Day 1: Amman / Cave of the Seven Sleepers / AMMAN
- Pickup from your hotel in Amman.
- Depart to visit The Cave of the Seven Sleepers;
Outside of Amman, at a distance of about 10Km, is the mystical Cave of the Seven Sleepers, known as Kahf Al-Raqeem. The story around this revered site is related in the Quran in Surat Al-Kahf (the Cave), which is equated to the Biblical “Sleepers of Ephesus.” The “sleepers” were
pious people who were persecuted by their own people. Refusing to recant their religion, they sought refuge in the cave. There, they slept for about 300 years - waking up thinking they only slept a few hours. Today, one can see the cave’s Roman Byzantine remains.
- Lunch at a Local Restaurant in Amman (Optional).
- Transfer back to the Hotel in Amman.
Day 2: Amman/ Al Karak / Amman
- Pickup from your hotel in Amman.
- Depart to Al Karak for a visit to the the site of Battle Mu’tah, Kara Castle, Shrine of Prophet Nuh, Abdullah Bin Ruwaha, Ja’far Bin Abi Taleb and Zied Bin Haretha Tombs.
Karak is the site of the first major battle between a Byzantine-Ghassanite army and a Muslim army. The battle took place in Mu’tah near Karak in 629 AD, during the Prophet’s lifetime. The Muslim army was led by Zeid bin Haritha. Second in command was Ja’afar bin Abi Talib and third in command was Abdallah bin Ruwaha. All three of those venerable companions were martyred and buried in Mazar Al-Janubi near Karak. Located about 150Km south of Amman, the city of Karak is best known for the “Karak Castle.” Built in the 12th century by Baldwin I of Jerusalem over the remains of Nabatean citadels, the castle is composed of two buildings and was built over two phases: Crusader (1124-1188 AD) and Mamluk (1263-1517AD). It contains an Islamic museum as well as informative display on the history and function of the Castle. Beneath the Castle walls is the Castle Plaza that contains 19th century buildings built by the Ottomans. These beautiful buildings have been adapted as a tourist center and include a plaza with a restaurant, a crafts’ center and other facilities.
Prophet Noah (Nuh), Near Karak is the shrine of the Prophet Nuh. Nuh is one of the most ancient Prophets; he was mentioned in the Quran several times, with a whole Surat named after him (Surat 71). The Prophet Nuh was sent to his people to guide them to worship the One God and to abandon their idols. But like many other Prophets, Nuh was rejected by his people who refused to heed his warnings, all except for a few who were poor and deprived. The three religions of Islam, Christianity and Judaism tell us that God instructed Nuh to build a ship (Ark) so that he would escape a catastrophic flood. Nuh boarded the ship with his family and the others who heeded his call; taking along two of all creatures, male and female. Heavy rain fell and a flood annihilated all, except for Nuh and his companions.
Abdullah bin Ruwaha, A poet and a dedicated soldier, the venerable companion Abdallah bin Ruwaha was well known for his piety, patience and obedience to God. The Prophet appointed him as third in command after Zeid and Ja’afar. He was martyred in Mu’tah Battle. Afterwards in a vision, the Prophet saw him along with Zeid and Ja’afar, resting in Paradise.
Ja’far bin Abi Taleb One of the first Muslims, the venerable companion Ja’afar bin Abi Talib bin Abd Al-Muttalib was the first cousin of the Prophet.
He was said to resemble the Prophet in looks and character. The Prophet charged him with leading a group of Muslims migrating to Abyssinia (Ethiopia). He was second in command in the Mu’tah Battle during which he became known as Ja’afar Al-Tayyar (the flying Ja’afar). This is because he lost his arms during battle, but managed to keep holding up the banner until he was martyred. He died on Jamada Al-Oula in the 8th Hijra.
Zeid bin Haretha The venerable companion Zeid bin Harithah was the adopted son of the Prophet. He was the first to embrace Islam after the Sahaabi (Companion) Ali bin Abi Taleb. He led the Battle of Mu’tah, fighting bravely until he was stabbed. He died of a fatal wound at the age of fifty-five. Harithah was mentioned in Surat Al-Ahzab verse 37, which makes him the only companion referred to by name
in the Quran.
- Lunch during trip at a Local Restaurant (Optional).
- Transfer back to the Hotel in Amman.
Day 3: Amman / Jordan Valley / Amman
- Pickup from your hotel in Amman.
- Depart to the The Jordan Valley and visit the important sites: Pilgrims frequent the Jordan Valley, which has many tombs of venerable companions and military leaders who died during the Amwas Plague (known as the Great Plague) of the 18th year after Hijra in the 7th Century.
Abu Ubaydah Amir bin Abdallah bin Al-Jarrah Al-Qurayshi;
One of the first to enter Islam, Abu Ubaydah was one of the “Blessed Ten” companions whom the Prophet confirmed will be going to Heaven. A tall and slender man, Abu Ubaydah shared a common ancestor with the Prophet, named Fihr. The Prophet called Abu Ubaydah the Ameen of the Nation, which means Guardian or Trusted One. He was also one of the compilers of the Holy Quran. In the Battle of Uhud, the Prophet received a blow that embedded his armor in his cheek. Using his teeth,Abu Ubaydah pulled the chain out of the Prophet’s cheek, and by doing so he broke his tooth. The blood of the two men mixed, which made Abu Ubaydah a source of envy for many of the Prophet’s followers. After the Prophet’s death, Abu Ubaydah led the Muslims’ Northern Army during the campaign to Syria. He died of the Plague near Fahl in the Jordan Valley at
age 58.
Amir bin Malik Al-Zahri (the son of Abi Waqqas);
Brother to Sa’ed bin Abi Waqqas who was a famous General, Al-Zahri was the maternal cousin of the Prophet and said to be the eleventh person to convert to Islam. It is said that when his mother, Himnah bint Sufyan bin Umayyah, learnt of her son’s new religion, she threatened to stay out in the sun until he renounced his religion or until death befell her. But Amir did not succumb to his mother’s threat. During the second immigration, he went to Abyssinia (Ethiopia), returning with Ja’afar to Medina. He died in the Plague in Ghor of Jordan Valley in the 18th year after Hijra, and is buried there.
Dhirar bin Al-Azwar;
One of the earliest of the Prophet’s companions, Dhirar was known for his love for combat and his fierce warrior skills. The Prophet sent Dhirar to ward off the raid of Bani As’aad, and his name alone was enough to strike fear in the hearts of men. He was a General in Khalid bin Al-Walid’s army, battling in the Islamic conquests. It is said that he once gave a camel as a gift to the Prophet. Like Al-Azhari and Abu Ubaydah, the Great Plague ended his life in the 18th year after the Hijra.
Abu Abd Al-Rahman Mu’aath bin Jabal;
Embracing Islam at the age of 18, Mu’aath was present in the pact of Aqaba and participated in the Battle of Badr. He was one of the Ansari compilers of the Quran, and the Prophet later advised his followers to read the Quran from him, along with three other compilers, i.e. Ibn Mas’aoud, Salim Abu Hudayfah and Ubayy bin Ka’ab. The Prophet said that Mu’aath was the most knowledgeable in the Quran and sent him as a religious teacher and leader of the companions to rule over Yemen. During the Battle of Hunayn, the Prophet put him in charge of
Mecca to teach its people the Holy Quran and the Islamic faith. Mu’aath died at the early age of 38 during the Great Plague.
Abu Abdallah Shurhabil bin Hasnah;
Bin Hasnah (Hasnah being his mother) was of the earlier converts to Islam, and was one of the companions who died in the Plague
in the 18th year after the Hijra, presumably on the same day as Abu Ubaydah. Converting to the religion in Mecca, he migrated to Abyssinia
(Ethiopia) with his family and then returned to Medina. Abu Bakr sent him on the conquest to the Levant, known as Bilad Al-Sham, and during Omar’s caliphate, he was assigned to govern three quarters of that area.
- Lunch during trip at a Local Restaurant (Optional).
- Transfer back to the Hotel in Amman.
Day 4: Amman Tour
- Pickup from your hotel in Amman.
- Depart to visit the shrines of Abdul Rahman bin Awf Al-Zuhri & Bilal bin Rabh.
Abdul Rahman bin Awf Al-Zuhri;
In Jubeiha, a suburb of Amman rests the shrine of the venerable companion, Abdul-Rahman bin Awf Al-Zuhri. As one of the first Muslims, and the Prophet’s earliest companions, Al-Zuhri was one of the “Blessed Ten” who were promised Paradise through the Prophet. Al-Zuhri participated in all major Islamic campaigns and battles during the time of the Prophet, including the battle of Mt. Uhud, The Trench, the conquest of Mecca
and Hunayen. Al-Zuhri led the expedition of Dumat Al- Jandal and was assigned by the Prophet as the signatory to represent the Islamic side in the treaty of Hudaybiyah. He was also present during the Farewell Pilgrimage, also known as the Pilgrimage of Islam, which was the last time that the Prophet saw Mecca and the Holy Sanctuary prior to his passing away. After the Prophet’s death, Al-Zuhri was one of the signatories of the conquest of Jerusalem and the covenant of Omar. This covenant of peace took place between the Muslims, represented by the Caliph Omar bin-Al-Khattab and the Christian population in Jerusalem.
Bilal bin Rabaah;
Enclosed in a modern building in wadi Es-Seer, another suburb of Amman, is the shrine of Bilal bin Rabaah - one of the first companions of the Prophet and the first Mua’then in Islam (man who called out-loud for people to come to prayer). Bilal converted to Islam when he was still a slave, and although he was badly tortured by his master Umayyah bin Khalaf, his deep faith helped him withstand and refuse to renounce his new religion. The Prophet’s companion, Abu Bakr Al-Siddeeq, bought Bilal from bin Khalaf and set Bilal a free man upon the order of the Prophet. Bilal fought in the Battles of Uuhud and Badr, and when Islam conquered Mecca, he was asked by the Prophet to climb up the Ka’aba and sound the call for prayer. His beautiful voice echoed in the sky reminding the people of their one God and their religious duty.
- Lunch during trip at a Local Restaurant (Optional).
- Transfer back to the Hotel in Amman.