By: Mohammad Yazid
Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/
“Quba! Quba!” said several elderly men clad in typical white Arab gamis shirts and red-and-white checkered turbans as they stood in front of Toyota minivans in Medina.
The men were drivers, offering to take haj pilgrims to visit , around 5 kilometers from Nabawi Mosque in Medina.
After paying 3 riyals (80 US cents), pilgrims entered one of the vehicles, whose doors were left open. When the car was full, the men closed the doors and drove off.
Such bustling sights are commonplace in the city, particularly after dawn prayers.
In Islamic history, Quba is known as the first mosque set up by the Prophet Muhammad, early after his early arrival in the eponymous village while on a journey from Mecca to Medina in 622. Others, however, say that Abu Bakar turned his house into a mosque while still in Mecca.
It is not as large or luxurious as other historic buildings of worship, such as Nabawi Mosque or Haram Mosque in Mecca.
However, it continues to receive great attention from those on nine-day pilgrimages who must perform “mandatory” arbain prayers 40 times at Nabawi Mosque. With 5 obligatory daily prayers, the pilgrimage requires eight days to finish.
Tours of mosques are high on the agenda of pilgrims, as are visits to other historic places, such as Mt. Uhud, about 5.5 kilometers from Nabawi Mosque, which is where Muslims in 625 suffered their first defeat in a war with the Quraisy.
Apart from Quba, pilgrims typically stop at ten other mosques for sunnah (optional) prayers, such as takhyatul and dhuha (after sunrise), practicing zikr (chanting in praise of God), reciting the Koran as well as meeting Muslims from different countries.
This is one of the ways by which Muslims understand the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad in getting closer to God.
After studying the Koran and the Hadith (the sayings and traditions of the Prophet), pilgrims try their best to develop the spirit.
Pilgrims are hoping to comprehend Islam as contained in the messages of the Prophet Muhammad with greater profundity and wisdom.
While there are many differences in their attempts at comprehending the messages, the millions visiting these mosques give the impression that the differences no longer need matter.
For them, it’s the right moment to give priority to practice over the theories that have frequently triggered controversies and splits among Muslims. They choose to make their comprehension as profound as
possible.
Consequently, they no longer care if some worshippers are lingering in mosques while others only take a very short time — or even those who only make visits the way tourists do, taking pictures with their cameras.
Nonetheless, tensions sometimes arise between Saudi Arabian official and visitors who are not Wahhabi. However, visitors preferring to stay longer when offering prayers are seen in a different light.
“Ya Al-Haj. Ya… Hajjah”, some officers addressed haj pilgrims. They also called “Bapak” and “Ibu” when encountering pilgrims from Indonesia. “Haram” and “tariq” were also frequently heard as they put trekking pilgrims in order.
But both words would time and again annoy visitors — particularly when shouted out by weary officers who seemed unfriendly.
Yet firm action was needed to ensure a smooth procession of thousands of people differing in character and behavior.
Going to mosques in Medina in fact has nothing to do with the obligations of the haj and umroh pilgrimages, which are carried out in Mecca.
But visiting Quba and Nabawi Mosques, where the tombs of the Prophet Muhammad and his two close companions, Abu Bakar and Umar bin Khattab, are situated, is highly recommended under Islam.
For most Muslims, pilgrimages to other mosques are considered important if the spirit of Islamic struggle is to be understood and felt, in view of the fact that the struggle of Prophet Muhammad began in Medina.
In the same way, by visiting the Uhud, they wish to feel the atmosphere of war to gauge the cause of Islamic defeat, in addition to making a pilgrimage to the tombs of fighters who died, including most famously Hamzah bin Abdul Muthalib.
Similarly, by visiting the mosques of the caliph Abu Bakar, Umar bin Khatab, Usman bin Affan and Ali bin Abi Thalib, all located within hundreds of meters of the Nabawi Mosque, they hope at least they can have a spiritual gathering.
Amid the mushrooming new structures, such as hotels mostly occupied by the pilgrims, the small mosques are still properly maintained and produce an image of modesty, reflecting the commendable conduct of their former occupants.