Category: General

Umrah Checklist

General

UMRAH CHECK LIST – TOURIST VISA
DATE : 18/11/21

  1. If you have any questions you may email – ask@visitsaudi.com. As updates occur regularly its best to contact them with any questions.
  2. Ensure You are Double Vacinated for Covid. Check with “Ask@ VisitSaudi” to see which vaccines are recognised in Saudi. Current Approved Vaccines : Astra Zeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, J&J (administered at least 14 days prior to arrival). Sinopharm or Sinovac Vaccines : Additional dose of any of the above 4 main vaccines required.
  3. ACWY Meningitis Vaccine – Contact your GP / Pharmacy. Also check if it’s required on your Visa. (Currently this is not required on Tourist Visa but best to double check with “Ask@ VisitSaudi”)
  4. UK ONLY Download NHS App and download your International Travel Covid Digital Pass – This may take some time as such do this ASAP. It’s valid for 30 days as such re-download pre departure.
  5. UK ONLY Call 119 and ask for Covid Pass in English & Arabic. Will take 7 days but can take longer and may need to chase as such do this ASAP.
  6. Flights – Preferable to book with airline directly as if refund is required there will be no middle person. Book flights that are cancellable (but will have fee to pay if cancelling).Note : If booking Saudia Airlines – Prayer Facility is not available currently on the flight.
  7. Hotels – Book Free Cancellation hotels online. (Main Sites are Booking.com : Agoda / Hotels.com / Expedia) – Using Apps may be cheaper than website – Book Now Pay Later & Free Cancellation (until arrival / until 1 day before check in) will be dearer but safer just incase your trip is cancelled due to positive PCR test.
  8. PCR Test 72 Hr Pre Departure. You may book with any approved provider (Search Govt websites). UK ONLY good option is Sameday – £65 with Randox (Normally result comes within few hours) https://covid.randox.com/clinic-locator/
  9. UK ONLY LFT Day 2 Test. £24 with Randox (See PCR above). Needs to be booked in advance so that the test kit arrives by the time you return home. The email confirmation will give you a Reference umber which will be required for UK Passenger locator form (See later).
  10. Saudi Tourist Visa – Can do this approx 1-2 weeks before departure and can also be done earlier for sanity – This should come through instantly – https://visa.visitsaudi.com
  11. Saudi Muqeem Form – Fill in 72 Hr before departure – https://muqeem.sa/#/vaccine-registration/home
  12. UK ONLY Passenger Locator form for UK to be filled in 48 Hours before returning to UK. You will need the LFT Day 2 Reference number (see above). https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk
  13. Download TAWAKKALNA APP (Covid Immunisation) & EATMARNA APP (Haramayn Booking) but don’t register. Ensure you download in advance as it doesn’t work on some old phones. These apps are critical but don’t get too worried as they are simple to use. When you arrive in Saudi, purchase a Saudi Sim (at the Airport if possible) and register Tawakkalna and Eatmarna. The App will send a verification number to the Saudi sim which is why it must only be registered after you’ve purchased a Saudi Sim. You may also need to show Tawakkalna App before checking in at the hotel. The 2 Apps eat a lot of battery. Ensure you take a mobile battery charger with you.
  14. Where it says UK ONLY – Non UK passengers should check rules & regulations within their own country.
  15. UMRAH VISA is also available. If you opt for this Visa then you don’t need a Tourist Visa. With the Umrah Visa you must book flights landing into Jeddah (not Riyadh) and you must book the Umrah Visa, Hotels & internal Saudi Transport via an approved Travel Agent.

NOTE : If you opt for the Umrah Visa, you will get a wrist band but you will still need to use the Apps. The Travel Agent will be able to book your Makkah Namaz in advance and maybe some other bookings too as such check with the Travel Agent.

At the moment slots are available for bookings via Tourist Visa

May Allah accept your Umrah & Ziyarah.

Please make du’aa for the writer of this message and all associates & please present all our Salaams to our beloved Nabi Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam. Jazak’Allah.

Please forward to anyone planning a journey to Haramayn Sharifayn.

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The Sunnahs of Eid

General, Islam

1. To awaken earlier than usual

2. To brush the teeth with Miswaak

3. To have a bath (Ghusl)

4. To be well dressed in an Islamic manner

5. To be dressed in one’s best clothes (Doesn’t necessarily have to be new)

Note: Care should be taken that we do not incur debts or transgress the limits of modesty on the clothes we purchase and wear on Eid day as is seen in Muslim communities of today. Many of our brothers are seen with unsuitable haircuts and inappropriate clothing imitating the kufaar and many of sisters are seen dressed provocatively attracting unwanted attention and the gaze of strange men upon them. What would happen if we were to die in such a state? We should adopt modesty in everyday of our loves and should never imitate the kufaar in anyway. May Allah save us from this evil. Ameen

6. To use Attar (Perfume)

7. To perform Eid Salah at the Eidgah (An open ground)

8. Avoid eating before Eid Salah on the day of Eid ul Adha and to eat an odd number of dates or anything sweet on the day of Eid ul Fitr

9. To go to the place of Eid Salah early

10. To walk to the place of Eid Salah (If it is within walking distance because every step is reward)

11. To read aloud “Takbeerat” on the way to the place of prayer for Eid-ul-Adha and silently for Eid-ul-Fitr:

“Allaahu Akbar Allaahu Akbar Laa ilaaha illallaahu Wallaahu Akbar walillaahil hamd”.

12. To use different routes to and from the place of Eid Salaah

13. To frequently read the takbeers (Loudly for Eid Ul Adha and softly for Eid ul Fitr)

14. To pray the Eid-Ul-Fitr prayer later and the Eid-ul-Adha earlier.

15. To read two rak’ahs Waajib Salaatul Eidain without any Adhaan or Iqaamah

16. It is forbidden to pray Nafil prayer before or after the prayer.

17. To read the two rak’ahs Nafl prayer on reaching home.

18. During Eid Salaah, in the first rak’ah, Rasulallah would recite Surah Ala (no. 87) and Suratul Ghathia (No. 8 in the second rak’ah.

19. Reciting these Sura’s in the Eid prayer should not be regarded as obligatory for other Sura’s may also be recited.

20. When Rasulallah completed the prayer of Salaatul Eidain he would stand facing the people who were seated in their rows and deliver a khutba issuing instructions and commanding them to do good. If he intended to send an army he did so and likewise issued any special orders he wished to.

21. The Khutba was delivered after the Eid Salaah

22. During both the khutba’s of Eid Rasulallah used to recite the Takbeerat frequently

23. The khutba of both Eids are Sunnah but to listen to them is Waajib. It is totally prohibited (Haraam) to walk around, talk or even read Salaah whilst the khutba is in progress.

24. To shake hands and hug one another on happy occasions is Mubaah (permissible). The general principle of a Mubaah act is not to regard the act as compulsory as that projects a wrong image of Deen. Furthermore, people should not regard the meeting on the day of Eid as compulsory and an inseparable part of the occasion.

(SUNNATS, Mufti E. M. H. Salejee pg 89, 90)
25. The greeting on Eid: Jabyr ibn Nufayr said: ‘When the companions of Allah’s Messenger met on the day of Eid, they would say to each other, ‘Taqaballahu minna wa mink (May Allah accept from us and you).” [Al Mahamiliyyat; hasan isnad; see Fath ul Bari 2:446

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University of Tabuk mosque

General
University of Tabuk Masjid
Adhan University of Tabuk Masjid

Key Features:

  • A large dome covered in mosaics
  • no columns throughout
  • two minarets with 50 metre height
  • 3,500 worshipper capacity
  • total mosque area 8000 sq meters
Tabuk University Mosque

The architecture of the University of Tabuk mosque is a blend between the arts of Islamic civilization and the aesthetics of modern architecture.

At the same time, its unique design is in conformity with the rules of structural engineering — in the form of a large dome without any columns, making it an architectural marvel, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said Saturday (20th June 2020).

The University of Tabuk mosque is one of the famous landmarks in the region, and at the level of the Kingdom’s universities. It was built as a landmark celebrating the Islamic and urban civilization of the city of Tabuk, which is also a prominent center for Islamic religious sciences.

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Tips for muslims using social media

General

Hereunder follow a brief set of tips for using social media with caution and good manners.

  1. Be wary of sharing messages before verifying its authenticity. It is all too easy to forward on Whatsapp messages without taking time to validate if it is true or not. As well as ruining lives this can hurt the feelings of family and friends in the community. The Prophet (peace & blessings upon him) said, “ it is sufficient for a person to be considered a liar, that he conveys everything he hears.” (abu Dawud)
  2. Lower the gaze. This applies to both men and women, and should be enacted even whilst online. Beware of what the eyes are exposing themselves to and seek Allah’s protection from the Zinah of the eyes. “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze… And tell the believing women to lower their gaze…” [Quran 24:30-31]
  3. Choose who you follow carefully. Do you want to be a leader or follower? What are you allowing someone that you follow on Twitter or a Facebook friend to bring into your life? Open your life to those who will help you strengthen your Imaan (belief), and will help you to be closer to Allah.
  4. Be cautious of what you share & post. Allah is always watching us and angels are present to write every action we make. Whether it is a public post or private chat, be always aware that you are not alone. If you son or daughter reads your post or status, what kind of footprint are you leaving behind? Will it make them proud or ashamed? “The Muslim is the one who others are safeguarded from his hand and tongue.”
  5. Is technology benefitting you? With the advent of You Tube videos, are we using this for our best interests. Are you using it to learn something beneficial? Social Media can also be used to do good, it can amplify good and help influence others to do good.
  6. Limit your time on social media. Don’t get consumed video after video on Youtube or scrolling the Instagram feeds. You have responsibilities: Salaah, family, work, education etc. Don’t let your social media habits impact your real life adversely.
  7. Ask yourself, is this positive or negative? Are you multiplying your sin or multiplying your reward?
    The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “You must be truthful. Truthfulness leads to dutifulness and dutifulness leads to the Garden. A man continues to tell the truth until he is written as a siddiq with Allah. Beware of lying. Lying leads to deviance and deviance leads to the Fire. A man continues to lie until he is written as a liar with Allah.” (Bukhari)
  8. Be careful of what you say. Your words posted/said are like an arrow that cant be retrieved once it has left the bow.
    Abû Hurayrah relates that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said:“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak a good word or remain silent.”[ Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim ]

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Jumuah Salah

General

Very emotional jumuah salah in Masjid Nabawi by Sheikh Ahmed Taleb Hameed

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Friday sermon – Al Noor masjid

General

The Muslim call to prayer sounded out over Christchurch and around New Zealand on Friday, as thousands gathered to remember the 50 people killed by a lone gunman at two mosques a week ago.

Following is the text of the sermon given by Imam Gamal Fouda of the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch.

First Sermon (Khutbah):

Last Friday I stood in this mosque and saw the hatred and the rage in the eyes of the terrorist who killed and martyred 50 innocent people, wounded 42, and broke the hearts of millions around the world.

Today from the same place I look out and I see the love and compassion in the eyes of thousands of fellow New Zealanders and human beings from across the globe, that fill the hearts of millions more who are not with us physically, but in spirit.

This terrorist sought to tear our nation apart with an evil ideology that has torn the world apart. But instead we have shown that New Zealand is unbreakable, and that the world can see in us an example of love and unity.

We are broken hearted, but we are not broken. We are alive. We are together. We are determined to not let anyone divide us. We are determined to love one another, and to support each other.

This evil ideology of white supremacy did not strike us first, yet it struck us hardest. The number of people killed is not ordinary, but the solidarity in New Zealand is extra ordinary.

To the families of the victims, your loved ones did not die in vain. Their blood has watered the seeds of hope. Through them, the world will see the beauty of Islam, and the beauty of our unity.

And Allah the Almighty says “do not say of those who have been killed in the way of Allah that they are dead, they are alive rejoicing with their Lord.”

They were the best of us, taken from us on the best of days, in the best of places and performing the best of actions.

And they are not just martyrs of Islam, but they are martyrs for this nation.

Our loss of you, is a gain to New Zealand’s unity and strength.

Your departure is an awakening not just for our nation, but for all humanity.

Your martyrdom is a new life for New Zealand and a chance of prosperity for many.

Our assembly here, with all the shades of our diversity is a testament of our joint humanity.

We are here in our hundreds and thousands unified for one purpose – That hate will be undone, and love will redeem us.

We are taught by our Prophet Muhammed peace and blessings be upon him that you can never truly show gratitude to the Almighty God, if you are incapable of thanking your fellow man.

To the people of New Zealand – Thank you.

Thank you for your tears.

Thank you for your Haka.

Thank you for your flowers.

Thank you for your love and compassion.

To our prime minister – thank you.

Thank you for your leadership, it has been a lesson for the world’s leaders.

Thank you for holding our families close and honoring us with a simple scarf.

Thank you for your words and tears of compassion.

Thank you for being one with us.

Thank you to the New Zealand government and to all the wonderful people who have shown us that we matter and are not forgotten.

Thank you to our police force and front-line services.

You put our lives before your own every day.

Thank you to the neighbors who opened their doors to save us from the killer.

Thank you to those who pulled over their cars to help us.

Thank you to those who brought us food and held us when we found it difficult to stand.

Thank you New Zealand for teaching the world what it means to love and care.

To my brothers and sisters, those who are here today to perform the weekly Friday prayer.

Thank you for coming together once again. It is easy to feel lost after the trauma you and I experienced. But the promise of Allah made to us is true:

“Give glad news to the patient – Those who when afflicted they say, To Allah we all belong, and to Him we shall return. They are those upon whom God’s Mercy descends”.

Thank you for your strength and your forgiveness. Thank you for your anger that is restrained and for your mercy that is over-flowing.

Thank you for your steadfastness and standing tall when many others would fall.

Second Sermon (Khutbah)

Islamophobia KILLS. Muslims have felt its pain for many years. It has killed before in Canada and its brutality was used against teens in Norway and against innocent Muslims in the U.K., USA and other countries around the world.

Islamophobia is REAL. It is a targeted campaign to influence people to dehumanize and irrationally fear Muslims.

To fear what we wear. To fear the choice of food we eat. To fear the way we pray and to fear the way we practice our faith.

We call upon governments around the world to bring an end to hate speech and the politics of fear.

The martyrdom of 50 innocent people and the injury of 42 last Friday did not come over night. It was the result of the anti-Islamic and anti-Muslim rhetoric by some political leaders, some media agencies and others.

Last week’s event is proof and evidence to the entire world that terrorism has no color, has no race and has no religion.

The rise of white supremacy and right-wing extremism is a great global threat to mankind AND THIS MUST END NOW!

I want to take this opportunity to thank my Muslim and non-Muslim brothers and sisters for attending today and I would also like to thank our international guests who are with us and had come to our support and aid in these difficult times and moments.

SUPPLICATION (DUA’A)

O’ Allah have mercy upon us all.

O’ Allah have mercy upon those who were massacred last week.

O’ Allah grant them the highest level of paradise.

O’ Allah grant the injured a speedy recovery and grant the families of the victims patience.

O’ Allah grant our nation and country New Zealand peace, security and protect it and its people from all evils.

O’ Allah grant the entire world peace, security and prosperity.

God defend our free land, God defend New Zealand.

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