السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
It’s Friday 29th May 2020. Let’s move on to ‘Cyprus’ today اِنْ شَاءَ الَّلهُ.
Our second visit to Malta was in the auspicious company of Shaykh ul-Islām Mufti Muḥammad Taqī Usmānī Ṣāḥib مدظله العالی. Mufti Taqī Ṣāḥib is a gifted individual who manages time most efficiently, an amazing personality. My colleague, Mufti Yūsuf, prepared our Malta itinerary in such a way that we could spend 2 days in Cyprus as well.
Mufti Taqī Ṣāḥib was over the moon. And why not? The Books of Aḥādīth contain a beautiful Ḥadīth regarding a Saḥābiyyāh, Ḥaḍrat Umm Ḥarām bint Milḥān رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا, and her passing away in Cyprus.
This glad tiding was given to Umm Ḥarām رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا by the Master of both worlds Himself, our beloved Prophet Muḥammad صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ.
The memorable day was Thursday 11th July 2019, when we arrived at the resting place of this great Saḥābiyyāh رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا, known locally as Ḥālā Sultān,, around midday.
The atmosphere was so serene and peaceful. It was a very emotional experience. We presented our Salāms to Ḥaḍrat Umm Ḥarām رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا.
Thereafter, in the Masjid, called Ḥālā Sultān Tekke (Tekke means convent, and usually relates to a building for ‘Sūfī’ gatherings), built near the resting place, we had a most memorable Dars (lesson) of all the Aḥādīth related to Ḥaḍrat Umm Ḥarām رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا, and her attaining martyrdom in Cyprus, اللّٰهُ أَكْبَر.
Words will not do justice to that Dars. Mufti Yūsuf had compiled all the Aḥādīth, which all travel companions present, recited in the presence of Mufti Taqī Ṣāḥib after which Mufti Ṣāḥib gave the commentary.
It was so emotional, to be seated a few metres away from the resting place of Ḥaḍrat Umm Ḥarām رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا, reciting the Aḥādīth, and then the explanation from Shaykh ul-Islām, سُبْحَانَ الله.
Over the 2 days, Mufti Taqī Ṣāḥib delivered some talks, starting with a bayān on Thursday evening, at Masjid Ömeriye, in Nicosia.
According to Turkish Cypriot folklore, this is the first mosque where Turks prayed on the island following its conquest in 1571.
Then, the JumuꜤah Khutbah, at Masjid al-Kabīr, or Grand Mosque, in Larnaca.
The Masjid dates back to the Ottoman era, but the current construction is the result of 19th Century restoration.
Mufti Ṣāḥib also advised and provided guidance to a number of Muslims resident in Cyprus.
Next to Malta, Cyprus also has breathtaking views of the royal blue water of the Meditarranean Sea, complemented by spectacular mountains and greenery سُبْحَانَ الله.
When we were in Bosnia in 2018, walking in the parks with Mufti Taqī Usmānī دامت برکاتہم, with streams of ice cool water coming down the mountains and lush green leaves on the trees creating a wonderful shade, Mufti Taqī Ṣāḥib mentioned that ‘If this is the world, then how beautiful must Jannat be?‘
Mufti Ṣāḥib went on to say ‘Wherever Jannat is mentioned in The Holy QurꜤān, there is always a mention of streams and greenery, they both enhance the beauty‘. Almighty Allāh grant us all the beautiful streams and scenery of Jannat ul-Firdaus in the Hereafter, Āmeen.
We crossed over to the part of Cyprus under Turkish rule,
Here we visited a very special Masjid, in Girne (Kyrenia), built on the coast of the Meditarranean Sea, Maqām ꜤUmar Saḥābah, known as Hz. Ömer Türbesi.
The locals informed us of the resting place of seven Sahābis رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ, at which we were blessed to present our Salāms. Mufti Taqī Ṣāḥib was not sure about the authenticity of this particular resting place and said that we will have to research this further.
Our trip to Malta and Cyprus with Mufti Taqī Usmānī مدظله العالی was memorable مَا شَآءَ الله. Finally, a very special thanks to Shaykh Abū Nūr of Larnaca, and his colleagues, for hosting us and making it a trip to remember for life, Āmeen.
You can read my colleague, Mufti Yūsuf’s, account of this trip at https://islamicportal.co.uk/visit-to-malta-and-cyprus-with-shaykh-al-islam-mufti-muhammad-taqi-usmani.
جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا
Request for DuꜤās
وَالسَّلَامُ Hanif Dudhwala