TRIP WITH THE PURPOSE
(AUGUST 11 & 12, 2016)

Other remarkable adventures of MGI-TRIPPERS are their visit to the highest peak of Makkah Province, 5th in the kingdom and frigid area most of the time. It is enthusiast of MGI group to tour and explore the areas either historical or tourist spots,

The trippers start their Journey from Jeddah to Wadi Mohammad town and took the new road between Alith city and Taif, on August 12, 2016 around 12: 45 AM. 12 trippers are:

The Ford of Kaka Gafar:

• Ameroden “Gafar” Sultan
• Mohammad Al Sharif
• Ahmad Cali
• Fahad Madid

The Toyota of Rashdi:

• Rashdi Dimakuta
• Najeeb Malawanda
• Manger Seradj Abdulhammid
• Mahid Lucman

The Totoya of Chairman:

• Datu Ontay (Emer of the Trippers)
• Hasanor Ahmad “Perot” H. Abubacar
• Amar Sultan
• Abdulhalik “Kaliki” Camid Abbas

MOUNT DAKA COLD PLACE MOST OF TIME:

On our way to Daka Mountain, the trippers can’t run fast the road is still under construction, no protector yet on the sides of the roads and it is mountainous area, some time going down then going up and Zigzagized road. When we reached the town of Mohammad we turned left going to Daka Mountain, estimated of 15 Km from the Hi-way, before the peak of the mountain we stop to the resort hotel and inquired for accommodation, the reception humbly replied it full and family only.

Manager Seradj suggested moving us to the top of the mountain to stay there until sunrise, the trippers embarked to the peak of the mountain, it was surprised for us too much people in the area doing picnic, some are group of Afghans, Indonesians, Arabs, Indians, Koreans, Pakistanis and Filipinos. We prepared our foods cooked some menus and most important is coffee the place is too much cold, in the morning we took our Selfie and we continued our traveled going to Wadi Halema at Bano Saad town, about 130Km from Mount Daka at exact 08; 15am.

Mount Dakah is a 8,481 ft / 2,585m mountain peak near At Ţaif, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Based on peakery data, it ranks as the 1st highest mountain in Makkah province and the 5th highest mountain in Saudi Arabia (Source Wikipedia)

WADI HALEMA AT BANO SAAD TOWN:

After sunrise in Mount Daka, about 8 o’clock in the morning of August 12, 2016, the trippers decided to move going to Wadi Halema of Bano Saad to visit the old grave of Saida Halemato Saadia (RA) she who milked our beloved prophet Mohammad and raised him until 4 years old (PBUH),

from the Mount Daka is about 135KM to Wadi Halema between Taif City and Al Baha city, this is the place where the famous story of heart splitting of Rasul (PBUH) the 3 angels removed a blood-clot from it and cleansed it with Zam Zam water before keeping it back!. this also where the grave of Halemato Saadia and her family, the yard where the prophet Mohammad played when he was 1 - 4 years of age is walking distance from the grave yard, the old house of the family of Halema is in the place, a portion where the tourists offer prayer, from the old house we climb the mountain where the exact place of heart splitting occurred, the trippers took some selfie, groufie and took a minutes of rest on the peak of the small mountain, the place is very cool you can smell fresh air, imaging the life of our beloved Rasul (PBUH) when he was a lad. 

Wonderful experience, along the way we passed by a man with his numbers of goats – sheep walking with, I don’t expect it is existing those kind of Arab life in modern time, along the way also we saw a group of camels and prosperous gardens like corn and vegetables, the road going to Wadi Halema is accessible and asphalted, after hour of visit in the Sohada of Halema, the Trippers moved going to another tourist spots, this time is manmade Dam and the deepest lake of Taif city, in our way back to Taif we saw 1 bus a group of Hajjs pilgrims going to Wadi Halema to visit the place also. 

Article about the Sohada: (Source from good friend) 

(Allah has granted special privilege to things and places related to Rasoolullah (PBUH). Hujrathu Shareefah (حجرة الشريفة), the small area where Rasoolullah’s (PBUH) Qabar Shareef is located is described as the best place in earth. Area between Hujrathu Shareefah and Pulpit (منبر) of Rasoolullah’s (PBUH) is described as a garden among garden of the Paradise. 

It is written in history with golden scripts about childhood of Rasoolullah (PBUH) with Halimah (RA). It was a practice in that era that toddlers in city were nursed by villagers who folk the cities for that purpose. Birth parents of babies had found it a useful practice as their babies will gain better physical and mental strength once lived in villages. On the other hand villagers saw it as an opportunity to get some wealth.

Halimah (RA) accompanied by her husband Harith came to Makkah riding on an old and weak animal along with many other women from Saadiyya tribe seeking babies. Because of the weakness of their vehicle they were lagging at rear of the convoy. The frontrunners of the convoy entered the city fast and got babies from wealthy families. 

Halimah (RA) when reached Makkah she couldn’t find a baby from rich families and was sad. She was told about the orphan infant in the house of Abdul Muttalib and went to see the baby. At once she was attracted and after consulting with her husband took the baby.

Subhana Allah… she couldn’t believe it. Suddenly her animal started to run fast as if it got fresh energy from somewhere! It raced ahead of all other vehicles and other women were amazed to see it! Her breast seem to be full with milk which was dry till then and her son Dhamrah (ضمرة) was crying without getting milk!

Such was blessing (بركة) of Rasoolullah (PBUH) even at this infant age. Verily Allah has given this blessing to his beloved Rasoolullah (PBUH). Anything and everything related to Rasoolullah (PBUH) is full with blessings from Allah.

There were many wonders happened during Rasoolullah’s (PBUH) stay with Halimah (RA) and for sure she loved Him more than her own children. The garden surrounding their house became green and blossom. Sheep and cattle became fat and healthy. Their livelihood became easier than ever.

During His (PBUH) stay there on 4th year of age the famous heart splitting incident occurred. It was while He (PBUH) and Dhamrah where grazing their herd when three angels descended and held Rasoolullah (PBUH). They operated his chest and took out the heart. They removed a blood-clot from it and cleansed it with Zam Zam before keeping it back!

Here are a few pictures of the house of Halimah (RA) taken by group of my friend visited the site recently. It is a few kilometers away from Taif. The serenity and village nature of the area is still intact today as the route to this site remains rough and the area is scarcely populated still. Unfortunately this place is obscured like many other historically significant places in Hijaz and there is no easy access for the public.

My friend continues “Alhamdu Lillah! Allah blessed us with the opportunity to enter the house and recite a few Swalats and Adkar)

GHADIR AL BANAT (GIRL’S POND) ORIYA DAM:

After us visit the Wadi Halema, the trippers went to Wadi Liya Town to visit the beautiful Dam and the deep lake of the province, it was called Oriya Dam popularly known Ghadir Al Banat which mean Girl’s pond, this place is very good for photography who loves to take a photo of views and natures, I saw a lot of photos taken from this views, due to my absence of knowledge about this lake I cannot provided the exact length and width and deep, based on our observations the dam is new built and part of Saudi Electric and water company to be used in irrigation. 

The things that convinced us to visit this area is to observe the views that we’ve seen in the Google, in our way to the site we took the wrong road and finally the GPS brought us to the other side of the lake, Mr Rashdi Dimakuta quite disappointed, the road is rough and not suitable to his car, some part of the road is rocky and sharp, when we reach the area we embarked and majority of the trippers took the lower entrance of the site but closed, then Datu Ontay took the upper entrance until I reached the abandoned guard house, I was afraid for the group of these monkeys, the biggest among them shouted at me (TRAAAA!!!) I runs back and called the trippers to climb up so that the lake is behind this dam, I lied to them that this lake is big and wide as Lake Lanao, (LOL) 

All Trippers hasted climb to the top and Mahid Camid Lucman is the second tripper who reached the top next to me, followed by Mohammad Alsharif, Fahad Madid and Amar Sultan. Manager Seradj told me in jest way ohh! You said it’s a deep lake and wide (INO AYA KATI?) the trippers expected it like what we’ve seen in Google. The trippers happily took selfie and groufie then we moved down to under the tree where our cars parked. The trippers agreed moving to another historical spot the Soq Okadz.

THE DAM:

Construction of dams was well developed in the era of Islam, and they used to build dams in the tracks of flooding valleys as reservoirs of water for agricultural use, irrigation, and to inundate the groundwater wells or to limit the floods that threaten people's lives and homes

The dams were usually built of large uncut and irregular stones, in pyramidal shape. These were large at the base and smaller in the upper part, and the faces towards the water force were graded. They were also covered with a thick layer of plaster. Dams of great heights had their walls reinforced with fine gravel, while large stone slabs were added to the front and tops. Some of these dams have drainage outlets in addition to the channels that carry water to agricultural land. Dams were of varying length, height, width and thickness according to the nature of the land, as well as the quantity of water restriction. These dams in various sizes and construction types’ area testament to the outstanding civilization established by the early Muslims in the field of architecture

SOUK OKAZ (LOCATION OF ANCIENT POETS): 

After Ghadir Banat, the trippers moved to northeast of Taif to visit Souk Okaz is situated some 45 KM away from Taif towards Riyad (old Najd). It is marked as a tourist attraction place with some ancient looking structures build over there. The area is around 2KM x 1KM is well compounded and maintained by the authorities. On the way we found a few people at the backdrop of their 4 wheel drives having some chats little far from main road. Other than this the place was deserted without a single soul is seen in nearby vicinity, before the site we took our late lunch at KFC so that every trippers got hungry,

The Souk is located near the Saudi Arabian city of Taif in the Western part of Saudi Arabia. The Ancient Souk Okaz was active at during 542-726 CE and it used to be the largest and most important event of its kind back then. Historically it was more than a marketplace, the souk served as a meeting place for tribal leaders and for people interested in poetry and literature. Many poetry competitions were held at Okaz and this tradition has also been revived in the modern-day Souk.

When trippers arrived to the gate of Souk Okaz, the guards advised us to wait the opening time which is 4:30 in afternoon; I suggest going back to Taif city to visits first the 4 ancient mosques for us to save time and be right back in Souk Okaz, then the trippers took another 45km going back to Taif, before we lift Okaz market I capture some photos,

TRIVIA (FROM A FRIEND’S BLOG)

Places where activities took place in ancient times are considered of high importance by historians and archeologists. They use traces of those localities to study how past human societies lived. Middle Eastern countries have many places of archeological significance because the entire human breed has been evolved in this part of the earth.

Quran and other Heavenly Books narrate history of many Prophets, to name some Nuh (AS), Hud (AS), Salih (AS), Ibrahim (AS), Lut (AS), Younus (AS). Tracing back to history one can find people of all those Prophets were inhabited in present day Arabian countries like Saudi, Yemen, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Iraq etc.

Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS) moved his wife Hajar (RA) and eldest son Sayyiduna Ismael (AS) to Makkah which marked a new chapter in history. Jurhum tribe from Yemen met the mother and the son lonely in Makkah and asked their permission to settle in there. Ismael (AS) married from Jurhum tribe and he learned Arabic language from them. All his offspring and tribes to follow settled in and around Makkah, a place mentioned in History as Hijaz. Quraish, the tribe of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the prominent among tribes originated from Sayyiduna Ismael (AS).

Arabs especially Quraish tribe was excellent in Arabic literature and poetry. They used to assemble in market areas to read poems and admire its harmony and beauty. For an instance Quran’s unparalleled supremacy in literal content is attributed as a challenge to literature savvy Arab people.

Souq Okaz is such a historic place where poets will gather in evenings and compete with their wordings. It was an old market place popular in dark ages (قرون الجاهلية) where people used to trade goods. Sayyiduna Muhammad Rasoolullah (PBUH) occasionally visited there to preach Islam in public with in His attractive style and voice.

Souq Okaz is situated some 45 KM away from Taif towards Riyad (old Najd). It is marked as a tourist attraction place with some ancient looking structures build over there. The area is around 2KM x 1KM is well compounded and maintained by the authorities. On the way we found a few people at the backdrop of their 4 wheel drives having some chats little far from main road. Other than this the place was deserted without a single soul is seen in nearby vicinity.

FOUR ANCIENT MOSQUES IN TAIF;

The Trippers visit the ancient mosques, located along the road of Wadi Waj of Taif city, the trippers embarked first to Masjed Madhoon, the mosque is closed and seems that no one is praying inside, what I heard is most of the Jens prayed in this masjed. Mr Rashdi Dimakuta tried to open the lock of the mosque and Alhamdulilah it was open, the trippers went inside the mosque and they captured me a photo in front where Imam prayed. Then we climb the Minaret of the mosque until the top, inside is made of clay and wooden materials, the trippers took a selfie and groufie then we moved to the next mosque.

Then, the Trippers embarked again to Masjed Al Kou, we met there a group of European pilgrims and Asian hajis, they were taken a picture inside the yard, the MGI- Trippers went inside the AL Kou mosque, we observed the views of the old mosque I tried to open the old books and the old Qur-an, again I went to the front where the imam prayed and took selfie, beside the mosque is a hug rock and small cave, and we don’t know what that means. The Trippers took a selfie and Groufie then we moved to Masjed Addas, 

Masjed Addas is walking distance from Al Kou, we tried to reach by cars, but the mosque is not accessible for car, we tried to go inside the compound where the mosque located but the gate was closed, since that we don’t have enough time, the trippers moved to another mosque, the ancient mosque of Abdullah Ibn Abbas (RA) he is the first cousin of Rasul (PBUH) his mother Ummo’l Fadl was a sister of Maymuna bint al-Kharis wife of Rasul (PBUH), and his father Abbas is uncle of Rasul (PBUH). Sad to say we failed to find the correct way going to this mosque, our cars brought us far from the exact location, the Masjed Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA) is walking distance from Masjed Madhoon, and then the trippers decided to move back to Jeddah at around 4:30pm of August 12, 2016.

When the trippers reach the police checkpoint going to Al Hada zigzag road, the police guard asked our destination, when the police learned that we are Jeddah, he advised us to take the As Sayl road going to Jumom, every trippers got disappointed instead we embarked to the road going to Ramada hotel and took our half hour rest with hot coffee and alhamdulilla finally we reached home Jeddah at 8; 30pm same date. 

• Masjed Madhoon; where the prophet Mohammad (PBHU) stone by the disbelievers of Taif, In Ta’if, the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) first met the chiefs and leaders of Thaqif whom he invited to accept Islam. They were, however, rude and discourteous in their treatment of the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). Not being content with their insolent reply, they even stirred up some gangs of the town to harass him. These riff-raffs followed the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), abusing and crying and throwing stones on him, until he was compelled to take refuge in an orchard. The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) consequently had to endure even more obstacles in Ta’if than he had to face in Mecca. These jerks based on either side of the path threw stones at him until his feet were injured and smeared with blood. These oppressions grievously dejected the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), whereby being in such a state of depression, a prayer citing his helplessness and pitiable condition and seeking the aid of God spontaneously came thru his lips:

• Masjed Al-Kou; where the Prophet Mohammad took rest after he was hurt by the people of Taif, the Angels of Allah (SWA) came to him for a rescue and in revenge, instead he asked the Angels to pray and Ask Allah that people of Taif will understand Islam, in addition to incident, some Jen of Taif witness the situation and they who believe the Prophet and they took Sahada. 

One hadith narrated that Aisha (RA) reported: She asked the Prophet, “Have you encountered a day harder than the battle of Uhud?” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Your tribes have troubled very much, and the worst was the day of Aqaba when I presented myself to Ibn Abd-Yalail ibn Abd-Kulal and he did not respond to what I intended. So I departed, overwhelmed with excessive sorrow, and I could not relax until I found myself at a tree where I lifted my head towards the sky to see a cloud shading me. I looked up and saw Gabriel in it. He called me saying, “Allah has heard your people’s saying to you and how they have replied. Allah has sent the Angel of the Mountains to you that you may order him to do whatever you wish to these people.” The Angel of the Mountains greeted me and he said, “O Muhammad, order what you wish. If you like, I will let the mountains fall on them.” The Prophet said, “No, rather I hope that Allah will bring from their descendants people who will worship Allah alone without associating partners with him.” Source: Sahih Bukhari 3059, Sahih Muslim 1759

• Masjed Addas; where Prophet Mohammad offered food and drink by Addas a Christian man, and he was the first person in Taif who embraced Islam and believed the Prophet and took sahada, a great man who lend a helping hand to Allah’s Messenger Muhammad Rasoolullah (PBUH) while He was in a bad condition of being mistreated by people of Taif 

It a long story when Rasoolullah (PBUH) went to Taif to call people there to Allah’s religion Islam. It was in Shawal 10th year after Nubuwwah (became the Prophet) when Rasoolullah (PBUH) traveled himself to preach the great religion to a place outside of Makkah for the first time.

He took Zaid bin Harith (RA), he adopted son for a company and walked through lengthy mountainous pathways to Taif. He had some blood relation through His Mother with people in Taif, the ‘Thaqeef’ tribe. After receiving harsh treatment and negation from Makka infidels, He took a chance that His relatives in Taif might allow Him to propagate Islam there.

But the reception and treatment of people in Taif was just the reverse and unbearable. Rasoolullah (PBUH) had to return sadly after being offended even physically and hit by stone on His sacred leg. He took shelter in a grape field owned by Utbah and Shaibah bin Rabeea’h (both were infidels from Makkah who were killed at Badar battle). They were watching the event but felt sympathy and engaged their farmer Addas to offer a bunch of grapes to Muhammad (PBUH).

Addas, a Christian from Nineva (a place now in Iraq to where Prophet Younus (AS) was sent by Allah) watched Rasoolullah (PBUH) reciting name of Allah (بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم) before eating a grape. To his astonishment he found that is something he didn’t hear from people over there. So he quizzed Rasoolullah (PBUH) and understood that the man in front of him is the Messenger of Allah.

Without a second thought he embraced Islam and became the first believer from Taif (RA). See, this is Allah’s rule! He will guide those He wishes to right path! Owners of the grape field knew Muhammad (PBUH) from childhood, but they couldn’t believe in Him. Relatives of Rasoolullah (PBUH) in Thaqeef tribe knew Him for a long time, but they couldn’t believe Him at this time. But a man came from a faraway land has believed to Allah and His Messenger. Subhana Allah… May Allah guide all those who read this post to right belief.

Masjid Addas is constructed at the place this event happened. It is a cool and nice place with good vegetation around. Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) had prayed for benefit of people in Taif though they refuted Him. This shows utmost mercy, simplicity and forgiving nature of Allah’s beloved (PBUH) about whom Allah has mentioned “Truly, You are with high esteem of characters”.

We have a small ray of hope here as we believe and love Rasoolullah (PBUH) and try with humble efforts to propagate the religion He taught. So with His superior characters He had forgiven to those who offended, we expect He won’t forget us in the vast assembly (محشر) in the Day of Judgment. He will offer us a drink from ‘Kouthar Lake’ (حوض الكوثر) and save us with His recommendations (شفاعة) when we might be in trouble there.

• Masjed Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA): There are many companions of Rasoolullah (PBUH) who came in glow of fame for many reasons. One would feel their greatness upon knowing their tremendous love towards Rasoolullah (PBUH) and the superior religion He had propagated. They have made incredible contributions to Islam with their admirable lifestyles, relentlessness in acquiring and teaching Islamic knowledge and keenness in preaching and spreading Islam to anybody they meet.

Our discussion is about one of closest companions of Rasoolullah (PBUH) and one among many children who were with and around Him. It is Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA), son of Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib (RA) uncle of Rasoolullah (PBUH). His mother is Lubabah al Kubrah bint Harith (RA) also known as Umm Jameel. She was close friend of Khadeejah al Kubrah (RA) and among initial believers of Islam.

He was only 13 years old when Rasoolullah (PBUH) departed this world. But even this brief companionship with Rasoolullah (PBUH) in his childhood lead him to be called ‘Raeesul Mufassireen’ (رئيس المفسرين) – leader of interpreters of Qura’n. He is also called as ‘Al Bahr’ (البحر) – the Sea because of abundance of his knowledge. Hibrul Umma (حبر الامة) – Ink of the Nation is another title attributed to him because of literature he submitted for the Ummah.

He attained this enviable position because of the guidance he got from Rasoolullah (PBUH) and dua’ He made for him after drawing him close and patting his shoulders “O Allah, bless him with the full knowledge of the religion and interpretation of the Holy Qura’n”. Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) repeated this dua in various occasions.

There is no question on his command on Qura’n interpretation. But vastness of his knowledge won’t stop there. He was a great authority in Islamic jurisprudence (فقه), History and Arabic language literature. He relocated to Taif in latter part of his life and met his last breath there. His Qabr in Taif is among few ones preserved by recent rulers of Arabian Peninsula. A big Masjid is constructed beside his Qabr.

A Library is established near his Qabr by Turki governor of Hijaz (Old name of area enclosing Makkah and Madinah) Muhammad Rasheedi Pasha Al Sharwani in 13th century hijri. Scholars and travelers during 7th and 10th century hijri used to endow (وقف) many books and manuscripts in Masjid ibn Abbas. In 1217H number of books there reached almost 10,000, a big number considering that age!

Taif, some 80KM away from Makkah in direction of Najd (Riyadh) has much historical significance. It is a hill station over gorgeous desert of Hijaz with pleasant weather and good plantation. I might write on ABWA in another post (ان شاء الله) Thanks and Wassalam (DATU ONTAY)