Al-Ustawanah, The Columns, The Pillars
in the Sacred Garden.
“What is between my house and my minbar
is a meadow of the meadows of Jannah, and my minbar is on my pool,” said our
Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.
There are many other places inside
Masjid-e Nabawi Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam at which special prayers
may be offered. Most of these are normally mentioned in Haj guides. A few relating
to the pillars in the Sacred Mosque will be mentioned here.
Hadrat Mullah Ali
Qari Rahmatullahi 'alayh writes. “Those pillars of the sacred mosque, which are
of special virtue and blessed should be indeed be visited by the visitor to
madina. There he should keep himself busy with voluntary prayer and dua. This
applied especially to that portion of the Mosque, which used to be the mosque
during the time of our beloved Prophet Sayyedina Muhammad Mustufa Salla Allahu
ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam before its enlargement.
The pillars in this area are of special
blessed nature. According to Hadrat Imam Bukhari Rahmatullahi 'alayh the
Companions Radi Allahu anhum of Rasulullah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa
Sallam used to offer many prayers at these pillars. Pilgrims should take the
opportunity of offering prayers at these pillars.
SubhanAllah, the heart bursts.
Exploding and descending into unimaginable depths of sweetness. Transported to
realms heavenly and divine. Transfixed; not only due to the sanctity and
sacredness of this chosen Mubarak piece of ground that Allah Ta’ala has blessed
as the earthly parallel of Jannah, but this is where His Habib SallAllahu
alaihi wasallam worshipped, taught, listened, received revelations from Jibreel
Alaihis Sallam, walked, smiled, fasted, distributed booty, united so many in
marriage, prayed Janazah over his daughters, his son, his companions, called
for Jihad.
This is the very place where thousands
of the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhu walked, sat, listened, worshipped, and where
thousands of our illustrious predecessors Rahmatullah alaihum also graced the
hallowed ground. And where today, and tomorrow, until Allah Ta’ala deems
otherwise, our pious scholars raise their hands, praising, and seeking
for the entire Ummah, where individuals from every far-flung corner of
the globe humbly present themselves to the Mercy of the Worlds SallAllahu alaihi
wasallam, where millions more turn their hearts from wherever they may be. Such
Shukr that we have been blessed with the power of projecting our hearts and
minds to this place regardless of where our physical body may be, and such
Shukr that Allah Ta’ala has blessed us with Angels roaming the entire
Universe to convey our Salam and Durood upon His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi
wasallam. SubhanAllah, Alhumdulillah, La ilaha illAllah, Allahu Akbar.
The columns, or pillars in the Sacred
Rowdha stand in the exact place where the original palm tree trunks erected by
our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and his Sahabah RadhiAllahu
anhum stood. Constructed under his SallAllahu alaihi wasallam gaze! This
image in itself is enough to induce delirium, and a state of ecstasy! With all
the expansions and renovations, the distinct positions have not altered. And
each of these honoured places has a soul stirring tale to tell.
The Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum loved to
pray behind these columns, as did billions throughout the centuries and the
millions now. Umar Radhiallahu anhu, used to say: “Those who pray have more
right to the trunks than those who sit there conversing.” And when he saw a man
praying away from them, he pulled him to behind a pillar saying: “pray facing
it.” Anas ibn Malik RadhiAllahu anhu said: “I saw the elders among the Sahabah
RadhiAllahu anhum rush to the pillars at Maghrib to pray, until the Prophet
SallAllahu alaihi wasallam came out.”
These columns are marked with a relief
medallion near the top, bearing the specific name inscribed in Arabic with
golden letters on a green background.
1.
Al-Ustuwanatul-Mukhallaqah, also known as the Hannana column, and Column of the
Mushaf.
This is the thickset column immediately
behind the Mihrab.(detail above) It marks the place where Rasulullah SallAllahu
alaihi wasallam used to lead Salat after the direction of Qiblah was changed to
the Ka’abah. Various narrations are cited as to the name of “the perfumed
pillar”. One states that one day our Beloved Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam
saw that someone had spat on the trunk, so one of the Sahabah cleaned it and
then applied perfume (Khalooq) to the place. Another account is during the time
of the caliph, Haroon Rashid, his mother, Al-Khayzuran, when she came for Hajj
in 170 A.H. perfumed all the pillars, applying more to this one and
Aishah’s Pillar.
This column is also named Hannana
because it was the site of the trunk of a palm tree against which the Prophet
SallAllahu alaihi wasallam used to lean during the Khutbah. When he began using
the new Minbar the trunk shook and wept, shaking bitterly as if it was going to
burst with agony, until our gentle Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam
stepped down from the Minbar and calmed it with his hand. He continued to offer
Salat at this trunk until work on extensions began during the time of the
caliphate of Uthman RadhiAllahu anhu. Some narrations say that it was then
moved to the house of Abu ibn Ka’b, where it remained until it decayed, some
say it was buried where it was, others say it was buried under the Minbar,
while I have also heard some scholars say that it was buried in Jannatul Baqi.
And only Allah the Almighty knows the truth.
Hasan Basri Rahmatullah alaihi used to
cry when he described these narrations saying: “O you believers, this piece of
wood used to cry for the love of Prophet Muhammad SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.
You should display more enthusiasm and love to meet the Prophet SallAllahu
alaihi wasallam on the Day of Judgement.”
Imam Shafi’ Rahmatullahi 'alayh said:
“The miracles given to the Prophet Muhammad SallAllahu alaihi wasallam were not
given to any other Prophet.” A person said to the Imam: “Isa, alaihis Sallam
was given the miracle of bringing the dead back to life.” Whereupon Imam Shafi’
replied: “Prophet Muhammad SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was given the miracle
where a tree cried. Crying of a dead tree is a bigger miracle indeed.”
Imam Malik Rahmatullahi 'alayh says; “Of
all places the one I prefer for my Salaah in the blessed Masjid e Nabawi is
this one.”
The reason why this same column is also
known as the Column of the Mushaf is according to a narration by Malik ibn
Anas, that Hajjaj ibn Yusuf sent copies of the Qur’an Majeed to many of the
major cities at the time, and the one sent to Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah was
placed in a box and kept to the right of this column. And Allah the Almighty
knows best.
4. Ustuwaana A’isha Radi
Allahu anha
Also called Ustuwaana –e- Muhajereen
and Ustuwaana –I-Qur’a This is called the Ustuwaana-e- Muhajereen, because
originally the Muhajereen used to sit near this spot.
Our Beloved Prophet Sayyedina Muhammad
Mustufa Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam used to say their prayers here
and afterwards moved to the place at Ustuwaana Mukhallaq (no1).
It is called the Ustuwaana –I-Qur’a.,
the reason for this is that Hadrat A’isha Radi Allahu anha reports that
Rasulullah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam said;
“ In this mosque is one such spot that if people knew the true blessed nature of it; they would flock towards it in such numbers that to pray there would have had to cast lots” People asked Hadrat Aisha Radi Allahu anha to point out the exact spot; which she refused to do.
“ In this mosque is one such spot that if people knew the true blessed nature of it; they would flock towards it in such numbers that to pray there would have had to cast lots” People asked Hadrat Aisha Radi Allahu anha to point out the exact spot; which she refused to do.
Later on at the persistence of Hadrat
Abdullah ibn Zubair Radi Allahu anhu , she pointed out this spot. Hence it is
called Ustuwaana –I-A’isha because she reports the Hadith and she showed the
exact spot. It is a fact that Hadrat Abu Bakr Radi Allahu anhu and Hadrat Umar Radi
Allahu anhu very often used to pray
here.
5. Ustuwanatal-Tawba,
Column of Repentance, or the Pillar of Abu Lubabah.
This column is so named as it
represents the place where Allah Ta’ala accepted the repentance of Abu Lubabah
RadhiAllahu anhu.
Our Beloved Rasulullah SallAllahu
alaihi wasallam surrounded the Jewish Tribe of Bani Quraiza on the outskirts of
Madinah for twenty five days due to their treachery. After their provisions
were exhausted they requested to be given permission to travel safely to Syria.
Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam told them that whatever decision Sa’ad
ibn Muath RadhiAllahu anhu made as mediator, they should accept that. But the
Jews requested that Abu Lubabah RadhiAllahu anhu be the one to negotiate with
as he had been their ally before Islam, and he had family and property in this
area, so they thought he would be kinder to them. The Noble Prophet SallAllahu
alaihi wasallam, forever displaying the fairest of manners in all dealings
agreed to their request, and hence sent Abu Lubabah RadhiAllahu anhu to them.
The tribe came rushing to him in distress, playing on his emotions. They asked
what would become of them if they left the security of their fort, would they
be safe. He replied in the affirmative, but while saying so gestured cutting of
the throat with his hand, indicating that their head will be cut off. This was
in fact the secret the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam made with Abu Lubabah
RadhiAllahu anhu.
As soon as Abu Lubabah RadhiAllahu anhu
did this he realized his grave betrayal, saying: “My legs had not moved from
their place before I knew that I had betrayed Allah and His Messenger.” He
immediately rushed to the Masjid where he bound himself to the pillar, vowing
to remain in this condition until his repentance was accepted. Some narrations
say he was there for seven days and seven nights, being untied only for ritual
purification and prayers. He barely ate during this time and passed out several
times. When Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam heard of what he had done he
said: “He could have come directly to me and I would have prayed for his
forgiveness. Now he has left the whole matter to Allah. He should wait till
Allah accepts his repentance directly.”
At dawn on the seventh day, while the
Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was in Umm Salama RadhiAllahu anha’s house,
she saw him smile. When she inquired why he was smiling he informed her that
Allah Ta’ala had forgiven Abu Lubabah RadhiAllahu anhu. She asked if she could
be the one to convey the happy news, whereupon the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi
wasallam said: “If you wish.” Umm Salama RadhiAllahu anha walked to the door of
her house, being beside the Masjid, and called out to Abu Lubabah: “Receive the
good news O Abu Lubabah! Allah has forgiven you!”
The Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum present
in the Masjid at the time rushed to congratulate and untie him, but he said:
“Leave me until the Messenger of Allah, SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, comes and
unties me with his own hands!”
They left him and he was untied
according to his wish when Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam came out for
Fajr Salat.
Such drastic measures taken by the
Sahabah to rectify a mistake! And now this very column is sought after by many
as the auspicious place to make Tawba, SubhanAllah! May Allah Ta’ala save us,
and accept our repentance. Ameen.
The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was said to often pray his Nawafil Salat at this pillar, and it was one of the main places he would sit to receive the poor, the weak, the needy, guest and others after Salatul Fajr. They would sit in circle around him listening to his advice, reciting the latest revelations to them and see to their needs. And Allah the Almighty knows best.
6. Ustuwanatul-Sarir,
Column of the Bed
This marks the place where a mat made
of palm fronds and a leather cushion filled with palm fibre used to be spread
for the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam during his Itikaf during the last
ten days of Ramadhan.
It is narrated that our Blessed Lady
Aishah RadhiAllahu anha, could sit at the door of their house washing and
combing his Mubarak hair while our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was
actually in the Masjid, as the door to their simple quarters was beside this
pillar!
The Guard Column on the right and the
Delegates Column on the left with the doorway that roughly corresponds to the
Mubarak door our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam used to enter the
Masjid from the narrow passageway that separated the houses of Lady Aishah and
Lady Fatimah RahdiAllahu anhima.
7. Ustuwanatul-Haras,
Column of the Guard.
The position of this column was
adjacent to the Mubarak door leading to the humble home of our Blessed Rasul
SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and our Beloved Lady Aishah RadhiAllahu anha, and it
is where some of the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum would stand guard. Narrations
say that Ali RadhiAllahu anhu was the main guard, along with Sa’d ibn Abi
Waqqas and Abu Saeed Khudri RadhiAllahu anhum. Once Rasul SallAllahu alaihi
wasallam returned weary from battle saying to our Lady Aishah: “I wish a man of
virtue should come to guard me tonight.” Soon after he heard the clanging of
weapons outside his house, and when he inquired as to who was there, the reply
came: “Sa’d, I have come to guard you.” So the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi
wasallam slept.
Soon after Allah Ta’ala revealed:
And Allah will protect you from people… (5:67),
so Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi
wasallam informed the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum that they were no longer needed
to stand guard.
8. Ustuwanatul-Wufud,
Column of the Delegations.
This column stands where Rasulullah
SallAllahu alaihi wasallam used to receive the numerous delegations that would
arrive in Madinah from various tribes to announce their entry into Islam and
pledge their allegiance to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, as well as
other dignitaries from other lands.
Burzanji Rahmatullah alaihi said: “The bed, the guard and the delegates columns used to be somewhat inside the Sacred Chamber. In 888 A.H., the wall of the Sacred Chamber was rebuilt during the period of Qaitabai, when half of each column was built outside the wall to mark the locations.”
Burzanji Rahmatullah alaihi said: “The bed, the guard and the delegates columns used to be somewhat inside the Sacred Chamber. In 888 A.H., the wall of the Sacred Chamber was rebuilt during the period of Qaitabai, when half of each column was built outside the wall to mark the locations.”
9. Grave Square Column.
This position is said to be one of the
Maqamas of Jibreel Alaihis Sallam. THIS WAS THE USUAL PLACE WHERE JIBRA'IL AS.
USED TO ENTER TO VISIT RASULULLAH (Sallallahu Alaihe wasallam) This column is
on the northwestern corner of Lady Aishah’s house, and since our Noble
Al-Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam is in this house which is almost square
in shape, they refer to this as the Grave Square Column. This column
cannot be seen as it is behind the metallic enclosure.
“O Allah, the leveler of the Plains,
the Maker of the Firmament, and the Molder of Hearts into the good and the bad,
grant Your noblest blessings, most fruitful favours and most loving kindness to
our master Muhammad, Your Servant and Your Messenger, the opener of what was
locked and the Sea; of what had gone before, the announcer of truth with truth,
and the refuter of the forces of falsehood! He who took upon himself the
responsibility of Your order in obedience to You, speedily seeking Your
Pleasure, earnestly heeding Your Revelation, keeping Your Promise, carrying out
and executing Your Command, so that, by kindling a burning brand for the
seeker, his followers gain access through him to the blessings of Allah! Hearts
were guided through him after having entered into discord and sin, and he
gladdened with evident signs, with enlightening laws and illuminating Islam!
And he is Your trustworthy one and safe custodian of Your secret Knowledge,
Your witness on the Day of Judgement and Your envoy, a favour for us, and Your
Messenger, in truth, a mercy for us! O Allah, widen for him his place in Your
Eden and reward him doubly with the goodness of zyour Favour granting him
untarnished felicitations from the victory of Your Reward, which is plentiful
and fitting, and from Your Lofty Gift!” Dala’il al-Khayrat.
All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas
mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers,
bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.
May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do
good. Ameen.
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