What came to your mind when you read the title of this post?

This is how I describe the culture of the Residence and the trips to the Holy Harram – Super Spirituality!

Now, let me explain how.

Let’s first examine the spirituality of the Residence. When we arrived to the Residence, I was amazed by the many posters posted on the walls in the Reception Area, elevators and in the Main Gathering Hall.  They deal with matters pertaining to the duty of Hajj, health tips, morals from the Prophet & His Family Members (Peace Be Upon Them) and some fundamental life principles.  Each poster is worthy of a separate blog entry; maybe I’ll expand them in future entries.  To examine examples of the posters, go to the end of this blog entry.  However, I can’t resist inserting this cartoon about the bad habit of backbiting!  It is so true.

Now, let’s focus a bit on the daily activities of the Residence.

The first activity is the Group Morning Prayers.  All of us will gather in the Main Hall to pray after an old Scholar.  After the prayer, someone will recite a supplication that will make you think, think and think more about the blessings of God and asking for his forgiveness.  The supplications have deep meanings and very often you will see attendees moaning or at least shedding tears.

The second activity happens at 11:00.  Another Scholar will teach us and guide us on how to perform the Rituals of Hajj.  He would not only teach us, he would also explain the philosophy of performing the rituals as well.  We would then, have Question & Answer Session with the Scholar.  The session is highly interactive and informative.

Then, we would perform another Group Prayer, followed by various speeches by different Scholars on topics pertaining to Hajj until lunch time.

At 16:30, we would have different group activities such as more lectures or a group recitation of the Holy Quran or group recitation of certain supplications.

At night, we gather again for Group Prayer.  After the prayers, we would listen to different speeches by the Scholars on a variety of topics.  This is, usually, when most Pilgrims cry most in the Residence.  The Scholars are so adept in making you think about your life priorities, your family, your relationships and the most important relationship – your relationship with God.

This is in a nutshell the daily Residence Activities.

Now, let’s move to the nightly gatherings in the Holy House of God.

We usually gather at the rooftop of the Holy House opposite to Makkah Clock Tower.  From here you could see many things; the dark sky, the glowing stars, the Makkah Clock Tower, thousands of Pilgrims walking around the Ka’aba, the construction cranes and the high-rise Minarets.

Our gathering starts around 22:30 and ends at around 1:00. So we are talking about 2.5 hours full of prayers and supplications.  The supplications are usually led by someone who knows his trade very well.  He does not only recite the supplications, he explains them to us.  And the explanation is what make us cry, moan and weep like a mother who lost his beloved child.

Our crying intensifies when we look up into the sky and think:

Is God watching us?

Then, we start talking to God.

If you are watching us, please forgive us.  Maybe we are bad slaves but you are for sure a Generous God.  Do you see our tears flowing on our faces, cloths and the white floor marbles; we desire your mercy.  Please don’t take us to Hell, instead take us to Heaven.  Please.  Please.  Please.

You can read an excerpt from our nightly supplication at the end of the entry.

I hope these small snippets are enough to prove we experienced – Super Spirituality.

ALL ABOUT POSTERS

Let’s examine some of these posters:

• Kiss your children very often.
• Never belittle other people.
• Giving charity will bring the blessings of God upon you.
• An erudite person should not brag about his vast knowledge of life but the one who apply this knowledge to set an example for others to emulate.
• The Pilgrimage is great course in the worship of God and a life changer.
• Don’t get angry, be tolerant.
• Be aware of the Devil.
• We should never become servants to the Devil.
• Respect the time of others; be on time.
• A faithful is known by his manners and morals.
• Smiling and helping others will make you likable and get you to Heaven.  However, frowning and being a miser will distance you from God and take you to Hell.
• Choose your friends carefully.
• Cleanliness is an attribute of a true Muslim.
• Hajj is a great opportunity to quit Smoking.
• Dress well when you meet fellow brothers.
• Think deeply about this one:

o  If you are in your 20’s, work very hard,

o  If you are in your 30’s, don’t get lured by the Worldly Pleasures,

o  If you are in your 40’s, you are about to harvest what you planted earlier,

o  If you are in your 50’s, reflect on what you did and did not do so far,

o  If you are in your 60’s, do not make up excuses for God.

o  If you are in your 70’s, get ready for the Day of Judgment.

• Time flies.  Hours, days, and years have passed in your life.  Have you invested those unrecoverable moments?
• There are three saviors to the Faithful:  refraining from backbiting, being busy with useful matters, and the continuance crying of repentance.
• Do good deeds and encourage others to do the same especially your family members.
• When you go to bed to sleep, reflect on what you did in your day.
• Death of others is a great teacher in terms of examining life priorities.

Note: Please keep in mind the Arabic statements have a deeper meaning; some of the meaning is lost in the translation.

Excerpt from a supplication

Allah, verily I beseech Thee in Thy name: Oh Allah, Oh Most Merciful, Oh Most Compassionate, Oh Most Generous, Oh Self-Subsisting, Oh Greatest, Oh Eternal, Oh All-Knowing, Oh Forbearing, Oh Wise.  Praise be to Thee, there is no God but Thee, The Granter of all Succour, Protect us from the Fire, Oh Lord.

Master of Masters, Oh Acceptor of prayers, O Elevator of rank, O Guardian of good deeds, Oh Forgiver of evil deeds, Oh Granter of requests, Oh Acceptor of repentance, Oh Hearer of voices, Oh Knower of attributes, Oh Repeller of calamities.  Praise be to Thee, there is no God but Thee, The Granter of all Succour, Protect us from the Fire, Oh Lord.

Best of Forgivers, Oh Best of Deciders, Oh Best of Helpers, Oh Best of Rulers, Oh Best of Providers, Oh Best of Inheritors, Oh Best of Praisers, Oh Best of Rememberers, Oh Best of Dischargers, Oh Best of Benefactors.  Praise be to Thee, there is no God but Thee, The Granter of all Succour, Protect us from the Fire, Oh Lord.

Note: Please keep in mind the Arabic statements have a deeper meaning; some of the meaning is lost in the translation.  The beautiful rhyme and the rhythm of the supplication are lost too.