My spiritual journey through the blessed land of Damascus
Ruknah-deen
Maqam of Shaykh Faiz Dagestani
Meeting Shaykh Dr F. G. Haddad
Exploring the city for food
Abu Hurayirah Allah bless him
Shaykh Nur-deen Zenghi
Hammam Nur-deen-old Turkish Bath
Umayyad Mosque
Sunni Adhan
Nabi Sayyiduna Yahya Allah bless him
Sayyiduna Imam Hussain blessed Maqam
Salah-udeen Ayyubi
Sayyiduna sakinah
Graveyard of Ahl-bayt
Great Qubt in the middle of the road
Sayyiduna Zaynib
Taxi Cons
Tips around the Cons
Shaykh Bayzid Bistami
Maqam Muhiy-deen Ibn 'Arabi
Shaykh Abdul Ghani Nabusi
Shaykh Khalid Baghdadi
Maqam Arab'ain (40 Abdal)
Hand of Arch Angel -Jibriel
Nabi Sayyiduna Dhul-kifel peace be upon him
This is based on three Ummrahs that I went on over a three-year period and in each case, in the month of Ramdhan. Each of them has some interesting stories so I’ve combined them; I’ll try to indicate the 1st, 2nd and 3rd years in each case. But the bulk of it, will come from 1st and 2nd year experiences of the Journey.
I went to the first Ummrah with two Naqshbandi-Haqqani brothers, Naheed and Nasir. We planned to go in sharh-Ramadhan. As Naheed had been before he was the kind of a guide.
The plan was to go to Jeddah via Damascus. We landed at Damascus Airport after all the red tape we finally got outside, I remember the crazy taxi drivers like vultures, trying to get us into their cars, and the airport was about 25mins drive into the city. We finally agreed on a price that I think was £10.00 English money. (We were conned – nothing new for strangers in a new city).
It was too wonderful being in the city of 40 Abdals- there is a tradition that the 40 Abdals live in the city of Damascus and one should show the up most respect to the people and place, because you don’t know when you may just meet one of them.
Thrilled, I was looking through the windows of the taxi to see the blessed land, maybe it was just myself being excited of travelling made me happy- not knowing I would come back next year.
We reached the old city, it was still morning and we started to walk around, my opinion was to first of all re-confirm our tickets; but we got into a some disagreement and didn’t and that was that.
We booked into our hotel; it was a hotel that brother Naheed had stayed in before. The rules of the hotel are that you have to give them your passports. In return they gave you a card which had details of their hotel, we were told if the police stopped us you just show them the card as a form of ID.
Eager to visit the tombs and shrines of the Pious Anbiya, Sahabah and Awliya, I wanted to venture through the old city. I can’t remember in which order we went to visit the tombs, but I’ll try in some fashion to explain without confusing myself.
Because I Spoke some Arabic the shift of Amir of the Journey went from Naheed guiding went to me(In Islam if your travelling you must point some as the Amir and he must make all the decisions you must not argue with him but may give him Naseeha - Advise if he feels he is not up to the job then someone else may take the role). But I still had to consult him, he wasn’t as enthusiastic as me to find as many tombs as we could and give ziyarah-(visit them), maybe because it was my first time and his second. In regards of Adaab of Travelling see - The seventh rule concerning travel and visiting Shaykhs by Shaykh Ahmad ibn 'Ajiba (Qutb)-Darqawiyyah: Basic Research
Travelling in a taxi to most of the places that we went to, not really of the fact that we were completely ripped off, but I know it was a bit of a con but I didn’t know it was that bad until my next trip.
Ruknah-deen
The area ruknah-deen was at the bottom of Jabul-Qassum a mount, once there, we had to get a small Suzuki. Suzukis had pit stops, they’d go up and around most of the mountain top with all its swirling paths. It was something very bizarre if you’d never had the experience of doing it before- and seemed even more dangerous than it looked.
You have to image a small 3 pistol Suzuki, going up a mountain frantically, through small bends made for walking; yes it did have enough space for cars. But once you were in the wild Suzuki you would have to hold on to the bars to protect your dear life. As buses and large heavy-duty lorries also frequented the journey, it made your heart jump and your eyes became wide open: staring at a large heavy lorry coming at you down a very steep mountain. Seatbelts? What are they! Not something for the light-hearted to say the least. Also, a little child was tagging onto the car by jumping on the back and then jumping off again.
Maqam of Shaykh Faiz Dagestani
Brother Naheed said that we had to get off at Maqam Ibrahim, so we jumped off and set off to find the Maqam of Shaykh Faiz Dagestani.(this is aan old photo the Maqam has changed since). While walking up the Jabul-Qassum we walked past a unmarked Maqam- which Naheed pointed out. It was strange that the children were playing around it, however I read Fatiha as we walked. A few shops passed on our way as I was leading- I knew were it was. Naheed had to think for a moment if it was the right way, I stopped and looked down next to me where I saw rubbish bags with files flying around them and I remember a sweet scent of roses and said its this way, maybe the Shaykh was helping us!
We suddenly turned the corner and we approached the doorstep. The Green door of the Maqam was locked, Naheed said we have to go around the corner a few yards away and knock on the door and ask the muqaddam – Keeper for the key. We knocked on the melt doors then pressed the door bell which echoed upstairs, the doors opened with a creak and Shaykh Anwar-a big man- stood there. He smiled and asked us to come in, we went upstairs and sat in the Shaykh Dagestani’s Zawiyah- (Zawiyah is the place were mureeds learn and sleep)
Going inside the Maqam of Shaykh Faiz Dagestani the Muqqadim-(the caretaker) gave us the key, as we opened the door inside was you a small box, the first impression is why a box? You’d think, why it so small, it happens that Shaykh Dagestani built his own Mosque and resting place with the measurements of the Holy Ka’baah. As you looked inside you saw the Maqam to your left through a door and had a wooden boundary around it and to your right was the Qibah and there was a larger area for the mureeds to pray.
This is in conjunction that a grave is not part of the Mosque so a barrier has been put around it so the maqam has its own space and doesn’t conflict with the Mosque.
After giving salaams and praying two ra’kahs we went back to the Shaykhs house. After a short while some German Mureeds came they were in their 50’s, and had been with the Shaykh for many years, dressed in purple that was the colour that many of the German Naqshbandi-Haqqani’s wore.
We ate together and food was prepared in a Damascus style. It was fun watching Shaykh Anwar serve so fast yet maintain a conversation at the same time. He would laugh say a dua and put food down, eat and serve tea, clean the used dishes, laugh and joke with duas in between and you just didn’t notice him clear the food spread on the floor. All this happened just so fast in front of you. I was told Shaykh Dagestani trained him to serve food, to serve a large gathering of mureeds with ease and skill. Yet at the same time eating with them and cleaning up all the same time.
We stayed until Maghrib time, and then went to the Shaykhs Maqam were we did the prayer and then performed the Naqshbandi Wird. We then sent back for the hotel. but from that i wanted to do some Dhikr at the blessed place were Shaykh Faiz Dagestani and Shaykh Nazim sat for Dhikr. There we are sitting and behide us is the Maqam of the Shaykh.
Our last day in Damascus I had a dream where Naheed tells me to hurry up at the Maqam of Shaykh Dagestani, and it happened just like the dream. Many of my dreams are in the dream section I’ve made and is more detailed- in all the Ummrahs I had different dreams relating to the Ummahs. So who is Grand Shaykh `Abdullah al-Fa'iz ad-Daghestani 39th Shaykh of the Naqshbandi-Haqqani Golden Chain.
Meeting Shaykh Dr F. G. Haddad
On the 2nd trip at the Maqam of Shaykh Dagestani I met Shaykh Dr F.G Haddad, I didn’t know who he was at first, we talked and I asked his name he said Foud Haddad. It didn’t click instantly but then after a short while my brain clicked and I said, ‘What Dr. F. G. Haddad’ he replied ‘yes.’ Ah! I said, ‘Subhallah!’ I then told him about my webpage and he then recognised me as he had been my webpage, he told to keep up the good work. We were invited back to his house. Later on, he gave us tea as we talked he also gave us 4 books and gave permission to reprint them- which he had translated into English. Unfortunately a friend misplaced them back at his home.
Exploring the city for food
Nasir enjoyed trying new meals and wanted to go to restaurants so we met up with some of Naheeds friends, who also came for a holiday, we only had one meal together. They were a young couple looking round the place we stopped somewhere and had a wholesome meal. We did this when we were in Damascus always trying something new or different. In the evenings there wasn’t really much to do, I think it was because we weren’t that confident about going- we just didn’t know were to go, this was more on the first trip. However one night, I was told about some Dhikr.
I wanted to go out to the Dhikr, the other two went somewhere else and I headed for a Hadra Dhikr in a mosque; it was great. On my 2nd year we would walk and go everywhere in the evenings, being much more confident also we had brothers that lived in Damascus to help us, we were staying in a friend's house and also my companion on the 2nd Ummrah was more out going then my my companion on the 1st trip.
Abu Hurayirah Allah bless him
Setting off from our hotel which was much more near to the old city than to Jabul-Qassum where a lot if the Maqams were. We headed straight for Suq Hamadiyyah- Suq-Market- as you entered the market you saw an area where there was a canopy covering the market and there was the hustle and bustle of market life as far as your eye could see. But just only a few yards to your right, tucked away by some shops was the small noble Maqam of Abu Hurayirah.
It was enclosed by a glass case; you could do Wudu just as you entered the mosque. We gave our salaams and Fatiha. Salatul Asr, was about to then start, so we prayed with the Jammat. After the salat they read Salawat ala rasul–Durood Shareef every one read together it’s a famous salawat ala rasul that the Damascus people read. After that a small surah was read- Mash’allah it was so beautiful.
Moving on and going through the market place we saw many shops selling everything, and street merchants also selling on the floor, they would all shout something to attract customers. It was so crowded one could easily loose ones companions with them, so we were careful not to walk to far away from each other.
Shaykh Nur-deen Zenghi
The market seemed to stretch for ever like one big long road. Finally 15 minutes later I got to the end of it, in front of me was the great wall of the Umayyad Mosque, and to my left were some small lanes. Later we found the Maqam of Shaykh Nur-deen- I think he was related to Salah-udeen Ayyubi. Shaykh Nur-deen was ordered to kill the two Jews trying to dig-(destory) towards the Maqam of Sayyiduna Rasul-lillah (peace and blessing upon him). Story goes that he was being ordered in his dreams several times to come and deal with the two dogs barking near this tomb, that was the two Jews. He went found them and killed them, after that he put iron bars all the way around the tomb so no one else could even try the same thing.
As you walked near to the Giant Iron Gate, on the left were more lanes and roads which took you to Sayyiduna Sakinah Maqam of the Noble Ahl-Bayt. I was bursting and needed to go to the toilet, but there were none inside the mosque. On your right were public toilets, and pass them in between the labyrinth of roads was Hammam Nur-deen -old Turkish Bath which we visited later on. So I went in the toilets well, what can I say the smell was something unbearable- but after the essential smell one got used to it. After I came out I put a coin to pay the young man,(you must pay to use them) who some me all dressed in my jubah and Islamic dress, he smiled and out of Adab refused to take my money. Allowing me to leaving without paying, I smiled and gave him a gesture with my eyes and tipped my head as a thank you.
Hammam Nur-deen-old Turkish Bath
We went twice to the Hammam Nur-deen-old Turkish Bath, we went exploring in the evening, more on my 2nd trip then the first. On the 2nd trip we went from Shaykh Faiz Daghastanis Maqam with Shaykh Anwar to another Hammam also.
The old Turkish bath sounds lavish and enchanting and that's what it was, you had to take of all your jewellery and cloths and change into one towel that covered your (Awrah-which is the fro me navel to knees from men) your given your know soap as well.
First we had to go into the coal room–sauna, which you had to throw water onto the coal to get it warmer, this made you completely sweat, sitting in there for about 15mins and getting weary from sweating so much we then movevd and then entered the bath which was cold water, then warm water. From there the next room was the steam room, water everywhere being poured into big bowls, it was very warm. You saw kids having great fun playing and having water fights, we were all laughing and jeering as well.
Then going into the small rooms there was a man sitting with a big rough soapy sponge. You had to sit down and he would scrap your skin, by now due to the heat and water your skin was now soft but still it felt you were being rubbed with sand paper, then back into the steam rooms and next the masseur. Lying on a leather bed he massaged your body with finally his great finish which was pulling your back with a bear hug and you would hear your bones go back into place. And again back into the Steam room and then you have fully completled the a full Turkish Bath, which lasted the best part over an hour, and to top of we tried tea on my 2nd trip.
As you left You felt so lose and relaxed from the whole experience, so much that it allowed great peace of mind you fell asleep really fast. That night my body and mind felt so at peace and easy, its one of the pleasure that I even now miss and hope to do again and again. Words cannot describe the overwhelming relaxation feeling from a Turkish bath.
Umayyad Mosque
Entering the front Gate, with fresh Wudu, we took off our shoes and put them to one side, the fist thing that catches your eye is the splendid courtyard, (view 2) (view3) (view4) as you look round you'll a white minaret to the left, what's the white minaret that Sayyiduna Isa Ibn Mariyam will descend down to, the time will be Fajr by the our traditions, when the event happens.
Inside the Mosque Inside of Masjid Umayyad me reading.
Inside the Mosque Inside of Masjid Umayyad standing at the Mimbar
When i got back a friend saw a picture of white minaret, he said in a dream he saw two lights descending down to that place but didn't know what it meant. I smiled and explained he saw a true dream for our tradition says that a two lights will accompany Sayyiduna Isa Ibn Mariyam when he descends to that place, he'll pray with Imam Mahdi and go and kill the Dajjal. (inshallah the soon the better )
Sunni Adhan
Walking through the streets the Adhan started, you could here the most delightful sounds of salaams on the Prophet peace be upon him, first then Allahu-Akbar, Allahu-Akbar, now that's how one should be doing Adhan. i remember once we made it for Jummah pray in the great Umayyad Mosque, everyone was reading Salawat ala rasul for 15-20mins. Then Dhikr was done after the Jummah. ( So this is the sunni Sufi style of Adhan and Jummah- shame on you Deobandis this is how its done and its not some pakistani thing its Sunnah and all good Sunni Mosques with the correct Aqeedah practice it so get a life and get with the real Sunni way)
Nabi Sayyiduna Yahya Allah bless him
walking inside the old mosque you see it old design not touched in any way, to your far left at the back of the mosque the women sat, there was no barrier there. The mosque was one big room. Going further into the mosque you saw a magnificent dome of Nabi Sayyiduna Yahya Allah bless him with a glass and steel Dome inside is the tomb. Inside was the body of Nabi Sayyiduna Yahya Allah bless him. As you got closer men with red turbans with black shades saw all around the tomb. It was weird at first, because they were all blind which spooked me abit and they werwe holding praying beads and doing dhikr.
I read surah Ya-sin at the Maqam, and said some duas, I walked all the way round the Maqam it was about 15 feet long tomb from the glass sections which small steel cris-crosses all the way round allowing viewing only by peeping in between them.
Sayyiduna Imam Hussain blessed Maqam
Walking to the far end passed the maqam was another door which went through and back into the courtyard, further was the Maqam was Sayyiduna Imam Hussain blessed head was placed, a sliver niche was made there, then inside the room the blessed Head of Sayyiduna Imam Hussain, some have it, that it its in Cairo.
Salah-udeen Ayyubi
Coming out of there and walking towards the white minaret, and walking passed outside the courtyard, you came to some old ruins straight ahead was the Maqam of Salah-udeen Ayyubi, the dome was redish in colour. Inside you passed a garden and fountain then into the dome, but there two tombs, the one in front was old a cenophia, and this empty tomb to show respect, the one on the far right was the actual tomb, it was said the Salah-udeen Ayyubi was penniless and that the Germans out of respect for the Just and fair ruler, paid for his tomb. Inside the Maqam there are two maqams one is just out of honour the other is the resting place of the Shaykh Sufi Warrrior.
Sayyiduna sakinah
Walking back towards the white minaret and then going left you enter some more routes nad lanes, we started to venture out and found the walls of Maqam Sayyiduna sakinah, it was a huge Maqam with many domes and beautiful courtyard the shiah spent a lot of money building it, a white palace is how to describe it best. Inside the noble Maqam.
Graveyard of Ahl-bayt
Coming out of Suq Hamadiyyah, I think turning left you can walk to the graveyard but is a bit of a walk maybe 25mins. I went there on my second trip and we hired a car to take us there when we meet a Naqshbandi-Haqqani mureed that knew all the places, and he was a good guide, with him I covered twice as many shrines then my first trip.
I can write all day, about the too many Maqams in that graveyard, so we will only cover some; the second Muazzim the caller to pray of Islam. Sayyiduna Bilal, two wives of the prophet peace be upon, more of the daughters and Sayyiduna Imam Hussain, sahaba, and many ahl-bayt, the son of Imam Zain Abid-deen that was the place which we rested prayed I lead the pray, there werew just too many many awliya in this blessed graveyard. Sayyidunah Fatima Sughra. Son of Jafer ibn Abdullah On the other side of the round you'll find another graveyard with I think about 16 heads of the blessed Ahl-bayt of Karbala.
Great Qubt in the middle of the road
Walking to
Sayyiduna Zaynib
We had to book a van for a half a day, we meet at Shaykh Faiz Dagestani's maqam early in the morning, we invite the Germans with us. The journey was about 40mins or so, it was in the slump area, nothing to write home about anyway Sayyiduna Zaynib's Maqam is near the airport, again the Shi'ah paid a lot of money for the golden dome with its large blue minarets. outside the Maqam of Sayyiduna Zaynib and inside Sayyiduna Zaynib's Maqam.
On the way back to the airport in the 1st journey we had problems at the airport, and couldn't get on the plane, so we had to stay at the airports hotel. It was a strange hotel which it felt dead, yet was large and lavish. (It felt dead because it was owned by the shia nad reminded me of the movie The Shinning the movie is about an evil and spiritual presence in the hotel) The Shi'ah's built it because it was so close to the Maqam so after reflecting I understood why it felt so dead anyway the hotel was near Sayyiduna Zaynib's Maqam.
We stayed there for two nights I think or was it day and half anyway we would walk to Sayyiduna Zaynib's Maqam on the plus side. We went out to the restaurant via booking a taxi at the front desk, I made the point of asking how much money he was going to charge, we agreed on a set price. I said to the taxi driver we would catch a taxi back. He said OK, but he waited outside for no reason, we went inside and ate . On the way out he was still there so we decided to go back with him very very bad thing to do.
Taxi Cons
so once bad at the hotel he wanted 5 times or more for the journey and tried to get clever with us by lying. I suddenly got anger and refused to pay the taxi driver any more than the set fee. I quoted to the hotel manager many hadiths to which he said to the taxi driver. The Manager knew what I said was the truth and the taxi driver's faced change colour. The manager was about to give his own money but my friends paid extra, I did no such thing it was a disgusting finish to the night.
Tips around the Cons
I was told on my 2nd trip that one can get around the whole of Damascus with just 5p and here's me back a year later now knowing how much we were being conned by taxi drivers. All you do needed to do was find which Suzuki was going were by the signs on the top of their roofs. You would just stop them on the road and read the signs if you couldn't you would just ask them. Because they would beep or stop and start shouting places out. It was like playing musical Suzuki cars, jumping in one and then another. So now you know once you have landed don't get into a taxi. Its better to jump onto the bus and you will save alot of money. So experience helps and you learn alot whch i did by the 2nd 3rd trips, a taxi is only used if your in a real rush only.
Shaykh Bayazid Bistami
Shaykh Bistami's Maqam is in the middle of nowhere, on a hill that has no real roads only dirt tracks that wined up to a hill. Close by was the army camp. The journey was about 30mins or so from Shaykh Faiz Dagestani maqam, when we got there I needed the toilet. Even now I still remember it, the water was cold, it made you shiver and it was a very pain experience washing myself and then doing Wudu so plan ahead is my tip on that one.!
It was a simple looking zawiayh with the Maqam inside, you knew the Shaykh chose an area to be buried in a place he wouldn't be disturbed too much the journey was so bumpy and cold. As I walked outside I saw some people I don't know if they were Muslims or druzes, because of the usual dress code, they looked like druzes to me Allah knows best. I remember from them there were beauty young girls they were smiling at me, they also came out around the round of the maqam my friends made a point of it as well.
I replied with smiles too and then after i went outside and around the corner of the Maqam were some sheep around the relatives of the girls and a dog. The only dog I ever saw in the whole trip. One of the their men called me over with this hand and was gesturing me to join him in some tea. At first I refused but he kept on calling, my friends laughed a bit, but I still went sat with them. The man must have been his daughters or relatives, I drank the tea and gestured thank you.
I was abit nerves maybe he was going to ask me questions, if I was single or something. But I didn't understand him, maybe he was just being hospitable and wanted to offer me tea . I think If I stayed long enough and spoke better Arabic mmm... Allahu-alim. I can still remember the cold water, arggghh. Read more on the life of the Great Ghawth Shaykh Abu Yazid al-Bistami from Naqshbandi Golden Chain, it is isaid Bayazid al-Bistami was the first one to spread the Reality of Annihilation (fana') .
Maqam Muhiy-deen Ibn ‘Arabi
Near ruknah-deen at the bottom Jabul-Qassum is waking distance to many Maqams. The Maqam of Muhiy-deen Ibn ‘Arabi is near by so is Abu Nur School, I have never been inside it and as we were waking past we found a brother from the UK who was studying there, we ate with him and he also took us to some shrines. see photo of Maqam1
Then going to the Maqam of Muhiy-deen, entering the noble shrine was amazing. At first impressions it looks like a green house it was completely covered in glass. It was the Maqam I wanted to visited more than any other and only arrived at this maqam after many days. There is a story that Shaykh Nazim was given a piece of bread from the mosque and ran with it and ate it all. They asked why he did that he replied this bread is blessed it you eat it you will not die a Munafiq- Hypocrite.
The bread is made from the gold which came under the feet of the Shaykh when he said to this people the god you worship is under my feet there thought he meet him which would be Shirk). They killed him, later they found gold and that gold is used today to feed people.
I was told if you come to the mosque of Muhiy-deen Ibn ‘Arabi at fajr you'll find some being disturbed. I only received the bread on the third Ummrah the following year. It is the only Maqam that I visit and never fail to read Ya-Sin. The Shaykh enjoys the Surah, because when he was ill his father read it to him to bring him back from illness. That's why who ever reads the surah and sends the Thawab to the Shaykh he will get much barakah by it and with it.
From my 3rd visit I remember going to the Muhiy-deen Maqam in the morning, and by my surprise they were giving out bread, we took some pieces, I took a bit of some and put the rest into a bag and was going to surprise my friends back at home. Once back home I put the bag with the bread in the fridge and went out. My wife seeing the bread think its old and puts it in the bin. 3 years I waited for that and only had a small piece myself and wanted to give the rest out but destiny didn't allow it.
It was on my second Ummrah at the Maqam of Muhiy-deen Ibn ‘Arabi a Naqshbandi-Haqqani brother who then helped us to find so many shrines. So you see the barakah flows form there.
Shaykh Abdul Ghani Nabusi
Near ruknah-deen was Shaykh Abdul Ghani Nabusi, I found it on my 2nd trip. As you went inside it was a Mosque and Madrassah. Going into the Mosque and at the Tomb it was covered with a old brown wooden Gate, it was the same old blessed Gate that was round the Tomb of Sayyiduna Muhammad peace and bless be upon. Which was replaced by the now golden Gate. We gave salaam and read Fatiha there was much history in the mosque the old Pulpit as well.
Shaykh Khalid Baghdadi
Getting into a Suzuki from ruknah-deen stop, we went to the Maqam of Shaykh Khalid Baghdadi, it was a 10 min ride through small lanes and roads. I notice a road called Naqshbandi Road, we came to another stop and we were told to walk up steep roads after that reaching the graveyard the Maqam was also on a higher part of the graveyard. Once there you could the impressive green dome and trees, outstrip the rest of the graveyard, you had to knock on a door and an old women and opened it we went inside. As you entered the first striking feature were the two trees one an orange tree the other lemon tree. There was drinking water there and a small wudu area. We went inside gave ours salaams to all the Maqams and sat dear the Shaykh's tomb and performed some Dhikr i looked around and then left. As you came out you saw the other Maqams lower down. Because we were on a hilltop overlooking the old city. See also photo of Maqam2 See also photo of Maqam3
Maqam Arab'ain (40 Abdal)
From Shaykh Faiz Dagestani maqam we set off, up to the mountain, higher and higher we climbed the steep lanes, then we got to some large steps that we man made, after climbing and reaching to a niche we rested and had some oranges and set back onto the journey, the climb from this point was a bit dangerous as the steps ended and you just had a mountain surfaces to climb on. It was just another 10mins climbing left until we reaching the Mosque and Maqam of the 40 Abdals. You had to knock on a melt door, the Muqaddam opened it. As you walked in on your right was the Wudu area and on the left some rooms.
On 3rd trip I went into those rooms, we had to bend down as it was a small door and room with a only one small window. We were told that Shaykh Nazim had performed seclusion there.
If you looked straight ahead you saw a cave, first we went to the left towards the Wudu and then another left into another room, there were 2 or 3 Maqams, the Shaykh said that they were this fathers graves and that one of the spaces left saw his when he died. The Muqaddam was from the Ra'fai Tariqah. The chain of Shaykh Ahmed Ra'fai, a branch from the Shadhili order, known for the secrets for putting swords through their faces and bodies and talking to Lions.
In front was some stairs going up them was a long rectangle pray room, it had in all 40 places to pray. At Maghrib time the 40 Shaykhs came in the Ruh-Spirit World and prayed there. (through see three holes) I prayed there several times and kissed and touched each of the 40 places on the wall. The three wholes is were the 40 Abdals enter in Ruhani (Spiritially World of Arwah) form to get into the cave and to pray there.
Going down and back towards the cave now, as you entered you had to go down some steps. There were two niches to the left and right. One was the place Sayyiduna Ibrahim prayed the other Sayyiduna Khidr had prayed. One prayed 2 ra'kahs in both places out of respect and barakah.
Hand of Arch Angel -Jibriel
Looking ahead further now was a wooden fence and looking through it you saw something in red. To the right was a tongue and the left was three holes, and on the floor was a bowl. The story goes that when Cain kill Abel, the cave was given a tongue which screamed or said something, it then started to compress itself to revenge Abel but Sayyiduna Jibreill Came and stopped the cave, above the bowl is the Angel's hand print and the bowl is we water or tears came from the mountain crying even now. We prayed and then sat down in the cave and performed some Dhikr and then went down the mount.
Nabi Sayyiduna Dhul-kifel peace be upon him
On the 2nd trip set off from Shaykh Faiz Dagestani maqam, Shaykh Anwar told us about the old graveyard which is about 10-15min walk. As you come to the enterance you see a tall wall with Arabic engraved with the name of Nabi Sayyiduna Dhul-kifel peace be upon him. It was a nice day and there was nobody inside the graveyard we went through the entrance and there at the back, high up were some fine domes and tiles in Arabic of the Maqam magnificently outstrip the rest of the graveyard. We sent Fatiha there and peeped from the glass to see the Maqam, it was small and simple maqam of Nabi Sayyiduna Dhul-kifel peace be upon him.
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