We didn't realize how many places of historical significance could be found in Jordan. But it makes sense, since it part of the area of As-Shaam, which is truly blessed land.
There were so many Roman ruins, in downtown Amman, as well as in places such as Jerash. We saw so many Roman ruins, that I think we have seen enough for a lifetime! The best part of these ruins for me was to sit in the ampitheatres. It took me back to scenes from the movie, 'Gladiator.' And the acoustics in these theatres was amazing. If you stand in a particular spot right in the centre of the stage, your voice will amplify all over the theatre. It was pretty cool, to say the least.
We also had the chance to go the Dead Sea. The kids and Ovaise actually went in, where it is impossible to sink and you just float up. There is no animal life in the sea due to the very high salt content. Ovaise managed to get some water in his eyes, which led to a severe burning sensation, and he had to run up to the showers to wash it out. The amount of hotels and resorts along the Dead Sea is astonishing! It truly has become a luxury vacation spot for many tourists. However, as I sat there on the sand, I couldn't help but think that this was where the people of Lut (alaihi asalam) were destroyed by Allah. And if you read the description of how they were destroyed it is truly incredible: Allah subjected them to all sorts of punishment, like no other nation had ever been punished. The people of Lut were first deprived of their eyesight and then Jibreel (alaihi salam), was ordered to tear their homes off the ground and raise them to the sky. Their screams could be heard all over the sky. They were then overturned with their homes and hard stones of fire were rained upon them. Not one of them escaped, whether he was in the town, or wandering around, or away on a trip. All were struck with these stones until they were killed, and were on their way towards the torture of the fires of Hell.
The Dead Sea is also said to be the lowest point on earth. SubhanAllah!
After the Dead Sea, we went onto the cave of Lut (alaihi salam) where he took refuge with his family after the punishment came down on the people. It was quite a climb up, and the kids were getting tired, but we managed to make it up to the top. We went inside and most of cave from the back was closed off, but we creeped in where we could and looked around a bit, before heading back down, since it was getting late by then.
On the way back, we stopped at a place where an unusual rock formation is along the Dead Sea Highway. It is said to be the wife of Lut (alaihi salam), who was punished along with the rest of the people, because she disobeyed Allah. Allahu alim if that is true or not, but we still stopped, took a picture and headed back for home. Regardless of it being true or not, the Dead Sea gave me the creeps and I would not want to go back there again. Many people had told me to take a dip in there, as it would be good for my skin, but I opted to pass on that!
Another place we had the opportunity to visit was Mount Nebo, which is an elevated ridge in western Jordan. The view is simply breathtaking and gave us the chance to see a panorama of the Holy Land and the valley of the River Jordan. The West Bank is also visible, as is Jerusalem. Mount Nebo is said to be where Prophet Musa (alaihi salam) was given a view of the promised land. The climb up wasn't too much and we stayed there for sometime, before heading back down. We also went to a small city called Madaba, which is mainly Christian populated. We saw the mosaic map, which is a depiction of the Holy Land and especially Jerusalem. It dates back to the 6th century.
Once again, while in Madaba, we met a character we won't soon forget. We were lost in the small city (which happened a few times!), and decided to pull over and ask someone. The first person we saw was a boy of around 12-13 years of age. His english was quite good, so we were able to communicate with him. He turned out to be Christian, living in Madaba, but had lived sometime in Toronto as well, and still had one of his brothers there! His name was Danny and he hopped into our truck and showed us around. He even offered to take us all the way up to other places, but we really did not want to impose on him. He was a very well mannered kid, may Allah guide him.
Towards the end of our stay in Jordan, we visited the Cave of the Sleepers, which is located just outside of Amman. The cave in Jordan is one of two that claim to be that cave, the other one being located in Turkey. Allahu alim which cave is really 'the' cave, but we were told that the one in Jordan is more likely to be it since it fits Quranic descriptions more accurately. Like I said, Allahu alim!
It didn't take us long to drive to the cave itself, and we were there in the morning, so there weren't too many people at that time. Around the cave are old ruins and inside are said to be the tombs of the sleepers. On top of the cave are ruins of an old masjid. We explored around the cave and went inside. Ovaise popped out his pocket size Quran and began to read verses from Surah Kahf. Afterwards, we went up to the masjid and looked around some more. Since it was Friday, we decided to stay there for jumah prayer (there is a new masjid built right beside the cave). There was still sometime left until jumah started, so I sat outside the cave and read Surah Kahf. Although we are not 100% sure that cave is the actual cave of the sleepers, it was still a special moment for me to be there on a Friday and read Surah Kahf there. MashaAllah, the khutbah was great and although it was in arabic, I found myself understanding parts of it. The recitation of the imam was also very beautiful, as was the setting outside. The masjid is located on an elevated level, and if you look outside the women's prayer area, you can see blue skies and nice trees all around. It was a great Friday for us (and also our last Friday in Amman)! I eill always remember that day with fond memories.
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