
Al-Faleh of the Prophets Mosque Affairs, the
mosque in Madinah is to be furnished with 3,400
new carpets.
Furthermore, separate bodies for development
Expansion of the Mataaf
Islamic Feature
"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (14)
of the two holy cities have been formed. Prince
Khaled chaired the first meeting of the Makkah
and Holy Sites Development Authority
(MHSDA)at his office in Jeddah recently.
An independent 10-member company has been
set up under the name"Board For Capital
Investment to Develop Islamic Capital Makkah"
for the development of unplanned districts in the
holy city and provide modern amenities.
Makkah Mayor Osama Al-Bar said, the
company has been formed as per the decision
of the Council of Ministers.
The board, a semi-government body, will have
the Mayor of Makkah as its chairman. It will
have five members from the government and five
civilians and investors.
The government members are Undersecretary
of Makkah Mayoralty, Undersecretary of the
Ministry of Finance, Undersecretary of the
Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Undersecretary
of the Ministry of Trade and Industry and a
representative of the Council of Beautification
of Makkah.
Al-Bar said that the civilian members and
investors are Saleh Bin Mahfooz, Anas Sairfi,
Dr Majdee Hareeri, Mazen Batterjee and
Mansoor Bin Saeed.
He said the board is a fully independent body
and will not require any permission from
government for implementing its projects or for
expenses.
He added that it will develop infrastructure
projects and raise funds. The monorail project
for the city will also be executed under the
supervision of the board.
The board will evolve a comprehensive network
of communications connecting the city’s hotels
and all other important places with all the major
cities of the world.
The mayor said the board will construct 5,000
individual apartments with modern amenities in
the east of Makkah at Uma Al-Jood, in the West
at Al-Sharaye and in the south in Al-Rasdiyyah,
at affordable prices.
The authority that will look after the development
of Madinah will be headed by Madina Gov.
Price Abdul Aziz Bin Majed while Prince Khaled
will head the authority of the development of
Makkah. The decision to bifurcate the old
development body aims at spurring the
development of the holy cities and ensuring
smooth execution of projects.
Both the bodies will have the minister of finance
and the minister of Haj as members in addition
to the mayors of Makkah and Madinah who
will be members in their respective bodies.
The meeting appointed Sami Bar-hamin as the
secretary general of the new authority for
Makkah.
Prince Khaled told the meeting that an
international firm was conducting studies on new
development projects in Makkah.
He lauded the role of Prince Miteb, former
minister of municipal and rural affairs, saying the
credit for the development of Makkah goes to
him. Prince Miteb was the chairman of the old
authority that looked after the development of
both the holy cities.
The developments we now see in Makkah are
the result of Prince Miteb’s efforts, Prince
"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (15)
Khaled said. Both Makkah and Madinah should
get their share of development.
The meeting also discussed the setting up of an
executive committee for MHSDA. The issue of
separating the financial allocations for MHSDA
from that of the erstwhile development authority
for the two holy cities also came under
discussion.
Al-Bar has said that there would be no
postponement or delay in the implementation of
development projects in the holy city. All
projects will be executed as planned. There will
be no delay, he said.
Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf and
Transport Minister Jabara Al-Seraisry have
signed a contract with a UK-based company
for the management of the railway project.
The Ministry of Transport is keen to complete
all steps required for the implementation of the
railway project, Al Seraisry said while signing
the contract.
Makkah mayor said the Holy Sites Monorail
project was also progressing as scheduled.
Anyone who visits the holy sites can see the
progress of work, “ he said, adding that the
works on the King Abdul Aziz Parallel Road
had progressed considerably. The monorail
project will help withdraw about 53,000 buses
and other vehicles being used by pilgrims coming
by land from within the kingdom and
neighbouring GCC countries.
Al-Bar said the Makkah municipality has signed
two contract with two national companies at the
value of SR50 million for the construction of a
bridge and the building of walls and steps at
various mountains. We are keen to implement
various projects for the welfare of the public
after carefully assessing the needs and
requirements of residents, he added.
The mayor said the first to these project is a
bridge to be built in Mahbas Al-Jin residential
area at the cost of SR32.3 million while the
second consists of steps and walls to protect
against falling rocks in mountains near the city
at a cost of SR 17.7 million.
The Ministry of Rural and Municipal affairs
launched a programmme to develop the
performance of municipalities.The programmme
consists of measures to revise and evaluate
performance,parametres for development.
Al-Bar said the programme will tackle various
issues including good governance, management,
strategic planning and analysis of work, and
managing human resources and customer
satisfaction.
Teams from the ministry will carry out field tours
to check the quality of services being provided
to residents.
A sum of SR22 billion has been given in
compensation to the owners of nearly 1,000
properties due to be demolished to make way
for expansions to the courtyards of the Grand
Mosque in Makkah.
Abbas Qattan of the Courtyards Development
Committee, who announced the figure two days
ahead of starting on phase two of works on the
north courtyard, which will see property
disconnected from water and electricity, said the
figure represented the amount already paid out.
Services disconnection will pave the way for the
demolition of a total of 962 properties for the
"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (16)
expansion to the courtyard, while some
properties will be removed later in the year to
allow the construction of pedestrian subway
turnnels and a central services station.
Qattan said that pedestrian subways would lead
to the north courtyard from Al-Hujoun Street
and Omar Bin Abdul Aziz Street. An emergency
tunnel from Khaled Bin Al-Waleed Street will
connect the other two subways.
The expansion of the north and northwest sides
of the mosque, ordered by King Abdullah in the
first days of 2008, was originally expected to
require SR6 billion to compensate owners of
requisitioned land and demolished property. The
works will open up space of approximately
300,000 square metres for an additional
500,000 worshipers.
In another development, the presidency of the
Two Holy Mosques Affairs unveiled its plan for
this year’s Umra season. The plan is aimed at
creating an atmosphere that is perfectly suitable
for worship inside the Grand Mosque and its
precincts. The plan will ensure that all usual
services to pilgrims are provided in coordination
with related departments, said Vice President
of the presidency of the Two Holy Mosque
Muhammad Al-Khuzaim.
He said 4,020 people are working under the
presidency. While 1,800 people, including
women, are working as regular staff, there are
400 seasonal hands and 1,820 labourers, he
said.
He added that more multilingual teachers and
muftis would be employed for this year's, season,
and that as the expansion of the Masaa has
been completed, work on the northward
expansion of the mosque’s courtyard would be
undertaken this year.
The other tasks include increasing the number
of Zamzam taps in place of water drums,
completing the process of naming gates along
the Masa’s and placing more sign boards inside
and outside the mosque. “You Are Here” location
maps will also be updated and more studies on
crowd movement are to be conducted, he said.
Al-Khuzaim also called on Umra pilgrims andvisitors to the Grand Mosque to refrain fromactions that violate the sanctity of the GrandMosque such as smoking. He said pilgrimswould not be allowed to bring food, drinks andbaggage into the mosque, and urged people notto perform ablution at Zam Zam drinking pointsand not to fill bottles at such places to avoidspilling fluids on the marble. The official alsourged worshipers not to sleep inside the mosque,cooperate in keeping it clean, place shoes onracks and discard rubbish in garbage bins.
He also welcomed suggestions. Members of thepublic, including pilgrims, can submit theirsuggestion directly to the presidency’s office, viafax (025739992 ) or through the presidency’swebsite.
Meanwhile, about 1,000 students from varioussecondary schools in Makkah partipated in avoluntary campaign to clean the Grand Mosquerecently before the start of the Umra season.
The boys, who were supervised by 96 cleaningofficials from the Presidency of Holy Mosquesaffairs, cleaned the Mataaf (the courtyard onwhich worshippers circumambulate the Kaaba),carpets and the points where Zam Zam water is
available in the mosque. They also polished metal
(On Page:21)
"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (17)
The Kingdom is Planning An Ambitious
Project to Make Makkah One of The Most
Beautiful Cities in The World
Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal recently
an-nounced the new Makkah development
strategy which aims to make the holy city a role
model for the kingdom and the Islamic world.
The implementation of the strategy has already
started. Prince Khaled said that the Makkah
development strategy was centred on the Holy
Kaba, adding that it was focussing on
developing human beings and achieving
sustained and balanced development for all
major cities and towns in the region.
The project will change the shape of
underdeveloped districts, which will have new
shopping centres, hospitals, schools and housing
complexes. He added that the development
strategy for Makkah province was devised in
light of his 30-year expertise as governor of Asir
province and his experience with the Ri-Yadh
Development Authority.
“The development of Makkah should be an
exceptional one considering its unique position,”
the governor told UN team involved in preparing
a comprehensive development plan for
Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites of Mina,
Arafat and Muzdalifah.
Prince Khaled briefed the UN officials on the
development plan for Makkah including quality
of buildings, transport means, road systems and
application of modern technology in the service
of pilgrims coming for Haj and Umra.
“The development plan for Makkah should be
different from that of any other city and should
protect its cultural identity, “ The governor said.
The UN team will review the development plan
for Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites, which
is being prepared by a Canadian consultancy
firm with the support of Saudi experts.
The strategy has given priority to the
development of people through education and
training, improvement of Haj and Umra services,
solving the water problem by increasing supply
and the expansion of infrastructure facilities.
He said a number of new projects have been
planned for the overall development of the
Makkah province. These include development
of the underdeveloped residential districts,
Jedda’s northern and southern Corniche, and
new tourism projects in Taif, Qunfuda and Al-
Laith.
Aiming High
By: Abu Ali
Islamic Feature
"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (18)
Prince Khaled described the plan to develop
the underdeveloped residential districts in
Makkah and Jeddah as one of the Kingdom’s
largest projects. The plan aims to improve the
situation of people living in underdeveloped
districts.
Prince Khaled, who is chairman of the executive
committee for the development of
underdeveloped districts, said there are 60 such
districts in Makkah and 52 in Jeddha. “It’s not
just making housing plans, rather it is a
comprehensive humanitarian, social, cultural,
health, educational and security project,” he
said.
“ We have to promote a culture of development
among members of the community. It will
certainly have great impact on their behaviour
and lifestyle.
Prince Khaled said the private sector would have
a greater role in carrying out development
projects in the province. “We expect no less
than 40 percent participation from the private
sector”.
Previously, a high-level conference was held at
Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah to discuss
plans to develop Makkah as an intelligent city.
The international conference discussed how to
transform the holy city into an intelligent city with
the aim of improving facilities and services being
rendered to the millions of pilgrims who come
for Haj and Umra. Prince Khaled had
inaugurated the intelligent city conference. This
conference was considered the biggest event
specialized in this field, held in the kingdom.
The first topic covered the familiarization of the
needs of smart cities and review of successful
initiatives of new smart cities. The second topic
discussed smart buildings and homes. It talked
about the latest international developments and
the best examples of intelligent buildings and
homes that would include different techniques
which would connect locally and internationally
through broadband. Intelligent homes will include
computer networks and security system and
monitoring cameras and controlling lights through
cell phones.
The third topic discussed the needs of Makkah.
The holy city aims to transform into an intelligent
city with intelligent capabilities. The change itself
is challenging. Changing the city into an intelligent
city of international standard needs to take into
consideration the needs of pilgrims and visitors
from all over the world. The main aim of the
holy city is to provide the best of services to
visitors by providing the best of technical
services. Executives of leading international IT
companies, including Microsoft, attended the
conference.
The two-day forum was aimed at ex-pediting
the application of modern intelligent city
technologies in Makkah to facilitate the housing
and transportation of pilgrims and other guests
who come to the city,”said Makkah Mayor
Osama Al-Bar,”We also want to make Makkah
a model for other Islamic cities”.
The conference focused on best practices in
intelligent cities, intelligent habitats, homes, and
other residential, commercial and public facilities.
It addressed the specific needs and applications
necessary for Makkah to become a smart city.
"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (19)
The presence of intelligent city facilities will speed
up communication with the outside world and
boost cultural, economic and commercial
development, Nabeel Koshak, chairman of the
organizing committee, said.
The transformation of Makkah into a world-
class intelligent city will help address the needs
of pilgrims from around the world, said
Mohammed Maqazi, head of the conferences
scientific committee. The pilgrims need
accommodation, meals information and
communication channels and various modes of
transportation, he said.
A combination of the latest technologies that
integrate fixed and wireless broadband
networks, fixed and mobile GIS and GPS
applications, and user-friendly information and
communication points can greatly enhance the
visitors experience, and the city’s objective of
providing quality services to its visitors. The
conference discussed e-government, safety
control systems and security application,
intelligent city managemet application, and how
to develop a large community of users with ICT
skills. Following the two-day conference, a
number of national and international companies
expressed their readiness to provide applications
required to make Makkah an intelligent city.
The conference’s delegates said the
implementation of infrastructure projects to
develop Makkah into a smart city would start
next year, adding that the new electronic would
serve millions of pilgrims who visit the holy city
every year. The new applications will include
those for issuing electronic visa, managing
electronic transport systems, interactive
geographical information systems, and providing
smart Haj cards. The delegates at the conference
proposed the formation of a working group
under the chairmanship of Prince Khaled to
implement a strategic plan for the development
of Makkah. The committee will identify smart
city applications and make proposals on how
to finance them. The high level panel will make
the necessary efforts to remove obstacles
hindering the implementation of new
infrastructure projects within a time frame.
The delegates proposed a similar conference
after two years to review the progress of work.
Al-Bar said the municipality’s strategic plan is
to improve its services. We want to develop a
number of new applications to meet the
requirement of an intelligent city, he said.
Expanding the capacity of the holy sites to
accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims
is one of the major challenges facing the
kingdom's Haj managers, he said.
Ahmed Yamani, chief technology officer at the
Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority
(SAGIA) said the government has allocated
$20 bil-lion from the gross domestic product to
build smart cities since 2006. At present we are
focusing on importing technology from South
Korea and Japan, Yamani said adding that the
formation of smart cities would boost the
Kingdom's ecnomy.
Mohammed Banten, president of Saudi Post,
said a database has been created to facilitate
the arrival and departure of pilgrims.
The database will provide all information about
"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (20)
a pilgrim including his name, age, country, health
condition, flight details, and accommodation in
Makkah and Madinah. He said the Saudi Post
had prepared a map of Makkah with indicators
to help locate various places in the city easily
and quickly. The conference discussed the
relevance of Worldwide Interoperability for
Microwave Access (Wimax) to facilitate
communication between Makkah’s residential
districts. Microsoft presented technological
solutions to make smart homes and smart cities
through a variety of environment friendly service
systems. The use of RFID system in collecting
information about pilgrims was also debated.
The Makkah development project will change
the shape of underdeveloped districts, which will
have new shopping centres, hospitals,schools
and housing complexes. Residents of these areas
would be given adequated time to vacate their
housees and housed in new homes built in
suburban area. He said measures have been
taken to improve the performance of
government departments in the province. We
have also taken new initiatives to improve the
services being rendered to pilgrims who come
for Haj and Umra,” he added. Hotel and
shopping complex projects, followed by the
construction of residential units and tourist
projects have topped the list of investment
activities in Makkah province in recent years.
Meanwhile, Minister of Commerce and Industry
Abdullah Zainal Alireza approved the
establishement of a national Haj and Umra
Committee in Makkah as requested by the
Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(MCCI).
The proposed committee will comprise three
existing committees that deal with Haj and Umra
matters in the Chambers of commerce in Jeddah,
Makkah and Madinah. The national committee,
for which the commerce minister has issued
approval will strive to identify the problems faced
by the Haj and Umra industry and come up with
solutions for them in collaboration with other
departments, said MCCI Haj and Umra
Committee Chairman Saad Al-Qarshi in a
statement.
Al-Qarshi added that the MCCI took the
initiative for the establishment of the committee
and recommended the names of its members.
He also said the new committee would work in
concert with other related governmental
departments and private agencies with the
ultimate aim of making Haj and Umra more
comfortable and safe for pilgrims.
Meanwhile, as part of its efforts to increase safety
and comfort of Haj pilgrims, the Ministry of Haj
has decided to assign doctors and clinics to
Tawafa establishments (the organizations that
take care of Haj pilgrims) during this Haj season.
The Ministry of Haj is also keen on protecting
pilgrims from the H1N1 pandemic. The Ministry
of Haj is in constant touch with the Ministry of
Health to obtain all instructions and
precatutionary measures against the flu so that
the Haj missions in various countries can instruct
their pilgrims on the precautions to be taken ,Haj
Minister Fouad Al-Farsy said in a statement after
his visit of the Tawafa organizations in Makkah
recently.
The Haj Ministry affirms of all Haj delegations
"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (21)
and other tour organizers to follow the
recommendations of the recent meeting of health
ministers (referring to the recent emergency
meeting of health ministers in Cairo on the
preventive measures to be taken by pilgrims),
Al-Farsy said. The minister added that his
ministry has made vast preparations to serve
pilgrims so that they would be able to perform
their rites with total comfort during this Haj
season.
That is in line with the directives of Custodian of
the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, Crown
Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of
defense and aviation, and Second Deputy
Premier and Interior Minister Prince Naif,”the
minister said.
The minister added that he had met with 80 Haj
delegations in order to discuss matters such as
pilgrims, accommodation, transportation and
awarenees campaigns on Haj rites.
The fact that this year's number of Umra pilgrims
is 300,000, which is higher than their number
last year affirms the fact that the kingdoms
service to them is on the rightrack with all
government departments and private agencies
trying their best to make the pilgrims stay and
worshipping safe and comfortable, “ he said.
He also noted the number of overstay fell to
0.25 per cent during the current year, according
to the figures made available by the Passport
Department. The ministry has made the Tawafa
establishments to function under an organisation
in order to coordinate with each other.
(Courtesy: Haj and Umrah; November,2009)
(From Page:16)
trimmings around the prayer complex.
Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Second DeputyPremier, Interior Minister and Chairman of theHigher Haj Committee has made it clear thatowners who do not conform to the country’ssafety regulations will not be allowed toaccommodate pilgrims in their buildings for thisyear’s Haj.
He said this applies to buildings in Makkah andMadinah which did not conform to the CivilDefence’s safety conditions this year.
Major-General Saleh Bin Salem Al-Mohawas,Dircetor General of Civil Defence in Madinah,said the directives took into consideration thelarge number of residential buildings needed inMakkah. This city’s buildings will have lessstringent conditions than those in Madinah.
He said this comprehensive vision is aimed atserving pilgrims by providing them with adequateand safe housing.
Major Abdullah Bin Thabit Al-Urabi Al-Harithy,the Spokesman for the Civil Defence in Makkah,said there were 5,800 buildings in Makkahwhich could absorb up to 1.5 million pilgrims.
The new safety regulations would be enforcedfrom Muharram until the end of Rajab.
It also means the Civil Defence and mayoraltyhave to deal jointly with engineering studies,design and structural matters. In addition, theMinistry of Haj must determine the building’scapacity, the mechanism of accommodation andcleanliness.
In Madinah, there are 974 residential buildingsable to accommodate 370,000 pilgrims.
(Courtesy: Haj and Umrah:April,2011)
"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (22)
As part of its efforts to provide complete
comfort to pilgrims and worshipers, the General
Presidency of Holy Mosques Affairs has made
available more than a million copies of the Holy
Quran inside the Grand Mosque.
The Presidency said all the copies, of different
sizes, were printed at King Fahd Quran Printing
Complex in Madinah. It further added that the
copies are being kept in 2,200 copper and 850
wooden cabinets and 733 wooden shelves all
over the Grand Mosque.
According to the Presidency, the Quran has
been translated into more than 12 languages,
English French, Urdu, Turkish and Spanish.
Sepecial copies of the Quran are also printed in
Braille for the blind, it added.
Furthermore, the Department of Call and
Guidance at the Holy Haram has installed more
than 100 telephone cabins inside the Grand
Mosque and at its doors for pilgrims and visitors
to call scholars to clear their doubts on religious
matters.
More than 50 Islamic scholars will be available
throughout the day to receive and answer
queries.
The department has also provided more than
20 religious scholars to deliver lectures during
the holy month of Ramadan. The scholars
included Sheikh Saleh Al-Lihaidhan, Youssef Al-
Ghifais, Saad Al-Shethri and Abdul Aziz Al-
Rajhi.
The department had also distributed earphones
in the courtyards and special praying areas for
women to enable them to follow the religious
lessons. It has also printed more than 1.2 million
booklets on creed and other religious issues.
The department had made arrangements to
translate the Friday sermon for the deaf and hard
of hearing using sign language. It had likewise
dedicated underground floors for Itikaf
(Seclusion for worship).
Authorities have made arrangements to ensure
that all crowd control during Ramadan, Haj and
Umra seasons will in future be handled by a
special task force of 13,000 security officers.
This special task force was formed tow years
ago and initially consisted of 20 officers and
2,000 non-commissioned officers.
Brig. Ali Al-Ghamdi, commander of the Special
Force for the Security of Haj and Umra, said
they will handle all crowd control in the areas
leading to and around, the Grand Masque in
Makkah effective this year. He added security
officers will monitor the crowds with surveillance
Welcome Change
Islamic Feature
"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (23)
cameras linked to an operation room. In
addition, the size of the crowds will be monitored
so that no one else will be allowed to enter once
the Grand Mosque is filled.
Other duties to be carried out by security
personnel include helping elderly and sick
pilgrims perform their rituals. Al-Ghamdi said
instructions have been given that a certain
number of wheelchairs are set aside for this
purpose.
The Ramadan plan for the force was divided
into stages. The first stage covered the first 20
days of Ramadan and the second stage covered
the last 10 days of the month until the Eid prayers.
The plan applies to all east and south-east yards,
and the Holy Haram’s 16 gates, “he said.
Officers will also organize the entry and exit of
worshippers at Isha and Taraweeh prayers to
prevent stampedes. He said posters written in
four languages Arabic, English, Urdu and French
will be displayed to guide pilgrims to the proper
areas. He added the security officers will also
distribute publications in different languages to
help pilgrims perform their rituals properly.
The introduction of an executive plan map during
the Umra season was instrumental in helping
control huge crowds of worshippers at the
Grand Mosque in Makkah, according to an
undersecretary at the Haj Research institute.
“Crowd management at the Grand Mosque
during Ramadan, especially on the 27th night of
the holy month, was a huge success compared
to previous years”, Muhammad Idris said. He
also said the map helped those managing crowds
take quick action when necessary. He
commended security officers for their
tremendous efforts in managing crowds inside
and outside the large mosque complex, which
can accommodate more than a million
worshippers at a time on its different floors.
“The success of their efforts was quite evident
everywhere, be it inside the mosque or the
central region of Makkah,”Idris said. Previously,
the Presidency facilitated crowd management
for the Two Holy Mosques Affairs.
Special security forces have been deployed
inside and outside the mosque to prevent people
from sitting in the pathways, control entry and
exit of worshippers and ensure a smooth flow
of people.
Idris said a number of workshops on crowd
management have been conducted under the
supervision of Second Deputy Premier and
interior Minister Prince Naif and Makkah Gov.
Prince Khaled Al-Faisal.
Meanwhile, Abdul Mohsen Bin Humaid,
director of projects at the Presidency, said the
completion of the Masa’a (the area between
Safa and Marwah) expansion project this year
helped pilgrims to perform the sa’y ritual easily
and comfortably despite the huge crowds.
He said the tracks for pilgrims in wheel-chairs
in the first and second floors have been made
separate from regular pedestrians. There are
special lifts near the Masa’a to take these
pilgrims to the first and second floors and back.
Work on the Masa’a area to make it fully air-
conditioned was completed before Ramadan,
a senior official of the company executing the
project said.
He added that 822 engineers and technicians
"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (24)
worked round the clock to finish the task on
time. The whole mosque is planned to be air-
conditioned in four years.
As for the second floor the work will be
completed before Haj. The total cost of the
project amounts to Sr100 million. Dr. Yousuf
Al-Wabel, Assistant Deputy President for
services at the General Presidency of the Affairs
of the Grand Mosque, said Custodian of the
Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah issued an
order to air-condition the whole mosque and
the plans and designs regarding it have been
completed. A large plant for the purpose will be
set up in Al-Shamiay area.
After the recent expansion, the Masa’a area has
become 87,000 sq. metre. Approximately
120,000 people can perform the Say ritual in
an hour. The total area of all floors of Masa’a is
125,000 sq metres.
The General Presidency of Two Holy Mosques
Affairs has appointed 300 women officials to
cope with the increasing number of women
pilgrims to the Grand Mosque.
The Supervisor of the Commission for
promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice
Khaled Al-Subaie said the women guides in
the Grand Mosque undertook the task of
enlightening women pilgrims on religious rites.
They instruct them on how the pilgrims should
conduct themselves in the mosque. They also
take the women entering the mosque to the place
reserved for women.
Al-Subaie added that 151 women guides were
working in four shifts at various locations in the
mosque including the courtyards.
They checked the women visitors at the gates
day and night. While 20 guides supervised the
cleaning operations in the women’s area in two
shifts, 10 guides took care of the copies of the
Holy Quran kept in the women’s section.
Another 20 guides worked in the courtyards to
see that women did not pray on passages and
walkways. They also seated the women in lines
and corrected the rows in the courtyards, he
said.
Al-Ghamdi, meanwhile, said that an additional
300 non-commissioned officers have undergone
intensive training at Umm Al-Qura University to
help them assist pilgrims and visitors.
They will also help the traffic police to organize
the movement of pedestrians by directing them
to less crowded areas.
In addition, they will work with the Search and
investigation forces to protect pilgrims from
pickpockets.
To prevent pilgrims from shaving their heads in
the yards of the Grand Mosque in Makkah after
completing Umra,220 permanent and seasonal
inspectors have been mobilized.
The move is to uphold standarsds of hygiene
and cleanliness. The yards have been carpeted
for prayers.
The Administration of the Yards at the Grand
Mosque, an affiliate of the General Presidency
of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque, has
deployed the inspectors. The inspectors are
tasked with directing pilgrims to licensed barber
shops.
The administration will also urge pilgrims and
visitors not to use the yards as gathering places
because this hampers the movement of pilgrims
"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (25)
and creates other problems.
It also said people should not make ablution at
Zam Zam water areas because these are
allocated for drinking only. People have also
been asked to refrain from filling containers and
bottles with Zam Zam water because the water
taps in the these areas are only set aside for
drinking water.
Moslah Al-Hamadi, Director of the Ad-
ministration of Yards, said the inspectors are
also there to prevent trading in Zam Zam water
and cereals bought by worshippers which are
used to feed pigeons.
He said the administration is mainly tasked with
curbing bad habits and malpractices. This
includes preventing visitors from smoking in the
yards and taking photographs unless they have
a permit from the Presidency.
Al-Hamadi said there are 17 coloured maps
designed to enable pilgrims to identify main
streets, services areas and roads surrounding
the Holy Mosque.
He said under the supervision of the Presidency
there are charitable societies which distribute
meals to worshippers to break their fast.
Director of the Department of the Gates of the
Grand Mosque in the Presidency of the Affairs
of the Two Holy Mosques Talal Bin Saleh Al-
Thaqafi has appealed to the pilgrims and visitors
not to take food, drinks and other disposable
material inside the mosque in order to keep the
place of worship clean and sanitary.
He also asked them to cooperate with the door
guards and to abide by the rules aimed at
keeping the mosque clean and hygienic for their
own comfort.
“Only small quantities of dates and Arabian
coffee are allowed inside the Holy Haram,”he
said.
He pointed out the bags and suitcases will also
be not allowed inside the mosque.
Al-Thaqafi, however, said wheelchairs for
people of special needs are permitted to go
inside the Grand Mosque.
He said a series of meetings were recently held
with staff of his department to discuss
preparations for the Umra and Haj seasons to
ensure the comfort of pilgrims and visitors.” We
discussed the work plans taking into
consideration the previous observations in order
to deal with them,”he said.
A proposal is being mulled to install automatic,
electronically monitored lock boxes for pilgrims
to store their shoes. Students at the king Faisal
University proposed the idea last year. The Haj
Research Centre is currently studying it.
Among new ideas which were introduced in the
Haram for the comfort of the pilgrims are
escalators and the water misters to cool
temperatures. Special pumps were also built
around a number of corners to pumps out dirt.
The sound and light have been improved inside
the Haram so that people can hear prayer calls
and Quran recitation and see clearly everything.
The General Presidency of Holy Mosques
Affairs has stepped up its efforts to improve
wheelchair facilities for infirm and disabled
pilgrims.
The Presidency’s office at the eastern plaza of
"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (26)
King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, Custodian of the
Two Holy Mosques, pressed the electronic
button to signal the opening of the Zam Zam
water project invoking the name of Almighty
Allah, and drank the Zam Zam water. He also
viewed a documentary on the operation of the
project.
The project, located in Kuday District (Some
4.5 Km from the Haram), is aimed at maintaining
the purity of Zam Zam water using the latest
technology in water treatment and distributing it
in an automated manner. It will purify five million
litres of Zam Zam water everyday through two
main purification lines, each using a number of
filters and a sterilization unit.
Minister of Water and Electricity Al-Hussayen
said 10 million litres would be stored in a tank,
from which water will be pumped to the Grand
Mosque through four stainless steel pipes, each
with a diameter of 200 millimetres.
He said another two million litres would be
pumped every day to a nearby factory, which
will package the water.
He said that once the Zam Zam water is treated
and stored, it is automatically pumped to 42
distribution stations. He added that pilgrims and
visitors can obtain 10-litre containers of the
water at these points by inserting coins in special
machines.
More than 5,000 such containers will be
distributed before the next Haj season. Under
the second project, special devices will be
installed in the Grand Mosque for the automatic
cleaning and sterilization of these containers.
He said all the distribution points in Makkah are
provided with a sufficient quantity of Zam Zam
water. The presidency provides the Prophet’s
Mosque in Madinah with tankers of Zam Zam
water on a daily basis.
The Zam Zam well is 30.5 metres deep and has
a diameter ranging from 1.08 to 2.66 metres.
The well lies within Wadi Ibrahim, which runs
through Makkah.
Zam Zam water, which started gushing out nearly
4,000 years ago in a spontaneous way, is still
going strong.
The average daily consumption of Zam Zam is
more than 100 cubic metres on regular days,
which double to 200 cubic metres on Fridays,
and shoots up to more than 1.000 cubic metres
during the Ramadan and Haj season.
Not only do pilgrims coming for Haj and Umra
from all over the world, but locals also take it
home everyday to drink it to their heart’s content.
More than three million cups of Zam Zam water
are consumed daily at the Grand Mosque during
Islamic Feature
Precious Water (Zam Zam)
"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (27)
the month of Ramadan. More than 1,800 cubic
metres of water are consumed inside the mosque
and 270 cubic metres in the courtyards outside
each day in Ramadan.
Over centuries people gave different names to
Zam Zam-some 54 in all.
In 1395 H (1975G), during King Faisal’s time,
the old buildings of Zam Zam were pulled down
to widen the area around Kaaba,which work
was completed in a year.
The second widening in the time of King Khaled,
required the moving away of all entrances of
Zam Zam.
While digging, underground waterflooded in
many places. There was a risk. Research had
to be carried out to protect the well itself.
After proper bathing and ablutions, two divers
began a mission that had never been undertaken
before. They plunged into the divine waters of
Zam Zam on 17 Jumada 1399 (1979).
Zam Zam is 30.5 metres deep, 17 metres of
which are of granite rocks. The well’s diameter
is irregular. The part above the rocky layer is
lime with a constructed well a linear section
leaning towards the Kaba.
At this stage of work, Zam Zam well was
cleared of many objects metal mony of different
epochs, seals, emblems, pottery and earthen
vessels and copper that had been thrown in by
people who believed that doing so brought luck
and prosperity.
Down the ages, many people have examined
the qualities of Zam Zam. Muhammad Labib
Al-Bitnoni, an Egyptian author who performed
the pilgrimage before the Saudi era, wrote in his
book Al-Rhlat Al-Hijazi-yah:”The water is
alkaline, rich in sodium, calcium, potassium and
chloride salts. It has sulfuric and nitric acids too.
The combination makes it similar to mineral
waters that have healing effects.
It springs forth from beneath the venerated
House of Allah-the Kaba from the direction of
Safa and Mrwa.
The main source of Zam Zam is an opening
tending towards the Holy Kaba in the direction
of the corner facing the station of Ismail. It is
45cm long and 30cm wide and slopes
downwards. It supplies the main volume of Zam
Zam as stated in historical references.
The second main source is a broad gash
measuring 70cm long and 30cm wide, that
divides into openings within. It lies in the
direction of Ajyad.
There are also secondary sources. These aresmall outlets between the stones at the junctionof the built and hewn-parts of the well. Thereare five openings in the one-metre gap separatingthe two main sources. Besides, there ate 21 inletsdistributed from near the first main source thatopens in the direction of Abu Qubais, the Safaand the Marwa, to the second main source.These inlets are at different levels and theydischarge varying amounts of water.
The tunnels were constructed over two decadesago without conducting detailed studies on theireffect on the hydrogeology of the area. Thegovernment has installed new drainagenetworks, rendering the old tunnels redundant.
“The two tunnels had a negative effect on thehydrogeology regime in the area. They also hadan adverse effect on the Zam Zam water leve,”the project’s supervisor Samer Al-Shouman toldreporters.
"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (28)
“The objective was also to stabilize the eartharound the tunnels as a possible collapse wouldendanger structures above them, “he explained.
The first tunnel with a length of 1,850 metresand depth of 30 to 35 metres begins from theHajoun car park and ends near the GrandMosque’s eastern courtyard.
The second tunnel has a length of 1,300 metresand depth of 35 metres. It starts from theMaabda traffic tunnel and ends at the HajounBridge.
Earlier, a fully automated system to sterilize thecisterns that store Zam Zam water in the precinctsof the Grand Mosque in Makkah Al-Mukarrama was commissioned with capacityto handle 6,300 cisterns daily. The inside andoutside of the coolers were cleaned withordinary water and then dried before filling themwith the Zam Zam water.
The coolers are changed annually and theirnumbers increased in the Ramadan and Hajseasons.
It may be noted that an eight-page booklettracing the history of Makkha’s famous ZamZam water has been published in Makkah.
The book, titled Mehnat Zamazima Min Al-Amid ila Al-Hafid, in Arabic is by Hussein Al-Baitar, a member of one of Makkah’s famouszamazima families (the traditional distributors ofZam Zam water). The booklet includes severalprophetic (pbuh) traditions and quotes fromscholars underlying the religious significance ofZam Zam and its healing powers.
It further describes how distributing Zam Zamwater to pilgrims became the privileged serviceof certain families and how they bottled andincensed the water to give it a fragrant smell.
***
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Consequently, peace, blessing and stability exist
in the kingdom. Lastly he thanked Hafiz
Muhammad Yahya (Ameere Jamaat) and
Maulana Asghar Imam Mahadi Salafi (General
Secretary) and the whole congregation for the
warm welcome, excellent arrangement and
making his visit successful.
Sheikh Abdur Rahman As-Sudais concluded by
praying to Allah to make this meeting successful
and fruitful.
Sheikh As-Sudais visit to Ahle Hadeeth
Complex was fascinating and his sermon to
Ahle-Hadeeth and other Muslim brothers was
witnessed as an event rarely seen in the history
of Jamaate Ahle hadeeth, Hind. Our solute to
Sheikh Abdur Rahman As-Sudais. May Allah
endow a long life to him. Our special salute and
thanks to Khadimul Harmain, HRH King
Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, HRH Crown Prince
Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, and HRA Prince Naif
Bin Abdul Aziz for Imame Haram to visit India.
We also thank Mr. Faisal bin Hasan Al-Turad,
the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia in India for his
kind efforts to make this great event happen in
Ahle Hadeeth Complex. We also thank the
police jawans, security officials and participants
for their cooperation, and discipline displayed
during prayer and the sermon.
The translation of Sheikh As-Sudais sermon was
made by Dr Ubaidur Rahman Madani in Urdu.
The programme concluded at 5.45 p.m.
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"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (29)
Among the memorable days in the history of
Jamaate Ahle Hadeeth, Hind was the 27th of
March, 2011. It was on this day that the Imam
of Grand Mosque, Kaaba in Makkah, His
Highness Sheikh Dr Abdur Rahman As-Sudais
visited the Ahle Hadeeth Complex, Okhla New
Delhi, inaugurated the Islamic Center for
Multipurpose Human Resource Development
and led Asr, prayer in its Jama Masjid.
We were pleased to welcome such a great
personality in India in general and at Ahle hadeeth
Complex in particular.He is gifted with a
charismatic personality. His visit was joyful for
all for which we thank the Creator who has
blessed us with His grace and favour.
Before arrival of entourage of His Highness Dr.
Abdur Rahman As-Sudais to Ahle Hadeeth
Complex, the Azan of Asr prayer was called at
3.55 p.m. Police, security personal and
volunteers were alert for his personal Safety and
Security.The Ameere Jamaat Hafiz Muhammad
Yahya and Maulana Asghar Imam Mahadi Salafi
and members of reception committee greeted
and welcomed the Imame Haram as well as his
entourage.A large number of intellectuals,
scholars, heads of Islamic societies, centres and
common people, males and females (with
separate arrangement) inside the mosque, Ahle
Hadeeth Complex, parks, road sides and
rooftops were eagerly waiting for the entourage
of Imame Kaaba. People displayed exemplary
discipline and patient without any hue and cry.
The respected quest arrived at 4.p.m,
inaugurated the Islamic Centre for Multipurpose
Human Resource Development and led the Asr
prayer at 4.15.p.m. Then the programme started
with the recitation of Holy Quran from Surah
Al-Hashr (18-24). The exemplary reciter was
none other than His Highness Dr. Abdur Rahman
As-Sudais. Continuing the propramme, Maulana
Asghar Imam Mahadi Salafi delivered his
Welcome Address stating the significance of the
occasion highlighting the importance of the great
personality. He described the respected quest
His Highness Dr Abdur Rahman As-Sudais as
agile, active, good communicater, soft spoken,
exemplary reciter of Holy Quran, possessor of
fascinating personality, having excellent manner
of slow but measured in rhythemic tones while
reciting Holy Quran which has made him very
popular all over the world.His beautiful voice
penetrates into the hearts of people of every
maslak and group of Muslims.
In his statement Maulana Asghar presented a
VISIT OF IMAME HARAM
TO AHLE HADEETH COMPLEX
OKHLA , NEW DELHI
News from Headquarter
"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" April 2011 (30)
brief history of his life and Islamic services
saying. In was in the year 1404 A.H. he was
appointed Imam and Khateeb of Masjide
Haram, Makkah Al-Mukarramah.There he first
led Asr prayer on 22nd Shawwal, 1404. His
cassettes of Holy Quran attracts the Muslims
across the world. Maulana Asghar highlighted
the history of Jamaate Ahle Hadeeth in India, its
manhaj and belief as well as spiritual relations
with Sheikh Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahhab. He
further expressed hope that this momentous visit
will bring strong cordial relations between the
two nations, loving each other and propagating
peace, brotherhood, unity and integration.
The occasion was very excited when Hafiz
Muhammad Yahaya, Ameer-e-Jamaat
presented a marvelous monument to the Imame
Haram. In its response the respected guest Dr
As-Sudais also presented the cassettes of Holy
Quran recited by him to the Ameer-e-Jamaat.
A Kashmiri Shawl was also presented to Imame
Haram by Maulana Showkat Shah, Ameer
Jamaate Ahle Hadeeth, Jammu and Kashmir.
Lastly the Imame Haram, Dr Abdur Rahman
As-Sudais delivered his sermon in strong and
loud voice, to hundreds and thousands of
congregation conveying them the greetings of
Khadimul Harmain to Muslims in India. First of
all I thank the Ameer Markazi Jamaat Ahle
hadeeth Hind and Maulana Asghar Imam
Mahadi Salafi,General Secretry for a very warm
welcome. In fact I am feeling at home at Ahle
Hadeeth Complex as Ahle Hadeeth are the true
followers of Holy Quran and Sunnah. The
Correct manhaj and true belief and moderate
thinking of Ahle Hadeeth brothers are very
similar to Saudi Government and its people. This
is the reason of a close tie between the two stated
groups of people. He lauded the contributions
and valuable services of Ahle Hadeeth to Islamic
Monotheism and humanity.They are the
defenders of faith as it was in the case of Sheikh
Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahhab in Saudi Arabia.
Islam emphasizes the ethical system in all human
activities. Islam emphasizes on building natural
confidence between Muslims and other elements
of the society in order to ensure peaceful
coexistence. Ulama and callers to Islam play a
key role within their communities by introducing
Islam to people. However, they should be
mindful about their acts and deeds.
Sheikh also lauded the tone of integration and
discipline the Ahle Hadeeth participants in
congregation showed because such a tone of
integration does in fact reflect a spirit of
optimism. We really need integration in every
field.
He stressed that followers of Quran and Sunnah
shoulder a huge responsibility drawing on them
great expectations that Muslims place on them.
He indicated that Saudi Arabia exerts
remarkable efforts is serving Islam and Muslims
every where. The Kingdom plays a unique role
by supporting Muslims and propagating Islamic
culture every where. He stressed that these
efforts are the best means to wisely, sensibly
and practically defend the faith of Islam. Quran
and Sunnah are basis of Saudi Government
where taazeerat,hudood and Islamic law are
implemented in letter and spirit.
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