Ancient wall in Cairo

The ancient wall in Cairo was built as per vision of great leader and king Sultan Salahudheen Ayyoobi. This unique wall called “Magra El-Oyom” was constructed approximately 800 years ago.

Main purpose of the wall was to direct water from the Nile to the Salah Eddin Castle. It is a brilliant example of ancient Islamic engineering as it mechanically pumps water from the Nile via giant water wheels and carries the water over the channels inside the wall to the castle. Few sections of the wall are hollow which act as pipe build of stones to carry water. Anyhow the main course of water flow is trench cut channeled grove along the top of the wall. It is remarkable to note the architect’s design to channel water upwards from Nile to the Castle situated on Muqattam hill.

Dr. Gaballah Ali Gabballah, head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Egypt gives a brief history about the wall:

“The wall was built by Sultan Salah Eddin El-Ayuby.  The purpose of this wall is to direct water coming from the Nile onwards up the hill where his Castle was built.  The wall was built in 1193 AD.  Nile water would pass through channels built on vaults in the Fom El-Khalig area till it reaches water wheels where it is then directed to its storage in deep castle wells.  After numerous decades, these water wheels became non-functional and were neglected.  Later, Sultan Mohamed Ben Kalawon repaired the wheels in two stages.  The first stage was in 1310 AD.  Six water wheels were built near El-Habash Lake.  These water wheels would lift the Nile water to channels and from the channels to wells; wells which can still be seen to this day.  The second stage of the Sultan’s restoration effort was in 1340 AD.  A massive well was dug in El-Habash Lake, which is known today by the name of Establ Antar. Later on, Mohammed Ali Pasha converted this well into a artillery depot.  The wall structure lies south of the Salah Eddin Castle.  It starts from Sayed Aisha Square where there is the ancient Al-Karafa City Gate.  Then the wall extends more south till it meets the Fom El-Khalig water channel.  Then the wall reaches to the El-Safah City Gate then to the Zwayala City Gate.  The wall then extends up to the Ain El-Sera hills down to El-Foustat antiquities area.  Then the wall ends at the El- Kantara City Gate on the Nile.  The entire length of the wall covers an area of 2.2 kilometers.”

Thanks to Egyptian rulers who kept the wall intact and had done required maintenance works over 800 years. Egypt is a country with full of great archeological wonders and antique monuments. Many dynasties ruled Egypt not only preserved existing structures but also added more. With modern commercial developments and industries in the surroundings of the wall, it is endangered to be crumbled down soon. Thanks to Egyptian government, as they have identified this risk and acted promptly to restore and rebuild the wall.

The ancient Magra El-Oyom Wall is a lesser known unique antiquity in Egypt which most tourists are not aware of.  This 2.2 km ancient engineering system to elevate water and carry to higher places is considered a remarkable example of the ingenuity of ancient Islamic culture.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque Abu Dhabi UAE مسجد الشيخ زايد الامارات

Gharqad tree

حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ – يَعْنِى ابْنَ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ – عَنْ سُهَيْلٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِى هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- قَالَ لاَ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى يُقَاتِلَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ الْيَهُودَ فَيَقْتُلُهُمُ الْمُسْلِمُونَ حَتَّى يَخْتَبِئَ الْيَهُودِىُّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْحَجَرِ وَالشَّجَرِ فَيَقُولُ الْحَجَرُ أَوِ الشَّجَرُ يَا مُسْلِمُ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ هَذَا يَهُودِىٌّ خَلْفِى فَتَعَالَ فَاقْتُلْهُ. إِلاَّ الْغَرْقَدَ فَإِنَّهُ مِنْ شَجَرِ الْيَهُودِ

Muslim 7523

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The last hour would not come unless the Muslims will fight against the Jews and the Muslims would kill them until the Jews would hide themselves behind a stone or a tree and a stone or a tree would say: Muslim, or the servant of Allah, there is a Jew behind me; come and kill him; but the tree Gharqad would not say, for it is the tree of the Jews.

Lake of Tiberias

Lake of Tiberias ( طَبَرِيَّةَ ) is located near Golan Heights North of Palestine (under current Israel territory) is of a maximum length of 21.5 km and width of 12 km. This lake is mentioned in Hadeeth of our beloved Muhammed Rasoolullahi Sallallahu Alihi Wsallam shown below.

حَدَّثَنِى مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مِهْرَانَ الرَّازِىُّ – وَاللَّفْظُ لَهُ – حَدَّثَنَا الْوَلِيدُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ يَزِيدَ بْنِ جَابِرٍ عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ جَابِرٍ الطَّائِىِّ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ جُبَيْرِ بْنِ نُفَيْرٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ جُبَيْرِ بْنِ نُفَيْرٍ عَنِ النَّوَّاسِ بْنِ سَمْعَانَ قَالَ ذَكَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- الدَّجَّالَ ذَاتَ غَدَاةٍ فَخَفَّضَ فِيهِ وَرَفَّعَ حَتَّى ظَنَنَّاهُ فِى طَائِفَةِ النَّخْلِ فَلَمَّا رُحْنَا إِلَيْهِ عَرَفَ ذَلِكَ فِينَا فَقَالَ « مَا شَأْنُكُمْ ». قُلْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ذَكَرْتَ الدَّجَّالَ غَدَاةً فَخَفَّضْتَ فِيهِ وَرَفَّعْتَ حَتَّى ظَنَنَّاهُ فِى طَائِفَةِ النَّخْلِ. فَقَالَ « غَيْرُ الدَّجَّالِ أَخْوَفُنِى عَلَيْكُمْ إِنْ يَخْرُجْ وَأَنَا فِيكُمْ فَأَنَا حَجِيجُهُ دُونَكُمْ وَإِنْ يَخْرُجْ وَلَسْتُ فِيكُمْ فَامْرُؤٌ حَجِيجُ نَفْسِهِ وَاللَّهُ خَلِيفَتِى عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ إِنَّهُ شَابٌّ قَطَطٌ عَيْنُهُ طَافِئَةٌ كَأَنِّى أُشَبِّهُهُ بِعَبْدِ الْعُزَّى بْنِ قَطَنٍ فَمَنْ أَدْرَكَهُ مِنْكُمْ فَلْيَقْرَأْ عَلَيْهِ فَوَاتِحَ سُورَةِ الْكَهْفِ إِنَّهُ خَارِجٌ خَلَّةً بَيْنَ الشَّأْمِ وَالْعِرَاقِ فَعَاثَ يَمِينًا وَعَاثَ شِمَالاً يَا عِبَادَ اللَّهِ فَاثْبُتُوا ». قُلْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَمَا لَبْثُهُ فِى الأَرْضِ قَالَ « أَرْبَعُونَ يَوْمًا يَوْمٌ كَسَنَةٍ وَيَوْمٌ كَشَهْرٍ وَيَوْمٌ كَجُمُعَةٍ وَسَائِرُ أَيَّامِهِ كَأَيَّامِكُمْ ». قُلْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَذَلِكَ الْيَوْمُ الَّذِى كَسَنَةٍ أَتَكْفِينَا فِيهِ صَلاَةُ يَوْمٍ قَالَ « لاَ اقْدُرُوا لَهُ قَدْرَهُ ». قُلْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَمَا إِسْرَاعُهُ فِى الأَرْضِ قَالَ « كَالْغَيْثِ اسْتَدْبَرَتْهُ الرِّيحُ فَيَأْتِى عَلَى الْقَوْمِ فَيَدْعُوهُمْ فَيُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ وَيَسْتَجِيبُونَ لَهُ فَيَأْمُرُ السَّمَاءَ فَتُمْطِرُ وَالأَرْضَ فَتُنْبِتُ فَتَرُوحُ عَلَيْهِمْ سَارِحَتُهُمْ أَطْوَلَ مَا كَانَتْ ذُرًا وَأَسْبَغَهُ ضُرُوعًا وَأَمَدَّهُ خَوَاصِرَ ثُمَّ يَأْتِى الْقَوْمَ فَيَدْعُوهُمْ فَيَرُدُّونَ عَلَيْهِ قَوْلَهُ فَيَنْصَرِفُ عَنْهُمْ فَيُصْبِحُونَ مُمْحِلِينَ لَيْسَ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ شَىْءٌ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ وَيَمُرُّ بِالْخَرِبَةِ فَيَقُولُ لَهَا أَخْرِجِى كُنُوزَكِ. فَتَتْبَعُهُ كُنُوزُهَا كَيَعَاسِيبِ النَّحْلِ ثُمَّ يَدْعُو رَجُلاً مُمْتَلِئًا شَبَابًا فَيَضْرِبُهُ بِالسَّيْفِ فَيَقْطَعُهُ جَزْلَتَيْنِ رَمْيَةَ الْغَرَضِ ثُمَّ يَدْعُوهُ فَيُقْبِلُ وَيَتَهَلَّلُ وَجْهُهُ يَضْحَكُ فَبَيْنَمَا هُوَ كَذَلِكَ إِذْ بَعَثَ اللَّهُ الْمَسِيحَ ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ فَيَنْزِلُ عِنْدَ الْمَنَارَةِ الْبَيْضَاءِ شَرْقِىَّ دِمَشْقَ بَيْنَ مَهْرُودَتَيْنِ وَاضِعًا كَفَّيْهِ عَلَى أَجْنِحَةِ مَلَكَيْنِ إِذَا طَأْطَأَ رَأَسَهُ قَطَرَ وَإِذَا رَفَعَهُ تَحَدَّرَ مِنْهُ جُمَانٌ كَاللُّؤْلُؤِ فَلاَ يَحِلُّ لِكَافِرٍ يَجِدُ رِيحَ نَفَسِهِ إِلاَّ مَاتَ وَنَفَسُهُ يَنْتَهِى حَيْثُ يَنْتَهِى طَرْفُهُ فَيَطْلُبُهُ حَتَّى يُدْرِكَهُ بِبَابِ لُدٍّ فَيَقْتُلُهُ ثُمَّ يَأْتِى عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ قَوْمٌ قَدْ عَصَمَهُمُ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ فَيَمْسَحُ عَنْ وُجُوهِهِمْ وَيُحَدِّثُهُمْ بِدَرَجَاتِهِمْ فِى الْجَنَّةِ فَبَيْنَمَا هُوَ كَذَلِكَ إِذْ أَوْحَى اللَّهُ إِلَى عِيسَى إِنِّى قَدْ أَخْرَجْتُ عِبَادًا لِى لاَ يَدَانِ لأَحَدٍ بِقِتَالِهِمْ فَحَرِّزْ عِبَادِى إِلَى الطُّورِ. وَيَبْعَثُ اللَّهُ يَأْجُوجَ وَمَأْجُوجَ وَهُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ حَدَبٍ يَنْسِلُونَ فَيَمُرُّ أَوَائِلُهُمْ عَلَى بُحَيْرَةِ طَبَرِيَّةَ فَيَشْرَبُونَ مَا فِيهَا وَيَمُرُّ آخِرُهُمْ فَيَقُولُونَ لَقَدْ كَانَ بِهَذِهِ مَرَّةً مَاءٌ. وَيُحْصَرُ نَبِىُّ اللَّهُ عِيسَى وَأَصْحَابُهُ حَتَّى يَكُونَ رَأْسُ الثَّوْرِ لأَحَدِهِمْ خَيْرًا مِنْ مِائَةِ دِينَارٍ لأَحَدِكُمُ الْيَوْمَ فَيَرْغَبُ نَبِىُّ اللَّهِ عِيسَى وَأَصْحَابُهُ فَيُرْسِلُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهُمُ النَّغَفَ فِى رِقَابِهِمْ فَيُصْبِحُونَ فَرْسَى كَمَوْتِ نَفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ ثُمَّ يَهْبِطُ نَبِىُّ اللَّهِ عِيسَى وَأَصْحَابُهُ إِلَى الأَرْضِ فَلاَ يَجِدُونَ فِى الأَرْضِ مَوْضِعَ شِبْرٍ إِلاَّ مَلأَهُ زَهَمُهُمْ وَنَتْنُهُمْ فَيَرْغَبُ نَبِىُّ اللَّهِ عِيسَى وَأَصْحَابُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ فَيُرْسِلُ اللَّهُ طَيْرًا كَأَعْنَاقِ الْبُخْتِ فَتَحْمِلُهُمْ فَتَطْرَحُهُمْ حَيْثُ شَاءَ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ يُرْسِلُ اللَّهُ مَطَرًا لاَ يَكُنُّ مِنْهُ بَيْتُ مَدَرٍ وَلاَ وَبَرٍ فَيَغْسِلُ الأَرْضَ حَتَّى يَتْرُكَهَا كَالزَّلَفَةِ ثُمَّ يُقَالُ لِلأَرْضِ أَنْبِتِى ثَمَرَتَكِ وَرُدِّى بَرَكَتَكِ. فَيَوْمَئِذٍ تَأْكُلُ الْعِصَابَةُ مِنَ الرُّمَّانَةِ وَيَسْتَظِلُّونَ بِقِحْفِهَا وَيُبَارَكُ فِى الرِّسْلِ حَتَّى أَنَّ اللِّقْحَةَ مِنَ الإِبِلِ لَتَكْفِى الْفِئَامَ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَاللِّقْحَةَ مِنَ الْبَقَرِ لَتَكْفِى الْقَبِيلَةَ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَاللِّقْحَةَ مِنَ الْغَنَمِ لَتَكْفِى الْفَخِذَ مِنَ النَّاسِ فَبَيْنَمَا هُمْ كَذَلِكَ إِذْ بَعَثَ اللَّهُ رِيحًا طَيِّبَةً فَتَأْخُذُهُمْ تَحْتَ آبَاطِهِمْ فَتَقْبِضُ رُوحَ كُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ وَكُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ وَيَبْقَى شِرَارُ النَّاسِ يَتَهَارَجُونَ فِيهَا تَهَارُجَ الْحُمُرِ فَعَلَيْهِمْ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ

صحيح مسلم – 7560

This lengthy Hadeeth reveals many major signs of the Last Day (يوم القيامة)

1. Dajjal (Anti-Christ) Laanthullahi Alihi will erupt and sow destruction to the believers.
2. Prophet Easa Alihi Ssalam (He is called as Jesus Christ) will descent from heaven (sky).
3. Gog and Magog (Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj) will erupt from all high part of land and damage the Land. Upon Dua of Easa Alihi Ssalam Allah will destroy them.
4. Allah orders earth to bring bank its prosperity. Esa Alihi Ssalam and followers (Muslims will be His real followers as in another Hadeeth it is mentioned that Easa Alihi Saalam will destroy all cross and trash the disbelief of people who attributed him as god or sun of god) will live in prosperity until Allah sends a mild wind and all righteous Believers and Muslims will die.
5. So only bad people will remain in earth and ‘The Last Day’ will happen on them.

As my subject is on Gog and Magog (Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj) I am just explaining that part of the Hadeeth (with some interpretation from other Hadeeths)

“…Allah will send revelation upon Eesa (A.S.) that ‘Such a creation of mine is now going to emerge that no power will be able to stop them. Therefore take my servants and ascend the Mount of Toor.’ Then Ya’jooj and Majooj will emerge and surge forth in all their fury. When those from among them who constitute the former part of their army pass the lake of Tiberias (which is in northern Palestine), they will drink up all the water of that lake and by the time those that constitute the latter part of that same army pass the lake, they will say, “There used to be water here (long ago). When they reach the Mount of Khamr in Jerusalem, they will arrogantly proclaim: ‘We have conquered the people of the earth, now we will annihilate those in the sky.’ So saying they will fire their arrows towards the sky. When the arrows return to the ground they will be blood stained.

In the meantime, Eesa (A.S.) will be on the Mount of Toor with his followers. At that time the head of and ox will be as valuable as is a hundred dinars to you in this day. [This indicates the scarcity of provisions]. Faced with these hardships, Eesa (A.S.) and his followers will make dua unto Allah (to remove this calamity). As a result, Allah will cause sores to appear on the necks of each and every individual of these people which will cause their death suddenly. When Eesa (A.S.) and his followers descend from the Mount of Toor there will not be a single space on the land where the dead rotting bodies of these people is not littered, giving off a horrendous odour. Eesa (A.S.) and his followers will once more supplicate unto Allah as a result of which Allah will send down huge birds whose necks will be as thick as that of the necks of camels, and they will dump these bodies in a place where Allah wills. (According to a narration by Tirmidhi, they will be dumped at a place called Nahbal).

Allah Ta’ala will then send down a heavy rain, the waters of which will flow in every part of the earth cleansing it thoroughly. It will rain for a period of forty days.

The Muslims will then burn the bows and arrows of the Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj for a period of seven years.

Allah will order the earth to yield forth its crops in abundance and there will be such blessing and prosperity that one pomegranate will be sufficient for a whole group while the peel thereof will suffice to cast a shadow over them. The milk of one camel will be sufficient for many groups while one milk giving cow will be sufficient for a whole tribe. One milk giving goat will be sufficient for a whole family…”

In Quran Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj is mentioned in Surah Al Kahf.

قَالُوا يَا ذَا الْقَرْنَيْنِ إِنَّ يَأْجُوجَ وَمَأْجُوجَ مُفْسِدُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَهَلْ نَجْعَلُ لَكَ خَرْجًا عَلَى أَن تَجْعَلَ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَهُمْ سَدًّا – الكهف 94

They said: O Zul Qarnain the Gog and Magog (people) do great mischief on earth: shall we then render thee tribute in order that thou mightest erect a barrier between us and them.

In continuation of the narration in Surah Al Kahf Quran reveals

وَتَرَكْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَمُوجُ فِي بَعْضٍ وَنُفِخَ فِي الصُّورِ فَجَمَعْنَاهُمْ جَمْعًا – الكهف 99

On that day we shall leave them to surge like waves on one another: the trumpet will be blown, and we shall collect them all together.

Another revelation is in Surah Al Anbiya.

حَتَّى إِذَا فُتِحَتْ يَأْجُوجُ وَمَأْجُوجُ وَهُم مِّن كُلِّ حَدَبٍ يَنسِلُونَ- الأنبياء 96

Until the Gog and magog (people) are let through (their barrier), and they swiftly swarm from every hill.

Verses in ‘Surah Al Kahf’ mentions about complain of people who were troubled by Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj (two tribes of men with broad face and small eye and are very destructive in nature) to Dul Qarnain Alihi Ssalam to build a wall to protect them. Dul Qarnain Alihi Ssalam told them to bring Iron and Copper and built a wall. The wall was hard and the surface was soft, so Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj cannot penetrate it or climb over it. So they are entrapped until order of Allah will come and the wall will be leveled.

Verse in Surah Al Anbiya reveals outburst of Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj while ‘The Last Day’ is nearing. They will start appearing from top of every high land. They first march towards Lake of Tiberias and drink full water in it and dry it up. Meanwhile Allah instructs Easa Alihi Ssalam to climb Mount Toor (this mountain is referred in Quran and Hadeeth many times lays in Sinai peninsula separating Egypt mainland and part of Sham – present day Jordan) with His followers.

Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj continue to destroy the land and dry up water sources until Easa Alihi Ssalam prays Allah and Allah will destroy them with a strange decease. Later their dead bodies will be carried away by huge birds and Allah orders rain to fall and clean the earth.

As it revealed in Quran and Hadeeth there are many wonderful happenings yet to come as signs of Qiyamah (the last day). But one would be ready for it as it is known when it will happen. Many minor signs of Qiyamah are already started appearing so we must be very careful!

Allah knows best.

Pharaoh (Firoun) – a testimony of punishment

Pharaohs ruled Egypt for a long time through many dynasties. They kept ‘Banoo Israel’ as if slaves and burdened them with hard jobs. Pharaohs though adorned Egypt with some wonderful constructions had done a grave mistake by worshipping other than Allah. Allah had given them provisions and powers to establish great kingdom but they refused to obey his commands.

Prophet Moosa Alihisslam came with message from Allah to Pharaoh to obey Allah and free Banoo Israel from the severity. The Pharaoh who confronted Prophet Moosa Alihisslam is known to be Ramses II. He heard from fortune tellers that a boy from Banoo Israel will topple his empire. So he ordered to kill all boys born in Banu Israel house hold and accordingly as much as 70,000 newborn boys were brutally murdered by Pharaoh’s militia.

But eventually it was Allah who won the trick. When Prophet Moosa Alihisslam was born Allah informed his mother to put the baby in a box and float it in the river Nile. Pharaoh’s wife spotted the floating box and retrieved it. When she opened it, she was amazed to see the cheerful baby and wanted to bring him up under her custody. So Allah made Pharaoh look after his enemy Moosa Alihisslam in his childhood!

Later Moosa Alihisslam got divine message and called Pharaoh to eternal truth that ‘There is no god other than Allah’. But Pharaoh refused to obey and maintained his false theories. He even told his people that ‘I can’t visualize any god other than me for you’!

Pharaoh’s wife ‘Asiya Raliya Allahu anha’ believed in Moosa Alihisslam and she was cruelly killed. Pharaoh’s atrocities didn’t stop there and he massacred a group of men who believed in Moosa Alihisslam. Those men were wizards summoned by Pharaoh to display their magic to defeat Moosa Alihisslam’s stick which becomes a snake upon putting on earth. The wizards were beaten by Muejizah (Miracle) of Moosa Alihisslam which prompted them to believe in religion taught by Him.

Allah had sent many tiny punishments to test the Pharaoh and his men. Blood stains used to appear in water they use. They reached Moosa Alihisslam to ask Allah to clear this penalty. It was cleared upon Dua of Moosa Alihisslam. Once it was cleared they returned to their old habits. In another occasion lice appeared all over their bodies. Yet in another occasion frogs used to jump all around them. With all these sample punishments those stupid people didn’t believe in Allah and His Messenger Moosa Alihisslam. Instead they added up their crimes against Banu Israel.

Finally, Allah ordered Moosa Alihisslam to take his tribe away from Egypt and they walked towards Red Sea. Hearing this news Pharaoh set up his troops and chased Moosa Alihisslam and Banu Israel. They met at bank of Red Sea and the people with Moosa Alihisslam were frightened down to earth. They were expecting sudden death by any means and started complaining Moosa Alihisslam.

Allah is glorious and he never let down His righteous believers. Allah ordered Moosa Alihisslam to beat the sea with his stick! Soon the sea opened up to 12 path ways and the water stilled as if an ice mountain in both sides. Moosa Alihisslam and His men scurried through these paths to other side of the sea.

Seeing this Pharaoh followed suite. But Allah ordered the sea the merge back and Pharaoh and his cavalry were drowned. When he was sure of death Pharaoh proclaimed that he do believe in Allah, the God taught by Moosa Alihisslam. But it was too late. So story of Pharaoh and his atrocities ended there.

Yet Allah wanted to keep future generations aware of what will the fate of disbelief and arrogance. So he maintained Pharaoh’s body without decay. Allah has mentioned it in holy Quran.

فَالْيَوْمَ نُنَجِّيكَ بِبَدَنِكَ لِتَكُونَ لِمَنْ خَلْفَكَ آيَةً وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ النَّاسِ عَنْ آيَاتِنَا لَغَافِلُونَ

(سورة يونس – 92)

“This day we shall save your body, so that you may be a sign to those who come after you but verily, many among mankind are heedless of our signs”

Great Mufassir Imam Qurtuby (R.A) has given following explanation for this verse

قوله تعالى: “فاليوم ننجيك ببدنك” أي نلقيك على نجوة من الأرض. وذلك أن بني إسرائيل لم يصدقوا أن فرعون غرق، وقالوا: هو أعظم شأناً من ذلك، فألقاه الله على نجوة من الأرض، أي مكان مرتفع من البحر حتى شاهدوه

And Imam Ibn Katheer’s (R.A) explanation is as follows

وقوله “فاليوم ننجيك ببدنك لتكون لمن خلفك آية” قال ابن عباس وغيره من السلف إن بعض بني إسرائيل شكوا في موت فرعون فأمر الله تعالى البحر أن يلقيه بجسده سويا بلا روح وعليه درعه المعروفة على نجوة من الأرض وهو المكان المرتفع ليتحققوا موته وهلاكه

From both explanations it is understood that Banoo Israel was in doubt on whether Pharaoh is really drowned. So Allah ordered the sea to throw his body out so that they can witness and confirm his death.

Cairo Museum has a royal mummies section where some recovered bodies of Pharaohs are preserved. The first one among them is captioned as “Ramses II” which is widely accepted as the body of Pharaoh drowned in Red Sea. There is some conflicting material available in internet about Pharaohs. One thing is sure that Allah has preserved body of a Pharaoh as a confirmation for future generations.

A study headed by Professor Maurice Bucaille done at France on this particular mummy reveals some interesting facts. Scientists concluded that remaining salt in the mummy is an overt evidence that it was drawn in the sea, and the body was rescued very shortly where it was immediately embalmed to be save. An amazing thing was still confusing Professor Maurice is that how could this body possibly be safer than any other mummy despite being taken out of the sea up until this time.

The professor was given a hint that Qura’n has mentioned something on Pharaoh who chased Moosa Alihissalam and ultimately drowned in sea. His study on this subject led way to embrace Islam.

As per many verses from Quran, Pharaoh’s palace was some where near the river Nile. During 19^th and 20^th century excavations some remains are found in bank of Nile in Luxor (some 500 KM away from Cairo). Red Sea lies east to Nile and there is historic evidence that Banoo Israel lived in Sinai Peninsula after they were saved from Pharaoh.

Cairo Museum is located in a busy area in the City. There is a metro train station only two stops away from our hotel (I stayed in Doki area almost near Nail delta). There wasn’t much rush in the ticket counter. As usual there are different ticket rates for Foreigners, Egyptians and Students. To enter Royal mummies room another 100 pound is charged per head.

Cairo Museum

Pharaoh (Firoun)

Pyramids of Giza

Pyramids of Giza are outstanding! I don’t have words to express its greatness! Subhana Allah…  If Allah have given men the know-how to build such great structures in an era when modern construction equipments were unthinkable, how would be the Paradise He had build for good believers!

Egyptian pyramids are stunning! I have studied about them during my early school days. Before viweing them right in front of my eyes my imagination set its height as a few meters. I was astounded  when I saw the biggest pyramid. It is a massive structure built from well cut stones having overall height around 140 meters (as high as a 40 floor building). There are 3 big pyramids in a row and many small pyramids in surrounding area. The sphinx – a lion like structure cut and carved on solid stone lay with its front paws stretched a little ahead as if guarding the pyramids compound.

It was a wonderful sight in my life. Now I know why it was branded among wonders of world. I took a snap of a single stone at the base of the pyramid. It is well cut and leveled without sharp edges 1.5 meters tall and 1 meter wide! Its weight would be some 2.5 ton! Some stones cut in a slanted angle are placed at surface of the pyramid to give it a smooth homogeneous look.

Our taxi driver told some of these stones were detached from the pyramid and used to build a fort in another part of Cairo. He also told the pyramids were built as tomb for Pharaohs. About the sphinx his theory was interesting. The sphinx was erected to terrify robbers and thieves who might break in to steal precious items kept in royal chambers inside the pyramids!

According to Egyptologist’s accounts the pyramid was built as a tomb for fourth dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu and constructed over a 20 year period concluding around 2551 BC (4560 years ago). The Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years. The Great Pyramid was originally 280 Egyptian cubits tall, 146.478 meters (480.57 ft) but with erosion and absence of its pyramidion, its current height is 138.75 meters (455.22 ft). Each base side was 440 royal cubits, 230.37 meters (755.81 ft) in length. Refer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pyramid_of_Giza for more information.

There is an entrance to interior of the great pyramid and some other pyramids. One has to pay separate entry fees to enter into it. There is a discounted rate for Egyptian nationals and students. But for foreigners the fee is 100 pound for entering the compound, 100 pound to enter into the great pyramid and 50 to enter into other pyramids! If you can spend some time there, it is worth I suppose! (1 pound is approximately 0.7 Dirham Emarati and 0.2 US Dollar)

Visitors used to rent Horse carts and camels to ride around pyramids compound. We preferred walking to have a closer look.

Pyramid

Pyramid

Stone

sphinx

sphinx

The Faith Returns to Madinah

عن  أبي هريرة  رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال إن الإيمان ليأرز إلى المدينة  كما تأرز الحية إلى جحرها

“Verily, Faith returns and goes back to Medina as a snake returns and goes back to its hole” (Bukhari Volume 3, Book 30, Number 100)

Love of Rasoolullahi Sallallahu alihi wasaallam is dissolved in blood of true believers!

They chant ‘Salat’ upon hearing His name!

They listen silently while hearing His admirations and the love towards him grew upon hearing it!

Their hearts tick to reach Al Madinah al Munawwarah to visit His holy Roudah and Musjidu Nnabavi!

Upon reaching at vicinity of Roudah al Shareef their hearts are pumped up with emotions!

Oh! That Rasoolullahi Sallallahu alihi wasaallam whom we loved is here resting in this place!

Oh! What peace, serenity and calmness over here!

His companions didn’t speak loudly at his presence as Allah ordered them! They paid utmost respect to Him and loved Him than their parents, children and others and even themselves!

We poor believers have got chance to be at this holy place. Alhamdu Lillah…

We thank Allah for bringing us here as many other believers have aspirations yet can’t reach here.

We have to be very careful as this place is so sacred and any disobedience or even a thought of it will spot us bad in front of Allah.

Words can’t express the feelings and we stood there for long time reciting Salat and praying to Allah. Oh Allah! Don’t make this visit our last visit here. Oh Allah! Don’t let our hearts turn away from love of your beloved chosen Rasoolul Huda Sallallahu alihi wasaallam.

مولاي صلــــي وسلــــم دائمـــاً أبــــدا علـــى حبيبــــك خيــر الخلق كلهـم

أمن تذكــــــر جيــــــرانٍ بذى ســــــلم مزجت دمعا جَرَى من مقلةٍ بـــــدم

َمْ هبَّــــت الريـــــحُ مِنْ تلقاءِ كاظمــةٍ وأَومض البرق في الظَّلْماءِ من إِضم

This photo was taken during our visit in 2005.