Ebrahim Moosa – Cii News | 25 September 2012

After an official absence of almost a year from Masjid an Nabawi, Sheikh Ali Abdur Rahmaan al Hudhaify has made a timely return to the Imaam’s Musalla in Madinah, coinciding with the arrival of some of the first batches of this year’s Hujaaj.

There were outpourings of joy from worshippers today as the veteran Imaam, who has served in Masjid an Nabawi for over 30 years, unexpectedly returned to lead this morning’s Fajr Salaah. Reporting from Madinah, Cii presenter Moulana Moosa Leher- currently preparing for Hajj, said the surprise appearance was very warmly received.

“Shaikh Ali Huzaifi performed a breathtaking Fajr Salaah bringing the Haram to tears,” he recounted in a tweet.

Mufti Abdool Kader Hoosen, also in Madinah, spoke of his immense pleasure on hearing Sheikh Hudhaify recite once again. “When the Imam said ‘Allahu Akbar’ straight away I made out it was Sheikh Hudhaify, Subhanallah he is back on the Mussalla of Nabi SAW – wonderful, wonderful recitation.”

There was also elation from Muslims worldwide who encountered visuals of this morning’s Salaah. A user on the popular Haramain Recordings website wrote: “MashaAllah MashaAllah MashaAllah. I watched the salah live, I was very surprised and so happy to hear Sheikh Hudaify again in Madinah subhaAllah. May Allah bless him, protect him and reward him for this exceptional salah mashaAllah. “

Sheikh Hudhaify’s Salaah comprised of a recital from Surah ar Rahmaan, Chapter 55 of the Quraan, that exhorts believers to express gratitude for the multitude of favours Allah has bestowed on humanity.

His apparent reinstatement came as Saudi King Abdullah laid the foundation stone for the largest expansion yet of the Prophet’s Mosque(PBUH) in Madinah on Monday. The new project, which is envisaged to occur in 3 phases, will increase the mosque’s capacity to more than two million worshippers.

“Altogether the new expansion will create an additional space for 1.2 million worshippers by 2040,” Al-Madinah Arabic daily reported, quoting informed sources.

Sheikh Hudhaify was suspended from official duties following a Khutbah delivered on October 7, 2011, wherein he condemned riots by mostly Shi’ite protestors in the Saudi city of Qatif.

ebmoosa@ciibroadcasting.com