The whole world has been hit by the deadly coronavirus pandemic. Tawaf around the Kaaba has been suspended for more than two months. On the silent, empty mataf, under the close watch of law enforcers, flocks of birds have now landed, as if absorbed in the worship of Allah.

A photo posted on the Haramain Sharifain Facebook page shows silence across the courtyard of the Kaaba. Members of the security forces stand beside the Maqam Ibrahim next to the Kaaba, and in front of them a flock of birds has settled on the courtyard.

Anyone seeing the picture at a glance might think it showed a pigeon square in the holy city of Makkah. It is the Maqam Ibrahim in the frame that makes clear this is no pigeon square but the courtyard of the Kaaba, the House of Allah.

Around the Kaaba, where thousands of people were always circling in tawaf, flocks of birds now spend their time fearlessly and freely. Many people commenting on the Haramain Sharifain Facebook page said it seemed as if the birds were remembering their Lord in the courtyard of the Kaaba.

• One commenter, Danjumai AG Hadejia, wrote: "Subhanallah! How wonderful! These birds are enjoying the holiest place on earth for the worship of Allah. These birds are probably worshipping Allah."
• Another, Tuan Ahamed, commented: "O birds! You look after the Kaaba! This holy place does not need the protection of law enforcers."

Many others wrote: "O Allah! Grant us the chance to spend time in the courtyard of the Kaaba like the birds. Free us from the coronavirus pandemic and grant us the chance to perform tawaf."

Meanwhile, a man has fulfilled his wish of performing tawaf around the Kaaba alone, walking on foot, after waiting 20 years. Twenty years ago he had a dream whose interpretation was that no one but he would perform tawaf in the courtyard of the Kaaba. News and video reporting that this had come true were published recently.

Saudi Arabia has announced that all mosques will reopen in two phases. In the first phase, on Sunday 31 May, many mosques including Masjid an-Nabawi reopened for prayers under health rules. In the second phase the remaining mosques will reopen on 20 June, corresponding to 28 Shawwal. But no announcement has yet been made on fully opening Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, and with it the Kaaba, to everyone.

The Muslim ummah is longing to perform tawaf and worship at the Kaaba, the heartbeat of their faith, and waiting for the moment and the announcement.

The prayer of believing Muslims is: O Allah, free the world from the coronavirus pandemic and open the doors of the Kaaba.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.