My Second Fajr Center Field Trip
This actually took place months ago but I guess you can tell I wasn’t very enthused to write about it!
I do appreciate the chance to -for the first time in my life- be able to live in a city with such rich Islamic History. I’d read once that the Historian Ibn Khaldun said of Egypt, “He who has not seen it does not know the power of Islam.” I wish I had Ibn Khaldun as my tour guide on my field trip to Islamic Cairo :(
The trip included: The Citadel and the sites surrounding it and the The Egyptian Military museum.
It was interesting…
Fortunately, I read a book on the life of Salahudden which really brought the whole area to life for me and made the experience somewhat uplifting. Other than that aspect, it’s a real downer.
Mausoleums in every “masjid”. It’s clear that a masjid whose foundation was not built upon taqwa, will end up serving a purpose other than 3ibadah, and Allah knows best. They have all turned into tourist attractions filled with people of all kinds, posing at the pillars of the masjids lounging around on the carpets, videoing etc. I would say that it was very disrespectful but I can’t blame them.. these masjids were very much built for showy purposes in the first place.
The museum was OK. There was a huge statue of Salaheddin. I do not believe in the permissibility of statues. It was when I saw this statue that I realized the wisdom behind such a prohibition. When I looked up it caught my breath and I was looking at it for a second as if I could see Salaheddin in front of me. People in ancient times first started building statues in respect and reverence of great people…it’s no wonder they later starting worshiping at them. I did however like the name plate:
My highlights of the trip included: The Citadel, The jeweled Yemeni Dagger, The Pillar from the first foundation of the`Amr bin al-Aas masjid, The view of Cairo from the top.
Looking on bright side, it was as great history lesson and I took some nice pictures.
It’s so sad to see masaajid put up like museums for show. The hagia sofia in istanbul is the same thing… just tourists milling around. And of course it’s the “big attraction.” When people see buildings as being grand, and neglect their purpose of being a place for our worship, it’s so obvious that the priorities are totally wrong.
If you have a chance, can you refer me to information about not being able to pray in a masjid where there is a tomb? I mean, assuming one isn’t praying for tawassul through the dead person or anything like that, and someone just happened to be buried there, what’s the specific evidence about not being able to pray there - and what about praying in masjid al nabawi where the Prophet (saws) is buried? I can’t seem to find any info about this issue.
jazaaki Allah khair :)
Assalaamu `alaykum Asma,
It was so nice to see you (on my blog of all places! heh) Feel free to drop by any time :)
You raised a very good question which lead me to post more about the issue of praying in masjids containing graves.
Jazakillahu khayran!